Every week our staff of CD Reviewers bring you the best in Independent CD releases. Making a Scene is considered the number 1 resource for the independent musician and the fans that love them.
Anthony Geraci with Dennis Brennan Daydreams in Blue Shining Stone Music Group Pianist Anthony Geraci is both a founding member of Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters, and Sugar Ray and The Bluetones. He has been with the latter band for over thirty-five years. Geraci has been featured on over fifty recordings with both blues pioneers […]
Andy Baker North Country Sky Self-released Andy Baker is a Michigan-based singer-songwriter who placed as a 2020 Kerrville Folk Festival finalist for two of the songs on this release, North Country Sky, his fourth studio album. The album is somewhat eclectic, from folk to folk-rock, a dash of country and even blues but it holds […]
Jorge Perez-Albela – (featuring Sissy Castrogiovanni) The Time Is Now Self-released Back on Mother’s Day we brought you the wonderful album, Terra, from jazz and world music vocalist Sissy Castrogiovanni. Now it’s her husband’s turn. The Time Is Now is the debut for drummer, percussionist, educator, and now band leader Jorge Perez-Albela. Like his spouse’s […]
Event Horizon Jazz Quartet Event Horizon GRB Event Horizon Jazz Quartet is a Chicago-based group of Midwestern musicians, all educators as well, making their debut. The principal composers are reedman Jim Kaczmarek and keyboardist Scott Mertens, who between them penned the 11 originals. Kaczmarek likes to call their unit a collective as bassist Donn DeSanto […]
Michael Kaeshammer Live In Concert Linus Entertainment The classically trained pianist Michael Kaeshammer grew up in Germany. At a young age he also developed an interest in the boogie-woogie and stride piano of Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson. In the mid-1990’s he and his family moved to Canada where he began playing […]
The Harmed Brothers Across The Waves Fluff & Gravy Records The Americana and indie rock Harmed Brothers are Missouri native Ray Vietti and Los Angeles multi-instrumentalist Alex Salcido. The two songwriters quickly became kindred spirits through their songs of love and loss, binge drinking and redemption. The banjo/guitar duo released their independently produced debut “All […]
How to Make it in the New Music Business Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician By Ari Herstand I am always looking for good information about the music business and how it is evolving. Most of the books I have read on the subject seem to fall […]
The Sons of the Soul Revivers Songs We’ll Always Sing – A Tribute to The Pilgrim Jubilees Little Village Foundation The Little Village Foundation brings us another gem, choosing to give the Bay Are gospel group, The Sons of the Soul Revivers, an opportunity to pay homage to one of their major influences, The Pilgrim […]
The Forrest McDonald Band fea. Andrew Black Blues In A Bucket World Talent Records Forrest Howard McDonald was born in Austin, Texas the son of a Constitutional historian. He first picked up the guitar when he was fourteen and studied at both the Dick Grove Conservatory of Music in Studio City and at The Guitar […]
Hurricane Ruth Good Life American Showplace Studio Ruth LaMaster a.k.a. Hurricane Ruth is from southern Illinois. Her father Milt owned the Glendale Tavern in Beardstown. On Sundays Milt would host jam sessions and sit in on drums. Ruth who was inspired by Bessie Smith, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington and Ella Fitzgerald, began singing Blues, Jazz, […]
The Staples Unlock Your Mind Omnivore Recordings/Warner Records The American musical treasure, The Staples Singers a.k.a. The Staples, are Lifetime Grammy Award recipients and inductees in both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and The Gospel Hall of Fame. Roebuck “Pops” Staples founded the folk/gospel group with his children Cleo, Pervis (who left the […]
Tom Ranier This Way Self-released It would be difficult to find a more versatile musician than the multi-instrumentalist Tom Ranier. The veteran studio musician has performed in high profile events such as the Grammys, Oscars, Emmys, and Golden Gloves and has performed with many high profile jazz and pop stars. These activities keep him so […]
