Jonathan Smith

Tommy Alexander “Feelings”

November 14, 2022 Jonathan Smith 0

Nashville move prompts deep-voiced troubadour to move onwards and upwards. Having been massively involved in the songwriting community of the Pacific NW states, the arrival of the Covid era prompted a relocation south to Nashville for […]

Ella Ruby “Baby Blue”

October 26, 2022 Jonathan Smith 0

Debut filled with the subtle beauty of love, pain and hope. ‘baby blue’ is the first collection from ella ruby (in lower case), a singer-songwriter from Seattle. Comprising five tracks of acoustic music with softly whispered, […]

Steve Wallis “Nothing Stays the Same Way For Long”

September 12, 2022 Jonathan Smith 0

Subtly crafted gorgeousness abounds on Australian songwriter’s debut. Steve Wallis is an Australian singer songwriter who has resided in Paris for nearly a decade. This, his debut album, following the success of 2018 single ‘Melbourne Rain’, […]

Small Venue Heroes: Rory McLeod

September 6, 2022 Jonathan Smith 2

It must be twenty years since I was introduced to the music of Rory McLeod, and twenty years later, I’m still trying to find the right way to categorise the music he makes. Folk is probably […]

Freedy Johnston 'Back On The Road Again'

Freedy Johnston “Back On The Road To You”

August 30, 2022 Jonathan Smith 0

Sunny summer sweetness, with just a touch of melancholy. Freedy Johnston has a 30 year music career behind him, during which time he has garnered praise and love from critics and musical peers. He nonetheless remains […]

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

Tommy Alexander “Feelings”

Ella Ruby “Baby Blue”

Steve Wallis “Nothing Stays the Same Way For Long”

Small Venue Heroes: Rory McLeod

Freedy Johnston “Back On The Road To You”

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”