Tag: 2010s
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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.
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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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The Texas Gentlemen, TX Jelly, 2017 on New West
Debut album, recorded in FAME studios in Muscle Shoals. The Texas Gentlemen are (is?) something of a collective of studio musicians (Meet the Texas Gentlemen). My copy direct from New West Records.
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Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale, Buddy and Jim, 2012 on New West
Great duet album from 2012 and what Rolling Stone called “Alt-Country’s Dream Team.” Mostly songs written by the paid together, some separately, and a few others: Jimmy McCracklin’s “The Wobble” and Joe Tex’s “I Want to do Everything For You” – solid songwriting throughout. Supported by Dennis Crouch on bass, Stuart Duncan on fiddle/mandolin, Patterson…
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The National, I Am Easy To Find, 2019 on 4AD.
The National, I Am Easy To Find, 2019 on 4AD. An album and a film. The movie was directed by R.E.M.’s Mike Mills and stars Alicia Vikander. Guest vocals from Sharon Van Etten, Gail Ann Dorsey, Mina Tindle, Kate Stables, Lisa Hannigan, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Wonderful LP
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The Cure, World War (Early Demos), Bootleg on Swingshift, 2017.
The Cure, World War (Early Demos), Bootleg on Swingshift, 2017. Great collection of early demos – wish it had better documentation on where and when each was recorded.