SLEEPY DRIVER – STEADY NOW – BLACK BELL PRODUCTIONS

 

Although Steady Now consists of 3 Americana songs(Where You Are, Only Water, North Dakota) , driven by the pedal steel of guest player Dave Palmer, Sleepy Driver is essential a rock band. Comparisons with compatriot bands Blue Rodeo and slices of Skydiggers and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are obvious.

 

Some songs are radio friendly(Like A Weapon, And The Gravediggers  Says), others have a Steve Miller band vibe (Get Right With The Lord, Architects).

 

Responsible for all these melodic songs is Peter Hicks, who wrote all the songs and also co-produced the cd.

 

Sleepy Driver has established itself with Steady Now on the Rockscene and created great expectations for the future.

score : 8/10

 

www.sleepydriver.ca

www.myspace.com/sleepydriver05

CRAIG BANCOFF - EDEN - SWEETIE RECORDS

 

Imagine yourself by the side of the river and the sun is shining and no clouds in the sky, that’s the way I felt listening to Craig’s cd. The songs are entertaining and warm. You can hear influences of the Jayhawks and the folkier side of Crowded House. Craig is helped by people like Tom Hampton(mandolin,pedalsteel,banjo), Matty Muir(drums), Adam Winokur(bass), Mike Frank(piano,Hammond) and Shelley Weiss(violin).

Craig is the right example how good Americana should sound.

Score : 8/10

http://www.craigbancoff.com

www.myspace.com/craigbancoff

www.cdbaby.com/Artist/CraigBancoff

PAUL INMAN – SONGS OF THE BROKEN EARTH

 

MOJAVE MOON RECORDS

 

In his latest cd folk,pop, country and blues merge together in one great Americana writ. His influences lie in the folk-rock of the seventies. He plays many string instruments and keyboards Many of his songs deal with love or the lack of it. “Railroadin’ Days” reminds me of the great Dutch-Canadian singer-songwriter Ad Vanderveen.  “(Oh Mercy, Look At) The Way She Moves” is a beatlesinspired song and very radiofriendly. “Black Snake Crawlin’” is bluesy singer-songwriterstuff with a nice harmonica. “Jenny Roe” is one of the love songs accompanied with a brilliant steel guitar. “Annabelle Lee” is a piano-driven love song. “Cities of the world” is one of the more rockier songs. “Girl”, “Baby Ramble Down”, “In The Eyes Of Maribel” and “Isle Of Skye” are slow guitar-driven love songs, while “Down In The Vale Of Old Avalon” is a piano-driven song. “I Got No Money” is a slow bluesy rockin' song. The cd ends with “I Still Want To Ramble” about a restless man who still hasn’t found his home.(again great instrumentation). Finally I must mention a  great interpretation of Woody Guthrie’s “More Pretty Girls Than One”

Score : 8/10

www.paulinman.net

www.myspace.com/paulinmansdelivery 

CARRIE WADE – THE OLD WAYS

 

Carrie’s music is an amalgam of country, rock and folk with some psychedelic elements thrown in the mix. All this gives the music a very “seventies feeling”.  It’s hard to believe that this is a debut cd as this sounds so mature and her voice is ideal for this kind of  Americana. Her voice reminds me of other great singers like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tift Merritt, Lucinda Williams and Patty Griffin. All the songs are written by Carrie herself.

 

Although all songs are worth listening to(no filler), some songs excel like :

 

“Needles in the waves” with some great pedal steel playing from Marty Rifkin

 

“American Boys “ with some great dobro

 

“ In a world that goes wrong” again with great pedal steel playing from Marty Rifkin

 

Very recommended

 

Score : 9/10

 

www.myspace.com/carriewade

 

www.carriewade.com

 

THE FIVE AND DIMERS – QUARTER OF A TANK

 

If I had a porch the five and dimers would be the band playing there.  They play on their debut cd a very fine sort of Americana, very entertaining, with lots of country and folk elements.  Most of the songs are mid-tempo except for 3 ballads(Quarter of a Tank, Restless Angel  and Drunken Smile) with great lapsteel playing from Pete Klein. Also the fiddling of Matt McGibany is very impressive. Other members of the band are Matt Taul on vocals and rhythm guitar, Adam Peipert on banjo, John  Masinelli on bass and Jeff Walker on drums.

 

It’s hard to mention highlights because all songs are so great. If you can see these guys live, don’t hesitate and buy their cd.

  

Highly  recommended

 

Score : 9/10

 

www.myspace.com/fiveanddimers

 

www.thefiveanddimers.com

Recensie “MAD ABOUT MOUNTAINS”

 

Lo-fi Americana of moeten wij hier spreken van lo-fi belgicana of misschien nog beter lo-fi limburgiana, aangezien deze band aangevoerd wordt door Piet de Pessemier uit Herk-de-Stad, die met zijn band “Krakow” al twee albums heeft uitgebracht. Op deze cd krijgt hij hulp van van Floris Gevers op viool en zang, van Myrthe Luyten op zang, van Isabelle Pavone op piano, van Gianni Marzo op lapsteel en banjo en van Stijn Persoons op drums.

