New York Daily News: Rondi’s new album made the top 10 picks in music for the week of March 17, 2013 (by Jim Farber). See the full list below and click here to view the list online at NYDN!
1. Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell “Old Yellow Moon” They’ve been friends for 40 years, and occasional collaborators too, but only on “Old Yellow Moon” have these two Americana icons made a full joint project. These country-inflected songs seem to reenergize two singers clearly made for each other.
2. David Bowie “The Next Day” In his first CD in 10 years, rock’s greatest changeling muses on mortality in guitar-driven music delivered with a harsh gravity.
3. Various artists “Love for Levon” In the DVD version of last fall’s stirring tribute concert to the late Levon Helm, stars like Grace Potter, Roger Waters, Mavis Staples and Ray LaMontagne honor the Band member’s steady beats, earthy vocals and unshakably American character.
4. Son Volt “Honky Tonk” Alt-country pioneer Jay Farrar explores the swinging sound of Bakersfield honky-tonk on his latest CD with Son Volt. He makes it credible by curling his voice into a twang that turns down sadly.
5. Rondi Charleston “Signs of Life” Jazz singer Charleston has a thick and tawny voice that has caused many to compare her to Abbey Lincoln. Her flair for lazy Sunday ballads deepens the connection. But the huskiness of her timbre has its own DNA.
6. The Virgins “Strike Gently” New York band the Virgins favors the skeletal rock of local groups from Yo La Tengo to the Strokes. But their best calling card remains front man Donald Cummings, whose voice recalls the cool of the young Lou Reed.
7. Low “The Invisible Way” Married couple Mimi Parker and Alan Sparhawk drift and drone in their long-running band Low. It’s slow-moving, muted music that proves how much emotion a moan can hold.
8. Jason Marsalis Vibes Quartet “In a World of Mallets” The youngest brother in the Marsalis dynasty dedicates his new album to instruments like the marimba, glockenspiel, xylophone and vibraphone. The way he plays them gives these jazz pieces a shimmering resonance.
9. Stick Men “Deep” The rhythm section of late-period King Crimson (Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto) teams with guitarist Markus Reuter in this consciously disruptive prog-rock foray. Using rare instruments and fingering techniques, they make these songs run dark and heavy.
10. Rakim and Raekwon at Stage 48 on Thursday In a show rescheduled from January, two of hip hop’s hottest icons combine 30 years of eloquent expression.
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