By Ken Paulson — Dion: The Complete Laurie Singles is another revelatory re-issue from Real Gone Music, revisiting Dion’s early career, but also chronicling the transitions of rock ‘n’ roll. This collection covers his late ’50s Doo-Wop origins with the Belmonts, his initial solo success with more ambitious material like “Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer” and his 1968 comeback…
Review: David Olney’s “Robbery and Murder”
By Ken Paulson — David Olney , one of the most ambitious and literate artists in Americana music, has just released Robbery and Murder, the third in a series of theme-driven EPs. It’s an 8-song collection that explores two “love stories” that aren’t always so loving. The title of the album is one hint. Olney draws upon Chuck Willis’ “Betty…
New to chart: Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Gary Clark Jr., Departed, Jason Isbell
Americana Music News — In the category of no suprises, Dwight Yoakam still has the number one album on the Americana Music Airplay chart with 3 Pairs, followed once again by John Hiatt’s Mystic Pinball. New to the chart this week: Gary Clark Jr.’s Black and Blu, Departed’s Adventus, Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s Psychedelic Pill and Jason Isbell and the 400…
Reviews: Whitehorse, King’s Bullet, Rich Mahan, Jesse Lafser
By Ken Paulson — Whitehorse’s The Fate of the World Depends On This Kiss entered the Americana music airplay chart this week and with good reason. Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet are accomplished solo performers and their pairing here is remarkable. The music is ambitious and diverse, from the ornate “Achilles’ Desire” to the sweet “Mismatched Eyes (Boat Song)” to…