ALBUM REVIEW: The Beauty of Willie Nelson and Rodney Crowell's World of Songs
Any world that includes Willie Nelson singing the songs of Rodney Crowell is a beautiful one, indeed. Nelson’s are still remarkably strong into his ninth decade, and he selects 12 of Crowell’s emotionally resonant songs from the past 50 years — ranging from 1976’s “Banks of the Old
ALBUM REVIEW: At 84, Jim Kweskin Is Still ‘Doing Things Right’
Jim Kweskin plays old stuff. And it never gets old.
Since the singer and guitarist came to prominence with his jug band during the folk boom of the early ‘60s, he has essentially been doing the same thing — mining vintage material, especially early jazz and blues, and filtering it through
ALBUM REVIEW: Southern Avenue Cooks Up a Memphis Soul Stew on ‘Family’
With voices soaring, beats pulsing, and spirits on fire, Southern Avenue’s thrilling Family could initially be mistaken for an old-fashioned gospel record. Between the irresistible grooves and unflagging positivity, it’s impossible not to feel reborn and uplifted after spending time with this dynamic quartet.
Named after a street
ALBUM REVIEW: 'Believer' Finds NC Duo Blue Cactus Confident and Sure-Footed
THROUGH THE LENS: Best Bets for MerleFest 2025
One-hundred artists are scheduled to perform across 12 stages at this year’s MerleFest, to be held April 24-27, 2025 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
The artists highlighted below are, with a couple notable exceptions, ones that regular MerleFest attendees may not be that
FRESH TRACK: Mike Delevante - "The Rain Never Came"
Mike Delevante, who spent the 1990s recording and touring as half of trailblazing Americana brother duo The Delevantes with his older brother Bob, has released his debut solo record, September Days, on Guy Clark’s Truly Handmade Records. The album’s first track, “The Rain Never Came,” is an instantly