Eric Heywood - Trace elements
Pedal steel guitar is a lot like a movie soundtrack in that the more you notice it, the less effective it is. In its overwrought variation, waves of pedal-steel weeping is one of country music's hoariest cliches. But if wielded with taste and restraint, it can add just
Carolina Chocolate Drops - Digging back, driving forward
Since the late 1950s, folkies have looked to the past for inspiration, and made connections between the popular rhythms of their day and the ancient excursions of their hip -- and often unheralded -- forebears. It probably doesn't matter that this recovery process only got cooking around the
A disquisition on the centrality of love and faith in the music of Buddy Miller
Where to begin, this ending?
With the thing that has always mattered most: The music.
In the spring of 1998, the fourteenth edition of this magazine proclaimed Alejandro Escovedo to be Artist Of The Decade. It was a puckish thing to have done, set off by the live More Miles
Jeff Healey - Mess Of Blues
It's not entirely clear how much of the preparation of this posthumous release by Canadian blues guitarist Jeff Healey (who succumbed to cancer March 2 at age 41) was informed by the knowledge that this would be his final musical statement. But no one can claim that Healey
Rick Nelson - For You: The Decca Years 1963-1969
Over six years before this often-fascinating set begins, the kid known as Ricky Nelson racked up some of the strongest sales figures the worlds of pop and rock have ever seen, with great singles including "Hello Mary Lou", "Travelin' Man" and "It's
Willie Nelson - One Hell Of A Ride
Someday, somebody with great taste, and no desire to be all things to all markets, is going to put together a Best Of Willie Nelson box. Because nobody's taste is absolute, fans like me and you will question some of the selections, and complain about what's