Fantastic new albums featuring Neil Young, Rick Shea, Devin B. Thompson and Rachel Brooke are worthy additions to every music lover's library.
Title: The Times (Reprise)
You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, Michael Ubaldini, Bob Dylan
Tell me more: One of music's most prolific and gifted singer-songwriters/multi-instrumentalists, Neil Young is back with a solo acoustic performance recorded during the pandemic. As sparse and stripped down as any official release in the 74-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's massive discography, The Times is powerful and deeply affecting. There are timely covers of some of his beloved classics including a pensive "Alabama," probing "Campaigner," rootsy "Ohio," countrified "Southern Man" and tender "Little Wing" (a new version of a track featured on his recent "Homegrown" release) as well a cover of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'," the latter bolstered by particularly tender harmonica embellishments. This being the political season, Young's biting newly-penned "Lookin' For A Leader" is particularly resonant. Information: NeilYoungArchives.com.
Title: Love & Desperation (Tres Pescadores Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Dwight Yoakam, Fletcher Harrington, Merle Haggard
Tell me more: Armed with a great batch of songs, a deep baritone and stylish approach, singer-songwriter Rick Shea explores the here and now on his wonderful 12-track Love & Desperation. Those turned off by contemporary country music's collective shift to indulging formulaic cliche will be particularly taken with Shea's authentic and moving song craft that recalls legends ranging from Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard to Dwight Yoakam. The laid-back "Blues at Midnight" is soaked with melancholy, Shea's voice going deep amidst the artful expanse. The wistful "She Sang of the Earth" — co-written with Kim Ringer — is a beautiful original at its core and further enhanced by Jim Shirey's fiddle and Shea's own textured mandolin. Just as lovely is the Americana ballad "A Tenderhearted Love" and flowing instrumental "Mystic Canyon." Elsewhere, Shea kicks it up for the infectious "Big Rain Is Comin' Mama," the Texican rock and roll delight "Texas Lawyer," and a cover of the Al Ferrier rockabilly tune "Blues Stop Knocking' at My Door." Information: trespescadores.com.
Title: Tales of the Soul (Severn Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Tower of Power
Tell me more: Chicago soul singer-songwriter Devin B. Thompson summons the magic and treasure trove of 50's and 60's soul on his wonderful new album Tales of the Soul. Thompson's top-tier lead vocals bring emotion and might to the mix of songs. The rhythmic dance tune "Back Together" finds Thompson's smooth vocals soaring amidst an in-the-pocket rhythm and sizzling horn section. "Get Home Tonight" uses jazzy overtones and luxurious horns to help fuel an artful push. There is even a reggae-tinged original, "I Ain't No Good," a catchy song where Thompson's self-deprecatory refrain is echoed by a sleek chorus of singers. This being a bona fide soul album, just listen to the artist's poignant vocals on "Can't Get Over You," "Time After Time" and "Tell Me." The soulful "I'm Gonna Cry a River" and uptempo "Read Your Mind" are lifted by the fretwork of guitar master Robbin Ford. Information: severnrecords.com.
Title: The Loneliness In Me (MAL Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Whitney Rose, Nikki Lane, Loretta Lynn
Tell me more: There is a growing field of talented artists who have rediscovered the magic of traditional country music and are learning to make it their own. Rising songstress Rachel Brooke's new album The Loneliness In Me fuses the winning sounds of greats such as Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette with a modern-day sensibility that has rightfully drawn accolades from a growing number of country music aficionados. Across The Loneliness In Me the theme of loss takes center stage to glorious effect. "Picture On The Wall" finds her reflecting that the framed image is "The nasty memory of my downfall." Not long later she sings "It Won't Be Long before uou sing my song" on one track, and "The Ghost of You comes back to me when I dream" on another nugget. In addition to the sweeping power of Brooke's evocative song writing and signature soprano there is a super field of players who back her on the disc including pedal steel great Dave Feeny (Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose"), electric guitarist Michael Cullen, fiddler Liz Sloan, drummer Aaron Graham and pianist Jarrod Champion. Information: RachelBrookeMusic.com.
Robert Kinsler
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