New music: Graham Parker & The Goldtops, Jake Shimabukuro, ZZ Ward

Graham Parker, Jake Shimabukuro, and ZZ Ward are back with essential new albums.

Artist: Graham Parker & The Goldtops
Title: Last Chance to Learn The Twist (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: James Hunter, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison
Tell me more: Veteran singer-songwriter Graham Parker is back with Last Chance to Learn The Twist, the English artist's first album release since 2018's Cloud Symbols. Parker is an artist able to inject himself in the songs and that superpower is on full display across his newly-released 13-track disc. On Last Chance To Learn The Twist, Parker is backed by The Goldtops (bassist Simon Edwards, drummer Jim Russell, guitarist Martin Belmont and keyboard player Geraint Watkins) as well as frequently from the Easy Access Orchestra horns and backing vocal duo The Lady Bugs. The dark and hypnotic opener The Music Of The Devil" (bolstered by Watkins' moody keyboards), ambitious multi-tiered "Grand Scheme Of Things," glorious genre-blending "Sun Valley," lovely ballad "It Mattered To Me" and aptly-pegged "Wicked Wit" are early standouts. The introspective "Shorthand," powerful folk rocker "We Did Nothing," Americana-flavored "Lost Track Of Time," mortality-focused gem "Last Stretch Of The Road" and New Orleans romp "Since You Left Me Baby" are among the terrific cuts that complete the album's masterful path. Information: bigstirrecords.com/graham-parker. 

Artist: Jake Shimabukuro
Title: Grateful (JS Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Jake Shimabukuro, Henry Capon, John Cruz, Hawaiian music
Tell me more: Jake Shimabukuro has long been recognized as a groundbreaking artist with his technical and spectacular talents as a master of the ukulele. Fans of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music will appreciate the affecting approach that Shimabukuro and his parade of talented guests take across the two-disc Grateful. Singer-guitarist Henry Kapono joins with the touching "Sailin'," while Brother Noland is heard on the beautiful Hawaiian language song "Hualālai." Just as poignant is the instrumental "Pianoforte" featuring virtuoso violinist Ignace "Iggy" Jang and a gorgeous take on John Fogerty's "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" with Kawika Kahiapo. The album's title track "Grateful" features Justin Kawika Young, who brings a decidedly modern vibe to the album. Shimabukuro joins forces with John Cruz to effortlessly fuse the sounds of Hawaiian music, flamenco and jazz on the delightful instrumental "Song For Sin." Slack key guitar great Jeff Peterson joins Shimabukuro on an amazing instrumental take on Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." In all, Grateful features 22 collaborations between Shimabukuro and fellow Hawaii-based artists. A portion of the album proceeds will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund which is helping recover and rebuild communities affected by the recent Maui fires. Information: jakeshimabukuro.com. 

Artist: ZZ Ward
Title: Dirty Shine (Dirty Shine Records)
You might like if you enjoy: ZZ Ward, Larkin Poe, Janiva Magness
Tell me more: In her long-awaited return and first-ever independent album (Dirty Shine), American singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist ZZ Ward brings a decidedly cinematic and wide ranging approach to the track listing. Ward utilizes her own strong R&B singing amidst an expansive soundscape of electronica, hip-hop beats, melodic pop choruses, Delta blues and soul presented across the album. The defiant "Ride or Die" (featuring noted rapper Vic Mensa), wonderful Spaghetti western mining "Fadeaway," euphoric single "On One," infectious dance track "Dead or Alive," zealous "Baby Don't," blues-rock-dance brew "OverdoZZe," acoustic nugget "Tin Cups" where she shares lead vocals with Aloe Blacc and driving Southern blues closer "Don't Let Me Down" all shimmer on Dirty Shine.  Information: zzward.com. 

Robert Kinsler

NAMM notes: Footdrums, LumaSkinz, Godin Guitars, Taylor Guitars & more!

Here are a few random news, notes and pics covering my first three days at the NAMM Show. I am off in a bit to see what's going on today...

At the Media Preview Day, guitarist Molly Gene showcased her skills at performing her guitar and foot drum at once at the Farmer Musical Instruments booth (Booth #2665 D). Information: www.footdrums.com.

LumaSkinz is a new Palm Desert-based company that makes custom "drum skinz" for drum kits, and equally-impressive skins for laptop computers, deejay booths - you name it. I got a tour of the company's work (made in the U.S.A. too!) and I recommend that people check out Booth #1575 at the Anaheim Convention Center. It is especially impressive to see the "Illuminated Skinz" in action at NAMM. Information: http://lumaskinz.com/lumaskinz-namm.

Orange County-based singer-songwriter-rocker Michael Ubaldini (pictured here on the left) was spotted at Godin Guitars, where he was playing a beautiful Godin 5th Avenue hand-painted guitar by artist-musician Joseph Arthur. Those wanting to check out (and yes, you can play the custom-painted guitars too!) should visit Godin Guitars at Booth #211A (that is upstairs on the second floor of the Anaheim Convention Center folks).


My Music Worth Buying co-host and musical pal TJR is a fantastic guitar player and pianist, so it should come as no surprise that I spied him at the Taylor Guitars booth (#213 ABC) checking out a custom-made ukulele. I had met the editor of Ukeeku.com (Tim Szerlong) in the press area earlier in the day and he raved about the instrument so it was great to see TJR give it a try! Taylor Guitars has been a great place to check out strong performances, and get to play great guitars.

Brad Weinholtz of La Mirada, CA-based Bridgecraft USA, Inc. with Chuck Phillips (seen in the photo at the end of this post) in front of several eye-catching attractions at NAMM 2012. You can check out all the cool instruments and have your photo taken with a gigantic guitar or small toy piano at Booth #1680. Information: www.xmusicpro.com.