a music blog
For those music fans in the know, Dori Freeman has been a quietly shining star on the scene for some time now. Her previous two albums were gorgeous Americana and folk music inspired by her Appalachian roots, produced by Teddy Thompson. On her third album Every Single Star she continues the run of excellent form, writing every song solo and working again with producer Thompson. Continue reading “Album Review: Dori Freeman – Every Single Star”
In a recent interview singer songwriter Michaela Anne spoke of a time when she lived in New York and was afraid to admit she liked country music because it was seen as lowbrow and ‘trash’. Now she happily admits to loving Shania, the Dixie Chicks as well as Lucinda Williams and Emmylou. Learning to love who you really are is one idea explored on her excellent new album Desert Dove. Produced by Sam Outlaw and Kelly Winrich, the album’s natural, effortless style suggests Michaela Anne is an artist who is now comfortable embracing her own personal, and musical, identity. Continue reading “Album Review: Michaela Anne – Desert Dove”
The autumn leaves are starting to fall and the nights are drawing in, so what better to soundtrack the change of season than a lovely little introspective indie folk record. Black Sea Dahu are led by Swiss singer songwriter Janine Cathrein who wrote these songs after a breakup in an attempt to make sense of the ever shifting world around her. Continue reading “E.P. Review: Black Sea Dahu – No Fire in the Sand”
Brittany Howard has always had ambition to be known as more than just a vintage soul singer, as proven by the second Alabama Shakes album and her alter ego Thunderbitch. Her new solo album, Jaime, is named after her sister who died in childhood and takes musical inspiration from wildly diverse genres and styles. Jaime is a personal odyssey of discovery where in an attempt to deconstruct her past, musically and personally, she has created something thrillingly present. Continue reading “Album Review: Brittany Howard – Jaime”
Legend had it that when Carole King heard her newly hired babysitter Eva Narcissus Boyd sing she yelled, ‘Stop! We must record that voice!’. Another story often told is that Eva’s dancing around her living room inspired the lyrics to The Locomotion. Truthfully, King and her husband Gerry Goffin knew exactly how good a singer Eva was when they hired her as a babysitter, since she had been singing on demos and working with their girl group the Cookies. Continue reading “The Little Eva Who Could”
I really loved Lola Kirke’s album Heart Head West, a real underrated gem which mixed some lovely Laurel Canyon inspired sounds with country music influences. Her new EP Friends and Foes and Friends Again builds on that promise and she delivers five songs of simple beauty that sound like a blast of fresh air. Continue reading “EP Review: Lola Kirke – Friends and Foes and Friends Again”
Amy Speace returns with her new album Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne, a powerful exploration of hope, dreams and family. Produced again by Neilson Hubbard, the album is a wonderful showcase of her poetic lyrics and stunning vocals. Continue reading “Album Review: Amy Speace – Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne”
Despite never working a 9 To 5 job in her entire life, Dolly Parton understood the plight of working women and channeled that despair, hope and frustration into an anthem that still resonates today, long after the film of the same name has faded in the cultural consciousness. Her previous album, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly had been entirely written by others, so it was ironic (although not a surprise to anyone who understands her songwriting talent) that she would find the crossover hit she was looking for in her own pen after all. Continue reading “Dolly Parton’s Discography: 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs”
Last year at the Americana Music Awards many women were nominated but only Molly Tuttle took home an award for instrumentalist of the year. Before this year’s ceremony Margo Price, who had been one of those 2018 nominees, tweeted that she hoped things would be different in 2019 and the headlines would finally read that women had won big. Thankfully I can report with some delight that her wish has indeed come true and women won an equal share of last night’s awards including the big prize of Artist of the Year. Continue reading “Women Win Big At the Americana Music Awards”
Highway Queens 