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Today’s song is the upcoming new single from Michael Colton, which will be generally available from tomorrow and precedes an upcoming EP which will be released this Autumn. ‘Leave the Light On‘ is a ballad which draws on Colton’s experiences as a father. Continue reading “Track Premiere: Michael Colton “Leave The Light On””
‘The Land that Time Forgot‘ finds Chuck Prophet in something of a nostalgic mood, although when he looks back it can be with anger usually conveyed by a sarcastic sneer – but there’s also fondness, regret, compassion, empathy and a celebration of old friends and heroes. There’s a bright, and typically paradoxical, opener to the album with ‘Best Shirt On‘ which has Prophet singing “I’ve got my best shirt on / Another one just like it hanging in my closet” over an almost sixties girl-group arrangement. Light and cool. Continue reading “Chuck Prophet “The Land That Time Forgot” (Yep Roc Records, 2020)”
So what do we have today? Well, a song about love – nothing too surprising there although this one is particularly lush in its arrangement – but more than that: it’s a questioning of roles and in particular what it means to be a man. Is it OK for men to show emotion, and “embrace their feminine side“? Err…yeah, obviously. Not everyone sees that though, as Josiah Johnson explains when talking of ‘Woman in a Man’s Life.’ Continue reading “Josiah Johnson “Woman In A Man’s Life” – Listen”
In just one month from today Richard and Linda Thompson will release a career retrospective – ‘Hard Luck Stories (1972 to 1982)‘ – covering a decade of music making. The 8 CD collection is more than just a reissue of their six studio albums (including the hard to get hold of ‘Sunnyvista‘ and ‘First Light‘) – although these of course are included – there are also non-album singles, B-sides, Demos, Rarities and previously unreleased live material. And more. Continue reading “Richard and Linda Thompson announce vast retrospective release”
A collaboration between two artists who really do require no introduction – but when has that ever stopped us ? Ben Harper of rootsy blues fame, and also noted for work with legends such as Mavis Staples and Charlie Musselwhite. And Rhiannon Giddens who broke into worldwide recognition with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and has since released a clutch of solo albums and is Jason Isbell’s closest rival in the winning awards for pure excellence in Americana stakes. Continue reading “Ben Harper & Rhiannon Giddens “Black Eyed Dog” – Listen”
Nordicana – we love it, especially when it comes in the form of West Coast harmonies, and claims influences from all the best people – Erin Rae, for example, and The Byrds. Harmonies, guitars and just the right amount of swearing: “they say that girls can’t play guitar I don’t give a fuck“. And neither do we. Like we say, we love it. Continue reading “The Northern Belle “Late Bloomer” – Listen”
“I could be your lover, I could be a friend / We could find a place no one else has ever been” sings Andrew Nelson on this, the first single from Great Peacock’s new album ‘Forever Worse Better‘ which is out on October 9th. It’s a song about searching for certainties – and finding them hard to get hold of. It bursts with colour, expanding roots-rock in the direction of psychedelia. Continue reading “Track Premiere: Great Peacock “All I Ever Do””
A further single from Zaac Pick’s new album ‘Passages‘, sees the singer-songwriter questioning the true meaning of strength, what masculinity means, and what it takes to “admit when I am wrong“. Continue reading “Zaac Pick “Strong Enough” – Listen”
There are quite a few things that are remarkable about ‘Old Time Feeling‘, but the most prominent noteworthy point is that this is S.G. Goodman’s solo debut. It’s such a mature sound that S.G. Goodman has laid down that doesn’t get explained by just her previous punk-band experience, although it was this that led Jim James to co-produce this record. The feel is of stripped down arrangements designed to compliment a voice that is full of living: hard edged, softened in places and desperately honest as it communicates with an urgency and directness that paradoxically is delivering lyrics that can defy an unassisted unpicking. Continue reading “S.G. Goodman “Old Time Feeling” (Verve Forecast, 2020)”
Not, as you might think, a song about these strange times, New Orleans singer-songwriter Drew Young is actually thinking about the strange times we used to have – you know, when you could meet people and a simple connection might go somewhere or nowhere or anywhere. Continue reading “Drew Young “Wondering Where This Will End” – Listen”