Jonathan Smith

Ashley Monroe “Tennessee Lightning”

July 31, 2025 Jonathan Smith 0

Sprawling offering from country A-Lister on a personal journey. Tennessee native Ashley Monroe has been a fixture on the Nashville music scene for many years now. Starting out as a songwriter, she developed a solo career […]

More People Really Should Know About: Noelie McDonnell

July 15, 2025 Jonathan Smith 0

It’s always a thrill when you get in on an artist right at the start of their career, and are able to follow their progress over years. One such (for your writer) is Ireland’s Noelie McDonnell, […]

Cory Hanson “I Love People”

July 15, 2025 Jonathan Smith 1

Sunlit Laurel Canyon vibes with a dark undertow. Cory Hanson originally came to attention through leading the psychedelic garage rock band Wand, but he has simultaneously led a solo career, and “I Love People” is his […]

Jackson Emmer “Battle Hymn of the Early Riser”

June 30, 2025 Jonathan Smith 0

Rich, warm storytelling from a masterful craftsman. A new name to Americana UK, Jackson Emmer’s “Battle Hymn of the Early Riser” is nonetheless his fifth solo album. Having played on the Bluebird Cafe stage and secured […]

Hanna Rose Platt 'Fragile Creatures' artwork

Hannah Rose Platt “Fragile Creatures”

April 29, 2025 Jonathan Smith 0

Stirring, intrepid journey into the medicine, myth and mystery of women’s history. Having released two solid (if traditional-sounding) singer-songwriter albums, Hannah Rose Platt swerved away from anything remotely conventional with 2023’s album ‘Deathbed Confessions’. Our review […]

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

Ashley Monroe “Tennessee Lightning”

More People Really Should Know About: Noelie McDonnell

Cory Hanson “I Love People”

Jackson Emmer “Battle Hymn of the Early Riser”

Hannah Rose Platt “Fragile Creatures”

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”