 

De muziek herinnert me aan bands zoals Bonnie Prince Billy, Iron & Wine, The Deep Dark Woods, Over the Rhine,Arcade Fire en de legendarische Cowboy Junkies.

 

De songs zijn meestal balladisch of mid-tempo. Heerlijke muziek om met je koptelefoon weg te mijmeren en genieten maar. Het is een zeer evenwichtig album met een paar uitschieters waarbij je “Best Friend”, “After You” en “My Brother & I” “radiofriendly” zou kunnen noemen.  Al de songs zijn geschreven door Piet de Pessemier die bovendien nog tal van instrumenten bespeelt zoals : guitaar, lapsteel,banjo,bas,glockenspiel,moutharp en harmonica.

 

Warm aanbevolen.

 

Score : 9/10

 

Zeal Records

KATY BOYD – PAPER HEARTS

 

First time I heard this cd, it blew me away, it was like the eighties and nineties were back with Mary Chapin Carpenter and Nanci Griffith sounding from the speakers.

 

“Paper Hearts” is the best Americana cd I’ve heard in many years. It seems that Katy has gathered a lot of songs during her long stay in the UK. Together with some great musicians like Fats Kaplin on steel, accordion and Thomm Jutz on guitar, keys she has now recorded an excellent cd in Nashville. The rest of the band consists of Justin Moses on fiddle,mandolin,banjo; Lynn Williams on drums and Mark Fain on bass.

 

If you like music from Lucinda Williams or Eliza Gilkyson, you can buy this cd blindly.

 

Very recommended

 

Score : 9/10

 

www.myspace.com/katyboyd

 

www.katyboyd.com

ROOSEVELT BANDWAGON – JOBLESS MEN KEEP GOING

 

Anglicana(British Americana) that’s what these guys are playing just like some other compatriots like the Redlands Palomino Company, The Rosellys, The Wynntown Marshals and Kete Bowers.

 

Rich Evans is the driving force behind this “Collective”. It’s not a steady band, so the composition can change depending circumstances.  These are compromises you’ll have to make when still having a dayjob.

 

On this cd Kevin Bartholemew joins them on the pedal steel, which give the songs that warm pleasant feeling.

 

Reference points are Yayhawks, Gram and Emmylou, which gives one a indication which way these songs are going.

 

It’s hard to tell highlights because every song has such great quality in a way that one gets a bit disappointed that there are only 10 studio songs. The cd ends with 2 live songs.

 

Very recommended

 

Score : 9/10

 

www.rooseveltbandwagon.com

 

www.myspace.com/rooseveltbandwagon

 

RICHARD THOMPSON - ELECTRIC - NEW WEST RECORDS

 

Does the presence of Buddy Miller, Stuart Duncan, Taras Prodaniuk and Alison Krauss make this an americana record? The answer is no, but Richard displays again his brilliant skills in the electric folk-rock scene with the emphasis on rock. The base is guitar, bass and drums.

 

The guitarplaying is throughout topnotch, except for the ending of "Sally B", where the guitar sounds a bit too distorted.

 

"Salford Sunday" is a mid-tempo folk song with a very English feeling.

In my opinion the best song is "My Enemy", a love lost ballad.  Also "Another small thing in her favour" is a ballad in the vein of broken relationships.

 

Other great ballads are "The snow goose"(with Alison Krauss) and "Saving the good stuff for you"(with Siobhan Maher Kennedy).

 

"Stuck on the treadmill" is a great mid-tempo song about unemployment and surviving in the present society, while "Where's home" a nice mid-tempo song about someone who seems to belong nowhere at all.

 

"Straight and narrow" is an up-tempo song with lovely keyboard sounds.

 

As usual Richard wrote all the songs. Buddy Miller produced.

 

There's also a bonus disc with another 7 songs.

 

Richard Thompson fans will be pleased with this album.

 

score : 8,5/10

 

http://soundcloud.com/proper-music-distribution/richard-thompson-good-things

 

 http://proper-records.co.uk/richardthompson-electric/

HEIDI TALBOT - ANGELS WITHOUT WINGS(Navigator Records)

 

Heidi has gathered a bunch of virtuoso around her for her latest album. The presence of pickers like Mark Knopfler, Jerry Douglas, Tim O'Brien and others create expectations which are firm fulfilled and remind me of the great "Transatlantic Sessions".

 

Her music can be described as a blend of Celtic and British folk with touches of Americana thrown in the mix.

 

Her trembling sweet voice flows through these gems of songs. There's absolutely no filler on this cd.

 

Standout songs are : "When The Roses Come Again", "Dearest Johnny", "New Cajun Waltz" and the title track.

 

The songs are recorded in Glasgow with her regular bandmembers : Ian Carr(guitars), Phil Cunningham(accordian), Michael McGoldrick(flutes/whistles), James Mackintosh(percussion),Boo Hewerdine(acoustic guitar) and Ewan Vernall(bass).

