Paul Campbell

Stacey McNeill and Jonathan Smith “Leaving Autumn Town” (Independent, 2020)

July 30, 2020 Paul Campbell 0

The title of Stacey McNeill and Jonathan Smith’s EP sets the musical tone. It would be surprising to find power ballads and squealing guitar solos in a collection of music called `Leaving Autumn Town’ and indeed […]

Steve Crawford and Spider Mackenzie “Celticana” (Independent, 2020)

July 2, 2020 Paul Campbell 0

`Celticana’ is the second album from songwriter Steve Crawford and his compadre Spider Mackenzie on harmonica. The title sums up their intent to marry the music of their native Scotland with the U.S, and they succeed. […]

Lauren Calve “Wildfire” (Independent, 2020)

June 23, 2020 Paul Campbell 0

Lauren Calve’s music is at the bluesy, rockier end of the Americana spectrum. Here you will find riffing electric guitars, on-the-beat drumming, pulsing basslines and most notably Calve’s powerful singing. Her voice combines projection and emotion […]

AUK’s Chain Gang: Hot Club of Cowtown “Pennies from Heaven”

June 22, 2020 Paul Campbell 0

The last Chain Gang featured Mark Lanegan’s version of Dylan’s `Man in the Long Black Coat’. As ever, Dylan provides us with those allusive, resonating lyrics. Is the man of the title referring to death, depression […]

Darren Hayman “Home Time” (Fika Recordings, 2020)

June 8, 2020 Paul Campbell 0

Darren Hayman’s ‘Home Time’ is music that is likely to divide. For some it will be light and mannered with an ironic pose. For others it will be playful, charming and endearing. This reviewer sits in […]