Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for February 23rd, 2024. 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.

Corb Lund
El Viejo  (New West Records)

Corb Lund is a Canadian country music cowboy who tells catchy stories about rural life and big-city pitfalls. His fables may not have particular morals. His protagonists frequently find themselves in problematic situations of their own making. This creates some funny situations, although maybe not too humorous for the main characters. El Viejo is dedicated to Ian Tyson, the author of such classic songs as “Four Strong Winds” and “Someday Soon”. Lund’s work and life story owe a lot to Tyson. Tyson was a working rancher and a musician. The title song, “El Viejo” (usually translated as “the old man”), pays loving tribute to Tyson’s example of a life well-lived. s an entirely acoustic album with guitar, banjo, mandolin, string bass, and stripped-down bass, but it never feels like one. The players’ energy and Lund’s vocals drive the songs forward. There’s a liveliness throughout the record that never goes away. The album may be dedicated to an “old man”, but the music has plenty of get-up-and-go.  (edited from Pop Matters review)

Also new this week…

Coming out soon … Joe Pug, Waxahatchee, Anna Moss, Sierra Ferrell, Rees Shad, Kitchen Dwellers, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Sam Morrow, Aoife O’Donovan, The Coal Men, Charley Crockett, Pi Jacobs, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, Lost Dog Street Band, Pokey LaFarge, Grant Langston, Old 97’s and more!

Check out Americana Boogie Radio!

Bill Frater