One Deep River

Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. The band is considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical approach changed over the years. Originally formed as a progressive rock band, the band shifted to a heavier sound in 1970. Deep Purple, together with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, have been referred to as the "unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal in the early to mid-seventies". They were listed in the 1975 Guinness Book of World Records as "the globe's loudest band" for a 1972 concert at London's Rainbow Theatre, and have sold over 100 million albums worldwide…

Bobby Helms possesses that unforgetable and soothing voice that hearkens back to childhood Christmases listening to "Jingle Bell Rock" on the radio. This two-disc set highlights his Decca years, including "Fraulein," "My Special Angel," "Jingle Bell Rock," "Just A Little Lonesome," "Jacqueline," "New River Train" and "Lonely River Rhine", plus B-sides (62 tracks in total!). A marvelous collection from one of the most underrated (or, unfairly forgotten) country musicians of our time.

While countless rockers started their careers in the New York suburb of Long Island before going on to worldwide success (Billy Joel, Twisted Sister, Steve Vai, Brian Setzer, Blue Öyster Cult, etc.), there have been countless acts that appeared poised for a breakthrough, but for whatever reason, fell short. Many longtime followers of Long Island-based rock would probably agree that tops on the "woulda/coulda/shoulda" list were the Good Rats, a group who played at some of the East Coast's best-known/biggest venues (Madison Square Garden, Nassau Coliseum, the Philadelphia Spectrum) during the '70s, while opening for such big names as Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, the Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, Kiss, Journey, Heart, Styx, Meat Loaf, and Rush, among others…

Listening to music intensely for over thirty years starts to have its effect on this guy. I must confess that many new blues releases sometimes make me sleep and listen at the same time. The earphones are the only things that prevent me from tumbling into a deep siesta.
Therefore, I announce with great pleasure, that I was delighted to find the debut album 'High Tide' from the East River Blues Band on my doormat. The four-person band from New York City has certainly created one of the best blues releases I have heard in the last few months. Singer, front man, and composer of most songs Dan Cumberland, bass player Bill Acosta, guitarist Ken Hughes and Tom Brumley on harmonicas form a steady base for guest appearances by Bill Mobley (trumpet), Dennis McDermott (drums), Gary Topper (saxophones), and David Bennett Cohen (piano).
Their play is more than inspired and it gives the band its own trademark sound…..

Marty Elkins was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. As a child she listened mostly to the soul stations in New York, and the late night R&B shows like Jocko’s Rocket Ship. She left there for college in Boston, and while in college was given a copy of Ella Fitzgerald and Ellis Larkins. She was also exposed to Charlie Parker, Al Cohn and Zoot Sims, and Louis Jordan, but the life changing day was when she found a copy of Billie Holiday’s “Lady in Satin” in a local Woolworth bin in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Literally holing up in her room with this recording, and a Bessie Smith record she acquired, she became devoted to jazz and began listening to it exclusively. She had the good fortune to meet musicians in that area who played jazz such as Herb Pomeroy, Ray Santisi, Jimmy Mosher, and Dave McKenna among others. Dave McKenna had a steady gig at the Copley Plaza…