Shot Range Determination

Justin Nozuka has a determination and follow through unusual in a teenager, but when you've written songs as powerful as the ones found on this album, that's understandable. Honing his skills in Canadian clubs, selling his self-made CDs at the shows, Nozuka was still in high school when he decided to take the next step forward. Hiring producer Bill Bell, the singer/songwriter went into the studio, recorded his debut full-length Holly, and began selling out through his website. A British deal followed, with the record receiving rave reviews, eventually leading to an American release. Dedicated to his single Mom, the Holly of the title, the album revolves almost exclusively around love in all its many facets.

One of the most celebrated singer/songwriters of her generation, Lucinda Williams was also a fiercely independent artist who had to fight for the creative freedom that allowed her to do her best work. The daughter of a well-respected poet, Williams brought a literacy and sense of detail to her work that was unpretentious but powerfully evocative and emotional, which led to a number of major artists covering her tunes while she was still establishing herself as a performer. As a vocalist, Williams used the rough edges of her instrument to her advantage, allowing the grit of her voice to heighten the authenticity of her performance.

This was the first and last time Pepper worked with Jordan, and came about as a result of Pepper's usual pianist, George Cables, being unable to make the dates at Club Montmartre in Copenhagen. To Pepper's dismay, Danmarks Radio decided to record the first gig of the Montmartre series. Pepper need not have worried – the show was a rousing success, with the band tackling a set of standards (and a couple of Pepper originals) with such verve and determination that relatively simple tunes turned into astounding solo workouts (there are several drum and bass solos to be heard on this record), the amazing highlight of which is a shot at "Besame Mucho" that rounds out to twenty-two minutes. Art Pepper was in the process of dying at the time this recording was made, but there's no lack of energy, no loss of vitality. A two-CD live jazz set that's well worth having and should not be overlooked.

Lucinda and band gallivant through the selected discography of Tom Petty, celebrating a shared Southern heritage and love for rock and roll along the way.