Standing in a meadow at 10,000 feet, the first thing you notice is how the air is so incredibly clear. Â Objects, even distant ones, have a sharpness that doesn’t seem quite normal. Â Then there’s the vegetation; a surprising amount but it’s never lush. Â Everything has some white, whether it’s the bark of the aspen, the […]
Jonathan Warren & the Billy Goats – On This Very Evening
What if Quentin Tarantino or the Coen Brothers wrote music instead of making movies? Â I think it would sound like Jonathan Warren & the Billy Goats. Â There’s a simple story line to the music, yet the cast of characters and quirky delivery make for something unique that keeps your rapt attention. Â Their latest album, On […]
Johnny Rawls – Remembering O.V.
Soul blues is a form of blues that, as its name implies, fuses soul music with traditional blues music. It is a form of blues that was pioneered by African-American musicians in the South. Among the music form’s early champions were the late Bobby “Blue” Bland and Z.Z. HIll. Although a number of prominent blues musicians, such […]
Americana 2013, the Sounds, Part 2
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 four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. LUCINDA WILLIAMS The Americana Conference instituted a new tradition this year: […]
Americana 2013: The Sounds, Part 1
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 four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. PATRICK SWEANY Sweany delivered what was, hands down, my favorite showcase […]
Americana Music Conference 2013: The Awards Show
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 four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. Any discussion of the Americana Music Conference has to begin with […]
Melody Walker & Jacob Groopman – We Made It Home
“Heaven is right here, if you’re doing it right.” Â Those words lead the chorus of Black Grace, a song that won Melody Walker the songwriting contest last year at Merlefest. Â She and partner Jacob Groopman have just released We Made It Home that includes Black Grace and number of other treasures. Â Produced by bluegrass virtuoso […]
Monday Morning Video: Eilen Jewell
Here’s one of my favorites from Eilen Jewell, “Rain Roll In” from 2009’s Sea of Tears.
Amy Black — The Muscle Shoals Session
Remember a few weeks ago when Amy Black wrote about her experience recording at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals? Well, now you can hear the results for yourself. Even better, Black is sharing the ep — for free — via her web site. Black recorded four songs in Muscle Shoals. The tracks span […]
The Wood Brothers – The Muse
The first words you hear on The Muse, the latest release from The Wood Brothers, are, “wastin’ my mind on you.” Â That lyrical slap in the face sets the stage for the next 45 minutes. Â You can listen to this album and appreciate the pretty face and swagger as it walks down the street. Â But […]