Waiting For a Sign, M. Lockwood Porter (from the Black Mesa Records release Communion in the Ashes) M. Lockwood Porter is on a quest, longing to step beyond the anguish and misery he sees around him in hopes of finding a better place, personally and for everyone. The opening – and title – track freely […]
Greg Felden – Made Of Strings
Greg Felden may have grown up in the Pacific Northwest, and then spent time on the East Coast. But his new album could be a metaphor for a California coast summer day. It starts with some gray and fog that can limit your visibility, like the first 3-4 songs on the record. So true to […]
Buddy and Julie Miller – Breakdown on 20th Ave. South
The first couple is back and making music together again. Of course you no doubt know that I am referring to the President and First Lady of Americana, Buddy and Julie Miller. On June 21st they will be releasing their new album “Breakdown on 20th Ave. Southâ€, via New West Records. This will be their […]
Steve Earle & the Dukes/Live at the Senate/Columbia, SC/May 16, 2019
I walked into the Senate to hear Steve Earle introducing the Mastersons and proclaiming “You’re gonna hear a lot of Guy Clark songs tonight, and a bit of Steve Earle songs too†to a large and enthusiastic crowd made up of mostly 40 to 60 year old Caucasian males. Shortly thereafter the Mastersons started up […]
My Mind Must Be Back in Boston – A Special Playlist
Reckless Heart, Todd Thibaud (from the self-released Hill West) Singer-songwriter Todd Thibaud decamped to rural Vermont to craft his latest album. He returned to Boston with a collection of songs somber and introspective, no doubt reflective of the environment in which it was born. Stark but nuanced arrangements play into the pensive nature of the […]
Readers’ Pick: Mavis Staples – We Get By
You picked Mavis Staples – We Get By as your favorite new release for the week of May 10, 2019. New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Winter & Spring 2019 Bob Hillman – Some […]
Quick Hits – Small Town Therapy and The Popravinas
LA-based The Popravinas are going to bust out of their self-described confines as one of the best SoCal party bands if they aren’t careful. Guitarist and producer John Adair has added some pretty sweet country licks to lead singer and writer Eddy Sill’s blue collar, roots rock compositions. Almost Sick has a classic, honky tonk […]
A Premiere From Matthew Ryan
One of an artist’s most meaningful – and noble – purposes is to reflect on the times in which they live. Sometimes it’s a deliberation on things personal, a relationship or individual struggles; other times it’s a consideration of the larger social and economic forces shaping the world. Matthew Ryan has long followed this artistic […]
Readers’ Pick: Josh Ritter – Fever Breaks
You picked Josh Ritter – Fever Breaks as your favorite new release for the week of April 26, 2019. New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Winter & Spring 2019 Bob Hillman – Some of […]
The Get Ahead – Deepest Light
The bartender and I agreed on a universal truth: a band that has a trumpet or sax and a fiddle is going to be a lot of fun. The band in front of us was the Vandoliers, but the truism extends to Calexico and St. Paul & the Broken Bones, going all the way back […]