Richie Syrett – Good morning midnight (2012) 4.5****
Terrific album of sparse reflective alt. country that sounds better with each listen.Strong songs, excellent vocals and sparse instrumentation combined point to a bright future for a tremendous new British talent.
http://richiesyrett.com
(Review to follow)
Jackson Taylor & the Sinners – Bad Juju (2012) 3.5***
Terrific album of punked up country with great vocals and excellent playing.
http://jacksontaylorband.com
(Review to follow)
The Toy Hearts – Whiskey (2012) 4****
Gorgeous female vocals, exceptional instrumentation and playing, excellent songs on this beautiful country music/ western swing album from Birmingham, England! (Yes, that’s right NOT Alabama!)
http://www.thetoyhearts.com
(Review to follow)
Tommy Womack – Now What! (2012) 3.5***
Diversity has always been one of Tommy Womack’s strong points and this album is no different, including everything from country songs to rap! The problem is that same diversity must make him a nightmare to
promote.
http://www.tommywomack.net
(Review may follow)
Random Canyon Growlers – Dickey ain’t got all day (2012) 3.5***
Excellent playing, lead vocals and harmonies on an album that blends bluegrass and old timey! If you like the Hackensaw Boys and Water Tower Bucket Boys the chances are you will enjoy this!
http://randomcanyongrowlers.com
(Review to follow)
Dara (2012) 3.5***
With his blend of generally dark songs, strong vocals, original use of guitar and an intense atmosphere this nine song album promises much for the future
No website!?
(Review may follow)
Noam Weinstein – Clocked (2012) 3***
Unusual singer songwriter who is difficult to pigeon hole. Warm expressive vocals that have quite a nice edginess and an at times slightly unusual instrumentation. Not hugely original but does have enough individuality to rise above the majority in this crowded field!
http://enoam.com
Skerryvore – World of chances (2012) 3***
Pleasant Scottish folksy roots rock. Probably the best around in this field at the moment.
http://www.store.skerryvore.com
Eve Selis – Family Tree (2012) 3.5***
High quality country/country rock by an underrated artist who never fails to deliver some tremendous, edgy roots music, more than ably supported by her superb band.
http://eveselis.com
(Review may follow)
Heritage Blues Orchestra – And still I rise (2012) 4.5****
Brilliant album by a hugely talented trio that covers the breadth of African American music!
http://heritagebluesorchestra.com
(Review may follow)
Debonzo Brothers – One damn heart (2012) 3***
Good, if patchy, album that seems to range from decent countryish indie rock to some
tremendous alt. country
http://www.debonzobrothers.com
Katy Boyd – Paper Hearts (2012) 4****
Character laden vocals, with some beautiful playing on an excellent album of ‘country
music’ similar in depth and feeling to the very best of Nanci Griffith.
http://katyboyd.com
(Review to follow)
Renee Wahl – Cumberland Moonshine (2011) 3***
Really enjoyable album that ranges from country ballads to country rock, all
beautifully sung and played.
http://reneewahl.com
Larkin Poe – Thick as thieves (2012) 3***
Gorgeous versatile vocals and playing on a countryish folksy album that is difficult to
fit into a particular genre!
http://www.larkinpoe.com
The Hot Seats – Feel (2012) 4****
Ramshackle old timey string band (and much more!) music at it’s best,
but nothing ramshackle about the quality of the playing!
http://thehotseats.net
(Review to follow)
Carolina Still – Distiller (2011) 4.5****
Brilliant album that blends old timey/hillbilly/punk/country, even a little blues, all
acoustic and played with fire and passion!
http://www.carolinastill.com
(Review to follow)
Arthur Alligood – One silver needle (2012) 3***
Vocals reminiscent of a young Paul Simon but with a more haunting rootsy, at times
countryish feel!
http://www.arthuralligood.com
(Full review may follow)
Gordie Tentrees – North Country Heart (2012) 4**** (from May)
A real mélange of styles within and around ‘country,’ also including some excellent blues!
http://www.tentrees.ca/wp
(Full review to follow)
The Curst Sons – The snake and the money jar. (2012) 4.5****
The ‘Brighton Hillbillies’ come down from the mountains to dip their toes in the
swamp and find it much to theirs (and our) liking, but still manage to retain
their hillbilly edge!
http://thecurstsons.com
(Full review to follow)
The Two Man Gentlemen Band – Two at a time (2012) 3*** (from May)
Quirky,superbly played and sung, often humourous music that is
evocative of jazzy, vaudevillian times gone by! Totally unique!
http://www.thetwogentlemen.com
(Full review may follow)
Furnace Mountain – The road to Berryville (2012) 4****
Beautifully authentic 'old timey' music by a superb band of musicians
http://furnacemountain.com
(Full review to follow)
Small Town Jones – Freight Ships (2012) 3.5***
Mellow in sound but some beautifully sparse cleverly observed little
vignets of life that gets better with each listen.
