Twang Nation – The Best In Americana Music
Americana & Roots Music & Culture
Lillie Mae made her solo national television debut last night on the Conan O’Brien show. She and her band, featuring her brother on guitar and sister on backup vocals, tear through a spirited version of “Over The Hill And Through The Woods.”
Mae also took the time to record a separate a stripped down performance of “To Go Wrong.â€
See both below.
Both tracks can be found on Lillie Mae’s solo debut, ‘Forever and Then Some.’ (out today)
The latest volume of Cash Cabin Sessions, recordings is going to be one by a country music legend.
Loretta Lynn will celebrate her 85th birthday not only by playing two sold-out shows in the hallowed halls of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on April 14th, but by also releasing ‘Wouldn’t It Be Great’ a few months later on Friday, August 18. This latest Cash Cabin Sessions release is produced by Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash at Johnny Cash’s Cash Cabin in Hendersonville, Tenn.
‘Wouldn’t It Be Great’ will premiere new compositions like “Ruby’s Stool,†“Ain’t No Time to Go†and “I’m Dying for Someone to Live For†and will revisit classics “God Makes No Mistakes,†“Coal Miner’s Daughter†and “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)†that have been written or co-written by Lynn.
“I think you try to do better with every record you put out, It’s just everyday living—and everybody wants to know, ‘Well, what is it about your songs that people like?’ I think you’ve got to tell your stories. I just think it hits everybody, you know, the songs.†Loretta said of the record and her songwriting approach.
Preorder ‘Wouldn’t It Be Great.’
Wouldn’t It Be Great Track List and Songwriters
“Wouldn’t It Be Great†(Loretta Lynn)
“Ruby’s Stool†(Loretta Lynn, Shawn Camp)
“I’m Dying for Someone to Live For†(Loretta Lynn, Shawn Camp)
“Another Bridge to Burn†(Loretta Lynn, Lola Jean Dillon)
“Ain’t No Time to Go†(Loretta Lynn, Patsy Lynn Russell)
“God Makes No Mistakes†(Loretta Lynn)
“These Ole Blues†(Loretta Lynn, Patsy Lynn Russell)
“My Angel Mother†(Loretta Lynn)
“Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’†(Loretta Lynn, Peggy Sue Wells)
“The Big Man†(Loretta Lynn, Shawn Camp)
“Lulie Vars†(Traditional, arrangement by Loretta Lynn)
“Darkest Day†(Loretta Lynn)
“Coal Miner’s Daughter†(Loretta Lynn)
It’s that time of year again. Well, yes Spring but more specifically for a music blog it’s the annual season of blossoming limit selections of rare and obscure vinyl known as Record Store Day. The event has helped fuel the resurgence in sales and pushing the few remaining pressing plant’s production capacity to the hilt. As is tradition the event will be taking place on the fourth Saturday in April. For 2017 that means Saturday, April 22nd.
Record Store Day offerings are scarce, unique releases, some only available in specific regions. Some are produced in very limited runs, some totaling no more than a few hundred total.
Check out the Americana and roots selections below and take a look at the full list. Get to your favorite indy record early on April 22nd (I’ll be at Good Records in Dallas) and share those great finds with me on Instagram and Twitter.
