Americana / Bluegrass / Folk / Stream / Videos

NEW MUSIC: Nigel Wearne ~ Black Crow

Melbourne singer songwriter Nigel Wearne released his album Black Crow at the end of 2012 and this month he will be releasing the title track as its second single. A brisk shuffle with strains of bluegrass and country running through it, Black Crow is a great track that showcases Wearne’s colourful vocal and some wonderful … Continue reading

Album Reviews / Country / Folk / Stream

ALBUM REVIEW: Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell ~ Old Yellow Moon

by Chris Familton Veritable veterans of country music, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell have been friends ever since she heard a cassette demo of his song Bluebird Wine (covered here) back in 1975. She included the song on her debut album and he joined her band so it is surprising this is their first true … Continue reading

Album Reviews / Americana / Folk / Stream

ALBUM REVIEW: Dawn McCarthy & Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy ~ What The Brothers Sang

by Chris Familton Collaboration isn’t new to Dawn McCarthy and Will Oldham who released an album of demos in 2007 (Wai Notes) as an addendum to the previous year’s The Letting Go on which McCarthy sang. Those songs showed an ethereal synergy between their voices making this new album a tantalising proposition for those who … Continue reading

Album Reviews / Americana / Country / Folk / Stream / Videos

ALBUM REVIEW: The Weeping Willows ~ Till The North Wind Blows

by Chris Familton Melbourne duo The Weeping Willows released Till The North Wind Blows last year but their superb collection of songs could have dropped at any time in the last hundred years, such is the timeless quality they bring to their music and songwriting. The album drips with authenticity which can be a hard … Continue reading

Americana / Blues / Country / Folk / Gig Reviews / Soul

LIVE REVIEW: Justin Townes Earle + Robert Ellis @ The Basement, Sydney (05/02/13)

by Chris Familton The practice of an established artist giving a relative newcomer a leg-up by taking them out on tour is an admirable one and in the case of Texan singer/songwriter Robert Ellis it was a real treat to watch and listen to such an affable singer with a firm grasp of a number … Continue reading

Americana / Country / Folk / Gig Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: Joe Pug @ The Annandale Hotel, Sydney (23/11/12)

by Chris Familton This night of folk and country music kicked off with the soft and lilting sounds of Patrick James who was accompanied by a banjo/mandolin player and who showed right from the opening notes that he is another of the many outstanding new singer/songwriters emerging on the local americana scene. His was an … Continue reading

Americana / Blues / Country / Folk / News

NEW MUSIC: A new collection of unreleased Townes Van Zandt recordings

Due for release on February 5th, Townes Van Zandt, Sunshine Boy: The Unheard Studio Sessions and Demos 1971-1972 (Omnivore Recordings, 2013) consists entirely of previously unreleased music from Van Zandt’s classic albums High, Low & In Between and The Late Great Townes Van Zandt. Both albums were originally released in 1972 on the Poppy label. … Continue reading

Americana / Country / Folk / Gig Reviews / Indie Folk / Photos / Rock / Rockabilly

LIVE REVIEW: Henry Wagons, Fanny Lumsden @ Achoo! Bless You @ The Annandale Hotel, Sydney (10/11/12)

by Chris Familton Fanny Lumsden is one of those personalities for whom the phrase ‘born entertainer’ was created. Boundless energy, a warm and endearingly funny stage persona and a stellar voice are what made her set so appealing. Her band of country/folk players played a critical role in presenting Lumsden’s songs making her the real deal and … Continue reading