New music: ZZ Ward, Firefall, Chris Church, Peter Holsapple, Candice Night, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans

The first half of 2025 has seen the release of a slew of fantastic new studio albums and reissues. In this column I feature a number of the best titles featuring American artists that have been issued over the past few months.

Artist: ZZ Ward
Title: Liberation (Sun Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Grace Potter, Beth Hart, blues music
Tell me more: Blues songstress ZZ Ward displays her signature vocals and powers as a songwriter on her latest album, Liberation, a disc that offers up a mix of strong originals and inspired covers. Early standouts on the 14-track disc include the soulful opener "Mother" (a new track about her new role as a working mother), a fiery take on the rockabilly-fueled Elvis Presley nugget "My Baby Left Me," a rip-roaring reading of the Jesters' "Cadillac Man" and the self-penned power blues ballad "Love Alive." The strength of the album continues courtesy of the likes of the intoxicating title track, soaring retro sortie "Lioness," Delta-soaked remake of Son House's "Grinnin' In Your Face," a high-octane blues harp-adorned cover of Robert Johnson's "Dust My Broom" and an artful New Orleans-flavored version of Alvin Robinson's "Something You Got." Information: sunrecords.com.

Artist: Firefall
Title: Friends & Family 2 (Sunset Boulevard Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Fleetwood Mac, Dan Fogelberg, Stephen Stills, The Beach Boys
Tell me more: Boulder, Colorado-spawned soft rock heroes Firefall are back with Friends & Family 2, a followup to their acclaimed 2023 album Friends & Family. This time around the talented troupe revisits a new collection of classic rock hits originally forged between the late 1960s and early '80s. The quintet is also joined several celebrated guests who elevate the proceedings. Among the great remakes on the 12-track album is a harmonies-filled take on Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With" (featuring additional vocals from Wynonna Judd), a bewitching cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way," a fiery take of the Buffalo Springfield favorite "Mr. Soul" (Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Richie Furay sings the same vocal part he sang on the Neil Young-penned classic in 1968), a tender rendering of America's "I Need You," a shimmering "So You Want To Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star" featuring John Jorgensen on 12-string guitar, and a delightfully countrified take of the Flying Burrito Brothers' "Christine's Tune." Information: sunsetblvdrecords.com.

Artist: Chris Church
Title: Obsolete Path (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, Todd Rundgren, Matthew Sweet
Tell me more: North Carolina-based singer-songwriter Chris Church is not afraid to mix up a wide range of rock styles in the service of his top-tier songcraft, and that approach works wonders across his latest album Obsolete Path. The indie rocker "Sit Down" with its exhilarating guitar play, wistful New Wave mining "I Don't Wanna Be There," sumptuous power pop gem "She Looks Good in Black," rollicking "Life On A Trampoline," melodic noise rock strike "Running Right Back To You," electric guitar-whipped melodic rocker "The Great Divide," genre-defying "Vice Versa" (the latter featuring Bill Lloyd on mandolin) and Americana rocker "Like A Sucker" are among my favorite tracks on Obsolete Path. Church — who plays guitars, bass, keyboards and sings lead and backing vocals across the outstanding 12-track release — is one of today's most exciting and creative artists and proves it at every wonderful turn across the inventive masterwork. Information: bigstirrecords.com.

Artist: Peter Holsapple
Title: The Face Of 68 (Label 51 Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Jason Falkner, Continental Drifters, R.E.M., Big Star
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Peter Holsapple has earned countless accolades for his previous work, including his role in The dB's and Continental Drifters — two influential bands he co-helmed over the course of acclaimed albums like 1981's Stands for deciBels and 1998's Vermilion as well as his studio and touring contributions with R.E.M. and Hootie & the Blowfish. Now Holsapple is back with a terrific solo album, The Face of 68, whose heady mix of muscular rock, melodic power pop and experimental flourishes draws comparisons with the likes of Cheap Trick, dada and the Smithereens. The riveting opener "Anytime Soon" bridges power pop and modern rock with an undeniable energy, Holsapple's vocals a perfect fit amidst the melodic garage rock soundscape and his raging guitar play. That promising start proves to be just the beginning; subsequent great cuts include the rollicking "The Face of 68," the crunchy rockers "Larger Than Life" and "My Idea #49," the bewitching blues cut "One for the Book," power pop sortie "Fireflies" and tuneful "She and Me." Information: label51recordings.com.

Artist: Candice Night
Title: Sea Glass (earMUSIC)
You might like if you enjoy: Candice Night, Blackmore's Night, Idina Menzel
Tell me more: Blackmore's Night lead singer/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night has released her solo album Sea Glass, an 11-track album showcasing her expressive soprano and emotional originals delivered via a myriad of different musical genres. The album's highlights include the Renaissance-flavored title track, uptempo Americana nugget "Unsung Hero (She'll Never Tell)," blues-rock version of "Angel and Jezebel," lovely Baroque song "Promise Me," cinematic instrumental "Dark Carnival," piano-anchored ballad "The Last Goodbye" and the shimmering "Another Day." Sea Glass is available on limited edition colored vinyl, as well as on CD Digipak and via Digital. Information: candice-night.com.

