TAYLOR SCOTT BAND: LIVE AT ACME FEED AND SEED

Putting his excellent guitar skills to good use, Taylor Scott led the band through two sets that spanned well over two hours.  The musical connection between keys player John Wirtz and Scott makes for memorable jams, but the whole group impressively fed off each other for a slick presentation that still felt loose and free.

ALBUM REVIEW: ANNIE KEATING — ‘BRISTOL COUNTY TIDES’

Even the most cursory listen to Bristol County Tides will reveal Keating’s gift for capturing fleeting wisps of emotion and shaping them into lyrics. In the vein of Lucinda Williams or Bob Dylan, Keating uses her raw, slightly gritty vocals to transport the listener into the world within her songs.

ALBUM PREMIERE: SET YOU FREE — ASHLEY RILEY

Authenticity can be gleaned from a singer’s delivery. You can often tell if the words have personal meaning to the artist, rather than simply being text set to music, which is exactly what Ashley Riley was able to capture on her latest album, Set You Free. Thanks to her always expressive, often aching, sometimes raw, vocal delivery, she leaves no doubt we’re getting the real deal.

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