Scott Rollins

ReviewScott Rollins

Album Review: Sophomore effort Public Life by Joshua Lee Turner out August 7

While some of you may have binge-watched your new favorite shows on NetFlix, laid off your diet or shared protest posts on social media, Joshua Lee Turner wrote, recorded, produced, engineered, and accompanied himself on a new recording. Public Life is an intellectual exercise in eclectic beauty, refusing to classify itself into any single genre.

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ReviewScott Rollins

Album Review: An essay on Dylan in context of new record Rough and Rowdy Ways

In light of the fantastic new Bob Dylan album, Rough and Rowdy Ways which was released last week, I‘ve wondered if everything if everything that can be said about Bob Dylan, has already been said? Honestly, what else is there to discuss? Dylan just “is” Dylan. I think the hardest part of being an artist is having “experts” and “critics” compare and dissect your work, stretch it out and lay it down against your last.

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ReviewScott Rollins

Album Review: Homegrown released by Neil Young 45 years later

While I am not one to fall into regret, I do enjoy exploring the road less traveled. That turn you didn’t take, the zig when you should have zagged, the song no one else recorded, or the B-side the DJ never flipped. I love discovering “new old music” as exemplified on Neil Young’s record Homegrown which was released last week; 45 years after it was recorded.

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LiveReviewScott Rollins

Live music review: Texas legend Lyle Lovett played Beaumont’s Jefferson Theatre

The Jefferson Theatre was privileged to host Lyle Lovett and His Acoustic Group on February 10. The theatre, located in Beaumont, Texas is designated a Texas Historical Landmark and it’s listed on The National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1927, the storied venue features an 8-Rack Morgan Organ. The Jefferson once hosted the premiere of  classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” with star Jimmy Stewart and director Frank Capra in attendance. It was the perfect place to host an equally storied Texas musician.

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ReviewScott Rollins

Album review: Reina del Cid’s Morse Code record is a lesson in songwriting

Reina Del Cid has released a new album, Morse Code and it is nothing less than an impressive and intellectual exercise of masterful songwriting and musicianship. The record actually dropped back on October 4 with a release show in Minneapolis and I’m finally able to file an album review. Been chomping at the bit to share it with you.

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AlbumReviewScott Rollins

Album review: Vince Gill’s Okie is a pleasant surprise

I received a text from my good friend, musical soul mate, and partner in crime, who told me to listen to new Vince Gill record “Okie”. I was about to embark on a ten-hour car ride, so I downloaded it to the old iPhone like I’d just cracked the technology that morning and listened.  What I heard truly from the record that dropped back in late August of this year impressed me.

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ReviewScott Rollins

Live music review: Alison Krauss and Union Station masterful in Lake Charles

The stage was also adorned with top grade musicians, performing with expert skills, while strangely at ease with their own masterful accomplishments. This was Alison Krauss, & Union Station as they appeared at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, Louisiana on October 11.

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ReviewScott Rollins

Live music review: Dwight Yoakam in Lake Charles

I regarded the beer in my hand as Kentucky-born singer took the stage, then as he plowed through three songs like a runaway train, I decided the loudest show I’ve ever been to is Dwight Yoakam. He played the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, Louisianna on September 21.

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ReviewScott Rollins

Live music review: Legendary singer Rodney Crowell kicked off tour in Houston

The Heights Theatre on 19th Street in Houston was the setting on August 15 for legendary singer Rodney Crowell to kick off his tour supporting his fantastic new album Texas. Nestled in the Northwest quarter of the 610 Loop, in “The Heights” neighborhood of Houston, the Spanish Mission-style structure was built in the 1920s as the neighborhood movie house.

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AlbumPreviewScott Rollins

Album preview: upcoming Rodney Crowell record Texas highlights songcraft

My favorite songwriter, however, is Rodney Crowell. His new record, TEXAS is phenomenal. A true work of art. The record is due out August 15. Crowell will be performing in support of the record launch on that same day at The Heights Theater in Houston.

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ReviewScott Rollins

Album review: Latest Willie Nelson album is an instant classic

Outlaw country music pioneer Willie Nelson has perhaps been a greater influence on American music than any other singer, songwriter, or musician in history. At 86 he appears just as relevant today as anytime in his career.

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