New music: Pete Ham tribute, Sam Barber, Carmen Ratti Band

In this column, I review three outstanding new audio titles available now.

Artists: Mike Delevante, Pezband, Sharp Pins, Bill Lloyd, more
Title: Just Look Inside The Cover — Songs Of Pete Ham (Y&T Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Guided by Voices

Tell me more: Beloved Welsh singer-songwriter Pete Ham was only 27 when he tragically took his own life on April 24, 1975. Despite his death at such a young age, the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of Badfinger left an incredible legacy and has undeniably influenced countless artists over the past 50 years. Now a special tribute album titled Just Look Inside The Cover — Songs Of Pete Ham further celebrates Ham's timeless talent; this unique album features songs that were only previously released as home demos and never recorded by Badfinger. The songs are treasures to be sure, and those Ham-penned compositions are bolstered by a wide range of artists who bring magic across the 22-track collection. Early standouts on the marathon-length tribute include the melodic opener "A Lonely Day" performed by Mike Delevante, Pezband's wonderfully Beatlesque "Tulip," Eric Dover's rollicking "Leaving On A Midnight Train," Bill Lloyd's luxurious "Our Song," Rob Bonfiglio's soaring harmonies-filled "Hand in Hand" and Mary Karizen's genre-defying delight "Dawn." Fans of Badfinger will love The Fraternals' anthemic power pop sortie "Catherine Cares." The collection's parade of treasures continues via Tobin Sprout's tender "Keep Your Country Tidy," Humbert's affecting "Little Mary," The Parlophonics' joyful "Make Me Feel Good," Richard Barone's mellifluous "I'm Only Human," Mark Healey's wistful "It Doesn't Really Matter" and Ron Griffiths' soulful "Take Good Care of My Baby." Another top-flight track on the disc is Bob Jackson's "Just Look Inside The Cover," a track that could have been a hit in the 1970s or '80s, and is deserving of airplay aplenty in 2026. Released on June 19, Just Look Inside The Cover is one of the greatest and most essential collections of early 2026. Information: ytmusiconline.com. 

Artist: Sam Barber
Title: Broken View (Atlantic Outpost)
You might like if you enjoy: Noah Kahan, Tyler Childers

Tell me more: Sam Barber's second studio album, Broken View, finds the rising young Americana singer-songwriter exploring the world around him with uncanny depth and artistry. Only 23, Barber has quickly become one of his generation's most acclaimed artists; last month he won "Breakthrough Country Artist" at the 2026 American Music Awards. Broken View is an album whose songs have a palpable power that hit their mark with a single listen and Barber's authentic vocals fully bolster the 13 originals on the disc. The biting aptly-titled opener "Borrowed Time," introspective roots rocker "Far Past" examining an imperfect relationship, emotional "Just A Kid," lost love-minded title track, yearning "All For You," emotional "Satellite" and gorgeous "I Will Follow" are among the stellar songs on the outstanding album. Barber will spend much of the rest of 2026 on tour, and upcoming dates include at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on July 18, and at Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, AZ on Dec. 11. Information: sambarbermusic.com.

Artist: Carmen Ratti Band
Title: Come to Me (MoMojo Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Janiva Magness

Tell me more: San Francisco Bay Area's Carmen Ratti Band featuring singer Jill Dineen has released the blues album Come to Me, an 11-track disc that showcases the troupe's energetic blend of electric blues and roots music. Formed in 2018, the ensemble artfully infuses gospel, soul, rock blues and even funk into material on the disc. The album features a slew of great tracks including the driving soul gem "Get In Line," the nuanced ballad "Come to Me," Southern-styled blues sortie "I Can See," gospel ballad "Blessing In The Blues," Southern rock-tinged "Coming Down" and R&B "Pretty Good Man." In addition to Carmen Ratti (vocals, guitar) and Dineen (lead vocals), the band includes Tony "Macaroni" Lufrano (organ, piano), Steve Hazlewood (bass) and Randy Hayes (drums). Information: carmenrattiband.com.

