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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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    • January >
      • Sons of Fathers
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  • A History of American Roots Music
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      • Chapter 3 - Music A
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    • Chapter 5 >
      • Chapter 5 Music
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  • A History of the Blues
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      • Chapter 2 - Music
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      • Chapter 3 - Music
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      • Chapter 5 - Music
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        • November 2011 C.D Reviews >
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Picture
The Wellfeds – Short Man Syndrome
An album that almost defines easy going mid tempo roots music but whilst it is also sparse it has depth, with it’s well written, often humourous songs, amiable warm lead vocals and expert playing. It is an album that includes country, folk and various off shoots all blended into a style reminiscent of artists such as Guy Clark, John Prine, Townes etc and although not quite at those giddy height yet this is certainly a very good start! 
http://thewellfeds.com/ 



The Mystix – Midnight in Mississippi (Self Released)

You always get more than what you pay for from this hugely talented ‘supergroup’ of roots musicians. They play blues and country, most of the time without blending the two, but bringing their own particular sense of style to every song which ultimately blends those individual songs as if there is no generic separation.  Their own originals blend with ‘covers’ to ensure the listener has a trip through the very best of roots music all played by virtuosic musicians who ‘feel’ the music, all capped off by the raw, whiskey soaked, but melodic vocals of Jo Lily. A supergroup of super musicians who have made yet another super album! Long may they continue to do so.
http://www.themystix.com/

Trailerpark Idlers – Fifty gallons of lightning
This is a strange, unusual album that has it’s roots in ‘old America’ despite the fact that this excellent and quite original band are Swedish! The vocals and harmonies are all good, but different in texture and tone to most of what I listen to. Part of the reason is probably the different accents but there is a brooding, slightly eerie atmosphere to many of the excellent songs, as if the band have discovered a sound that slips between the cracks of country, alt. country, country rock and folk enabling them to bring an otherworldly persective to their music. A really good album that I’m sure I will have more to say about as time goes by! 
http://trailerparkidlers.com/


The Westbound Rangers – Gone for way too long (2013) (Self Released)
This is another terrific album that, had I discovered it last year, would have got the full review treatment. They are Nashville based but are certainly not from the bland factory produced side of the city! They blend what is predominately ‘old timey’ music with bluegrass, alt. country, country rock and several other less obvious strains into a tremendous album. Their songs are, whether their own or covers, all excellent but what really lifts this talented four piece is the fact that all are tremendous vocalists who also have the instrumental chops that allows their music to flow beautifully. At the moment I’m probably playing this album more than any other and will no doubt continue to do so for some time yet. Brilliant album by a brilliant band.
(If you try to get to westboundrangers.com all you will find is a fuel efficiency site!)
http://www.reverbnation.com/thewestboundrangers


Added 5th October 2014

Bob Wayne – Back to the camper. (Moon Unit Records)
This is Bob Wayne’s sixth album, the third that i’ve written about and for me, the best yet, containing more darkly dramatic stories than the other two put together. I actually loved both of those albums but this contains more fully formed stories bringing an update in not just attitude but a considerable leap forward in his songwriting. The playing is as always, excellent and his raw deep vocal style is perfect for telling his dark stories of life so far on ‘the wrong side of the tracks’ that he probably can’t actually see those tracks!
http://bobwayne.org/

Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys – Pickin’ ‘n’ clickin’ (2013) (Self Released)
Promoted as folk and bluegrass, as usual these vague descriptions don’t sum up the extent of the roots music played by this band of talented musicians who are natives of Prince Edward island. The folk music has strong dashes of not only their local style but also Irish and Appalachian ‘hillbilly’ and includes a strong continental European influence ensuring they are very different to most other acoustic bands. Gordie has a pleasant warmth to his vocals on this tremendous collection of songs with some gorgeous harmonies, excellent playing and covering styles from downbeat ballads to upbeat old timey, even including six  high quality instrumentals amongst the fourteen tracks. If you like acoustic music that is a little unusual, with various tempos and styles, even including a gypsy jazz feel on occasions, you really need a copy of this album!
http://www.gordiemackeeman.com/

