Nickelback - 'Here and Now'

Canadian rock band Nickelback – featuring frontman Chad Kroeger, brother Mike on bass, Ryan Peake on guitar and Daniel Adair on drums – is back with its seventh studio album, “Here and Now.” The November release peaked first and second on various Billboard charts and has held on strong into the new year. This comes as no surprise since 2010’s “Dark Horse,” the band’s previous album, reached multi-platinum status.

Two singles – “When We Stand Together,” an ode to world unity (think “If Everyone Cared”) and “Bottoms Up,” an ode to drinking – had a simultaneous release, showcasing the band’s versatility.

For fast-paced bar scene tunes, check out “Midnight Queen” and “Gotta Get Me Some.” Melodic tenderness is displayed on “Trying Not to Love You” and “Don’t Ever Let It End.”

The 11 radio-friendly songs offer up catchy and relatable lyrics – a winning combination.

– Patty Jenkins, The Pilot

Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band - 'Renaissance Man'

This offering by Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band shows what a group of six seasoned music veterans can do when led by drummer extraordinaire Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson, a founding member of the Allman Bros. Band, who, along with Butch Trucks, created the iconic group’s criss-cross polyrhythms.

The septet crafts a swinging, skillfully executed body of jams embracing blues-rock, soul, jazz, pop-jazz and ballads.

Take the opener “Dilemma.” It’s a grabber that sounds informed by the Allmans’ “Whipping Post” but later drifts into an after-hours jazz session showcasing the ensemble’s three superb horn players. 

Other highlights include the wistful, sunny jazz of “Drifting and Turning,” the blues punch of “Leaving Trunk,” a soulful reading of “Rainy Night in Georgia.” Special praise should go to Junior Mack’s solid vocals and versatile guitar work.

Jaimoe and his mates do it all and do it well.

– Eric Feber, The Pilot

Download “Points of Friendship,” “Laurie Ann Blue”

Vince Gill - 'Guitar Slinger'

Vince Gill pays tribute to jazz great Billie Holiday in his new release, “Guitar Slinger.”

His song of dedication, “When the Lady Sings the Blues,” a five-minute ode, is the highlight of a highlight-filled album that amazes, inspires and offers fun and fascination.

Most of the offerings are personal, concerning friends and family, their stories told in country surroundings.

“Bread and Water” is a tribute to a homeless man that, according to Gill, was inspired by his brother; “Buttermilk John,” a tribute to his former steel guitar player, John Hughey, features the western swing band The Time Jumpers.

“Threaten Me With Heaven” was penned by Gill and wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brien, and also Will Owsley, who later took his own life.

“Guitar Slinger” is a ‘dining-at-the Ritz’ offering, and Gill, like his musical heroine, Billie Holiday, is a class act.

– Frank Roberts

Download “When the Lady Sings the Blues,” “Billy Paul,” “Bread and Water”

Shirley Murdock - 'Live: The Journey

Shirley Murdock’s ’80s R&B success prompted Bishop T.D. Jakes to invite her to sing on his 1999 gospel album “Sacred Love Songs.” Since then, Murdock has released three gospel projects, including “Live: The Journey.”

Recorded at The Broadcast Group Complex in Charlotte, the CD/DVD showcases Murdock’s powerhouse vocals and highlights her heart for praise and worship. Kelly Price, Regina Belle and Beverly Crawford join Murdock on the release.

The Ohio native blends jazz, funk, and traditional church runs on the 12-song project. Standout track “He is God” is the funky highlight of her up-tempo tracks while the guests showcase their vocals on the anthems.

The four soulful vocalists end the show on stage together with “Somebody.”

– DeAnne M. Bradley

Download “He is God,” “It’s In Your Hands”

In concert 5 p.m. Saturday at “Call to Action,” a gospel concert to increase cancer awareness, at Grove Baptist Church, 5910 West Norfolk Road, Portsmouth. Free. www.sacancernews.org.

The Cash Box Kings - 'Holler and Stomp'

Years ago, during blues and country’s growth, the genres routinely crossed paths. Hank Williams Sr. would moan lovesick blues while Muddy Waters covered country from his rural Mississippi roots.

To showcase this blending of “race” and “hillbilly” music, as the genres were called in their day, the Chicago-based Cash Box Kings released “Holler and Stomp,” a jumping, twanging collection of country blues, bluesabilly, swing and soulful country that recalls the post-WWII sound of the Chess and Sun record labels.

Led by harmonica player/vocalist/producer Joe Nosek, the Kings reign supreme over this old-school musical intersection.

The session showcases vintage-sounding originals and covers of Muddy, Hank Sr. and the Rolling Stones in an energized, vibrant record that hollers the blues and stomps country and rockabilly in the rear.

