From the beginning track “Dragonfly,” Susan Cowsill recalls days when she was a kid and youth was full of hope. This uptempo rock song sets a positive mood for the album. Cowsill seems to have recaptures the innocence of youth on lighthouse. The irony of all of this, is the fact her life has recently […]
Alejandro Escovedo – Street Songs of Love.
Alejandro Escovedo will be releasing Street Songs of Love on June 29th, which is the day after my birthday. I think he planned it that way. At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. What better birthday present is there than a new Alejandro release. There are no secrets here. It is pretty obvious […]
Crooked Still / Infamous Stringdusters
Two of the best young Newgrass groups have upcoming albums. Crooked Still – will release Some Strange Country on May 18th on Signature Sounds. They are certainly a genre bending groups always, but they rise to a new level on this. The album is beautifully arranged,lyrically infused with both spiritual and earthly wisdom, and as […]
Jason & the Scorchers – Halcyon Days
For all of you youngsters out there who love the history of alt-country, the first fact to know is that Uncle Tupelo started it all. Wrong Answer!!!! Before there was something called alt-country, there were many in the field. Rank & File (an early Alejandro Escovedo project), X was heavily roots influenced, The Blasters just […]
Patty Griffin – Downtown Church
Patty Griffin has just released her new album Downtown Church. The album was brilliantly produced by Buddy Miller and has an excellent supporting cast. On this album Griffin captures the soul of the traditional African-American Church, as well as the beauty of more traditional hymns. The mix of songs on this album capture a spirit […]
Austin Collins – Wrong Control
Austin Collins is an artist on the rise. His previous release Roses are Black received a lot of critical praise. With the release of Wrong Control on March 2nd, music fans will no doubt take notice. Along with his band the Rainbirds, Collins is delivering a more rocking twist to accompany his excellent songwriting. The […]
Elliot Randall & The Deadmen – Caffeine & Gasoline
Elliot Randall, along with his band The Deadmen, has released his sophomore album Caffeine and Gasoline. It is a decidedly more Country affair than his previous effort. What hasn’t changed is the depth of the songwriting. A full band, The Deadmen, have a lot to do with the diversity of styles. However, the main influence […]
Beautiful Loser Society – The Long Slow Decline
Following up their brilliant effort Aim Low, The Beautiful Loser Society delivers a somewhat lighter effort. Don’t get me wrong the album is haunted by a similar cast of characters as the previous release. They even take you on a highway ride with Lucifer. That’s right ol’ scratch himself is on “Highway 666 South.” Also […]
Chip’s Best of 2009
The Winner is… Tis the season… The best of lists are coming out in force. The Twangville eitors list just came out and now it is time for us in “The Posse” to reveal our individual lists. I am going first because I am the best looking. In my mid-year list, Buddy and Julie were […]
Sam Bush – Circles Around Me
Circles Around Me, Bush’s seventh solo album is a mix of classic bluegrass covers and new originals. Quite possibly this is Bush’s most cohesive release. Bush has always been a dichotomy. He is influenced by the old but is the original innovator of the new. Hell, he literally coined the term new grass with his […]