ALBUM REVIEW: Joy Oladokun Levels Up Her Sound But Stays True to Herself on ‘Proof of Life’
There’s a strong temptation to frame Proof of Life, Joy Oladokun’s follow-up to her self-released breakthrough album in defense of my own happiness (ND review), as a pop-oriented major label makeover.
On in defense, there was a certain level of homespun charm to the proceedings,
Jens Kruger on Doc Watson’s Appalachian American Dream
EDITOR’S NOTE: To mark what would have been the year of Doc Watson’s 100th birthday, we asked Jens Kruger, who knew Watson personally and professionally, to tell us about his friend and what he has meant to music. The Kruger Brothers will host a set at MerleFest this
ALBUM REVIEW: Songs Shine Brightest on Star-Studded Doc Watson Tribute
You don’t really need a reason to celebrate Doc Watson’s legacy. He’s one of the most important artists in roots music history, with an influence that spans generations. That’s worth a tip of the hat on any occasion. But with this year marking the 100th anniversary
ALBUM REVIEW: Del Barber’s Details Make the Songs of ‘Almanac’ Come Alive
When words like “easy” and “familial” and “organic” are applied to Del Barber’s songcraft, it’s important to specify the complimentary nature of such descriptors. The Canadian singer-songwriter is a storied veteran who’s been penning resonant songs for years, and the melodies on his latest LP, Almanac,
THE READING ROOM: Lucinda Williams’ Memoir Lets Us in on Her Secrets
Musicians’ memoirs fall into one of two categories. One type descends into an inferno of drug-fueled episodes of sex with a new partner every night, with very little attention to the music that consumed the artist’s life and work — Gregg Allman’s My Cross to Bear is a
THROUGH THE LENS: A Look Ahead at MerleFest 2023, Celebrating Doc Watson’s 100th Birthday
This year’s MerleFest, kicking off this Thursday, is an extra special one. This year’s edition, the 35th, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Doc Watson, the founding father of the "traditional plus" festival that was started in part to honor his late son, Merle