Mark Underwood

Book Review: Alan Tyler “How To Never Have A Hit: The Confessions of an Unsuccessful Singer-Songwriter”

February 24, 2025 Mark Underwood 2

The epiphany for writing this book occurred while Alan Tyler was listening to random recordings of the Complete Hank Williams on the Bakerloo Line on the London Underground. Chancing upon the audio of ‘How To Write […]

Book Review: Allan Jones “Too Late to Stop Now: More Rock ‘n’ Roll War Stories”

June 2, 2023 Mark Underwood 0

Books Editor, Rick Bayles writes, “We’re delighted that Mark Underwood, who used to write regularly for Americana UK, has returned to us as a guest contributor with this review of the new book from one of […]

John Prine Tribute – ‘He Was In Heaven Before He Died’, Jazz Café, London, 8th December 2020

December 23, 2020 Mark Underwood 0

Before this expertly curated evening was put together its promoter, the mutli-talented instrumentalist and musician, Joe Harvey-Whyte, said the world could be divided into two camps: “those who love John Prine’s music and those who’ve yet […]

Two intimate and socially distanced tributes to John Prine at the Jazz Cafe

October 26, 2020 Mark Underwood 0

Just over two weeks ago it was John Prine’s birthday (October the 10th). It’s a measure of the extreme affection in which he’s still held – and the impact his untimely passing had on so many […]

10 Americana songs with great lyrics

September 14, 2020 Mark Underwood 12

Mark Underwood continues with the fifth in his irregular feature on music by great songwriters with great lyrics, this time taking you through classics from the likes of Amy Speace, Alejandro Escovedo, Neil Young and Gretchen […]

Promo photo for Jack Barksdale EP "Battleground"

AUK’s Monthly EP Round-Up – September 2026

September 23, 2026 1

It’s September already, and with it the first signs of Autumn’s “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”, inviting us to bid a fond farewell to another year of outdoor festivals culminating in last weekend’s ‘Long Road’ at […]

Artwork for Lisa Bouchelle album "Vandals Thieves and Lovers"

Lisa Bouchelle “Vandals, Thieves and Lovers”

September 23, 2026 0

Classy vocals from Lisa Bouchelle are front and centre of a fine country soul collection, featuring Amanda Shires, with some unexpected twists. It’s always a pleasure as a reviewer to discover a new top vocalist – […]

Album art for Mac Cornish album "Wayfaring Woman"

Mac Cornish “Wayfaring Woman”

September 23, 2026 0

Californian singer reminds you of the days when country music was country music, and that’s no bad thing. Mac Cornish grew up on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz mountains in northern California, where she […]

Behind the Songs

Behind the Songs: Maya de Vitry – “All My Faith”

September 15, 2026 0

Behind the Songs: Maya de Vitry – “All My Faith”If you arrive at All My Faith looking for something that sounds like Gillian Welch, you might find your thirst briefly satiated by No Time to Rush, the final […]

Interviews

Interview: Adam Chaffins on what is great about flea markets, dive bars and trailer trash

August 28, 2026 1

As one of the most resourceful songwriters in americana, Adam Chaffins welcomes you to the latest from his wacky, witty world in Trailer Trash: Doublewide (Spirit Nashville Recordings, 2026), a collection of narratives about schemers, dive […]

Interviews

Video Interview: Richard Olson of the Hanging Stars and Tim Prottey-Johns of the First Time Flyers on the Long Road Festival

August 26, 2026 0

Why musicians love the Long Road Festival. In preparation for Americana UK’s David Jarman‘s preview of the Long Road Festival, he interviewed Richard Olson of the Hanging Stars and Tim Prottey-Jones of the First Time Flyers. […]

Album Reviews

Timothy Alice and the Dead Star Band “SpaceStation AM 500” (Independent, 2019)

January 20, 2020 0

The clang of guitars and gruff manly vocals do not always fill me with excitement but in this case, the more I listened to Timothy Alice and the Dead Star Band the more I heard and […]

AUK's Chain Gang

AUK’s Chain Gang: Terry Allen “Amarillo Highway”

February 21, 2022 1

Having spent the last two weeks in Australia courtesy of The Triffids and Kasey Chambers, I’ve decided to steer the ship back into more familiar americana waters. Indeed nowhere could be more familiar to lovers of […]

Tracks

Jingle Bells Friday – do you hear what I hear?

November 21, 2025 0

Starting up the beloved annual feature Jingle Bells Friday is a bit like christmas shopping in reverse. When is too soon to start that shopping – or, and perhaps more meaningful and likely to be remembered […]

Articles by Mark Underwood