ouse of Hats – This love
This is an unusual album of modern folksy music that gives more than a nod to Americana and includes some of the most incredible harmonies you are likely to hear anywhere. Not only do they sound beautiful but they are also incredibly dexterous and versatile rather than being merely there as window dressing! Were the album just built on those extraordinary harmonies it would be well worth purchasing, but the arrangements and playing are excellent and the songwriting exceptional, with both lead vocalists having styles that are warm, expressive and able to summon a range of emotions. All in all an album that you really should purchase as soon as possible
http://www.houseofhatsmusic.com/
Sleepy Driver – Ignatius
A terrific album that blends country rock and several other roots sub genres into a hugely entertaining and emotion tugging recording of excellent songs, evocative vocals and tremendous playing. The melodicism is as good as many that you can think of in the loose roots genres and better than most on this, the bands fourth and to my ears best album. After numerous listening sessions many of the songs have become like old friends, exactly what you hope for but are fortunate to get in roots music.
http://sleepydriver.bandcamp.com/
Full review to follow
Added 5th September 2014
Brother Dege – Scorched Earth Policy (Psyouthern)
An incredible album that mixes Dege Legge’s virtuosic slide guitar playing with his excellent vocals and blends Delta blues, southern rock, folk, raga, country, having dropped them all in the melting pot, stirred it all up and didn’t serve it up until such time as no one could recognize these musical forms. Some of the music on the album is quite astounding in it’s originality and this extraordinary talent continues to plough his own musical furrow, with this latest offering by my estimation, being about his twelfth recording! A completely unique recording that repays patience.
http://brotherdege.blogspot.co.uk/
The Loudermilks (You know what?)
Tremendous album of modern country rock with a blend of several other roots genres including a little power pop by four former members of ‘Lou Ford’ plus a former member of ‘Jolene.’ With that sort of history they shouldn’t fail and all things being equal there is something on this album for everyone from heartrending ballads to up tempo country/country rock. Great album by a great band and with a sound uniquely their own.
http://www.theloudermilks.com/
Full review to follow
Ags Connolly – How about you (Drumfire Records)
Superb album of what is often known as ‘hard country’ and follows on from the late great George Jones. Perhaps not at that level just yet but Ags is a hugely talented country singer songwriter from the same mould as Willie Nelson and one of his heroes, James Hand. This seems to be a brand of music that is becoming more popular with the emergence of Sturgill Simpson and Daniel Romano amongst others. The arrangements and playing are just about perfect as are Ags vocals on this album that despite a nice ‘edgy’ feel could cross over to at least the borders of mainstream. The bonus is that he’s British!
http://agsconnolly.com/
Added 7th September 2014
The Willies – Jazz Age Thump (Stupid Records) (2013)
This tremendously talented five piece band have managed to produce an album that takes in a little vaudeville, New Orleans jazz, New Orleans blues, blues and just about any other roots label you can come up with that defines early recorded music. What is more they have given these eleven songs a real atmosphere that not only evokes those early days but is at the same time 21st century music! Only two of those songs are traditional, with the rest being written by the two excellent vocalists Jen Jones and Dave Willie. I can just imagine that they must really be something live, being a band that virtually define rootsy ‘good time music!’
http://www.thewillies.us/
Cale Tyson – High on lonesome (e.p) (Clubhouse Records) (2013)(UK release on 27th October 2014)
Why isn’t this man a superstar?! Actually it’s probably because this incredible seven song e.p is his only recording so far but take my word for it (or buy the c.d!) he has everything and is destined to be huge on the edgy (or ‘real’) side of country music. Think of all the greats from Hank 1 to Townes and Gram Parsons, put them in the blender and in all probability Cale Tyson will come out the other end!
http://caletyson.net/
The High Stepping Music of Sheesham, Lotus & Son. (P & C Sepiaphone Records)
Incredibly authentic sounding mix of blues, hillbilly and a little jazziness from a trio who obviously love the music they play. Certainly stylistically true to those long gone days of the 1920s but unlike most others with generic similarities these three men put their own unique stamp on the old songs and keep alive a decade of musical history that needs to be preserved. A hugely entertaining and high quality album!
