Growing up with access to all of recorded music, it’s hard to imagine not enjoying a wide range of styles. When we all met around fifteen years ago, it was fun to see where our backgrounds overlapped and where they didn’t. Eventually, after lots of road testing, we ended up with some kind of sound to our band that is pretty unique. Our new album, No Bad Ideas, is an expression of that. It’s all over the place, but somehow not.
For this Mixtape, we set out to include music that’s influenced us as a band, inspired our playing and songwriting, or otherwise shaped us as people. Some of these are tunes that have been with us a long time, some of them we just listened to in the van while we’ve been on tour. It’s all over the place, but there’s a through line as well. No Bad Ideas in a playlist! – The Faux Paws
“TSA” – Danny Barnes
Just banjo, drums, and voice. It’s weird, sparse, beautiful, and one of those songs I’ve been coming back to for years. – Andrew VanNorstrand
“Rockingham” – The Faux Paws
This song is all about the excitement and uncertainty of moving to a new place and finding community, even if you aren’t necessarily ready for it. – AV
“Backstep Cindy” – The Freight Hoppers
July 1998. I am ten years old. I wander into the dance tent at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival and my tiny little mind is blown into a thousand pieces as I experience the absolutely insane energy of The Freight Hoppers. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since. This. Tune. F-ing. Rocks. – AV
“Odds of Getting Even” – Maya de Vitry
I can’t get enough of this album. Maya sounds great. Her band sounds great. The material is great. This song has a subtle message of patience and perspective that really speaks to me. Play it again. – AV
“He’s Gone” – Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms
Caleb and Reeb played for my wedding! They are true cornerstones of the amazing Pacific Northwest Americana scene and are launching a new festival this week, Orcasfest. Caleb wrote this song about his childhood dentist, who was also his best friend’s dad/second dad. – Chris Miller
“Jesus Was a Cross Maker” – Judee Sill
I am always telling people about this singular artist and I feel like her music is still pretty underground in my circles! She had a wild childhood and was caught up in the Laurel Canyon California music scene, experimenting with psychedelics and reflecting on her Christianity. The result is music that doesn’t sound like anything else I’ve ever heard. – CM
“For Me It’s You” – Jobi Riccio
I heard Jobi play this song in a hotel room in Kansas City during Folk Alliance and it broke me. Like, truly deeply broke me the way only a great song can. Everyone has a dream they know probably won’t come true. I needed this song. Maybe you do, too. – AV
“15 Below” – The Faux Paws
Every time we play this, Noah makes my jaw drop – and we captured some of that on the record. This tune came to life when we were quarantined in Newport, Rhode Island, January 2022. We went to try and find a bird on the beach and it was insanely cold. – CM
“Artificial Intelligence” – Jim Lauderdale
Most of the time we spend in the van is actually listening to terrifying podcasts about the seemingly inevitable AI future. I grew up seeing Jim Lauderdale play and I appreciate how he can remain frozen in a time of “real country” while still plundering the depths of current philosophical issues. – CM
“the 1” – Taylor Swift
Noah really, really, really likes Taylor Swift. And he picked this song. And that’s all. Hope you like it. Noah really likes it. A lot. Contact Noah directly for more details on how much he likes Taylor Swift. – AV
“Straight Back” – Taylor Ashton
I love the way this song slips and slides. Smooth groove, clever lyrics, ooo-eee-ooo-eeyoo hook in the chorus. It’s impossible to pin down. And why would you want to pin it down anyway? Just let it do its thing. Don’t worry about it. – AV
“You Are Also Them” – Jenny Ritter
I came across Jenny Ritter randomly around fifteen years ago and have been obsessed with her music ever since. We actually recorded our Backburner EP with the same engineer (Adam Iredale) on tiny Mayne Island, British Columbia. This track coincidentally has Zoe Guigueno on bass! – CM
“Unknowing” – Busman’s Holiday
I don’t have a long history with this song, but we were recently on tour in Nashville and Zoe played it for us. I just can’t shake it. You ever get the sense that a song is perceiving you just as much or more so than you are able to perceive it? I hope this song likes me. – AV
The first music I learned to play was a mix of classic country, western swing, and contest-style fiddling from Ontario. I fell in love with twin fiddle harmonies and a tight rhythm section. Listening to these two fiddle legends riffing off of each other is such a joy. – AV
“I Just Wanna Listen to the Band Play” – Freddy & Francine
These guys (Bianca and Lee) are some of my idols, both in the way they make music and live with intention. As it seems we can’t beat the robots in the great war coming, I think the only hope for music and art is if we decide to be a little more intentional about … everything. This song is from 2020, but more relevant than ever! – CM
In the words of Chris Stapleton, “What are you listening to?” This week, our premiere round up is full of music we’re very excited to bring to your speakers and earphones.