Blaze Foley – Sittin’ By The Road [LP] (180 Gram Gold Colored Vinyl, detailed liner notes by film maker Kevin Triplett, limited, indie-retail exclusive)
Brandy Clark – Live From Los Angeles [LP] (previously unreleased songs, limited to 2500, indie-retail exclusive)
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Hammersmith Odeon London ’75 [4LP] (150 Gram, first time on vinyl, numbered/limited to 3000, indie-retail exclusive)
The Cadillac Three – Live At Abbey Road [10 †EP] (limited to 1500, indie-retail exclusive)
Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin, Hard Travelin’ EP (Yep Roc Records) Packaging: 12†Vinyl / Transparent Red
Dolly Parton – Puppy Love [7â€] (limited to 2500, indie-retail exclusive
Drive By Truckers – Live In Studio, New York, NY 12/07/16 [LP] (Clear Vinyl, limited to 3530, indie-retail exclusive)
Emmylou Harris – Queen Of The Silver Dollar [5LP + 7 †Box Set] (Emmylou’s first five studio albums plus a bonus 7 †single, limited to 1100, indie-retail exclusive)
Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels – Live 1973 featuring Emmylou Harris [LP] (180 Gram, gold foil jacket and holographic numbered/limited to 2000, indie-retail exclusive)
Hayseed Dixie – Free Your Mind And Your Grass Will Follow [LP] (Clear Vinyl, limited to 1000, indie-retail exclusive)
Head And The Heart, The – Stinson Beach Sessions [LP] (unreleased songs and demos, limited to 3000, indie-retail exclusive)
Iron And Wine – Archives Series Volume No. 3 [LP] (Translucent Blue Vinyl, limited to 700, indie-retail exclusive
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Welcome to 1979 – Live recordings direct cut to acetate at Nashville studio Welcome To 1979. 12″, tip-on style, simple sleeve jacket, white dust sleeve. Side A: 1. Can’t You Hear Me Knocking (Jagger/Richards) 2. Storm Windows (Prine) 3. Heart on a String (Jackson/Buckins) Side B: 1. Atlantic City (Springsteen) 2. Sway (Jagger/Richards) 3. Never Gonna Change (Isbell)
John Paul White & Donnie Fritts – John Paul White Sings Donnie Fritts, Donnie Fritts Sings John Paul White [7â€] (limited to 1000, indie-retail exclusive)
Leon Russell – Guitar Blues [CD] (limited to 1000, indie-retail exclusive)
The Lumineers – Song Seeds [10â€] (limited to 1500, indie-retail exclusive)
Neil Young – Decade [3LP] (1977 compilation of solo and group hits, remastered, 2 photo reproductions by Henry Diltz, limited to 5000, indie-retail exclusive)
Nels Cline (Wilco) – In The Wee Small Hours [7 â€] (Frank Sinatra cover, limited to 1000, indie-retail exclusive)
Old 97’s – Terlingua b / w Off My Mynd [12 â€] (Opaque White Vinyl, Unreleased exclusive B-sides, etched B-side, limited to 2530, indie-retail exclusive
Pokey LaFarge – Riot In The Streets / Better Man Than Me [10 â€] (B-side etching of original hand-drawn image by Pokey, limited to 1500, indie-retail exclusive)
Robert Johnson – The Complete Recordings: The Centennial Collection [3LP] (150 Gram, gatefold, download, 12×24 poster, numbered/limited to 2500, indie-retail exclusive)
Sharon Jones with the E.L. Fields Gospel Wonders – Heaven Bound b/w Key To The Kingdom [7â€] (‘picture frame’ custom jacket with easel-back, limited to 2500, indie-retail exclusive)
Sharon Jones, Corey Harris & Peter McGennis – Bubble Girl (Soundtrack) [12â€] (limited, indie-retail exclusive)
Shooter Jennings & Waymore’s Outlaws – Live [12â€] (Coke Clear Vinyl, single jacket with white inner sleeve, limited to 500, indie-retail exclusive)
Steve Earle & The Dukes – Live [7 â€] (picture sleeve, limited to 3000, indie-retail exclusive)
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble – Live At Carnegie Hall [2LP] (150 Gram Marbled Brown Vinyl, download, limited to 3000, indie-retail exclusive)
Townes Van Zandt – Live At Austin City Limits [LP] (limited to 2500, indie-retail exclusive)
Waylon Jennings & The 357’s – Waylon Forever [12â€] (Clear Orange Vinyl, single jacket with white inner sleeve, limited to 250, indie-retail exclusive)
Dark Americana chanteuse Lindi Ortega will release ‘Til The Goin’ Gets Gone’ an EP of four songs, three originals and a cover of Townes Van Zandt’s “Waiting ‘Round To Die” on March 17.
In her downtime last year she rediscovered an intimacy she had neglected. As the lyric video for the title cut demonstrates there’s a sparse, atmospheric production with an emphasis on Ortega’s singular soprano that draws you into the musician’s roadworn dark and lonely universe.
About the rest of the release the release says…
“What a Girl’s Gotta Do,” a song that is the silver lining of an otherwise dreadful date, explores the gritty pragmatism of making ends meet. Alongside the title track, this song offers a second metaphor about artistic life that strengthens the EP’s overall sense of resolve. Ortega’s somber rendition of “Waiting ‘Round to Die,” acknowledges a personal debt – her recent discovery of the legendary songwriter’s music is what finally cured her writer’s block. The closer, “Final Bow,” came when Ortega assumed she only had one song left in her. “I thought I had to quit music but I wanted to leave gracefully,” she says. “But then I decided to get up and sing some more.” As a whole, this statement captures the essence of Ortega’s new EP – it’s about dusting off, gutting it out, and getting up for another round.’
