Tag: 2010s
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Nikki Lane, Highway Queen, 2017 on New West
This was Nikki Lane‘s third studio album and her second on New West. Not sure where she first got called the “First Lady of Outlaw Country” (or whether she calls herself that), but love this album. Seven hundred thousand rednecks / That’s what it takes to get to the top / Seven hundred thousand rednecks…
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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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Shovels & Rope, Busted Jukebox Volume 2, 2018 on Shrimp / New West
I’m a sucker for a good cover/tribute album, perhaps especially with an Americana / Alt-Country / Folk twist. This volume 2 came out digitally in 2017 but on vinyl in 2018 – Volume One was released in 2015 digitally and on vinyl in 2016 – it’s still in my wishlist. There’s a third as well,…
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Lisa Hannigan, At Swim, 2016 on ATO Records
Like many people, I first got familiar with Lisa Hannigan given her role on Damien Rice’s debut record O, but it is well worth checking out her solo work which starts around 2009 with Sea Sew. This LP, her third, was produced by omnipresent Aaron Dessner of The National. My copy via Newbury Comics in…
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Bob Dylan, Fallen Angels, 2016 on Columbia
While I realize it’s not for everyone, I really like elder statesman Bob, here working his way through standards like Come Rain or Come Shine, Skylark, and Young at Heart. Producer credit to Jack Frost (a Dylan psuedonym). Supporting musicians include Tony Garnier, George Recile, Donne Herron, Charlie Sexton, Dean Parks, and Stu Kimball. Then…
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Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer Different Park, 2013 on Mercury
My copy is the 2023 Vinyl Me Please reissue (in the VMP Essentials, not VMP Country track) on “green galaxy” vinyl. Love Musgraves’ songwriting – this was her fourth LP but is the one that got her lots of attention, and deservedly so. Mama’s hooked on Mary KayBrother’s hooked on Mary JaneAnd Daddy’s hooked on…
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Alison Krauss & Union Station, Paper Airplane, 2011 on Rounder Records
You really can’t go wrong with anything Alison Krauss touches. Got this one directly from Rounder online. Great versions of Lori McKenna‘s “My Love Follows You Where You Go,” Aoife O’Donnovan‘s “Lay My Burden Down” and Jackson Browne’s “My Opening Farewell” but every song is solid.
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Billy Strings, Home, 2019 on Rounder Records
This was the 4th LP from Billy Strings (the first two with Don Julin) and his first on Rounder – it won Best Bluegrass Album for 2021. I heard about Billy Strings through youtube videos suggested based on other Americana acts – some really strong word-of-mouth based on touring, though I haven’t had a chance…
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Lucinda Williams, Happy Woman Blues, 1980 on Folkways (FTS 31067)
My copy is a 2019 reissue on what is now called Smithsonian Folkways (the Smithsonian acquired Folkways in 1987 from the estate of Moses Asch). This was Williams’ sophomore album, after Ramblin’ On My Mind. I didn’t come to know Wiliams until much later – Car Wheels on a Gravel Road in the late nineties…
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Dawes, Nothing is Wrong, 2011 on ATO Records
My copy is a 2021 reissue on two 45rpm 12″ records plus a bonus 7″ single (Strangers Getting Stranger / Rest Easy) and a die-cut jacket that shows one of the custom sleeves from inside, which I picked up direct from Rounder Records last year. I love this album, which has a couple of my…
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Lilli Lewis, The Henderson Sessions, 2018 on Louisiana Red Hot Records
I got this copy signed by Lilli herself at a performance at Fruitlands in Harvard MA, but you can find it on bandcamp as well. A couple traditional songs (Sitting on Top Of The World, Nobody’s Fault But Mine), some covers (Save the Country, Why We Build The Wall), plus some Lewis originals. Per Louisiana…
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Dawes, All Your Favorite Bands, 2015 on HUB Records
I’m a huge Dawes fan and this is classic Dawes. My copy is a 2022 reissue on 180g green vinyl via Rounder Records – a limited edition of 500. They’re joined by David Rawlings (guitar on “Somewhere Along the Way,” backing vocals on “I Can’t Think About it Now” and Gillian Welch (backing vocals on…
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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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Justin Townes Earle, The Saint of Lost Causes, 2019 on New West.
Three sided LP (fourth side is an etching) of Justin Townes Earle’s last LP, released before his death in August 2020. Adam Bednarik co-produced with Earle and plays bass, with Joe V. McMahan and Paul Niehaus on guitars, Jon Radford on drums, and Cory Younts on harmonica & keys. You know more folks that’s most…
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Caroline Rose, Loner, 2018 on New West
Rose’s third full length and first on New West. On red vinyl, packaged with a fold-out poster with lyrics on the reverse. Produced by Rose and Paul Butler with guests including Dan Davine, Brett Lanier, and John Lagone. Great songwriting – Rose builds on her earlier folksy Americana here with more synth-pop elements (lots of…
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Steve Earle, I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive, 2011 on New West
Earle’s 14 album, produced by T-Bone Burnett, and featuring folks like Dennis Crouch, Sara Watkins, Allison Moorer (to whom he was married a the time). Backing vocals on “This City” from Tim Robbins and horns arranged by Allen Toussaint. Album art, as on so many Earle albums, by Tony Fitzpatrick
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Lowe Country: The Songs Of Nick Lowe, 2012 on Fiesta Red Records
I’m a huge fan of cover albums, and especially tribute/compilations of covers devoted to specific artists. While they can be uneven, I like hearing an artists work reinterpreted in different ways. This compilation brings country, roots, Americana artists together to cover the songs of English singer/songwriter Nick Lowe. Like Elvis Costello (whom he produced, and…
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Justin Townes Earle, Kids In the Street, 2017 on New West Records
Originally released in 2017, my copy is a 2021 reissue as part of Record Store Day (Black Friday). This was Earle’s penultimate album (the last was The Saint of Lost Causes) and his first on New West. Some great songwriting on Champagne Corolla, Faded Valentine, and really across the album.