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  • 2022 CD Reviews
    • Ol' Savannah - They lie in wait
    • Erika Lewis - A walk around the sun
    • The Miners - Megunticook
    • Mama's Broke - Narrow Line
    • Hezekiah Goode - Humansville
  • 2020 C.D Reviews
    • November 2020 >
      • William Elliott Whitmore - I'm with you
  • 2019 C.D Reviews
    • December 2019 >
      • Them Coulee Boys - Die happy
      • Resonant Rogues - Autumn of the World
      • Erik Koskinen - Burning the deal
    • November 2019 >
      • Lasers Lasers Birmingham - Warning
    • September 2019 >
      • Will Beeley - Highways & Heart Attacks
      • Tui - Pretty little mister
    • August 2019 >
      • Rachel Harrington - Hush the wild horses
      • Steel Blossoms
      • Kelly Hunt - Even the Sparrow
      • The Lowdown Drifters - Last call for dreamers
    • July 2019 >
      • Abigail Lapell - Getaway
      • Jonathan Warren and the Billy Goats - Cletus
      • Jamie Freeman - Dreams about falling
    • June 2019 >
      • The Howlin' Brothers - Still Howlin'
      • Daniel Meade & the Flying Mules - Live Mules
      • Nicholas Mudd
      • Son Volt - Union
    • May 2019 >
      • An American Forrest - O Bronder, Donder, Yonder
      • Allison De Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves
      • Foghorn Stringband - Rock Island Grange
    • April 2019 >
      • Tylor & the Train Robbers - Best of the worst kind
      • The Oldtime Stringband - Pretty little horses
    • March 2019 >
      • Carson McHone - Carousel
      • JP Harris - Sometimes dogs bark at nothing
  • 2018 C.D Reviews
    • October 2018 >
      • The Hot Seats - Stupid mountain too big
      • Luke Tuchscherer - Pieces
    • September 2018 >
      • Clay Parker and Jodi James - The lonesomest sound that can sound
      • Davis Kathriner - Losing habits
      • Green Rock River Band - Edgelands
    • August 2018 >
      • Curse of Lono - As I fell
      • Melissa Carper & Rebecca Patek - Brand new old-time songs
      • Kendl Winter - Stumbler's business
      • Carter Sampson - Lucky
    • July 2018 >
      • Cold Tone Harvest - After you
      • Oliver the Crow
      • Dan Israel - You're free
      • Jeb Barry and the Pawn Shop Saints - Texas etc.
      • The Mammals - Sunshiner
    • June 2018 >
      • Gwenifer Raymond - You were never much of a dancer
      • Dusty Rust - Stolen horse
      • The Tillers
      • Anna & Elizabeth - The invisible comes to us
      • Wesley Randolph Eader - Highway winds
      • Vivian Leva - Time is everything
      • Gareth Owen - Rolling by
      • The Local Honeys - Little girls actin' like men
    • May 2018 >
      • Lonesome Ace Stringband - When the sun comes up
      • Old Crow Medicine Show - Volunteer
      • My Darling Clementine - Still testifying
      • Michael McDermott - Out from under
      • Foghorn Leghorn - All at sea
      • The Vagaband - Something wicked this way comes
      • The Nowhere Brothers - Down Life Boulevard
    • April 2018 >
      • Charley Crockett - Lonesome as a shadow
      • June Star -East on Green
      • Daniel Meade - When was the last time
      • 3hattrio - Lord of the desert
      • Jamie Freeman - Hasia dreams
      • Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers - Don't think about tomorrow night
      • Mashville - Another place
    • March 2018 >
      • Dean Owens - Southern wind
      • The Sumner Brothers - To Elliott in remembrance of Wolf
      • Red Pine Timber Company - Sorry for the good times
      • Ash Grey - Chickenwire
      • Orphan Colours - All on red
      • Steph Cameron - Daybreak over Jackson Street
    • February 2018 >
      • James Edwyn & the Borrowed Band - High fences
      • A Different Thread - High Time (e.p)
      • Penny Black Remedy - Maintaining dignity in awkward situations
      • Sleepy Driver - Sugar skull
    • January 2018 >
      • Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards - California calling
      • Thunder and Rain - Start Believing
      • The Winterlings - American son
      • Wild Ponies - Galax
      • Tyler Childers - Purgatory
  • 2017 C.D Reviews
    • December 2017 >
      • Orphan Brigade - Heart of the Cave
      • The Strange Blue Dreams
      • Dori Freeman - Letters never read
      • Luke Tuchscherer - Always be true
      • Jeremy Pinnell - Ties of blood and affection
      • Prinz Grizzley - Come on in
    • November 2017 >
      • RT 'n' the 44s - Both hands on the bottle
      • The Wynntown Marshals - After all these years
      • Heather Lynne Horton - Don't mess with Mrs. Murphy
      • The Mixus Brothers - To hang me high
      • The Coal Creek Boys - The wolf and the bear
    • October 2017 >
      • Big Sadie - Keep me waiting
      • When Rivers Meet - Liberty
      • Ryan Koenig - Two different worlds
      • Daniel Wylie's Cosmic Rough Riders - Scenery for Dreamers
      • Elliott Brood - Ghost Gardens
      • Sarah Jane Scouten - When the bloom falls from the rose
      • Red Moon Joe _ Time and Life
    • September 2017 >
      • Chris Blevins - Better than alone
      • Steve Welner - Sweet simple life
      • Corn Potato String Band - Good job everybody
      • Murder Murder - Wicked lines and veins
      • Slaid Cleaves - Ghost on the car radio
      • Zoe & Cloyd - Eyes brand new
      • Hope in High Water - Never settle
    • August 2017 >
      • Over the Moon - Moondancer
