Age and mortality are on the minds of many in the age of COVID, but the Avett Brothers have a way of acknowledging that while showing their audiences a great time. In the first of a three-show stint Thursday that ends the 50th anniversary season for Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, […]
AmericanaFest 2021 — Day 3 Beautiful sunny cool day here in Nashville yesterday. Started the day on the roof top of the Bobby Hotel with rocker Grace Pettis and balladeer Waylon Payne. Scooted down to Robert’s Western World to see the queen of the Honky Tonk Sarah Gayle Meech. Filled up with ribs at Rippy’s […]
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The Bowmans – Scrutiny The Bowmans (twin sisters Claire & Sarah) possess unified vocals in the tradition of the Canadian McGarrigle Sisters & NJ’s The Roches. They have a wonderful melodic tone, & a well-controlled vocal splash. Their new LP is a highly personal effort that explores themes of family dysfunction, coping mechanisms, destructive societal […]
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When it comes to interviews, James McMurtry is a man of few words, which is just as well because as fans of his immersive songwriting, we much prefer that he use them to expand upon his impressive catalog of music. After a long wait – seven years to be exact – the celebrated storyteller has […]
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Emily Frembgen – It’s Me Or the Dog With a sound somewhat vulnerable & folky in an early Joni Mitchell tradition especially on “Flower/Weed,” Emily’s voice is butterfly wing fragile as she weaves through the gentle lyrics of her lovely tune. Subject-wise however, the song is rooted more in a Melanie Safka tradition though Emily’s […]
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Pulled into Nashville on Tuesday and headed right over to Roberts Western World for fried bologna sandwiches, PBR’s, and Brennan Leigh and her smoking classic country. Wednesday dashed over to Ernest Tubb’s Record shop for a special taping of Midnight Jamboree with Charley Crockett. The reincarnation of a true Nashville tradition. Toured the Country Music […]
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The Body and BIG | BRAVE – Leaving None But Small Birds This is basic old-style music coming from an intense perspective. It works sometimes, not always. Have patience. It’s still, for the curious, interesting to listen to. “Blackest Crow,” treks liberally into Dead Can Dance territory. Their vocalist Lisa Gerrard sang in a similar […]
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It’s been one hell of a three-plus years for Brandi Carlile. Since releasing By The Way, I Forgive You in early 2018. The Washington stater has gone from Americana darling to multiple Grammy winner, festival headliner, best-selling author, co-founder of the Highwomen, and de facto gay spokesperson, and she seems to have reveled in each […]
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With his first solo album Shoot The Moon now available to the masses, Larry and His Flask founding member Jeshua Marshall is bringing his Americana-meets-ska hybrid sound to a speaker near you. Produced by Todd Rosenberg of the Mad Caddies, the record is a twisting mixture of flavors served up in a deliciously edible cone, […]
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Kris Gruen – Welcome Farewell This is Kris Gruen’s 5th LP & it comprises 9 well-written easy-going songs with above-average lyrics, well-thought-out & applied to the music. Nothing is earth-shaking, challenging, or controversial. It’s just good music to listen to & appreciate within the spirit in which it was made. Vermont’s Gruen (acoustic guitar/vocal) is […]
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