There’s a fine line between disappointment and disillusionment. Â I think some of it has to do with permanence, but whatever the definition the boys in The Way Down Wanderers do a good job of staying on the fleeting side of pessimism on their latest album, Illusions. Â In general, they accomplish that with upbeat instrumental support, […]
Hayes Carll – What It Is
By the second song on the new album from Hayes Carll, What It Is, it’s already apparent that he’s moving away from the pensiveness of his last record to something more in line with his earlier work. Â But that’s also not to say he’s not improving his craft along the way. Â The dry wit and […]
Ted Russell Kamp – Walkin’ Shoes
With a resume that includes bass player, lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, Ted Russell Kamp could be a contestant on The Most Interesting Man In the World. Â Most of those talents are on display on his latest record, Walkin’ Shoes. The first cut, Home Away From Home, sets the pace properly with a walking, […]
Jonah Tolchin Video Premiere – Drift Away
Although he’s originally from New Jersey, Jonah Tolchin put out a scorching southern rock road song a couple of years ago that, in the live version, seems just on the brink of launching into Radar Love, perhaps the best road song ever. Â The title cut of that album, Thousand Mile Night, was a good proxy […]
Madisons – Country Music Sunday!!!
When I last was tuned into Austin’s Madisons, Dominic Solis and his band of merry-makers had just released a record full of tragic stories and ne’er-do-wells set to some lively dance music. Â It was a lot of fun if you didn’t listen to the lyrics too closely. Â Over the holidays their new EP, Country Music […]
Shawn’s 2018 Favorites
As is always the case, I heard a lot of good music this year.  And there was a lot more good music I didn’t hear. So I’m going to call this my favorites of the year and not suggest they were the best, but only the best that I heard. 1. Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale […]
Revival: The Sam Bush Story
I’ve had the good fortune to have seen Sam Bush perform a number of times over the years. Â It started with the New Grass Revival back in their heyday, then his stint with the Nash Ramblers, and finally his solo act. Â I’ve come to realize that every time I’ve seen him, it’s exceeded my expectations. […]
Three EP Gems – Baiman, Lukes & Champagne
Last year I had the fortune to discover Rachel Baiman. Â I noted at the time she had a knack for subtly inserting parables in her snap-your-fingers or turn-around-the-dance-floor bluegrass numbers. Â She’s at it again with Thanksgiving, a just released EP. Â Tent City is an upbeat tune with lots of great banjo and guitar picking. Â It’s […]
Frenchie’s Blues Destroyers – Love Is Blood
I have a theory that no one doesn’t like Chuck Berry. Â Whether you’re a post-millennial, world-beat fan, an EDM raver, or aging hippie still in love with art rock, when you hear the chords of Johnny B. Goode or Maybellene, a smile crosses your face and your foot starts tapping. Â Berry tapped into something primordial […]
Taylor Barton – House Of Light
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”  That could be the motto for the latest album from journeyman singer-songwriter Taylor Barton, entitled House Of Light.  Barton, husband G.E. Smith, her daughter, and producer Tony Shanahan, all had personal tragedy strike while working on the project.  Out of that pyre came a record that manages to balance […]