2011-03-04
Will Phalen is a Milwaukee transplant to the gold coast of Chicago. Although he is frontman for The Stereo Addicts, Holy Ghost Gold Coast is his solo effort in folk and is self-described as cosmic American music. He enjoyed recording this album at home within the quiet confines that apartment living demands. He feels limitation breeds creativity. The first song “Candycane Mountain in My Mind” offers up simple acoustic picking with background synthesizer that lends a bit of an ethereal mood. “Suddenly” is an upbeat tune with keyboard synth and harmonica elements added for interest. In “Morning Will Come” Phalen is not always completely on pitch but this song is “ear” catching along with breathy voice modulation. The title track shows Phalen’s flawless guitar picking, and along with harmonica, is a soothing end. Recommended tracks: 1-3-4-8-10. Pam VandeKerkhoffRicky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass : Tribute to 1946 and 1947
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Dona Got A Ramblin' Mind
MARK OLSON
The Salvation Blues
BRANDI CARLILE
Live At Benaroya Hall With The Seattle Symphony
Mike Vial
A World's That's Bigger
AMANDA SHIRES
West Cross Timbers
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.