Steven Rafferty

AmericanA to Z – Hamell On Trial

January 14, 2020 Steven Rafferty 0

I have to admit, as I sit here getting ready to file the latest entry in our ongoing alphabetical exploration of all things Americana—I’m wondering if I might not have finally stretched the boundaries of Americana […]

The Hackles “A Dobritch Did As A Dobritch Should” (Jealous Butcher Records, 2019)

December 20, 2019 Steven Rafferty 0

The second time around the duo of Kati Claborn and Luke Ydstie took a much more collaborative approach to the musical arrangements that support their still lovely harmonies and vocal interplay. Whereas their debut album was […]

The Avett Brothers “Closer Than Together” (American/Republic, 2019)

November 12, 2019 Steven Rafferty 0

Prior to its release, Seth Avett laid out a mission statement for the Avett Brothers’ 10th full-length album by way of a four-paragraph letter. In it, he opines that “the last thing the world needs is […]

EG Vines “Family Business” (Independent, 2019)

October 11, 2019 Steven Rafferty 0

When his band called it a day in 2015, EG Vines decided to strike out on his own. Last year’s EP ‘Conversation’ put listeners on notice that there was more to come. Vines’ debut LP ‘Family […]

AmericanA to Z – Uncle Tupelo

October 10, 2019 Steven Rafferty 0

There’s no way we could make our first trip through the alphabet without a tip of the hat to the band that some folks point to as the start of this thing we call Americana. I’m […]

Can’t Live With It, Can’t Live Without It: Tom Waits

August 5, 2026 2

The musical influence of Tom Waits over the last seven decades has spanned far beyond what one might define as americana. His deep, gravely voice, has been described as having been soaked in a vat of […]

Paul McClure “The Good And The Bad Of It”

August 5, 2026 0

The Rutland Troubadour returns for album number four. Paul McClure, on his fourth album, decided to go to pastures new and left the rural north and travelled south to East Sussex and the fine Bex-Pop Studios […]

Artists with Hearts of Gold contribute to two more albums of Neil Young covers

August 5, 2026 0

Includes tracks from My Morning Jacket, Lucinda Williams and MJ Lenderman among others. Cinema Music Group, Killphonic Records, and City Slang have announced Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 2 – Out of […]

Articles by Steven Rafferty