Paul Russell

The Other Side Of Me: Paul Russell savours the songwriting mastery of Mickey Jupp

November 23, 2022 Paul Russell 0

It’s fascinating to discover how musicians see themselves – how they like to be defined or known for. For Mickey Jupp – it’s songwriter. He’s a cracking piano player, a wonderful vocalist and a highly accomplished […]

Brian Blake “Book Of Life”

November 16, 2022 Paul Russell 0

Reflective, emotional family storytelling from Memphis troubadour. Concept albums are often quite a challenge for the artist to bring across the meaning and passion often associated with this style of release. Blake is a Memphis-based singer-songwriter […]

Angela Easterling “Witness”

October 27, 2022 Paul Russell 0

Hook-laden, poetic and masterful collection of highly personal songs. So often, listening to the songs penned by good singer-songwriters, it shines an honoured light into the lives and experiences of people we don’t know and have […]

M. Lockwood Porter “Sisyphus Happy”

October 6, 2022 Paul Russell 0

Superb release for Oakland songwriter with John Moreland helping out. It’s good to have a book on the go at all times – and it’s amazing how literature can influence song writing as well. Oakland, California […]

Matthew Check “Without A Throne”

October 4, 2022 Paul Russell 0

Eclectic mini-album with glorious seventies vibe. The songwriting process manifests itself in so many ways for musicians and Newtown, Pennsylvania based Check has a highly distinctive approach to this creative process. He says he writes his […]

Album artwork for The Fool by Embla and the Karldotters

Embla and the Karidotters “The Fool”

September 24, 2026 0

Norwegian queer-country assertively and affectionately delivering. Embla Karidotter was the drummer for Norwegian indie band Razika for 13 years, before she chose to change direction and build on her love of country music with new band […]

Béla Fleck releases live album to celebrate his Bluegrass Heart

September 24, 2026 0

On the 16th of October, Béla Fleck is to release the recording of a stellar Nashville night as a live album called Live Heart. On January 8, 2022, he and a multigenerational gang of musical heavy […]

Izzie Walsh “Where Do We Go From Here?”

September 24, 2026 0

A collection of rootsier tunes ideal for shuffle or playlist. Anyone who has attended gigs of a rootsier persuasion around Manchester and the northwest in recent years will almost certainly have come across the hard-working and […]

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. […]

Tracks

Jerry Leger & Don Stevenson “Halfway ‘Til Gone” – Listen

August 18, 2020 0

A very special track today, with Canadian Jerry Leger teeming up with Don Stevenson (of Moby Grape fame) for ‘Halfway ’til Gone‘. There’s a classic Everly Brothers feel to the duo’s collaboration – in the harmonies, […]

Videos

Video: The Flying Burrito Brothers “Christine’s Tune”

October 12, 2018 0

A classic for this week’s retro slot, with Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons, Sneaky Pete Kleinow at al from 1969 (or possibly 1970). Whatever, it’s a fabulous tune to start the weekend. Have a good one everyone.

Album Reviews

Morton Valence “Europa” (Bastard Recordings, 2017)

May 23, 2017 0

Were it not for the declaration on the album cover that “millions of us…consider ourselves as both citizens of the UK and Europe” Morton Valence’s latest release would represent the subtlest political album you’re ever likely […]

Articles by Paul Russell

The Other Side Of Me: Paul Russell savours the songwriting mastery of Mickey Jupp

Brian Blake “Book Of Life”

Angela Easterling “Witness”

M. Lockwood Porter “Sisyphus Happy”

Matthew Check “Without A Throne”

Embla and the Karidotters “The Fool”

Béla Fleck releases live album to celebrate his Bluegrass Heart

Izzie Walsh “Where Do We Go From Here?”

Americana Stories – Stephen Eyre “On the road”

Vox Continental: September 2026