Indie Roundup

When the songwriting and his melodic and vocal talents click, they click securely, and sailing through the whole set is Rodriguez's fine voice, a pleasure to listen to whatever he's singing about.

Two recent releases from bassist-bandleaders show how jazz continues to thrive in the most disparate of musical "cultures," even with its relatively small, specialized audience.

Gary McFarland, the jazz musician, composer and arranger who 'should have been a pop star,' left behind and eclectic discography and a wealth of superb material that deserves just such a tribute as this.

Chunky grooves, spidery guitar, and homespun philosophy fuel the aptly named 'Hillbilly Zen-Punk Blues,' the latest and best-yet release from Reverend Freakchild.

I never thought of it before, but The Claire Lynch Band did: Could any instrument be a better choice to power "Jingle Bells" than the banjo?