Pre-order at lindiortega.com
Check the delicately sparse title cut lyric video below:
“Til The Goin’ Gets Gone” Track List
1. Til The Goin’ Gets Gone
2. What A Girl’s Gotta Do
3. Waiting ‘Round To Die
4. Final Bow
Tour Dates:
CALGARY, AB: Jack Singer Hall, Mar 7 w/ Blackie and the Rodeo Kings
BAYFIELD, ON: Bayfield Town Hall, Mar 17 w/ Basia Bulat
LONDON, ON: Budweiser Gardens, Mar 18 w/ Chris Stapleton
OTTAWA, ON: Canadian Tire Centre, Mar 19 w/ Chris Stapleton
WINNIPEG, MB: MTS Centre, Mar 22 w/ Chris Stapleton
CALGARY, AB: Scotiabank Saddledome, Mar 24 w/ Chris Stapleton
EDMONTON, AB: Northlands Coliseum, Mar 25 w/ Chris Stapleton
VANCOUVER, BC: Pepsi Live @ Rogers Arena, Mar 27 w/ Chris Stapleton
WYOMISSING, PA: Berks Country Fest: An Americana Jamboree, June 17
PAWLING, PA: Daryl’s House, June 18
WICHITA, KS: Wichita Vortex Music Festival, Aug 4
ORO-MEDONTE, ON: Boots & Hearts Music Festival, Aug 12
TUOLUMNE, CA: Strawberry Music Festival, Sept 1
On April 21 honky-tonk songstress, and one-third of the country super-group Pistol Annies, Angaleena Presley will release her sophomore solo album ‘Wrangled’ April 21 on Mining Light/Thirty Tigers records.
‘Wrangled’ ‘s the 12-track has Presley once again at the co-production helm with Oran Thornton (Eric Church, David Nail) and was recording at famed “Ronnie’s Place†in Nashville.
There’s also an impressive list of co-writers on ‘Wrangled.’
From the press release:
One of the album’s many highlights is “Cheer Up Little Darling” — which Angaleena co-wrote with her dear friend Guy Clark. This is the last song completed by Guy before his death and features Shawn Camp playing Guy’s No. 10 guitar, which was used to write the song with Guy, and Guy’s mandola, which he had been learning to play during the last year of his life.
Another spotlight track is “Dreams Don’t Come True,†written with Pistol Annie sisters, Miranda Lambert and Ashley Monroe.
“Only Blood†was written with fellow East Kentuckian, Chris Stapleton and features Morgane Stapleton’s unmistakable vocals, while “Good Girl Down†yielded unforgettable moments with the legendary Wanda Jackson.
Of ‘Wrangled’ Presley says:
“Wrangled is an explicitly forthright journey through my experience in the business of Country Music. I tried to tackle uncomfortable realities like the discrimination against female artists at the height of Bro-Country, the high school mentality of Music Row and the pain that’s just beneath the surface of the road to stardom,†says Angaleena.
“Covered in elbow grease and sacrifice, I set out to shed the skin of my ‘dream’ Nashville by painting a musical picture of loss, surrender, resurrection, redemption, and connection with real people who make and support honest music.”
Angaleena will debut many of these new songs on the road, including during the Cayamo Cruise, Feb. 19-26, and will announce tour dates for the Spring and Summer in coming weeks.
Check out a liver performance of ‘Dreams Don’t Come True’ below.
The Wrangled track listing is below, with songwriters in parenthesis.