Below, check out new videos from Ana Egge, Ordinary Elephant, and our brand new Rootsy Summer Session featuring Jim Lauderdale performing at a cute music shop in Falkenberg, Sweden. Plus, we’ve got new tracks from Jaelee Roberts, Parker Smith, Wyndham Baird, and Will Kimbrough. To top it all off, Phillip Lammonds performs “Forever Ain’t That Far Away” with his pal, the legendary Pam Tillis.
There’s so much to enjoy in our latest premiere round up, and if we do say so ourselves – You Gotta Hear This!
Ana Egge, “Door Won’t Close”
Artist:Ana Egge Hometown: Ambrose, North Dakota Song: “Door Won’t Close” Album:Sharing in the Spirit Release Date: May 17, 2024 Label: StorySound Records
In Their Words:“‘Door Won’t Close’ is about confronting an abusive person. One of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. I stood up to him on behalf of my sister and nephew. I opened the door to what he’d done by telling the truth and not allowing myself to be shut down by fear. Then I left the door open by telling his wife and friends about it. The song is mostly in conversation with his wife — her denial of his abuse and her support of him.” – Ana Egge
Track Credits:
Ana Egge – Vocals, acoustic guitar, harmony vocals Michael “Squeaky” Robinson – Pedal steel Alex Hargreaves – Fiddle Rob Heath – Drums Lorenzo Wolff – Bass Devon Yesberger – Organ, Wurlitzer
Video Credits: Directed, filmed and edited by Haoyan of America. Special thanks Alden Harris-McCoy and Cole-Berry Miller.
Jaelee Roberts, “Stuck In The Middle With You”
Artist:Jaelee Roberts Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tennessee Song: “Stuck In The Middle With You” Release Date: April 5, 2024 Label: Mountain Home Music Company
In Their Words: “‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ is a song that I have loved for a really long time and I’ve been keeping it in mind to record, because I felt like it would be so much fun to cover. Of course I love the original version by Stealers Wheel (written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan), but when I was pretty young I found Keith Urban’s version from the ’90s with his band, The Ranch, and I was really hooked on it. I have literally listened to it hundreds of times and it never gets old. I love all genres of music and I recorded a ’70s rock song (“Landslide”) on my debut album and people really seemed to enjoy it, so I wanted to include a song from that era on my new album, too. I knew ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ was the one. I’m excited that it just happens to be the first single!
“I have to say that I am absolutely thrilled with how this song turned out with the help of my producer and bass player, Byron House, and all of the other STELLAR musicians: Ron Block on banjo/guitar, Cody Kilby on guitar, Andy Leftwich on mandolin, Russ Pahl on dobro, and John Gardner on percussion along with backing vocals by John Cowan.
