Issue # 418

The various artists who create "Latin Beat" don't expect to make the charts. 
Luckily, Putumayo, my favorite label, has single-handedly created a world 
beyond the charts.  The cuban tunes, of course, are my favorites.  One of the 
greatest albums albums of the year.

"Something To Believe" by Freebo is a great album that sounds as if Freebo 
is not really singing to you; he's talking to you.  One of the best albums of 
the year.

"Prologue" by The Milk Carton Kids hits you with something every person 
goes through--that time of tears, whether it's joy, sorrow or love. One of the 
best albums of the year.

"It's Only Natural" by The Oak Ridge Boys hits us fanatics with five new 
cuts and seven re-recorded hits.  The Oak Ridge Boys is one of the longest 
running groups in country music, even longer than William Lee Golden's beard 
(maybe).  Their mix of hillbilly country, gospel, pop, and that unbelievable bass 
is incredible.  The Oak Ridge Boys told you that everything will turn out 
fine. One of the best albums of the year.

The Deep Dark Woods album is entitled "The Place I Left Behind".  They 
surround you with messages.  But the one that is the strongest is the greatest 
message in the world--you don't misuse or abuse other people.  You give them 
love.

When I listened to Anomie Belle's "the Crush", I nearly crashed my toyota 
and ended up in a coma.  And I spent my first 47 years on the wrong side of 
Broadway in NYC.  She has that special gift.  One of the greatest albums of the 
year.

Miles Zuniga's "These Ghosts Have Bones" is about a guy driving around 
aimlessly--feeling there's no way to be in that kind of hell, no way to 
extiguish a flame that burns, burns, burns.  One of the best albums of the year. 

The Devil Wears Prada's latest album is entitled "Dead Throne" which turns 
their words and sounds into the most blatant and furious assault on American 
propriety--DOWN WITH WALL STREET.  One of the best albums of the year. 

Jim Allchin's "Overclocked" is a masterpiece.  The lyrics are strong, and 
Allchin plays his guitar with incredible intensity.  One of the best albums of 
the year.

Dave Van Ronk took his inspiration from Odetta, who encouraged the then-merchant seaman to 
play the classic jazz music that he was so keenly interested in.  But Van Ronk shortly became 
the godfather of greenwich village and folk music.  He taught and inspired folks like Joni 
Mitchell, Phil Ochs and the rookie Bob Dylan, who Van Ronk saved, inspired and taught.  

If you want to learn about the great finger pickin' big man of the village, check out the 
one and only real godfather of the good old days--Dave Van Ronk "The Folkways Years, 1959-1961".

Ben Waters great album "Boogie 4 Stu: a tribute to Ian Stewart" is an homage 
to founding member and piano player of the Rolling Stones, who played on 
many of the cuts, are frank poems of regret scored and sung with haunted 
elegance.

Huke Green's "Rustic Poet" is a super fine album that has universal comfort 
in the lyrics with a warm, rolling charm. 

"The Long Island Blues Warehouse" by The Sean Chambers Band overwhelms you 
with raw sexuality, gutbucket blues and gritty rock.

"Symphony Soldier" by The Cab buries you with raw-throated vocals and a 
serious rock and roll attitude. One the greatest albums of the year.

Jeff Coffin & the Mu'tet's double album "Live" gives sweet release in their 
music with fearless and eloquent songwriting.  They also create upward key 
changes that surround the listener with a vivid, mounting anxiety.

"Evening" by Sugar Ray & the Bluetones is a showcase for a blilliant blues 
giant of this world.  There's some mean country, rock and roll, and electric 
harmonica followed by some real Chicago blues. Like it or not, Sugar Ray 
proves that the blues is as powerful as ever. 

Kyle Park's album "Make or Break Me" pushes everything, and he sings over 
the top.  One of the best albums of the year. 

Trent Romens' "Aware" shows a powerful voice--crystalline in tone, yet 
bluesy all the way.

"Live at Grossman's--1994" by The Jeff Healey Band is a gift from a great 
singer and greater guitarist who makes you totally believe what he's singing 
and what he's playing.  He had that gift.