The Rounder Circle – “California Bound”-Everything about this song feels just right to me, from the expressive guitar to the mandolin highlights and the expressive lead vocal. There’s a soft sincerity in the lyrical message about the hope of moving to California. The …
Category: Bluegrass
Featured Bluegrass Single: BB Bowness – “Can I Go Home With You”
BB Bowness – “Can I Go Home With You”-If you’re a fan of traditional bluegrass, you might find it difficult to locate “new music” that tickles your fancy. Well, I’m eager to tell you about BB Bowness and this latest track “Can I …
Three tracks in the Americana and roots music traditions that will have you longing for your loved ones
Matthew Payne – “Better Times”-I’ve featured Matthew Payne in the past and it’s easy to hear why he’s become a repeated “yes.” This music is the real deal. Everything from the gentle acoustic to the highlighting steel guitar feels like a sweet, meaningful …
Discover a pair of rootsy country tracks that will make you feel “homesick for somewhere I never been”
Abby Webster – “I Wanna Live!”-If you’re a fan of traditional country music sounds, this track definitely connects. The banjo is absolutely excellent. The lyrics have this hard edge to them, encountering drinking and smoking again. It’s about having a “hard time being …
Three sweet tracks showing the tender side of Americana
Hills of Belgium – “Sourwood Mountain”-So the highest compliment I could give this song is that when I clicked play on it, I was reminded of reenactments and festivals I’ve been to with authentic 19th century music. This tune and overall style reminds …
Album Review: The Southern Residents – Folk Signals
If you’re a fan of traditional folk music, this is an important album from The Southern Residents. Right from the opening of the album, there are haunting and timeless string elements working together to create a wonderful sound. The instrumentation on the first …
Featured Bluegrass Single: “Faces – Grass Version” by Kurt Lee Wheeler
Kurt Lee Wheeler – “Faces – Grass Version”-There’s a nice rolling string style on this track that emerges from first listen. The vocals are consistent with classic bluegrass sounds. I appreciate the even-handed style here; it moves along nicely. It’s a song about …
Three soulful Americana tracks that will stop you in your tracks due to their timeless character
Kurt Lee Wheeler – “Portland (Grass version)”-I’m a big fan of when a first line of a song really pops. This one goes, “It’s not that I hate leavin’ Portland, it’s that I hate losin’ you.” Wow. Heartache, purpose, direction, sentiment, emotion… it’s …
Three new Americana tracks that bring in a wide range of influences for polished sounds
Andrew Beck – “Anywhere I’ll Go”-If you’re a fan of chill acoustic guitar work, definitely give this track a spin. Andrew Beck has the type of rasp in his vocal that makes you believe he’s experienced what he’s singing about. I’ll be honest …
Bluegrass Album Review: The Pine Hearts – Lost Love Songs
The Pine Hearts have done something truly special with Lost Love Songs, an album that keeps classic bluegrass and “newgrass” in a delicate and meaningful balance. From the opening strum to the final note, this record is a celebration of everything that makes …
