(photo by Chris Stein) “Let’s face it,” Debbie Harry concludes in her recent memoir Face It. “I’ve had one fuck of an interesting life and I plan to go on having one.” On one of the last nights of her book tour, the author, actor and punk pioneer was sitting center stage at the historic […]
As the owner/editor of Americana Highways I listen to a lot of new music, but I also miss quite a bit more, so please take this 2019 top favorite albums list with that grain of salt. On the other hand, that truth is not meant to detract one iota from these ten amazing albums. Presenting […]
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When it comes time to assemble a retrospective box set, record labels undoubtedly start by evaluating what material is available as well as possible production costs and revenues. Then they decide whether to spare no expense; to deliver a few modest extras; or, sometimes, to spare almost every expense and offer a barebones package. This […]
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On December 6, the Brooks Dixon Band released Pocket Full of Dreams, the band’s — and its leader’s — first full-length album recorded by engineers Ian Guthrie and Brad Phillips at Studio 101. Brooks previously released some solo EPs. This album just sounds old, and I mean that in a good way. The production is […]
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33 RPM (Reason to Purchase Music) When looking back on all of the great Americana music we heard in 2019, it’s hard to come up with straight lists of Top 10s. Instead, let’s look at the best 33 reasons to support the artists we love so much. Links are included to purchase each item. Yes, […]
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I found these 12 songs beautifully recorded. The guitars chime clearly, the overall band plays with taste & yes, there’s a little 60’s pop sensibility but it’s not distracting. Texas-born George Ducas’ clear vocals have a Jimmy Dean twang not a Randy Travis one. On Yellow Rose Motel (drops Dec. 6 – Loud Ranch Records) […]
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I really believe it’s important to honor the concept of the unified overall album, but sometimes you just need that hooky, mixed tape playlist, especially for a road trip on the Americana Highways. Here’s mine from this year, with a few words of what I find amazing about each one of these songs. Also, with an […]
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By Bill Bentley Will Birch, Cruel to be Kind: The Life and Music of Nick Lowe. English rock & roll always seemed to try harder than its American equivalents in trying to make its mark on history. Maybe that’s because the Brits were shooting from the other side of the ocean and had to aim […]
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I was given the task of reviewing The Holiday Sounds of Josh Rouse by my dear editor a month or so ago. The mistake I made was in not telling her I only listen to Christmas music after Thanksgiving, deadline be damned. So now that turkey day has come and gone, I can set pen […]
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Charlie Parr released his new album back in September, and regrettably I’m just now getting to it. Released via Red House Records, it’s an eponymously titled album that does a fine job of capturing a batch of new songs as well as new studio versions of some classics/audience favorites from Parr’s career. The Minnesota folk/blues […]
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