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https://thedailyripple.org/index.php/art-music/reviews-david-masciotra 2025-03-31T20:12:02+00:00 The Daily Ripple Joomla! - Open Source Content Management 2023-04-17T13:01:53+00:00 2023-04-17T13:01:53+00:00 https://thedailyripple.org/index.php/art-music/cat-blog-reviews-david-masciotra/68-music-review-murder-of-songs-by-grant-peeples-dm Terry Ryan

5 April 2023   Grant Peeples has no time for nonsense. The veteran singer/songwriter and poet has released a passionate new protest record, A Murder of Songs, that confronts the grim threats facing American democracy with sadness, rage, defiance, and even a dose of dark humor. His country and folk music delivery extracts emotional investment from the listener, and pays homage to the familiar sounds of Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris. Peeples is at his best when acting as a creative composer of music as well as a poet. There are songs that, like Springsteen’s The Ghost of Tom Joad, have so little musical accompaniment that they sound and feel more like spoken word exercises than music. But, also like Springsteen, Peeples is a lyric-forward songwriter. Whether it is a beautiful fiddle leading Peeples through the bouncy, “Revolutionary Reel,” or the Irish march, “Insurrection Song (January 6),” the thoughtful and tough lyrics benefit from the corresponding jolt of crafty music. The latter is one of the highlights of the record – a fiery condemnation of the January 6th insurrectionists and their leaders. Peeples offers a clever paraphrase of Kris Kristofferson’s most famous lyric when he sing, “Freedom’s just another word for all we have to lose,” and concludes, “Let the sons of bitches rot in jail for what they tried to do.” Anyone who believes in American democracy will reply with a hearty “amen.”   “Liberal with a Gun” allows Peeples to showcase his dark sense of humor, warning right wing extremists that “liberals too have guns,” and that they are prepared to fight for justice, equality, and their own rights. “Let’s Start Killing Each Other” is another amusing, but sharp treatment of the cultural divide. Peeples offers his titular advice with a sardonic grin, but at the same time, makes the listener think about where the hatred will finally end – certainly, nowhere healthy.   Peeples’ A Murder of Songs is a clear-eyed, rough and tumble response to the dangers facing American democracy. It is not only good music, but relevant art.         David Masciotra (www.davidmasciotra.com) is the author of four books, including Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishing, 2017) and Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky, 2015). To read all of David's reviews, click here          

5 April 2023   Grant Peeples has no time for nonsense. The veteran singer/songwriter and poet has released a passionate new protest record, A Murder of Songs, that confronts the grim threats facing American democracy with sadness, rage, defiance, and even a dose of dark humor. His country and folk music delivery extracts emotional investment from the listener, and pays homage to the familiar sounds of Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris. Peeples is at his best when acting as a creative composer of music as well as a poet. There are songs that, like Springsteen’s The Ghost of Tom Joad, have so little musical accompaniment that they sound and feel more like spoken word exercises than music. But, also like Springsteen, Peeples is a lyric-forward songwriter. Whether it is a beautiful fiddle leading Peeples through the bouncy, “Revolutionary Reel,” or the Irish march, “Insurrection Song (January 6),” the thoughtful and tough lyrics benefit from the corresponding jolt of crafty music. The latter is one of the highlights of the record – a fiery condemnation of the January 6th insurrectionists and their leaders. Peeples offers a clever paraphrase of Kris Kristofferson’s most famous lyric when he sing, “Freedom’s just another word for all we have to lose,” and concludes, “Let the sons of bitches rot in jail for what they tried to do.” Anyone who believes in American democracy will reply with a hearty “amen.”   “Liberal with a Gun” allows Peeples to showcase his dark sense of humor, warning right wing extremists that “liberals too have guns,” and that they are prepared to fight for justice, equality, and their own rights. “Let’s Start Killing Each Other” is another amusing, but sharp treatment of the cultural divide. Peeples offers his titular advice with a sardonic grin, but at the same time, makes the listener think about where the hatred will finally end – certainly, nowhere healthy.   Peeples’ A Murder of Songs is a clear-eyed, rough and tumble response to the dangers facing American democracy. It is not only good music, but relevant art.         David Masciotra (www.davidmasciotra.com) is the author of four books, including Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishing, 2017) and Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky, 2015). To read all of David's reviews, click here           2023-04-21T13:28:22+00:00 2023-04-21T13:28:22+00:00 https://thedailyripple.org/index.php/art-music/cat-blog-reviews-david-masciotra/69-music-review-car-crash-life-by-shoebox-letters-dm Terry Ryan

