By Paul T. Mueller– Here’s an interesting collection of intelligent adult pop from Chicago-based Dolly Varden, which is not a person but a five-piece band, anchored by husband and wife singer-songwriters Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen. The two started Dolly Varden (a variety of trout, and also the name of a Dickens character) in 1994, so it’s not surprising that its…
Jeff Blaney’s “Labor of Love” release party
Americana Music News –– Out today: Jeff Blaney’s Labor of Love on Very Entertaining Records. The CD release party for the engaging Americana/country EP is set for Dec. 5 at the Family Wash in East Nashville. You’ll find more details at www.jeffblaneymusic.com.
Ted Russell Kamp to appear in Blackwing Sessions Nov. 29
Americana Music News — We like what we’ve heard on Ted Russell Kamp’s new Night Owl album and wanted to pass along details on Kamp’s appearance in the Blackwing Sessions Singer/Songwriter Series at 9 p.m. EST on Thursday, Nov. 29. You’ll be able to stream Kamp’s performance at this site: http://www.pencils.com/studio602/ Here’s an example of his work:
Review: Donna Ulisse’s “All the Way to Bethlehem”
By Paul T. Mueller — The story of Jesus’ birth is not new, and neither, of course, is the idea of putting together an album of Christmas songs. But on All the Way to Bethlehem, bluegrass singer-songwriter Donna Ulisse takes a fairly novel and very successful approach – using original songs, she describes the events surrounding the first Christmas from…