http://sheeshamandlotus.com/
Full review to follow
Added 11th September 2014
Grifters & Shills – Watershed (44 Stone Productions)
From Houston, Texas this two piece ‘band’ get an incredibly powerful sound whether playing and singing folk, rock, country, blues and sometimes all mixed together in the same song! John and Rebecca Stoll are both talented lead and harmony vocalists as well as writing some tremendous songs and playing a variety of instruments on their often energetic, upbeat uptempo songs but are just as capable of melancholic heartrending ballads. Terrific album!
http://griftersandshills.com/
Full review to follow
The Cousin John Band – Broken Heart Tattoo (Self Released)
John Mobley’s warm expressive vocals also have a nice raw edge which makes him perfectly suited to a varied tempo country rock with a dash of roots rock and blues, even a couple of almost jazzy moments, which pretty much sums up this terrific album. Eight of the twelve songs are Mobley originals and blend well with Bonnie Raitts Down To You and each of the other band members wrote and sang lead on a song each. None of those ‘extras’ are album filler either, all being excellent songwriters and lead vocalists. All four band members are experienced musicians at the top of their ‘trade’ with some tremendous virtuosic and colourful guitar work from dreamy ballad driven playing to uptempo roots rock, with excellent vocal harmonies and some of the most solid bass and drums playing you are likely to hear. So what is the drawback you might ask? There isn’t one; this is an album that almost defines countrified roots music!
http://www.cousinjohnband.com/
The Blood Oranges – Corn River (1990) (Hi-N-Dry)
Their debut album of a career that only extended to two full albums and one e.p, although both Jimmy Ryan, the virtuosic mandolin player and Cheri Knight have since gone on to greater things! ‘Greater’ is arguable however since those couple of albums (and the e.p) were at the forefront of any definitions needed for alt. country and indeed, country rock. They were a band, in many ways, ahead of their times but one that was imbued with huge originality. Those recordings are still available and will grace the collection of anyone who claims to be a fan of alt. country/country rock. Jimmy is still making some tremendous albums and is well worth any amount of time spent investigating his back catalogue.
http://jrmando.com/
Steven Casper & Cowboy Angst – Endless Sky. E.P. (Silent City Records)
A really good four song and one excellent instrumental e.p. from an excellent California country/country rock band who unlike many of their peers don’t go in for over production. Casper is a very good vocalist and when blended with a band as tight as Cowboy Angst it is all the more surprising that I hadn’t heard of them before. Whilst very little in this generic field has much in the way of originality this band has enough of their own style to be recognizably different from their peers. You can’t really hope for more, especially in view of the fact that the songwriting is also excellent.
http://caspermusic.com/
Added 15th September 2014
Carrie Clark and the Lonesome Lovers – Between the bed sheets and turpentine. (2011) (Red Bug Records)
Carrie Clark is yet another artists I hadn’t heard of before which is a shame because had I known this album on it’s release it would certainly have got the full review treatment. She possesses a beautiful voice that can do raunchy or tender, upbeat or downbeat and a variety of tempos that must be the envy of many better known singer songwriters. Her songwriting is excellent as is her band, with the accordion often used more as a lead instrument than on most albums that have their tap roots in country music. She is not restricted by the ‘country’ label but explores many of the rootsy offshoots all done with great expertise and even a little originality. The album may be three years old now but it is still readily available and will grace your collection when you purchase it!
http://www.carrieclark.com/
Girls, Guns and Glory – Good Luck (Lonesome Day Records)
It is difficult to accept how this band has improved since their previous recording ‘Sweet Nothings,’ which was far from bad but was flawed. They seem to have thrown away what I felt was music that sailed a little too close to ‘mainstream country’ and slightly disjointed rock ‘n’ roll and replaced it with a fully realized blend of the two that rockets them from possible also rans to potential greatness. Speaking of potential, it was obviously something they already had but this superb album just about realizes that potential fully. Tremendous album!http://girlsgunsandglory.com/
Full review to follow
Added 19th September 2014
David Newberry – Desire Lines (e.p) (Self Released)
Never decide on an album (e.p!)after just one or two listens. If I had done so I probably wouldn’t have given this man with such huge talent a second thought. This multi faceted e.p has now drawn me in to such a degree that I have to, as time allows, investigate his small but no doubt perfectly formed back catalogue as well as any future recordings he makes. He is Canadian and doesn’t really fit into a particular genre other than perhaps ‘experimental roots,’ although occasionally some of the instrumentation has a country feel but it is certainly not a country recording. These five songs bring a huge freshness to music, with his excellent writing, his unusual, versatile and attention grabbing vocals, the arrangements and instrumentation, all being of the highest quality. This is an e.p. that reveals more depth with every listening session and so far there have been many of those. Terrific small collection by an incredible talent.