Leyla McCalla – Vari Colored Songs: A tribute to Langston Hughes (Self Released)
This is an astounding album! Without a doubt there is no other musician like this hugely talented vocalist and multi instrumentalist whose sound is so incredibly unusual and addictive. She is helped out on this her debut recording by artists of the calibre of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, as well as Don Vappie and Luke Winslow King. As the title infers the album is a tribute to the poetry of Langston Hughes, with Leyla having written the music, but there are also Haiitian folk songs, an island from which Leyla originates although now living in New Orleans. It is impossible to label this music that has some strange percussive instrumentation along with banjo and even steel guitar. Everyone should have a copy of this beauty in their collection. 
http://www.leylamccalla.com/

Front Country – Sake of the sound (Self Released)
A tremendously talented six piece band that includes Melody Walker and Jacob Groopman in it’s ranks. The album is labelled as ‘progressive bluegrass’ but as usual that terminology only paints half the picture. Certainly there is bluegrass, but there is also a powerful folksy feel and even some impressive gospel, all played and sung with a nice ‘edginess.’ Add this to their often virtuosic playing that sometimes has an improvisational feel, lovely expressive female lead vocal as well as an excellent  male lead, tremendous harmonies and some very good songs and it is easy to see this band having some real success.
http://www.frontcountryband.com/

 
Added 7th October 2014

Joey Allcorn – Nothing left to prove (Self Released)
This is Joey’s third album and as with the previous two, is uniformly excellent. His band can handle just about anything thrown at them and Joey’s warm nasally vocal is perfectly suited to this blend that is part honky tonk and part country rock with an often raw bluesy edge.  
I can’t understand how he’s not a household name everywhere; he certainly should be! Tremendous album!
http://wn.com/joey_allcorn

Red Eye Gravy – Dust Bowl hangover – Tired of it records
This is a brilliant album, but one that is difficult to describe briefly. Red Eye Gravy is an Oklahoman trio that not only generates huge power but are also masters of everything from hillbilly  to alt. country, to blues, all performed with a tremendous, raw driving sound that only the best of punk bands were able to generate. There is a tremendous melodicism and the lead vocals couldn’t really be more evocative whilst at sixteen tracks it is generous but all are essential, with no filler whatsoever There is plenty of twang, banjo, fiddle, acoustic guitars, raw rock guitars, in fact something for everyone, even including a great version of the classic blues of Ain’t No Grave! Just don’t look at their photos! A scary looking band that have made a great album.
http://www.redeyegravyband.com/


Added 13th October 2014

Peter Mulvey – Silver ladder (Signature Sounds)
A terrific album by a man who just seems to get better with each recording and this is his thirteenth! There are few songwriters who can match him for diversity and poetic quality and whilst some spill over into metaphor it is rewarding and challenging absorbing and trying to work out his stories. Added to his writing abilities is his warm expressive vocal style that can often take on an evocative raw edge if that is what the story require. In my notes I mentioned that perhaps he is comparable to an artist such as John Hiatt but that is a compliment to Hiatt rather than Peter Mulvey. A tremendous recording that will enhance anyone’s collection!
http://www.petermulvey.com/
(Will get the full review treatment soon)

Red Pine Timber Company – Different Lonesome (Zine Records/Red Pine Records)
This is a simply stunning album! They formed in Scotland 5 years ago and this, their debut release, is one of the best alt. Country albums of the year. Eight members in a band that includes sax, trombone and a little trumpet with the usual country instrumentation, great vocals and playing and some tremendous songs. Not only is a lineup of eight members unusual but there is only one song that clocks in at less than 4 minutes and there are 5 at over 6 minutes and even one at 7 plus! Definitely a case of more is more! Great album.
http://www.redpinetimberco.com/
(Will get the full review treatment)

Hidden Highways – Old Hearts Reborn (Out on a limb records) 2013
An album I missed on release but consists of  a musically sparse mellow collection of ten folksy Americana tales by a male and female duo. The vocals are always excellent as they would need to be on an album as slow and moody as this. Whilst it is musically mellow the lyrics draw the listener in to their atmospherically reflective world. The soft mellow vibe will probably be attractive to as many as will be put off for the same reason!
http://hiddenhighways.bandcamp.com/

Added 21st October 2014 

Jonah Tolchin – Clover Lane (Yep Roc Records)
A tremendous album that veers from music rooted in and evocative of, old time ‘hillbilly’ right through to modern days blues rock with stop offs at alt. Country, folk, country and any number of other sub genres! Beautifully written songs, all arranged, sung and played in masterly fashion, with everything having a nice edginess that holds the attention. The album grabbed me from first play and keeps revealing more with every subsequent listening session!
http://www.jonahtolchin.com/
Full review may follow

