ALBUMS OF THE SEASON The Death of the Self-Preservation Society, by Two Cow Garage Two Cow Garage have a well-earned reputation as road warriors who put on ferocious live performances. Their shows are always intense, sweaty and raucous, the way rock is meant to be enjoyed. What sets these guys apart, however, is the strength […]
Eric Bibb – Jericho Road
Eric Bibb is one of the elite handful of African-American blues musicians who have built on the legacy of the great post-World War II generation of bluesmen who brought the music form from the back woods of the Mississippi Delta to the streets of Chicago and beyond. About a decade younger than Taj Mahal, who […]
Breting Engel – Breting Engel
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 […]
Dr. Gasp Heralds Halloween
Still working on that creative costume for Halloween this week? To get you in the spirit, here is the mysterious Dr. Gasp performing the seasonal “Wax Museum” in the middle of The Old Burying Ground in Fall River, MA. For more tricks and treats, visit Dr. Gasp or his alter ego, Dan Blakeslee.
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 […]
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 […]
Ali Holder – In Preparation For Saturn’s Return
I can’t say I ever thought about going to a smoky jazz lounge and hearing something twangy. Â After listening to Ali Holder’s solo debut, In Preparation For Saturn’s Return, I can now picture that happening. Â There are certainly artists fusing jazz and country or bluegrass. Â See our coverage of Phoebe Hunt’s latest for an example, […]
Music with a Purpose: Songs for the World’s Bravest Kids
This post continues our series of posts about music that serves a higher purpose. This music reaches beyond pure listening enjoyment, raising awareness about important issues that affects countless people in their day-to-day lives. Alastair Moock had built a successful career as a folk musician when cancer struck. It didn’t strike him, but rather his […]