Label: Blue Arrow Records Ethan Daniel Davidson knows how to establish a mood, how to sustain it, and how to explore every emotional space in it. He knows how to create and inhabit a musical world that makes total emotional sense to the listener. He does this on his new album, Stranger. His luminous vocals … Continue reading
Label: Oak Honest Records (Release Date: March 27, 2021) Things aren’t always what they sound like. Take, for example, the collection of new songs that comprise Ink and Nicotine, the new album from consistently energetic alt-country/Americana band Red Idle Rejects. What at first might seem a carefree, rollicking experience turns into a much more thoughtful … Continue reading
Red Idle Rejects — Room With A View Is Red Idle really a place? Clearly it’s a state of mind, at least, and Red Idle Rejects captures its essence perfectly with their new album Room With A View. If there are any musical ancestors in the historic environs of Red Idle, it would be a song … Continue reading
Ynana Rose — ‘Tea Leaf Confessions’ Label: Ynana Rose Music Sounding at the same time both comfortably familiar and bravely vulnerable, singer/songwriter Ynana Rose has released Tea Leaf Confessions. These are folk, blues, Americana songs, sung with warmth by a voice you can (and do, after the first note) trust. Ms. Rose composed ten of the eleven … Continue reading
The Nouveaux Honkies — Loud In Here The Nouveaux Honkies’ latest album consists of a duo that feels like a single artist—Tim O’Donnell (vocals, guitar, drums, bass, mandola, Rhodes), and Rebecca Dawkins (vocals, violin)—along with a few other talented players on various tracks (Pat Manske, Nate Rowe, Bill Kirchen, Chris Gage, Ephraim Owens, Lloyd Maines, … Continue reading
Logan Magness — Memphis On My Mind Label: Wolf River Records For a debut full-length album, Logan Magness’ Memphis On My Mind has a distinct air of self understanding about it. His songs, varies as they are, all share a depth and insightfulness expected from an artist who’s been making music for years. It is a … Continue reading
Szlachetka – Heart Of My Hometown A beautiful thing has happened in 2018: Szlachetka’s words and music, in the form of Heart of My Hometown, have been shared with a world hungry for stories worth telling delivered by an artist worth listening to. Folk/rock artist Szlachetka is a healthy blend of everything right about American music, past and … Continue reading
Mare Wakefield & Nomad — Time To Fly True happiness is back! Put on Americana/folk duo Mare Wakefield & Nomad’s new album, Time To Fly, and you’ll hear what I mean. By “happiness,” I don’t mean to imply a constant smiley-faced state; I am talking about the pleasure that comes from discovering artists who do … Continue reading
Dennis Johnson & The Mississippi Ramblers — Rhythmland With Rhythmland, Dennis Johnson has delivered a well-thought-out, well rounded, thoroughly satifying collection of songs (9 of 10 being originals) that employ the slide guitar in all of its impressive versatility. If you are in the mood for a master musician dealing out a blend of blues, jazz, … Continue reading
The Life & Songs of Emmylou Harris: An All-Star Concert Celebration Label: Rounder Records The first time I saw and heard Emmylou Harris in concert, a few decades ago, I was seated next to a fellow who attended with a pad of paper and some charcoal crayons. As Emmylou warbled and wooed through her rockin’, plaintive, … Continue reading
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