7 March 2023   Lynyrd Skynyrd titled their third record, Nuthin’ Fancy. Even if Skynyrd is a Southern Rock band, the same description fits the new album from country band, Shoebox Letters. With their memorably-named collection of songs, Shoebox Letters delivers straightforward, no frills country. It is a refreshing break from the gimmicky and slick production that has come to dominate contemporary country radio. Most of the songs are the creation of lead vocalist and guitarist, Dennis Winslow. He shows a deft range of lyricism and country composition, but the success of Car Crash Life is far from his alone. Stephanie Cox often takes lead vocals, bringing an enjoyable tenderness to Winslow’s Dan Baird-like growl. The guitar work is honky tonk authentic, while the rhythm section – Dave Stricker on bass, Brian David Willis on drums – keeps a steady, and sometimes raucous, beat. The songs range from the hardboiled confessions of classic country territory – “Drinking Till I Can’t Walk Straight,” “Car Crash Life” – to more romantic fare. “Under the Same Roof” is a mature love song, celebrating the bond of matrimony and the ways that affection grows, rather than diminishes, with time. “If I Can’t Have You,” an effective duet from Winslow and Cox, speeds through the desirous end of unrequited love. The eight song record clocks in at 25 minutes. It is direct, and despite its brevity, feels like a full album experience. With most song ending under three minutes, Shoebox Letters is still able to not only demonstrate musical skill, but also explore various emotional facets of life.       David Masciotra (www.davidmasciotra.com) is the author of four books, including Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishing, 2017) and Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky, 2015). To read all of David's reviews, click here         

7 March 2023   Lynyrd Skynyrd titled their third record, Nuthin’ Fancy. Even if Skynyrd is a Southern Rock band, the same description fits the new album from country band, Shoebox Letters. With their memorably-named collection of songs, Shoebox Letters delivers straightforward, no frills country. It is a refreshing break from the gimmicky and slick production that has come to dominate contemporary country radio. Most of the songs are the creation of lead vocalist and guitarist, Dennis Winslow. He shows a deft range of lyricism and country composition, but the success of Car Crash Life is far from his alone. Stephanie Cox often takes lead vocals, bringing an enjoyable tenderness to Winslow’s Dan Baird-like growl. The guitar work is honky tonk authentic, while the rhythm section – Dave Stricker on bass, Brian David Willis on drums – keeps a steady, and sometimes raucous, beat. The songs range from the hardboiled confessions of classic country territory – “Drinking Till I Can’t Walk Straight,” “Car Crash Life” – to more romantic fare. “Under the Same Roof” is a mature love song, celebrating the bond of matrimony and the ways that affection grows, rather than diminishes, with time. “If I Can’t Have You,” an effective duet from Winslow and Cox, speeds through the desirous end of unrequited love. The eight song record clocks in at 25 minutes. It is direct, and despite its brevity, feels like a full album experience. With most song ending under three minutes, Shoebox Letters is still able to not only demonstrate musical skill, but also explore various emotional facets of life.       David Masciotra (www.davidmasciotra.com) is the author of four books, including Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishing, 2017) and Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky, 2015). To read all of David's reviews, click here          2023-04-21T13:30:44+00:00 2023-04-21T13:30:44+00:00 https://thedailyripple.org/index.php/art-music/cat-blog-reviews-david-masciotra/70-music-review-gratitude-by-dan-imhoff-dm Terry Ryan

5 October 2022   Dan Imhoff demonstrates delightful dexterity and variety on his new record, Gratitude. Aptly titled, given that he composed and recorded it at the height of the pandemic, the album showcases a light, soulful touch as Imhoff and his adept crew of supportive musicians move through gospel, folk, pop, and jazz. Imhoff’s knack for melody, composition, and arrangement emerge most clearly and colorfully on the lighter material. “Coming Into View” sounds like a soulful-pop hit, and it leads into, perhaps, the album’s highlight, “So Good To Be a Dog.” Showing an effective sense of humor, Imhoff sings about the pleasures of the canine life, and the endless enjoyment of having humans cater to one’s every need. The song moves into a jazzy shuffle after each chorus, occasionally slowing down for drawn out verses. Imhoff has ample skills as a guitarist, playing with a rock and roll rhythm on the opening title track, and even picking with a southern rock meets jazz fusion hybridity on the innovative, “Accidentally Valencia.” A mini-choir of backup vocalists provide a gospel punch, but never overwhelm the arrangements. The production choices are always tasteful and element, allowing the songs to shine no matter how virtuosic the instrumentation. Another triumph, “Factory of Tangled Dreams,” exemplifies a Steely Dan style understanding of how jazz can meet pop/rock, along with richly emotional and detailed lyrics about the small frustrations of the blue collar grind. Forgive such an on-the-nose and predictable closing, but Gratitude offers an auditory of pleasure. Give it a spin, and prepare to feel grateful.          David Masciotra (www.davidmasciotra.com) is the author of four books, including Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishing, 2017) and Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky, 2015). To read all of David's reviews, click here         

