September 2013 Playlist
Ol’ Savannah – Death on the mountain (2013)
An incredible album of dark, beautiful ‘hillbilly’ music that is driven along by the rawest vocals you can imagine ….. and then some! Great album!
http://www.olsavannah.com/
Full review to follow
Kendl Winter and the Summer Gold – It can be done! (2013)
Gorgeous album that has it’s roots in old timey/bluegrass but with more diversity thanks to Kendl’s vocal style and her quite original banjo sound
http://www.kendlwinter.com/
Full review to follow
Austin Lucas – Stay reckless (2013)
Tremendous album of ‘country music’ although nothing is ever that straight forward with this talented
man!
http://www.austinlucasmusic.com/
Full review to follow
Sanctified Grumblers – No lie (2011)
A brilliant album that in pretty much equal parts consists of jug band music, old rural blues and authentic sounding old timey all beautifully played by this Chicago based trio. This is their only album release so far. Shame it’s 2 years old, I would love to have reviewed it. Maybe the next one!
http://www.sanctifiedgrumblers.com/
Jason Eklund (1993)
An absolutely tremendous album! Haven’t played it for a while but goodness knows why. Hugely diverse blend of blues, country, folk and much more besides. This was the debut album of a man who should be a ‘superstar!’
http://www.jasoneklund.com/
Added 15-09-13
Piedmont Brothers Band – Back to the country (2013)
Terrific album of classic country rock and folk that is well written and beautifully arranged, sung and played.
http://www.piedmontbrothersband.com/
(Full review to follow)
My Darling Clementine – The Reconciliation? (2013)
Beautiful album of ‘country duets’ that really couldn’t be improved upon.
http://mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk/
(Full review to follow)
Wooden Horse – This kind of trouble (2013)
Terrific album by a talented British duo (now trio?) of real American Roots music. Eight of their own excellent originals and three great covers on a nicely sparse album that falls somewhere between the late J.J. Cale and Clapton when he was good!
http://www.woodenhorsemusic.co.uk/
(Full review to follow)
Grace & Tony – November (2013)
Really good album that is seemingly being promoted as ‘punkgrass.’ Certainly elements of punk and bluegrass but a lot more to the album than a title as restrictive as that. Excellent vocals on some cleverly written songs that often have an undercurrent of humour whatever the subject matter. Saw them at this years Maverick festival and along with everyone else present, was knocked out by them.
http://graceandtonymusic.com/
Benjamin Folke Thomas – Too close to here (2013)
A terrific album of ‘roots music’ by a great wordsmith, especially when you consider English is not his first language. Excellent instrumentation, playing and vocals by someone who has been compared to a young Dylan. An exaggeration but not outrageously so.
http://benjaminfolkethomas.com/
(Full review to follow)
Carolina Still – The color of rust (2013)
Tremendous album of often fiery punked up hillbilly music by this four piece band that have at least matched their superb 2011 debut. They do slow things down occasionally which gives the flow of the album a nice little slice of diversity. Apparently a band that must be seen live and when you check them out on youtube it’s easy to see why!
http://www.carolinastill.com/
(Full review to follow)
Sleepy Eyes Nelson – Busy with the blues (2013)
A really good solo album of rural acoustic blues by a talented Scottish bluesman. Can’t be many better quality musicians playing this music in the UK, thanks to his very good songwriting, his excellent vocals and superb guitar playing. Poor (home?) recording quality on some tracks just adds to the atmosphere.
http://www.reverbnation.com/sleepyeyesnelson
Kitchen Syncopators – Yazoo city strugglers (2004)
Tremendous album of acoustic old timey string band and blues music featuring founder member and now Old Crow medicine Show mainstay Gill Landry. Some great music beautifully played and sung.
No Website!
