Marty Stuart has always been a traditionalist. While that hasn’t changed on his new release “Way Out West”, he has created a dreamy landscape on which this collection of songs exist. He utilizes instrumental songs to lead into each story song that makes up this project. To borrow the term Gram Parsons coined, Stuart delivers […]
Monday Morning Video – Son Volt “Windfall”
Jay Farrar and Son Volt are kicking off an extended national tour in support of Notes of Blue, their impressive new album. Inspired by, but not anchored by, the blues, it is a welcome return to a more rocking sound. The album showcases Farrar’s ability to tell vivid stories while simultaneously painting rich Americana landscapes, […]
Readers’ Pick: Freedom Highway by Rhiannon Giddens
You picked “Freedom Highway” from North Carolina folk artist, RHIANNON GIDDENS, as your favorite new release for the week of February 24, 2016. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Winter 2017 BRIGITTE DEMEYER […]
Rhiannon Giddens – Freedom Highway
Freedom Highway may be the album that followers of the Carolina Chocolate Drops have been waiting for in the fledgling solo career of Rhiannon Giddens. The second of Giddens’ solo efforts, Freedom Highway showcases her songwriting talents in a tour de force demonstrating her ability to move nimbly between roots genres from the primitive, folky jug-band and […]
Monday Morning Video – Rose Cousin’s “Grace”
Although she lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rose Cousins has spent enough time in Boston to become an honorary member of the local folk family. The singer-songwriter has just released Natural Conclusion, an album both graceful and poignant. Cousins worked with producer Joe Henry who, as he had done with others, takes a restrained approach […]
Readers’ Pick: Highway Queen by Nikki Lane
You picked “Highway Queen” from Nashville singer-songwriter, Nikki Lane, as your favorite new release for the week of February 17, 2016. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Winter 2017 BRIGITTE DEMEYER AND WILL […]
2017 Folk Alliance International – Favorite Sets
Having given a bit of flavor on the overall vibe of the annual Folk Alliance International conference, it’s time to rewind through some of my favorite sets of the week. Setting A High Bar A lot of performers at FAI have been making a living playing music for decades.  They’re not lucky, they’re just good.  Trout Fishing […]
Otis Taylor – Fantasizing About Being Black
Otis Taylor is a fascinating artist.  Each of his albums, at least over the past few years, have some theme – some linkage between the songs or the listening experience Taylor is trying to create. With his Hey Joe Opus in 2015, Taylor tossed out the rule book by including Billy Roberts’ classic “Hey Joe,” made […]
2017 Folk Alliance International – Overall Conference Highlights
Back from the 2017 Folk Alliance International conference and nearly caught up on sleep (more on that later), let’s start coverage with a look at the overall event. Â Not surprisingly, there are seminars on the music business, musical performances, and an awards show. Â There are also a lot of things catering to the musicians themselves, […]
Monday Morning Video – A Visit To Beer Town
Session Americana, my hometown faves, sure know how to throw a party. Here’s a clip of them bringing their revelry to Nashville last year.