Author: Rick Bayles

The Unsung Heroes of Americana – Dave Cobb, Producer

Continuing with our series of features on The Unsung Heroes of Americana,  where we take a look at some of the people, places and things that help to bring this genre of music to life, Richard Phillips is back with a profile of a man who likes to keep things simple but always taps into the real sound of the musicians he works with; Nashville based producer, Dave Cobb. Continue reading “The Unsung Heroes of Americana – Dave Cobb, Producer”

The Song Remains – Hal Ketchum 1953 – 2020

It’s with much sadness that we’ve learned of the death of Hal Ketchum, who passed away at his family home on Monday night, due to complications from dementia, after three years of battling with the illness that brought about his early retirement from performing and recording. He was only 67 years old. Continue reading “The Song Remains – Hal Ketchum 1953 – 2020”

Forgotten Artists – The Bottle Rockets

Our FORGOTTEN ARTISTS series isn’t so much about bands and singers who’re no longer with us or who have completely disappeared from the scene. The core idea of this series is to remind our readers of bands that may have slipped from memory or to introduce them to an artist they may have missed when they first emerged. Continue reading “Forgotten Artists – The Bottle Rockets”

The Unsung Heroes of Americana – Larrie Londin, Drummer

We’re here with another Unsung Heroes of Americana article, looking at the people, places and things that help to make this music we all love. This time around, I’m taking a look at the career of one of the greats from the world of percussion. Continue reading “The Unsung Heroes of Americana – Larrie Londin, Drummer”

Forgotten Artists – Lucy Kaplansky

Here we are with another FORGOTTEN ARTIST article, and frequent contributor Tim Martin is back to remind us about the career of a singer-songwriter who’s also a fine interpreter of other artists songs. Lucy Kaplansky describes herself as “a folk artist from New York”. She has collaborated with Shawn Colvin and her label mates at Red House Records John Gorka and Eliza Gilkyson, and worked with Nanci Griffith and Dar Williams. She has often mixed her own songs with well-chosen, sometimes unusual covers. Continue reading “Forgotten Artists – Lucy Kaplansky”

AUK’s Chain Gang: Texas Tornados “She Never Spoke Spanish To Me”

So, it would seem, according to Russell’s excellent offering to the chain gang that, up in Canada, The New Pornographers can request someone to sing Spanish techno to them. Meanwhile, down at the other end of the North Americas, they can’t even get someone to speak Spanish, let alone sing Techno in that language! Continue reading “AUK’s Chain Gang: Texas Tornados “She Never Spoke Spanish To Me””

Bella White “Just Like Leaving” (Independent, 2020)

It’s always a pleasure to hear a young artist tackle a traditional musical style with confidence and ability and that’s exactly what you get on this debut album from singer and songwriter Bella White. Listening to this excellent recording, you’re instantly transported to the Appalachian mountains, hearing White’s keening voice drifting through on a backing of fiddles and mandolins – so it comes as a bit of a surprise to discover that she hales from Calgary, Canada; just around three thousand miles from the heart of the Appalachian region! Continue reading “Bella White “Just Like Leaving” (Independent, 2020)”

The Unsung Heroes of Americana – Martin D28

It’s another article in our Unsung Heroes of Americana series and, following on from his article on the Gibson J-45, Richard Phillips is back with another piece on an instrument that is at the very heart of this genre; the Martin D28. Continue reading “The Unsung Heroes of Americana – Martin D28”

The Unsung Heroes of Americana – James Calvin Wilsey, Guitarist

We’re back with another article in our Unsung Heroes of Americana series. This time I’m taking a look at a wayward genius of a guitar player; a man who created a signature sound that will be forever associated with another artist. Continue reading “The Unsung Heroes of Americana – James Calvin Wilsey, Guitarist”