1. Dreams Don’t Come True (Angaleena Presley, Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe)
2. High School (Angaleena Presley, Ivy Walker, Sophie Walker)
3. Only Blood (Featuring Morgane Stapleton) / (Angaleena Presley, Chris Stapleton )
4. Country (Featuring Yelawolf) / (Angaleena Presley, Michael Wayne Atha)
5. Wrangled (Angaleena Presley)
6. Bless My Heart (Angaleena Presley)
7. Outlaw (Angaleena Presley)
8. Mama I Tried (Angaleena Presley, Oran Thornton)
9. Cheer Up Little Darling (Angaleena Presley, Guy Clark)
10. Groundswell (Angaleena Presley, Ian Fitchuk)
11. Good Girl Down (Angaleena Presley, Wanda Jackson, Vanessa Olavarez)
12. Motel Bible (Angaleena Presley, Oran Thornton, Trevor Thornton)
My first impression of Sturgill Simpson was of a man that embodied a duality of seemingly contradictory attributes – carefree determination. It was September of 2011 and over a pitcher of beer Simpson and I discussed his custom made telecaster (by him), the wonders of Bill Monroe and his recent debut on the stage at the Pickathon festival in Oregon a few days before. We also talked about his mini-tour he was then undertaking, with his then band Sunday Valley and his dad helping out with the driving, making way toward their new home in Nashville.
“Nashville? Why would you go there?” I asked him, believing Simpson’s “Outlaw” throwback style that placed him among contemporaries like Whitey Morgan or a more genteel Hank Williams III, would not fit well within the Music Row ear confection machine.
I believed this in 2011 but no longer do. After many trips, meeting many brilliant musicians and seeing dozens of great shows in Nashville and experienced the music community thriving outside of Music Row. I’m assuming that Simpson was aware of that burgeoning scene and had a long plan to work within that community and follow his music wherever it led him.
This eventually led him to a gig at The Basement where artist manager Marc Dottore first heard him. That led to representation by media relations firm
Sacks & Co, and the RED Distribution team. All working on the little more than faith that the man they represented tied the past to the future with a biting snarl and unabashed twang.
By 2013 I had a feeling that a tipping point had occurred. His performances at the Americana Music Association conference, a Bluegrass Situation and Groove records BBQ (see a clip below) showcases are still vivid memories, were heavily attended by people that didn’t go to any of the other conference’s live showcases. Many showed up in Sturgill concert t-shirts they had snatched up at one of the multiple sold-out shows he had performed tirelessly throughout the year.
Several years before I had merely strolled up to Sturgill in a seedy bar to engage him. Now I was in a journalist que at the Nashville Marriott, waiting my turn to be shepherded upstairs to the empty dining area overlooking the bustling lobby of the hotel. Once there Sturgill was the same man I remembered. Relaxed smile, talking about classic country, the fickleness of the music business, the absurdity that country music needs a savior. The discussion was insightful and the hour went by fast and, unfortunately, the recording of the discussion is lost to the ages due to a technology glitch.
Then came the breakout second album ‘Metamodern Sounds in Country Music’ produced by Dave Cobb. The album had universally positive reviews and helped to put both men on the hot musical map.
Then came the Late Show with David Letterman, Conan (twice), Jimmy Fallon, the Grand Ole Opry and at Austin City Limits and Keith Urban wearing a Sturgill concert shirt on American Idol.
What ‘Metamodern Sounds…” began 2016’s ‘A Sailor’s Guide to Earth’ completed in spades. The album bowed in at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, and No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, eventually hitting No. 1 Folk and
Rock Albums charts.
Now Sturgill is a two-time Grammy nominee up for Best Country Album for his least country album and for the big prize, Album of the Year award.
This isn’t Sturgill’s first Grammy nomination. ‘Metamodern Sounds in Country Music’ was up for Best Americana Album against John Hiatt, Keb’ Mo’, Nickel Creek and the winner Rosanne Cash.
Sturgill nomination for Album of the Year award isn’t the category’s first roots album. That distinction belongs to Ray Charles ‘Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music’ (where ‘Metamodern Sounds in Country Music’ cribbed its title) in 1963. If he wins Sturgill won’t be the first roots artist to win in that category. That would be Glen Campbell ‘By the Time I Get to Phoenix’ in 1969.
But Sturgill’s nomination for Album of the Year is significant in that it shows a teenage Sturgill out there watching that dogged diligence and a guiding independent spirit can lead you to a place where you can not only play your music to pay your bills, but you could be placed in contention with Adele, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber and Drake for national attention.
Win or lose this can open doors.
Simpson’s path is one of sheer will and self-determination that surprisingly touched a nerve in music fans starving for something real.
I’m pulling for him.
Willie Nelson, who appears to never rest, will release his new album, ‘God’s Problem Child.’ The collection of all-new studio material, his first in nearly three years, will be released April 28th, the day before the Texas music legend turns 84. That last album, ‘Django and Jimmie,’ was a collaboration with his longtime friend and country music pioneer Merle Haggard, who passed away in on April 6, 2016, Haggard’s 79th birthday.
