CountryChart #1 for Country Music Charts

Drew Landry's "BandryLand: Sharecropper's Whine" is a Cajun-influenced Americana masterwork that vividly illustrates the unadulterated passion of an authentic Southwest Louisiana country boy and storyteller who won't let rough times or hardships (like Hurricane Katrina) get in the way of his music. It's a good thing, because Drew Landry's "BandryLand: Sharecropper's Whine" is a personal and sometimes heart-wrenching mix of interesting, original tracks about politics, hard life choices and tough economic times. The favorite memory of Drew Landry's musical career is when he played the Angola Prison Rodeo with the prison band. After the performance, Landry promised his new friends that he would get them out of jail someday. To the surprise of the prisoners in the band, Drew Landry made good on the promise, and the Angola warden allowed the band to play with Landry at a fundraiser held in his hometown of Scott, Louisiana. "BandryLa...

Jason Eady's strong baritone vocals sparkle and surprise on his third album "When The Money's All Gone." Each song is as socially relevant as the album's title, and the Mississippi native's new project is the most musically innovative of his career with elements of soul, gospel, blues, country and Cajun music. The album's cover art shows a long stretch of power lines with what appear to be empty factories in the background. The concept of the album "When The Money's All Gone" is perfect for the tough times we're living in, but Jason Eady's music doesn't seem to dwell on the negative. In fact, the album starts out with a New Orleans-style, gospel party song "God Fearing Blues." It's almost impossible to stop yourself from clapping your hands and tapping your feet when listening to the opening song. The title track, "When The Money's All Gone" is a more sober affair, and the lyrics offer a life lesson...

Kelly Carmichael's new album "Queen Fareena" is a blues and dixieland delight with superb instrumentation, excellent lyrics and an upbeat tone. In fact, doctors should prescribe "Queen Fareena," because even the most depressed listener cannot help but break into a great big smile. The brilliance of "Queen Fareena" is derived from the joyous intensity of Kelly Carmichael's vocals and guitar along with Jean-Paul Gaster's expertise on drums and a talented crew of brass musicians. One of the best tunes on the album is "Untrue Blues." This song could be a major radio hit with its melodic chorus and a perfect balance of instrumentation and vocals. The biggest surprise on the album is the more easy-going track "She's Funny That Way." Carmichael's vocal performance shows a serious intensity without being overdone, and the track slowly builds to a crescendo with a perfect pacing that is both satisfying and musically impres...

The young Louisiana band members of the The Pine Leaf Boys offer a masterful tribute to their Cajun music heroes in the appropriately titled "Homage Au Passe" (Homage To The Pass). This album deservedly received a  2009 Grammy nomination in the new Cajun/Zydeco album category based solely on its digital debut on iTunes, and now the project is available in record stores everywhere. It is not to be missed. The band formed in Lafayette, Louisiana, a city which has taken a lead in producing exceptional new Cajun/Creole music talent. However, it is safe to say that there is no greater band on the Cajun scene today than The Pine Leaf Boys. From the lead track titled "Festival Acadiens Two Step" to the final moments of the superb final song, "I'll Always Take Care Of You," The Pine Leaf Boys never falter in providing riveting, rockin' and groundbreaking performances. Indeed, the Pine Leaf Boys new album "Homage Au Passe" is proof positive th...