Our latest features and interviews

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  Jingle Bells Friday – probably time to get that tree up…

  December 8, 2023 0

  It is a vexed question – when to put the tree up?  Some do it in November, some wait for Christmas Eve and some don’t have a tree at all.  And really it’s all about [...]

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  The Top 10 Greatest Ever Americana Artists: Lyndon Bolton

  December 7, 2023 1

  In the introduction to his book ‘Americanaland- Where Country & Western Met Rock ’n’ Roll’ music writer of four decades John Milward wrote, “Americana is hard to define but easier to recognise” before quoting the [...]

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  Interview: Julian Taylor has many irons in the fire, and can’t wait to see “his” band again

  December 6, 2023 1

  The Deputy Editor finally managed to bridge the time gap to talk to Julian Taylor at home in Canada.  He explained about how his latest albums came about, spoke about his new career-spanning release, and [...]

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  Interview: Robert Rex Waller Jr. on why he decided to show his pop country side and cry

  December 5, 2023 0

  How a challenging vocal journey has led to growth as an artist. I See Hawks In L.A. have helped keep West Coast country rock alive in the 21st Century, and founder member Robert Rex Waller [...]

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  More People Really Should Know About: Liz Longley

  December 5, 2023 0

  Liz Longley is in her mid-thirties now but has been recording and releasing music for the last 14 years. My first introduction to her was a most wonderful track, probably still my favourite, called ‘Outta [...]

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  VERSIONS: “Satisfied Mind”

  December 4, 2023 1

  Written by Joe Hayes and Jack Rhodes “Satisfied Mind” takes hold of the age-old assertion that “money can’t buy you happiness” and expresses it in a simple song. Hayes claimed that the idea came from his [...]

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  For the Sake of the Song: Rosanne Cash “The Sunken Lands”

  December 4, 2023 4

  Rosanne Cash, daughter of Johnny, has had to spend her professional life living up to her history. For the 2014 LP ‘The River & The Thread‘, she used that history and heritage to her advantage. [...]

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  Jingle Bells Friday – only twenty four sleeps to go

  December 1, 2023 0

  Oh no – it’s actually December!  How did that happen?  Well, the same way that it always happens – Christmas and the annual festivities around a week off from Americana UK always seems so far [...]

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  Classic Clips: Emmylou Harris “(You Never Can Tell) C’est La Vie”, Old Grey Whistle Test 1977

  December 1, 2023 3

  In 1977 Emmylou Harris was at the first of many high points in her career. ‘Luxury Liner’ had come out the previous year and work had started on ‘Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town’. [...]

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  The Song Remains: Shane MacGowan (1957-2023)

  December 1, 2023 2

  Irish cultural icon status should not obscure his artistic gifts as a sublime lyricist. Anyone catching the mainstream media on 30th November 2023 could not fail to be moved by the tributes to Shane MacGowan [...]

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  The Top 10 Greatest Ever Americana Artists: Darren Lumbroso

  November 30, 2023 1

  The power of live music never fails to appeal, as well as move me. This list has been heavily influenced by artists I’ve seen perform live. It may have only been once, it may have [...]

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  Columbia Records 1989 Classic Americana Albums: Bob Dylan “Oh Mercy”

  November 30, 2023 3

  In 1989 Bob Dylan appeared to be a busted flush, the God bothering had faded and the glory decades were long gone but with Daniel Lanois at the helm ‘Oh Mercy’ smashed any preconceptions of [...]

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  Interview: Louis Michot on why it has taken over 20 years to release a solo album

  November 28, 2023 0

  Louis Michot reveals himself to be more than simply a purveyor of Louisiana music. As a member of the Grammy award-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers and Michot’s Melody Makers singer-songwriter and fiddle player Louis Michot has [...]

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  Liberty, 1970 Americana Vinyl Treasures: Morning “Morning”

  November 28, 2023 1

  Writers, including this one, have waxed lyrical on the gems to be found in the cut-out bins, secondhand stores and clearance sales.  Another great source for hearing a wider range of music was the sampler; [...]

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  For The Sake Of The Song: Don Henley “The End Of The Innocence”

  November 27, 2023 2

  There are some songs that stay firmly ensconced between the ears. An immediacy that never leaves and plays itself over and over on a timeless loop. A song that never loses its ability to resonate [...]

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  Jingle Bells Friday – Snow is falling… somewhere…

  November 24, 2023 0

  Actually not so far away – there should be snow in Germany this weekend…not such a hotbed of Americana though (unless, of course, you know differently).  Anyway – this week we have another fine selection [...]