Review: “O’ Be Joyful” by Shovels and Rope

By Ken Paulson–On the new Shovels and Rope album, O’ Be Joyful, there’s a recording of a club manager admonishing the audience to listen to the band and not talk. That shouldn’t have been a problem. It’s very hard to talk with your jaw dropped. Shovels and Rope are just that surprising. The Charleston, South Carolina duo of Cary Ann…

Sept. 7 set for Allen Thompson Band release

Americana Music News: There’s much to like about the Allen Thompson Band’s Salvation in the Ground album, due for release on Sept. 4. This East Nashville band covers a lot of terrain musically, with strong songwriting at the core. Our favorite tracks:”First Apology,” “Payback” and “Love One Another.” You can see the Allen Thompson band live at the following Nashville-area…

Review: Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison in concert

By Paul T. Mueller–Titles are easy to throw around, and sometimes they’re just so much music-biz hype. Not so in the case of Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis. Partners both on and off the stage, they have been called “The First Couple of Texas Country Music” and “Americana royalty,” among other things. At McGonigel’s Mucky Duck in Houston on June…