Southern Storm Madison, Natasha

A powerful blues guitarist and an excellent vocalist, Tinsley Ellis dominates his fourth Alligator CD as a leader. His backup band (guitarist Oliver Wood, bassist James Ferguson, drummer Stuart Gibson and occasional organist/pianist Stuart Grimes) does a fine job of inspiring the leader, while slide guitarist Derek Trucks and Albey Scholl on harmonica make notable guest appearances. While Ellis often plays quite passionately and hints at rock, he also performs an occasional quieter piece that shows his more traditional and introspective side. There is plenty of spirit on this generally rousing set.

STORM AT SUNRISE was an unusual progressive/hard rock band from Texas. It was founded by multi-instrumentalist Dave GRYDER, a musician who previously played drums and sang in metal bands Morning Thunder [with future Underground Railroad guitarist Bill Pohl], Heaven's Force, and Rotting Corpse. After leaving Corpse, GRYDER started his solo career as a symphonic prog keyboardist under the moniker "Covenant" and released one album in 1992, 'Nature's Divine Reflection'. Around the turn of 2000, he created band STORM AT SUNRISE together with guitarist Ernie MYERS [previously in symphonic prog band HANDS] & bassist John CHESTERFIELD. GRYDER took on keys, drums & vocal duties and consequently STORM at SUNRISE never played concerts, becoming primarily a studio act.

STORM AT SUNRISE was an unusual progressive/hard rock band from Texas. It was founded by multi-instrumentalist Dave GRYDER, a musician who previously played drums and sang in metal bands Morning Thunder [with future Underground Railroad guitarist Bill Pohl], Heaven's Force, and Rotting Corpse. After leaving Corpse, GRYDER started his solo career as a symphonic prog keyboardist under the moniker "Covenant" and released one album in 1992, 'Nature's Divine Reflection'. Around the turn of 2000, he created band STORM AT SUNRISE together with guitarist Ernie MYERS [previously in symphonic prog band HANDS] & bassist John CHESTERFIELD. GRYDER took on keys, drums & vocal duties and consequently STORM at SUNRISE never played concerts, becoming primarily a studio act.

Pocketful of Sunshine was Brit-pop artist Natasha Bedingfield's North American sophomore album; everywhere else around the world, a similar album was released eight months earlier, simply entitled N.B. Pocketful of Sunshine is built from half of N.B.'s original track list, as well as a handful of pop singles geared perfectly toward the mainstream American market, such as lead single "Love Like This" (with Sean Kingston) and the title track. Compared to its international counterpart, the album was packed with more potential singles, a sunnier disposition, and a much more radio-friendly sound, allowing Bedingfield to release two similar but different albums around the same time to appeal to the two markets in which she has found success.