For the Sake of the Song

Revered blues mama Leeann Atherton and former Red Elvises guitarist/vocalist Zhenya Rock have joined forces in Gypzee Soul, a meeting of his fleet-fingered ability on all things stringed and her soulful sensibilities. Clunky, lyrical moments on their debut are almost offset by the amount of love poured into their worldly acoustic grooves... With a voice deep and smooth and the ability to pen country tunes with solid pop hooks, Josh Grider has already garnered some attention with the Texas Music crowd, winning Newcomer of the Year at the Gruene With Envy Awards. His Walt Wilkins-produced Million Miles to Go (Bootstrap) recalls a young Radney Foster with its combination of twang and sensitive, insightful lyrics... The Hudsons' third release, Before I Sleep, covers lots of musical ground, from swing to introspective. The duo, Hudson Mueller and Brian Hudson, demonstrates why it was the winner of Best Folk Band at the 2007 Austin Music Awards with tunes like the sweet lullaby "Dreams" and strident "Money Goes to the Man"... Three years after causing a stir on the Americana charts, Mark Jungers & the Whistling Mules return with Silos and Smokestacks (American Rural), their fourth effort. Jungers mixes things well, whether evoking the soft side of Neil Young or rowdy attitude of Jason & the Scorchers. It's not new or original, but Jungers and company's stick-to-your-ribs Americana is melodic and memorable... Veering from jangly to anthemic, Jeremy Nail's debut, Letter, is a diverse, gripping listen, one that's centered around his ability to capture waking moments with intensity. An all-star cast of accompanists, including producer/bassist Mark Addison and drummer Joey Shuffield, assures that Nail's visions take shape with a self-confidence by a local singer-songwriter that hasn't been displayed on a first effort since Jeff Klein.