Wilco is currently touring in support of their new release “Ode to Joy”. The album is understated yet full of complexity. Tweedy and company fit a lot of layers on a small soundscape and it is an eminently enjoyable listen. However, I must admit that I had some reservations as to how these songs would […]
Americana 2019 – Chip’s Picks
Americanafest brings a plethora of artist and showcases together in Nashville each September to celebrate the year that was; and give a preview of the year to come. Here is my attempt to highlight but a few artists that caught my attention this year, although there are too many special performances to recount. The Vandoliers […]
Paul Cauthen – Room 41
On the second song of his new album, “Room 41”, Paul Cauthen eponymously references his nickname “Big Velvet”. There may not be a singer who ever had a more appropriate moniker. With a voice perfectly balancing a tightrope between Waylon Jennings and Roy Orbison, Cauthen delivers a collection that has elements of Country, 70s R&B […]
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. South”, 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 […]
Bambi Lee Savage – Berlin-Nashville Express
Bambi Lee Savage started her music career on the control side of the mixing board, doing audio engineering for the likes of U2 and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. Over time, though, her creative outlet became the craft of songwriting and led her to singing and playing on the other side of the glass. […]
John Paul White – The Hurting Kind
Three years after the release of his first post Civil Wars album, John Paul White is giving us “The Hurting Kind”. His previous release “Beulah” was a dark although very beautiful record. This new release is more sonically diverse and expansive, drawing upon a talented cast of contributors. Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes joined White […]
Son Volt – Union
The previous two Son Volt albums explored leader Jay Farrar’s musical groundings in country and blues with Honky Tonk and Notes Of Blue respectively. On his latest record, Farrar and his bandmates are showing some of their folk roots. That’s not to say Union is a folk record: far from it, this is a return […]
Colin Linden & Luther Dickinson with the Tennessee Valentines – Amour
Once in awhile there’s a collaboration that turns the music word on its head. Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto was such a pairing when, in 1963, they popularized bossa nova jazz in the United States. Jan and Dean did much the same for surf music, and Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry paired up for a […]
Todd’s Tops of 2018
1. Damien Jurado/The Horizon Just Laughed – After the Maraqopa trilogy with Richard Swift, Jurado self-produces the personal The Horizon Just Laughed. It’s vintage Jurado with biting lyrics and observations that leave plenty open to interpretation. 2. Michael Flynn/Pretend Like – A beautifully done album with strings-a-plenty and gorgeous images. 3. BRMC/Wrong Creatures – They […]