“It was truly amazing to hear this come to life and I really think we made it our own by combining two awesome versions and throwing in a twist or two for a new take on ‘Stuck In The Middle With You.’ I hope it makes you smile and maybe even want to get up and dance!” – Jaelee Roberts
“Jaelee’s voice is THE GOLDEN THREAD shining so brightly in what feels to me like a well-woven tapestry of mighty fine playing, all supported by this classic groove. Her version of ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ was every bit as fun to play and produce as I hope it will be for you to hear! So grateful to be working with Jaelee Roberts!” – Byron House, producer
Parker Smith, “Air Stream”
Artist:Parker Smith Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia Song: “Air Stream” Album:Short Street Release Date: June 7, 2024
In Their Words: “My brother and I drove up to Unicoi State Park with his two kids, a couple of cots, one tent, and not enough warm clothing. We debated not making the trek, because the weather was supposed to dip below freezing, but we didn’t want to disappoint his kids, who were looking forward to it. When we rolled up to the campsite, our neighbors, an elderly couple, were sitting outside in a couple of crazy creek chairs with their dog in front of an Airstream.
“I’ve always wanted an Airstream camper, and I am big into double meanings to a fault when it comes to song lyrics; ‘Air Stream’ also refers to the cold snap we were experiencing in North Georgia. We said maybe two words to the couple, but it was so interesting how we interacted with neighbors pretty much the same at home and on vacation. We overheard them bickering with each other and then making up at the end of the night. It was also interesting to see how they had everything figured out with some warm shelter and supplies, and we were out here roughing it with two young kids in a cold tent. We ended up having a great time outdoors, swinging on hammocks and making a fire, but the kids were complaining and shivering in the middle of the night, and we ended up leaving at 5 a.m. to head home.
“My favorite line in the song is ‘growing cold together, blaming it on the weather’ in the last verse. This line can be interpreted in several ways, and I liked substituting ‘cold’ for ‘old.’ This verse is when the song gets quiet, and the vocals are upfront before all the instruments tumble back in for the last chorus. Sonically, the song has a floating quality, especially with the sound of the pedal steel and the faraway fiddle solo. I wanted a simple chorus that people could sing along around a campfire, and my producer Colin had a great idea for me to overdub my vocals an octave apart to give it that vibe. ‘Air Stream’ has been a fun one to play live.” – Parker Smith
Track Credits:
Parker Smith – Guitars, vocals Trygve Myers – Bass Christopher Case – Keyboards John Kingsley – Pedal steel, lap steel, fiddle, slide guitar Colin Agnew – Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals
Mixing & production – Colin Agnew Mastering – Bob Weston, Chicago Mastering Service
Wyndham Baird, “Meet Me By the Moonlight, Alone”
Artist:Wyndham Baird Hometown: Brooklyn, New York Song: “Meet Me By the Moonlight, Alone” Album:After the Morning Release Date: May 31, 2024 Label: Jalopy Records
In Their Words: “I learned ‘Meet Me By The Moonlight’ from The Carter Family when I was about 20 years old. When I first heard The Carter Family it felt like I was listening some long lost relatives. They sounded like they had been my great grandmother’s neighbors. Taking up Maybelle’s picking style set me free from the doldrums of riffing. Her playing taught me how to make the guitar sound good enough all by itself. That being said, Eli Smith’s autoharp lends our recording of ‘Moonlight’ some rocking chair rhythm and Samoa Wilson’s harmony vocal sounds somehow like a roll top bread box.” – Wyndham Baird
Will Kimbrough, “Every Day”
Artist:Will Kimbrough Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee Song: “Every Day” Album:For the Life of Me Release Date: April 5, 2024 (single); May 3, 2024 (album) Label: Daphne Records, Soundly Music
In Their Words: “David Henry and I wrote ‘Every Day’ trying to create something carefree and joyful. We pulled it off! I needed it then and we need it now. Favorite lyric: ‘Singing in the sunshine. Laughing in the pouring rain. Gonna have a good time. Everybody it’s a sunshine day.'” – Will Kimbrough
Track Credits:
Bryan Owings – Drums Chris Donohue – Bass Will Kimbrough – Vocals, guitar, keyboards
Ordinary Elephant, “I See You”
Artist:Ordinary Elephant Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana Song: “I See You” Album:Ordinary Elephant Release Date: May 3, 2024 Label: Berkalin Records
In Their Words: “We can talk to anyone in a song. Time, space, beliefs, viewpoints — none of those can keep the ‘I’ from having a conversation with the ‘you.’ The ‘you’ can be Gandhi, a grocery store clerk, the President, or your dog. It can also be yourself, perhaps at some future point in time.