Dylan Jack Quartet The Tale of the Twelve-Foot Man Creative Nation Music Last October on these pages we covered the inventive set of covers from the duo, guitarist Eric Hofbrauer and drummer Dylan Jack, entitled Remains of Echoes which has them addressing not only jazz but rock. Any group that puts Miles and Ornette Coleman […]
Louisiana’s Leroux One of Those Days Gulf Coast Records First formed in 1977 the Baton Rouge based band changed its name to Louisiana’s LeRoux “the French term for the thick and hearty gravy base that’s used to make a gumbo” just before releasing their 1978 eponymous debut. The album contained their single “New Orleans Ladies”, […]
Antonio Adolfo BruMa: Celebrating Milton Nascimento AAM Music Last year on these pages we brought you Antonio Adolfo, pianist/composer/arranger, one the founders of Brazilian jazz from the early ‘60s, and his Samba Jazz Alley, a tribute to early bossa nova before it became hugely popular globally. Adolfo is a multi-Latin Grammy winner and Grammy nominee […]
Dave Bryant Night Visitors SE There are plenty of free jazz, improvisational ensembles that are doing great explorative work yet some, at least for many listeners, are just not quite accessible enough. By now, if you’ve gotten this far, you know that we’ve covered plenty of free, avant-garde material, but you may not realize that […]
Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne Go, Just Do It! Stony Plain Records Spokane, Washington’s Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne was born in 1944. His mother instilled in him a love for the music of Nat King Cole, Little Willie John and Fats Domino. He was further influenced by the music he listened to while growing up including […]
Jenny Reynolds Any Kind of Angel Self-released New Englander Jenny Reynolds is one of many singer-songwriters who found a musical home in Austin. She fits right in with that defining trait of Texas singer-songwriters – storytelling. And, with this, her fourth album, she’s long earned the respect of some of the city’s best musicians. Those […]
Azat Bayazitov The Doors Are Open Rainy Days We have touted the merits of the St. Petersburg, Russia-based Rainy Days label more than once on these pages. They consistently bring us great jazz releases. The Doors Are Open is a quintet offering from tenor saxophonist Azat Bayazitov, the follow-up to his debut If You Still […]
Eric Hughes Band Postcard from Beale Street Endless Blues Records Eric Hughes was born and raised in Memphis. He spent weekends across the river in Mississippi where he honed his appreciation for the blues. He attended Mississippi College in Clinton and later joined the Marines. Homesick for some blues he purchased a guitar and spent […]
Swingadelic Bluesville Zoho The content on this site skews towards blues so it’s more than fitting we offer up Swingadelic’s Bluesville. The blues purists will call it jazz. The jazz folks may call it blues. Surely this is a big band that often plays at Swing 46, a dinner/dance venue in NYC’s Broadway theater district […]
Dave Douglas & Elan Mehler If There Are Mountains Newvelle Records Ostensibly this is an album review, but it is also vehicle to inform you about the special treasure, Newvelle Records. So, we’ll keep you in a bit of suspense by describing the album first. Label co-founder Elan Mehler is also a pianist, who for […]
When Rivers Meet The Innocence Of Youth The thing about Aaron and Grace Bond is their genuine warmth and friendliness that hits you right from the moment you meet them. The purpose of our interview was to discuss the eagerly anticipated new EP release,The Innocence Of Youth. Both are keen to tell me how excited they are […]
The Smoke Wagon Blues Band The Ballad of Albert Johnson Independent Canada’s Smoke Wagon Blues Band was formed in 1996. Working out of Hamilton Ontario’s famous Hess Village they released their debut “Smoke Wagon Blues Band Number 36” in 1997. They followed up with 2001’s live “Low Down Righteous Blues”. In 2005 their third album […]
