Jackson Browne, who joins such past honorees as Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Mavis Staples and Charlie Daniels, has never hesitated to use his music to make a point.
Jason Isbell wins big at Americana Music awards
Jason Isbell made a bit of history at the Americana Music Awards himself, dominating the awards with wins for artist of the year, album of the year and song of the year.
Calico shines at release party in LA
Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles was host to an album release party for the new multi-talented Americana trio, Calico the band.
What’s Americana music? Answer spans decades
Americana should encompass country-rock music over a longer span of time: “country rock generations,” taking in all of the periods when country music intersected, influenced and blended with rock music.
Americana Music Festival’s deep, diverse line-up
2014 Americana Music Association Conference and Festival line-up
Paul Thorn’s “Too Blessed to be Stressed”
Paul Thorn’s Too Blessed to Be Stressed is sort of a children’s album for adults.
Reissues: Lulu and Cass Elliott from Real Gone Music
Two Real Gone Music releases – Lulu’s Atco Sessions 1969-1972 and Cass Elliot’s Don’t Call Me Mama Anymore – document the paths of both women in the early ‘70s.
Jesse Winchester’s touching farewell
With loving production from Mac McAnally, “A Reasonable Amount of Trouble” truly celebrates Jesse Winchester’s talent.
John Hiatt’s “Terms of My Surrender”
John Hiatt’s latest album Terms of My Surrender finds the veteran singer-songwriter pretty much in “old dude looking back” mode.
Shovels and Rope’s “Swimmin’ Time”
On August 25, Shovels and Ropewill release Swimmin’ Time, a comparably striking album that melds folk, country, blues and rock in a truly compelling style.
Holly Williams, BR5-49 added to festival
The Americana Music Association has announced a third wave of artists for its upcoming festival and conference in Nashville, including Aaron Lee Tasjan, BR5-49, Holly Williams, Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons, Luther Dickinson, Michaela Anne, Paul Burch, Sharde Thomas and the Rising Star Fife & Drum Band.
Jack Clement’s “For Once and For All”
Review of Jack Clement’s final album “For Once and For All”
Reissue: Spanky & Our Gang’s “Complete Singles”
Review of Spanky and Our Gang’s “Complete Mercury Singles on Real Gone Music
Concert review: Wheatfield four decades on
Most bands that started more than 40 years ago are no longer playing together, much less still creating good new material. One happy exception is Wheatfield.
Stone Mountain Station’s “Electric Silence”
Review of Stone Mountain Station’s “Electric Silence”
Free speech honor for Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne has been named the 2014 recipient of the “Spirit of Americana” award for free speech in music, presented by the Americana Music Association and the Newseum Institute’s First Amendment Center.
Reissues: The 5th Dimension’s “Earthbound”
Just released is Earthbound, the only 5th Dimension album never to make its way to CD. It was the final album for the original quintet and marked their reunion with Jimmy Webb as songwriter and producer.
Review: The Mastersons’ “Good Luck Charm”
We first saw the Mastersons two years ago on a Cayamo cruise and were knocked out by their tight harmonies and penchant for great hooks.
Review: Chris Smither’s “Still on the Levee”
By Ken Paulson It’s going to be a good year for fans of Chris Smither, the veteran folk-blues artist from New Orleans. On July 22, his complete lyrics will be published in book form and in September, a tribute CD called Link of Chain is scheduled for release. Most intriguing though is Still on the Levee: A 50 Year Retrospective,…
Review: Matt Harlan’s “Raven Hotel”
Raven Hotel is an excellent showcase for Matt Harlan’s writing, playing, singing and production skills.