http://davidnewberrymusic.com/
Percheron – Ain’t Dead Yet (2013) (Self Released)
Had this album come into my possession sooner it would definitely have received the full review treatment. It consists of sparse, raw, rustic hillbilly country music that is haunting, highly skilled and very original with a powerful sense of drama throughout that is quite addictive This is their first full length album following on from an e.p in 2012 and can be purchased on Bandcamp for a measly $10. I would say that is a real investment!
http://percheron.bandcamp.com/
Hook & Anchor (Jealous Butcher Records / Woodphone Records)
This is a tremendous album! There is a blend of country, folk, rock, pop, plenty of alt.(!) and much more on this beautifully conceived, written and performed album. The playing is exceptional and the sound alone takes you on an incredibly melodic roller coater ride. You will hear pure country, a little old timey all blended with an occasional Fleetwood Mac mark 2 melodicism and some beautiful varied vocals. The album has depth , is genuinely unusual and could even cross over to the mainstream!
http://hookandanchorband.com/
(Full review to follow)
Added 22nd September 2014
The Joey Only Outlaw Band – Transgression Trail (2010) (Self Released)
Punked up honky tonk is the nearest I can come to pigeon holing this extraordinary album. Joey Only is a one off in country music! He lives in a cabin on top of a mountain in British Columbia and is just about without peers in country music, playing not just edgy honky tonk but also on a few songs revealing a wicked sense of humour. His songwriting is excellent, his vocals likewise and his band superb. Not much more you could want really is there.
http://joeyonly.wordpress.com/
Victor Camozzi – Cactus & Roses (Volco Records)
Victor Camozzi is an excellent songwriter and the possessor of a warm soulful Texas twang vocally. The playing on this excellent album is pure country quality and for me is his best album to date. Nothing really reaches mid tempo and certainly nothing rocks but it is a high quality album of Texas country music.
http://victorcamozzi.com/
Betty and the Boy – The Wreckage (Self Released)
An excellent and incredibly unusual album that includes two excellent vocalists and songwriters. They come at their songwriting from different angles but their harmonies and the extraordinary instrumentation blends everything beautifully so that the songs range from ethereal beauty to something that approaches old time ‘hillbilly.’ The instrumentation that includes cello and violin along with banjo and mandolin melds the disparate elements into a whole that is sometimes relaxing, at others tense. Terrific album!
http://bettyandtheboy.com/
Full review to follow
J.P. Whipple – Thinking of you ……….staring at the power lines. (Self Released)
Were talent alone enough to make a very good living from music John Whipple would be living in a mansion. The problem for John is that his raw eerie otherworldly music is too powerful for the mainstream and actually needs to be listened to properly rather than in the background. He is a totally unique artist who continues to plough his own musical furrow, one that contains elements of ‘hillbilly’ and raw blues, often finishimg up as a dark sinister sound that conversely, also contains great beauty! Come on all of you roots music fans and give this huge talent a break. This and his preceeding albums are easy to access on the www!
http://barefootjohn.com/
Full review to follow
Added 28th September 2014
The Holy Ghost Electric Show – The Great American Holy Ghost Electric Show (Self Released)
This is an album that includes some great songs, with excellent vocals and playing and yet on about half the songs the arrangements seem just too dense with too much going on, something that removed much of my listening pleasure. It’s a shame because on the songs with less going on, several of which are spectacularly good, you can hear the huge promise and talent of this band. There was an almost ‘prog rock’ feeling at times on this album that also blends country and a strong bluesiness and whilst that ‘density’ will appeal to many people, I look forward to their second album.
http://theholyghostelectricshow.com/
Mario Matteoli – Hard Luck Hittin’ (Hillgrass Bluebilly Records)
(original release 2006)Re-released 2014.