John Craigie Asterisk the Universe Zabriskie Point John Craigie is the modern-day troubadour who has knack for drawing listeners to his articulate cons filled with dry wit and unexpected twists. He has spent more than a decade on the road honing his storytelling skills, brought to the fore once again with his latest project, Asterisk […]
Tony Holiday Soul Service Vizztone Label Group Salt Lake City’s Tony Holiday used to play guitar and front his band the Velvetones. When he switched to harmonica he recruited the young prodigy Landon Stone as the band’s guitarist. The band was named 2016’s “Best Blues Band” by the Salt Lake City Music Awards. After relocating […]
Going to the Sun Love Letters from the Western Gate Mountainsize Music Minneapolis has been in the news, most for the wrong reasons lately, although reforms are beginning to take shape. Out of that darkness and anger bursts forth a group that’s been together for a while now and as their name suggests, theirs is […]
Madre Vaca Winterreise Madre Vaca Seeing the name of Austrian composer Franz Shubert on the cover led me to believe this was some slight twist on classical music by jazz musicians. (and not the kind of music we would cover on these pages). Obviously, I was wrong. As the album unfolded it was stirring modern […]
Dion Blues With Friends Keeping The Blues Alive Records Dion DeMucci better known as Dion was one of the first musicians that formulated my musical preferences. As part of the post doo-wop group Dion & The Belmonts, this Bronx soul, mesmerized myself and my peers with singles like “I Wonder Why”; “A Teenager in Love”; […]
John Minnock (with Dave Liebman) Herring Cove Dot Time This is the second collaboration between vocalist John Minnock and NEA Jazz Master saxophonist Dave Liebman, who also serves as executive producer. It’s Minnock’s third release as a leader, and his first for the label. The album pairs Minnock’s signature no-holds-barred wit with introspective lyrics to paint a compelling […]
Gerald McClendon Can’t Nobody Stop Me Now Delta Roots Records Born and raised in Chicago Gerald McClendon is one of the more versatile artists weaned on the Masters of R n’ B: Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. He embraces many genre’s and is an interpreter of classic rock, soul, blues, country and jazz. […]
Jeff Reed Look for the Light Stricker Street Look for the Light is the debut for jazz bassist Jeff Reed as bandleader who brings a collection of originals and jazz standards performed by a quintet. Let’s first share some information on Reed before getting to some of the remarkable stories that are the foundation for […]
Cathlene Pineda Rainbow Baby Orenda This is the third album, and by far the most personal, for pianist/composer Cathlene Pineda, who leads a quartet on Rainbow Baby. The theme comprises four years of motherhood, pregnancy. Loss, and ultimately love. She was thriving at the time of her second album, Passing: A California Suite, which was […]
Dr. John Ske-Dat-De-Dat/The Spirit of Satch The Last Music Co This weekend marks the first anniversary of the passing of Mac Rebennack better known as Dr. John. In order to commemorate the event The Last Music Co. is re-issuing the six time Grammy Award winner’s 2013 album in a limited edition vinyl format. Dr. John […]
Eddie 9V Way Down the Alley Many of us have been craving live music these days when we can’t safely gather, so it is lovely to hear Way Down the Alley. Close your eyes and imagine you are at Atlanta’s famous Blind Willie’s Blues Club, where it was recorded, listening to Eddie 9V (pronounced 9 […]
Alexa Tarantino Clarity Posi Tone Alexa Tarantino is a woodwind virtuoso who has a fluid, swinging style with remarkable tone. In that sense, the album title is fitting. Clarity is her second release as a bandleader following last year’s Posi tone Winds of Change. She is also a composer and educator. Tarantino is the principal […]
Duffy Bishop I’m Gonna Do What I Want! ‘Lil Spinner Records Born in Redding, Ca. Duffy Bishop began performing in rock bands when she was sixteen. Roadside Attraction, Toulouse Lautrec and The Rhythm Dogs were but a few. In 1975 she moved to Los Angeles, and later to Seattle. She first formed the Duffy Bishop […]