The Mascot Theory – Hand me down miracles (Stone after Stone Records)
A brilliant album that creates the impression of being equal parts folk and country rock but as you delve into these twelve beautifully written and varied songs you realise there is a lot more involved here. The playing is excellent and the arrangements have a nice  originality, the lead vocals are great and the band harmonies are some of the best around. Terrific album that I suspect will reveal even more depth with repeated listening sessions. What more could the discerning roots music fan want?
http://themascottheory.com/ 
Full review to follow

American Thread – Songs in the war (Self Released)
A terrific rootsy album that helps define modern day ‘alt. Country with the songs veering between an excellent rocked up sound and a slightly more tender ‘country’ sensibility, but always with a ‘punked up’ edginess. Brendan Ahern’s lyrics and vocals are much too raw to ever be termed mellow on an album full of a gritty realism, excellent arrangements and playing and a beautifully balanced recording.
http://americanthreadband.com/music
Full review to follow

Added 26th October 2014

Bob Cheevers – On earth as it is in Austin (Private Angel Records)
Bob Cheevers has been writing great songs for himself and many others for many years now and this is his own tenth album. He is hugely talented as a writer and no mean vocalist. His ‘problem’ is that his voice  sounds, most of the time, exactly like Willie Nelson, in fact he actually mentions that in a joky way on one of the excellent songs on this album. As is so often the case when there is such a likeness it is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that he is able to perform evocatively on every song; the curse is that likeness with Willie that often encourages people to not take the man too seriously. That is a shame because in terms of his writing he is not like Willie and has always had plenty of original ideas as evidenced on this excellent recording. Buy it and whilst you can’t help but notice the similarities you should also hear the differences as well.
http://www.bobcheevers.com/

Lucinda Williams – Down where the spirit meets the bone (Highway 20 Records)
Several reviewers have said this could be the best work of Lucinda’s career although that may be a step too far, despite the mostly high quality music contained on the two discs. It is certainly justifiably a double album thanks to the all round quality and twenty very good songs, some of which are tremendous and do transport the listener back to Lucinda’s supreme early recordings. The playing is excellent, as mostly are Lucinda’s vocals but when she goes in to ‘wracked’ mode they are on occasions a little too wracked! Her overall sound and direction has changed little over the years but she can still rock and there are some very strong country songs on this excellent album.
http://lucindawilliams.com/

Fagervall Bjorkenvall – The silence (Rootsy)
Ten beautiful melancholic songs on this album by a Swedish duo that is new to me, although Tony Bjorkenvall was a member of The Willy Clay Band, whilst Marcus Fagervall won Swedish idol back in 2006! The harmonies echo the aching beauty of some of the brother acts of old with a haunting instrumentation reminiscent of some of Daniel Lanois work. Because of the mellow flow of the album i’m not sure how far they can take this hauntingly mellow generic strand but it certainly works well on this album. 
https://www.facebook.com/FagervallBjorkenvall


Added 28th October 2014 

Matthew the Oxx – Elephant (Self Released)
This is a modern day, intensely dramatic, folksy album by a talented, as well as prolific, singer songwriter from the Cotswolds. There is a haunting ethereal beauty to every song on this recording of sparse instrumentation that gradually works it’s way into the listeners consciousness. Fairly obviously music is in his genes with his father being Terry Oldfield and uncle, Mike, but he is very much his own stylist and has a warm, unusual, vocal style that should appeal to the majority, given the chance. 
http://matthewtheoxx.com/

Mikey Classic and his Lonesome Spur (Farmageddon Records) 2013
Excellent raw original songs by a man who possesses a raw but expressive vocal style and with little support other than either his banjo or acoustic guitar but such is the power of his music, he needs nothing else.
http://www.reverbnation.com/mikeyclassichislonesomespur

The Don Darlings (Heptown Records)
A terrific album of some of the darkest southern country gothic you are ever likely to hear, with some great and memorable melodies, excellent arrangements and playing, allied to the deepest darkest vocals around. All this from a Swedish based band who perform with tremendous fire and passion!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Don-Darlings/164963240236902

Full review to follow