Jonathan Smith

Chatham County Line “Hiyo”

February 6, 2024 Jonathan Smith 0

Bluegrass traditionalists suddenly not so traditional. ‘Hiyo’ is the tenth studio album by Chatham County Line, but the first without banjo player Chandler Holt. Rather than directly replace him, the rest of the band chose instead […]

The Last Hurrah “Modern Nostalgia”

January 15, 2024 Jonathan Smith 2

Yeah, baby! Retro cool 60’s stylings from Scandinavia/USA collaborators. The Last Hurrah has been a long-term labour of love for Norwegian producer/musician/ writer HP Gundersen. Utilising the talents of multiple different musicians and singers for his […]

No-No Boy “Empire Electric”

December 13, 2023 Jonathan Smith 0

True stories and high adventures from Asian-American history. No-No Boy is the nom de plume used by Julian Saporiti for his musical adventures, and ‘Empire Electric’ is the third of these. The project developed as the […]

Wildwood Family 'Random Number' cover art

The Wildwood Family “Random Number”

November 27, 2023 Jonathan Smith 0

The Bluegrass Abba? Yes, please! Sometimes, what you’re expecting isn’t what you get; and when what you’re expecting is something good, and what you get is something even better, then that’s gold dust. Founded in 2008, […]

Pilcrowe “West of Center”

November 14, 2023 Jonathan Smith 3

A jangly serving of Arizona Americana. Pilcrowe are the joint talents of Flagstaff music veterans Ryan Heinsius (guitar) and Andrew Lauher (drums). They have been making music together for some ten years on the local scene […]

For The Sake Of The Song: Dean Owens “Sally’s Song (I Dreamed Of Michael Marra)”

July 27, 2026 0

Dean Owens is, of course, no stranger to these pages. With twelve albums and numerous AUK awards behind him, a search on this site will provide pages of reviews, interviews and videos. Typing the name Michael […]

Mick Flannery “The House Must Win”

July 27, 2026 0

A labour of love, twenty years in the making from renowned Irish singer-songwriter. It is more than twenty years since Mick Flannery released his debut album Evening Train, but the tale it told of (as he puts […]

Robert Plant to receive Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award

July 27, 2026 0

The Americana Music Association has announced that singer, songwriter and musical trailblazer Robert Plant will receive the Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award during the 25th Annual Americana Honours & Awards, taking place on 16th September 2026, at […]

Articles by Jonathan Smith

Chatham County Line “Hiyo”

The Last Hurrah “Modern Nostalgia”

No-No Boy “Empire Electric”

The Wildwood Family “Random Number”

Pilcrowe “West of Center”

For The Sake Of The Song: Dean Owens “Sally’s Song (I Dreamed Of Michael Marra)”

Mick Flannery “The House Must Win”

Robert Plant to receive Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award

Tucker Zimmerman “Dream Me A Dream”

Sounds from beyond the Shed 241 “Back in the swim”