      • House & Land
      • The Whiskey Charmers - The Valley
      • Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters
      • Oh Susanna - A girl in teen city
      • Zane Campbell - Ola Wave
      • Amelia Curran - Watershed
    • July 2017 >
      • Pierce Edens - Stripped down, gussied up
      • John Alexander - Of these lands
      • Lauren Barth - Forager
      • Amber Cross - Savage on the downhill
      • Zephaniah Ohora and the 18 Wheelers - This Highway
      • Front Country - Other love songs
    • June 2017 >
      • Curse of Lono - Severed
      • Scott Cook - Further down the line
      • John Craigie - No Rain, No Rose
      • The Harmed Brothers
      • Hillfolk Noir - Junkerpunch
    • May 2017 >
      • Ezio - Daylight Moon
      • Nathan Bell - Love>Fear
      • The Long Haul - Beautiful Lies
      • K Phillips - Dirty Wonder
      • The Most Ugly Child - Copper & Lace
      • Dan Tuffy - Songs from Dan
      • Lil' Lost Lou
      • Donald Byron Wheatley - Moondogs and Mad Dogs
      • Pete Mancini - Foothill Freeway
    • April 2017 >
      • Steve Hussey & Jake Eddy - The Miller Girl
      • Secret Emchy Society - The stars fall shooting into Twangsville
      • Best of the Old Crow Medicine Show
      • Son of the Velvet Rat - Dorado
      • Ags Connolly - Nothin' Unexpected
      • The Delta Ladies - Hillbilly Trance
      • Bill Kirchen & Austin De Lone - Transatlantica
      • Rayna Gellert - Workin's too hard
    • March 2017 >
      • Real Sharp - Chilli Willi & the Red Hot Peppers
      • Daniel Meade - Shooting stars and tiny tears
      • The Harmed Brothers - A lovely conversation
      • June Star - Sleeping with the light on
      • Travis Linville - Up ahead
      • Robert Vincent - I'll make the most of my sins
      • Karen Jonas - Country Songs
      • Elouise - Deep Water
    • February 2017 >
      • Sea Star - Never go back
      • Hat Fitz & Cara - After the Rain
      • Chuck Westmoreland
      • Pappy Fisher & his Old Time Entertainers - The little old log cabin down the lane
      • David Simard - The Heavy Wait
      • Stevie Ray Latham - Winter in London
      • Red Sammy & Some Charming Trespassers - True Beliver
      • The Waydown Wanderers
    • January 2017 >
      • Adrian & Meredith - More than a little
      • Jack Grelle - Got dressed up to be let down
      • Bap Kennedy - Reckless Heart
      • Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms - Innocent Road
      • Trevor Alguire - Perish in the light
      • Pony Hunt - Heart Creek
      • Justin Wells - Dawn in the distance
      • Furnace Mountain - Shadow of Plenty
      • Zach Schmidt - The day we lost the war
  • 2016 C.D. Reviews
    • December 2016 >
      • Goat Roper Rodeo Band - Cosmic country blue
      • Wicklow Attwater - The fallen Flame String Band LP
      • J Shogren Shanghai'd - Why so blue, bird
      • Mascot Theory - Trust and bones
      • Red Tail Ring - Fall away blues
      • Southern Tenant Folk Union - Join Forces
      • Martha Fields - Southern White Lies
      • Anna Elizabeth Laube - Tree
      • Eliza Mary Doyle - It ain't what it seems
    • November 2016 >
      • Courtney Marie Andrews - Honest life
      • Western Flyers - The Wild Blue Yonder
      • The Jigantics - Seconds out
      • The Vaudevillian - Bringing Satan Down
      • The Youngers - Picture of you
      • 3hattrio - Solitaire
      • The High Bar Gang - Someday the heart will trouble the mind
      • The Lucky Strikes - The motion and the moving on
      • David Waddell - The last of the outlaws
    • October 2016 >
      • Waiting for Henry - A town called Patience
      • Evening Bell - Dying stars
      • The Honeycutters - On the ropes
      • Vicky Emerson - Wake me when the wind dies down
      • Curse of Lono (e.p)
      • Country Lips - 'Till the daylight comes
      • Screamin' Miss Jackson & the Slap Ya Mama Big Band - I heard the voice of a donut
      • Dana Immanuel & the Stolen Band - Comw with me
      • Pine Street Ramblers - Hazy Shades of Gold
    • September 2016 >
      • California Feetwarmers - Silver seas
      • Them Coulee Boys - Dancing in the dim light
      • The Stray Birds - Magic Fire
      • Blue Moon Marquee - Gypsy Blues
      • Mark Harrison - Turpentine
      • Richie and Rosie - Tractor beam
      • Martha L. Healy - To be free (e.p)
      • Kalyn Fay - Bible belt
      • Kaia Kater - Nine Pin
    • August 2016 >
      • Tia McGraff - Crazy Beautiful
      • Jacob Miller & the Bridge City Crooners - Pacific Ragtime
      • Jesse Furay Lynch
      • The Devil Makes Three - Redemption & Ruin
      • Oldtime Stringband - Cat's got the measles
      • The Georgia Shackleton Trio - The dog who would not be washed
      • Corpse Reviver - Volume 2: Dry bones
      • The Buffalo Skinners - Cease your dreaming
      • Hubert Murray - Shorten the Road
      • Lilly Hiatt - Royal blue
    • July 2016 >
      • The Lowest Pair - Fern girl & ice man
      • The Dead Tongues - Montana
      • Western Centuries - Weight of the world
      • Luke Whittemore - Northern Town (e.p)
      • BJ Barham - Rockingham
      • Keegan McInroe - Uncouth Pilgrims
      • The Danberrys - Give and Receive
      • Jonathan Warren & the Billy Goats - Bless my soul
    • June 2016 >
      • Mean Mary - Sweet
      • Thomas Hine - Some motion or novelty
      • The Lowest Pair - Uncertain as it is uneven
