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 […]
Halloween Video Premiere – Jon Hatchett Band
Happy Halloween! Â We’re happy as all get out to premiere a perfect Halloween video today. Â It’s from New Orleans-based Jon Hatchett Band. Â I make mention of the geography, because it’s important to the story here. Hatchett commented that New Orleans is a place that feels like Halloween all year round. Â I can attest to the […]
In Memoriam – Tony Joe White
Back in the late 80’s and early 90’s I lived in Chicago. Â Popular music, whether created in Nashville or Los Angeles, wasn’t capturing my ears or heart. Â Fortunately, I could go down to North Halsted any night of the week and hear blues from some of the greats; Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Sugar […]
The Jellyman’s Daughter – Dead Reckoning
In all my years of writing about music, I don’t believe I’ve ever used the words “twangy” and “classical” in the same sentence. Â Those are the two words, however, that describe the sound on the sophomore album from Edinburgh-based duo, The Jellyman’s Daughter. Â Dead Reckoning is a sort of a study on self-awareness in an […]
J. P. Harris – Sometimes Dogs Bark At Nothing
Look outside on a bright, sunny day. Â Now let the sun wash out the colors, the shadows enhance some of the details and the reflections make others a blank spot on the canvas. Â Add a soundtrack, maybe a song, but more likely a bird chirping or a tire screeching. Â Now layer in the scent of […]
Americana 2018: Shawn’s Picks
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through several days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. Here are but a few of my favorite performers and performances […]
Americana Music Awards – 2018 Edition
As has become tradition in the middle of September, the Americana Music Festival rolled into Nashville earlier this month.  The opening of the festival used to be the Awards show at the fabulous Ryman Auditorium, but over the past couple of years the festival has outgrown its 4 day window and this year you could start […]
Malcolm Holcombe – Come Hell Or High Water
It’s a sound you don’t hear much anymore.  A man’s voice, tarred by tobacco, scraped by coal dust, and soaked in whiskey, telling tales of hardworking heroes and mysterious spirits in the night.  Add musical talent to that and you’ll get songs about life in the rural mountains of America.  The gold standard for that sound […]
Grand Old Grizzly – Pure Country Pyrite
Coming out of the storm like the mythical ghost riders, the twin lead guitars of Houston-based Grand Old Grizzly set the outlaw tone of Gundowners.  The opening number of their latest album, Pure Country Pyrite, it’s the fascinating-like-a-train-wreck story of a pair of sociopaths who were made for each other.  With a similar uptempo twangy feel, Rescind All […]