Everybody knows about Cheers, the bar where everyone knows your name. Apparently the recording studio equivalent of that is Ted Russell Kamp’s former garage, now affectionately known as The Den. Ted has a new album out, Down In the Den, that features (if I counted right) 35 of his friends, who all happen to be […]
Nocona – Los Dos
They say you should always dance like you think no one is watching. I think the same thing applies to air guitar and drums. Wail and flail. If you want a good soundtrack to do that to, I’d suggest the new album from LA-based roots rockers Nocona. Entitled Los Dos, it has a garage band […]
The Dunes of the Cape – A Special Boston Playlist
Her Town Now, Mark Erelli (from the self-released Blindsided) A song of the year nomination at last year’s Americana Music Awards put Mark Erelli on a stage that he has long deserved. Over twelve albums, Erelli has honed his songwriting craft and become one of Americana’s leading, if until recently under-appreciated, songwriters. Blindsided, his latest […]
Marshall Chapman – Songs I Can’t Live Without
Less is more. People talk a lot about that, but I find more often less is simply less. Not so for the new record from Marshall Chapman, Songs I Can’t Live Without. These aren’t her songs, but they’re all meaningful to her from various points in her life. Some of them so interwoven into her […]
James Hyland – Western
There’s something about driving cross country at night that focuses your mind. A big part of it probably is the lack of distraction from the landscape. There’s also a heightened awareness that comes from the lack of visual queues. The result is a very different radio experience. That’s the premise of the new album from […]
American Aquarium – Lamentations
The only good thing about being quarantined from the rest of humanity is seeing some of live via the web shows that so many artists are doing. The ones doing it well are being genuine with their fans. They are sharing personally and bringing a little levity to add some fun to the isolation. BJ […]
Sarah Siskind – Modern Appalachia
With most of us home full-time now, it’s fortuitous that Sarah Siskind is releasing a musical tale of discovery of her home this week. Entitled Modern Appalachia, it weaves together lyrical musings of her recent mountainous lifestyle and fusion jazz instrumental influences. All of it gels into an autological definition of modern Appalachia. Several songs […]
Western Centuries – Call the Captain
You could probably write a book about how bands are formed. Some are born as school friends playing in a forgiving parent’s garage. Other have a process-based beginning, with formal recruitment and auditions. I think I’d take a bet that many of the most successful started with a mutual love of something that became foundational […]
Jesse Daniel – Rollin’ On
It’s like the beer bottle you never saw coming. One moment, everything’s fine. The next, you’re looking up to the underside of the table. Jesse Daniel, on his latest record, Rollin’ On, wields a Bakersfield bucket of sound like a drunk with a longneck, intent on righting a mighty load of wrongs. The album blasts […]
Rory Block – Prove It On Me
Rory Block has had her own little corner of the blues world since she broke out as a solo artist in the 1970s. Known for her thoughtful interpretations of acoustic country blues, the New York City native has long been recognized as a master, netting six Blues Music Awards over the years, including “Acoustic Artist […]