      • Farmington Hill - More rock than eagle block
      • Michael McDermott - Willow Springs
      • Brooks Williams - My turn now
      • Rod Melancon - LA14
      • Wink Burcham - Cleveland Summer Nights
      • Rodeo Gypsy - Southern Proof (e.p)
      • Andy Ferrell - At home and in Nashville
    • May 2016 >
      • Corn Potato String Band - Put on your old grey bonnet
      • Daniel Meade and the Flying Mules - Let me off at the bottom
      • Eli West - The Both
      • Steve Dawson - Solid states & loose ends
      • June Star - You're still here
      • Carrie Rodriguez - Lola
      • Tom Blackwell - Tyrone the Gun
      • Hackensaw Boys - Charismo
    • April 2016 >
      • Carter Sampson - Wilder Side
      • The Westies - Six on the out
      • Hogie - River of Mercy
      • Cale Tyson - Carelss Soul
      • Glade City Rounders - Don't get weary
      • Evie Ladin Band - Jump the Fire
      • Norrie McCuloch - These Mountain Blues
      • The Orphan Brigade - Soundtrack to a Ghost Story
      • Gunther Brown - North Wind
      • Rod Picott - Fortune
    • March 2016 >
      • Cam Penner - Sex & Politics
      • Matt Patershuk - I was so fond of you
      • Sheesham and Lotus and Son - '78
      • The Paul Benjaman Band - Sneaker
      • Skillet Licorice
      • 3HatTrio - Dark Desrt Night
      • Nathan Bell - I don't do this for love, I do this for love
      • Alex Culbreth - The High Country
      • Danny Barnes - Got Myself Together (Ten years later)
    • February 2016 >
      • Malcolm Holcomb - Another Black Hole
      • The Boxcar Boys - Cicada Ball
      • Dori Freeman
      • Nouveaux Honkies - Blues for Country
      • Austin Lucas - Between the Moon and the Mid West
      • The Curst Sons - The Jumping Flea
      • Rita Hosking - Frankie and the no go road
      • Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons - Take Yo' Time
    • January 2016 >
      • Mashville - Tripping On Wires
      • The Delta Jacks - Trouble Ahead
      • Peewee Moore - American Outlaw
      • Holcombe Family String Band - Ragtime! Hokum! Western Swing!
      • The Honeycutters - Me Oh My
      • Ben Rogers - Blood red yonder
      • Paul McClure - Songs for Anyone
      • Greg Trooper - Live at the Rock Room
      • Richie Syrett - From The Feet Up
  • 2015 C.D. Reviews
    • December 2015 >
      • Dennis Ellsworth - Romatic As It Gets
      • Rollie Tussing and the Midwest Territory Band
      • DH Lawrence & the Vaudeville Skiffle Show - Sons and Lovers
      • Brent Best - Your Dog Champ
      • The Slocan Ramblers - Coffee Creek
      • WillieTea Taylor - Knuckleball Prime
      • Danni Nicholls - Mockingbird Lane
    • November 2015 >
      • Feral - Aromatic Bitters
      • Butchers Blind - A Place In America
      • Amanda Pearcy - An Offering
      • Finnders & Youngberg - Eat The Moon
      • Self Help Group - Dead Stars
      • 10 String Symphony - Weight of the World
      • The Sumner Brothers - The Hell In Your Mind
      • Bumper Jacksons - Too Big World
    • October 2015 >
      • Woody Pines
      • The Resonant Rogues - Here & Gone Again
      • Honey Dewdrops - Tangled Country
      • Sugarcane Jane - Dirt Road's End
      • Stevie Agnew & Hurricane Road - Bad Blood & Whiskey
      • Drunken Prayer - The Devil and the Blues
      • Case Hardin - Colours Simple
      • The Grahams - Glory Bound
    • September 2015 >
      • The Glade City Rounders - They're After Us
      • Dubl Handi - Morning In A New Machine
      • Squirrel Butter - Chestnuts
      • Hillfolk Noir - Pop Songs For Elk
      • Sean Taylor - The only good addiction is love
      • Adam Hill - Old Paint
      • Mike & Ruthy Band - Bright As You Can
      • Don Gallardo - Hickory
      • Kaia Kater - Sorrow Bound
    • August 2015 >
      • Weldon Henson - Honky Tonk Frontier
      • Simon Stanley Ward
      • Murder Murder - From The Stillhouse
      • Anna & Elizabeth
      • The Piedmont Brothers Band - Compasses and Maps
      • J.P. Whipple - Moab
    • July 2015 >
      • Daniel Romano - If I've Only One Time Askin'
      • Eastbound Jesus - Hollerin'
      • Wynntown Marshals - The End Of The Golden Age
      • Trout Steak Revival - Brighter Every Day
      • John Coinman - Already Are
      • John Moreland - High on Tulsa heat
      • Deer Run Drifters - Restless Youth
    • June 2015 >
      • Memphis Dawls - Rooted in the bone
      • Kenneth J Nash - The Fall of Eden
      • The Westies - West Side Stories
      • Coal Creek Boys - Out West
      • Porchlight Smoker - Water Into Sand
      • Anthony Toner - Miles & Weather
      • Joe Fletcher - You've Got The Wrong Man
      • Foghorn Stringband - Devil In The Seat
      • The Rubber Knife Gang - Broken Lines
    • May 2015 >
      • Johnny Dowd - That's your wife on the back of my horse
      • Wink Burcham - Cowboy Heroes & Old Folk Songs
      • Pharis & Jason Romero - A Wanderer I'll Stay
      • Delta Ladies - Refugee
      • Wookalily - All the waiting while
      • Wrinkle Neck Mules - I never thought it would go this far
    • April 2015 >
      • Goodnight Texas - Uncle John Farquhar
      • June Star - Pull Awake
      • The Whiskey Charmers
      • I Draw Slow - White Wave Chapel
      • Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons - Take yo' time
    • March 2015 >
      • Jim Keaveny - Out Of Time
      • David Corley - Available Light
      • Mulligan Brothers - Via Portland