On ‘God’s Problem Child’ Willie pays tribute to his friend, who Nelson first met at a poker game at Willie’s Nashville home in 1964, on the Gary Nicholson penned cut “He Won’t Ever Be Gone.”
The title cut, co-written by Jamey Johnson and Tony Joe White, includes vocals by both writers as well featuring the late roots-music legend Leon Russell, one of his final recordings before his death last November.
I can’t wait to hear the entire album from this master singer/songwriter.
‘God’s Problem Child, which will be available on CD, vinyl, and digitally. As is now the norm to help spur sales bundles
are offered including the various music formats, some signed, as well as t-shirts and other premiums.
Order at Pledge Music.
‘God’s Problem Child’ track list:
1. “Little House on the Hill” (Lyndel Rhodes)
2. “Old Timer” (Donnie Fritz/Lenny LeBlanc)
3. “True Love” (Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon)
4. “Delete and Fast Forward” (Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon)
5. “A Woman’s Love (Mike Reid/Sam Hunter)
6. “Your Memory Has a Mind Of Its Own” (Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon)
7. “Butterfly” (Sonny Throckmorton/Mark Sherrill)
8. “Still Not Dead” (Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon)
9. “God’s Problem Child” (Jamey Johnson/Tony Joe White)
10. “It Gets Easier” (Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon)
11. “Lady Luck” (Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon)
12. “I Made a Mistake” (Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon)
13. “He Won’t Ever Be Gone” (Gary Nicholson)
Since it was created 1974 by Garrison Keillor ‘A Prairie Home Companion‘ has been pivotal in championing roots artists. Including the new host, Chris Thile’s first breakout newgrass band Nickle Creek, where Thile first [layed in his teens.
Since taking the helm of ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ Chris Thile last year the bands booked have sometimes skewed more into the indie rock side of things by booking artists like The Shins and Jack White.
Ryan Adams is an artist that knows a thing or two about both the roots and indie rock side of music. Adams was booked on the programs Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California stop last weekend.
The event was made even more special when Kacey Musgraves joined Adams to sing “I Love You But I Don’t Know What To Say,†from Adam’s 2011 release ‘Ashes & Fire.’ The pair was joined by Thile providing his exceptional mandolin work.
Watch some clips and listen to the full beautiful performance below:
Also..played a new one. pic.twitter.com/wusk0N4Sje
— KACEY MUSGRAVES (@KaceyMusgraves) January 22, 2017
2016 was another great year for Americana and roots music, and 2017 shows signs that the great music will continue to come our way. As our Cream of the Crop favorites from last year makes plain we might be experiencing a new golden age of roots music/ Both as a growing influence on our contemporary culture and also as a viable, business for young and old artists to sustain themselves and thrive.
That last part is crucial as it provides economic and influential seed corn for the future ‘Cream of the Crop’ year-end best of collections.
The list below is a collection of known 2017 notable Americana / roots releases. Some anticipated releases from artists like Ray Wylie Hubbard, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell and The Secret Sisters have no release dates yet, but when I become aware of them and others I will be updating the list throughout the year and will send word through my twitter account when I do.
If you know of a release not listed yet please leave it in the comments.
One thing is for sure, it’s going to be a great year folks.