5 October 2022   Dan Imhoff demonstrates delightful dexterity and variety on his new record, Gratitude. Aptly titled, given that he composed and recorded it at the height of the pandemic, the album showcases a light, soulful touch as Imhoff and his adept crew of supportive musicians move through gospel, folk, pop, and jazz. Imhoff’s knack for melody, composition, and arrangement emerge most clearly and colorfully on the lighter material. “Coming Into View” sounds like a soulful-pop hit, and it leads into, perhaps, the album’s highlight, “So Good To Be a Dog.” Showing an effective sense of humor, Imhoff sings about the pleasures of the canine life, and the endless enjoyment of having humans cater to one’s every need. The song moves into a jazzy shuffle after each chorus, occasionally slowing down for drawn out verses. Imhoff has ample skills as a guitarist, playing with a rock and roll rhythm on the opening title track, and even picking with a southern rock meets jazz fusion hybridity on the innovative, “Accidentally Valencia.” A mini-choir of backup vocalists provide a gospel punch, but never overwhelm the arrangements. The production choices are always tasteful and element, allowing the songs to shine no matter how virtuosic the instrumentation. Another triumph, “Factory of Tangled Dreams,” exemplifies a Steely Dan style understanding of how jazz can meet pop/rock, along with richly emotional and detailed lyrics about the small frustrations of the blue collar grind. Forgive such an on-the-nose and predictable closing, but Gratitude offers an auditory of pleasure. Give it a spin, and prepare to feel grateful.          David Masciotra (www.davidmasciotra.com) is the author of four books, including Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishing, 2017) and Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky, 2015). To read all of David's reviews, click here          2024-02-15T13:01:53+00:00 2024-02-15T13:01:53+00:00 https://thedailyripple.org/index.php/art-music/cat-blog-reviews-david-masciotra/129-music-review-sparrow-by-jeff-talmadge-dm Terry Ryan

February 15 2024   “The Sound of Falling Snow” is a beautiful song in the second half of seasoned singer/songwriter, Jeff Talmadge’s new record, Sparrow. The gentle tune captures the quiet moments of life – those seconds that it is so quiet that it is possible to hear “the sound of falling snow.” It is a fitting summary of Sparrow’s appeal. Talmadge’s songs are tailor made for silent mornings or evenings when one is in the mood for contemplation of the subtle highs and lows of life. Talmadge has a Kris Kristofferson-like vocal delivery, leading a small Americana band through his reflective stories of beleaguered protagonists staring at the crossroads: Young men, for good or ill, unable to control their passion, ghosts on European trains, and those with hope in their hearts for more romance, more peace, and more abundance. Talmadge’s melodic turns are subtle – sometimes too subtle as a few of the songs closely resemble each other. However, he and his band’s measured delivery is also effective. The slight lift in Talmadge’s voice, or the short flare from one of the instrumentalists, underlines the emotional depth and resonance of Talmadge’s lyrical material. Sparrow flies into the pain of life, but always with hope and love. Talmadge’s authentic and honest songwriting is worthy of time and attention.           David Masciotra (www.davidmasciotra.com) is the author of four books, including Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishing, 2017) and Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky, 2015). To read all of David's reviews, click here      

February 15 2024   “The Sound of Falling Snow” is a beautiful song in the second half of seasoned singer/songwriter, Jeff Talmadge’s new record, Sparrow. The gentle tune captures the quiet moments of life – those seconds that it is so quiet that it is possible to hear “the sound of falling snow.” It is a fitting summary of Sparrow’s appeal. Talmadge’s songs are tailor made for silent mornings or evenings when one is in the mood for contemplation of the subtle highs and lows of life. Talmadge has a Kris Kristofferson-like vocal delivery, leading a small Americana band through his reflective stories of beleaguered protagonists staring at the crossroads: Young men, for good or ill, unable to control their passion, ghosts on European trains, and those with hope in their hearts for more romance, more peace, and more abundance. Talmadge’s melodic turns are subtle – sometimes too subtle as a few of the songs closely resemble each other. However, he and his band’s measured delivery is also effective. The slight lift in Talmadge’s voice, or the short flare from one of the instrumentalists, underlines the emotional depth and resonance of Talmadge’s lyrical material. Sparrow flies into the pain of life, but always with hope and love. Talmadge’s authentic and honest songwriting is worthy of time and attention.           David Masciotra (www.davidmasciotra.com) is the author of four books, including Barack Obama: Invisible Man (Eyewear Publishing, 2017) and Mellencamp: American Troubadour (University Press of Kentucky, 2015). To read all of David's reviews, click here