 

Very recommended.

 

Score : 8,5/10

JOSEPH PARSONS - EMPIRE BRIDGES - BLUE ROSE

 

"Empire Bridges" is Parsons' ninth album and no surprise to longtime fans and connoisseurs. If progressive folk-rock-pop singer-songwriter style is your niche than Parsons is your man.

 

The songs vary from ballads over mid-tempo to up-tempo hard rocking songs. They deal with actual social issues like financial crisis(Seek the truth), growing criminality(Live like the King), no gun control(Hide away).

 

Absolute highlights of the album are "True" and "Minefields", ballads which deal with relationships.

 

Parsons has a warm pleasant voice which suits this kind of music splendid.

 

The album was recorded with the band that supported him for the last 6 years :American guitarist Ross Bellenoit and Germans Freddi Lubitz(bass) and Sven Hansen(drums).

 

After listening a few times I must admit that this is growing album and well worth buying.

 

Score : 8/10

 

http://www.bluerose-records.de/

 

http://josephparsons.com/

HT ROBERTS AND BRUNO DENECKERE (LANDED GENTRY) -

HEROES & HAS-BEENS  - BERTUS

 

HT ROBERTS and BRUNO DENECKERE have made different solo americana albums during the last few years, so it was inevitable that the two would make album together.

 

Heroes & Has-beens is the title and HT joked about it that it would be 'country for old men', and I must say that this might be a bit true, because listening to their songs reminded me of my favorites of the sixties and the seventies. Think Gram Parsons, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, John Prine and the Band just to name a few. Nevertheless I hope that they can profit of "The Broken Circle Breakdown" influence and can make some international breakthrough.

 

The music is a mix of country, folk and rock, meant to be listen to on a porch on a quiet summer evening as the sun sets with a beer or a glass of wine in your hand.

 

It's hard to mention highlights because every song has such a high level, as for me the 'bandlike' "Amsterdam" is the absolute masterpiece.

 

The rest of the band consists of Niels Verheest(piano), Niels Delvaux (drums) and Serge Bakker(bass).

 

I'm sure this cd will be in my top 10 of the year.

 

Score : 9/10

 

www.robertsendeneckere.be

 

Deep blue something/Bertus

GINA VILLALOBOS - SOLA (PONY FARM MUSIC)

 

After listening to this cd one can be disappointed by the length(only 7 songs), but the sound of it compensates a lot.

 

She brings her songs in a slow burning rhythm in a sort of rootsrock/americana style. Gina has a powerful voice which could draw the blood from your veins, remeniscing Lucinda Williams' voice.

 

The guitars sound heavy but never distorted thanks to Josh Grange, Kevin Haaland and Eric Heywood(steel). The addition of bass(Ian Walker) and drums(Quinn) balances the sound perfectly.

 

She wrote the songs except "Come Undone", Wandering By" and "Hold On To Rockets"(Gina/Josh Grange).

 

Absolute hightlights are opener "Everything I Want" and "Hold On To Rockets"

 

This cd will figure certainly in my top 10 of the year.

 

Score : 10/10

 

Public Relations : Kim Grant(Kim@KGMusicPress.com

PAUL BRADY AND HIS BAND - THE VICAR STREET SESSIONS

 

VOL. 1

PROPER RECORDS

                                                                      

Paul Brady is an Irish musician with more than 40 years experience in folk,pop and rockmusic. His songs were recorded by many artists, so when he started a series of 23 concerts at the legendary Dublin venue "Vicar Street" he invited many artists who have sung his songs over the years to come and play with him during these shows.  Among them were Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Eleanor McEvoy, Mark Knopfler and many more.

 

This volume reflects the performances from the 2001 shows. The disc starts off with "I want you to want me" from "Spirits Colliding", a really great pop song. Next is Mark Knopfler excelling on his song "Baloney Again". The third song is "The Soul Commotion" from "Primitive Dance" a funky soul song. Next comes along the title song from "Nobody Knows" a ballad sung by Gavin Friday. "Believe in me" co-written by Carole King is another great pop ballad.

"In This Heart" written by Sinead O'Connor is sung by Sinead and Paul a cappella. Next is the highlight from this disc : Van Morrison's "Irish Heartbeat" sung by Van and Paul. "Not The Only One" is another great pop-rock song interpreted by Bonnie Raitt and Paul. Next one is "Don't Go Far", written and performed by Curtis Stigers. "The Long Goodbye" is a song from "Oh What A World" co-written by Paul and Ronan Keating who has the leading vocals here. Next is Eleanor McEvoy who brings her ballad "Last Seen October 9th". "The World Is What You Make It" is another great rockin' ditty sung by Paul and Bonnie Raitt. The disc ends with a great version of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young".

 

Also worth mentioning are Paul band members : Steve Fletcher, Jennifer Maidman, Liam Genockey and Leslie Dowdall.