January 13th –
The Band of Heathens – ‘Duende’
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings – ‘Kings and Kings’
Otis Gibbs – ‘Mount Renraw’
January 20th –
Kasey Chambers – ‘Dragonfly’
The Show Ponies – How It All Goes Down’
Rayna Gellert – ‘Workin’s Too Hard’
January 27th –
Delbert McClinton – ‘Prick Of The Litter’
Tift Merritt – ‘Stitch of the World’
Valerie June – ‘The Order of Time’
Bankesters – ‘Nightbird’
Dead Man Winter – ‘Furnace’
February 3rd –
Ags Connolly – ‘Nothin’ Unexpected’
Gurf Morlix – ‘The Soul & The Heal’
Mitch Dean –‘Suburban Speakeasy’
Rose Cousins – ‘Natural Conclusion’
Caroline Spence – ‘Spades & Roses’
February 10th –
Kris Kristofferson – The Austin Sessions (Expanded Edition)
February 17th –
Alison Krauss – ‘Windy City’
Nikki Lane – ‘Highway Queen’
Pegi Young & The Survivors – ‘Raw’
Son Volt – ‘Notes Of Blue’
Son of the Velvet Rat – ‘Dorado’
Blair Crimmins – ‘You Gotta Sell Something’
The Gibson Brothers – “In The Ground”
February 24th –
Curtis McMurtry – ‘The Hornet’s Nest’
Rhiannon Giddens – ‘Freedom Highway’
Old 97s – ‘Graveyard Whistling’
Scott H. Biram – “The Bad Testament”
Shinyribs – “I Got Your Medicine”
Aaron Watson – “Vaquero”
March 3rd –
Grandaddy – ‘Last Place’
Beth Bombara – ‘Map With No Direction ‘
March 10th –
Sunny Sweeney – “Trophy’
Pieta Brown – “Postcards”
March 24th –
Jessi Colter – ‘The Psalms’
Samantha Crain – ‘You Had Me At Goodbye’
March 31st –
Rodney Crowell – ‘Close Ties”
David Olney – “Don’t Try To Fight It”
Dead Soldiers – “The Great Emptiness”
Shoddy Blacktooth — “Don’t Forget To Dieâ€
April 7th
Malcolm Holcombe – ‘Pretty Little Troubles’
Andrew Combs – “Canyons Of My Mind”
April 14th
Evening Darling – “Evening Darling’
April 21st –
Angaleena Presley – ‘Wrangled’
May 5th
Chris Stapleton – ‘From a Room: Volume 1’
May 19th
Builders and the Butchers – ‘The Spark’
Pokey LaFarge – ‘Manic Revelations’
Tom Russell – ‘Play One More: The Songs Of Ian And Sylvia’
May 26th
Justin Townes Earle – ‘Kids in the Street’
June 2nd –
Bobby Osborne – ‘Original’
June 9th –
The Secret Sisters – ‘You Don’t Own Me Anymore’
Shannon McNally – ‘Black Irish’
June 16th –
Sammy Brue – ‘I Am Nice’
June 23rd –
The Deslondes – ‘Hurry Home’
Slaid Cleaves – ‘Ghost on the Car Radio’
July 7th –
Randall Bramblett – ‘Juke Joint At The Edge Of The World’
July 14th –
Cale Tyson – ‘Careless Soul’
July 21st –
Whiskey Shivers – ‘Some Part of Something”
August 4th
Tyler Childers – ‘Purgatory’
August 18th
Loretta Lynn – ‘Wouldn’t It Be Great’ POSTPONED
Ray Wylie Hubbard – ‘Tell the Devil I’m Getting There as Fast as I Can’
September 8th
Caroline Reese – ‘Two Horses’ EP
September 15th
Willie Watson – ‘Folksinger Vol. 2’
The Lone Bellow – ‘Walk Into A Storm’
September 22nd
Steve Martin & Steep Canyon Rangers – “The Long-Awaited Albumâ€
Billy Strings – ‘Turmoil & Tinfoil’
September 29th
Anna Tivel – “Small Believer”
October 6th
Whitney Rose – ‘Rule 62’
JD McPherson – ‘Undivided Heart and Soul’
Becca Mancari – ‘Good Woman’
October 13th
Hellbound Glory – ‘Pinball’
Caleb Cladry – ‘Invincible Things’
October 16th
Gill Landry – ‘Love Rides A Dark Horse’
October 20th
Turnpike Troubadours – ‘A Long Way From Your Heart’
Dori Freeman – ‘Letters Never Read’
October 27th
Lee Ann Womack – ‘The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone’
Ronnie Fauss – ‘Last of the True’
The Wailin’ Jennys – ‘Fifteen’
The Deep Dark Woods – ‘Yarrow’
October 31st
Year of October – ‘Trouble Comes’
November 3rd
Samantha Fish – ‘Belle of the West’
Anna St. Louis – “First Songs’
Scott Miller – ‘Ladies Auxiliary’
November 17th
Mavis Staples – ‘If All I Was Was Black’
December
Chris Stapleton – ‘From a Room: Volume 2’
December 8th
Robert Ellis and Courtney Hartman – ‘Dear John’
Dead Man Winter – ‘Furnace’ (Gndwire Records) – January 27
Minnesota singer/songwriter Dave Simonett takes from fronting the prog-grass Trampled By Turtles to release a set of deeply personal folk-pop songs traveling The emotional terrain scarred by divorce and the subsequent fracturing of his family.