A terrific album of fine, sometimes poetic, observations on life with little more than piano, guitar and occasional harmonica on this debut solo album from the ex Weary Boys singer and songwriter. There are four extra tracks on this re-release and all were worthy of inclusion on the original album. One of the most evocative songwriter vocalists around and no mean guitarist dictate that this album should raise his profile further.
http://www.sonicbids.com/band/mariomatteoli/
Liz Frame and the Kickers – Justine (e.p) (Self Released)
Just four songs on this tremendous e.p. but those songs are as good a definition of the ‘edgy’ side of alt. country music as you will get. Liz is a hugely talented songwriter and possessor of a beautiful singing voice, the match in quality of anyone in Nashville, but the difference is that Liz has a lovely edginess in the way she sings. Perhaps a more melodic Lucinda Williams with less of a drawl? Her band, the Kickers, match her for excellence in bringing these songs alive. If this was a full album everyone would be raving over it; as an e.p it is well worth a ‘flutter!’
http://www.lizframeandthekickers.com/
Kenny Butterill – Troubadour Tales (Self Released)
I had always felt that J.J. Cale and occasionally Eric Clapton were the acceptable face of laid back, mellow music but it seems Kenny Butterill can now be added to that minimal list! He is an excellent songwriter, talented producer and the possessor of a warm laid back vocal style that, importantly, can give a little edge to his beautifully arranged songs. The instrumentation is just about perfect as a background to this rolling, highly listenable style of music. I have never really gone for the more mellow generic strands before, other than the two aforementioned, but this really is an excellent album that I will in all probability keep returning to for a very long time. Stylistically he is very much his own man and as in the case of the late J.J. his music contains everything from folk and country to blues but all put into the blender, coming out the other side as a fully formed genre of it’s own. If you want a change from listening to raw edgy hillbillyness but to stay within hailing distance you won’t find better than this!
http://www.kennybutterill.com/
This is an unusual album of modern folksy music that gives more than a nod to Americana and includes some of the most incredible harmonies you are likely to hear anywhere. Not only do they sound beautiful but they are also incredibly dexterous and versatile rather than being merely there as window dressing! Were the album just built on those extraordinary harmonies it would be well worth purchasing, but the arrangements and playing are excellent and the songwriting exceptional, with both lead vocalists having styles that are warm, expressive and able to summon a range of emotions. All in all an album that you really should purchase as soon as possible
http://www.houseofhatsmusic.com/
Sleepy Driver – Ignatius
A terrific album that blends country rock and several other roots sub genres into a hugely entertaining and emotion tugging recording of excellent songs, evocative vocals and tremendous playing. The melodicism is as good as many that you can think of in the loose roots genres and better than most on this, the bands fourth and to my ears best album. After numerous listening sessions many of the songs have become like old friends, exactly what you hope for but are fortunate to get in roots music.
http://sleepydriver.bandcamp.com/
Full review to follow
Added 5th September 2014
Brother Dege – Scorched Earth Policy (Psyouthern)
An incredible album that mixes Dege Legge’s virtuosic slide guitar playing with his excellent vocals and blends Delta blues, southern rock, folk, raga, country, having dropped them all in the melting pot, stirred it all up and didn’t serve it up until such time as no one could recognize these musical forms. Some of the music on the album is quite astounding in it’s originality and this extraordinary talent continues to plough his own musical furrow, with this latest offering by my estimation, being about his twelfth recording! A completely unique recording that repays patience.
http://brotherdege.blogspot.co.uk/
The Loudermilks (You know what?)
