June 2018 • Page 2 of 4 • Americana Highways

REVIEW: Lera Lynn’s “Plays Well With Others” is Shared Diversity

June 26, 2018June 26, 2018Mark Joseph Engleson1

The resulting album is diverse, yet anchored by Lera’s voice.

REVIEW: Mike Aiken’s “Wayward Troubadour” Features Legendary Friends and Songs of Bard Life

June 25, 2018June 25, 2018Melissa Clarke0

All in all a groovy album with plenty of great musicianship and the kind of solid songs that’ll bring you back at least a couple decades to our roots beginnings.

REVIEW: Paul Cauthen’s “Have Mercy” Features Gorgeous Voice On Love and Redemption

June 22, 2018June 25, 2018Mark Joseph Engleson0

Cauthen manages to convey the universality of strength and salvation through faith, as well as what it means it to have faith in a world full of the wicked and unfaithful.

Show Review: J.D. Wilkes and the Legendary Shack Shakers Christen DC’s City Winery, Wild Rockabilly Hillbilly-Style

June 21, 2018June 21, 2018Melissa Clarke1

J.D. Wilkes is a natural dancer, exhibiting wild, impromptu dance moves in Kentucky barndance/Michael Jackson-esque style; in his respectable suit, at times pivoting maneuvers around his shiny oval belt buckle.

INTERVIEW: NGDB’s John McEuen on His New Book “The Life I’ve Picked,” Favorite Venues, Science Fiction and the Three Mile Island Scare

June 20, 2018June 20, 2018Mark Joseph Engleson0

I am more of an entertainer that plays music, a troubadour that brings songs out on the road, and I do something that can’t be downloaded.

Show Review: Dave Alvin, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and the Guilty Ones Rock Storytelling Night at the Birchmere

June 19, 2018February 8, 2023Melissa Clarke1

Last Thursday night, the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA was once again hopping; this time it was to the music and storytelling of career musician/guitarists Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, backed by the Guilty Ones: Lisa Pankrantz on drums, Brad Fordham on bass and Chris Miller on guitar. Opening duo Dead Rock West freatured Cindy […]

REVIEW: The Mallett Brothers Band’s Vive L’Acadie!” is a Poutine Gumbo

June 19, 2018June 20, 2018Andrew Gulden1

The Mallett Brothers’ “Vive L’Acadie!” is a sort of poutine gumbo that’s spicy enough to melt your turntable.

Show Review: Ry Cooder with Band of Intertwining Joy and Mystery at the Birchmere

June 18, 2018February 8, 2023Melissa Clarke1

And the band lit into more of the same groundbreaking intertwining layers they’ve been mesmerizing the room with all night.

REVIEW: The Slocan Ramblers’ “Queen City Jubilee” is an Instant Bluegrass Classic

June 18, 2018June 16, 2018Melissa Clarke1

Toronto-based bluegrass quartet The Slocan Ramblers’ new release Queen City Jubilee (Slo Music) is a welcome addition to the bluegrass catalogue. Lead vocals by Frank Evans provide the traditional sounding, syncopated counterpart to his banjo playing; and with Adrian Gross on mandolin, Alastair Whitehead on bass and Darryl Poulson’s steady rhythm guitar to anchor the […]

REVIEW: Gene Clark, Still Younger Than Yesterday: “Gene Clark Sings For You” & “The Rose Garden Collection”

June 15, 2018June 15, 2018Steve Wosahla0

Sometimes it feels like Gene Clark never really left us. The discovery and periodic releases of the former Byrd’s solo recordings have graced us over the past few decades. As time has passed, his inestimable multi-generational influence becomes more apparent spanning folk and country rock, rock stalwarts like Tom Petty and R.E.M., and a new […]