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Beneath These Fireworks is singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson’s sixth album in ten years. Born in Massachusetts and based in San Francisco, Nathanson has built a loyal and impassioned grassroots following over the last few years.
Comparisons to John Mayer, Howie Day and Jason Mraz notwithstanding, Nathanson has his own completely unique musical identity that includes a live show that literally has him taking unsuspecting audiences by storm. He knows how to entertain, and his performances take his recorded songs to a completely intense level.
Every year around the December holiday time, it seems that almost every musician releases a Christmas album or single. Some have stood the test of time, others seem like a commercial cash-in on the emotions and meaning of the holidays.
If there’s ever a band moved by the true spirit of Christmas, it is the Blind Boys of Alabama – one of the greatest gospel groups of our time.
After his reign of the R&B and pop charts in the 70’s with classics like “I’m Still In Love With You,” “Let’s Stay Together,” “Tired of Being Alone,” and “Here I Am,” Al Green decided to join the ministry and by the 1980’s was only releasing Gospel records and has been primarily been a religious performer since then.
David Dye, host of the World Cafe says it best: "This is the best World Cafe CD yet." And on the CD, David and the World Cafe staff present 17 of the most incredible live performances recorded exclusively for the national syndicated show. Train, Steve Winwood, Phil Roy, Daniel Lanois, Ben Harper, Los Lonely Boys, John Eddie, Alexi Murdoch, Rosanne Cash, Joe Jackson, Pete Yorn, Amy Rigby, Azam Ali, Damien Rice, Mark Knopfler, Richard Thompson and Ziggy Marley make the all-star cut on this all-star edition, Three Flights Up.
An understated gem, Josh Ritter’s second album Hello Starling is an album not to be missed this year.
First listens to this Idaho-born singer-songwriter will reveal touchstones as familiar as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, even Tim Hardin.
When Ryan Adams’ first band Whiskeytown debuted in the mid-Nineties they were one of the few “alt-country” bands that critics and fans of the genre felt could break through to mainstream success. Truth is however, while Whiskeytown was a critical success, creatively that had as much to do with “country” music as the Eagles did during their prime. If anything, Adams established himself as an excellent songwriter with a variety of influences, country music being just one of them.
Philadelphia's own Cheers Elephant is a folk-rock four-piece. Dubbing themselves as the dudes with the best indie rock haircuts, Derek Krzywicki (guitar, lead vocals), Travelin' Mat (bass, vocals), Jordan del Rosario (lead guitar, vocals), and Roberto Kingston (percussion) know how to best blend playful humor, pure rocking energy, and some really great three-part harmonies. Since coming together in 2007, they've toured across the US, sharing the stage with the likes of Chubby Checker, The Go! Team, and DMC. Cheers Elephant has a thing for British pop and good ole American rock 'n' roll , which comes through in their '60s-flavored psychedelia, especially on stage. The chemistry between these four friends and bandmates is almost palpable, and they always draw the audience into their rollicking fun with singalongs and plenty of special effects.
Don't let the skeletons on the cover of Sounds From Nowheresville confuse you: The Ting Tings are alive and well. Four years after the release of their debut full length, the duo is back with an album of diverse and danceable tracks. Though, with a track record like theirs, that's hardly a surprise. In 2007 they put out the single "That's Not My Name/Great DJ" and within a year were featured in iPod commercials, video games, and movies. Katie White and Jules De Martino, who started as co-writers in a girl punk group, seemed to become a sensation over night. They released their debut album, "We Started Nothing", in 2008 to critical acclaim. Even up through 2010, the duo was still receiving nominations and awards for the infectious electronic pop that they created on that first record.
For nearly twenty years, Joan Osborne has surprised and delighted fans with the diversity of her talent. Her hit "One of Us" catapulted her to international fame in 1995, and though she was mostly writing country, folk and blues at that point, she soon expanded her style beyond alt country. In 2003, she released "How Sweet It Is," her third studio album and first album of covers. "How Sweet It Is" was mostly comprised of classic rock and soul songs, and showcased Osborne's ability to reinvent major hits. Over the years, Osborne toured with The Funk Brothers, The Dixie Chicks and sang with The Dead. She covered Dolly Parton, Motown and Willie Dixon. In each stage of her career, she proved that there was some other genre, some new project that she could make her own.
California rockers, Delta Spirit have just released a new self-titled album on Rounder Records and will in Philly for a special Free At Noon at Union Transfer on March 30. They play a full show that same night at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia 19123. Directions & Parking for venue.
With just his guitar and his voice, Bay Area by way of Mississippi songwriter John Murry played an emotional, powerful set Wednesday...Read More
Portland retro group Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside showed the Non-COMM crowd its rockability in a feisty set that closed out...Read More
Quirky upstate New York four-piece Foxygen got crazy in a late-night Non-COMM set yesterday that blended Doors-esque poppy psychedelia...Read More
Slide guitar wizard and XPN favorite Robert Randolph got the downstairs crowd at World Cafe Live dancing in his Non-COMM set....Read More
Local thrash / metal band Surgeon has been readying its long-in-the-making new full-length Chemical Reign for the past couple years...Read More
