I usually listen to 3 to 5 releases before I choose one to review. I don't pan the others, I just don't tell you about them. I only review the good stuff for you. These last few weeks have been different, in that I have hit a very good streak. Lots of good releases coming through, it doesn't leave much room for trivia.

Eric Church's performance at the Jupiter was awesome. As I mentioned in my interview with him in issue 326, he had 4 songs that charted and a #1 video from his debut album Sinners Like Me. His sophomore release, Carolina (Capitol Records Nashville), has more of a rock edge. I think he understands his audience and is giving them what they want. I predict this country rocker will make it to the awards shows next year with Carolina. Powerful country offering.

Justin Townes Earle's first album was fantastic. His new album assures us that Justin will be a super star some day. His last album, The Good Life, was a mix of country and singer/songwriter with country the main focus. His new release, Midnight At The Movies (Bloodshot Records), focuses more on his singer/songwriter side. Forgetting his father is Steve Earle and being the name sake of Townes Van Zant, Justin has what it takes on his own. All it will take is a listen to make a believer out of you too.

Wayne Hancock is the real deal. He has a Hank Williams voice that is super suited for his honky tonk/outlaw country style. Wayne Hancock's Viper Of Melody (Bloodshot Records), has a April 21 release date. Viper Of Melody was produced by Lloyd Maines (Joe Ely, Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Dixie Chicks). This band is excellent (200+ shows a year) and do what comes natural. The songs run the gambit from roadhouse blues to rockabilly, from honky tonk to hep-cat boogie. It's all here and it all swings. Hank Williams III, has recorded some of Hancock's material, including "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs" and "87 Southbound". The two have also recorded a live duet of Hancock's "Juke Joint Jumpin'". I saw him when he was a teenager and he was kick-ass then.

I lived in West Texas for 11 1/2 years. It didn't take long to learn about the Flatlanders. They are a Texas roots music super group. The Flatlanders are Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock. These guys are legendary singer/songwriters that have only done 4 studio albums in 30 years. The Flatlanders' new release, Hills and Valleys (New West Records), was produced by Lloyd Maines (Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines father) and he plays on the album as well. The first track, Joe Ely singing "Homeland Refugee," is killer. The whole album is killer. Their music is a combination of outlaw folk, Tex-Mex and West Texas twang.

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, debut album in 1976 album, I Don't Want To Go Home, was killer, a true classic. The title track was written by Little Steven Van Zandt and the liner notes were by Bruce Springsteen. A career doing "the New Jersey Sound" brings a unusual project for Southside Johnny, Big Band Jazz. Southside Johnny teams up with LaBamba's Big Band on their release Grapefruit Moon-The Songs Of Tom Waits (Leroy Records).  A huge number of musicians are listed in the liner notes. The band is super tight, great rhythm section and horns to die for. This is not your usual Southside Johnny (to say the least) and some may question the interpretation of the music. Asbury Jukes trombone player, Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg, arranged and conducted.

Blues from Brescia, Italy came to me from CEK Deluxe. Their new release Hanging Bags (www.myspace.com/cekblues) is different in that they use different production methods, a very slight difference in structure and cadence. Different is good, in the music of CEK Deluxe it's very, very good. Hanging Bags has 9 tracks and 8 of them originals. The tone on the Telecaster and the bass lines set this band apart. These guys are just as solid a rock band, plus they throw in some funk when they cover The Temptations' "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone." They sing in English, not that it matters because the blues is international.

Mary Flower is a fingerstyle blueswoman. She was a 2008 Blues Music Award Nominee for Acoustic Artist of the Year.  Her new release Bridges (Yellow Dog Records), not only shows her blues side but also how strong she is in jazz, ragtime and old-time gospel music. Her arrangements are laced with musical instruments that are not common in her style of music (piano, tuba, accordion clarinet, mandolin and saxophone) but they all fit and fit very well. Mary Flower is one of the world's foremost acoustic guitar players.

Yellow Dog Records has a compilation album that is worth the effort to find. It's All Connected-Promotional Sampler Vol. 3, has a varied group of very talented roots blues kind of performances. They also have a streaming radio station 24/7 at www.yellowdogrecords.com/radio. This is a Memphis label that has some great stuff. I will be reviewing more of their catalog soon.

Shout Sister Shout is comprised of Rachael Davis on lead vocals with the band Steppin’ In It providing the musical backing. Shout Sister Shout focuses on old-time American jazz featuring torch swing numbers alongside bluesy ballads. Their release Hit That Jive Jack (M.C. Records), has some of the best songs from the golden age of music. "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'," "Moonlight In Vermont," "Carolina Moon," Cole Porter's "Miss Otis Regrets," Billie Holiday's "God Bless The Child," and "You Rascal You" is a partial list of songs taken from the 14 tracks. Yes, Shout Sister Shout is named after the Sister Rosetta Tharpe song. Very enjoyable.

Jazz trumpeter Sean Jones just turned 30 years old. Sean is the future of jazz and jazz is in fine hands with talent like him. This is his 5th album for jazz label, Mack Avenue, and is somewhat a retrospective for Sean. “This is a journey inside my soul that’s taken place over the past 10 years,” Jones says. “It’s an assessment of where I am in the present as well as how I’ve learned from my mistakes and triumphs as a way of looking into the future. This album goes very deep for me. It’s a spiritual and sonic journey for me.”