      • New American Farmers - The Farmacology Sessions
    • February 2015 >
      • The Stray Birds - Best Medicine
      • Red Pine Timber Company - Different Lonesome
      • Billy Strings and Don Julin - Fiddle Tune X
      • Denver - Rowdy Love
    • January 2015 >
      • Daniel Meade - Keep Right Away
      • The Mascot Theory - Hand Me Down Miracles
      • Front Country - Sake of the Sound
      • Ags Connolly - How About Now
      • The Wellfeds - Short Man Syndrome
  • 2014 C.D. Reviews
    • December 2014 >
      • Oh Susanna - Namedropper
      • Trailerpark Idlers - Fifty Gallons of Lightning
      • Doug Seegers - Going Down The River
      • The Oldtime Stringband - Chicken Crows For Day
      • American Thread - Songs in the war
      • Mario Matteoli - Hard Luck Hittin'
    • November 2014 >
      • J.P. Whipple - Thinking of you .... staring at the power lines
      • Good Luck Mountain Too
      • Bob Wayne - Back To The Camper
      • Blue Moon Marquee - Lonesome Ghosts
      • Joseph Huber - The Hanging Road
      • Hook and Anchor
      • Mr Plow - Not the beginning, not the end
      • Grifters & Shills - Watershed
      • Barnyard Stompers - Highway Gospel
    • October 2014 >
      • The High Stepping Music of Sheesham, Lotus & Son
      • The Loudermilks
      • Cale Tyson - High On Lonesome
      • Girls, Guns and Glory - Good Luck
      • Sleepy Driver - Ignatius
      • Locust Honey String Band - Never Let Me Cross Your Mind
      • Fire Mountain - All Dies Down
      • Betty and the Boy - The Wreckage
      • Red Molly - The Red Album
    • September 2014 >
      • Fish & Bird - Something In The Ether
      • Ben Glover - Atlantic
      • Petunia - Inside Of You
      • Ben Rogers - Love Stories, Vol. 1
      • The Howlin' Brothers - Trouble
      • Anna Tivel - Before Machines
      • Three Times Bad - American Sojourn
      • Vagabondage - Slow Room Bar
    • August 2014 >
      • Patrolled by Radar - Cool Your Jets
      • Luke Tuchscherer - You get so alone at times that it just makes sense
      • Melody Walker & Jacob Groopman - We Made It Home
      • Melissa Ruth & the Likely Stories - Riding Mercury
      • Introducing Fife & Drom
      • Hans Chew - Life and Love
      • New Madrids - Through The Heart Of Town
    • July 2014 >
      • Scott 'Snake' Miller - After Church
      • Hannah Aldridge - Razor Wire
      • Mark Harrison - The World Outside
      • The Annie Ford Band
      • Bronwynne Brent - Stardust
    • June 2014 >
      • Greg Trooper - Incident On Willow Street
      • Scott H. Biram - Nothin' But Blood
      • Brandon Isaac - Here On Earth
      • Just A Season
      • Ellie Ford - Show Night In
    • May 2014 >
      • Hatful of Rain - The Morning Key
      • The Knights of Mentis - New Pound Coin
      • Ash Gray - Once I Got Burned
      • Jacob Miller and the Bridge City Crooners
    • April 2014 >
      • The Deer Run Drifters - Appalachian Blues
      • Paul McClure - Smiling From The Floor Up
      • 100 Mile House - Wait With Me
      • Redlands Palomino Company - Broken Carelessly
      • Holy Moly - Brothers Keepers
    • March 2014 >
      • Peter James Millson - Sweet The Love That Meets Return
      • The Don Darlings
      • The Kestor Stringband - The Moorgrass Album
      • Gregory Hoskins and Gary Craig - The map of above the map of below
      • Chuck Lemonds - The Rivers Call
    • February 2014 >
      • Dan Baker - Pistol In My Pocket
      • Nathan Bell - Blood Like A River
      • Possessed By Paul James - There Will Be Nights When I'm Lonely
      • Stevie Agnew - Wreckin' Yard
    • January 2014 >
      • J.B. Beverley - Stripped To The Root
      • Sean Pinchin - Rust Bucket
      • James Keyes - The Middle
  • 2013 C.D. Reviews
    • December 2013 >
      • Ashleigh Flynn - A Million Stars
      • The Harmed Brothers - Better Days
      • Eric Strickland and the B Sides - I'm Bad For You
      • Danny and the Champions of the World - Stay True
    • November 2013 >
      • Israel Nash Gripka - Israel Nash's Rain Plan
      • Wooden Horse - This Kind Of Trouble
      • Jamie Freeman Agreement - 100 Miles From Town
      • Tim Grimm - The Turning Point
      • Horseshoes & Hand Grenades - This Old Town
      • J.D. Wilkes & the Dirt Daubers - Wild Moon
      • Barnyard Stompers - Outlaws With Chainsaws
    • October 2013 >
      • Michael Meeking & the Lost Souls - Ride On
      • The Coloradas - Big Empty
      • Benjamin Folke Thomas - Too Close To Here
      • The Piedmont Brothers Band - Back To The Country
      • Carolina Still - The Color Of Rust
      • My Darling Clementine - The Reconciliation?
      • Ol' Savannah - Death On The Mountain
      • Kendl Winter and the Summer Gold - It Can Be Done
    • September 2013 >
      • Austin Lucas - Stay Reckless
      • Crow Quill Night Owls - Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
      • Eastbound Jesus - Northern Rock
      • Sheesham, Lotus & Son - 1929
      • John Moreland - In The Throes
      • Underhill Rose - Something Real
      • Red Tail Ring - The Heart's Swift Foot
      • Scott Cook - One More Time Around
    • August 2013 >
      • Jack Marks - Blues Like These
      • Foghorn Leghorn - Not Before Time
      • Dennis Ellsworth - Dusk Dreams
      • Michael & the Lonesome Playboys - Bottle Cap Sky
      • The Tillers - Hand On The Plow
      • Hezekiah Goode - Two Billion Acres Of Salt
