Regular Columnists

Artist: Donald McCrea
Album: Migration
Label: Mechanical Arts
Website: http://donaldmccrea.com
Genre: Americana
Technical Grade: 9/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9/10
Overall Talent Level: 9/10
Songwriting Skills: 9/10
Best Songs: Roadkill Blues
CD Review: The Migration Project is portrait of America as seen through the eyes of 16 different photographers. It celebrates America from one coast to the other. Migration is the accompanying CD of original music from Donald McCrea. It is an ambitious venture covering the styles of music that are endemic to America from Ragtime and early jazz to the blues, rock, and country. And with the help of some friends, he pulls it off. McCrea sings and plays mandolin and tenor banjo. He's joined by a full band that includes a nifty horn section and yeomans' work from Gawain Mathews who does a lot of the heavy lifting both musically and in production. Ragtime opens the CD illustrates the eclectic nature of the disc when it's followed by rock song, On The Run, about the gangsters of the '20s. There are some great songs here, I like Bebopbeat, El Braino No Bueno, and Roadkill Blues. Some might argue with me that this is Americana music but this is pure Americana, both lyrically and musically. I haven't seen the Migration Project photo display but if this music is indicative, it is a far ranging, interesting piece of work. Donald McCrea's Migration is both far ranging and interesting.