 

www.paulbrady.com

www.proper-records.co.uk

 

Score : 8/10 

VARIOUS ARTISTS - BBC FOLK AWARDS 2015

 

IT’S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE REAL FOLK MUSIC WORLD;

WE, (THEO AND RAY) ARE MORE AMERICANA-ROOTS MINDED GUYS, BUT WE’RE VERY SURRPRISED TO HEAR THIS „VARIOUS ARTISTS BBC FOLK AWARDS 2015” COMPILATION RELEASE.

GUY FLYNN OF PROPER MUSIC SEND US THIS 2CD FOLK MUSIC RELEASE FOR PROMOTION.

WE’VE LISTEN TO THIS GREAT FOLK ARTISTS AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CHOOSE SOME OF THEM FOR AIRPLAY ON „ROOTS REVIVAL” BECAUSE WE LIKED THEM ALL.

THERE ARE SO MANY GOOD SOUNDS, BEAUTIFUL SONGS ON THESE CD’S. PEOPLE WHO LIKE  FOLK MUSIC MUST HAVE THIS COMPILATION FOR SURE, BECAUSE YOU CAN LISTEN TO IT FROM

THE BEGINNING TO THE END WITHOUT BORING. AS WE ALWAYS MENTION ON  „ROOTS REVIVAL” , IT’S ALL FOR THE SAKE OF THE SONG.

MORE INFO OF THE 27 TRACKS FEATURING NOMINATED ARTISTS FOR THE BBC RADIO 2 AWARDS PLUS THE NOMINEES FOR THE BBC RADIO 2 YOUNG FOLK AWARD 2015, YOU CAN FIND

IT ON THE WEBSITE „PROPERMUSIC.COM”.

BOB MENZIES -CITIZENS OF NASHVILLE - SELF-RELEASED

 

Listening to Bob Menzies latest cd reminds me of the seventies when country-rock singles dominated the juke-boxes. Putting a dime in a juke-box was a real treat then.

 

Bob, son of a Dutch mother and a Canadian serviceman has travelled the world which reflects in his music. Country is the base but there are also traces of roots, folk and blues.

 

The're no fillers on this cd, most songs are uptempo. Standout tracks are : "My time has come", "Highway of my dreams" and "You can't go home again".

 

Bob has surrounded him with some of the best Nashville session musicians, among whom Eddie Bayers is problably the best known and very experienced drummer.

 

This cd is one of the best of the year, very recommended

 

Score : 9/10

 

www.bobmenziesmusic.com

NICKI BLUHM & THE GRAMBLERS - LOVED WILD LOST - LITTLE SUR

 

 

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC ON HIS BEST. THAT’S WHAT WE HEAR ON THE NEW RELEASE „LOVED WILD LOST” OF  NICKY BLUHM & THE GRAMBLERS.

IT’S A LITTLE BIT OF SOUL, COUNTRY AND ROCK MUSIC.

NICKI HAS A BEAUTIFUL VOICE AND WRITES GREAT SONGS WITH A BIG HELP FROM HER HUSBAND TIM BLUHM, MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST AND CO-WRITER.

THE REST OF THE CREW  ARE : GUITARIST/SONGWRITER DEREN NEY; BASSIST, STEVE ADAMS; RHYTHM GUITARIST DAVE MULLIGAN AND DRUMMER MIKE CURRY.

THE ALBUM IS PRODUCED BY BRIAN DECK.

THREE YEARS OF NEW EXPERIENCE AND NEARLY NON-STOP ROADWORK HAS HAD A POWERFUL EFFECT ON NICKI AND HER BAND AND GIVES US A WONDERFUL STRONG NEW RELEASE.

 

SCORE : 8/10 

 

WWW.NICKIBLUHM.COM

 

GILMORE & ROBERTS - CONFLICT TOURISM - GR! RECORDS

"CONFLICT TOURISM” THE FOURTH ALBUM FROM AWARD-WINNING DUO GILMORE & ROBERTS INCLUDES 11 NEW TRACKS ABOUT EVERYDAY LIFE AND EMOTIONS. GREAT STORYTELLING.

 

YOU CAN LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM FROM START TO FINISH WITHOUT BEING BORED AND HOPE THERE WILL BE MORE MUSIC IN THE FUTURE. BEAUTIFUL HARMONY VOCALS. THE ANGEL VOICE OF KATRIONA FITS PERFECT TO THE BALLADS.

 

 A PERFECT FOLK DUO WHO KNOWS HOW TO MAKE A GOOD SONG  WITH PERFECT INSTRUMENTATION. FOR US ON „ROOTS REVIVAL”, „CONFLICT TOURISM”, IS A BEAUTIFUL FOLLOW-UP TO „THE INNOCENT LEFT” ALBUM.

 

IT'S PRODUCED BY MARK TUCKER AND FEATURING MATT DOWNER (JAMIE SMITH’S MABON), PHIL HENRY (PHILLIP HENRY & HANNAH MARTIN) AND JAMES ‚HUTCH’ HUTCHINSON (BONNIE RAITT).

