New music: 'Walkin' After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline', Chris Vincent & The Raw Deals, Green Apple Quick Step, Wild Mountain Mystics

In this column I highlight a new tribute to Patsy Cline, as well as new audio titles featuring Chris Vincent & The Raw Deals, Green Apple Quick Step and Wild Mountain Mystics.

Artists: Mickey Guyton, Crystal Gayle, Grace Potter, Wynonna, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, more
Title: Walkin' After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline (Mercury Studios)

You might like if you enjoy: Mickey Guyton, Crystal Gayle, Grace Potter, Pam Willis, Ashley McBryde, Pat Benatar

Tell me more: Country music singer Patsy Cline was one of the 20th century's most influential artists despite her relatively brief recording career (she sadly died in a plane crash on March 5, 1963 at the age of 30). Now a star-studded tribute concert filmed at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in 2024 has been released as a Blu-ray+CD title available now. The parade of inspired covers of Cline hits on the first half of the title ranges from Mickey Guyton's bluesy take on the 1950s hit "Walking' After Midnight," Tami Neilson's affecting take on "Three Cigarettes in An Ashtray" and Crystal Gayle's emotive delivery of the ballad "Always" to Grace Potter's bewitching take on the jazzy "Strange" and Wynonna's soaring take on "Sweet Dreams." Late disc standouts include Ashley McBryde's heartfelt "Leaving' On Your Mind," Kristin Chenoweth's deeply felt "I Fall to Pieces," Mandy Barnett's tearful "Why Can't He Be You," and a blues-soaked take on "Imagine That" featuring Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo. Artists from a number of musical genres are represented on the outstanding concert recording. Information: patsycline.com.

Artist: Chris Vincent & The Raw Deals
Title: Good Crook (Chris Vincent Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Delta blues, Bob Dylan, Michael Ubaldini

Tell me more: New Orleans-based bluesman Chris Vincent's freewheeling style shines across the 12-track Good Crook, an album which was recorded in a mere two sessions (one with New Orleans jazz drummer Johnny Vidacovich, the other stripped down with just Vincent and his beloved 1947 Gibson L7 guitar). Chris Vincent & The Raw Deals also features Vidacovich on drums and Dean Zucchero on bass guitar; all dozen cuts were all written by Vincent. There is a palpable honesty to the songwriting and performances captured on the disc, with Vincent addressing the darkest corners of his life. Gems range from the opening title track and literate "Come Clean" to the poetic spoken word-flavored "Bloody Mary Monday Morning," bewitching "Skinned Knees," gorgeous love song "What Johnny Said" and slide guitar-anchored "New Orleans, My Darling. Information: ChrisVincentNewOrleans.com.

Artist: Green Apple Quick Step
Title: Dizzy: The Medicine Label Anthology (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots

Tell me more: Dizzy: The Medicine Label Anthology  is an outstanding two-disc compilation produced by Cheryl Pawelski featuring studio and concert performances featuring Green Apple Quick Step. The collection features all of the post-grunge Seattle band's recordings tracked for The Medicine Label from 1993-1995, which includes the albums Wonderful Virus and Reloaded. The double CD contains 13 bonus tracks, four of which are previously unissued. Highlights on the title include the searing dream-swept "Broken," acoustic "Ludes and Cherrybombs," fiery "Bottle," thundering "Feel My Way," psychedelic foray "Hotel Wisconsin," reflective "T.V. Girl," and lovely "Underwater." The impressive packaging features new liner notes from Joe Marchese, including a new interview with lead vocalist Ty Willman. Additionally, both Wonderful Virus and Reloaded have just been reissued on color vinyl. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Wild Mountain Mystics
Title: Fire & Honey (Blackbird Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, Fairport Convention, Nils Lofgren

Tell me more: Americana duo Wild Mountain Mystics have just released their long-awaited debut Fire & Honey. A warm and inviting collection of 10 songs greet listeners on the outstanding debut featuring the talented California-based musical duo —  Rick Deering (vocals/guitars/bass/drums) and Lisa Miller (vocals/mandolin/keyboards/banjo/electric sitar). The breezy opener "Fire & Honey" is melodic at its core and is adorned by a sumptuous arrangement featuring guitar, mandolin, keyboards, bass and drums. What follows is a parade of strong originals, ranging from the playful country-styled "If You Can Bluff," harmonies-anchored "Love Takes Over The Night," probing genre-blending "Hangin' On A Star," country rocker "Love Is The Law" and an absolutely captivating Americana-styled version of the Beatles classic "All You Need Is Love." Information: WildMountainMystics.com.

