Courtlyn Carr
Courtlyn Carr
Web: www.courtlyncarr.com
Album: Turn Blue
Show: March 19 at The Whiskey: 1803 West St., Annapolis, MD; 410-626-6022; www.thewhiskeyannapolis.com
March 28 at Frederick Coffee House: 100 N. East St., Frederick, MD; 301-698-0039; www.fredcoffeeco.com
Track: Turn Blue
[dewplayer:http://www.ontaponline.com/wordpress_2011/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/turn_blue.mp3]
Courtlyn Carr’s stunning good looks could obscure her talent as a mainstream country musician; that is, if she didn’t actually have talent. The Annapolis-based musician, who moonlights as a model, demonstrates some credible mainstream country music chops on “Turn Blue,” her second full-length CD. Carr’s vocal power isn’t in the same league as say, Martina McBride, whom she calls an influence. But it’s a warm, inviting and crystaline voice nonetheless, and would fit right in with the current the current crop of country radio songstresses. A soft acoustic guitar and lilting fiddle imbue the title track — a simply arranged weeper — with a reassuring measure of traditionalism, while Carr’s vocal phrasing convinces us of her heartache. The sassy “Tennessee Nights” is supposed to be a rocker, and Carr tries to toughen it up, but her delivery here only hints at the grit of say, Miranda Lambert. Better is “What Turns You On,” a sultry come-on that has the listener closely pondering Carr’s words. Whew. Courtlyn Carr certainly has the sex appeal — and possibly even the voice — of a Nashville star. Off-the-shelf musical arrangements bog this country disc down at times, but Carr lifts most tunes above the fray. We look for good things from this emerging musical talent. —Mike Coleman
Patty Reese
Patty Reese
Web: www.myspace.com/musicianpattyreese
Album: Strong Medicine
Show: March 5 at Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café: 1517 Connecticut Ave. NW, DC; 202-387-1462; www.kramers.com
Track: Strong Medicine
[dewplayer:http://www.ontaponline.com/wordpress_2011/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/strong-medicine.mp3]
The term “blues-rock” is too often a synonym for loud, bombastic tunes played by musicians who think they are the second coming of Stevie Ray Vaughan or Janis Joplin. Washington-based Patty Reese is a blues rocker, but she is definitely an exception to the tired stereotype. The six-time Washington Area Music Award winner’s new record, “Strong Medicine,” showcases a mature, supremely talented artist who has the pipes to belt songs out in full-on Janis Joplin-esque style, and the good sense not to do it on every track. On the record’s title track, Reese’s smoky, sensuous vocals wrap themselves around a slow groove, while “Who’s Got Your Back” is a rocking jam with hints of surf-style guitar. Reese is not only a powerhouse vocalist, but a strong songwriter who uses words as well as vocal acrobatics to convey timeless stories of love and lust, triumph and heartbreak. There are very few weak points on this disc. If we had to cite one it might be that Reese’s vocal stylings are sometimes too reminiscent of her heroes (think Bonnie Raitt or Melissa Etheridge,) but that’s not exactly criticism, is it? “Strong Medicine” is bound to make any fan of real blues-rock feel better about the state of the genre. —Mike Coleman
GroundScore
GroundScore
Web: www.myspace.com/dcgroundscore
Album: Healthy Children
Show: March 23 at Asylum: 2471 18th St. NW, DC; 202-319-9353; www.asylumdc.com
Track: You Deserve It
[dewplayer:http://www.ontaponline.com/wordpress_2011/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/you-deserve-it.mp3]
Although GroundScore has only officially been around since late 2008, they’ve already got a polished and diverse sound that is spreading throughout the East Coast. Their latest CD, “Healthy Children,” is 12 tracks of something that sounds like Sublime meets 311. This punk rock trio’s album flows nicely and keeps an upbeat tempo throughout. Reminiscent of several genres of music, they identify mostly with a rock/reggae sound while exerting their individuality by mixing in punk-influenced songs. For a band with such a great sound, they’re not as well-known as one would think, despite the local upcoming shows they have at places like Asylum, O’Shaughnessy’s and My Brother’s Place. With raw talent like theirs, it’s only a matter of time before they’re a common name around here. —Ashley Estill
Alex Gordon Hi-Fi
Alex Gordon
Web: www.whoisalexgordon.com
Album: Stock Footage
Show: March 13 at the National Colonial Farm’s Homegrown Series: Accokeek, MD; www.accokeek.org
Track: Constellations
[dewplayer:http://www.ontaponline.com/wordpress_2011/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/constellations.mp3]
Alex Gordon Hi-Fi’s mellow sound has taken his band throughout the country making appearances at coffee shops and festivals. The stay-at-home Dad’s most recent release, “Stock Footage,” is definitely an album you can throw in the CD player and let play. The 11-track release is full of smooth sounds and mature lyrics to help you chill out. While not exactly fitting a genre, his music is uplifting yet calm. What is very evident throughout the album is Gordon’s impressive strumming. He opts for a finger style method of playing which leaves you with an updated and impressed outlook on acoustic guitarists. —Ashley Estill
GroundScore definitely has some potential.