Album Review: Eric Gales - A Tribute to LJK

Eric Gales

A Tribute to LJK

***and1/2 out of *****

For his newest album, blues guitar slinger Eric Gales focused on a place as close to his heart as he could get, a tribute to his brother who passed away too young. A Tribute to LJK is dedicated to Emmanuel Gales also known as Little Jimmy King, a strong bluesman in his own right and someone who Eric always looked up to. Working with a solid band and a host of A-list blues guests, Gale has crafted a strong album that his big brother would be proud of. 

New Single/Video from Valerie June "Runnin' and Searchin'"

The Memphis, TN based artist Valerie June, has a new single out "Runnin' and Searchin'". 

RtBE are big fans of June, reviewing all of her albums dating back to 2013, ranking her in a bunch of our favorites lists and even getting her in the Full Show Friday series. 

She sounds great again on her newest single, check it out below:

Album Review: Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country - Horizons

Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country

Horizons

*** out of *****

The newest release from Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, titled Horizons is a double album featuring fifteen tracks that fully luxuriate in (and for the most part keep separate) Donato's two great musical loves; classic country and modern jamband sounds.     

New Single/Video from Regrowth "Downpour"

The Cagliari based metal outfit Regrowth have a new video/single out "Downpour" 

Check out the screaming and slamming tune below:

Album Review: Cate Le Bon - Michelangelo Dying

Cate Le Bon

Michelangelo Dying

***and1/2 out of *****

Cate Le Bon had another album she was working on when she realized she couldn't avoid the pain of her relationship break up, so she ditched that record and focused on Michelangelo Dying. It is an album on the Mexican Summer label that is full of heartache, longing and rebirth around Le Bon's cinematic sound structures of warped synths, languid guitars and looping beats. 

New Single from Louis O'Hara "Magpie"

The Pembroke Dock, West Wales based singer/songwriter Louis O'Hara has a new single out, "Magpie".

Check out the easy flowing effort below:

Album Review: George Porter Jr. and Runnin' Pardners - Porter's Pocket

George Porter Jr. and Runnin' Pardners

Porter's Pocket

*** out of *****

The newest offering from the legendary George Porter Jr. and Runnin' Pardners is a breezy nine song album of instrumentals that bump and shimmy. Porter's Pocket feels easy and natural, as if the band just started jamming and hit record. 

Dylan Cover #705 Sophie Zelmani "Most of the Time"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's it is Sophie Zelmani performing a live cover of "Most of the Time" 

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series.

In the past we have highlighted The Byrds, Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, The Hollies, Joan Osbourne, Mountain, Betty LeVette , Reggae Covers and many more.

For November 2025 RtBE will be showcasing covers that appeared on Masked & Anonymous: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack

Thoughts on Dylan Original
From our first cover take on this tune:
One of the best songs in Dylan's repertoire from any of his era's and also one of the most important, "Most Of The Time" proved Dylan was far from done as an artist.  Showing up on the return to form album Oh Mercy, "Most Of The Time" is a revelation with it's descending bass line and powerfully stark lyrics.  There is a palpable sense of desperation, longing,  sadness, a nervous sense of things are falling apart around singer; this tune touches a nerve and makes you stand up and take notice.

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time we have heard Sophie Zelmani who is a Swedish singer-songwriter

Thoughts on Cover:

A very cool understated cover that switches genders and works with Zelmani's quite vocals and subdued style.