Martin Johnson

The Song Remains: Randy Meisner (1944-2023)

July 31, 2023 Martin Johnson 2

Country rock founding father who brought his soul to The Eagles. Country rock has lost another of its founders with the death of Randy Meisner on 26th July 2023, in Los Angeles from chronic obstructive pulmonary […]

The Pink Stones “You Know Who”

July 26, 2023 Martin Johnson 0

Reinvigorated country rock with hints of soul, gospel, psych and dub. The local music scene of Athens, Georgia, which gave the world R.E.M., The B-52’s, The Drive-By Truckers, Vic Chesnutt, and countless others, is alive and […]

Interview: Deer Tick’s John J. McCauley on making “Emotional Contracts”

July 25, 2023 Martin Johnson 0

Parenthood may be a sign of middle age but Deer Tick’s enthusiasm for music still burns. Not every band can keep a career going for twenty years, and even fewer manage a career refresh while juggling […]

Lori McKenna “1988”

July 19, 2023 Martin Johnson 0

Back to the future for Lori McKenna. Lori McKenna has two musical careers running in tandem, the first is as one of the leading songwriters in the country genre, with her songs being covered by artists […]

Interview: Doug Levitt gets to the “Edge Of Everywhere” by Greyhound

July 18, 2023 Martin Johnson 0

Echoes of Jack Kerouac and Guthrie for the 21st Century with a Muscle Shoals vibe. It has taken twelve years and something like 120,000 miles riding a Greyhound before Doug Levitt released his debut album, ‘Edge […]

Lucinda Williams St Paul Theatre 14 April 2019

For the Sake of the Song: Lucinda Williams “Metal Firecracker”

September 28, 2026 0

There are songs that you love for the lyrics, songs that you love for the music; sometimes you get a song where both are so perfect you have a masterpiece. Lucinda Williams’ Metal Firecracker is the […]

Artwork for Ian Noe album"Canyon Falls Trailer Band"

Ian Noe “Canyon Falls Trailer Band”

September 28, 2026 0

Impressive collection of character-driven songwriting and classic country sounds. Kentuckian Ian Noe presents a diverse selection of sixteen original songs on his excellent new album, Canyon Falls Trailer Band. It’s Noe’s third release and the second […]

The Jayhawks live at the Electric Ballroom, Camden - 16th September 2026

Live Review: The Jayhawks, Electric Ballroom, Camden – 16th September 2026

September 28, 2026 1

About a decade ago, I formulated a new genre based on a particular guitar sound that would for several years be heard on Radio 2 after midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Bob Harris Country is […]

Articles by Martin Johnson