Category: Music Reviews

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan
Jason James is in the next wave of great traditional country artists. You’ve all heard of Simpson, Childers, Jinks, Cauthen, Crockett, etc. You’re gonna have to add another name to that list and that name is Jason James. This is tear in my beer country that is praise worthy for it’s authenticity. This is Texas dance hall music that is timeless. And I can’t wait to listen to the whole shebang one more time. 

(more…)

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan
I have been listening to this for the better part of a week and I have come to a conclusion: This is sublime. Yes, I said sublime, which is a word I don’t normally use. In this case, a word of this caliber is warranted. In the past two years, Billy Strings has gone from a regional star to being on the cusp of “making it big”. All of his concerts sell out very quickly, which means he will need to play bigger rooms to accommodate the legions of Strings fans.

(more…)

Jason James is in the next generation carrying on the great honky tonk tradition. He writes and performs his own original music and really keeps his music full of integrity and honesty. He is also a tireless performer. And by the way, his new album, Seems Like Tears Ago, came out on October 4th. We really hit off well and I definitely made a new friend. We talk about music, barbeque, waking up in a strange hotel, and many other interesting topics.
JJ – Jason James                                         TL – TwangriLa
TL: I’m speaking with Jason James from Texas City, Texas down in the Gulf of Mexico. I hope you made it through the storm okay. (more…)

He Stopped Loving Her Today – George Jones
Leslie Anne Levine – The Decemberists
Waitin’ Around To Die – Townes Van Zandt
Tecumseh Valley – Townes Van Zandt
Dress Rehearsal Rag – Leonard Cohen
Cryin’ Time – Buck Owens
The Man Who Couldn’t Cry – Johnny Cash
Perfect Day – Lou Reed
Misguided Angel – The Cowboy Junkies
Sing Me Back Home – Merle Haggard
Women’s Prison – Loretta Lynn
Sweet Side – Lucinda Williams
The Card Cheat – The Clash
El Paso – Marty Robbins
Seven Spanish Angels – Willie Nelson & Ray Charles

							


	



		
			


	

		
	


			

					

	
	

				





Reviewed by Harry Kaplan


I was excited to begin with because I have never seen Creedence and I wanted to see the performers perform the songs that were, and still are, the soundtrack to my life. Every time I hear certain Creedence songs, I immediately go back to a particular moment in time when that song was playing. Be it carpool, baseball practice, the beach, or just listening to the radio, these songs have a profound impact on me.


 (more…)
							


	



		
			


	

		
	


			

					

	
	

				
Reviewed by Harry Kaplan


I have had trouble before articulating, in writing, the style(s) of a particular artist. I am truly at a loss when it comes to Jason Hawk Harris’s “Love & The Dark”. It has at least 31 flavors, if not more. It’s country as all get out but it has some great rock and roll sensibilities that won’t alienate the people that say they “don’t like country”. There is also a very whimsical, almost Broadway show feel to it that I rarely hear when I am listening to a country record. Some of the cord changes and instrumentation is not the traditional country inventory of instruments and arrangements.  (more…)

							


	



		
			


	

		
	


			

					

	
	

				
Reviewed by Harry Kaplan


When you think of Minnesota and music, southern rock doesn’t immediately come to mind. What does come to mind are seminal post punk bands like The Replacements, Huusker Du, and Soul Asylum. And those noisy Amphetamine Reptile bands like the Cows and Babes In Toyland. Maybe the musical landscape in Minneapolis is changing and The Plott Hounds are making it happen. Their mix of country infused southern rock is just what Minneapolis ordered. 


 (more…)

							


	



		
			


	

		
	


			

					

	
	

				
Reviewed by Harry Kaplan


Wow. What a comforting voice! This voice warms me like a blanket on a cold night. This songs all hit me in my wheelhouse. Very spacey and heavenly music to go along with some absolutely soul-inspiring vocals. These songs walk the tight rope between pop and edgy. This is pop with some teeth and some muscle. It isn’t some watered down version of music . This IS music. (more…)

							


	



		
			


	

		
	


	
	

				
Beth Bombara Evergreen


Reviewed By Harry Kaplan


Poppy love. That’s what I got. Thanks to the beautiful textures and melodies contained in “Evergreen”.  This is the good kind of pop music, good energy, thoughtful lyrics, and performed by the writer. That is a winning formula.


Beth has been active in the music business since 2007, when she launched her solo career. Born and raised in Michigan, Beth now calls St. Louis home , and has since 2007. “Evergreen” is Beth’s seventh release. 


The music on Evergreen is pop leaning with some strong country and Americana influences. A plethora of acoustic guitar fills and a ton of slide guitar pepper this entire release. I would call the entire album a very easy and enjoyable listen. And Beth’s voice is absolutely beautiful. Tinged with just a touch of sadness. 


Tenderhearted (Track 4) is the song that immediately caught my attention. I am a sucker for well executed slide guitar parts and Tenderhearted has a multitude of them. The lyrics are very poignant and offer hope to all of us who are in a  long term relationship:


Tenderhearted lover dreaming fast and wild 

I’ve heard those old stories, you were a curious child 

Grown up to play guitar in a rock and roll band 

Turned your back on the backup plan 


It’s never gonna be perfect 

But I’m still gonna try 

The closest I’ll ever get 

Is you by my side 

All I’m asking is 

Please, come on this ride 


This is a reminder that no relationship is perfect, but they were never meant to be. Beth says, “Let’s not dwell on the negative, let’s focus on the positive.” I am going to listen to Beth. 


The lead into Growing Wings (Track 5) is absolutely fabulous. While Tenderhearted was more upbeat, Growing Wings is definitely more of a melancholy tune. The pace is slower and the overall vibe of this song is a woven tapestry of bitter sweet imagery. The words and vocals are chill inducing. Those piano/keyboard parts are what really elevates this song and takes it to uncharted territory.


I definitely get the feeling that sadness is a continuing theme of this album. No song gives me that feeling any more than Anymore (Track 3). Very edgy music that definitely has an alternative feel to it. Even a little bit on the punk side of things. Punk and country seem to be good partners, as most older punkers eventually gravitate toward this genre.  


Rock and roll is not dead, as previously reported. Beth Bombara puts her own distinctive touch on her version of rock and roll. She has a style that is unique and will not be confused with anybody else. This is an album that will have legs long past 2019 and into the next decade. 


Listen and buy Evergreen