Robert Kinsler

Under The Radar Roundup: Sound of a Distant Sun, Kailey Nicole, The Smithereens

The first month of 2020 seems like the perfect time to celebrate a handful of under the radar releases more than worthy of high-profile attention.

Artist: Sound of a Distant Sun
Title: Music From The Heart (Independent)
You might like if you enjoy: Solas, Clannad, Altan
Tell me more: A winning blend of traditional Irish and Celtic sounds award listeners of Sound of a Distant Sun's new LP Music From The Heart. Featuring the talents of Matt Tonge (guitar, bass), Georgiana Hennessy (vocals, fiddle, accordion, handpan) and Matt Froehlich (drums, percussion), the 13-track disc was produced and recorded by Bobbo Byrnes (of Fallen Stars fame). The instrumentals thrill (in particular, the traditional reading of "Gray Funnel Line," "The Banner," and an ambitious medley of "Milky Way / Banshee / Molly Bahn / Flaring Pot Reel" that wraps up the album are delightful), and songs – both original and reworked classics  – resonate via affecting performances. The lovely version of Boris Bengin's "Johnny Come Home Tonight" and joyful "Two Sisters," as well as a nuanced reading of the Hennessy and Tonge-penned title track showcase a rich connection with the enduring sounds of the Emerald Isle. Information: Music@riverrunusa.com.

Artist: Kailey Nicole
Title: Kailey Nicole (Kailey Nicole)
You might like if you enjoy: Nikki Lane, Patsy Cline, Whitney Rose, Kacey Musgraves
Tell me more: Armed with an affecting soprano and solid arsenal of original songs, rising Nashville-based songstress Kailey Nicole's self-titled EP is sure to please fans of classic and contemporary country music. The Las Vegas native has an ear for infectious song craft as evidenced by the explosive "Brand New Day," rowdy "Diamonds & Coal" and "Country Love Song," the latter bolstered by an undeniable chorus and the singer's rich vocals. Nicole is also capable of delivering an emotional wallop as evidenced by the tender ballad "Save Me For a Rainy Day." It doesn't hurt her eponymous EP was produced by Niles Thomas (Roxystar), and mastered and engineered by six-time Grammy winner Bonzai Caruso (Madonna, Stephen Marley). Information: KaileyNicole.com.


Lost Classic

Artist: The Smithereens
Title: Covers (Sunset Blvd Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Smithereens, The Beatles, The Who
Tell me more: When singer-songwriter/guitarist Pat DiNizio died in December 2017 it didn't seem likely that the world would be treated to another Smithereens album. However, in May 2018 the beloved hard-rocking power pop troupe issued Covers, a 22-track compilation of artful and arresting covers. The collection (newly available on 180 gram vinyl) includes previously-heard tracks as well as songs that never appeared on any commercially-released vinyl or audio CD set. The range of material spans from early rock 'n' roll (Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders' "The Game of Love," Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs'  "Wooly Bully" and Buddy Holly's "Well...Alright") and Billie Holiday's "Gloomy Sunday" to Brian Wilson's "Girl Don't Tell Me" and a slew of epic Beatles covers. The band tears it up on John Lennon's "White Album" rocker "Yer Blues," and conjure up an equal zest for rediscovery with Bruce Springsteen's "Downbound Train," The Who's "The Seeker" and Ringo Starr's "It Don't Come Easy." DiNizio's distinctive voice is supported by the rest of the Smithereens' stellar lineup (lead guitarist Jim Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken and bassist Mike Mesaros). As Mesaros notes in the rich liner notes: "That intense childlike love of our influences never left us." Information: OfficialSmithereens.com.

Robert Kinsler