Today the Americana Music Association released its list of nominees for honors at the Americana Music Festival and Conference set for Nashville in September.
Out today: John Wesley Harding’s “Greatest Other People’s Hits”
It’s the rare album cover that makes me laugh out loud, but the new release from John Wesley Harding perfectly mimics ABBA’s “Gold” record. Given that “Greatest Other People’s Hits” is a covers record, it raises hope for a version of “Waterloo.”
Podcast 14 Marcia Ball continues to “Shine Bright”
Marcia Ball, the official 2018 Texas State Musician of the Year, has a just-released album called “Shine Bright,” her 12th. We caught up with her on board Delbert McClinton’s “Sandy Beaches Cruise” earlier this year. She talks about the new album and her colorful career on Episode 11 of the Americana Music News Podcast.
Review: Malo’s joyous “Latin Bugaloo”
Malo emerged into a crowded rock scene in 1971, but they had some advantages. Jorge Santana, one of the foundling members, was Carlo Santana’s younger and the band drew heavily on Latin percussion.
Chris Hillman’s formative solo years
Chris Hillman’s career has come full circle. A founding member of the Byrds, he helped bring an Americana sensibility to that legendary band. And now his recent ” Bidin’ My Time” is seeing widespread acceptance by Americana radio.
Omnivore Records offers a glimpse into Hillman’s formative ’70s work with “The Asylum Years,” collecting 20 tracks from that era. There’s plenty of good work, though we’ll have to admit there’s the same search for a comfortable and cohesive sound we heard on the Byrds’ “reunion” album and the later McGuinn, Clark and Hillman records.
The title track from “Slippin’ Away:”
Podcast 12: Joshua Hedley and “Mr. Jukebox”
Joshua Hedley mines a traditional sound, but all but one song on his new “Mr. Jukebox” album on Third Man Records is an original.
Review: Old Settler’s Music Festival
Old Settler’s Music Festival (named for its original home, Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock, Texas) has always had something of a hippie vibe, and that atmosphere lives on. Tie-dyed clothing, sparkly capes, headbands and other countercultural accoutrements were much in evidence.
Kim Richey’s “Pin A Rose”
Kim Richey, featured in an upcoming Americana Music News Podcast, has a new video from her fine album “Edgeland.”
Joshua Hedley to play Basement East on April 24
We saw Joshua Hedley open for Margo Price at a WMOT members-only concert at the City Winery in Nashville two weeks ago and he was a revelation. He’s classic country in the best way possible. Don’t miss him tomorrow night (April 24) at the Basement East in Nashville. He’s touring in support of his new album “Mr. Jukebox.”
The Rolling Stones’ “Exhibitionism” opens in Nashville
The Rolling Stones’ “Exhibitionism” is quite the spectacle, packed with memorabilia, stage costumes, vintage gear, posters and videos. It’s a full two-hour experience for the fan.
One more night for Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival in Nashville
There’s still one night left in the annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival in Nashville and the Saturday night line-up is strong.
Podcast #11 Tim Easton and “Paco & the Melodic Polaroids”
Tim Easton has an intriguing new album called “Paco and the Melodic Polaroids,” a celebration of his black Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar, christened “Paco” by a Deadhead in Paris.
Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Begins April 3
One of our favorite musical events of the year in Nashville is the annual Tin Pan South Festival, a celebration of songwriting in the world capital of that art. It begins this year on Tuesday, April 3 and continues through Saturday, April 7.
Review: Michelle Malone’s “Slings & Arrows”
Georgia singer-songwriter Michelle Malone puts forth another fine effort with the wide-ranging Slings & Arrows. As always, she’s equally at home with quiet, folky material and flat-out rockers, and this 10-song collection adds other musical flavors, notably funk and soul, to the mix.
Podcast #10 Danny Flowers, “Tulsa Time” and music of the soul
It was 40 years ago in 1978 that Don Williams and Eric Clapton debated who should be the first to record Danny Flowers’ “Tulsa Time.” Williams hit the country charts first with his version, followed by Clapton’s take on the pop charts.
Show #9 The Mastersons and Jesse Terry
Eleanor Whitmore and Chris Masterson have had a great career as the Mastersons, and as a duchess and duke respectively in Steve Earle’s band. We caught up with them in Kansas City at the Folk Alliance International Conference and talked about their latest album “Transient Lullaby” and the most buzzed-about song of the conference “Don’t Tell Me to Smile.”
Robbie Fulks to play the Bluebird Cafe March 22
Robbie Fulks is coming to the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville this Thursday, March 22. It’s an unusual evening because the Bluebird typically features four songwriters sitting in the round, swapping songs and stories. But Robbie clearly doesn’t need any reinforcements.
Video Premiere: Chris Smither’s “By The Numbers”
There’s a tireless – arguably timeless – quality to Chris Smither’s work. The consistently impressive artist has released 18 albums over a half-century, but wasn’t satisfied with just a single album with his latest “Call Me Lucky.” No, he recorded it and then did it again from start to finish with different versions of all the songs in the same album. That’s either very inefficient or very cool. We’ll go with the latter.
Show #8: Jorma Kaukonen of Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane; Kyle Frederick
Jorma Kaukonen has had a rich career as a founding member of Jefferson Airplane add Hot Tuna, and as an accomplished solo artist. He’s ready to tell his life story in a new memoir called “Been So Long.”
Show #7: Mary Gauthier on “Rifles and Rosary Beads”
Mary Gauthier has just released a truly special album of her performing songs she wrote with veterans and their families. “Rifles and Rosary Beads” is a moving collection, drawn from “Songwriting:withSoldiers” sessions. We had the pleasure of hearing more about this important project in a conversation with Mary at the Folk Alliance International conference in Kansas City.