Tremendous album of modern country rock with a blend of several other roots genres including a little power pop by four former members of ‘Lou Ford’ plus a former member of ‘Jolene.’ With that sort of history they shouldn’t fail and all things being equal there is something on this album for everyone from heartrending ballads to up tempo country/country rock. Great album by a great band and with a sound uniquely their own.
http://www.theloudermilks.com/
Full review to follow
Ags Connolly – How about you (Drumfire Records)
Superb album of what is often known as ‘hard country’ and follows on from the late great George Jones. Perhaps not at that level just yet but Ags is a hugely talented country singer songwriter from the same mould as Willie Nelson and one of his heroes, James Hand. This seems to be a brand of music that is becoming more popular with the emergence of Sturgill Simpson and Daniel Romano amongst others. The arrangements and playing are just about perfect as are Ags vocals on this album that despite a nice ‘edgy’ feel could cross over to at least the borders of mainstream. The bonus is that he’s British!
http://agsconnolly.com/
Added 7th September 2014
The Willies – Jazz Age Thump (Stupid Records) (2013)
This tremendously talented five piece band have managed to produce an album that takes in a little vaudeville, New Orleans jazz, New Orleans blues, blues and just about any other roots label you can come up with that defines early recorded music. What is more they have given these eleven songs a real atmosphere that not only evokes those early days but is at the same time 21st century music! Only two of those songs are traditional, with the rest being written by the two excellent vocalists Jen Jones and Dave Willie. I can just imagine that they must really be something live, being a band that virtually define rootsy ‘good time music!’
http://www.thewillies.us/
Cale Tyson – High on lonesome (e.p) (Clubhouse Records) (2013)(UK release on 27th October 2014)
Why isn’t this man a superstar?! Actually it’s probably because this incredible seven song e.p is his only recording so far but take my word for it (or buy the c.d!) he has everything and is destined to be huge on the edgy (or ‘real’) side of country music. Think of all the greats from Hank 1 to Townes and Gram Parsons, put them in the blender and in all probability Cale Tyson will come out the other end!
http://caletyson.net/
The High Stepping Music of Sheesham, Lotus & Son. (P & C Sepiaphone Records)
Incredibly authentic sounding mix of blues, hillbilly and a little jazziness from a trio who obviously love the music they play. Certainly stylistically true to those long gone days of the 1920s but unlike most others with generic similarities these three men put their own unique stamp on the old songs and keep alive a decade of musical history that needs to be preserved. A hugely entertaining and high quality album!
http://sheeshamandlotus.com/
Full review to follow
Added 11th September 2014
Grifters & Shills – Watershed (44 Stone Productions)
From Houston, Texas this two piece ‘band’ get an incredibly powerful sound whether playing and singing folk, rock, country, blues and sometimes all mixed together in the same song! John and Rebecca Stoll are both talented lead and harmony vocalists as well as writing some tremendous songs and playing a variety of instruments on their often energetic, upbeat uptempo songs but are just as capable of melancholic heartrending ballads. Terrific album!
http://griftersandshills.com/
Full review to follow
The Cousin John Band – Broken Heart Tattoo (Self Released)
John Mobley’s warm expressive vocals also have a nice raw edge which makes him perfectly suited to a varied tempo country rock with a dash of roots rock and blues, even a couple of almost jazzy moments, which pretty much sums up this terrific album. Eight of the twelve songs are Mobley originals and blend well with Bonnie Raitts Down To You and each of the other band members wrote and sang lead on a song each. None of those ‘extras’ are album filler either, all being excellent songwriters and lead vocalists. All four band members are experienced musicians at the top of their ‘trade’ with some tremendous virtuosic and colourful guitar work from dreamy ballad driven playing to uptempo roots rock, with excellent vocal harmonies and some of the most solid bass and drums playing you are likely to hear. So what is the drawback you might ask? There isn’t one; this is an album that almost defines countrified roots music!
http://www.cousinjohnband.com/
The Blood Oranges – Corn River (1990) (Hi-N-Dry)
Their debut album of a career that only extended to two full albums and one e.p, although both Jimmy Ryan, the virtuosic mandolin player and Cheri Knight have since gone on to greater things! ‘Greater’ is arguable however since those couple of albums (and the e.p) were at the forefront of any definitions needed for alt. country and indeed, country rock. They were a band, in many ways, ahead of their times but one that was imbued with huge originality. Those recordings are still available and will grace the collection of anyone who claims to be a fan of alt. country/country rock. Jimmy is still making some tremendous albums and is well worth any amount of time spent investigating his back catalogue.
