"The Emergent Sea" by Roman Rhodes and the Born Again Pagans (Folk Artist from Japan)

It's no wonder that Roman Rhodes and the Born Again Pagans' fine CD is titled "The Emergent Sea." Of its 16 folk / jazz / pop-rock hybrid songs, 8 pieces refer to the ocean - directly or by inference, in their titles. More interesting, is that for this accomplished, multi-cultural band, the predominant sound the unique synthesis of such musical styles evokes is altogether that of California coastline vistas on warm summer nights. Built on light, breezy, and melodic contemporary folk-rock along the lines of Jack Johnson (but incorporating flourishes of late '60's / early '70's pop-rock and jazz styles as well), Roman and his Pagans deliver spirited and decidedly spiritual, tunes that celebrate life and nature with a keen inventiveness, both musically and lyrically. The opening (title) track, "The Emergent Sea," with its free-flight flute backing and tasteful guitar interpolations, sets the tone for the disc, while other highlights incorporate judicious horns as heard on "Odysseus," syncopated rhythms on "A Man Once Called Me," Youngbloods like guitar fills on "Long Talk Off a Short Beer," and even some good-old down-home reminiscing on "Grandma's Telecaster (The Good Old Days.)" "The Emergent Sea" offers an excellent showcase for the skills and influences of players with origins that stretch from Scotland to Japan and sundry points in between, but what ultimately makes Roman Rhodes and the Born Again Pagans' CD so effective is the cohesive, well balanced, and accessible music at its core.

-Rice B & RadioIndy.com Reviewer team
Check out Roman Rhodes & the Born Again Pagans 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

Featured Single

Band Name: Bold Monkey
Featured Single: Reason of Lovely Demands
Album: Another Way to Say Human Race
Genre: Folk
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Check out Jimmy Lott, one of RadioIndy's favorite Folk artists

Radioindy Artist Spotlight for Jimmy Lott

 

 

Band Name: Jimmy Lott
Band Location: Oregon Portland
Sounds Like: Neil Young & Justin Hayward
Visit Band's Website: click here

"Six Songs" by Orange Democracy (Folk Artist from New York City, New York(NY))

"Six Songs" the aptly titled debut release by Orange Democracy, is in fact, exactly that: a 6-song CD but it really is far, far more. With an experimental, if not avant garde, approach to compositions and arrangements that, by turns, incorporate influences ranging from jazz, to classical, to choral music and more. This NY-based quartet's album is a virtual tapestry of its component parts. Classically trained pianist Cyrus von Hochstetter's nimble and inventive chording sets the pace with tuneful and complex jazz/easy listening pieces, upon which the evocative sax of Samir Zarif, and the jazz phrasing of guitarist Ted Boasso, add unpredictable but tasteful embellishment. Carla Jablonski, a seasoned and multi-dimensional vocalist, adds a second voice in spots, maintaining the same standards of musical exploration in harmonies that add yet another, almost grounding aspect to the richly diverse set of songs. "Bitter Rain," with its melancholy sax and worthy harmonies, is a particular highlight, but the subversive "High Heels To Hell" and melancholy "In Remembrance" is no less compelling. The excellent CD, "Six Songs" entails proficient musicality and collectively displays a uniquely sophisticated mix of modernistic songs.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Orange Democracy's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present The Moon Whispers with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Pearl of Blood "

RadioIndy is pleased to present The Moon Whispers with a GrIndie Award for the CD "Pearl of Blood "

Cryptic poetry and dark images are the forte of The Moon Whispers as they release their latest album "Pearl of Blood." The fusion between folk music and despondent ambiance is quite interesting and adds to the uniqueness this album displays. Vocalist/guitarist Elisa Di Napoli has a deep, yet touch of sweetness to her voice. Her lyrics are strong and emotional, with each song having a story to tell. This quality enhances the range of music that is reminiscent of darker tones and textures. One such song with a thought provoking tale is "You're Driving Me Crazy." Another appealing quality is the use of viola and cello giving sinister overtones to these ballads. "Do It Again Sam" is just one song featuring the obscure strings answering in shadowy minor tones. If folk music with mysterious and stirring images is your pleasure, then the Moon Whispers' "Pearl of Blood" is well worth hearing.

