After years of tribute albums that tend to be purely celebratory, it’s nice to come across one that’s revelatory. Cover John Prine? That’s a tall order. He’s a distinctive performer with an unconventional style and phrasing, and a voice that seems built for his songs. Yet there’s a freshness to Broken Hearts and Dirty Windows, thanks to respectful, but not too…
Lorraine – Lori McKenna
By Ken Paulson You can almost hear Lori McKenna exhale with relief on Lorraine, her new CD and the first in some time without the commercial pressure of a label. She’s back to a sparer sound and continues to write about life’s trials and passages, from the frustration of being taken for granted (“If He Tried”) to the loss of…
Tin Pan South dates announced
The Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival has been set for Tuesday, March 29, through Saturday, April 2. This is always a great event, with an amazing range of singers and songwriters. Passes go on sale on March 9 at tinpansouth.com.
Don Henry’s birthday bash at the Bluebird
One of the very best ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve eve is to attend Don Henry’s birthday bash at the Bluebird Café in Nashville. Last night was no exception. Henry, a Grammy award-winning songwriter, throws his own birthday party each year, inviting talented friends and co-writers. A highlight: Bobby Braddock dropped in to perform his George Jones classic “He…