Robert Kinsler

Alligator Records artists receive 19 Blues Blast Music Award Nominations

Congratulations to the myriad of blues greats nominated for Blues Blast Music Awards...Robert Kinsler

Alligator Artists Receive 19 Blues Blast Music Award Nominations Chris Cain Leads With Three Nominations, Including Male Blues Artist Of The Year And Electric Guitarist Of The Year  Tommy Castro And The Painkillers and Southern Avenue Receive Nominations For Coveted Band Of The Year Award Cain, Castro and Ronnie Baker Brooks All Nominated For Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year Carolyn Wonderland, Shemekia Copeland And Southern Avenue's Tierinii Jackson All Nominated For Female Blues Artist Of The Year D.K. Harrell (Male Blues Artist Of The Year), Rick Estrin (Harmonica Player Of The Year), Christoffer "Kid" Andersen and Derrick D'Mar Martin (both of Rick Estrin & The Nightcats) and members of The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling and The Cash Box Kings All Recognized

Tommy Castro performing at the Doheny Blues Festival in Dana Point, CA. Photo credit: Daryl Weisser Blues Blast magazine has announced the nominees for its 18th annual Blues Blast Music Awards. This year, Alligator Records artists received a total of 19 nominations. Guitarist Chris Cain leads his label mates with three nominations, including Male Blues Artist Of The Year and Electric Guitarist Of The Year. Cain (Good Intentions Gone Bad) , Tommy Castro (Closer To The Bone) and Ronnie Baker Brooks (Blues In My DNA) were all recognized for their 2025 albums with nominations in the Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year category. Castro also received a nomination for Male Blues Artist Of The Year. Tommy Castro And The Painkillers and Southern Avenue were both nominated for the coveted Band Of The Year Award, while Southern Avenune's lead singer Tierinii Jackson was nominated for Female Blues Artist Of The Year.  Likewise, Carolyn Wonderland and Shemekia Copeland received nominations for Female Blues Artist Of The Year. D.K. Harrell was nominated for Male Blues Artist Of The Year. Receiving individual nominations were Rick Estrin (for Harmonica Player Of The Year), Christoffer "Kid" Andersen and Derrick "D'Mar" Martin (both of Rick Estirn & The Nightcats), The Nick Moss Band's Dennis Gruenling (Harmonica) and Rodrigo Mantovani (bass), and The Cash Box Kings' Oscar Wilson (Vocals) and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith (Percussion). Fan voting begins July 14, 2025 at http://www.BluesBlastMagazine.com and ends at midnight on August 31, 2025 . Voting is free and open to all. The Blues Blast Music Awards are presented by Blues Blast Magazine, the free weekly E-magazine. Alligator artists and their nominations follow:

Male Blues Artist Of The Year: Chris Cain Electric Guitarist Of The Year: Chris Cain Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year: Good Intentions Gone Bad

Band Of The Year: Tommy Castro And The Painkillers Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year: Closer To The Bone

Band Of The Year: Southern Avenue Female Blues Artist Of The Year: Tierinii Jackson

Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year: Blues In My DNA

Male Blues Artist Of The Year: D.K. Harrell

Female Blues Artist Of The Year: Carolyn Wonderland

Female Blues Artist Of The Year: Shemekia Copeland

Harmonica Player Of The Year: Rick Estrin Electric Guitarist Of The Year: Christoffer "Kid" Andersen Producer Of The Year: Christoffer "Kid" Andersen Percussionist Of The Year: Derrick D'Mar Martin

Harmonica Player Of The Year: Dennis Gruenling Bass Guitarist Of The Year: Rodrigo Mantovani

Vocalist Of The Year: Oscar Wilson Percussionist Of The Year: Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith

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Sights and Sounds: The Wallflowers, Southern Avenue, Emily Wolfe, 'New Music Friday' episode

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Here is a roundup of music news that has been announced over the weekend...Robert Kinsler