      • The Carper Family - Old Fashioned Gal
      • The Wynntown Marshalls - The Long Haul
      • The Bills - Yes Please
    • July 2013 >
      • Jeffrey Foucault & Cold Satellite - Cavalcade
      • Hillfolk Noir - What's That hat For
      • Jeff Finlin - My Moby Dick
      • Sturgill Simpson - High Top Mountain
      • Leeroy Stagger - Truth Be Sold
      • Waiting For Henry - Ghosts and Compromise
      • Chastity Brown - Back Road Highways
      • The Revelers
    • June 2013 >
      • Charlie Parr - Barnswallow
      • Rattleshack
      • Susan James - Driving Toward The Sun
      • Desolation Angels - Hell Or Highwater
      • Cara Luft - Darlingford
      • Jenny Ritter - Bright Mainland
      • Sean Burns - Cold Beans and Broken Eggs
      • Red Moon Joe - Midnight Trains
      • Introducing the Wagon Tales
      • Chicago Farmer - Backenforth, IL.
      • J.P. Whipple - Racket
      • Christa Couture - The Living Record
      • Corpse Reviver - Vol.1: I'll Be Rested When The Roll Is Called
    • May 2013 >
      • Michael Tarbox - Works and Days
      • The Miners - Miners Rebellion
      • Danni Nicholls - A Little Redemption
      • Glenn Jones - My Garden State
      • Old Man Markley - Down Side Up
      • Cam Penner - To Build A Fire
      • Piedmont Brothers Band - PBBIII
      • Vanessa Peters - The Burn the Truth the Lies
      • Dubl Handi - Up Like The Clouds
      • Woody Pines - Rabbit's Motel
      • Anders & Kendall - Wild Chorus
      • The Stray Birds
      • Phil Lee - The Fall & Further Decline of the Mighty King of Love
    • April 2013 >
      • Jarrod Dickenson - The Lonesome Traveler
      • Frankenpine - In that black sky
      • Hayward Williams - Haymaker
      • Annabelle Chvostek - Rise
      • Kevin Breit & the Upper York Mandolin Orchestra - Field Recording
      • Pharis & Jason Romero - Long Gone Out West Blues
      • DH Lawrence & the Vaudeville Skiffle Show - Escape This Wicked Life
      • Rebecca Pronsky - Only Daughter
      • Rita Hosking - Little Boat
    • March 2013 >
      • J.P. Whipple - Ghosts
      • Daniel Romano - Come Cry With Me
      • Thomas Hine - Forgive My Future
      • Adam Kiesling - Unclouded Day
      • J.J. Schultz - Carolina
      • Jack Klatt - Love Me Lonely
      • Rhubarb Whiskey - Same Sad End
      • Free Range Folk - 444
      • The Give 'Em Hell Boys - Barn Burner
      • David Hope - Scarecrow
      • Jimbo Mathus & the Tri-State Coalition - White Buffalo
    • February 2012 >
      • The Black Twig Pickers - Rough Carpenters
      • Rachel Brooke - A Killer's Dream
      • Amanda Pearcy - Royal Street
      • Rob Heron & the Teapad Orchestra - Money isn't Everything
      • Thea Hopkins - Lilac Sky
      • Rob Lutes - The Bravest Birds
      • Kevin Bowe & the Okemah Prophets - Natchez Trace
      • Ben Bedford - What We Lost
      • J Shogren & Shanghai'd - God Bless These Crooked Little Songs
      • Self Help Group - Not Waving But Drowning
      • Southern Tenant Folk Union - Hello Cold Goodbye Sun
      • Cameron Brothers Band - Ratios
    • January >
      • Lindi Ortega - Cigarettes & Truckstops
      • The Earl Brothers - Outlaw Hillbilly
      • Mudgrass - Just That Way
      • Leon Hunt N-Tet -- Farewell Blues
      • Old Man Luedecke - Tender Is The Night
      • Vera Van Heeringen - Standing Tall
      • Bean Pickers Union - Better The Devil
      • The Locust Honey String Band - He Ain't No Good >
        • Dirty River Boys - Science of Flight
  • 2012 C.D. Reviews
    • December >
      • Some Dark Holler - Hollow Chest
      • Rosie Flores - Working Girl's Guitar
      • Otto Mobile & the Moaners - Restless Sun
      • Caroline Herring - Camilla
      • The Mystix - Mighty Tone
      • Melissa Ruth & the Likely Stories - Ain't No Whiskey
      • Ash Gray & the Girls - Born In The Summer
      • Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit - Old Excuses
      • J.Tex & The Volunteers - House On The Hill
      • Cahalen Morrison & Eli West - Our Lady Of The Tall Trees
    • November >
      • The WellDiggers - Hope & Fear
      • Debonzo Brothers - One Damn Heart
      • Midday Farm Report
      • Al Scorch & the Country Soul Ensemble - Tired Ghostly Town
      • Josh Harty - Nowhere
      • Blind Corn Liquor Pickers - Myths & Routines
      • Drew Nelson - Tilt-A-Whirl
      • Trevor Alguire - Till Sorrow Begins To Call
      • The Lost Brothers - The Passing Of The Night
      • Hat Fitz & Cara - Wiley Ways
      • Stephanie Fagan - Heart Thief
      • Stevie Tombstone - Greenwood
    • October >
      • Lewis Brothers - Folk & Camp Fire Songs
      • Jack Klatt & the Cat Swingers - Mississippi Roll
      • Susan Cattaneo - Little Big Sky
      • Porchlight Smoker 2
      • The Vagaband - Town & Country
      • Blame Sally - Live At KVIE Studios
      • Ol' Savannah - Underneath The Old Red Barn
      • Anna Coogan & Daniele Fiaschi - The Nowhere, Rome Sessions
      • Heritage Blues Orchestra - And Still I Rise
      • Kelly Joe Phelps - Brother Sinner & the Whale
      • Random Canyon Growlers - Dickey Ain't Got All Day
    • September >
      • Will Scott - Keystone Crossing
      • The Harmed Brothers - Come Morning
      • Nathan Bell - Only The Most Important Thing
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        • November 2011 C.D Reviews >
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Picture

