a music blog about women in Americana & beyond
Since the Grand Ole Opry is 100 years old this week, I thought I’d dip into the archives (well what is currently on YouTube anyway) to find five stand out performances from women who have stepped into the iconic golden circle.
In no particular order here are my choices – share any classics you’ve found in the comments!:
Continue reading “Favourite Opry Performances! “
Back in 2019 I visited Nashville for the first time and secured a ticket for the legendary Grand Ole Opry, which turns 100 this week. As a quite recent convert to country music at the time I was still learning about the institution. As a music fan, however, I knew the idea that there was a venue where every week you could see a varied line up of different quality artists playing live was something to treasure.
Continue reading “Why the Grand Ole Opry Still Matters”
Since releasing her ‘Who Believes in Angels?’ collaboration with Elton John earlier this year, Brandi Carlile’s star has never been brighter. Lesser mortals would have some time off after such a publicity blitz (and her UK/EU tour in July) but when has Brandi Carlile ever known how to slow down and smell the roses? ‘Returning to Myself’ is her way of stepping out of the shadows of her famous friends and looking at herself in the mirror.
Continue reading “Album Review: Brandi Carlile – Returning to Myself”
At the start of this year I was lucky enough to see Madison Cunningham live at Celtic Connections and she played a set made up almost entirely of new material on piano. The confidence she had in those songs, which now make up her excellent new album ‘Ace’, was entirely justified.
Continue reading “Album Review: Madison Cunningham – Ace “
Launching her debut album with a sold out in-store performance at Assai Records in Edinburgh last night, Rianne Downey described herself as ‘giddy’ at finally having ‘The Consequence of Love’ released into the world.
The last few years have been a whirlwind for the singer from Bellshill in Scotland, going from busking and sharing her music online to headlining festivals, after being chosen by legendary Paul Heaton to sing in his band.
Now she’s stepping into the spotlight herself with this country inspired collection of beautiful songs about love, loss, home and finding your own way.
Continue reading “Album Review: Rianne Downey – The Consequence of Love “
After two albums where she strayed somewhat from her country music roots, Margo Price is back in the genre she started in with the release of this new album ‘Hard Headed Woman’. This week she played the Opry, wearing clothes loaned from Loretta Lynn’s archive, suggesting Margo has come home, all guns blazing, ready to take back the genre once again.
Continue reading “Album Review: Margo Price – Hard Headed Woman”
Twelve ago Kathleen Edwards was done with music. She even opened a cafe called Quitters. Then she quit that too. Now she has returned to music with a renewed appreciation of just playing with other people, for other people.
When Jason Isbell offered to produce and have his band the 400 Unit play on her new record, Kathleen wept. During the recording process she says she learned how to trust herself, and just get it done. ‘Billionaire’ is an enjoyable listen (apart from one notable song, more of which in a moment) and overall it’s one of the strongest Americana albums released so far this year.
Continue reading “Album Review – Kathleen Edwards: Billionaire “
In celebration of her new album ‘Tennessee Lightning’ the gorgeous Ashley Monroe returned to play Glasgow, sharing the billing with her friend Fancy Hagood for the evening. With Scotland basking in the late summer sun the talented pairing brought a little Southern charm and positive healing light to the St Luke’s stage.
Continue reading “Live Review: Ashley Monroe & Fancy Hagood @ St Luke’s, Glasgow 25/08/25”
Opening her new album with the stark and almost eerie refrain of ‘I’m gonna run’ you might think this is going to be an album of darkness, especially after Ashley Monroe’s recent experience of cancer.
However from that opening song on ‘Tennessee Lighting’ we hear a different story – she’s looking not to share her suffering but to escape from the pain and search for love.
Continue reading “Album Review: Ashley Monroe – Tennessee Lightning “