“I started this song a few months into my journey with sobriety. Because there were things I couldn’t escape from seeing about myself. And there were, and are, so many things I don’t yet know, or know how to figure out, but there’s a sense of what I want this unraveling to look like when it’s sewn back together.
“Being in the moment and accepting who and where we are is valuable, and I believe that getting better at this is a practice that can hold a lot of happiness. But it also seems that if we don’t look ahead and think of a future self, it can be difficult to grow in ways that feel meaningful. So this is a talk with that future self, letting her know that I see her.” – Crystal Damore
Video Credits: Directed & edited by Syd Horn & Olivia Perillo. Cinematography & color by Olivia Perillo. Honest Art Productions, Lafayette, Louisiana.
Phillip Lammonds, “Forever Ain’t That Far Away”
Artist:Phillip Lammonds Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee Song: “Forever Ain’t That Far Away” Album:Cowboy Things Release Date: April 5, 2024 Label: Freestone Records
In Their Words: “It’s a song that I wrote with Matt Wynne – a great singer-songwriter from Missouri and just a great guy. We were co-writing one day and we didn’t really have anything. We were working around in the writers room and he said, ‘You know, the afternoon is not that far away,’ and I said, ‘Wait a minute…’ and we backed into this title, ‘Forever Ain’t That Far Away.’ It’s turned into one of the coolest songs. One of the greatest things about this song is that on the record, Pam Tillis sings the background vocals on it. There is no question you can hear her. She is amazing, and she’s still the same star she’s ever been.” – Phillip Lammonds
Track Credits: Written by Phillip Lammonds & Matt Wynne. Produced by Lee Brice. Co-Production by Gabriel Klein, Gideon Klein, Phillip Lammonds. Engineered & Mixed by Cody Labelle, Gabriel Klein, Gideon Klein.
Video Credit: Brooke Stevens
Rootsy Summer Sessions: Jim Lauderdale
This week, we bring you a brand-new installment of our Rootsy Summer Sessions, which were shot last year in gorgeous Falkenberg, Sweden, during Rootsy Summer Fest ’23. The videography team behind I Know We Should set aside time during the summertime roots music festival with Nashville renaissance man, Americana magnate, and hit songwriter Jim Lauderdale while on his trip to Scandinavia.
For his first performance, he performs “The Road Is a River,” a song from his 2018 album, Time Flies, in an adorable local music store, Liljedahls Musik. Joined by his band, including recording artist and fiddler Lillie Mae, guitarists Craig Smith and Frank Carter Rische, Jay D. Weaver on bass, and Dave Racine on drums, they cheerfully lope through the darker tinges of the song, harmonizing in three parts on the track’s foreboding and certainly apocalyptic lyrics. “The Road Is a River” demonstrates the ease with which Lauderdale combines styles, textures, and sonics with his deep understanding of history and a literary reckoning with the machinations of the earth – natural and unnatural.
I’ve shared the stage with Jim Lauderdale many times over the years and have always enjoyed his approach and attitude. Funny, self-effacing, eager to entertain, Jim’s a gem and the most prolific songwriter and recording artist I know. I was honored that he agreed to join me for the happy hour and I couldn’t wait to edit this show and release it.
This episode was recorded live at The Grey Eagle in Asheville, North Carolina on November 30th, 2022. Huge thanks to Jim Lauderdale, Mike Ashworth, and Matt Smith.
