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 […]

RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
The The - Hanky Panky (vinyl)
By Peter Thompson , 21 hours ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
The Chicks - Taking the Long Way (local streaming)
By Peter Thompson , 4 days ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Far From Saints - Far From Saints (vinyl)
By Peter Thompson , 2 weeks ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Ryan Adams - The Suicide Handbook (vinyl)
By Peter Thompson , 2 weeks ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Mudcrutch - Mudcrutch (vinyl)
By Peter Thompson , 2 weeks ago
RE: There's no future in nostalgia
Stonehenge was a fucking mess every time but it was a b...
By Keith Hargreaves , 2 weeks ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Great shout John I’m new here -Gil Scott Heron wh...
By Keith Hargreaves , 2 weeks ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Neil Young - Citizen Kane Jr
By John , 2 weeks ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Clarence White would have been 82 today. A little remin...
By Martin Johnson , 3 weeks ago

Rising Appalachia at FloydeFesr, Floyd, Virginia 22 nd July 2010

Essentials: The top 10 Essential Americana Live Albums

June 25, 2026 1

We experience music typically either at a show or on record. The live album is the device by which artists and labels attempt to bridge the two. The types of live album vary. There are shows […]

artwork for Dallas Good, Richard Reed Parry album "were The Watchtowers"

Dallas Good, Richard Reed Parry “Were “The Watchtowers””

June 25, 2026 2

A poignant final act from Dallas Good in collaboration with Richard Reed Parry, leaving us with a melancholic album, beautiful, sad and thought-provoking. There’s something quietly arresting about this new record by Dallas Good and Richard […]

Preview: Everywhere At Once festival at 400+ grass roots venues this weekend

June 25, 2026 0

More than 2,000 artists performing across 400+ grassroots venues nationwide, spanning indie, folk, country/ americana, dance, pop, rock, grime, electronic, jazz, folk, punk, soul and more. The event is sponsored by the Music Venue Trust and […]

Interviews

Interview: Matt Patershuk writes songs for the small moments we all share

June 24, 2026 1

As an animal lover and caretaker of horses, dogs and cats, the latest album from Canadian singer-songwriter Matt Patershuk certainly caught my attention. Dog Tiger Horses on Red Hen Records (2025) is green as grass, country-folk […]

Interviews

Video Interview: Susto’s Justin Osbourne on Susto Stringband

June 18, 2026 0

Susto are an American indie band who have managed to build their own following with their individual take on alt-country and americana that reflects the fact that they were formed in Charleston, South Carolina. Justin Osbourne […]

Interviews

Interview: Tinsley Ellis brings the good word acoustically nowadays

June 17, 2026 0

In 2025, Tinsley Ellis returned to the deep roots of the blues after the success of his previous album, Naked Truth (Alligator Records, 2024). There are many different styles of playing wrapped up in his music, […]

AmericanA to Z

AmericanA to Z – The Delmore Brothers

February 12, 2019 0

Before Americana, before Outlaw Country, before Nashville even; there was Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family and importantly The Delmore Brothers. From a dirt poor Alabama farming family, these boys fused blues, folk and gospel to create […]

Videos

Video: Larkin Poe “Bad Spell”

May 26, 2022 0

Leather jacket swagger from the Lovell sisters. This fierce blues rock barnburner from Larkin Poe conjures arena strutting 70’s rockers and the first wave of British blues in the 60’s. ‘Bad Spell’ is the first single […]

Album Reviews

Matt Fockler “Matt Fockler”

April 26, 2022 0

Debut album of acoustic gems from South Dakota builder and artist. If you happen to live in Montrose, South Dakota, and you’ve had work done to your home, you’re likely to know a highly talented builder […]

Articles by Mark Underwood

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

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

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

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

10 Americana songs with great lyrics

Essentials: The top 10 Essential Americana Live Albums

Dallas Good, Richard Reed Parry “Were “The Watchtowers””

Preview: Everywhere At Once festival at 400+ grass roots venues this weekend

The Long Ryders ride into a town near you in October!

The Glass Hours “Chapel Glass”