Steve Earle is back. He may have never really left, but “So You Wannabe An Outlaw” stands beside his best albums (and there are many). It sounds like his classic period from the 80s up through his classic Transcendental Blues in 2000 (without the early 90s records during his descent into drug addiction). Earle has […]
Emerging Artist – Courtney Marie Andrews’ Honest Life
Catching up on missed music is not what I thought that a newborn would allow me to do this summer. But the late nights, and the missed sleep between feedings, seemed only like a time when I would just wish I could sleep through the night. But there I was, 3:30 AM on a Tuesday, […]
The Stray Birds – Magic Fire
I’m embarrassed. How did an album like Magic Fire slip through right under my nose (it came out in August of last year). Sure the Stray Birds are obscure but they’re one of my favorite bands. I didn’t even know they’d made a brilliant new album expanding their sound in all directions. So my only […]
Justin Townes Earle – Kids in the Street
To see Justin Townes Earle perform, I’m always amazed by his talent. When he played at the inaugural New England Festy last fall he stepped on stage with no one else and his guitar playing the songs. He didn’t need anyone else. His voice and guitar were spot on. It was as though he’d stepped […]
Joan Shelley – Self-Titled
When I met Joan Shelley at last year’s Newport Folk Festival, she was just as authentic as her songs. She had a truly insightful take on her own career that matched the sensibility in her songs. He new self-titled album has moved a bit away from the simple approach with guitarist Nathan Salzburg to add […]
Andrew Combs – Canyons of My Mind
Aptly named, Andrew Combs new record, “Canyons of My Mind” is a record about wide open spaces and sounds. Sometimes slow, sometimes with horns, the songs move in and around these open spaces lyrically and musically. Andrew Combs crooning country voice and classic country-rock sound provide the colors for a an expansive new record. Opening track, […]
Girls Guns and Glory at the Sinclair
Girls Guns and Glory at The Sinclair Cambridge, MA; January 14, 2017 To see Ward Hayden come out on the stage at the Sinclair, you’d have no idea that he was from Scituate, Massachusetts. His new record, with his face on it, implies a more introspective view of the music. And Hayden’s entrance in a […]
Boston’s Best Kept Festy – Sunday
After an Americana love festival on Saturday, the true bluegrassers came out to play on Sunday. No this wasn’t Fresh Grass but it did share Sierra Hull and Festy hosts and curators Infamous Stringdusters. The day started with newly crowned IBMA award winning mandolin player of the year/singer-songwriter Sierra Hull. I’d seen her previously with […]
Boston’s Best Kept Festy – Saturday
I have to admit, I was surprised to see the lineup at such a relatively unknown festival called Festy this year. Where else can you see Americana stalwarts Josh Ritter and Justin Townes Earle on the same day? And when my wife and I waltzed in to the show at a hair past noon, I […]
Chatham County Line – Autumn
This band has seemingly moved more and more toward a gentler acoustic singer/songwriter sound through the years and this record is no different. Many tunes are downtempo and highlight Dave Wilson’s vocals and songwriting. They have an overal easygoing character, highlighted by the banjo and mandolin picking on “Bon Ton Roulet.” Wilson’s almost solo acoustic […]