Lovisa Stahl - #2 (2013)
A beautiful jazzy rootsy album of moody beautifully written, sung and played songs by the hugely talented Swedish songstress. Serves to confirm her quality following the terrific debut recording of a year ago.
http://lovisastahl.com/
Travis Ward – Jump ups and jollities (2013)
Some tremendous solo versions of old timey and blues songs with Travis only accompanied by wife Allison rather than the full ‘Hillfolk Noir.’ His usual evocative vocals and great banjo and guitar playing. Terrific album with atmospherically sparse instrumentation.
http://www.hillfolknoir.com/
The Henry Brothers – Death is only a dream (2010)
Some great old timey tragedy/murder ballad duets from the same mould as the Louvin’s etc by a pair of talented English musicians, accompanied by only their double bass and national resonator guitar.
https://myspace.com/thehenrybrothers
Added 22-09-13
Husky Burnette - Tales from East End Blvd. (2013)
Raw gravelly vocals with swampy bluesy guitar sound that are in perfect unison. Maybe a template for deep dark and dirty electric blues!
http://www.reverbnation.com/huskyburnettemusic
The Coloradas – Big Empty (2013) (Rel. 22/10 in US. 15/11 in Europe)
Two hugely talented singer/songwriters, great songs and with an almost unimaginably sparse accompaniment that consists mainly of acoustic guitar and banjo, with occasional mandolin and harmonica. Great album!
http://www.thecoloradas.com/
(Full review to follow)
Michael Mattice - Comin’ Home (2013)
An album of beautifully written songs accompanied by just his tremendous acoustic guitar playing and expressive
vocals
http://matticemusic.com/
Added 29-09-13
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades – This Old Town (2013)
Raw, often harmonica driven old timey/bluegrass/folksy blend with excellent songs, playing and
harmonies
http://hhgmusic.com/
J.D.Wilkes and the Dirt Daubers – Wild Moon (2013)
Incredible blues/ rock ‘n’ roll album that leaves their ‘country’ days behind except for a few traces with Jessica matching J.D for fire and power on this collection of tremendous songs lifted further by a tremendous swampy guitar and harmonica sound
http://thedirtdaubers.net/
Ahab – Wits End (2013)
Some really good easy going country rock with excellent songs, tremendous lead vocals and playing topped off by just about peerless harmonies
http://ahabofficial.com/
An incredible album of dark, beautiful ‘hillbilly’ music that is driven along by the rawest vocals you can imagine ….. and then some! Great album!
http://www.olsavannah.com/
Full review to follow
Kendl Winter and the Summer Gold – It can be done! (2013)
Gorgeous album that has it’s roots in old timey/bluegrass but with more diversity thanks to Kendl’s vocal style and her quite original banjo sound
http://www.kendlwinter.com/
Full review to follow
Austin Lucas – Stay reckless (2013)
Tremendous album of ‘country music’ although nothing is ever that straight forward with this talented
man!
http://www.austinlucasmusic.com/
Full review to follow
Sanctified Grumblers – No lie (2011)
A brilliant album that in pretty much equal parts consists of jug band music, old rural blues and authentic sounding old timey all beautifully played by this Chicago based trio. This is their only album release so far. Shame it’s 2 years old, I would love to have reviewed it. Maybe the next one!
http://www.sanctifiedgrumblers.com/
Jason Eklund (1993)
An absolutely tremendous album! Haven’t played it for a while but goodness knows why. Hugely diverse blend of blues, country, folk and much more besides. This was the debut album of a man who should be a ‘superstar!’
http://www.jasoneklund.com/
Added 15-09-13
Piedmont Brothers Band – Back to the country (2013)
Terrific album of classic country rock and folk that is well written and beautifully arranged, sung and played.
http://www.piedmontbrothersband.com/
(Full review to follow)
My Darling Clementine – The Reconciliation? (2013)
Beautiful album of ‘country duets’ that really couldn’t be improved upon.
http://mydarlingclementinemusic.co.uk/
(Full review to follow)
Wooden Horse – This kind of trouble (2013)
Terrific album by a talented British duo (now trio?) of real American Roots music. Eight of their own excellent originals and three great covers on a nicely sparse album that falls somewhere between the late J.J. Cale and Clapton when he was good!