Score : 8/10

 

http://www.gilmoreroberts.co.uk/ 

RON POPE & THE NIGHTHAWKS

Nashville based independent artist Ron Pope has made his name in the music industry as one of the top grossing independent acts on the scene today. As a solo artist he sold over 2 million singles to date. His songs have been streamed over 126 million times via Spotify, with over 100 million YouTube views and more..

Ron Pope has released as a solo artist 5 albums.

On his upcoming new release, Ron gathered his favorite Brooklyn-based musicians “The Nighthawks” with Paul Hammer, Alex Foote, Andrew Pertes, Alex Brumel, Alan Markley and Michael Riddleberger. With theire thundering eponymous debut Ron Pope & The Nighthawks deliver music that is “affectionately-crafted and Americana-Roots drenched, soaked in the country rooted musicianship of the southern states.

With this release, Ron Pope & The Nighthawks proves that Roots Music doesn't have to be boring. For us on Roots Revival, Ron and his band make roots music that feels timeless but still very much of its time. It will be sure one of our top 10 albums for 2016.

Ron Pope & The Nighthawks' the self titled debut album comes out Jan 8 2016 on Brooklyn Basement Records, his own label.

Score : 8/10

TINA REFNES - NO ONE KNOWS THAT YOU'RE LOST(VESTKYST RECORDS

 

Tina hails from the tiny Norwegian town Floro, near Oslo, but has been living in Liverpool for quite some years.

 

After listening to her cd you can't escape the comparison with Joni Mitchell(especially concerning the voice), what makes her more interesting is how the songs are constructed and arranged. The bandmembers are making it a classy cd : Tina Refnes(vocals, acoustic guitar) , Erik Strondrange(guitar), Mike O'Brien(bass,vocals piano), Don Kerr(drums,cello) and producer Robbie Lackritz.

 

Absolute hightlights are opener "I don't know" also  "Put it away", "Told" and "Alaska"

 

This cd is for fans of the female singer-songwriter,folk-rock genre.

 

Score : 8/10

 

www.tinarefnes.com

 

OCEAN CAROLINA - MAUDLIN DAYS( OLDHAND RECORD COMPANY)

 

Every song on this cd is topnotch. From the start until the end this is  mostly slow rocking Americana which I haven't heard yet anywhere else.  It's a bit strange to see that the frontman of the band Michael Simone started his career in the electronic dance music. The vocals are warm and the playing is perfect with Jon Graboff on guitars and pedal steel. He also produced the songs. Also playing are Alex Cox(bass), Tony Leone(drums), Dave Wanamaker(electric guitar) and Chris Buckle(12 string electric guitar). Michael Simone wrote all the songs and played on different instruments.

 

It's difficult to pick a standout song but for me "Cry Baby Cry" could be considered as such.

 

Very Recommended.

 

Score : 9/10

 

www.oldhandrecordcompany.com

 

 

GRETCHEN PETERS - THE ESSENTIAL GRETCHEN PETERS 

The fact that Gretchen Peters has been working with artists as Jerry Douglas, Jason Isbell, Jimmy LaFave, Kim Richie, Suzzy Bogguss, Matraca Berg and others, says much about her endless love for Roots, Rock, Americana music. Her last “Blackbird” album is also an icon with strong songwriting that goes from Louisiana to Nashville.

 

Together with regular tour mate Ben Glover she gives some songs a nice '70 folk feeling.

Most recent “The Essential” double album, containes a retrospective of her best work chosen from a 20 year recording career and rarities, never before released, which makes this special.

On disc one two of her best love songs “on a bus to St. Cloud” and “When you love someone”

as a duet with cowriter, Brian Adams. Also “Guadalupe” a song from Tom Russell who sings with her. My favorite. Gretchen surprises us always with her warm, passionated voice, listen to “When You Are Old” a beautiful touching song about “together” getting old and to say goodbye, which is waiting for us all.

 

On disc two, you hear demo's, work tapes, a radio edit, a live song and an acoustic version of

“Independence Day”. A beautiful cover of “Wild Horses” (a song from Mick Jagger and Keith Richards on Rolling Stones “Sticky Fingers” album from 1971) together with the voices from

Matraca Berg and Suzy Bogguss.

Proper Records has done a great job to release this wonderful double album who earns, on “Roots Revival” 5 stars.

 

 

DANIEL YOUNG - TIME PASSES QUICKLY - LAKE CITY RECORDS

 

Hearing the name Daniel Young, I must admit, meant nothing to me. His cd was sent to my address for airplay and reviewing, turns out he's the drummer of the americana band "The Hollering Pines", a band that released a great album in 2013  called "Long Nights, Short Lives & Spilled Chances", which is still available on Bandcamp.

