Tag Archives: Americana music

Angel Olsen’s Half Way Home

It’s a cliché to say that such-and-such a singer is a “unique voice,” but I have to resort to it in the case of Angel Olsen. In a world full of cutesy and waif-like vocals from female singers in all … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Angel Olsen’s Half Way Home

Catherine Irwin’s Little Heater

Catherine Irwin has one of those singing voices that, for some people, takes some getting used to. Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and many more fall into this category. In most cases, it’s worth the effort. For me, Irwin … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Catherine Irwin’s Little Heater

Kelly Hogan’s I Like To Keep Myself In Pain

Kelly Hogan, with I Like To Keep Myself In Pain, has made an album that is equal to her talent. Not that she hasn’t put out some fine recordings before, but this one looks to be that mythical beast, the … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Kelly Hogan’s I Like To Keep Myself In Pain

Levon Helm’s Ramble At The Ryman

When Levon Helm died on April 19, 2012, there began an outpouring of grief and affection for the man and his music that has yet to fade completely as I write this, nearly a month later. That’s an eon in … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Levon Helm’s Ramble At The Ryman

Bowerbirds’ The Clearing

The Clearing is a fully realized artistic vision of Beth Tacular and Phil Moore, the young North Carolina couple who perform as Bowerbirds. It’s their third album, and it’s a mature, emotionally charged work that reflects some of the travails … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Bowerbirds’ The Clearing

Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks’ Take The Air

Some albums take a while to grow on you, and some reach out and grab you from the first note. Take The Air, the debut album by the Portland, Oregon, duo Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks was one of the … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks’ Take The Air

Some Dark Holler’s self-titled EP

The music of Some Dark Holler sounds like it came out of, well, you know. It’s true Southern Gothic, not some hip put-on. Chris Porter, who writes the songs and plays guitar, sings lead on these songs about modern lives … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Some Dark Holler’s self-titled EP

Three Metre Day’s Coasting Notes

Coasting Notes by the Canadian trio Three Metre Day is one of the most beautiful albums I heard in 2011. It’s the debut full-length CD by this acoustic “modern roots” ensemble from Toronto comprising Michelle Willis on vocals and pump … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Three Metre Day’s Coasting Notes

Various artists’ This One’s For Him – A Tribute to Guy Clark

(I reviewed this tribute to Guy Clark in 2011. It seems appropriate to re-post it, in light of Mr. Clark’s death on May 17.) Guy Clark is the best country songwriter living. I feel confident saying that since the passing … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Various artists’ This One’s For Him – A Tribute to Guy Clark

Andy Statman’s Old Brooklyn

My introduction to Andy Statman is intimately associated with my introduction to Brooklyn. On the first night of my first visit to New York, visiting a friend who was living in Brooklyn in 2002, I attended a jazz clarinet performance … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Andy Statman’s Old Brooklyn