Back on Top

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on May 1, 1999

The theme this month is humor. So why an Irishman and a blues singer? Well, one is funny-looking, short, fat, and very pale…and blues singers have been the center of many comedy sketches on Saturday Night Live and In Living Color…? Okay, honestly, the thought of listening to “comedy albums” made me slightly queasy. Recently [...]

Hand Me Down My Moonshine

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on May 1, 1999

I always feel bogus reviewing the blues, as if my love for the musical form is inauthentic. Sort of like the guy that orders the most expensive bottle of wine even though the cheaper bottle is a better wine. On the other hand, there are critics that believe that Luther Allison is not authentic because [...]

Death and the Family

by Jill Hill

Originally published on May 1, 1999

Tits-up, passed-on, or just plain dead, Jill Hill explores our fascination with all things morbid and edible at funerals.

Baroque Music for Trumpets

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on April 1, 1999

The clarity of his playing is the most noticeable aspect of this CD. It is a showcase of his virtuosity, and the selections themselves are light and airy, very reminiscent of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons…

Yuaretê

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on April 1, 1999

The entire CD is touched with an otherworldly feel that somehow blends with the Latin rhythms. The beat can best be described as a soft tango and his voice as spiritual…

Absolute Torch and Twang

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on April 1, 1999

All the critical hype that surrounded this CD was earned. Listening to her voice with its range and control makes you think what a sad thing it is to have to endure Mariah Carey (Oscars) and Shania Twain (Grammys)…

aja

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on April 1, 1999

Most people would go with Can’t Buy a Thrill, which is a damn fine piece of music making, but I have to go with aja…”

Living in Oblivion, Vol. 4

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on April 1, 1999

At this point my peculiar backseat CD player needs one more CD to fill it up. I have an attachment to eighties music, and Living in Oblivion: Vol. 4 contains such “I want my MTV” classics as “Dance Hall Days,” “True,” and “Come On Eileen.” I never bought any music from the early eighties. Somehow [...]

Dwight Live

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on April 1, 1999

His popularity is in many ways baffling. He is not a great singer or a good-looking man, nor does he have good hair – things many popular country singers possess … He does have a dirty sexiness and passion for his music…

Whitey Ford Sings the Blues

reviewed by Jill Hill

Originally published on March 1, 1999

I drive a big new maroon and bronze two-tone Ford F-150 XLT. It gets 17 miles to a gallon, which is an improvement over the white Tahoe I just sold. The main trouble with the truck is that the CD player is in the back seat. Once I load up the six CD’s, I’d rather [...]