Book Review: Jake La Botz Your Place In This World

Jake La Botz Your Place in This World: A Novella and Stories Cornerstone Press

When reviewing THEY’RE COMING FOR ME, the 2019 album by Jake La Botz, Lonesome Highway concluded the review with the following observation: ‘Like chapters in a book of short stories, Jake La Botz has the ammunition to keep you turning the pages to revel in the absurd, fanciful and often comical tales.’ Little did we know that the Chicago-born songwriter, actor and meditation teacher would, in fact, turn his hand to writing short stories.  Unlike the songwriting in that album, there is no place for humour in YOUR PLACE in THIS WORLD. Instead, it digs into the unfortunate and forsaken that barely exist in the underbelly of Chicago’s derelict suburbs.

Eleven tales unfold, each linked by their portrayal of Chicago’s bleak realities. The title story, spanning more than half the book’s 190 pages, transitions into a brutal chronicle of a child doomed from birth. His parents neglected even to register his name at birth. After his mother’s death, the young boy, eventually named Steve after actor Steve McQueen, lives with his drug-addicted father, who is frequently in jail for petty crimes, and his father’s prostitute girlfriend, also addicted. Steve joins his father in criminal acts and drug deals, surviving on scraps and whatever money he can steal. When his father is imprisoned for a long stretch, Steve, still in his early teens, must then navigate Chicago’s underworld on his own, moving the narrative toward his search for identity and connection.

That narrative shifts as a chance encounter with the busking blues player Diggy Nubbit becomes a fixation for the teenager. This story flows naturally from Steve’s struggle for survival into his obsession with this 'down and out.' Steve searches the local library for the blues player's history and music. The blues become an unexpected source of solace, providing Steve with structure as he learns to recreate his idol's vocal stylings, opening the door to joining other bohemian musicians and performing. This thread connects Steve’s journey to that of the other stories in the collection, each grounded in searching for meaning amidst adversity.

Following Steve’s story, the other shorter tales emerge, each transitioning from individual struggle to collective hardship. These stories also spotlight the unfortunate and poor: from the wrongful arrest and detention of an innocent man judged by appearance to the growing gulf between husband and wife, and the arrival of 1960s rock and roll, which disrupts what were once considered ‘happy families.’ Each narrative seamlessly continues the exploration of those marginalised by society.

Like his peer Willy Vlautin, Jake La Botz’s heroes are not superstars. He captures the dignity and survival of ordinary souls dealt a poor hand, spurred by real-life issues. Rarely written about, the subject matter here reflects life in America’s margins, and La Botz in his essays, seldom wastes a word.

Declan Culliton  

Carrie Newcomer - An Appreciation

Carrie Newcomer is a creative artist that has been mining a rich stream of spirituality in all that she does, over a career that now spans four decades, and counting. She stands as a potent force in the world, an advocate for change, and a lady for our times. She is a highly accomplished musician and a songwriter that has been active in the music industry since the 1980s.

To date, Carrie has released sixteen studio albums, two live albums, two greatest hits compilations, collaborated with numerous other artists and projects, received many awards and recognition for her charitable work, her causes and activities, including a role as  US State Dept. cultural ambassador to India, Kenya, and the Middle East. She is a published author and has released three books of poetry, essays and short stories.

Carrie is also a regular podcaster and since 2017 she has co-hosted The Growing Edge podcast with author Parker J. Palmer. Her broadcasts focus on matters of philosophy, spiritual exploration, and inner growth. Her contributions with other authors, academics, activists, and organizations have also been widely acknowledged. Carrie also is very active in hosting retreats and workshops on the topics of songwriting, creative writing, spirituality and personal growth, art and activism.

I have decided to look at Carrie’s creative work since her first book of poems and essays was published in 2014, alongside her album of the same name, A PERMEABLE LIFE. The album was an early release on her own record label, AVAILABLE LIGHT, after Carrie decided to cease her existing contract with Philo, a subsidiary of Rounder records, and the label that had released her first twelve albums. In breaking away from her recording contract, she gave herself the room to grow in new ways and to explore the creative instincts that were not being met. At an earlier time however, the seeds of self-determination were perhaps already sown.

There was a musical collaboration released in 2011 titled EVERYTHING IS EVERYWHERE and this was the result of a previous visit to India in 2009.  It formed part of an initiative to foster peace and spiritual connection across the continents and was a special alliance with the renowned Khan family, one that carries a rich legacy in celebration of their expertise on the Sarod, a traditional stringed instrument in Indian classical music. Carrie was joined on the project by her long-established music colleagues and trusted friends, Jim Brock (percussion), and Gary Walters (piano). It was a very special album and one that marked crossroads in her career. It was the first release on AVAILABLE LIGHT and marked a change for her in the way she distributed her music into the future.

