... - Recent Topics

David Allan Coe (9/6/1939 - 4/29/2026)

Joe Nathan — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:09:22 +0000

David Allan Coe was certainly a controversial figure, but I’ll also readily acknowledge the huge role he played in my exposure to country music when I was a kid back in the 1970s. My introduction to his music came via his Longhaired Redneck album on 8-track. To be clear, this remembrance is by no means an endorsement of the behavior that earned him that reputation. Rest in peace, Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy.

Beverley Martyn

Paul Villers — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:41:29 +0000

I see that Beverley Martyn has died which is sad. I rather think its a case of 'coulda, woulda, shoulda' with her. She worked with all sorts of people back in the sixties including Paul Simon, Donovan, even (then) session men Jimmy Page and Nicky Hopkins. And of course married John which didn't end well. After divorcing him due to his alcoholism she retired to look after her children although she did make something of a comeback in later years. You've got to have a lot of respect for someone who puts family and happiness before fame and fortune. Here she is with fellow folk icon Nick Drake

https://youtu.be/3gN1ww4AlKQ?si=WBOkZxWD3tGUD6XB

Andy Kershaw

Paul Villers — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:24:56 +0000

I see that Andy Kershaw has died. One time roadie for Billy Bragg, presenter and DJ (once mooted as the 'next' John Peel). Also a proper musicologist whose knowledge of things musical was unsurpassed. His Radio 3 programme (yes that Radio 3) was a bizarre, eclectic mix of world music that was excellent listening a few years ago for those looking for something beyond the norm. Sadly his personal life was not the best and his mental health and reputation suffered because of it. Died of cancer aged 66. Very sad

RIP Mike Westbrook

Martin Johnson — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:55:53 +0000

Not for AUK per se, but British jazz legend Mike Westbrook has gone. His piano and compositional work for his big band made him a singular artist, and he was there when British jazz and rock influenced each other in the 60s and early 70s.

My First Record Player

Joe Nathan — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:25:26 +0000

Link to an article I contributed to Michele Catalano’s I Have That On Vinyl website about the first record player I owned as a kid in the 70s, a portable model from RCA.

https://ihavethatonvinyl.com/essays/my-first-record-player/

London Gigs Next Week

MarkMcCall — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:44:56 +0000

Posting this on the off chance anyone on here knows of any decent gigs in London between 5 and 10 April. I'm down in London for a few days and was hoping to go to a few shows but, having looked on the usual sites, can't see anything that takes my fancy. There's no doubt somebody brilliant playing is some pub somewhere I haven't managed to find!

J'accuse

Paul Villers — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:19:47 +0000

Oh just do one will you? Please?

With patience running thin and tempers about to flare give me here your worst exponent of the americana genre. I mean that little shit who all of your buddies like but you don't have time for. That absolute cretin who you would rather punch in the face than open a door for. The poor excuse for a human being who that they could rule the world with their music but were actually shit. Go for it:

Dale Watson's 'Crazy Again' film

durks — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:43:47 +0000

Has anybody here ever see the film made by Zalman King about Dale Watson, entitled 'Crazy Again'? It was released in 2006, but seems only ever to have been shown at festivals - and I don't think it's ever been available in the UK.

If anybody has information about how it can be viewed here, I would be delighted to hear it.

Some further information about the film is available at the following links:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0762086/

https://savingcountrymusic.com/movie-review-crazy-again-starring-dale-watson/

There used to be short trailer for the film available on YouTube which, among other things, showed Dale turning up at Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon on his Indian motorcycle. But even that short clip now seems to have disappeared.

Thanks in advance for any information.

RIP Wes McGhee

durks — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:16:51 +0000

Wes McGhee died on 30th January, 2026. He had been ill for a while, and we all know how everything ends. But his life deserves to be remembered and celebrated here.

Wes was a brilliant British musician and songwriter who really understood country music - specifically, Texas country music. He worked and played with a whole host of musicians from that state and, I think, was much better known there than he is here. But we should be very proud and thankful for the music, and the legacy, with which he leaves us.

An obituary for Wes appeared in The Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/feb/22/wes-mcghee-obituary

RIP Wes - and Thanks For The Chicken!

Americana 25 Festival

Paul Kerr — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:58:16 +0000

This looks like it should be a good day out... https://americana-uk.com/americana-25-festival-comes-to-liverpool-in-november-with-chuck-prophet-steve-wynn-and-more