High Fidelity- Banjo Player’s Blues review

High Fidelity Banjo Player’s Blues Rebel Records Capsule: Bluegrass music performed to the highest level by youthful revisionists. Paragraph to get to the point: When the history of bluegrass music is discussed, it is largely done so from a male perspective. The IBMA’s own Hall of Fame (previously Hall of Honor) is just one piece…

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John McCutcheon- Cabin Fever: Songs from the Quarantine review

John McCutcheonCabin Fever: Songs from the QuarantineAppalsongs FolkMusic.com One of my most extraordinary folk music experiences occurred in the spring of 2012 when I journeyed from Alberta to Chicago for a blustery weekend including attendance at a most memorable Old Town School of Folk Music concert. Ably aided by (surprise, to me) guest (and personal…

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The Harmed Brothers- Across the Waves review

The Harmed Brothers- Across the Waves Fluff & Gravy Records TheHarmedBrothers.com Americana’s emerging Steely Dan, The Harmed Brothers create complex roots music, accessible and challenging. Built around songwriting duo Ray Vietti (vox and acoustic guitar) and Alex Salcido (vox, keyboards, banjo, and guitar), The Harmed Brothers’ Across the Waves reflects unbridled delight. Recorded in Cincinnati,…

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Victor Wainwright and The Train- Memphis Loud review

Victor Wainwright and The Train Memphis Loud Ruf Records VictorWainwright.com A stunning stew of blues- and roots-drenched, piano- and B3-based rock ‘n’ roll, the type of music not frequently encountered. Memphis’ oft-awarded Victor Wainright brings The Train to the crossroads of Power and Soul, allowing original songs time to ferment in the all-encompassing brew of…

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100 mile house & Jay Aymar reviews

100 mile house Love and Leave You (Fallen Tree Records)Jay Aymar Your Perfect Matador (Fallen Tree Records) Acceptance and forbearance, inevitability and uncertainty: throw in a couple love songs, and you have most every folk album made since ‘folk’ evolved from the Ewan MacColl definition of the genre. Tho’, to be true, the folk songs…

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Mark Erelli- Blindsided review

First, an apology. Mark Erelli’s Blindsided deserves better from me. But, as sometimes happens, I couldn’t find the stream of words needed: the more I wrote, the further into the weeds I got—a feat considering there is still a foot and a half of snow outside the window. Finally, I stopped writing and considered what…

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Ayla Brook & the Sound Men- Desolation Sounds review

Ayla Brook & the Sound Men Desolation Sounds Fallen Tree Records I’m alone but I’m not lonesomeNever one that once was winsomeNot too handy or too handsomeBut I sure do like to play someand I can be a foolLose the plot and lose my coolI lose my keys but not my conscienceTell me do you…

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Della Mae- Headlight review

Della Mae Headlight Rounder Records Walking in the footsteps of a woman I don’t knowAnd though we’ve been moving slow we’ve gotten somewhereWalking in the footsteps of a woman I haven’t metBut I’ve seen her on the internet a-crying. These words open the latest album from Della Mae. It is a powerful initial statement, one…

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The SteelDrivers- Bad for You review

 The SteelDrivers Bad For You Rounder Records With multiple Grammy nominations under their collective waistbands, and a win for Bluegrass Album of the Year for their latest, The Muscle Shoals Sessions, expectations are always high for The SteelDrivers. Almost five years since their latest was released, and with a third lead singer now in the…

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Eric Brace & Last Train Home- Daytime Highs & Overnight Lows review

Eric Brace & Last Train HomeDaytime Highs & Overnight LowsRed Beet Records More than a decade after their previous release, a six-song EP of covers, Americana group Last Train Home returns with a compelling, and majestic collection of new music. Previous albums, from their impressive, self-titled debut through 2007’s Last Good Kiss provided attuned listeners…

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