Corn Potato String Band 2 (Agilest music)
A tremendous sequel to last years authentic hillbilly instrumental debut by a talented trio who are devoted to ‘old timey’ music. There are more vocals on this album, probably giving it a wider appeal but if you have any kind of liking or even curiosity for old 1920s ‘hillbilly’ music either or both are an excellent starting point. All three members are multi instrumentalists and if you get the chance to see them live take it, the musical experience will transport you back many decades such is their authenticity. Hugely entertaining (and educational) album!
http://cornpotato.com/


Tom Feldman – Delta blues & spirituals (Magnolia Recording co.)
This is one of the best acoustic blues albums i’ve heard for years. Tom’s guitar playing is extraordinary and he plays and sings with all of the authenticity and in some cases more skill than some of the originators of these classic blues songs. If you only purchse one blues album this year, make it this one.
http://www.tomfeldmann.com/ 

Additional Moog – Endless air (2009) (Fight This Generation)
I don’t think this band even exists now but on their three albums they produced a nice blend of mellow alt. Country rock that included a little indie rock, leading to considerable originality and huge promise, but I guess you can’t live on promise. It’s a shame because this is a really good album that despite the mellow sounds has a lot to say for itself and is quite addictive. Towards the end of the album they up the ante, showing to a large degree how far they were prepared to stretch themselves. ‘Coulda been contenders!’
http://www.additionalmoog.blogspot.co.uk/

