Category Archives: Music

The Handsome Family’s In the Air

Chicago’s The Handsome Family makes morbid Americana music for the depressed, crazy and suicidal. It is at times wickedly funny, and if you’re in the right frame of mind, very entertaining. In the Air, the Handsomes’ fourth full-length CD, carries … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on The Handsome Family’s In the Air

Theresa Morrison’s Laments and Merry Melodies from Cape Breton Island

If you love traditional Scottish fiddle music and don’t have an aunt, uncle or grandparent who’ll come over to your house and play it for you, this recording is the next best thing. Laments and Merry Melodies is part of … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Theresa Morrison’s Laments and Merry Melodies from Cape Breton Island

Dolores Keane’s Night Owl

Dolores Keane has been called “the voice of Ireland,” and has received numerous awards and accolades in a career spanning a quarter of a century with De Dannan and on her own. Night Owl, which has been available in Norway … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Dolores Keane’s Night Owl

Novalia’s Arkeo, Tanca Ruja’s in terra e in chelu and Agricantus’ Faiddi

Something interesting is going on in Italian folk music. Judging from these three recent CNI releases, it’s something of a fin de siecle Italian version of the British and American folk-rock movement of the Sixties. These three groups, each hailing … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Novalia’s Arkeo, Tanca Ruja’s in terra e in chelu and Agricantus’ Faiddi

Ass Ponys’ Some Stupid With a Flare Gun

Some Stupid With a Flare Gun is arresting, rootsy rock from a band that’s been around for more than a decade and may be just hitting its stride. The Ass Ponys have been making folk-rock, country-rock and just plain rock … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Ass Ponys’ Some Stupid With a Flare Gun

Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant’s Stratosphere boogie: The flaming guitars of … and Vol. 2: Swingin’ on the Strings

Western swing is a hybrid of country and jazz, and if Wills was its king, then Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant were the crown princes. The two moved to southern California to join its burgeoning music scene in the years … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant’s Stratosphere boogie: The flaming guitars of … and Vol. 2: Swingin’ on the Strings

Guy Clark’s Cold Dog Soup

There’s something about Guy Clark’s songs that make them seem like old friends, even when you hear them for the first time. His collection Cold Dog Soup is no exception. This Texas singer-songwriter is a true treasure. I can picture, … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Comments Off on Guy Clark’s Cold Dog Soup

Gideon Freudmann’s Hologram Crackers

Hologram Crackers is an album of solo cello music. But I guarantee you it’s like no other cello music you’ve ever heard, unless you’re one of the growing cadre of Gideon Freudmann fans. To say that Freudmann plays the cello … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Gideon Freudmann’s Hologram Crackers

Continental Drifters’ Vermilion

We’re all drifters singers and sisters brothers and lovers and mothers and confidantes. We were born alone we’re alone when we’re gone so while we’re here, we might as well just sing along. With these words in the chorus of … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Comments Off on Continental Drifters’ Vermilion

Jon Dee Graham’s Summerland

Between the ghost in the yard and the angel in the tree/the roses in their bed get more sleep than me. That line, from “Half the Time,” the second track on Jon Dee Graham’s Summerland, just won’t turn loose of … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Jon Dee Graham’s Summerland