Simplicity done well makes for powerful music and this song from Nashville-based songwriter Henry Conlon grabbed us the second he started singing. One of those voices that sounds both powerful and emotionally wrought at the same time, it reminded me of the dark drama of Townes Van Zandt and more recently, Tyler Childers. ‘I’m Coming … Continue reading
There’s some exceptional playing on this new track from Nashville, TN artist Shane Scarazzini and his band EightFingers. Check out the guitars that spark and fly amid fiddle and pedal steel on ‘West Virginia Girl‘. The fluidity and energy in the playing is what nails this as a superb track but without the strength of … Continue reading
There’s some great playing on this new track from Alison Self. Electric twang and a quick-fire shuffle make for a rippin’ good honky-tonk sound for Self to sing over in her rough and raw voice. Self is based in Portland after time spent in Nashville, Denver and Austin and her new EP is her latest … Continue reading
I think in many ways we’d all like to erase 2020 and start again, but still with the release of the many great albums that came out this year. I’m guessing, like me, most of you found solace, escape, distraction and comfort in listening to music – new and old – to get you through … Continue reading
Lists! We have a couple for you as usual as we wind down at the end of another year. I won’t rabbit on about the trials and tribulations of 2020, the good news was that the music still came down the pipeline with the same amount of quality and reward. We’ll have our overall list … Continue reading
Hot nights and a sultry blues rock groove are the order of the day on this new track from Indiana-based David Quinn. We last wrote about Quinn when he released his excellent album Wanderin’ Fool last year. This year’s new album Letting Go finds him broadening his sound and continuing his rich vein of songwriting. … Continue reading
A LEAP FOR INDEPENDENCE Catherine Britt is beginning the exciting next phase of her twenty year career with her new album Home Truths, the first release on her own record label. by Chris Familton It’s a strange time in the world when you have to quickly pack up your things, gather your family and hightail … Continue reading
As this song starts you’re drawn in by Appalachian songwriter Pierceton Hobbs‘ interesting drawl that curls around the vowels and twists them into interesting shapes. Then the band kicks in and there’s a wonderfully laidback yet deep feel to the groove. ‘Fawn’, the title track from Hobbs’ debut album makes for a really nice introduction … Continue reading
This is just hands-down superb playing from Chris Larcombe, a young guitarist out of the UK who made the wise decision to head for the sounds of country music when he first heard the telecaster of the late Byrd Clarence White a couple of years ago. ‘Sweet Cheeks’ is a classic country instrumental written by … Continue reading
This week we’ve got a brand new track from one of our local Australian songwriters, Ben Leece (out on Monday). This single is a beautiful tribute to a friend who died in tragic and unsolved circumstances and is yet another example of the way Ben so effortlessly imbues his alt-country melodies and music with pathos … Continue reading
The meeting of musical minds is one of the real joys of collaborative projects and there seems to be more and more of them happening in these times we’re living in. On the local Sydney scene, songwriter/musician/producer Michael Carpenter has joined up with the guitar-slingin’ dream team of The Banks Brothers (Zane – guitar, Jy-Perry … Continue reading
As usual, a great county of new singles hitting the airwaves and digital universe this week. First up is this lovely duet between Kurt Vile and John Prine, recorded late in 2019. “Probably the single most special musical moment in my life,” says Vile. It’s part of a new KV EP called Speed, Sound, Lonely KV, out … Continue reading
Melbourne folk, country, Americana (they can do anything!) duo The Weeping Willows recently released their brand new 7″ single Wheels Won’t Roll, which received a premiere over at The Bluegrass Situation. They’ve also created this beautiful clip for the instrumental b-side and new single ‘Prelude’, featuring stunning drone footage filmed in Ireland by Uwe Müller … Continue reading
Willie Nelson First Rose Of Spring Sony Music Willie Nelson just keeps on keeping on, churning out albums more regularly than artists a quarter of his age. Invariably they all hit the mark too, based on song selection, the worldly and weary tone of Nelson’s voice and his trusty six-string sidekick Trigger. First Rose of … Continue reading
How great is this?! Straight down the line, authentic, git-down honky-tonk, from the saloon floor straight to you. The Reeves Brothers rip and swing with some great guitar, piano and pedal-steel playing on this song. ‘100 Proof Honky-Tonk‘ is the lastest single from the Las Vegas, NV-based group centred around Matt and Cole Reeves. The … Continue reading
