DJ for Sunday Folks
Kingston, Washington, United States
Auntmama tells stories that are topical and narrative linking her Appalachian roots to her northwest home.
President of Seattle’s Storytellers Guild, emcee storyteller for Bainbridge Bluegrass and board member for Village Speaks, she can be heard on Sunday Folks.
Latest Album Reviews
Review of Jagged Spaces
Album Info: Jagged Spaces
The Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble Album: Jagged Spaces Label: Grassvita Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Joe Ross
Jan 15, 2021
Review
After many years of playing standards, guitarist Skip Grasso and bassist Phil Ravita decided to venture out with a project of all original music. They found like-minded musicians and brought them into a collective emphasizing growth and teamwork. Based in the Baltimore/Washington DC area, Grasso and Ravita enlisted Benny Russell (tenor and soprano saxophones), Greg Small (piano), and Nuc Vega (drums). They’re an impressive cast of accomplished musicians with years of experience. The hour-long set features an eclectic variety of nine compositions such as Grasso’s up-tempo opening title cut, Ravita’s breezy “Blue Sunshine,” Russell’s soothing “All About Cynthia,” and Small’s ethereal “Circles.” The ensemble takes numbers like Grasso’s “Latin for Leandro” or Ravita’s “Chasing Shadows” and
Jim Valley Album: A Garden Faire Label: Rainbow Planet Genre(s): New Age Posted By: Robert Silverstein
Jan 13, 2021
Review
Back in the middle of the 1960’s guitarist composer Jim Valley was performing and playing guitar as a member of pioneering AM radio rockers Paul Revere & The Raiders. Taking over the band’s lead guitar slot and following in the footsteps of the Raiders' original co-founding guitarist, the great Drake Levin, Jim stayed with the Raiders back in 1966 and '67 (he is pictured on the cover of their famous Spirit Of ‘67 album) and then left. So here we are in January 2021, decades after the band’s heyday and I’m listening to a 2021 solo album by Jim Valley called A Garden Faire. Essentially a New Age piano-based album, the 14-track CD features a mix of Jim’s timeless neoclassical instrumental music that is quite beguiling and blissed-out. Primarily focused on Jim’s acoustic piano and guitar work, A Garden Faire also spotlights contributions
Review of The Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful
Album Info: The Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful
The Jeff Benedict Big Big Band Album: The Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful Label: Groovy Panda Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Joe Ross
Jan 11, 2021
Review
Saxophonist Jeff Benedict’s musical friends are also kindred spirits who bring more than just sterling musicianship to this big band’s second album. Their special bond, comfort and cohesion elevate their eclectic repertoire to an even higher plane of power and intensity. Jeff Benedict wrote the title cut in 1989 after moving to California to serve as a Professor of Music at Cal State, Los Angeles. His first impressions of L.A. evolved into discoveries of the city’s soul and substance. His other self-penned songs include “Ant Dance,” “Moonscape,” and “Armadillo Research.” Conducted by David Caffey, the Jeff Benedict Big Big Band also offers some inventive arrangements of selections from Irving Berlin (“Cheek to Cheek”), Miles Davis (“Nardis”), Sandy Megas (“Tom and Jerry”), David Arnay (“The
Cousin Harley Album: Let's Go Label: Little Pig Genre(s): Roots Rock Posted By: Duane Verh
Jan 10, 2021
Review
A tasty convergence of fretboard prowess, fresh-sounding lyric sets and a heap of roadhouse rock energy is offered up by Vancouver-based guitar ace Paul Pigat’s trio. The good-time rockabilly leadoff track “Right Back With The Blues” sets it up well for the full-throttled rocker “Let’s Go” and feverish fare such as “Rained Like Hell” and “Who’s That Lyin’”. Instrumentals sprinkled through the set are far more than filler, particularly the swinging, genre-crossing “Dancing For Bobo”. Good, good stuff.
The Brianna Thomas Band Album: Everybody Knows Label: Self-Release Genre(s): Contemporary Jazz Posted By: Joe Ross
Jan 9, 2021
Review
Everybody Knows is a jazz-flavored soul album that also makes a beautiful thematic statement that the world needs more hope, compassion and care. Brianna Thomas’ powerful style of vocalizing is characterized by confident, articulate and intricate jazz phrasing. That allows her to cover many musical moods from light jazz to funky blues, always with a copious amount of emotional electricity. The album’s opening groove on “Since I Fell For You” juxtaposes nicely with the set’s relaxed bookend, “The More I See You.” Supported by a top-flight instrumental cast with guitar, piano, bass, drums and percussion, Thomas’ sophomore album project makes a complete jazz statement. It has fresh, well-sung renditions of classics like “It Had To Be You” and “Ain’t Got Nothing But The Blues” and “It’s A Sin To Tell A
Sep 23, 2020 -
ALOHA RADIO HAWAII
A Musical Journey to the Golden Age of Hawaiian Song
Rhymoi Music is thrilled to announce the release of their... Read Full Article
Aug 27, 2020 -
AUSTIN BASED PRODUCER/MUSICIAN MATT SMITH TO RELEASE
EIGHT NEW ALBUMS ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Aug. 11,... Read Full Article
Jul 4, 2020 -
The New Grand Undoing Album Is A 21st-century Masterpiece That Unites An Array Of Reenvisioned Classic & Contemporary Pop-Rock... Read Full Article
Jun 7, 2020 -
Peter Galperin releases Tomorrow Seems Like Yesterday
Never one to turn away from a valiant fight, NYC-based maestro Peter Galperin turns to face... Read Full Article
Jun 6, 2020 -
Roots Music Report speaks with MOTU: The Blues For The Beach Interview
RMR caught up with blues rock guitarist, songwriter and band leader, MOTU... Read Full Article
May 30, 2020 -
French synth legend Zanov returns in 2020 with a new concept album called "Chaos Islands"
Like a sonic apparition arising from the... Read Full Article
May 16, 2020 -
NEW ALBUM OUT NOW!
STEINAR KARLSEN – DESTINATION VENUS
CD: OTWCD005 - LP: OTWLP005
Get ready for a musical journey to the planet... Read Full Article
Apr 15, 2019 -
The Apparat European tour continues. The German band with leader Sasha Ring came to Italy. On April 5th the musicians made a stop in Naples, the... Read Full Article
Feb 18, 2019 -
Kids In A New Groove (KING) provides private, in-home, music instruction to Central Texas youth in foster care, allowing them to gain the benefits of... Read Full Article
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/A-4852254-1593921428-6965.jpeg.jpg)