On his own cd Daniel has stepped out from behind the drumkit, singing the songs and accompaning himself on acoustic guitar, harmonica and percussion. There's support from bandmates Dylan Schorer (on 6 & 12 string electric guitar, pedal steel, lap steel and dobro) and Marie Bradshaw on vocals. Other players are among other  Mark Horton Smith, Ryan Tanner, Brian Thurber, Paul Jacobsen and Marcus Bentley.

 

Daniel's music can be compared to the work of John Prine,Slaid Cleaves and Rod Picott. All the songs are constructed in a beautiful country-folk  mid-tempo way. The lack of up-tempo songs gives the album a sort of a monotonous feeling, which is of course a minor remark. Fans of  country-folk music will cherish this album. Standout tracks are "Hazy Brain", "I'll be gone", "She took your photo(off the shelf)" and the title track.

 

Score : 7,5/10

 

http://www.danielyoungsongs.com

SANDY DENNY ; I'VE ALWAYS KEPT A UNICORN 1948-1978

  
Sandy Denny appeared in London folk clubs in the mid '60s.

Special on this artist is her unique voice. She had the most powerful voice of her generation.

 First she played with the Strawbs, she was invited true Dave Cousins but her 

collaboration with Fairport Convention is most known. Danny's most stimulated person was Richard Thompson of FC. Danny could sing jazz or country as well as she could sing traditional folk.

 

One of her strongest songwriting was the first she wrote; Who Knows Where The Time Goes.

 

“I've Alway's Kept A Unicorn” is a collection of acoustic songs to convince those who need convincing but most of all to reward those who already know.

 

All those who knew Sandy well recall how briljant she was as a solo acoustic performer.

This compilation is a homage to her unique and true talent.

 

For “Roots Revival” are there a few songs who fits most to the program, the collaboriation with “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow on Pedal Steel in the songs, “It'll Take A Long Time” and the Dylan songs “Tomorrow Is A Long Time” and “Knockin' On Heavens Door.

 

These songs are not on this compilation but for the great fans of Denny, you find these here on the compilation box “Who Knows Where The Time Goes”.

Don't forget to read here “I've Always Kept A Unicorn” the Biography of Sandy Denny by Mick Houghton.

Kari Arnett - Midwestern Skyline

 

For us, for sure, Kari Arnett is a new face on the Americana music scene. 

„Midwest Skyline” is a perfect 7 song album which gives you a

great feeling about what Americana music should sound like.

 

It’s a pleasure to listen to her strong songs and beautiful music.

Midwest Skyline was produced by Chris Mittlesteadt who’s an excellent guitar and pedal steel player,

together with Paul Isaacs on Keys and Piano, Joey Mccluskey on Bass, Al Buttner on drums and Kari

on acoustic guitar and vocals. She wrote all the songs.

 

One of the best songs for me on this album is „Concrete And Honey”. You must listen to this song

and you will play it over and over again. But the other songs are also my favorites.

 

The best way to listen to Kari’s music is, drop the cd in your car cd-player, drive carefully and listen to

this wonderful America artist. This album earns 5 stars.

 

The only minus is that there are only 7-songs on the cd!!.

I can hardly wait to hear more of Kari Arnett.

 

Score : 10/10

 

STEVE HARTSOE – THE BIG FIX

Steve Hartsoe is a real exponent of the roots-rocking Americana movement. Think Chris Knight or Rob Baird and you're almost there. After the ep “Neo- Traditional” in 2014, he released this year his full album “The Big Fix”.

The songs, most of them up-tempo, are very guitar-driven, played by Steve himself and Wahba. Other musicians on the album are Eli Hartsoe(drums, percussion), Dave Ristrim(banjo,dobro guitar, lead guitar on “This can't be right”), Phil Benjamin(guitar solo on “Trailer”, Kurt Wuerfele(lap steel, guitar solo on “God Only Knows” and Jennifer Allred(harmony vocal on “Only God Knows”).

Steve wrote all the songs except for the Tom Petty penned “Trailer”. There are no fillers on this album, so it's very difficult to mention hightlights.

Very Recommended to all americana fans.

Score : 9,5/10

www.stevehartsoe.com

THE AMERICAN WEST – THE SOOT WILL BRING US BACK AGAIN – TORTOSE RECORDS

Brilliant Americana with excellent songwriting.

Frontman MatthewZeltzer, being a Californian now residing in Portland Oregon, writes most of the songs and plays also great guitar an did the production. Maria Maita-Keppeler sings and plays also violin. Other bandmembers are Will Haas on electric guitar and bass, Tucker Jackson on pedal steel, Lewi Longmire on bass, Benjamin Nathan O'Brien on wurlitzer and drums and Erich Spielman on drums.

Most of the songs are ballads or mid-tempo songs which deal with the usual farwest issues, reminding me of Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young and Gram Parsons.

Outstanding songs are “Roadsick Blues”, “Westward Man” and “Ghost Town”, but the most sticking song is “Heart Of Stone” which would be on a lot of jukeboxes in earlier times.

Very Recommended.

