The Safari Re-discovers the Progressive Bluegrass of Lansing’s Lindsey Lou and the Flatbellys!

Ok so today the Safari travels Michigan and rediscovers a band that I first listened to about a year ago Lindsey Lou and the Flatbellys.  From their website:

Hailing from all corners of the Great Lakes State of Michigan, Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys are giving a nod to American traditional music, while boldy taking their own songs in new directions.  Distinct vocals, tight harmonies, instrumental expertise, and creative arrangements are all essential characteristics of their unique sound.  The group focuses on the original tunes of Lindsay Lou Rilko, which include true-life tales of bank-robbing aunties, moonshinin’ grandpas, and celebrations of love, life, and nature. It’s an infectious vibe that could only have been born in the heart of America’s Fresh Coast! Full Bio. Read More

Exploring the Music of Russell Malone – finding Dianne Reeves – together they perform “You’ve Got a Friend”

PlaygroundOk so to honor Russell Malone on his birthday today, I said I would listen to his 2010 release Triple Play. But when I went to MOG, there was a 2013 release listed at the top of his discography, so I downloaded that and listened to it! It was great! I came home tonight and discovered that, the album I listened to was Playground which was actually released in 2004! I don’t know why it’s listed as 2013 unless it has been re-released??? The last song on Playground  is Carol King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” a song that won both James Taylor and Carol Grammys! Now hearing Malone’s guitari instrumental  version of the song was great, but earlier in the day I had watch portions of a video of a performance of the song with Russell playing guitar and  Dianne Reeves providing the vocals. Now I didn’t know anything about Ms. Reeves, but I certainly want to find out more about her! What a wonderful voice, so rich, so soulful. Well I’ll just let you decide for yourselves as we go “into the morning” with the guitar of Russell Malone and the voice and soul of Dianne Reeves and the equally wonderful songwriting of Carole King (her Tapestry album is in my vinyl collection and millions of other people’s collections throughout the world ) Read More

People Music – from Christian McBride and Inside Straight

People MusicThis morning I was in jazz mode and listened to the Christian McBride & Inside Straights release People Music. The album was released in May of this year. Inside Straight has everything I enjoy in jazz, lively vibes from Warren Wolf, piano from Peter Martin and smooth saxophone from Steve Wilson, All supported by the solid bass lines of Christian’s bass and Carl Allen;s drums.on the majority of the songs. On a few of the songs the piano duties are manned by Christian Sands and Ulysses Owens, Jr. handles the drums. Both are considered members of the Inside Straight family. Read More

The Music Safari Finds New Blues from New Jersey Native John Ginty!!

So for the last several weeks the Safari has been tracking the blues man John Ginty. His name has been seen on the Roots Music Report’s Blues Charts but so far I have been unable to find his new album Bad New Travels. Last night as I reviewed the Blues Chart again, I saw that Ginty had shifted his position and now was located at Number 4 on the chart! Once again I trekked over to MOG to see if I could spot the elusive Mr Ginty! When I searched MOG, lo and behold, the album was there and the cover that I saw raised my curiosity  level even more, see if you can guess why!! Read More

Music Safari runs with Norway’s Kerrs Pink – Mystic Spirit

There’s good news and bad news from last night’s run. The good news is the headlamp that I bought the other day works great. It makes the road visible to me and me visible to drivers! The bad news is that now I have no excuse for not running when it gets dark at five o’clock!! Last night’s run was pretty good. The first mile was 9:30 and the rest were around 9:50 minutes plus! Kerrs PinkThe soundtrack for the run was a new to me Prog Rock band from Norway Kerrs Pink. I listened to their latest release Mystic Storm. Now since I didn’t know much about the band (what’s new!} my first stop was Wikipedia. I was doing two things at the same time I just typed Kerrs Pink in the search box clicked when Kerr’s Pink appeared and this is what I found out! Read More

“Into the Morning” with Robert Randolph & The Family Band – “Voodoo Chile”

Ok so there’s no doubt that after watching this performance of Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile” that I will be checking out Robert Randolph and the Family Band in the morning! So everyone we are off and “into the morning with “Voodoo Chile” And there’s a new album Lickety Split. The first from the band in three years!! < Read More

Life’s Soundtrack – Norway’s Prog Rockers Kerrs Pink’s latest – Mystic Spirit – Powers Another Good Run!

There’s good news and bad news from last night’s run. The good news is the headlamp that I bought the other day works great. It makes the road visible to me and me visible to drivers! The bad news is that now I have no excuse for not running when it gets dark at five o’clock!! Last night’s run was pretty good. The first mile was 9:30 and the rest were around 9:50 minutes plus! Kerrs PinkThe soundtrack for the run was a new to me Prog Rock band from Norway Kerrs Pink. I listened to their latest release Mystic Storm. Now since I didn’t know much about the band (what’s new!} my first stop was Wikipedia. I was doing two things at the same time I just typed Kerrs Pink in the search box clicked when Kerr’s Pink appeared and this is what I found out! Read More