I recall an early interview where Carrie spoke about the small examples of kindness that we can offer each other daily. She said that “kindness was the country cousin of love. Kindness washes the dishes when nobody asks.” There is an eloquence in her writing and in the lyrics that form and give shape to her songs of insight and understanding. Perhaps they arrive as a passing feeling, or as a reflection, or moments that dwell in the ether.

The unique joy of absorbing beautiful music is that we get to also experience it when woven into the fabric of the written word. It’s fair to say that mindfulness has always been at the heart of Carrie’s activities, her compassion and empathy aligning with her insights on the human condition as an integral part of her work, both as a creative artist and an educator.

This is never more so than on the opening song to her 2014 release, A PERMEABLE LIFE. That song is Every Little Bit Of It and it delivers a big hug to the universe in trying to embrace the miracle of living in this garden of Eden;

In the branches, in the whispering, in the silence and the sighs

And the curious promise of limited time

The answer to all our searching questions, right there for us, in the first song,

Something nameless and abiding

– that sense of the absolute that permeates all things (hence the album title).

Another song A Light In the Window is a reflection on how we gain perspective from our lives in the living of the days;

What would I change if the choice were mine?

I was doing the best I knew at the time

The quality of musicianship is of the highest level, with the sublime piano playing of Gary Walters, complimenting the violin craft of Chris Wagoner on The Work Of Our Hands, a song in celebration of all that nature brings in the simple things;

It is humble and physical, It’s only love made visible,

Yes now I understand, This is the work of our hands

Also, on the song Abide there seems to be the sense of passing on – perhaps letting the essence of all things flow into the moment;

Stay awake with me, And we’ll listen more intently,

To something wordless and remaining, Sure and ever changing, In the quietness of now

With The Ten O’Clock Line we are brought to a time in history when 30 million acres of Native American land was taken for the benefit of settlers. Such tragedy upon which the history of the USA was built.

The soulful rhythm on Room At the Table speaks of community and inclusiveness, a desire to unite as one;

There's enough if we share, Come on pull up a chair,

There room at the table for everyone

Amen, sister! No matter what our perceived differences, there is more than binds us together than tries to pull us apart.

Carrie also features renowned percussionist Jim Brock who is an innovator in the world of drums and percussion. Jim has travelled the world extensively as a performer and appeared on numerous recordings with his collection of percussion instruments, many from his Native American heritage. His use of table and talking drums is superbly placed in these songs and is subtly performed.

Carrie delivers these songs in a warm vocal tone that offers both comfort and hope. There is a great feeling of acceptance in the words of wisdom and understanding, Carrie drawing on both personal reflections, and also creating story songs in different character references, like the tale of an ageing couple in Forever Ray where the love of a lifetime winds down;

Like a watch that’s been turned too often and long, Ella and Ray began to wind down,

The springs and small gears had not lost their shine, But simply could no longer hold on to time

Equally, death and the impermanence of time are at the core of An Empty Chair and the passing of a loved one;

There’s an empty chair in the kitchen, There’s a quiet in the house

People say that time will heal, but I have my doubts

There's a cold side to the bed, and so I sleep downstairs, I don't want this empty chair

Writing You A Letter and Visitations both seek to address the fact that you cannot be what you observe. Whether you are simply a stranger passing through, on the road of life, or whether you seek to capture fleeting moments that are meant to only leave their faint tattoo.

The song Don’t Put Me On Hold has a levity in the gaiety and such clever wordplay;

It's a plot, it’s a plan, it's a scam, it's a clue. I just wanna talk to someone who can tell me how to fix, correct the mistake, The meaning of life, tell me it's not too late. I'm trying to be kind, but the truth be told, Please don't put me on hold.

Both flirtatious, and a wry look at the way our daily lives are influenced by so-called progress. It’s such a complete album and my abiding feeling is one of joy in the wisdom imparted and the wonderful musicians who lift the song structures.

Not content to rest on her laurels, and never one to stand still for too long, Carrie pushed forward and created The Beautiful Not Yet which was released in 2016. It’s another wonderful time capsule of all that is precious in the magic that music creates. The hypnotic opening song Lean In Toward the Light is driven by a Gospel rhythm, the communal harmonies and hand claps raising everyone up in a message of positivity. A Shovel and a Prayer follows and it is a whisper in your ear to stop searching and embrace the wonderful everyday;

For all your searching, There’s nothing to do

What you've been looking for, Is looking for you

Superb violin from Sumaia Jackson, cello from Natalie Haas, and banjo from producer Jayme Stone really bring the melody to life.

