Steve Forbert Lists His Favorite Three Albums
For three years, the prevailing theme of my Best I’ve Ever Seen column has been musicians talking about the best concerts they attended by other artists. To mix it up a bit, I decided to broaden the theme and from time to time allow readers to learn which albums
What Is Cosmic American Music? (And a List of Examples)
Cosmic American Music is hard to define, and often easier to define by what it’s not. Michael Grimshaw in his essay “Redneck Religion and Shitkickin’ Saviours? Gram Parsons, Theology and Country Music” writes: “Parsons’ mission was the creation of a new way forward, a way to musically heal the
American Desert Music That Twists, Turns, Shifts and Satisfies
I am familiar with this group of musicians – 3hattrio (three hat trio) -- and they are – out there. I love and respect their work. Why? Because after listening to countless proficient musicians, good showcases, competent playing and well-written songs this is one of the bands who are implicitly original. They
‘Sometimes the Good Guys Win’: Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy Meets Kris Kristofferson
Blue Rodeo’s catalog is vast and filled with so many outstanding albums that it’s easy to overlook the excellent solo albums released through the years by members of the Canadian band.
A new album, Constellation, was just released by Jim Cuddy, and it’s another winner for Blue
Jaime Wyatt Paints an Outlaw Country Masterpiece in Felony Blues from Forty Below Records
“Who the fuck is Jaime Wyatt?”
It’s the question asked by the stickers she hands out at every show. Yeah, ok, it’s derivative, but it lets you know right off the bat where she’s coming from. She reveres tradition but equally reveres its rebel origins. She knows
Ha Ha Tonka Get Philosophical on Rich Rocker Heart-Shaped Mountain from Bloodshot Records
In a strange way, most of the good things in my life can be traced back to Rhett Miller. Not only was the band he fronts, Old 97’s, one of my key entry points into the world of alt country, but, by virtue of his commitment to selecting the