Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for April 28th, 2023. 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.

Tommy Emmanuel
Accomplice Two  (CGP Sounds)

Tommy Emmanuel is a guitarist’s guitarist, and this is another master class in hot licks and crisp guitar stylings put on by Emmanuel and his “accomplices” — some of the best guitarists and string instrument musicians playing today. (Accomplice One came out in 2018 and featured Jason Isbell, Ricky Skaggs, and many more.) Emmanuel and company take flight from the first note and seldom come down from the sonic stratosphere. Guests include Billy Strings, Jorma Kaukonen, Molly Tuttle, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, Jerry Douglas and more. Accomplice Two showcases Emmanuel’s melodic range as he traverses the musical landscape from old time to bluegrass to jazz to pop, and he does so with effortlessness and grace, all the while having a blast with friends that throw back the licks as fast as he can pitch them.  (edited from No Depression review)

Taj Mahal
Savoy  (Stony Plain Records)

With a voice as instantly recognizable as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, or Johnny Cash, throughout his career Taj has pushed the envelope of American roots music forward by incorporating sounds from the Caribbean, Africa, traditional blues and jazz. The album is a loving throwback to the sounds of the swing jazz big band era. Taj talks about his parents meeting for the first time at the famous Savoy Ballroom in Harlem during the initial run of Ella Fitzgerald with the Chick Webb Band in 1938, “I heard these songs as a kid when all of those people who made those musics were alive and speaking to us through the records. Those weren’t just records to collect. Those were like listening to your relatives, your uncles, your cousins, your grandparents speaking to you through that medium, the medium of music.” (edited from Blues Rock Review)

Various Artists
One Night In Texas: The Next Waltz’s Tribute to The Red Headed Stranger  (The Next Waltz)

On May 1, 2022 an all-star lineup of guests backed by The Next Waltz founder Bruce Robison’s house band performed as part of an 89th birthday celebration for Willie Nelson in his very own backyard in Luck, TX.  Robinson says, “To put together a night of Willie Nelson music is a bit of a dream for me. His songs and the vibe of The Family band was so formative that it is hard to measure. The music has always been a part of my life – a North Star. When we got together a bunch of friends for the band, playing this music, after these couple years – honestly, it felt like it was about more than just Willie. Then, the crazy group of guests signed on for the show, Margo Price, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Sheryl Crow, Robert Earl Keen and many more. When I heard what was on tape it sounded like magic to me. It sounded like 1973. It is definitely the sound of people having fun. This was a great night in Texas. The band was a runaway train and the singers were insane. Thanks to everybody who lent their talents to this.”

Also new this month …

Coming out soon… Eilen Jewell, Hayden & The Outliers, Rodney Crowell, Angelica Rockne, Logan Halstead, Marty Stuart, The Milk Carton Kids, Robert Ellis, Caitlin Canty, Bruce Cockburn, Abe Partridge, Leftover Salmon, Parker Millsap, Paul Simon, Special Consensus, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Austin Gilliam, Jess Williamson, Sara Petite, The Rough & Tumble, Lucinda Williams, Shinyribs, Tim O’Brien, Queen Esther, Miles Miller, Brennen Leigh, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Parker Ferrell, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Caitlin Canty and more!

Check out Americana Boogie Radio!

Bill Frater