http://www.jimjones.co.uk
(Full review to follow)
Terrific album of sparse reflective alt. country that sounds better with each listen.Strong songs, excellent vocals and sparse instrumentation combined point to a bright future for a tremendous new British talent.
http://richiesyrett.com
(Review to follow)
Jackson Taylor & the Sinners – Bad Juju (2012) 3.5***
Terrific album of punked up country with great vocals and excellent playing.
http://jacksontaylorband.com
(Review to follow)
The Toy Hearts – Whiskey (2012) 4****
Gorgeous female vocals, exceptional instrumentation and playing, excellent songs on this beautiful country music/ western swing album from Birmingham, England! (Yes, that’s right NOT Alabama!)
http://www.thetoyhearts.com
(Review to follow)
Tommy Womack – Now What! (2012) 3.5***
Diversity has always been one of Tommy Womack’s strong points and this album is no different, including everything from country songs to rap! The problem is that same diversity must make him a nightmare to
promote.
http://www.tommywomack.net
(Review may follow)
Random Canyon Growlers – Dickey ain’t got all day (2012) 3.5***
Excellent playing, lead vocals and harmonies on an album that blends bluegrass and old timey! If you like the Hackensaw Boys and Water Tower Bucket Boys the chances are you will enjoy this!
http://randomcanyongrowlers.com
(Review to follow)
Dara (2012) 3.5***
With his blend of generally dark songs, strong vocals, original use of guitar and an intense atmosphere this nine song album promises much for the future
No website!?
(Review may follow)
Noam Weinstein – Clocked (2012) 3***
Unusual singer songwriter who is difficult to pigeon hole. Warm expressive vocals that have quite a nice edginess and an at times slightly unusual instrumentation. Not hugely original but does have enough individuality to rise above the majority in this crowded field!
http://enoam.com
Skerryvore – World of chances (2012) 3***
Pleasant Scottish folksy roots rock. Probably the best around in this field at the moment.
http://www.store.skerryvore.com
Eve Selis – Family Tree (2012) 3.5***
High quality country/country rock by an underrated artist who never fails to deliver some tremendous, edgy roots music, more than ably supported by her superb band.
http://eveselis.com
(Review may follow)
Heritage Blues Orchestra – And still I rise (2012) 4.5****
Brilliant album by a hugely talented trio that covers the breadth of African American music!
http://heritagebluesorchestra.com
(Review may follow)
Debonzo Brothers – One damn heart (2012) 3***
Good, if patchy, album that seems to range from decent countryish indie rock to some
tremendous alt. country
http://www.debonzobrothers.com
Katy Boyd – Paper Hearts (2012) 4****
Character laden vocals, with some beautiful playing on an excellent album of ‘country
music’ similar in depth and feeling to the very best of Nanci Griffith.
http://katyboyd.com
(Review to follow)
Renee Wahl – Cumberland Moonshine (2011) 3***
Really enjoyable album that ranges from country ballads to country rock, all
beautifully sung and played.
http://reneewahl.com
Larkin Poe – Thick as thieves (2012) 3***
Gorgeous versatile vocals and playing on a countryish folksy album that is difficult to
fit into a particular genre!
http://www.larkinpoe.com
The Hot Seats – Feel (2012) 4****
Ramshackle old timey string band (and much more!) music at it’s best,
but nothing ramshackle about the quality of the playing!
http://thehotseats.net
(Review to follow)
Carolina Still – Distiller (2011) 4.5****
Brilliant album that blends old timey/hillbilly/punk/country, even a little blues, all
acoustic and played with fire and passion!
http://www.carolinastill.com
(Review to follow)
Arthur Alligood – One silver needle (2012) 3***
Vocals reminiscent of a young Paul Simon but with a more haunting rootsy, at times
countryish feel!
http://www.arthuralligood.com
(Full review may follow)
Gordie Tentrees – North Country Heart (2012) 4**** (from May)
A real mélange of styles within and around ‘country,’ also including some excellent blues!
http://www.tentrees.ca/wp
(Full review to follow)
The Curst Sons – The snake and the money jar. (2012) 4.5****
The ‘Brighton Hillbillies’ come down from the mountains to dip their toes in the
swamp and find it much to theirs (and our) liking, but still manage to retain
their hillbilly edge!
http://thecurstsons.com
(Full review to follow)
The Two Man Gentlemen Band – Two at a time (2012) 3*** (from May)
Quirky,superbly played and sung, often humourous music that is
evocative of jazzy, vaudevillian times gone by! Totally unique!
http://www.thetwogentlemen.com
(Full review may follow)
Furnace Mountain – The road to Berryville (2012) 4****
Beautifully authentic 'old timey' music by a superb band of musicians
http://furnacemountain.com
(Full review to follow)
Small Town Jones – Freight Ships (2012) 3.5***
Mellow in sound but some beautifully sparse cleverly observed little
vignets of life that gets better with each listen.
http://www.jimjones.co.uk
(Full review to follow)