Adam Faucett – Blind water finds blind water (Last chance records)
A melodic guitar sound but sparse arrangements that are a little unusual, with some great songs by Faucett that stretch but never break his extraordinary vocal style. This is genuinely an album that is impossible to pigeon hole stylistically but there is sometimes a rolling dark country feel allied to a spooky bluesiness all tied together by a tremendous slow to mid tempo rootsy rock!
http://www.adamfaucett.com/

Added 5th February 2015

Ebony Hillbillies – Sabrina’s holiday (EH Music) (2004)
If ever a band (although on this their first recording a trio) could be considered the missing link between old ‘race music’ and ‘hillbilly’ it is this extraordinarily gifted bunch of African Americans. Much of this album is instrumental with fiddle, banjo, acoustic bass and dulcimer played as if their lives depended on it but for me the highlight is their rendition of the classic Shenandoah, that includes a raw heartfelt vocal. Several other songs include vocals and there is no distinction between the two mentioned ‘genres.’ This was their first of, so far, three albums in a career that virtually defines American roots music played with all of the skill, fire and passion that its history deserves. 
http://ebonyhillbillies.com/

Jim White vs. The Packway Handle Band – Take it like a man (Yep Roc)
Jim White has always been anything but predictable and that continues with this excellent shared recording with the tremendous bluegrass/old timey string band who work perfectly with Jims songs on this album. It’s not really bluegrass but with Jims back catalogue you wouldn’t really expect to be able to hang a label on it. Suffice to say it is not only an excellent (but not his best) album but it does sound like he’s having more fun than usual and he’s in fine voice on these quirky, often emotion drenched and just as often tongue in cheek  songs. A great artists who always has you wondering what he will do next!
http://www.jimwhite.net/

Added 11th February 2015

Dan Walsh – Incidents & Accidents (Rooksmere Records)
For some inexplicable reason i’ve always been attracted to the emotion drenched sound of a banjo! As soon as I started playing this recording by Dan his hugely impressive banjo playing really piqued my interest. Add the fact that he has as much talent as a singer songwriter and you have pretty much the complete package and if that’s not enough for the over fussy, he is able to conjure up a tremendous old timey Appalachian haunting atmosphere as well, quite something for an Englishman!
http://www.danwalshbanjo.co.uk/

Cameron Blake – Alone on the world stage
A warm expressive vocal style plus much more takes Cameron Blake into a similar, but not the same, stylistic territory to Buckley sr and jr, Tom Rush, Nick Drake and surprisingly few other singer songwriters from the edgy side of roots music. Accompanied by just his own guitar and occasional piano these twelve ‘modern folk songs’ are lyrically, vocally and sonically impressive, at times addictive and often extraordinary. A tremendous, reflective album that gets better with every listening session.
http://www.cameronblakemusic.com/

Bob Dylan – Shadows in the night (Columbia)
As a Dylan fan I was determined to ignore this album. Dylan covering songs made famous by one of the other 20th century musical legends, Frank Sinatra, was just too ridiculous for words. No way it can work so why bother? When a review copy arrived I ignored it for a couple of days after which, being human, my curiosity got the better of me! I’m now swallowing my pride enough to say that these ten stripped back to basics interpretations of some great songs will probably be in many, including mine, albums of the year! If the recording had been orchestrated, my original thoughts would have been correct, but it isn’t, and as such puts a different perspective on the songs, added to which Dylan is in better voice than for a long time. Still a raw growl but at least it is melodic on this occasion. A stupid idea but one that really works brilliantly! 
http://www.bobdylan.com/us

Added 18th February 2015

David Corley – Available light (Continental Song City)
53 years old may seem old to make your debut album but when it is as good as this tremendous recording it is well worth that long wait! The album has been given the hugely oversimplified label of ‘blues rock,’ a description that to my ears should be ignored! It is certainly a ‘roots’ album but is as uncategorisable as the late 1980s solo debut by Robbie Robertson. What that means is peerless songwriting, great arrangements and playing, a variety of tempos all driven by David’s hugely atmospheric, raw but melodic vocals. Anyone who has a liking for roots music needs a copy of this great album in their collection. Methinks another contender for album of the year, perhaps even an early favourite!
http://www.davidcorleymusic.com/

Cody Jinks – Adobe sessions (Self Released)
This is a terrific album of what is often termed ‘Outlaw country.’ Basically it is twelve tremendous songs of life often sited on the ‘wrong side of the tracks,’ beautifully played by his band and sung with conviction and edginess by a man whose vocal qualities put him on a par with Cale Tyson, Sturgill Simpson and Bob Wayne amongst a few others. In other words, an album of high quality pure ‘country music!’
http://codyjinks.com/

Leslie Stevens & the Badgers – Roomful of smoke (2010) (Self Released)
Gorgeous ‘country music’ album with lovely feminine vocals, excellent songs and with enough attitude and commitment to lift her well above the pack. There is enough stylistic and tempo variety to keep the listeners interest and some of the arrangements are a little unusual adding to the diverse feel of this highly enjoyable recording. So why isn’t she a big star? Haven’t a clue, but Leslie and her excellent band have more talent than most and there are more than enough terrific performances on this album to warrant close attention. 
http://www.lesliestevensandthebadgers.webs.com/

Added 20th February 2015

Jake Xerxes Fussell (Paradise of Bachelors)
This is a truly great album by a man so steeped in old time music (‘race music’ and ‘hillbilly’!) that it oozes from his pores. He is a tremendous guitarist, a vocalist in a similar characterful vein to Ry Cooder and obviously highly rated by the ‘roots music’ industry as you would need to be to be helped out on your debut by the likes of William Tyler and Chris Scruggs. Old songs but with fresh life breathed into them by someone who has a depth of feeling that enables him to stay true to the tradition but at the same time update some great old songs for the 21st century.
http://www.paradiseofbachelors.com/jake-xerxes-fussell

JD McPherson – Let the good times roll (Rounder Records)
If ever an album could be said to define 21st century ‘Rock ‘n’ roll’ it has to be this excellent recording that really catches the spirit of those early days in the 1950s, and without losing that spirit, modernises the genre. The tempos are nicely varied and there is plenty of fire and drive and a powerful dramatic sense to everything on this well constructed album that has a genuine feel of originality. 
http://www.jdmcpherson.com/