Timestamps:
00:06 – Soundbyte 00:33 – Introduction 02:11 – “Rise Sun” 05:54 – Introducing Jim Lauderdale 07:33 – Interview 1 23:08 – “Patchwork River” 28:02 – “Planet of Love” 32:58 – Introducing “Friends Again” 35:28 – “Friends Again” 38:05 – Interview 2 51:20 – “The King of Broken Hearts” 54:30 – Introducing “The Opportunity to Help Somebody Through It” 56:35 – “The Opportunity to Help Somebody Through It” 1:02:22 – “That Kind of Life (That Kind of Day)” 1:06:10 – Outro
Editor’s note: The Travis Book Happy Hour is hosted by Travis Book of the GRAMMY Award-winning band, The Infamous Stringdusters. The show’s focus is musical collaboration and conversation around matters of being. The podcast is the best of the interview and music from the live show recorded in Asheville and Brevard, North Carolina.
The Travis Book Happy Hour Podcast is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can find the Travis Book Happy Hour on Instagram and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.
Artist:Jim Lauderdale and The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys Song: “Drop the Hammer Down” Album:The Long and Lonesome Letting Go Release Date: September 15, 2023 Label: Sky Crunch
In Their Words: “The first place I heard The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys and got to sit in with them was at MerleFest a few years back. Now we have come full circle with an album together and a song that Josh Rinkel and I wrote called ‘Drop the Hammer Down.’ Here is the first time we performed it, last spring at MerleFest.” – Jim Lauderdale
Photo Credit: Jim Lauderdale by Scott Simontacchi; the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys by Amy Richmond.
This week, we call on an Americana pioneer and a beloved fixture of the Nashville roots-country scene, the always affable Grammy-winner Jim Lauderdale. This year he celebrated the release of his thirty-fifth record, Game Changer.
Growing up in both North and South Carolina, as a young man Lauderdale fell in love with country music but took an unconventional path to becoming a sought-after songwriter, harmonist and writer in Music City. He toured in New York theatre productions when he was starting out, and ended up in LA. Even today you can hear the drama in his aching harmony-soaked songs like “Lightning Love” off Game Changer.
While sales and national recognition haven’t always aligned, the “stylistically restless” Lauderdale has played the Opry over 200 times, collaborated on albums with his heroes like the late bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley, written tracks for artists as diverse as George Strait and Elvis Costello, and has accidentally become one of the leading elder-statesman of the Americana movement.
What is Americana exactly? Even Jim impishly won’t say. But it’s that earthy genre-bending sound that has kept his longtime fans coming back for more nearly four decades into his storied run.
Artist:Jim Lauderdale Hometown: Troutman, North Carolina Song: “Game Changer” Album:Game Changer Release Date: August 26, 2022 Label: Sky Crunch Records
In Their Words: “On my second day of sessions for what became the album, I had done what I knew would be the first few songs on the record and the rest were going to guide me along. Being at Blackbird Studios with the great musicians, engineers, and students helping from the Blackbird Academy, I was in a historic place in good company. The song went down easy with a great feel. As I was working up the next song to lay down, producer Jay Weaver worked with guitarist Craig Smith on the solo, which blows me away every time I hear it. Craig is using a B-Bender guitar (the invention of Clarence White and Gene Parsons) and I think it’s one of the greatest B-Bender solos ever. Go Craig Smith!” — Jim Lauderdale
The BGS team is currently working on getting our land legs back after a week at sea with the Sixthman team, as we made our music-filled journey from Miami to St. Thomas and St. Kitts aboard the 14th edition of Cayamo – and what a week it was!
After two long years away from much of our roots music community (in person, at least) Cayamo felt like a reunion – and we were so happy to celebrate BGS’ 10th birthday with a huge jam set with so many of our friends. Sierra Hull and Madison Cunningham hosted The Bluegrass Situation’s Party of the Deck-ade, a set that took place on the pool deck as we pulled away from St. Kitts, featuring songs of joy and celebration via collaborations amongst the likes of Aoife O’Donovan, the Punch Brothers, Kathleen Edwards, Brittney Spencer, Robbie Fulks, Jim Lauderdale, Tommy Emmanuel, Missy Raines, Rainbow Girls, Dear Darling, Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs, and Hogslop String Band as our trusty house band.