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out The Moon Whispers 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

RadioIndy is pleased to present Tremblay Evans with a GrIndie Award for the CD "On Roads"

RadioIndy is pleased to present Tremblay Evans with a GrIndie Award for the CD "On Roads"

Highly influenced by the roots of American music, Tremblay Evans delivers a well polished batch of folk songs on their recent CD "On Roads." This trio's songwriting style reflects the old Americana sounds, by just simply describing everyday life and what we all go through. The overall band tone also has a great 60's throwback sound and only features guitar, harmonica, banjo and mandolin. "Love Isn't Enough" is a standout track that eloquently mixes the writing style of Woody Guthrie and the vocal impressions of Buddy Holly. Another notable track is "The Coming Up and Going Down," a song that tells the tale of the average person and what transpires throughout their life. "On Roads" is a perfect listen for anyone who enjoys the classic folk sounds of the 1960's.

-Shaun H. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Tremblay Evans 's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

"Food To The Hungry" by Gene Strandquist (Country Artist from Alberta, Canada)

Defying easy categorization is Gene Strandquist's ace-in-the-hole on the Canadian singer-songwriter's fine debut CD, "Food To The Hungry." Instead of letting his song craft be defined by adherence to a particular style or genre, Strandquist simply goes for the hook, a strategy that works very well. Indeed, there's a distinct honky tonk feel to 2 songs, the ramblin' CD-opener, "Rangeland Ride," and the hook-laden "I Wasn't Looking" while the closing track, "Distant Sorrow," is an affecting piano ballad of no fixed persuasion. Title song, "Food To The Hungry," with its minor-key resolve, is equally catchy with a Carlos Santana like melody and florid guitar runs while "Standing At My Father's Door" has a wonderful post-Beatles vibe reminiscent of Ringo's early solo hits. If that weren't enough, "Misery" features a positively Dylan-esque like vocal delivery and "Alida" is a very pretty love song. This disc runs full force with seven songs embedded with seven melodic triumphs. File Gene Strandquist's "Food to the Hungry" CD in pop-rock, but know that it's much more than that.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Gene Strandquist's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

"Never Said Good Bye" by Robert R. Patterson (Folk/Blues Artist from Illinois(IL))

Robert R. Patterson's second CD, "Never Said Good Bye" finds the guitarist / singer-songwriter furthering an exploration of his unique songcraft in ways as original and inventive as they are satisfying. A virtuoso on guitar, Patterson turns his acoustic and electric guitars loose over 12 songs that delve into classical, folk, and blues influences which, nevertheless, blend seamlessly into a whole of potent musicality. Where the song "Five Dollar Mohawk" is a blues-rock workout with slashing slide licks, the hauntingly beautiful "Smile Little One" features acoustic picking as delicate as it is pristine. "Little Spanish Evening," an acoustic solo instrumental, is a veritable wordless lullaby, while the CD opener and titled track, "Never Said Good Bye" is an oddly effective composition that's both exotic and eccentric. Much of the album finds Patterson in elemental mode, his lone guitar and rich voice breathing life into songs of loss and redemption, but on the ballad, "Life," a deep and sonorous cello accompaniment raises the performance to solemnity. As second releases go, Robert R Patterson's "Never Said Good Bye" CD is a fine sophomore album, building on the echoes of his first, while pointing forward with his evolving potential.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Robert R Patterson's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites

"Food To The Hungry" by Gene Strandquist (Country Artist from Alberta, Canada)

Defying easy categorization is Gene Strandquist's ace-in-the-hole on the Canadian singer-songwriter's fine debut CD, "Food To The Hungry." Instead of letting his song craft be defined by adherence to a particular style or genre, Strandquist simply goes for the hook, a strategy that works very well. Indeed, there's a distinct honky tonk feel to 2 songs, the ramblin' CD-opener, "Rangeland Ride," and the hook-laden "I Wasn't Looking" while the closing track, "Distant Sorrow," is an affecting piano ballad of no fixed persuasion. Title song, "Food To The Hungry," with its minor-key resolve, is equally catchy with a Carlos Santana like melody and florid guitar runs while "Standing At My Father's Door" has a wonderful post-Beatles vibe reminiscent of Ringo's early solo hits. If that weren't enough, "Misery" features a positively Dylan-esque like vocal delivery and "Alida" is a very pretty love song. This disc runs full force with seven songs embedded with seven melodic triumphs. File Gene Strandquist's "Food to the Hungry" CD in pop-rock, but know that it's much more than that.

-Rice B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Gene Strandquist's music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites