americana
Track: Bruce Springsteen – Hello Sunshine, plus new album news
Bruce Springsteen has announced that his first new studio album in five years (and his 19th in total), Western Stars, is to be released on June 14th, via Columbia Records. From it, he has released the first glimpse of the record, a track called ‘Hello Sunshine’. Influenced by California pop record from the 60’s and …
Not Forgotten: Traveling Wilburys – Traveling Wilburys, Vol.1
In concept The Traveling Wilburys were superb. Bob Dylan was in the process of recovering from a decade long slump, George Harrison was back in the public eye after far too long away, while Roy Orbison was back in the public eye after an even longer absence, and while his band mates were going through …
Album Review: Jim Clements – A Failure
Every so often Jim Clements puts out an album and not enough people cop on. It’s kind of understandable. There’s very much music to be heard and no shortage of downbeat blokes doing a broadly Americanaish thing with guitars, keys and strings. There’s definitely a temptation to think that life might be too short to …
Not Forgotten: The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
It kicks off with a riff that screams “Rock and roll!”, and you’re either in or out. If you’re not sure who this is, then welcome to the world to the righteous rock and roll world of the Hold Steady, where choruses are singalong, riffs are massive, keyboard players are moustachioed, and narrative lyrics are …
Track: Ray Davies – Our Country
Ray Davies returns with a direct follow up to 2017’s Americana album, “Our Country : Americana Act II”. The first (and title) track being, “Our Country”. Based loosely on his 2013 book, and the complicated relationship Davies has with the USA. Putting his love of American music and culture against set backs such as being …
Track: Low Cut Connie – Beverley and album and tour news
I confess I am new to Low Cut Connie but their new single, ‘Beverly’ is fantastic. It’s a slice Americana with a rolling, rumbling piano and an Elton John quality about the vocals and melody (the good version of Elton John) with just a touch of alt.western sleazy rock n roll. In fact apparently Elton …
Album Review: The Hanging Stars – Songs for somewhere else
Since their first album London’s The Hanging Stars have changed band members and opened their eyes a little beyond the charming indie/americana of their first full length. For their second full length – Songs for Somewhere Else, Recorded in Bark Studios, Walthamstow – hardly Laurel Canyon I grant you, but it can get sunny there …
Live Review / Gallery: Glen Hansard – London, Royal Festival Hall 9/2/18
It’s easy to see why Glen Hansard won an Oscar and a Grammy, after his performance at the Royal Festival Hall, where he moved smoothly between heartbreak and soul stirrer and proved to be an engaging and funny hist for a near on two hours. It also showcased Hansard as one of the best singers …
Album Review: First Aid Kit “Ruins”
It’s amazing to find Swedish country folk duo First Aid Kit already releasing their fourth album and between releasing fascinatingly authentic Americana-drenched albums, they’ve conquered the world, cracking the US market and even appearing as regular guests on Graham Norton’s A-list chat show. “Ruins” finds them in a reflective mood, opening with moody “Behind Blue …
Live Review: Ryan Keen / Corey Harper, The Islington, London, 30/11/17
Totnes-born singer-songwriter Ryan Keen has graced the same stages as megastars like Ed Sheeran and X Factor champion Leona Lewis playing support slots on huge national and indeed world tours, but if he has been changed by these massive brushes with success, you’d never know. He has also toured with some of the most interesting …