– Eric Feber, The Pilot

Download “Blues Come Around,” “Feel Like Going Home”

Joe Nichols - 'It's All Good'

“It’s All Good” is all excellent, another outstanding offering from Joe Nichols – the Rogers, Ark., guy with the Cary Grant dimple.

The first single, his 15th chart hit, is “Take It Off,” a bouncy – er – strip song, somewhat naughty, but definitely not offensive.

For the most part, the songs’ underlying motif is being broke but happy.

The themes are definitely country. They include old Fords, trucks, tattoos, Jesus, Keith Whitley and, of course, those earthy, heart-stoppin’ country gals.

The 10-song CD goes somewhat deep at the end, with Nichols explaining “How I Wanna Go.” It’s not with a bang, “runnin’ the bulls over in Spain with the crazies” – but sailin’ and singin’ with “the” girl by his side.

If you love no-nonsense country, you should start the new year with “It’s All Good.”

– Frank Roberts

Download “Take It Off,” “This Ole Boy,” “She’s Just Like That”

Daughtry - 'Break the Spell'

By way of “American Idol’s” 19 Entertainment and RCA Records, Daughtry released its third full-length album,“Break the Spell,” in late 2011. The CD is a follow-up to 2006’s “Daughtry” and 2009’s “Leave This Town.”

North Carolina native and lead vocalist Chris Daughtry has co-writer status on the disc’s 12 pop-rock tunes, which have an ’80s feel. “Louder Than Ever” is a perfect example with this intro: “Heard that song on the radio/And it got my gears turnin’.” “Outta My Head” features another catchy line, “And just like a simple song/I can’t get you outta my head.”

“Renegade,” the first single and opener, offers that same catchy take on wannabe rebels riding out of town.

Most of the songs offer Daughtry’s vision on relationship hits and misses. “Gone Too Soon” tackles heartbreak not about romance, but over the loss of a child – a somber realization.

– Patty Jenkins, The Pilot

Download “Louder Than Ever,” “Outta My Head”

Lisa Mills - 'Tempered in Fire'

One British critic described Lisa Mills’ Southern soul voice as a “full-throated Otis Redding.” And as showcased here, the British-based blues singer by way of Mississippi can certainly work a song like the iconic Stax/Volt legend.

With a hurt in her voice, Mills is never one to chew the scenery a la Janis Joplin. Rather, she knows when to hold back and when to go full-throated. She lets songs build to a natural climax, purring, moaning and, finally shouting with full force during each tune’s culmination.

What makes this record work is the skilled, economical backing of her veteran guitar-bass-drums combo. Anchored by longtime Eric Clapton collaborator Andy Fairweather Low on guitar, the band and Mills nail two Wet Willie classics, smolder a Redding cover, and recall Redding and James Brown on the original track “Why Do I Still Love You?”

Lisa Mills’ voice is indeed “Tempered in Fire.”

– Eric Feber, The Pilot

Download “Keep On Smiling,” “Why Do I Still Love You?”

Warren Haynes and guests - 'The Benefit Concert - Vol. 4'

In December 2002, guitar great Warren Haynes and his band Gov’t Mule gathered a few friends, including Bob Weir, John Hiatt, Robert Randolph, moe. and Artimus Pyle – to do a concert to benefit Habitat for Humanity in Asheville, N.C.

He’s released four similar CDs from his annual Christmas jams, and this latest also echoes the August release of Gov’t Mule’s live three-disc “Mulennium.”

“Vol. 4” covers some of the same ground. What separates this CD is the slide guitar work that Haynes delivers. The tubes in his amps must have been running extra hot, because his tone here is beyond scorching, particularly on “Shake Your Hips,” with Randolph, and “Memphis in the Meantime,” with Hiatt.

The transition from the hard-driving “Memphis” into a jazzy “Shakedown Street” with Weir shows the versatility that puts Haynes at the highest levels of the guitar world.

– Dan Duke, The Pilot

Download “Memphis in the Meantime,” “Opium”

Taylor Swift - 'Speak Now: World Tour Live'

One of the planet’s wealthiest 21-year-olds will add more to her bank account with the release of “Speak Now: World Tour Live.”

Tailor-made for Taylor Swift enthusiasts, this CD plus DVD illustrates her sincerity, ability to really connect with her fans, and her Broadway-type showmanship.

How breathtaking can one breathless artist be? “Speak Now: World Tour Live,” recorded at various locales, is a sell-out tour that includes two shows at Madison Square Garden.

The most exciting offering, and it does rock royally, is “Better Than Revenge.” A trio of other songs have made it as singles including “Mean,” a Grammy nominee for best country song.

Swift produced this epic, plays several instruments, and wrote much of the material.

“Speak Now: World Tour Live” is a decent offering.

– Frank Roberts

Download “Better Than Revenge,” “Enchanted”