Valerie June – ‘The Order of Time’ (Concord Records) – January 27
Following her 2013 breakout release, ‘Pushin’ Against a Stone’ that showered her with accolades from the New York Times and NPR, ‘The Order of Time’ has the Tennessee-bred singer/songwriter weaving folk, blues, Afro-rhythms and trip-hop atmosphere into a reflection on family, love and the nature of time. Produced by Matt Marinelli (Beck, Bad Brains), The Order of Time includes twelve original songs and features piano accompaniment from Norah Jones on three tracks and vocals from June’s late father and brothers on “Shake Down.â€
Kasey Chambers – ‘Dragonfly’ – (Sugar Hill) – January ?
The 11th studio album by iconic Australian country/roots singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers will be released as a two disc set. The first, The ‘Sing Sing Sessions’ is produced by Paul Kelly. The second, ‘The Foggy Bottom Sessions’ is produced by Nash Chambers, Kasey’s brother. The release will feature ‘If We Had A Child,’ a duet with fellow Aussie and longtime friend Keith Urban and the previously released smoky liberation ballad ‘ Ain’t No Little Girl.”
Rose Cousins – ‘Natural Conclusion – (Old Farm Pony) – February 3
This collaboration with local Halifax artists and producer Joe Henry has Cousins crafting songs similar to early Patty Griffin and fellow Canadian Kathleen Edwards. The sparse economy of her folk songs belie their turbulent core.
Gurf Morlix – ‘The Soul & The Heal (Rootball Records) – February 3
Austin-based roots music legend Gurf Morlix has made a name for himself by working with roots artists like Blaze Foley, Robert Earle Keen, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Lucinda Williams. He’s also renowned for his extraordinary solo work and live performances. Morlix will release his self-produced 10th studio album, ‘The Soul & The Heal on his own Rootball Records in February and, given his attention to detail and feel for a great song, it’s sure to be a must-have.
Son Volt – ‘Notes of Blue’ (Transmit Sound) – February 17
Veteran Jay Farrar has built a legacy working within the alt.country territory he helped found with Jeff Tweedy, and Mike Heidorn when Uncle Tupelo formed in St. Luis. Now he steers his roots vehicle, Son Volt, toward the blues, the cousin genre following in the footsteps of other roots royalty like Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams.
Nikki Lane – ‘Highway Queen’ – (New West) – February 17
One of the few women that fit the stylistically daring and business savvy mode established by Willie and Waylon, Nikki Lane takes the co-production helm (along with Texas’ Jonathan Tyler) on her upcoming 10-track ‘Highway Queen’ that’s sure to brim with her personal stock of twangy grit and slinky 70’s inspired pop.
Old 97s – ‘Graveyard Whistling’ – (ATO Records) – February 24
Few bands have carried the alt.country flag so skillfully (and with such fun!) as Dallas’ own Old 97s. For decades the original band of hombres, guitar-slinger Ken Bethea, bassist Murry Hammond, and drummer Philip Peeples and front man extraordinaire Rhett Miller, will showcase their brand of rowdy style of melody wrangling When they release their anticipated 11th album.
Sunny Sweeney – “Trophy’ – (Thirty Tigers) – March 10
Texas’ own Sunny Sweeney looks to producer Dave Brainard, the man at the helm behind Brandy Clark’s breakout debut ’12 Stories,’ for her fourth release. Many of the songs are co-written by Sweeney along other pros like Lori McKenna. Look for a mix of personal introspection and barroom serenades.
Chris Stapleton – TBA ( Mercury Nashville) TBA
Two years is the time that labels like to pass before releasing another album and given the success of Stapleton’s debut ‘Traveler ‘ this is probably the year we’ll see a new erase from his label Murcury Nashville. One of the cuts possibly to be featured on this yet-to-be announced release is ‘Broken Halos,’ an unreleased song Stapleton debuted last month on Dolly Parton’s telethon to benefit victims of Tennessee wildfires.
https://youtu.be/y_Dhgro8ri8
The Secret Sisters – TBA ( Mercury Nashville) TBA
The third full-length by roots singer-songwriting siblings Laura and Lydia Rogers will be produced by Brandi Carlile and the Hanseroth twins. Look for this splendid release in the Spring.
Jason Isbell- TBA- TBA
