Blogs

Album Review: So Far, by David Myles

David Myles is an accomplished folk artist from Nova Scotia, and he has recorded nine studio albums, a live album, and So Far, a compilation of his greatest hits since his first studio effort in 2005. It is clear that David Myles has never steered clear of his folk roots during his career, and it is a testament to his consistency that So Far isn't uneven, but actually quite smooth and easy on the ears. This could undoubtedly be contributed to the production, which focuses on Myles' smoothing voice and the guitar, leaving other instruments to fill in the background, creating consistent flow throughout all the songs on the album. However, the compilation never branches out, and sometimes the tracks begin to feel a bit repetitive and tedious, such as "Carry Me." However, the livelier tracks, such as "Need a Break," "When it Comes My Turn," and "I wouldn't dance," provide much needed jolts of energy.

Friday Night Programs

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Grateful Dead in 1970

Tonight at 6:30 is Golden Road, a two-hour show hosted by Rod Moseanko and Lee Maddux that focuses on the great music of Northern California, especially The Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, and their live recordings. At 8:30 is the show Outta Style with DJ Wayne Hagen, which can only be described as a bit of musical mayhem. At 9, Wayne Hagen shifts gears with his other show Sounds So Sweet, which is an exploration of homemade instrument bands known as jug bands. Make sure to tune in!

The EUROPEAN music scene with Thomas Björkroth - Oct. 2, 2015

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Thomas Björkroth visits Listening Lyrics on KDRT

Thomas Björkroth visits Listening Lyrics this Friday. Thomas is a music enthusiast who is visiting us from Sweden. He keeps a keen ear to what’s happening music wise in Europe. In fact he has attended the Euro Vision contest for the last 10 years. We will be spinning some songs that are currently on the charts in Europe and also some songs that have made Euro Vision an international spotlight for new talent.

For those outside the listening area, the show will stream live online at KDRT.org at 4:00PM (9/25/15). It will also be available for replays in the show archives or as an podcast on iTunes under LISTENING LYRICS(link is external).

Visit Listening Lyrics on Facebook(link is external) and like to receive information on upcoming shows and behind the scene looks.

Album of the Week - Boscoe - TH 10/1 5P

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Boscoe cover art

Boscoe came up in Chicago’s South Side in the late '60s and early '70s, with this self-titled release springing forth in 1973. The group’s lineup included James Rice on guitar, Ron Harris on bass, Harold Warner on trumpet, Darryl Johnson on sax, and Reg Holden on trombone. Boscoe also featured Steve Cobb on drums, and it was Cobb who drove the group's movement beyond covers to original songs with socially conscious lyrics. Boscoe’s conscious-funk-fusion sound was somewhat lost in the immense sea of talent pouring out of South Side Chicago at the time, and the group folded not long after this release.

Jazz After Dark September 29 2015

Featuring Benny Carter and Erroll Garner tonight! In 1955 jazz pianist Erroll Garner released Concert By The Sea, a live concert recorded in Carmel. It became one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. Sixty years later, Sony Legacy has released an expanded version with 11 new songs. Garner will be our featured artist in the second half tonight, with four selections from that album. In the first half we feature Benny Carter, with four selections spanning 1936 - 1976. Gerry Mulligan, Chico Hamilton, Buddy DeFranco, and vocals by Nancy Wilson and Ella Fitzgerald (doing Garner's classic composition Misty) round out the program.

Album Review: Breathless, by Terence Blanchard ft. The E-Collective

Terrence Blanchard performing

Terrence Blanchard

Terence Blanchard has been a strong and active member of the New Orleans jazz scene for decades, working on movie scores and solo work. Breathless is Blanchard's 15th solo outing, and its title references the death of Eric Garner at the hands of New York policemen, which inspired a fair portion of the album. The songs with lyrics are often politically charged, especially "Talk to Me" and title track "Breathless," which infuses hip-hop and R&B into the contemporary jazz that is front and center throughout the album. The album is full of tracks that use typical jazz instruments with synths to create a soothing and almost hypnotic sound, such as "Midnight" and "Samadhi." The album is not afraid to branch out, as exemplified by faster paced tracks with powerful drums, such as "Compared to What" and "Tom and Jerry." 

All in all, Breathless is an example of an excellent artist at the top of his game. It is powerful at times, soothing at others, but never boring or uninspired. If you like jazz or have ever been interested in jazz, check out Breathless

LIVE IN THE LOAM presents BRUCE SALMON - Fri, 9/25, 2:30P

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Bruce Salmon photo

DJ Dug Deep hosts New Orleans-born, Texas-raised musician, troubadour, and singer/songwriter Bruce Salmon live in the KDRT studios, Friday, September 25, 2:30-3:30 p.m. A veteran of the Austin music scene, Bruce began performing as a solo artist in 2012, releasing his first solo album A Barrel of Monkeys in 2014. His music is steeped in the Texas songwriting tradition; New Orleans jazz, funk, and blues; and more recent studies of ancestral folk music from Eastern Europe. Tune in and enjoy!

Joe Kye appears on Listening Lyrics this Friday 9/25/15

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Joe Kye visits KDRT

This show will be a treat. A refreshingly authentic artist with a unique sound and story. Joe Kye is a violinist-looper-songwriter and leader of the Sacramento band Joseph in the Well. Born in Seoul, Korea, raised in Seattle, Joe draws upon an eclectic array of influences, like rock, jazz, classical, and world music. Featuring violin, lush string loops, upright bass, and percussion, Joseph in the Well's unique sound has been influenced by artists including Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens, and Miles Davis. Joseph in the Well was recently awarded 2015 “Outstanding New Artist” and “Artist of the Year” by Sacramento News & Review’s Sammies Music Awards. Kye draws upon his immigrant upbringing for much of his songwriting.

For those outside the listening area, the show will stream live online at KDRT.org at 4:00PM (9/25/15). It will also be available for replays in the show archives or as an podcast on iTunes under LISTENING LYRICS.