http://jrmando.com/
Steven Casper & Cowboy Angst – Endless Sky. E.P. (Silent City Records)
A really good four song and one excellent instrumental e.p. from an excellent California country/country rock band who unlike many of their peers don’t go in for over production. Casper is a very good vocalist and when blended with a band as tight as Cowboy Angst it is all the more surprising that I hadn’t heard of them before. Whilst very little in this generic field has much in the way of originality this band has enough of their own style to be recognizably different from their peers. You can’t really hope for more, especially in view of the fact that the songwriting is also excellent.
http://caspermusic.com/
Added 15th September 2014
Carrie Clark and the Lonesome Lovers – Between the bed sheets and turpentine. (2011) (Red Bug Records)
Carrie Clark is yet another artists I hadn’t heard of before which is a shame because had I known this album on it’s release it would certainly have got the full review treatment. She possesses a beautiful voice that can do raunchy or tender, upbeat or downbeat and a variety of tempos that must be the envy of many better known singer songwriters. Her songwriting is excellent as is her band, with the accordion often used more as a lead instrument than on most albums that have their tap roots in country music. She is not restricted by the ‘country’ label but explores many of the rootsy offshoots all done with great expertise and even a little originality. The album may be three years old now but it is still readily available and will grace your collection when you purchase it!
http://www.carrieclark.com/
Girls, Guns and Glory – Good Luck (Lonesome Day Records)
It is difficult to accept how this band has improved since their previous recording ‘Sweet Nothings,’ which was far from bad but was flawed. They seem to have thrown away what I felt was music that sailed a little too close to ‘mainstream country’ and slightly disjointed rock ‘n’ roll and replaced it with a fully realized blend of the two that rockets them from possible also rans to potential greatness. Speaking of potential, it was obviously something they already had but this superb album just about realizes that potential fully. Tremendous album!http://girlsgunsandglory.com/
Full review to follow
Added 19th September 2014
David Newberry – Desire Lines (e.p) (Self Released)
Never decide on an album (e.p!)after just one or two listens. If I had done so I probably wouldn’t have given this man with such huge talent a second thought. This multi faceted e.p has now drawn me in to such a degree that I have to, as time allows, investigate his small but no doubt perfectly formed back catalogue as well as any future recordings he makes. He is Canadian and doesn’t really fit into a particular genre other than perhaps ‘experimental roots,’ although occasionally some of the instrumentation has a country feel but it is certainly not a country recording. These five songs bring a huge freshness to music, with his excellent writing, his unusual, versatile and attention grabbing vocals, the arrangements and instrumentation, all being of the highest quality. This is an e.p. that reveals more depth with every listening session and so far there have been many of those. Terrific small collection by an incredible talent.
http://davidnewberrymusic.com/
Percheron – Ain’t Dead Yet (2013) (Self Released)
Had this album come into my possession sooner it would definitely have received the full review treatment. It consists of sparse, raw, rustic hillbilly country music that is haunting, highly skilled and very original with a powerful sense of drama throughout that is quite addictive This is their first full length album following on from an e.p in 2012 and can be purchased on Bandcamp for a measly $10. I would say that is a real investment!
http://percheron.bandcamp.com/
Hook & Anchor (Jealous Butcher Records / Woodphone Records)
This is a tremendous album! There is a blend of country, folk, rock, pop, plenty of alt.(!) and much more on this beautifully conceived, written and performed album. The playing is exceptional and the sound alone takes you on an incredibly melodic roller coater ride. You will hear pure country, a little old timey all blended with an occasional Fleetwood Mac mark 2 melodicism and some beautiful varied vocals. The album has depth , is genuinely unusual and could even cross over to the mainstream!
http://hookandanchorband.com/
(Full review to follow)
Added 22nd September 2014
The Joey Only Outlaw Band – Transgression Trail (2010) (Self Released)
Punked up honky tonk is the nearest I can come to pigeon holing this extraordinary album. Joey Only is a one off in country music! He lives in a cabin on top of a mountain in British Columbia and is just about without peers in country music, playing not just edgy honky tonk but also on a few songs revealing a wicked sense of humour. His songwriting is excellent, his vocals likewise and his band superb. Not much more you could want really is there.