http://www.woodenhorsemusic.co.uk/
(Full review to follow)
Grace & Tony – November (2013)
Really good album that is seemingly being promoted as ‘punkgrass.’ Certainly elements of punk and bluegrass but a lot more to the album than a title as restrictive as that. Excellent vocals on some cleverly written songs that often have an undercurrent of humour whatever the subject matter. Saw them at this years Maverick festival and along with everyone else present, was knocked out by them.
http://graceandtonymusic.com/
Benjamin Folke Thomas – Too close to here (2013)
A terrific album of ‘roots music’ by a great wordsmith, especially when you consider English is not his first language. Excellent instrumentation, playing and vocals by someone who has been compared to a young Dylan. An exaggeration but not outrageously so.
http://benjaminfolkethomas.com/
(Full review to follow)
Carolina Still – The color of rust (2013)
Tremendous album of often fiery punked up hillbilly music by this four piece band that have at least matched their superb 2011 debut. They do slow things down occasionally which gives the flow of the album a nice little slice of diversity. Apparently a band that must be seen live and when you check them out on youtube it’s easy to see why!
http://www.carolinastill.com/
(Full review to follow)
Sleepy Eyes Nelson – Busy with the blues (2013)
A really good solo album of rural acoustic blues by a talented Scottish bluesman. Can’t be many better quality musicians playing this music in the UK, thanks to his very good songwriting, his excellent vocals and superb guitar playing. Poor (home?) recording quality on some tracks just adds to the atmosphere.
http://www.reverbnation.com/sleepyeyesnelson
Kitchen Syncopators – Yazoo city strugglers (2004)
Tremendous album of acoustic old timey string band and blues music featuring founder member and now Old Crow medicine Show mainstay Gill Landry. Some great music beautifully played and sung.
No Website!
Lovisa Stahl - #2 (2013)
A beautiful jazzy rootsy album of moody beautifully written, sung and played songs by the hugely talented Swedish songstress. Serves to confirm her quality following the terrific debut recording of a year ago.
http://lovisastahl.com/
Travis Ward – Jump ups and jollities (2013)
Some tremendous solo versions of old timey and blues songs with Travis only accompanied by wife Allison rather than the full ‘Hillfolk Noir.’ His usual evocative vocals and great banjo and guitar playing. Terrific album with atmospherically sparse instrumentation.
http://www.hillfolknoir.com/
The Henry Brothers – Death is only a dream (2010)
Some great old timey tragedy/murder ballad duets from the same mould as the Louvin’s etc by a pair of talented English musicians, accompanied by only their double bass and national resonator guitar.
https://myspace.com/thehenrybrothers
Added 22-09-13
Husky Burnette - Tales from East End Blvd. (2013)
Raw gravelly vocals with swampy bluesy guitar sound that are in perfect unison. Maybe a template for deep dark and dirty electric blues!
http://www.reverbnation.com/huskyburnettemusic
The Coloradas – Big Empty (2013) (Rel. 22/10 in US. 15/11 in Europe)
Two hugely talented singer/songwriters, great songs and with an almost unimaginably sparse accompaniment that consists mainly of acoustic guitar and banjo, with occasional mandolin and harmonica. Great album!
http://www.thecoloradas.com/
(Full review to follow)
Michael Mattice - Comin’ Home (2013)
An album of beautifully written songs accompanied by just his tremendous acoustic guitar playing and expressive
vocals
http://matticemusic.com/
Added 29-09-13
Horseshoes and Hand Grenades – This Old Town (2013)
Raw, often harmonica driven old timey/bluegrass/folksy blend with excellent songs, playing and
harmonies
http://hhgmusic.com/
J.D.Wilkes and the Dirt Daubers – Wild Moon (2013)
Incredible blues/ rock ‘n’ roll album that leaves their ‘country’ days behind except for a few traces with Jessica matching J.D for fire and power on this collection of tremendous songs lifted further by a tremendous swampy guitar and harmonica sound
http://thedirtdaubers.net/
Ahab – Wits End (2013)
Some really good easy going country rock with excellent songs, tremendous lead vocals and playing topped off by just about peerless harmonies
http://ahabofficial.com/