THE WALLFLOWERS RETURN WITH EXIT WOUNDS JULY 9th VIA NEW WEST RECORDS

 

CONSEQUENCE SHARES “I’LL LET YOU DOWN (BUT WILL NOT GIVE YOU UP)” 

 

Jakob Dylan Photo by Yasmin Than

 

The Wallflowers will release their first new album in nearly a decade, Exit Wounds, on July 9 via New West Records. The much-anticipated record finds the band’s signature sound — lean, potent and eminently entrancing — intact. Uncut Magazine says “...Exit Wounds rocks with smouldering intensity,” while MOJOsays in their 4 Star Review, “It’s his best original work by some yards.” KCRW has stated “Exit Wounds is a beacon for us all, a tribute to the rough year we’ve made it through.”  

 

Today, Consequence has shared the new song “I’ll Let You Down (But Will Not Give You Up)” alongside an “Origins” feature with Jakob Dylan. 

 

The Wallflowers will appear on CBS This Morning: Saturday on Saturday, July 10. They have also been announced as a part of Good Morning America’s 2021 Summer Concert Series on Tuesday, July 13 and will appear on Good Morning America Weekend on Saturday, July 17 as well. The band previously appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Late Show with James Corden, performing Exit Wound’s first single “Roots and Wings,” which has cracked the Top 10 at AAA Radio this week. 

 

The Wallflowers are also set to appear at the BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach, CA alongside Jane’s Addiction, Cage The Elephant, Portugal. The Man and more on Saturday, September 11th. Additional live appearances will be announced soon.

 

Most recently, Jakob Dylan Executive Produced and Starred in the acclaimed 2018 documentary film Echo in the Canyon. The film found him collaborating with a host of artists classic and contemporary, from Neil Young and Brian Wilson to Beck and Fiona Apple. Echo In the Canyon was also the last on-screen appearance by Tom Petty and was the ninth biggest theatrical documentary released that year. The Wallflowers’ overwhelmingly successful single “One Headlight” was prominently featured in the Judd Apatow film The King of Staten Island last year and continues to be a massive hit, topping Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time Adult Alternative Songs” chart. 

 

The Wallflowers’ Exit Wounds will be available across digital platforms, compact disc, and standard black vinyl. A limited Opaque Purple Vinyl edition will be available at Independent Retailers worldwide while a limited to 500 Purple Splatter vinyl edition will be available via New West Records. A limited to 500 Purple and Pink Splatter vinyl edition will be available via Nordic Retailers while a limited to 500 Purple and Silver Marbled vinyl edition will be available via the Magnolia Record Club. A Super Deluxe Vinyl edition limited to 750 copies will be autographed by Jakob Dylan. It will also feature a linen-wrapped jacket, purple foil-stamped & numbered and housed & protected in a clear outer sleeve. The Wallflowers’ Exit Wounds is available for pre-order NOW via NEW WEST RECORDS. 

 

 

The Wallflowers Exit Wounds Track Listing:

 

1. Maybe Your Heart’s Not In It No More
2. Roots And Wings
3. I Hear The Ocean (When I Wanna Hear Trains)
4. The Dive Bar In My Heart
5. Darlin’ Hold On
6. Move The River
7. I’ll Let You Down (But Will Not Give You Up)
8. Wrong End Of The Spear
9. Who’s That Man Walking ‘Round My Garden
10. The Daylight Between Us

 

WallflowersMusic.com
NewWestRecords.com

SOUTHERN AVENUE SHARES OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO “PUSH NOW”  NEW ALBUM, BE THE LOVE YOU WANT, OUT AUGUST 27 VIA RENEW RECORDS/BMG ALBUM PRODUCED BY MULTI-GRAMMY® WINNER STEVE BERLIN  (LOS LOBOS, DEER TICK, SUSAN TEDESCHI, JACKIE GREENE) NEW TOUR DATES WITH 2X GRAMMY® AWARD WINNER JASON MRAZ ANNOUNCED

