Here is the first single from the forthcoming album by Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts. Co-written by Stevie Van Zandt, ‘Can I Get an Amen’ is a rootsy rocker of a song. As well as the usual digital locations, it’s available on coloured vinyl and backed by an excellent, unexpected cover of Duran Duran’s ‘Ordinary World’. Hamilton returns the UK for acoustic ‘storyteller’ shows in February.
Author: Andrew Frolish
From up north but now hiding in rural Suffolk. An insomniac music-lover. Love discovering new music to get lost in - country, singer-songwriters, Americana, rock...whatever. Currently enjoying Lukas Nelson, Midland, Jarrod Dickenson.
Video: Citizen Bravo, Raymond MacDonald and Friends “Women of the World”
Here is a lovely, lush version of Ivor Cutler’s ‘Women of the World’, taken from the tribute album ‘Return to Y’Hup: The World of Ivor Cutler’. This is the second single from the album, which will be released on 24th January. In challenging times, this song is a joy. The highlight is the lead vocal performance from Tracyanne Campbell (Camera Obscura). Nice way to start your week!
Video: Rosanne Cash “Tennessee Flat Top Box”
For this week’s retro video, we’re travelling back in time to November 1987 when Rosanne Cash released her version of her Dad’s ‘Tennessee Flat Top Box’. Originally a hit for Johnny Cash in 1961, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Country chart, the story of a boy who dreamed of becoming a country music star has long been a fan favourite. Continue reading “Video: Rosanne Cash “Tennessee Flat Top Box””
Video: Rod Picott “Ghost”
The prolific Rod Picott released yet another brilliant record in 2019, ‘Tell the Truth & Shame the Devil’. The album was full of introspective, personal songs, many of which were inspired by a serious health scare. The songs were stripped back, raw and poetic. This is the simple but effective video for the album opener, ‘Ghost’. Absorb its beauty…
Video: Gill Landry “I Love You Too”
The moody video for ‘I Love You Too’ is perfectly in keeping with Gill Landry’s deep, sombre voice and emotional song writing. Landry has a busy few months ahead with a UK tour and a new album on the way, ‘Skeleton at the Banquet’. This first single from the upcoming record will certainly please the Grammy-winner’s fans – it’s heartfelt and beautiful.
Jeff Karoub “Pieces Break” (Independent, 2019)
Jeff Karoub was brought up around Detroit, home of Motown, by a musical father and was immersed in roots music of different genres from a young age. On his new album, ‘Pieces Break’, Karoub is clearly influenced by that musical heritage, developing his soulful-folk and Americana sound. He sings about tuning the car radio: “Every song sounds the same and no-one wants to sing anymore,” reflecting a modern and common sense of disenchantment. In contrast, Karoub seems to make a conscious effort to ensure his songs and vocals are imbued with the best traditions of past singer-songwriters. Continue reading “Jeff Karoub “Pieces Break” (Independent, 2019)”
Video: Yola “Ride Out in the Country”
Our video offering today is celebrating the recent winner of the AUK readers’ poll for best UK artist and best solo artist. Her debut album, ‘Walk Through Fire’ was a huge critical success in 2019, leading to four Grammy nominations. The video for ‘Ride Out in the Country’ is delightfully and unexpectedly dark. Watch closely while you absorb that gorgeous voice.
Video: The Lost Brothers “After the Fire”
The Lost Brothers have released a new single from forthcoming album ‘After the Fire After the Rain’, which is expected in February. ‘After the Fire’ was written after spending a night sitting around a campfire with old friends. However, the song took on greater significance when, on the day it was tracked, they learned that The Plaza Dancehall in Donegal, where they had performed often, had been destroyed by a fire. Continue reading “Video: The Lost Brothers “After the Fire””
Video: Josh Ritter “Empty Hearts”
Continuing the New Year theme, here is ‘Empty Hearts’ by Josh Ritter from his fifth album, ‘The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter’. This song is a beautifully poetic prayer for the year to come. Amidst all of the drinking with friends, the narrator is longing for something more meaningful: “And she’ll know me by the sound of my hoping.” Continue reading “Video: Josh Ritter “Empty Hearts””
Video: Jeff Buckley “New Year’s Prayer”
Happy new year from all of us here at AUK, and what kind of New Year would it be without a prayer from Jeff Buckley? This song is thought to be named after the poem that Buckley performed live in New York in 1996 and was written for the follow-up album to the critically acclaimed ‘Grace’. While this hypnotic song is quite abstract, the imagery of light and stars and lines like: “Feel no shame for what you are…Join us in the streets where we // Don’t belong,” reach out to everyone, bringing us all together, including those who feel different, dispossessed, disenchanted. That’s a message for us all to absorb as we begin 2020. Continue reading “Video: Jeff Buckley “New Year’s Prayer””