On top of all this music, we were also grateful for the chance to simply sit and talk – and Fiona Prine took advantage of this time with her Let’s Sit and Talk series, having in-depth conversations with Emmylou Harris, as well as members of John Prine’s band. (Be on the lookout – these conversations are coming to BGS in podcast form soon!)
Cayamo was a week of non-stop music, unforgettable collaborations, and moments of joy, from a nautical set by the Punch Brothers, to mid-set stage dives – into a literal pool – from Hogslop String Band, to many opportunities to honor the memory and music of John Prine and those we’ve lost in the past few years – just to name a few. Below, take a look at some of our favorite moments from the Party of the Deck-ade and the entire Cayamo trip, as captured by Will Byington and Cortney Pizzarelli:
Cover Image: Cortney Pizzarelli All photos by Will Byington and Cortney Pizzarelli
Artist:Lisa Morales Honmetown: Tucson, Arizona Song: “Flyin’ and Cryin'” Album:Rain In the Desert Release Date: March 11, 2022 Label: Zaino Records
In Their Words: “Making this video was just hanging with the boys, sharing stories, laughs, and music. Hayes Carll is a dear friend; we both used to live in the Houston area and I produced his first album, Flowers and Liquor. I introduced him to Texas audiences early on.” — Lisa Morales
“With her talent and her generosity Lisa Morales changed the trajectory of my life. I heard Lisa a few hours before I actually saw her. The Sisters Morales show in Galveston, Texas, was sold out so I sat on the sidewalk and listened to them perform through the windows. Afterwards — when I could finally squeeze into the club — we were introduced by the club owner. When she heard that I was a singer-songwriter, Lisa offered to let me open the next time they came through town. I happily accepted. Eventually she offered more shows across the state. These were my first opportunities to travel for music and to play in front of audiences who had bought a ticket to listen and witness a show. It was all game-changing for me. Some time later Lisa offered to produce my first record and that offer changed the trajectory of my life. I’ll always be grateful to her for her kindness, wisdom, and mentorship.” — Hayes Carll
“I’ve known Lisa for years. When she asked if I’d find a harmony part to sing on a track for a new album, I couldn’t find a suitable part. So I took the liberty of assuming she wouldn’t mind if I wrote a few lines that would make the song a duet. She didn’t bat an eye, even gave me a songwriting credit. At least I think she did. What’s not to love about Lisa Morales?” — Rodney Crowell
“I’ve been a fan of Lisa Morales for such a long time. It was such a treat to get be in this video of this very fine song that she and Rodney wrote. It was a joy to get to spend some time with her, Rodney, and Hayes, and be in their presence!” — Jim Lauderdale
Welcome to the BGS Radio Hour! Since 2017, this weekly radio show and podcast has been a recap of all the great music, new and old, featured on the digital pages of BGS. This week, the Radio Hour features a song that reclaims the image of the magnolia tree, we enjoy some blues and southern rock from folks like Charlie Parr, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and Larkin Poe, plus hear a “Wichita Lineman” cover by Colin Hay, and much more.
To celebrate the birthday of Dualtone Music Group, Gregory Alan Isakov covers The Lumineers’ “Salt And The Sea” on a new compilation record, Amerikinda: 20 Years of Dualtone, which features many of Dualtone’s artists from the past and the present performing each other’s songs in a whimsical, jovial tribute to the work and achievements of this beloved record company.
On a new track inspired by the last year and its intentional pausing, Adia Victoria explores the magnolia as a symbol of the South: “The magnolia has stood as an integral symbol of Southern myth making, romanticism, the Lost Cause of the Confederates and the white washing of Southern memory. ‘Magnolia Blues’ is a reclaiming of the magnolia…”
One of the most eloquent tracks on Jim Lauderdale’s new album Hope — a collection reminiscent of dreamy ‘70s folk rock records — celebrates the legendary Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, a longtime friend and collaborator of Lauderdale’s who died in 2019. As one of the final songs they wrote together, “Memory” arrived on June 22, just one day before what would’ve been Hunter’s 80th birthday.
