Happy Saturday and welcome to my latest weekly new music review. Today, I’d like to offer songs that come from a mix of studio albums and EPs, which were all released yesterday (April 26).
Liz Brasher/Be in California
Memphis, Tenn.-based Liz Brasher is a singer-songwriter and guitarist whose style AllMusic characterizes as eclectic retro soul with elements of adult pop, rock, blues, and gospel. Here’s more from her AllMusic bio: Brasher sang in her church choir as a child and eventually found influence in The Beatles, the Delta blues, and Southern soul. She delved into American music history, learning the works of songwriters ranging from Stephen Foster to Lead Belly, and later Bob Dylan and The Staple Singers, as a college student in Chicago. She soon taught herself guitar and began writing songs. Her debut album Painted Imagine appeared in January 2019. Be in California is a great-sounding track off her second and latest album Baby Damn.
Billy Tibbals/Dream Away
Billy Tibbals is a Los Angeles-based alternative rock artist I first featured in April 2023. Originally hailing from London, Tibbals has lived in L.A. since 2014. During his childhood he became obsessed with British rock & roll – not a bad obsession, as far as I’m concerned! His debut EP Teenage, which offered a mix of power pop, glam rock and, of course, rock & roll, appeared in April 2023. Tibbals who optically reminds me a bit of Marc Bolan is now out with his second EP Nightlife Stories. Like the predecessor it was produced by Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes. Here’s the closer Dream Away, a neat power ballad with a cool retro vibe.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong/My Own Way
Maryland psychedelic funk band Pigeons Playing Ping Pong win this week’s prize for best name. They also sound really good! The quartet of Greg Ormont (vocals, guitar), Jeremy Schon (guitar, vocals), Ben (bass, vocals) and Alex Petropulos (drums, vocals) came together in college 15 years ago. Day in Time is the group’s seventh full-length album since July 2014′ Psychology. Here’s My Own Way. This is groovy stuff!
Gramercy Arms/Never Say Anything (Acoustic)
Gramercy Arms are a revolving New York-based collective of musicians and artists led by songwriter and producer Dave Derby, who I first included in a new music review in February. Prior to Gramercy Arms’ eponymous 2008 debut album, Derby co-founded indie rock band The Dambuilders and lo-fi home recording project Brilliantine; released two solo albums; and composed and produced some music for film and TV. Off their latest album The Making of The Making Of, here’s Never Say Anything (Acoustic), an alternate version of a song the group first included on their March 2023 predecessor Deleted Scenes – pleasant indie pop!
Anders Osborne/To Live
I’m pleased to highlight more new music by versatile New Orleans-based singer-songwriter and ace guitarist Anders Osborne, who I featured in a catching up on new music post 10 days ago. Osborne was born in 1966 in Uddevalla, Sweden and has lived in New Orleans since 1990. He blends multiple genres, such as funk, soul, rock, blues and R&B, into a tasty gumbo. Since his 1989 debut Doin’ Fine, Osborne has released more than 20 studio and live albums. His latest album Picasso’s Villa is now out. Here’s the rootsy To Live – love Osborne’s guitar work!
Ringo Starr/Gonna Need Someone
If you read my aforementioned catching up on new music post, you won’t be surprised this week’s picks include Ringo Starr, whose new EP Crooked Boy has now been released as well. His fifth EP since March 2021 comes six months after Rewind Forward, from which I covered the title track at the time. A marble vinyl limited edition of Crooked Boy was first released on Record Store Day on Saturday, April 20, followed by yesterday’s digital release. Here’s the upbeat Gonna Need Someone, which like the three remaining tracks was written specifically for Starr by Linda Perry who also produced the EP – I just love the man!
Sources: Wikipedia; AllMusic; Pigeons Playing Ping Pong website; Ringo Starr website; YouTube; Spotify
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