Mark Whitfield

Watch Kurt Vile’s short documentary featuring The Sadies

October 10, 2019 Mark Whitfield 0

In early September 2018, on the eve of the announcement of his latest album ‘Bottle It In’, Kurt Vile decamped to the Catskill Mountains in upper state New York with friends and fellow musicians to rehearse, […]

Songs for the apocalypse: Paul Kelly “They Thought I Was Asleep”

October 9, 2019 Mark Whitfield 3

Paul Kelly has more pathos in the index finger of his right hand than most songwriters do in their, er, heads – exhibit A is this track, the version of which you can watch below recorded […]

Sturgill Simpson “Fastest Horse in Town” (Live): Watch

October 8, 2019 Mark Whitfield 0

If you have 10 minutes to spare this afternoon you could do worse than spend it watching the clip below of Sturgill Simpson who played an intimate show at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg earlier this […]

Josh Ritter plays NPR Tiny Desk Concert with Amanda Shires And Jason Isbell: Watch

October 7, 2019 Mark Whitfield 0

Apologies for completely missing this last week – Josh Ritter played one of NPR’s magical little Tiny Desk concerts last week, as they described it “with the enthusiasm of a young child and the wisdom of […]

The Avett Brothers “We Americans” – Watch

October 4, 2019 Mark Whitfield 0

We leave you this week dear reader with a track from the sublime new album from North Carolina’s Avett Brothers which is out today – ‘Closer Than Together’ is their most political record to date, a […]

“A lovely, thoughtful and humorous man” – Americana UK remembers Martin Johnson

October 6, 2026 0

Back in September 2019, I received an email after one of our semi-regular call-outs for new writers to join our team which said: “After 40 years in IT and process outsourcing I am current kicking my […]

Bap Kennedy “Above All, Love”

October 6, 2026 0

Timely release of demos from the late, great Bap Kennedy. In the history of all things Americana, one of the most tragic and sad pieces of news was when one of Ireland’s finest songwriters, Bap Kennedy, […]

Book Review: Bobbo Byrnes “Too Many Miles”

October 6, 2026 0

On the road with an unofficial Rock & Roll Goodwill Ambassador. Travelling band member and often solo troubadour Bobbo Byrnes describes his memoirs as a “rags-to-rags” story of roaming the world in search of songs. It […]

Interviews

Interview: Fischer-Z’s John Watts reminisces on 50 years of making heartfelt music

October 1, 2026 0

The songs of John Watts, whether in his band Fischer-Z, in his other bands or as a solo artist, aren’t technically Americana, but everything in their construction and recording has the feel of exactly what Americana […]

Interviews

Interview: Shawn Colvin, celebrating 30 years of “A Few Small Repairs”

September 29, 2026 2

Shawn Colvin has long established herself as one of the most captivating of singer-songwriters. She’s an accomplished guitar player, possessed of a fine voice, and she’s a storyteller of great talent. Her first album, Steady On, […]

Behind the Songs

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

September 15, 2026 0

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 track on Maya de Vitry’s 2026 release, but […]

Album Reviews

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy “Ghosts of American Psychonauts”

September 11, 2026 0

Eight exquisite live performances from a master songwriter. Bonnie “Prince” Billy (aka Will Oldham) is no stranger to releasing live albums. Over the past 25 years he’s produced numerous live recordings under his various aliases. This […]

Album Reviews

Dave Sutherland “Just Like a Black and White Film”

September 22, 2026 0

Warm, wistful country-leaning songs find their strength in memory, reflection and some lovely understated musical touches. There is something appropriately old-fashioned about Just Like a Black and White Film, the sixth studio album from Dave Sutherland. […]

Album Reviews

Ben Glover “Sweet Wild Lily” (Proper, 2020)

December 14, 2020 0

In recent years, Glover, originally from the village of Glenarm, County Antrim in Northern Ireland, has been building a strong reputation both as a singer and songwriter in his own right, and as a valued collaborator […]

Articles by Mark Whitfield

Watch Kurt Vile’s short documentary featuring The Sadies

Songs for the apocalypse: Paul Kelly “They Thought I Was Asleep”

Sturgill Simpson “Fastest Horse in Town” (Live): Watch

Josh Ritter plays NPR Tiny Desk Concert with Amanda Shires And Jason Isbell: Watch

The Avett Brothers “We Americans” – Watch

“A lovely, thoughtful and humorous man” – Americana UK remembers Martin Johnson

Bap Kennedy “Above All, Love”

Book Review: Bobbo Byrnes “Too Many Miles”

Lyal Strickland “Shooter Of Truth”

More People Really Should Know About: Seamus Fogarty