We caught up with singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer for a 5+5 — that’s five questions and five songs — on growing up creative, writing stories, poetry, and essays, taking comfort in nature and its imagery, and more.
Larkin Poe grew up drawing inspiration from a wide range of genres, so they always dreamt of honoring their classical upbringing with orchestral arrangements of their music. Their first ever live album features Nu Deco Ensemble combining those classical elements with Larkin Poe’s Americana, blues, and Southern rock songs.”In hearing our Roots Rock ‘n’ Roll repertoire reinterpreted through an orchestral lens, it felt like a creative circle was being completed.”
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram seemed to come out of nowhere with his 2019 Alligator Records debut, Kingfish. At 20 years old, the native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, emerged as a fully-formed guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter and was quickly hailed as a defining blues voice of his generation. Now his new record, 662, pays tribute to his upbringing and his home turf.
Jesse Lynn Madera has written a lot of sad, emotional songs, but writing “Revel” changed the way she approaches songwriting, recognizing the opportunity artists have to positively impact a person. She reflects, “Being human is rollercoaster enough without a pandemic to further complicate the experience. We’ve all suffered through our share, and hopefully we’ve all experienced the sun coming up over the horizon of despair. This will be no exception. The glow shall return, and we’ll all be reveling in it.”
Blues picker Charlie Parr reflects on the days he’s currently living in on “Last of the Better Days Ahead.” As he tells us: “I’m getting on in years, experiencing a shift in perspective that was once described by my mom as ‘a time when we turn from gazing into the future to gazing back at the past…'”
“Wichita Lineman” was the first song where Colin Hay (of Men at Work) realized the importance of the written song, in and of itself. He tells us the song “spoke of things I could only wonder at. The geographical vastness of the land, the hopes and dreams of the man working the line, and indeed of all people who inhabit this country. And, a love story contained within achingly beautiful music and melody. I can’t think of a better song.”
For a big part of their life, Dillbilly grew up feeling like country and bluegrass were genres that they could never be a part of even though the music has always felt like home. But in writing “Countries,” it felt so good for them to lean into those roots.
Powerhouse bluegrass (and beyond) family The Isaacs have returned with new music, including their rendition of a Pete Seeger classic that Lily Isaacs recalls from her days of growing up as a folk music fan in 1960s New York City.
Photos: (L to R) Larkin Poe by Josh Kranich; Charlie Parr by Shelly Mosman; Adia Victoria by Huy Nguyen
Jim Lauderdale’s new album Hope has a sound reminiscent of dreamy ‘70s folk rock records and largely centers around themes like perseverance, with much of the music bred from his 15-month hiatus from touring and performing. One of its most eloquent tracks celebrates the legendary Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, a longtime friend and collaborator of Lauderdale’s who died in 2019. As one of the final songs they wrote together, “Memory” arrived on June 22, just one day before what would’ve been Hunter’s 80th birthday. In addition, the album cover and packaging feature paintings by Maureen Hunter, Robert’s wife. About his dear friend, Lauderdale says, “Losing Robert just before the pandemic was so hard, but he left the perfect lyric, to sum up my feelings about him and to honor all the people we’ve lost since.”
In the light of Hunter’s companionship and storied career as a writer and musician, “Memory” is a perfect song to celebrate his life and work. Meanwhile, Hope features a cast of musicians who just get it when it comes to traditional country and folk rock. Chris Scruggs, Russ Pahl, and Kenny Vaughan are just a few who grace the record with their classic sounds. “I wanted to get a musical message out there during this time of what we’ve all been going through, about the hope for better days ahead,” Lauderdale says. “If we can find any glimmers of hope, that really helps get you through another day.”
Photo credit: Scott Simontacchi
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