John Scofield Swallow Tales ECM Master bassist Steve Swallow will turn 80 this coming October and remains highly vital whether as a member of his wife, Carla Bley’s Trio, or as a sideman. Many acknowledge Swallow as one of jazz’s best bassists, but this recording shines a light on his compositional skills as well. More […]
Kenny Carr Hard Jazz Self-released There’s a subtle clue in the title Hard Jazz that refers to guitarist Kenny Carr’s spot in Ray Charles’ band for over ten years. Yes, “Hard Times,” the title of one of Brother Ray’s biggest songs and a term this writer has heard others exclaim in the context of blues […]
Holy Hive Float Back to You Big Crown The expectations for this debut release from Holy Hive and their self-described “folk soul” were rather high following a string of live shows, singles, and their Harping EP. It’s fair to say the trio delivered on them as well with their retro mashup of folk and ‘60s soul. It’s, […]
Gina Sicilia Love Me Madly Blue Elan Records The Philadelphia born Gina Sicilia released her debut recording “Allow Me To Confess” in 2007. That well received album earned her a Blues Music Award nomination as “Best New Artist”. Three more studio albums followed before Sicilia relocated to Nashville, a songwriter’s city. Newly inspired she signed […]
Lorena Leigh Water Theory Cowgirl-Mermaid Records This morning I started my day listening to a CD I received in the mail the other day by an independent artist from Fort Worth, Texas that mixes pop with a little of island and folk sound. The artist is Lorena Leigh and the album is Water Theory released […]
Mayita Dinos The Garden Is my Stage Dash Hoffman Maybe this writer is just a bit biased toward landscape designers. After all, my wife is one of them. However, she doesn’t have dual talents of being vocalist like Mayita Dinos, who is making her debut as singer, with songs naturally themed on nature and gardens. […]
Ex Norwegian Something Unreal: The Best Of Think Like A Key Records The other day I received the 20 September 2019 signed vinyl album by Ex Norwegian called Something Unreal: The Best Of on the Think Like A Key Records label. Ex Norwegian consists of Roger Houdaille playing most of the instruments on this album […]
G.F. Patrick One Town Over Need to Know This is the debut for Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter G.F. Patrick. Patrick brings us 14 originals backed by tight unit that features Billy Conway (Morphine, Jeffrey Foucault) on drums to form an Americana sound backed in guitars and keyboards from Mark Blasquez while co-producer Frank Swatt handles the bass. […]
Charlie Bedford Good To Go Blue Heart Records Charlie Bedford hails from Melbourne Australia. The guitarist began playing in clubs, seven years ago, at the age of twelve. The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society sent Bedford to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Bedford returned to Memphis […]
Jaime Wyatt Neon Cross New West Jaime Wyatt may not be as outspoken or as strong a media magnet as her ‘sister’ Megan Rapinoe but she’s starting to get a similar buzz in the country and Americana music circles. Hailed by one publication as “the queer queen of country” Wyatt’s music threatens to take a […]
Johnny Burgin No Border Blues Delmark Records Johnny Burgin attended The University of Chicago where he soon fell into the Chicago Blues scene. The guitarist’s first professional gig was backing the vocalist Tail Dragger. Burgin toured Japan in 1996 with his Tail Dragger bandmate Ken Kawashima. Burgin states “I realized just how intense and dedicated […]
VICTOR WAINWRIGHT AND THE TRAIN MEMPHIS LOUD Ruf Records 2020 Blues Music Award winner for Instrumentalist Piano and Grammy-nominated keyboard player/songwriter/singer VICTOR WAINWRIGHT AND THE TRAIN’s MEMPHIS LOUD releases MAY 22, 2020 on Ruf Records. From the opening tap on the keys to the last lingering hum of the Hammond B3, Memphis Loud hits you […]
Miguel Zenón Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera Miel Music Okay, those in the know might be questioning why we are reviewing an album that came out last August. There are several reasons: 1) Miguel Zenón’s Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera received a 2020 Grammy nomination, 2) Zenon was just this week awarded Best […]
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