Sam Morrow’s previous release “Concrete and Mud†walked the line between Country and Rock. This made sense given the songwriter was Texas born but had moved to Los Angeles. He was definitely fusing his roots with his newfound locale on the record. It was also a successful fusion and garnered much critical acclaim. On his […]
Thriving Roots 2020 – Mayer’s Highlights
THE SCENE It’™s a glass half empty, glass half full kind of situation. The Americana Music Association awards and conference is an event that I eagerly await and always enjoy every year (mild understatement). A chance to catch up with friends both old and new, gain some knowledge at the panel discussions, and, of course, […]
Brendan & the Strangest Ways – Are We Sure the Dawn Is Coming?
As documented by everyone from Ken Burns on down, country music came out of the fields of the South and the mountains of Appalachia. Alt-country, on the other hand, has its roots in the urban centers of the Rust Belt, like St. Louis, Chicago, and Pittsburg. Based on the new album from Brendan & the […]
Savoy Brown – Ain’t Done Yet
With Ain’t Done Yet, Savoy Brown frontman Kim Simmonds lays down the statement that his blues mastery will be around a while longer. And that’s saying something, since Savoy Brown have been around pretty much since the middle years of the British Invasion. In its original form, the band was comparable to the early Peter Green-led Fleetwood Mac, Cream and […]
Kelley Swindall – You Can Call Me Darlin’ If You Want
Regret is an interesting emotion. For some people, it’s a melancholy tickle in the back of their mind. For others, it’s a pair of blinders that forces them straight ahead when they have so many choices. Finally, some use regret as the engine that propels them to greater heights. On her new album, You Can […]
Emily Zuzik – Torch and Trouble
After two Video Premiers most of you should be aware that I am excited about the new Emily Zuzik release “Torch and Troubleâ€. The album id finally releasing after a bit of a pandemic caused delay on Friday, August 28th. Zuzik is an L.A. based singer-songwriter. Her music is a blend of Americana and Rock […]
Chuck Prophet – The Land That Time Forgot
Maybe it’s just me, but 2 guitars, bass, and drums is like the instrumental equivalent of a meat and three. There may be a lot of variations, but it’s all comfort food. That’s a little bit how I think of Chuck Prophet. You can get pickled okra to go with your marshmallow yams and douse […]
Ted Russell Kamp – Down In the Den
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 […]