Tag Archives: Americana music

Mary Gauthier’s Rifles & Rosary Beads

Mary Gauthier has made a name for herself by writing and singing intense narrative songs that draw on her own life. And what a life it has been. Growing up an orphan in New Orleans, she has battled substance abuse … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Mary Gauthier’s Rifles & Rosary Beads

Jolie Holland and Samantha Parton’s Wildflower Blues

I’ve been a big fan and follower of Jolie Holland since her home-recorded debut Catalpa came out of left field in 2003, but this little gem sneaked under my radar. If you missed it, too, when it came out quietly … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Jolie Holland and Samantha Parton’s Wildflower Blues

Gun Outfit’s Out of Range

Out of Range is the fifth full-length record by the Los Angeles-based Gun Outfit. They refer to the sound of their music as “Western expanse,” and that’s as good a description as any. Musically it’s a guitar-laden melange of cosmic … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Gun Outfit’s Out of Range

Jeffrey Martin’s One Go Around

I’m not a bad man, I’m a poor man I’m not a bad man, I’m a poor man I’m not a bad man, I’m a poor man Sinkin’ “Poor Man,” by Jeffrey Martin Jeffrey Martin immersed himself in the literature … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Jeffrey Martin’s One Go Around

John Lawless’ Five & Dime

I was shocked when, after listening to Five & Dime a couple of times, I discovered that it’s banjo player John Lawless’ first recording. It’s that good. Lawless, an editor at Bluegrass Today, has been playing regionally out of Roanoak, … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on John Lawless’ Five & Dime

Dori Freeman’s Letters Never Read

The first single and opening track on Dori Freeman’s delightful sophomore album is a sunny, optimistic and warm portrait of love called “If I Could Make You My Own.” It’s a sweetly swinging tune full of professions of all the … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Dori Freeman’s Letters Never Read

Billy Strings’ Turmoil & Tinfoil

If you love acoustic guitar playing, or if you love bluegrass music — or both — you have to check out the duet that Billy Strings plays with Bryan Sutton on a traditional tune called “Salty Sheep,” on Billy’s new … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Billy Strings’ Turmoil & Tinfoil

Anna Tivel’s Small Believer

Anna Tivel, whose Heroes Waking Up rose to the top of my best-of list in 2016, has a new record out already this year, and Small Believers lives up to the high mark set by that record. Portland’s Anna Tivel … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Anna Tivel’s Small Believer

Deer Tick’s Deer Tick Vol. 1 & Deer Tick Vol. 2

In the chorus of “Only Love,” midway through the acoustic, folky Deer Tick Vol. 1, Deer Tick front man John McCauley sings, “It’s only love, so don’t be afraid, it will let you down but not today … it won’t … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Deer Tick’s Deer Tick Vol. 1 & Deer Tick Vol. 2

John Reischman and The Jaybirds’ On That Other Green Shore

If you want solid, no-nonsense bluegrass music these days, you won’t go wrong with any release by John Reischman and The Jaybirds. Their latest release On That Other Green Shore is no exception. That’s no accident, of course. One of … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on John Reischman and The Jaybirds’ On That Other Green Shore