Artist: Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
Title: Songs Of The Old West (RockBeat Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Sons of the Pioneers
Tell me more: Nostalgic and timeless, the parade of 22 classic selections on Great Songs of the Old West celebrates the signature Americana sound of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Rogers was one of the most popular stars of his era — appearing in almost 90 films between 1935 and 1975 — and starring alongside his real life wife Evans on the popular television show "The Roy Rogers Show" between 1951 and 1957. Songs of the Old West also serves as a reminder to just how wonderful Rogers and Evans were as top-tier singers. In addition to the couple's enduring Evans-penned theme song "Happy Trails" the expansive set includes the enchanting "A Cowboy Needs A Horse" (bolstered by Rogers' impressive yodeling), accordion-anchored "Whoopie Ty-Yi-Yo (Get Along Little Dogies)," galloping "Hoofbeat Serenade," lovely "Goodbye Old Paint (I'm Leaving Cheyenne)," and beautiful "Red River Valley" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (the latter two selections featuring Evans). Rogers' incredible tenor voice brings palpable emotional weight to the classic cowboy songs "Streets Of Laredo" and "Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie" while Evans equals that power on the harmonies-adorned "Home On The Range." Among the bonus tracks is a showcase for Pat Brady — who was Rogers' sidekick on his television show — singing the fun-filled "Roy Rogers Had A Ranch." Information: RockBeatRecords.com.

Robert Kinsler

Whoopie Ty-Yi-Yo (Get Along Little Dogies)

Relix premieres Tinsley Ellis' "Death Letter Blues" video - New Album Out Today

Singer-songwriter/guitar great Tinsley Ellis' new album "Naked Truth" is out today. Here is the official media release...Robert Kinsler

TINSLEY ELLIS' NEW ALBUM, NAKED TRUTH, IS OUT TODAY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Relix Magazine Premieres New Video For "Death Letter Blues" Today, Thursday, February 8

One of modern blues’ greatest performers....an exciting, emotional guitarist and a strong, evocative songwriter. –Vintage Guitar A legend of American blues music…An American music treasure…Ellis delivers a sermon on the power and glory of the blues. –Premier Guitar Powerful, spine-tingling guitar and gritty, soulful vocals.  –Relix

Atlanta-based guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Tinsley Ellis' new album, Naked Truth, is out today on Alligator Records. On Naked Truth (his 21st album), Ellis swaps his blistering, guitar-fueled full band performances for equally passionate, soul-searching acoustic folk blues. His famed guitar chops and musical creativity are on full display throughout the album’s 12 songs, including nine newly written originals. Yesterday, February 8, Relix magazine premiered the new video for the song Death Letter Blues. Originally recorded by blues icon Son House, Tinsley's take on the blues classic was produced by fellow Atlanta blues guitar slinger, Eddie 9V. Of the song, Ellis says, "Son House’s Death Letter Blues is one of the greatest Delta blues songs of all time. It has been the centerpiece of my acoustic performances for a long time. Eddie 9V’s gritty, low-fi production gave it the perfect hard edge. On this song I’m playing my 1937 National O series steel resonator guitar with a brass slide."

TINSLEY ELLIS -- Death Letter Blues From NAKED TRUTH, Full Album Out on February 9, 2024

Naked Truth is steeped in the folk blues traditions of Muddy Waters, Skip James, Son House, Robert Johnson and even Leo Kottke. To the casual fan, this might seem to be a new direction, but for Ellis, it’s an extension of his music, as he taps into the raw essence of the blues. “This is a record I’ve always wanted to make, and one that my longtime fans have been asking for,” he says, noting he’s included an acoustic mini-set in his concert performances for years. In the last 12 months, Ellis has already performed over 100 solo shows, many as co-bills with his Alligator label-mate Marcia Ball. “I’m having so much fun playing these shows,” he says. According to Relix, "Naked Truth jockeys between impassioned in-the-moment spontaneity and a studied craftman's sense of nuance." Ellis' massive, months-long solo-acoustic Naked Truth tour kicks off in Decatur, Georgia on Friday, February 9. "Two guitars and a car,” he says of the simplicity of his North American touring situation. “When folks come to see me, I’ll have the guitars I used on the record with me, so what fans hear on the album is what they’ll get live."

Naked Truth was produced by Ellis, with the foot-stomping cover of Son House’s Death Letter Blues produced by Atlanta roots musician Eddie 9V. The album was recorded live in the studio using Ellis’ beloved 1969 Martin D-35 (a gift from his father) and his 1937 National Steel O Series guitars. Whether intricately fingerpicking the Martin or playing hair-raising slide on the National Steel, Ellis delivers each song with unvarnished intimacy. According to Ellis, “In this format  there’s a new depth to the emotion of my music. When it’s just you, your voice and your guitar, you have to deliver raw, honest emotion to your audience. You can’t just give them volume, energy and exciting playing. The audience has to feel what you’re putting into the song and has to believe you. When I play and sing in the solo acoustic format, there is truly nowhere to hide. I can’t hide behind a loud, distorted guitar. I can’t hide behind a drum beat or a bass line. It’s just me and my instrument, stripped bare of the other players and their various instruments. In a way, it’s a form of confession. It’s the artist’s most honest musical statement of his or her songs.”   Naked Truth is a revelation. Stripped of the electric fervor that defined his previous works, Ellis' acoustic music carries a rawness that speaks directly from his soul. The songs unveil another side of Tinsley Ellis, but one that is totally recognizable to his fans. His gruff, full-throated vocals intertwine seamlessly with the bare, acoustic arrangements, creating an album that is both timeless and immediate. No Depression says, “Ellis shines. When the tempo slows, the intensity doesn’t waver.” Blues Music Magazine states, “Tinsley Ellis is a powerful and commanding presence. His music is impossible not to enjoy.” Rolling Stone declared, "His eloquence dazzles.”