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Jim Shahen

How Skippy White Built Boston’s Soul Scene

How Skippy White Built Boston’s Soul Scene

As a radio personality, record store owner, concert promoter, and producer/manager of local artists, 86-year-old Skippy White has dedicated nearly his entire life to supporting soul, blues, and gospel music in Boston. He still remembers the moment that made it all happen. “I was searching through the radio and

ALBUM REVIEW: Daddy Long Legs Calls For Coming Together on ‘Street Sermons’

ALBUM REVIEW: Daddy Long Legs Calls For Coming Together on ‘Street Sermons’

Daddy Long Legs, the New York City-based trio of singer/harmonica player Brian Hurd, guitarist Murat Akturk, and drummer Josh Styles, has carved out a niche for itself over the past decade playing its raucous mix of lo-fi electric blues. The group has been silent on the recording front since

‘Soul’d Out’ Collection Celebrates Landmark 1972 Wattstax Concert

‘Soul’d Out’ Collection Celebrates Landmark 1972 Wattstax Concert

Featuring the entire Stax Records roster of soul, blues, and gospel artists, the Wattstax concert on Aug. 20, 1972, was no mere label showcase. Organized in commemoration of the 1965 riots in Watts, California, instigated by police brutality and longstanding systemic inequality, it was a celebration of Black pride and

ALBUM REVIEW: New Wisdom, Classic Sound Combine on Lucero’s ‘Should’ve Learned by Now’

ALBUM REVIEW: New Wisdom, Classic Sound Combine on Lucero’s ‘Should’ve Learned by Now’

Lucero has built its reputation on a raucous blend of punk, Southern rock, and country. On recent albums, the group’s turned down the volume and explored darker tones and atmospherics. It’s worked out pretty well and highlighted previously unknown depths and sonic nuances. The band’s new album,

ALBUM REVIEW: Ernie Vincent Steps Into the Spotlight With ‘Original Dap King’

ALBUM REVIEW: Ernie Vincent Steps Into the Spotlight With ‘Original Dap King’

Guitarist Ernie Vincent has been a giant in New Orleans funk-and-blues circles for more than half a century. For most of that time, he’s stood in the shadows, writing and arranging material or, along with his longtime group the Top Notes, serving as accompaniment for other artists. That’s

ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘There Is So Much Here,’ Glen Phillips Finds Magic in the Everyday

ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘There Is So Much Here,’ Glen Phillips Finds Magic in the Everyday

It’s been six years since Toad the Wet Sprocket frontman Glen Phillips released a solo album. That was Swallowed by the New, a rumination on the loss he felt in the aftermath of his divorce. Since then, the world surrounding Phillips (and, really, all of us) has become increasingly

ALBUM REVIEW: Lee Fields Yearns for Something Lasting on ‘Sentimental Fool’

ALBUM REVIEW: Lee Fields Yearns for Something Lasting on ‘Sentimental Fool’

It’s kind of crazy that despite recording several singles for Daptone Records and joining Sharon Jones on a couple of her songs, legendary soul man Lee Fields has never recorded a full-length release for the imprint. That changes now with the release of Sentimental Fool, a record that marks