THE READING ROOM: Richard Thompson Reflects on Fairport Convention, Songwriting, and More
The best music memoirs simply unfold the moments of an artist’s life, without fanfare and without a desire to get even with former bandmates or friends. The best memoirs reveal to us — and revel in — what the Romantic poet William Wordsworth called “spots of time,” those moments that stand
50 STATES OF FOLK: A Jazz Incubator in Nebraska’s North Omaha
When most people think of big-band jazz, they’re probably thinking of glittery urban scenes in the Roaring ’20s. They’re thinking art deco dancehalls and Prohibition-era speakeasies. There’s something about the idea of a brassy jazz band that evokes imagery of New Orleans, Chicago, and New York City.
THROUGH THE LENS: The Roots Music Photography of Jim Gavenus
During normal times this week’s column would be reporting on MerleFest, which would have concluded just two days ago. In its absence, or at least its postponement until September this year, what better way to celebrate that fest than by featuring the work of one of that festival'
JOURNAL EXCERPT: Inside the Movement Toward Sustainable Vinyl Records
EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is an excerpt from a story in our Fall 2020 journal, “Going Green.” You can read the whole story — and much more — in that issue, here. And please consider supporting No Depression with a subscription for more roots music journalism, in print and online, all year
'First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder' Shows Todd Snider's Carnivalesque World
Todd Snider’s made a career of skewering our inflated ideas of ourselves and getting back to the bones of emotion and ragged humor of existence. He’s a reliable narrator to turn the world upside down in his lyrics, offering his own nod-and-a-wink take on both his own shortcomings
Forty Years After First Guitar Album, Mark O’Connor Returns With ‘Markology II’
Over 40 years is a long time to wait for anything, much less the sequel to an album. But when that album is Markology II, the first guitar album released by fiddle virtuoso and legend Mark O’Connor since Markology in 1978, it’s well worth the wait.
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