Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for September 23rd, 2022. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go to either Amazon, iTunes, Bandcamp or the artist’s site for ordering or downloading. A + sign means although not a featured release, it’s a notable album that’s still worth checking out. Also, this page will be updated as I find out about other new releases so check back again.
Dr. John
Things Happen That Way (Rounder/Concord Records)
For many years, Malcolm “Mac” Rebennack, Jr – the legendary New Orleans musician known to fans the world over as Dr. John – spoke about wanting to make a country & western album to pay homage to the musicians and songwriters whose songs had a profound and enduring effect on him. Rebennack was in the process of realizing that goal when his life was unexpectedly cut short by a fatal heart attack three years ago. Rebennack’s eldest daughter Karla Pratt was entrusted with the daunting task of seeing the album through to completion. “Though it’s very sad that my father isn’t here to see this project that meant so much to him finally be out in the world, I take great comfort in knowing that we fulfilled his long-held wishes. During his lifetime he frequently stated his desire to record this album with his dear, lifelong friend Willie Nelson and Willie’s son Lukas Nelson as treasured guest artists. We’re so grateful to the many musicians who contributed to this album, and I’m confident that Dad would be very proud of the final result.
Nikki Lane
Denim & Diamonds (New West Records)
Nikki Lane needed a break. The grind of a road warrior like Lane is not for the faint of heart, and after the release of her third album, 2017’s Highway Queen, she wasn’t sure another go-round was in the cards. Here new album is the reward after some healthy time off and a lot of seeds of songs that just needed more watering. And though it’s been a few years, the minute Lane’s smoky coo kicks in on the album’s rollicking first notes, it’s like no time has passed. Denim & Diamonds isn’t reinventing the wheel, but a songwriter like Lane doesn’t need to. She knows what she can do, and this set is filled with all those tried-and-true elements of the best Lane songs. Her brash kiss-offs, lovelorn pleas, and plenty of that good old-fashioned American grit come out to play with producer Homme’s thrashing rock and roll sensi0bility — a deliciously satisfying combo. (edited from No Depression review)
Kendell Marvel
Come On Sunshine (self-released)
Marvel is based in Tennessee, just outside of Nashville, but he decamped to Texas to record with producer Beau Bedford and work with new musicians. The shift south benefits the songs. Although the environs of most of the songs on Come On Sunshine are murky at best, the record’s title springs from an attempt to pull folks out of the depths of the pandemic. Marvel’s got a way with swampy blues, and “Keep Doing Your Thing” rides on a bottom-feeder-slimy groove as the singer evokes a live-and-let-live philosophy – “There’s more of us in the middle, than there are left or right/More of us wanna get along than wanna fuss and fight.” Overly optimistic? Maybe a little, but the freedom to be left alone is an underrated gift. (edited from Americana Highways review)
Also new this week…
Jake Blount – The New Faith (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings) +
Chris Canterbury – Quaalude Lullabies (independent) +
Luke Daniel – Rock n Roll Americana (self-released)
Empire of Light – I Don’t Care Anymore (self-released) +
Jeffrey Halford & The Healers – Soul Crusade (independent) +
David Myles – It’s Only A Little Loneliness (turtlemusik)
Todd Snider – Live: Return of the Storyteller (Aimless Records)
Sunny Sweeney – Married Alone (Aunt Daddy Records) +
Coming out in the next few weeks…Trampled by Turtles, Tyler Childers, Caleb Caudle, Crystal Shawanda, Seth Avett and more …
