Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for January 27th, 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.
Pony Bradshaw
North Georgia Rounder (Soundly Music)
A less twangy Sturgill Simpson, a more rugged Ryan Adams, a gentler Waylon Jennings, Bradshaw’s sound is effortlessly cool and sincerely soulful. It encapsulates so many great influences, spanning genres. There’s a smorgasbord of sampling from jukebox favorites and, at the same time, the sound is uniquely Bradshaw’s own, especially vocally. There are some inspirations present, perhaps Lyle Lovett. His voice is smooth, yet it’s evident he’s done some living. Perhaps Bradshaw’s strongest quality is his songwriting, which grips the listener on every song. (edited from Americana Highways review)
Johnny Nicholas
Johnny Nicholas Presents Moon and the Stars: a Tribute to Moon Mullican (Volume One) and (Volume Two) (Valcour Records)
Revered for perfecting a wildly eclectic yet seamlessly organic blend of genres, Aubrey “Moon” Mullican (1909 – 1967) was an agile piano player and a fervent singer who described the rambunctious side of his hybrid repertoire as ‘East Texas sock’ that could ‘make goddamn beer bottles jump on the tables!’ This 2-volume set features new renditions of his songs, co-produced by Nicholas and Joel Savoy, pulse with the same passion and artistic commitment that Mullican brought to the originals. As you would expect with veteran artists and roots music legends like Linda Gail Lewis, Augie Meyers, Peter Rowan, Steve Riley, Earl P Ball, Los Texmaniacs, Floyd Domino, and Danny Levin, this was accomplished in spades. This project was a labor of love and represents a wish by all of us involved to honor one of our heroes and bring some long overdue recognition to the ‘King of the Honky Tonk Piano Players. (edited from American Blues Scene review)
Also new this week…
David Causey – New Things From Old Strings (Strolling Bones Records)
JD Clayton – Long Way From Home (Mulberry Records) +
The Gibson Brothers – Darkest Hour (Bull Run/Rainmaker Music) +
Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers – How Many Roads? (independent)
Joe Henry – All the Eye Can See (earMUSIC)
Irene Kelley – Snow White Memories (IRK Records)
Austin Mayse – Bridges And Kerosene (independent)
H.C. McEntire – Every Acre (Merge Records)
The Mother Hips – When We Disappear (Blue Rose Music) +
Province Of Thieves – Whitecaps In The Cornfield (independent)
Coming out soon… Mile Twelve, The Milk Carton Kids, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Matt Hillyer, Afton Wolfe, Grant Peeples, Doug Paisley, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, The Shootouts, Darling West, Iris Dement, Mark Erelli, Karen Jonas, Rose’s Pawn Shop, Adam Klein, Dom Flemons, Darling West, Lauren Morrow, Nickel Creek, Willie Nelson and more!
