Doug Taylor

The Golden VirginsSongs of Praise (XL)Northern England’s The Golden Virgins offer up as fresh a debut set as you’ll hear this year. Influences are as diverse as Joe Jackson, Shane McGowan and medieval madrigals, yet it rocks. Singer Lucas Penney leaves you concerned about his mental and physical well-being. Keyboardist David Younger commands a broad […]

Jenny WhiteleyDear(Black Hen Music)The danger in doing a boffo cover version of an obscure number (“Heart of Gold”) by an esteemed songwriter (Ray Davies) is if it outshines your own material. It happens with Jenny Whiteley’s take on the old Kinks tune, but only enough to add nuance to a solid set of songs. She’s […]

Joseph Arthur & the Lonely AstronautsLet’s Just Be(Indica)The good news about Joseph Arthur’s latest is he’s eased up on the sensitive, vulnerable schtick and rocks out like never before. The bad news is it required either drugs or psychosis to do it, because parts of Let’s Just Be exhibit self-indulgence on a scale not heard […]

Edgar BreauCanadian Primitive (Songhammer)The unearthing of 1970s Hamilton band Simply Saucer was one of the revelations of 2003. The album’s warm reception encouraged frontman Edgar Breau to offer up a dozen new songs. One grabber is “I Miss You My Nico,” featuring the line “You deconstructionists can all go straight to Hell” and a sweet […]

Tom RussellIndians Cowboys Horses Dogs (Hightone)With a dozen songs evenly balanced between originals and well-chosen covers, Russell evokes vivid Wild West images: Barfights, hangings and ornery bulls make for rich stories. Rough-hewn characters are thick, whether in Linda Thompson’s gorgeous “No Telling,” Bob Dylan’s “Seven Curses” or Russell’s own salute to the late environmental warrior […]

VariousSee You on the Moon: Songs for Kids of All Ages(Paper Bag)These tunes may not be annoying enough to win over the tots, but a stellar cast feels it’s worth a try; they mix in some excited young voices (Apostle of Hustle), act scary (Fembots), incorporate a music box (Mark Kozelek). Sufjan Stevens digs up […]

James HunterPeople Gonna Talk(Rounder)Singer-guitarist Hunter emerges from the shadow of employer Van Morrison, suave as Sam Cooke and weathered as John Hiatt—a combination previously encountered only in cats. The setup is so free of clutter that a dose of B3 organ and twin sax capability give proceedings a natty blue bounce.Doug Taylorcategories: Best of the […]

Linda ThompsonVersatile Heart(Rounder)Long divorced from Richard, Linda Thompson is a most worthy counterpart to him musically, even if she is not nearly as prolific. This is her first album in five years, her third in 25. On “Beauty,” by Rufus Wainwright, Antony of the Johnsons contributes angelic, mournful harmonies. Versatile Heart may not be packed […]

Mark BraggBear Music MapleIf following up one of the best Atlantic debuts in recent years seemed a daunting task, it only served to fire up Newfoundlander Bragg. Sure, some of his quirks have been directed into a more definable blend of swamp guitar and difficult women, but his voice is still a cross between a […]

NathanJimson Weed (Nettwerk)You don’t feel so bad for folks enduring Winnipeg winter if it enables them to fashion such a tasty bunch of tunes. When Keri McTighe and Shelley Marshall croon “It’s not always a blue sky” on “One Spend,” it feels like cows might be skateboarding in the clouds. “Red River Clay” expresses growing […]