http://joeyonly.wordpress.com/
Victor Camozzi – Cactus & Roses (Volco Records)
Victor Camozzi is an excellent songwriter and the possessor of a warm soulful Texas twang vocally. The playing on this excellent album is pure country quality and for me is his best album to date. Nothing really reaches mid tempo and certainly nothing rocks but it is a high quality album of Texas country music.
http://victorcamozzi.com/
Betty and the Boy – The Wreckage (Self Released)
An excellent and incredibly unusual album that includes two excellent vocalists and songwriters. They come at their songwriting from different angles but their harmonies and the extraordinary instrumentation blends everything beautifully so that the songs range from ethereal beauty to something that approaches old time ‘hillbilly.’ The instrumentation that includes cello and violin along with banjo and mandolin melds the disparate elements into a whole that is sometimes relaxing, at others tense. Terrific album!
http://bettyandtheboy.com/
Full review to follow
J.P. Whipple – Thinking of you ……….staring at the power lines. (Self Released)
Were talent alone enough to make a very good living from music John Whipple would be living in a mansion. The problem for John is that his raw eerie otherworldly music is too powerful for the mainstream and actually needs to be listened to properly rather than in the background. He is a totally unique artist who continues to plough his own musical furrow, one that contains elements of ‘hillbilly’ and raw blues, often finishimg up as a dark sinister sound that conversely, also contains great beauty! Come on all of you roots music fans and give this huge talent a break. This and his preceeding albums are easy to access on the www!
http://barefootjohn.com/
Full review to follow
Added 28th September 2014
The Holy Ghost Electric Show – The Great American Holy Ghost Electric Show (Self Released)
This is an album that includes some great songs, with excellent vocals and playing and yet on about half the songs the arrangements seem just too dense with too much going on, something that removed much of my listening pleasure. It’s a shame because on the songs with less going on, several of which are spectacularly good, you can hear the huge promise and talent of this band. There was an almost ‘prog rock’ feeling at times on this album that also blends country and a strong bluesiness and whilst that ‘density’ will appeal to many people, I look forward to their second album.
http://theholyghostelectricshow.com/
Mario Matteoli – Hard Luck Hittin’ (Hillgrass Bluebilly Records)
(original release 2006)Re-released 2014.
A terrific album of fine, sometimes poetic, observations on life with little more than piano, guitar and occasional harmonica on this debut solo album from the ex Weary Boys singer and songwriter. There are four extra tracks on this re-release and all were worthy of inclusion on the original album. One of the most evocative songwriter vocalists around and no mean guitarist dictate that this album should raise his profile further.
http://www.sonicbids.com/band/mariomatteoli/
Liz Frame and the Kickers – Justine (e.p) (Self Released)
Just four songs on this tremendous e.p. but those songs are as good a definition of the ‘edgy’ side of alt. country music as you will get. Liz is a hugely talented songwriter and possessor of a beautiful singing voice, the match in quality of anyone in Nashville, but the difference is that Liz has a lovely edginess in the way she sings. Perhaps a more melodic Lucinda Williams with less of a drawl? Her band, the Kickers, match her for excellence in bringing these songs alive. If this was a full album everyone would be raving over it; as an e.p it is well worth a ‘flutter!’
http://www.lizframeandthekickers.com/
Kenny Butterill – Troubadour Tales (Self Released)
I had always felt that J.J. Cale and occasionally Eric Clapton were the acceptable face of laid back, mellow music but it seems Kenny Butterill can now be added to that minimal list! He is an excellent songwriter, talented producer and the possessor of a warm laid back vocal style that, importantly, can give a little edge to his beautifully arranged songs. The instrumentation is just about perfect as a background to this rolling, highly listenable style of music. I have never really gone for the more mellow generic strands before, other than the two aforementioned, but this really is an excellent album that I will in all probability keep returning to for a very long time. Stylistically he is very much his own man and as in the case of the late J.J. his music contains everything from folk and country to blues but all put into the blender, coming out the other side as a fully formed genre of it’s own. If you want a change from listening to raw edgy hillbillyness but to stay within hailing distance you won’t find better than this!
http://www.kennybutterill.com/
