I have been on a bit of a “Roots Music” kick as of late. Reading Amanda Petrusich’s book, It Still Moves, watching the PBS doc series American Roots Music and re-listening to the Harry Smith Anthology have been recent, rootsy activities of mine that have defined this kick I am on. Perhaps the most delightful [...] more »

Sun, Nov 16, 2008 | 0 Comments

The Banjo seems to be making a comeback. Don’t get me wrong, I know that the fine instrument has been living a healthy and vibrant life inside the world of Bluegrass for many years now. The comeback I am referring to is the one that is being made on the backs of young and [...] more »

Wed, Nov 12, 2008 | 0 Comments

In the end, this is going to be a show I’ll remember for a long time.  But OI! what a ride to get there, with some of the highest highs and lowest lows of a show I’ve seen in quite some time.  First, let me set the stage.  Ray LaMontagne at the Arlene Schnitzer theatre [...] more »

Mon, Nov 10, 2008 | 0 Comments

In this day and age where posthumus releases are as plentiful as well, releases of artists that are still alive, we have seen a mixed bag of good and bad, well done and hastily produced. With the recent release of Waylon Forever (Vagrant), we see the late and legendary Waylon Jennings’ (Official Site) teaming [...] more »

Wed, Nov 05, 2008 | 1 Comment

First off, I’d like to start by saying that many of my recent reviews have been lacking in what many would call twang. Having said that, this specific review will follow suit. For any sort of twangy, countrified needs you may have, please check-out these relatively-recent-releases…now, moving on. It has been said over [...] more »

Mon, Nov 03, 2008 | 0 Comments

As a lover of music and also as a documentary geek, it doesn’t get any better for me than when I get my hands on a well done film that chronicles the artistic life of one of our greatest legends. I have enjoyed films that showcase up and comers, like Dig! for example (featuring [...] more »

Tue, Oct 28, 2008 | 0 Comments

Every once in awhile you come across a show that simultaneously offers the highest and lowest of expectations. My first visit to Zack Hickman’s House of Ill Repute, a month-long residency in Cambridge’s Lizard Lounge was that kind of show. Hickman, the mustachioed bassist for Twangville fave Josh Ritter and several others, has [...] more »

Thu, Oct 16, 2008 | 0 Comments

Dana Jennings shares through his personal experience why traditional Country music endures and has meant so much to so many generations. He also reflects on how it has changed, and conjectures as to why modern country music has changed its tune. The primary factor is socio-economic and demographic. Histtory teaches us that after the great [...] more »

Wed, Oct 15, 2008 | 1 Comment

After a long wait, the MySpace Secret Shows finally hit Boston last week. In earlier editions, New York got Neil Diamond at the small but legendary Bitter End while Eagle Rock California got Rilo Kiley at a bowling alley. Heck, even Billings Montana got the Hold Steady. Boston got… Chicago punk band [...] more »

Tue, Oct 14, 2008 | 1 Comment

With the release of his 3rd studio album, Ray Lamontagne has broadened the concept of what we have come to know as a “Ray Lamontagne Album“. Gossip in the Grain (Oct. 14 -RCA) seamlessly blends multiple moods, tempos and even a sense of humor into a complete work that shows dexterity and growth in [...] more »

Sun, Oct 12, 2008 | 2 Comments

John Leland once called Dylan a trickster in his book Hip: The History. He saw Dylan as one of those enigmatic people who we are unable to capture, unable to get a real grasp of. A sense of understanding of Dylan, according to Leland, bestows us with a sense of hipness, even though in silence [...] more »

Sat, Oct 11, 2008 | 0 Comments

In my mind, there is no denying that The Grateful Dead is a classic, iconic American band. In my opinion, the Dead represented a true alternative to mainstream rock of the 60’s and 70’s and were in the forefront of blending rock, country, funk and even jazz into a concoction that few people knew what [...] more »

Thu, Oct 09, 2008 | 16 Comments

First a note that with 70+ acts over 5 stages in basically 2 days (plus a short warm-up schedule Friday afternoon), any Hardly Strictly Bluegrass review is going to be partial.  I’ve discovered that with careful scheduling and a knowledge of some shortcuts between stages in Golden Gate Park, I can absorb about a dozen [...] more »

Wed, Oct 08, 2008 | 6 Comments

Dallas Texas doesn’t get near the acclaim or pub that its more trendy neighbor to the south gets in Austin. In fact, Denton Texas seems to get more love than Dallas, thanks to the emergence of indie faves Doug Burr, St. Vincent & Midlake. The New Frontiers are a band that will surely [...] more »

Sat, Oct 04, 2008 | 0 Comments

There is no doubt the “Royal Couple” of Americana is Buddy and Julie Miller. With the release of Rattlin’ Bones, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson should at least be considered a member of the Royal Court. Perhaps they could be known as the Duke and Duchess of Overseas Americana. That might be an appropriate title [...] more »

Thu, Oct 02, 2008 | 5 Comments