Cedar Rapids 10 AM is an invitation to a friend to share a moment on the road and a moment to unburden all that has been weighing heavily. Carrie sings so lightly on this song and there is an echo of Mary Chapin Carpenter in the delivery, no bad thing when your contemporaries are at your shoulder.

The changing of the seasons is the focus of the title track and the renewal of nature, celebrating the change;

The restlessness, The quickening, The almost but, Not yet

So beautifully considered and expressed.

The trio of songs Sanctuary, Help In Hard Times, and Three Feet Or So are written almost as guides to controlling what we can and not letting external factors we have no power over take an unreasonable toll on our positive energy. Not being in control is something that we all feel but if we can just focus on what impacts upon our immediate social circle, then there is hope and purpose;

This one knocked me to the ground, This one dropped me to my knees

I should have seen it coming, But it surprised me

Will you be my refuge, My haven in the storm, Will you keep the embers warm

When my fire’s all but gone?

Beautiful in every sentiment expressed. Together we make a difference.

The Season Of Mercy has a sweetly sensual melody and the sense of chasing a dream in motion. I’m sure I hear a sitar in the instrumentation, along with banjo, cello, violin and acoustic guitar blending into a seductively soft breeze that wraps around and tickles the senses;

Following out the thread, Humming the tune in my head

Just out of reach, Always out of reach

You Can Do This Hard Thing is a song that offers sage advice for the young and the old; no matter what the task or the internal struggle with hard times, we can endure with the right approach and attitude;

Impossible just takes a little more time

In the song When the Light Comes Down we are asked to take wonder in small things and to appreciate every nuance of our lives. The calming of discursive mind is the focus on Haunted and the ability to push through, something also visited on the song Help In Hard Times. The final song is The Slender Thread and it is a song of faith and gratitude, acceptance and forgiveness;

I never knew it would come to this, That world I knew would no longer exist

I can still feel it burn like a place you kissed, Holding on to the slender thread

Gary Walters on piano and accordion, with Jordan Tice on guitar and mandolin, deliver so impressively on these songs, along with the rest of the ensemble. The album is a favourite for me, purely in the depth of the wisdom offered and the sense of acceptance in the way that life can be perceived and lived. A high point and filled with such lovely musicianship.

So, how to follow on from albums that have defined your creativity in such a comprehensive and rounded way. Have you said it all in terms of defining a life perspective and a view of the true nature of humanity?

Perhaps, what you do is to simply take a step back and to admit that you really know nothing, as regards the subliminal depths in which the world operates. You review and move forward, set the start button again, gather old friends and true, and you create the superb music that exists on THE POINT OF ARRIVAL released in 2019 and examining a world where Learning To Sit With Not Knowing will define a new way forward with ongoing reflection upon the challenges and triumphs that life brings.

The song Writing A Better Story is all about that reboot and fitting the new paradigm.  It’s all about positive mental attitude and moving forward with purpose. The Point Of Arrival looks at this learned experience and the knowledge that the present is in fact a jumping off point for a new beginning and the understanding that in order for life to evolve we must continuously be moving forward.

First we fold in, then open out

There is a faith that’s only found in doubt

Acceptance is the closing of a cycle

The end that marks the point of arrival

The entire encapsulation of the album concept is that of love, in all of its variety and forms, and the abiding message on It’s Always Love is that an awareness of the power in giving to another is at the centre of all things.

The Shelter Of the Sky looks to nature again and the hushed silences that carry important insights. The mention of Charie, perhaps a farmer of trees, is a reference that goes unexplained in the song, but it is really just about embracing others, and the moment. The lyric speaks of the realisation that living in the present is all we have to focus upon;

Everywhere you go, there you are

No matter where you land, no matter how far

The interplay between guitars and violin is a joy to experience in the sweet melody lines.

Impossible, Until It’s Not is proof of the way we evolve as a species. The urge to push forward at the point of learning new revelations about the earth and never giving in to lazy critiques that we have somehow seen all there is to see. Open minds and open hearts bring their own reward, even if the self-doubt can challenge our resilience daily. The ability to hold on is something to be acknowledged when the dark invades the light.

