HOLLY LIGHT "Beautiful World" ManCat Music www.hollylight.com Winner of the DIY Songwriter of the Year award, Holly Light and producer Ted Owens offers an astonishing album that, were it issued by Bonnie Raitt, would be destined for the top of the charts. Not that this one will not fit there; if radio would perk up its ears to the memorable "Beautiful World" or the aching "Home," a few million units could be easily moved. Attention, singer/songwriters: if you are looking for great material, you could do worse than pick up this CD. And if you are merely a fan of great music, this is one you have to have in your collection. SUSAN ROBKIN "How To Say Goodbye" Mouse and Bear Music www.SusanRobkin.com Robkin has clearly been doing her songwriting homework, and never met a hook she did not like. Twelve tracks of solid, creative, commercial and instantly memorable songs fill up her second record, one that should help build her momentum as she climbs out of her Seattle hometown toward national attention. The instant comparison is to Alanis Morissette on her major label debut, but there is a more subtle, sophisticated edge to such tracks as "Nobody Knows You" and "Make You Go Away" than you find in most commercial works. Definitely an artist to keep an eye on. ONLINE / OFFLINE : Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers Sinner Street Blind Pig Records www.blindpigrecords.com Remember when music was fun, filled with emotion and good? Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers’ latest effort, Sinner Street, brings those days back to life in the purest form. Blues guitar virtuoso Jimmy Thackery takes you through a journey of smoky, gritty guitar riffs, surrounded by sincere and passionate vocals. The emotion is highest when Thackery’s guitar is in the focus, sans vocals, as in the title track and "Blues &’Fore Dawn". While not lyrically earth shattering, Thackery&’s impassioned guitar brings you in from the beginning of "Grab the Rafters," keeps you moving through Detroit Iron, where lead vocals are handed over to drummer Mark Stutso, and leaves you begging for more eleven tracks later. Produced by Thackery and Grammy-winning producer Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughn, Santana, Steve Miller), Sinner Street is a definite have for any blues rock connoisseur. Stand-out Tracks Grab The Rafters Sinner Street Chained to the Blues Line Blues &’Fore Dawn Sonny Landreth Levee Town Sugar Hill Records www.sugarhillrecords.com Want to hear a great story or two? Then take a listen to Sonny Landreth&’s Levee Town. In the backdrop of zydeco rhythms and blues, Landreth takes us on an inspired journey through the Deep South with eloquent stories disguised as songs. The Louisiana based guitarist shows the effects of tradition and inherent mystery of the southern experience on the soul. The lyrics are laced with colloquialisms (what exactly is a Spider-gris?), yet the universal emotions are clear. Landreth gives a peak into his own soul through the impassioned vocals on the bluesy "Broken Hearted Road," and gives props to his mama (as all good southern boys should!) on "Soul Salvation," where Bonnie Raitt makes an appearance on background vocals. Other guests include John Hiatt, Jennifer Warnes, Stephen Bruton and more. Produced by Mike Post with R.S. Fields and Landreth, Levee Town is a journey worth taking. Stand-out Tracks Love and Glory The Deep South Broken Hearted Road R.L. Burnside Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down Fat Possum Records www.fatpossum.com This man has lived - hard. This fact is apparent from the first note sung by R.L. Burnside. His deep, gravely voice embodies 73 years of hard-earned experience and is the perfect vehicle for the raw blues brilliantly presented on Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down. On the opening track, "Hard Time Killing Floor", we learn about R.L.&’s time in Chicago, where his father and two brothers were murdered in a month&’s time (R.L. later returned to his native Mississippi). We learn about love ("Bad Luck City") and that life isn&’t always easy ("Got Messed Up"). The poignant spoken "R.L.&’s Story" shows that every life is a tale. Yet, R. L. keeps his sense of humor with tracks like "My Eyes Keep Me In Trouble" and "Too Many Ups" (R.L. shows he can also keep up with the times on this song - I&’m waiting for the club mix of this one!). The various producers refrain from slick over-production, allowing the pureness of R.L&’s vocals and the musicianship to shine through. Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down is a remarkable collection of heartbreak, truth and humor. It&’s R.L.&’s story; listen and learn. Stand-out Tracks Hard Time Killing Floor Got Messed Up Too Many Ups Bad Luck City Buy "Beyond The Charts" Buy "Off The Charts" OTC Music | Beyond The Charts | The Line | Message Boards | Subscribe | The Archives | About Us © 1999-2001, OFFtheCHARTS.com