Score : 9/10

www.theamericanwestmusic.com

 

STEEPWAYS – HOLY SMOKE

FOR THE MOMENT, STEEPWAYS IS ONE OF THE BEST BRITISH AMERICANA-ROOTS BANDS. BEAUTIFUL SONGWRITER WORK FROM BLAIR CHADWICH AND CHARLIE BATESON.

 

THEIR DEBUT “HOLY SMOKE” CONTAINS ELEVEN SONGS WHICH SOUND LIKE SOFTLY ROOTS-ROCK AND VERY STRONG COUNTRY MINDED BALLADRY.

 

THE WHOLE BAND IS; BLAIR CHADWICK VOCALS, ELECTRIC GUITARS, SPANISH GUITAR, CHARLIE BATESON, VOCALS, ACOUSTIC GUITARS, 6-STRING BANJO, DARREN BODDELL ON PEDAL STEEL AND DOBRO, JAMIE SAW ON DRUMS, PERCUSSION, CHRIS CLARKE ON BASS GUITAR, ANDY FAIRCLOUGH ON HAMMOND ORGAN, WURLITZER AND UPRIGHT PIANO AND SIOBHAN PARR SINGS VOCALS.

 

THESE GUYS NEVER BORE AND BRING ENOUGH VARIETY IN THEIR MUSIC.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHICH SONG IS THE BEST BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL GOOD, BUT THERE'S ONE SONG WHICH STAYS IN MY HEAD AND IT'S “RADIO SILENCE”.

 

HOLY SMOKE WILL BE ON MY LIST OF 20 BEST ALBUMS FOR THIS YEAR.

 

SCORE : 9/10

 

 

MERCY JOHN – THIS AIN'T NEW YORK – BUTLER RECORDS

Als je Mercy John beluistert zou je denken, dit is een Amerikaan met een geweldige “americana” cd, maar  deze man blijkt gewoon uit Noord-Brabant te komen en is in het dagelijks leven docent music marketing aan een hogeschool.

Prachtige nummers die echt meeslepend zijn en muzikaal ingekleurd worden door zijn eigen bandleden : Rolf Verbaant(guitaren en pedal steel), John Maasakkers(drums), Judith Renkema(bass), Kirsten Boersma(piano,wurlitzer) en Gabriel Peeters(hammond organ,piano).

De nummers gaan over de alledaagse problemen in de maatschappij(eenzaamheid, verdriet,nostalgie en liefde). Hoogtepunten van de cd zijn : “God made an awful mistake”, “The Rain”, “Alcohol and Rage”, “Shock” en het titelnummer.

Deze belandt zeker in mijn jaartoptwintig.

Score : 9/10

www.mercyjohn.com

 

RON POPE – WORK -_ BROOKLYN BASEMENT RECORDS

From soul stax to americana, from Bruce Springsteen to Slaid Cleaves, Ron Pope's music can't be put in one pigeonhole.

He's as good in roots soul as in americana and singer-songwriting, so there's a lot of music to enjoy for many musiclovers.

The songs were recorded analog in Nashville and produced by Ted Young. Players on the album are Jay Collins(Sax), Mike Riddleberger(drums), Andrew Pertes(bass), Kai Welch(keys/accordeon), Jeff Malinowski(guitar), Alex Brumel(guitar,pedal steel) and Charles Ray(flugelhorn, trompet).

The songs go from rootssoul(Bad for you health, Let's get stoned) ; poprock(Can't stay here) ; singer/songwriter(Work, Partner in crime, The weather, Stick around) to Americana(The last, Someday were all gonna die, Dancing days)

For me the outstanding track is “Someday were all gonna die”.

Score : 8/10

www.ronpopemusic.com

 

TOM RUSSELL - FOLK HOTEL - PROPER RECORDS

WE KNOW TOM RUSSELL AND HIS EARLIER BAND, (ANDREW HARDIN, FATS KAPLAN,..) VERY GOOD, BECAUSE THEY DID SEVERAL
CONCERTS IN OUR CITY BREE, BELGIUM AT „THE TROUBADOUR” OUR LOCAL SINGER/SONGWRITER CLUB IN THE PAST.

TOM RELEASED MORE THAN 20 ALBUMS WITH SELF-PENNED SONGS AND STORIES.
HE’S WELL KNOWN AS A FAMOUS SINGER/SONGWRITER ALSO FOR OTHER FAMOUS ARTISTS LIKE JOHNYY CASH, GUY CLARK, 
K.D.LANG, NANCY GRIFFITH, DAVE ALVIN, AND MANY OTHERS COVERED HIS SONGS.
THIS YEAR TOM RELEASED THE ALBUM „PLAY ONE MORE, THE SONGS OF IAN AND SYLVIA (TYSON), HIS BEST FRIENDS, AND NOW
HE’S BACK AGAIN WITH A WONDERFUL ALBUM „FOLK HOTEL” WITCH REMIND ME OF HIS ROOTS.

