Title: All That Reckoning (Latent Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Mazzy Star, Rosanne Cash, the Cowboy Junkies
Tell me more: Don't be fooled by the Cowboy Junkies' mostly-quiet, nuanced dreamlike blend of folk and Americana that is showcased on All That Reckoning. The lyrics and smoldering performances are as focused and pointed as their harder rocking counterparts. Whether exploring the intimate ties of romance, the unsettling tides of contemporary world affairs or the eternal search for self, there is plenty for discerning listeners to ponder about while doused in the Cowboy Junkies' glorious soundscape. Singer Margo Timmins' voice remains a subtle wonder, able to convey deep emotions against the vast backdrop painted by her brothers (guitarist Michael Timmins and drummer Peter Timmins) and bassist/keyboardist Alan Anton. The dark "When We Arrive" and "Wooden Stairs," uncharacteristic hard rocker "Sing Me A Song" and reflective "Mountain Stream" are early LP standouts; the last half of the album continues to reveal great moments courtesy of the sizzling roots rocker "Missing Children," luxurious "Shining Teeth" and probing closer "The Possessed." Information: CowboyJunkies.com.
Title: The Complete Warner Bros. – Seven Arts Recordings (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Vince Guaraldi
Tell me more: Fans of pianist-composer Vince Guaraldi – best known for his beloved work composing and performing music for more than a dozen animated Peanuts television specials including "A Charlie Brown Christmas" – celebrated and extended his groundbreaking instrumental jazz stylings via a trio of albums released by Warner Bros. Records beginning in 1968. Now in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first of those releases comes The Complete Warner Bros. – Seven Arts Recordings that includes all three Warner Bros.-Seven Arts albums remastered on two audio CDs. The first of those albums Oh, Good Grief! featured new versions of some of his Peanuts favorites, although with the classic sound of piano, bass and drums enhanced by the addition of electric guitar and electric harpsichord. In particular, the inspired "Linus and Lucy" and buoyant "Red Baron" – the latter with its catchy rhythm, dynamic percussive keyboards and great guitar work – provide joyful listens via the remastered treatment. There are also a myriad of highlights to be found of The Eclectic and Alma-Ville discs revisited on the collection. The lovely "Nobody's Else," affecting take on Tim Hardin's "Reason to Believe" (featuring Guaraldi's pleasing lead vocals), and textured "It Was a Very Good Year" are among the great tracks on The Eclectic, while the original "The Masked Marvel," "Uno Y Uno" (featuring a rare guitar solo from Guaraldi) and a stunning reworking of The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" shine on the even stronger Alma-Ville (his final-ever album). Add to the trio of stunning remastered albums on the title four previously-unissued bonus tracks as well as revealing liner notes penned by Guaraldi's official biographer Derrick Bang, and The Complete Warner Bros. – Seven Arts Recordings is an essential release. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Title: First Class Life (Ruf Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Tommy Castro, Boz Scaggs, Mike Zito's 2016 album "Make Blues Not War"
Tell me more: Blues-rock has a powerful proponent in the hands of Texas singer-songwriter-guitarist Mike Zito. On the bluesman's latest LP First Class Life, the electrified sounds of his roots play out via 11 potent tracks. The playful title track, heartfelt blues ballad "The World We Live In," blazing "Mama Don't Like No Wah Wah," breezy Chicago blues-flavored "Dying Day" and heavy slide guitar-driven "Old Black Graveyard" showcase the captivating range of Zito's reach within the genre. Zito's winning raspy vocals are the perfect companion to his stylish guitar work and the expert accompaniment of a small collection of great players (keyboardist Lewis Stephens, drummer Matthew Johnson, bassist Terry Dry and guest guitarist Bernard Allison) featured on First Class Life. Information: MikeZito.com.
Title: Way Out West (Superlatone Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Johnny Cash, The Byrds, Marty Stuart
Tell me more: Shame on me. Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives released their terrific Way Out West in March 2017, but I only recently discovered the full-length album. After catching Stuart and his amazing three-man band perform several memorable cuts off the LP during Chris Stapleton's All-American Road Show in Anaheim, CA on Aug. 17, I was able to immerse myself in the 15-track concept album masterfully produced by Mike Campbell (the lead guitarist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). With a mix of original songs (the melodic 12-string guitar adorned "Time Don't Wait," wistful ballad "Please Don't Say Goodbye" and countrified "Whole Lotta Highway (With A Million Miles To Go)" are my favorites) and reworked covers as well as intoxicating instrumentals (including the stirring "Quicksand" and driving "Torpedo," both composed by guitarist Kenny Vaughan), the performances here are inspired and collectively celebrate the Old West – notably the expansive and bewitching Southern California desert. Information: MartyStuart.net.
Robert Kinsler
