Tag: Americana
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The Lone Bellow, Half Moon Light: Second Phase, 2021 on Dualtone
This EP followed 2020’s Half Moon Light with two alternate versions (“Good Times” and “Count Me In” plus four additional tracks recorded during those sessions. (Dualtone calls it “an addendum”). My copy—direct from Magnolia Record Club—is what I think is the only edition, on “Black and Bone Swirled Marble” vinyl.
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Ry Cooder, Into The Purple Valley, 1972 on Reprise
This was Cooder’s second studio album, with some great legacy American music, including “How Can You Keep On Moving (Unless You Migrate Too)” and Woody Guthrie’s “Vigilante Man.” You can’t go wrong with Ry Cooder. Produced by Lenny Waronker and Jim Dickinson. My copy—via a private sale—is a Pitman pressing on orange Reprise labels with…
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Keb’ Mo’, Good to Be . . . , 2022 on Rounder
Fifteenth studio album from Keb’ Mo’ whose career I’ve followed for a long time, since his self-titled debut (as Keb’ Mo’) in 1994. He’s joined by Darius Rucker, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Kristin Chenoweth (yes, that Kristin Chenoweth) on specific tracks. Nominated for a Grammy for best Americana album in 2023. I was super…
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David Bromberg, My Own House, 1978 on Fantasy
Bromberg’s 9th album as a solo artist, from 1978 – his first on Fantasy after three great Columbia records in the seventies. Bromberg is one of my favorite musicians I feel doesn’t get enough attention. Fewer guest stars here than some of his other albums, but still excellent music from Bromberg, including a number of…
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Steve Earle, Guitar Town, 1986 on MCA Records
Earle’s debut album from the mid-eighties – note the proud “Digital Recording” stamp on the cover (where now you’d see “All Analog” promoted). Topped the country charts, and the title single made #7 on the country singles charts. I think Earle’s really matured into a wonderful elder statesman of a certain kind of roots /…
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Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Weathervanes, 2023 on Southeastern Records
Ninth studio full-length from Isbell and sixth with the 400 Unit – won the 2024 Grammy for Best Americana Album 2024, and “Cast Iron Skillet” won Best American Roots Song. Isbell produced, with assistance from Matt Pence. Recorded at Blackbird in Nashville. The subtitle (on the hype sticker) is “Life And Death Songs Played For…
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Billy Strings, Renewal, 2021 on Rounder
I first heard of Billy Strings because he started showing up in YouTube recommended videos next to lots of other performers I follow – sometimes actually duetting with them, other times just at the same festivals or similar stages. Seems like the classic word-of-mouth artist, making it by spending his time on the festival circuit,…
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Lilli Lewis, Americana, 2021 Self-Released
Feels oddly appropriate to post this one the week of Thanksgiving – Lilli Lewis’ Americana, which is as much an assertion as title – claiming the right to her music as Americana: When Lewis was featured in the Americana Music Association’s virtual “Black Equity in Americana: A Conversation” live-stream, she stated: “Black artists and black…
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Erika Lewis, A Walk Around The Sun, 2022 self-released
I knew Erika Lewis from Tuba Skinny, of which I’m a huge fan, so I picked up this solo album when I heard it had been released. It was produced by John James Tourville of The Deslondes. It’s a different register than the Tuba Skinny repertoire – more in a roots / americana / even…
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Buddy & Julie Miller, Breakdown on 20th Ave South, 2019 on New West
Buddy & Julie have been releasing great Americana/Roots music since the 90s (for Julie since the 80s), and as a duo since 2001. Buddy’s also been an active session and touring musician, working with the Down from the Mountain tour, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, Linda Rondstat, Shawn Colvin, Jim Lauderdale…
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The Devil Makes Three, I’m a Stranger Here, 2013 on New West
The Devil Makes Three are an Americana trio from Santa Cruz (though all three have roots in Vermont / New Hampshire)- very interesting modern music rooted in roots music. I first found them via their album Chains Are Broken and have been picking up others by them as I find them in stores or direct…
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Giant Sand, Heartbreak Pass, 2015 on New West Records
Giant Sand is an Americana / Roots band out of Tucson, AZ who formed originally back in the 80s. My copy, direct from New West, is the 180g limited edition on grey marbled vinyl – sounds great. Songs written by and produced by Howie Gelb, who has recorded with all kinds of bands and performers…
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Fiddle Fever, Fiddle Fever, 1981 on Flying Fish.
Fiddle Fever, Fiddle Fever, 1981 on Flying Fish. Is Fiddle Fever transmissable? That’s an awful lot of fiddles. They put out two LPs plus a Best Of CD
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Kacy & Clayton and Marlon Williams, Plastic Bouquet, 2020 on New West
Kacy & Clayton and Marlon Williams, Plastic Bouquet, 2020 on New West What I am tempted to call Americana from a Canadian duo and a New Zealand singer-songwriter – and it’s delightful Lots of influences here and ghosts abound
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Nickel Creek, Why Should the Fire Die?, 2005 on Sugar Hill Records
Nickel Creek, Why Should the Fire Die?, 2005 on Sugar Hill Records Last in a series of three Craft Recordings reissues i got recently – thanks @10upteam for the work anniversary gift. What a wonderful sounding release and quality pressing
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Ray Davies, Americana, 2017 on Legacy
Ray Davies, Americana, 2017 on Legacy Legendary front man from the Kinks working with The Jayhawks on songs inspired by years of touring the US There was also a book in 2013 titled Americana: The Kinks, the Riff, the Road Via Discogs