Sam Lee & Friends – The fade in time (The Nest collective records)
It is just possible that Sam Lee may very well be the most original folk singer songwriter around in this 21st century. Certainly the ‘Englishness’ of his music is there for all to hear but what he does is mix elements of folk music from other parts of the world giving his already extraordinary music a completely unique style. When you think about it, in a world that thanks to modern technology is shrinking rapidly, it makes perfect sense to incorporate easily accessed influences from other races and creeds. There are obvious strains that in the past helped define American music but that is only a small part of this incredible recording that in many ways is way ahead of the field and perhaps it’s time. Add Sam’s expressive vocal that includes some inflections that are reminiscent of Johnny Mathis, and you have an album, and an artist, that are genuinely different.
http://samleesong.co.uk/

Added 23rd February 2015

Gallows Bound (Self Released)
I saw this tremendous West Virginian band described as ‘folk punk,’ for once a totally accurate description. There are excellent songs, raw hard driving male vocals, lovely feminine vocals with an edge, plenty of fire, commitment and drive, with memorable melodies and always played with a propulsive edginess. This is their second album and along with their first is essential listening for any roots music/ old timey fan!
http://gallowsbound.com/

Jimmy Swope – The wages of sin (Farmageddon Records)
If any modern day album defines raw unadulterated ‘pure country’ music it has to be this tremendous debut by Jimmy Swope. The songs are excellent as are the arrangements and playing, with the sound including plenty of twang and steel guitar but Jimmy’s raw, expressive vocals are what hardens the music and gives it a believable edginess. Every song, including the Kris Kristofferson cover, is excellent but The Wolf is a lengthy and extraordinary epic murder/suicde ballad. A tremendous album that is a million miles above some of the characterless music often dished up as country music.
http://www.farmageddonrecords.com/jimmyswope.html

Asleep at the Wheel – Still the king (Bismeaux records)
I can never get my head around the horrendous logistical problems involved in making an album such as this. There are 22 tracks on this high quality recording of ‘Western Swing,’ with Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel being constants throughout and the guest list being a veritable who’s who of everyone from tradiational country musicians such as Willie, Merle, George Strait to modern day favourites, Old Crow Medicine Show, Pokey laFarge, Carrie Rodriguez and many more on a lengthy recording of supreme quality. All artists seem to have been allowed to interpret these classic songs in their own way but always within the loose constraints of Western Swing, leading to a recording that is pretty much indispensable as far as i’m concerned. We have much to thank Ray Benson and his band for in keeping the genre alive for more than 40 years but this could well be the ultimate accolade for them as well as the late great Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. 
http://asleepatthewheel.com/

Added 25th February 2015

Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys – Ionia (Earthworkmusic)
This tremendously talented ‘stringband’ have genuinely updated that old genre from the early days of recording and in many ways made themselves unique in the process. This really is an album of stringband music for the 21st century and beyond with twelve excellent songs, virtuosic playing and Lindsays beautiful manipulative vocal style linking so well with the instrumentation that there is often an improvisational feel to this fascinating album. Her voice meanders it’s way through these songs portraying an aggressive edge where it is called for and great tenderness where that is required taking the listener on an emotional roller coaster.
http://www.lindsayloumusic.com/

Bella Hardy – With the dawn (Noe Records/Elm house records)
So much for the attitude that folk music is ‘old fashioned.’ Bella Hardy is a fine example of the modern day ‘folk singer’ songwriter. You won’t get far into the album before you realise that this lady is something special in her updating of the genre. It’s a strange album that repays repeated listening sessions and it is also an album that you have to sit and listen to if you want to get it’s full beauty. Any listener will soon realise that she has a feel for the tradition but also has a strong impulse to produce music of it’s time. It has already been proven that the died in the wool traditionalists love Bella’s music and whilst this album is steeped in folk music, even if you don’t like folk music I think it likely you will love this gorgeous recording. A truly ‘original’ album that more than justifies the regard in which she is held by the folk world. Next, maybe the whole world!
http://www.bellahardy.com/

Richard Lanahan – Dreamer’s witness (Self Released)
This is the tremendous debut solo album by The Welldiggers lead guitarist. His guitar playing has always been impressive but now it can be added that he is also an excellent songwriter and vocalist. If you even just tolerate classic country rock you will love this terrific album that has a country rock instrumentation but one that works beautifully with Richards ‘folksy’ heartfelt songs. He is a master of melody with virtually every song on this disc being memorable and taking the emotions through a roller coaster but mainly uplifting ride. 
http://www.richardlanahan.com/music

Added 26th February 2015

Southern Tenant Folk Union – The Chuck Norris Project (Johnny Rock Records)
This, their sixth album, is another superb recording from this Edinburgh based collective of hugely talented ‘roots’ musicians. Despite massive personnel changes over the course of those six albums, band leader, banjoist and main songwriter Pat McGarvey’s dynamic vision of roots music development has never faltered. The early albums were ‘classic’ alt. country with a little folksiness but gradually the British isles folk music element has come more to the fore and yet there is still an undercurrent of Americana that keeps the thread going. For non fans of Chuck Norris movies (of which I am a proud member!) don’t worry, this is not as such a tribute to our hero! It is a very cleverly constructed recording with each song having the title of a Norris movie but there the link ends. The songs are thematically political, but again don’t worry there is no preaching, just a series of tremendous songs that make valid points, all written, played and sung by a hugely talented band who bring a unique originality to the ‘folksy roots music’ genre.   
http://www.southerntenantfolkunion.com/