(Memphis, TN) - The Memphis-based soul powerhouse Southern Avenue recently announced the release of their third full-length album BE THE LOVE YOU WANT along with the album’s feature track “Push Now.” Today, Southern Avenue share the official music video for the song; a light-hearted happy-go-lucky visual that showcases the band’s personality and incorporates family members from the entire Southern Avenue team.    "We wanted the video to be fun, colorful, and alive. What better way to do that than to make it a raging party filled with super-cute kids,” says Southern Avenue frontwoman, the song’s co-writer and mom of two of the video’s young stars, Tierinii Jackson. “The energy of the track was definitely matched by our adorable friends. It's LIT!" WATCH “PUSH NOW” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO BE THE LOVE YOU WANT was produced by multi-GRAMMY® winner, Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, Deer Tick, Susan Tedeschi, Jackie Greene), and co-produced by Ori Naftaly, and arrives on August 27, 2021 via Renew Records/BMG. Ahead of the release, the band will set out on an extensive tour, which includes two weeks supporting 2X GRAMMY® Award-winning pop superstar Jason Mraz whom the band collaborated with on the song “Move Into The Light.”  LISTEN TO “PUSH NOW” PRE-ORDER BE THE LOVE YOU WANT

Photo Credit: Michael Weintrob

SOUTHERN AVENUE ON TOUR 6/27 @ Levitt Pavillion | Arlington, TX 7/2 @ Rural Hill Nature Preserve | Huntersville, NC w/ JJ Grey & Mofro 7/3 @ Iroquois Amphitheater | Louisville, KY w/ JJ Grey & Mofro 7/21 @ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park | Rochester, MN 7/22 @ Music at the Meridian | Yankton, SD 7/23 @ Levitt at the Falls | Sioux Falls, SD 7/24 @ Holland Center | Omaha, NE 7/30 @ Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater | Austin, TX* 7/31 @ The Lawn at White Oak Music Hall | Houston, TX* 8/1 @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory | Dallas, TX* 8/3 @ Starlight Theatre | Kansas City, MO* 8/4 @ Saint Louis Music Park | St. Louis, MO* 8/6 @ Andrew J. Brady ICON Music Center | Cincinnati, OH* 8/7 @ TCU Amphitheatre at White River State Park | Indianapolis, IN* 8/8 @ Meadow Brook Amphitheatre | Detroit, MI* 8/10 @ Rose Music Center | Huber Heights, OH* 8/11 @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island |Chicago, IL* 8/13 @ Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica | Cleveland, OH* 8/14 @ Stone Pony Summerstage | Asbury Park, NJ* 8/15 @ The Anthem | Washington, DC* 8/19 @ Brooklyn Bowl | Nashville, TN w/ Maggie Rose 8/20 & 21 @ Summer Camp Music Festival | Chillicothe, IL  8/27 @ Performance Pavilion at Sweetwater | Fort Wayne, IN w/ Samantha Fish 8/28 @ Levitt Pavilion | Dayton, OH 8/29 @ Railbird Music Festival | Lexington, KY 9/10 & 11 @ Big Blues Bender | Las Vegas, NV 9/18 @ Shipyard Festival | Cape Girardeau, MO 9/26 @ Roots N Blues Festival | Columbia, MO 10/1 @ Mempho Festival | Memphis, TN 10/8 @ Clay Center for the Arts | Charleston, WV 1/22 - 26 @ Panic en la Playa | Riviera Maya, Mexico 1/29 - 2/5 @ Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise | Eastern Caribbean *w/Jason Mraz All tour dates and up to date news available at southernavenuemusic.com About Southern Avenue: Memphis-based, GRAMMY®-nominated Southern Avenue inked their first record deal with Stax Records in 2016. The first Memphis band signed to Stax in over 40 years, their self-titled debut was an immediate phenomenon, reaching #1 on iTunes’ “Top Blues Albums” chart before being honored with the 2018 Blues Music Award for “Best Emerging Artist Album.” 2019’s KEEP ON proved an even greater success, debuting among the top 5 on Billboard’s “Top Blues Albums” chart amidst worldwide critical acclaim, ultimately earning Southern Avenue their first GRAMMY® Award nomination, for “Best Contemporary Blues Album”.   In addition to the early success that the band has had with their recordings, they have also found a home on the road. The band has performed in 15 countries on three continents and averages over 150 shows in a typical year, making the group one of the most sought-after live performance experiences. Their high-energy shows have captivated audiences around the globe, making this eclectic group a must-see at venues and festivals alike.  SOUTHERN AVENUE BE THE LOVE YOU WANT (Renew Records/BMG) Release Date: August 27, 2021

