Dom Flemmons: Prospect Hill Fat Possum Records, 2014. http://www.domflemons.com Dom Flemons might not be a newbie on the folk circuit, but his newest album is something we haven’t heard from him much in the past- his own song writing. I’ve happily followed the …
Category: Americana
Goodnight, Texas – Uncle John Farquhar – An American Music Masterclass
2012 saw Goodnight, Texas take home my Album of the Year with A Long Life of Living. Back then, I wrote that “A Long Life of Living is a shining example of how to mix vocals and music, cartharsis and intimate personal stories, tradition and modernity …
The Return of Ragtime
It’s impossible to write about ragtime without mentioning Scott Joplin, who would be proud to know the art form that he popularized is alive and well today. In fact, the 21st century has a resurgence in an abundance of classic American music. The …
The Barr Brothers – Even The Darkness Has Arms
Our favorite Canadians are back and better than they’ve ever been. This is new age folk at it’s best folks. Their new album is due out at the end of October, look for more on them later.
Br’er Rabbit–adventurous, mountain music.
The story of Br’er Rabbit has been rewritten. Instead of a racially insensitive folk tale set in the Deep South, it is a story of growing up in the Pacific Northwest;three kids running through the woods and around their small city like they …
Review and Free Music Friday! Oxford and Co. EP – Oxford and Co.
Every once and while, Noisetrade promotes the music that seems to belong here on EarToTheGround. Oxford and Co. is one of the examples of this. A spot spoken vocalist, reminiscent of And The Giraffe, a folksy electric sound (think The Head and The …
Tattletale Saints – How Red is the Blood – Endearing duo bring classic American music sounds to life
I was about 10 seconds into the opening track when I knew this was an album I would enjoy. The Tattletale Saints have a wonderful ability to generate endearing, comfortable songs that provide the perfect soundtrack for life. This album is smart, crisp, …
The Stillwater Hobos – My Love, She’s in America
Every once and a while, we get a band that’s making music they have no business making and just absolutely killing it. Think Mumford and Sons. Marcus and the boys have no business being as good at traditional American folk music as they …
Fathom Lane – Self Titled – Vintage-yet-refreshing Sound
Lately there have been a spate of artists knocking the easy “three chord song” folk music that’s so prevalent in the current music landscape, but Fathom Lane is not one of those simpler acts. Their sound is complicated in the best way possible. …
‘Holler’ Crosses Oceans and Time
Holler: An Appalachian Tragedy (original workshop recording). Maineland Productions/Bandcamp, 2014. I’m fairly certain that this is a first for Ear to the Ground- a review of a soundtrack, written for a play inspired by Shakespeare. Oh, good, you didn’t run away screaming. Once …