THIS ALBUM INCLUDES 13 NEW TOM RUSSELL ORIGINALS WITH A DYLAN COVER „JUST LIKE TOM THUMB’S BLUES” AND ALSO
SOME DUETS WITH JOE ELY, AUGIE MEYERS AND ELIZA GILKYSON.
A BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION OF A WIDE-RANGING SONGS & STORIES ABOUT NEW YORK’S „CHELSEA HOTEL” 
A JOURNEY UP THE ROAD FROM EL PASO TO SANTA FE, A COWBOY SONG ABOUT IAN TYSON REFUSING TO „LEAVE HIS OLD HORSES” 
AND MANY MORE…

WE AT „ROOTS REVIVAL” WILL GIVE HIM A 9/10 SCORE

 

PAUL BRADY – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – PROPER RECORDS

It's no wonder that Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas invited Paul Brady to take part in the “Transatlantic Sessions”. Paul's music is situated where Americana meets Irish folk-rock.

This cd was recorded in Paul's studio in Dublin, with him producing and playing most of the instruments. The cd contains nine new songs written by him or co-written with Paul Muldoon, Sharon Vaughn and Ralph Murphy and two traditional folk songs.

“Harvest” and the title song are somewhat laid back melodies, while “I love you but you love him”, “Something to change” and “Say you don't mean” are up-tempo songs. “I like how you think” and “Maybe tomorrow” represent the “americana” part while “The cocks are crowing” and “Lord Thomas and Fair Ellender” are traditional folk songs. However the most outstanding songs are the ballads “Oceans of time” and “Once in a lifetime”. This is a growing cd so everytime you'll listen to it, you'll hear some new great music.

 

Very recommended.

Score : 8,5/10

www.paulbrady.com

COLD TONE HARVEST - “AFTER YOU”

 

AMERICANA MUSIC ON HIS BEST CAN YOU EXPECT FROM SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN QUARTET “COLD TONE HARVEST”.

THEIR DEBUT “AFTER YOU” CONTAINS 12 SONGS. MOST OF THEM WERE WRITTEN BY SINGER-SONGWRITER FRONTMAN ANDREW SIGWORTH, ONLY ONE COVER : NEIL YOUNG'S “OUT ON THE WEEKEND”

 

WE ARE SPEECHLESS ABOUT THESE GUYS. YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM AND YOU WILL AGREE WITH US THAT THIS IS AMERICANA MUSIC LIKE IT USED TO BE AND SHOULD BE.  WONDERFUL SONGWRITING AND MELODIES WITH PROFESSIONAL INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITIONS.

 

BESIDES ANDREW SIGWORTH THERE ARE BRIAN WILLAMS (DRUMS, BANJO), OZZIE ANDREWS (UPRIGHT BASS), AND TONY PACE (DOBRO, LAP STEEL AND ELECTRIC GUITAR), HE HAS ALSO A BEAUTIFUL VOICE AND TAKES LEAD ON HIS ORIGINAL SONG “ADELINE” AND NEIL YOUNG'S “OUT ON THE WEEKEND”.

 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH GERAINT AND DEBI (G PROMO PR) FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE LETTING US BEING PART OF THIS WONDERFUL MUSICAL JOURNEY OF “COLD TONE HARVEST”.

 

ROOTS REVIVAL GIVE THESE GUYS 5 STARS.

DIALTONES AND PRETTY NOTES BY GRAHAM NICHOLAS

IT’S JUST CHILLING OUT, LISTENING TO THE NEW RELEASE FROM GRAHAM NICHOLAS.
HE’S A TORONTO (CANADIAN) FOLK & ROOTS/COUNTRY SINGER/SONGWRITER.
HIS NEW RELEASE WAS RECORDED AND PRODUCED BY GRAHAM’S LONGTIME COLLABORATOR  AARON COMEAU (SKYDIVERS, AL TUCK, SAM CASH)
HE HAS ALSO A BUNCH OF NICE MUSICIANS AROUND HIM AS THERE ARE :

AARON COMEAU; ELECTRIC GUITAR, 12 STRING GUITAR, PIANO
KYLE SULIVAN; DRUMS
GREAME MOFFATT; BASS
ALAN ZEMAITIS; HAMMOND ORGEL, PIANO, WURLITZER
WESLEY ALLEN; DOUBLE BASS
MATT COOKE; MANDOLINE, HARMONY VOCALS, SLIDE GUITAR
RAVEN SHIELD; HARMONY VOCALS

GRAHAM KNOWS HOW TO MAKE A GOOD SONG WITH PERFECT INSTRUMENTATIONS.
EASY LISTENING MUSIC FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END, 12 BEAUTIFUL SONGS WHO NEVER BORE.

MY FAVORITE SONG „TIME MAKES A FOOL” REMINDS ME OF OUR HOUSE FRIEND SINGER/SONGWRITER HUGH MOFFATT.

DIALTONES AND PRETTY NOTES EARNS 4,5 STAR ON „ROOTS REVIVAL” AND WILL BE ON OUR TOP 10 FOR THIS YEAR.