Track List: Be The Love You Want Control Don’t Hesitate (Call Me) Push Now Fences Let’s Get It Together Heathen Hearts Move Into The Light Love You Nice And Slow  Pressure Too Good To Be True Move On southernavenuemusic.com

CROWS FEET RECORDS RECORDING ARTIST  EMILY WOLFE RELEASES NEW GENRE-BENDING ROCK ALBUM AUSTIN-BASED GUITARIST/SINGER  RELEASES HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED COLLECTION, PREMIERING ON IDOBI  EMILY WOLFE TO TOUR THE US SUMMER/FALL 2021

Photo Credit: Beth Garrabrant

LISTEN TO OUTLIER HERE June 25, 2021 (Austin, TX) - Crows Feet Records singer/songwriter/guitarist Emily Wolfe today releases her highly anticipated new album, Outlier.  The album premiered exclusively on IDOBI as they praised the LP, “...the result is a record that makes your heart race as it runs through different influences and vibes...for every high and low and in between you’ve been feeling lately, Outlier will be right there with you. Tracks like “Vermillion Park” and “My Lungs Give Out” are the kind of songs you play when you think of the ones who make you smile most….it’s when she slows things down with songs like “Heavenly Hell” that you’ll get swept up in the bittersweet emotions as Emily gently rocks her way into your heart. The album is sticky & sweet; the bass rings in your ears and the songs make their way into your brain ’til you’re craving more. If “LA NY” and “Never Gonna Learn” don’t get you yelling “hot damn, this slaps” are you sure your volume is turned up high enough?  As early buzz and critical acclaim began to build with the release of two singles from the collection. American Songwriter said, “...genre-fluidity is still apparent in her artistry. The concept of “No Man” began as a Blues song, but as anger reared its head, “No Man” evolved into a transcendent rock track, leaning into electronic influences to better tell her story.” Atwood Magazine wrote: “Outlier is a dynamic and energetic frenzy finely balancing chaos with artistic control.” Parade Magazine lauded Emily, “Not only a showcase for her formidable guitar chops, Outlier perfectly spotlights Wolfe’s commanding vocal presence and newly expanded range. On the album’s radiant lead single “Something Better,” for instance, her voice drifts from tender to tough and back again with incredible grace, exponentially amplifying the song’s mood of dreamy longing.” A 10-track album, Outlier was recorded in Los Angeles, produced by Michael Shuman, of Queens of the Stone Age and Mini Mansions, in his home studio. Emily and Michael, along with her longtime bandmates, Evan Nicholson (bass) and Clellan Hyatt (drums),took inspiration from a myriad of genres as they laid down the tracks. “Before this album, my approach was to know exactly what I was going to do when I went into the studio,” says Emily, “But this time I wanted to leave room for a lot of creativity and weirdness. In a way it felt like jumping into the unknown with a blindfold on, but I just trusted that the risk would pay off.”  “Something Better”, the album’s radiant lead single, hears Emily’s voice drifting from tender to tough with incredible grace, amplifying the song’s mood of dreamy longing. “I wrote this song at a point in my life where I felt stuck,” she says. “But now with the pandemic, it feels more like a universal song about wanting change and not knowing when things are going to be okay.”  In the second single and the opening track to Outlier, “No Man,” Wolfe presents a powerful introduction to Outlier’s aesthetic, bringing jagged synth and blistering guitar work to the track’s message of fearless self-sufficiency (sample lyric: “Don’t need no man to tell me how to work my machine”). “That song was written after a few situations where I had people telling me I needed a man to help me out with certain aspects of my music,” says Wolfe. “It came from a place of frustration and rage, but really it’s about how I don’t need anyone but myself to do what I want to do.”  