Reviews of “Americana Christmas” and other new holiday albums
Tom Waits Tribute set for Dec. 6 in Nashville
Tom Waits tribute set for Dec. 6 in Nashville at the 5 Spot
2015 Americana music conference set for Sept. 15-20
The 2015 Americana Music Festival and Conference has been set for Sept. 15 through 20 in Nashville.
Americana Music Festival on PBS this weekend
The Americana Music Association’s Honors and Award show at the Ryman Auditorium is one of our favorite events of the year, and highlights from the September show will be shared with a national audience on a special edition of Austin City Limits that begins airing Nov. 22.
Reset to Pop: Bill Lloyd’s classic revisited
Bill Lloyd’s Set to Pop was a revelation upon its release in 1994, a buoyant and inventive slice of pop in a league with Emitt Rhodes and Nick Lowe’s Jesus of Cool. So it’s great news that Lloyd has chosen to revisit his classic album 20 years on.
Review: Memphis Dawls’ “Rooted in the Bone”
When a band’s name includes “Memphis,” it should come as no surprise – actually, it may be inevitable – that the music will incorporate diverse styles and genres. So it is with Rooted in the Bone, the first full-length CD from folk-Americana trio the Memphis Dawls.
In concert: Ian Hunter and the Rant Band
It’s remarkable that Ian Hunter, whose band scored just a single hit in the U.S, can continue to tour to good-sized crowds a half-century into his career. And yet his audience is with him every step of the way, devoted, enthralled and cheering madly for “I Wish I Was Your Mother” and “Michael Picasso.”
Bobby Bare, Bobby Bare Jr. at City Winery
Bobby Bare and his son Bobby Bare Jr. share the stage at the City Winery in Nashville
Staying Cool: Tim Carroll at the Mayday Brewery
By Ken Paulson I first saw Tim Carroll perform at a Nashville festival in the late ‘90s, where he shared a set with Amy Rigby and Kevin Gordon. All three impressed and clearly had bright futures, fueled by remarkable songs. Over the past 15 years, all have had considerable critical acclaim, though none have had major commercial success. That doesn’t…
Review: Chip Taylor’s “Little Prayers Trilogy”
“Wild Thing/You make my heart sing/You make everything groovy” is light years away from Chip Taylor’s compositions on The Little Prayers Trilogy, his new three-CD collection on Train Wreck Records.
Oct. 27: The Week in Americana Music
This week in Americana The sixth annual 30A Songwriters Festival, scheduled for Jan. 16-18 in South Walton County, FL has announced its first round of artists, including Graham Nash, Indigo Girls, Leon Russell, Jason Isbell, Shawn Mullins, Sara Watkins, Chely Wright, Bobby Bare Jr., Steve Poltz, Angaleena Presley, Over the Rhine, Glen Phillips, Jeffrey Steele, Jesse Harris, Mary Gauthier, Hayes…
Review: The Very Best of Stories
Review of Stories Untold: The Very Best of Stories on Real Gone Music
Concert review: Rich Hopkins and the Luminarios
Rich Hopkins and Luminarios brought a rich blend of Arizona desert rock and Texas singer-songwriter tunes to their Oct. 17 performance at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck in Houston.
Caroline Rose’s “I WIll Not Be Afraid”
Caroline Rose could hardly have chosen a more appropriate title for her first full-scale CD. On I Will Not Be Afraid, the Vermont-based singer-songwriter comes across as absolutely fearless.
Oct. 20 – This week in Americana music
It’s another great week for live shows in Nashville. We’re particularly enthusiastic about the Lake Street Dive show at the Cannery Ballroom on 10/25. Their Bad Self Portraits is one of our favorite albums of 2014, a smart and engaging pop showcase.
This week in Americana music
Americana Music News
1861 Project set for Franklin Theatre
Now we have the third volume of the 1861 Project, which brings together talented artists to chronicle the Civil War through music.
Review: Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovett in concert
The Sept. 11 gig featured Robert Earl Keen opening for friend and former college classmate Lyle Lovett, who was winding down his usual summer tour with his Large Band.
Carter Girl: Carlene honors her roots
It was a treat to see Carlene Carter present an award at the Americana Music Awards on the stage of the Ryman Wednesday night, particularly when the Cash-Carter family was so well-represented.
Angaleena Presley: Channeling Loretta Lynn
While Loretta Lynn sang “One’s On the Way,” Angaleena Presley offers the more blunt “Knocked Up.” Loretta cautioned her husband “Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind), while Presley delivers the tough and withering “Drunk.” The songs are four decades apart, but share a refreshing honesty and directness.