With its delicate collision of so many eclectic sonic elements, Outlier marks a significant departure for Wolfe while retaining the unbridled intensity she’s shown in sharing stages with such acts as The Struts and The Pretenders among many others. Outlier perfectly spotlights Wolfe’s commanding vocal presence and newly expanded range in her playing and songwriting.   One of the most groove-heavy and glorious moments on Outlier, “LA/NY” unfolds as an emphatic refusal to conform, matching its soulful urgency with an undeniable sweetness (“I can’t be L.A./I can’t be New York/But I can be yours”). And on “Vermillion Park,” Wolfe shares a harmony-laced piece of storytelling threaded with vividly detailed teenage memories (loitering a local park after dark, listening to Joan Jett in the back of a car). “That one starts out as a song about a relationship I had in high school, but by the end it’s about who I am now and my relationship with my wife—who’s really the inspiration behind most of my songs,” says Wolfe. The IDOBI premiere was accompanied by a first-person essay by Emily in honor of Pride month. She wrote in part, “Releasing a record during Pride month is something very special to me. Pride month is about bravery and celebrating who you truly are. It’s about not hiding from anyone even if it means feeling like an Outlier. As part of the LGBTQ+ community, I want to recognize how far we’ve come. Seven years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to get married to the love of my life, but I’m now happily married to her. Though there is so much work left to do, Pride month gives us a time to celebrate each other and help one another continue to normalize differences in sexual orientations and expression.” In celebration of Pride Month, Emily will also participate in the Epiphone: For Every Stage Pride Celebration live streamed on June 30 at 6 PM CT. Artists will celebrate inclusivity, and perform for Epiphone’s combined 1.5 million followers. In tandem with the release of Outlier, Emily also announced her US Summer/Fall tour including dates with the legendary Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The tour will take her through the Southeast, Northeast and back to the Midwest, with more dates to be announced. (see dates below)  The Outlier Tour: June 25, 2021 Paper Tiger San Antonio, TX June 26, 2021 Lightstream Backyard Concert Series Cedar Park, TX July 24, 2021 Vol. Summer: Festival of The Arts Pasadena, TX October 15, 2021 Stickyz Little Rock, AR October 16, 2021 Hernando’s Hideaway Memphis, TN October 17, 2021 3rd And Lindsley Nashville, TN October 18, 2021 The Grey Eagle Asheville, NC October 20, 2021 The Pour House Music Hall Raleigh, NC October 22, 2021 Arts Avenue Chattanooga, TN October 24, 2021 The Southern Cafe & Music Hall Charlottesville, VA October 26, 2021 Mercury Lounge New York, NY October 27, 2021 The Recher Towson, MD October 28, 2021 Dc9 Nightclub Washington, DC October 29, 2021 Sound Waves at Hard Rock Hotel Atlantic City, NJ (w/Joan Jett & The Blackhearts) October 30, 2021 Count Basie Theater Red Bank, NJ (w/Joan Jett & The Blackhearts) October 31, 2021 Kung Fu Necktie Philadelphia, PA November 2, 2021 Space Ballroom Hamden, CT November 3, 2021 Middle East Nightclub Cambridge, MA November 5, 2021 The Linda Albany, NY November 7, 2021 Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh, PA Emily Wolfe Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Spotify / Youtube / Apple

Photo Credit: Beth Garrabrant

Finally, TJR and yours truly have posted a new episode of New Music Friday where we discuss some of our favorite new releases we have picked up in recent weeks. including titles featuring Billy F Gibbons, Weezer, Van Halen and more! You can view the episode HERE.