On the song That’s the Way Things Go Carrie reflects upon this need for understanding in the words that look out beyond our own internal struggles;

So be kind to everyone you meet

No matter what you see out on the street

You don’t know what people live down deep

The song Everything We Need really sums up the entire album in the lines that speak to our need to stop looking for answers in the external and instead to focus on our inner voice to guide us -

It's not out there somewhere

That's right

It's always been right here

Hidden in plain sight

This thought is further examined on The Only Way Out Is In, where the need to slow down our busy minds is a door to quiet calm, and the ability to reconcile our daily challenges. On the final song  The Brink Of Everything there is acceptance and forgiveness as Carrie looks forward in her life and offers thanks for all that has been revealed in the learning  -

Yeah, all the things that used to matter

No, they don’t need so much today,

Toss the seeds and let them scatter,

The birds and wind take them away

Til there is nothing in my way

A number of years pass by and the onset of Covid-19 pandemic brings new perspectives on our ability to just breathe and survive as sentient beings on this fragile planet of ours. A new album arrives in the shape of UNTIL NOW released in 2021, and the ten songs offer plenty to ponder. In the opening song A Long Way Up we have Carrie musing on our human insecurities –

Here in the great unravelling

So much of this is baffling

When breathing feels like gambling

Nowhere to go but here

Things come together then fall apart

We gather up our broken hearts

And endings are just a place to start

And so we start again

On both The Handing Over Time and I Give Myself To This we have an acceptance of the vast unknown and our small place in the grand scheme of things. We decide how to live the days we are given and the manner in which we shape a life. What is important seems to be more in the service of others and not what we strive to achieve. At all points mother nature looks on and the wonder of the eternal shines through. Throwing Rocks At the Moon is steeped in the frustrations of fate and destiny playing tricks on our best efforts to shape a life and the anger that rises can be directed at new targets in order to shape a positive from what appears as negative energies.

On the track I Will Sing A New Song we have the words;

I will sing a new song

The old one’s carried me this far and for so long

But it’s time to walk on

Embrace change, in all its forms, don’t fear new beginnings; again, a constant theme that runs through these albums and songs. Like Molly Brown features lots of iconic names in the fight for equality and justice, including Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Rosa Parks, and Lucreta Mott , where the activism of their example and work shaped the world for women to inherit as they fought for acceptance in a patriarchal society. All wrapped in a traditional country song arrangement. Yet, the ongoing fight for ongoing civil rights persists and there is no point in giving up the fight;

On the song Who Done It, Carrie states;

But it’s all right, it’s not too late

It’s just gonna take as long

As it’s gonna take

The fear of outside forces, such as the Covid virus, is tackled on When the Wolf Is At the Door and the conclusion that  -

But when the old world ends

A new world starts

What finally comes together

First had to fall apart

Unconditional love is the subject on My Dog and the selfless love that animals give is something that we all try to be worthy of receiving. The unique qualities of simply being you should be enough to endure and to fulfil us in life, even if we cast doubt at every turn  -

I’m doing the best I can

At least that’s what I plan

I’m trying to be the person that

My dog thinks I am

The final song On the Day You Were Born is perhaps a tribute to this very uniqueness and the simple fact that we make such a difference, simply by just being here. And having turned up we should try to make a positive contribution

It’s all mystery and motion, How the wheels of this world open

So, the album is one of affirmation, of belonging, of knowing that we make a difference and that we try to do our best in all that presents itself to us. The album is dedicated to her mother and Carrie is looking at the prism of life experiences down the lens of time. Passing a torch to those who need some light, but also shining her own illumination on inner strength and our ability to become more self–aware in our thoughts and in our deeds.

By the year 2023, Carrie is looking for a response to our inability to grow beyond the shock  of the Covid years and she wants a new dawn to give hope – and  A GREAT WILD MERCY is released to great acclaim;

I'm tired of all the rage, tired of all the worry

I'm looking for some peace, trying not to hurry

I’m leaning into something absolutely sturdy

I'm ready for a great wild mercy

On the song Start With A Stone Carrie wants a simple approach to our existence and how we communicate;

And through it all, As I’ve always suspected

The past and the future, Are right here, are connected

How true of everything that touches us.

Path Through the Evening Woods has understated violin and banjo accompanying a message of simple acceptance despite our hunger for so much more ;

I was born to be a restless soul, May I lean where love leads me to go

May I be ever mindful of what I'll never know

As I walk this path through the evening woods

The words capture empathy while expressing humility, and we also sense a spirituality. There is a deep wisdom here, an ability to embrace joy and abundance in the routine. On Potluck this sense of communal joy is brought to the table as a feast and the breaking of food with neighbours being the stuff that real love is made of.

Take More Time Cover Less Ground is slowing down to enjoy the simple pleasures in the days. Stop the rush to something that we cannot define

Time to pick it all up and to lay it back down

Time to know what I seek has already been found

Time to listen for what never made a sound

Time to take more time and cover less ground

The journey of the traveller is captured on the song Singing In the Dark and the acceptance of not having a final destination;

It's there at every hour, It happens everywhere

In the tenderest of times, In faithful, common prayer

Seen and unseen, For the many by the few

There is always someone

Singing in the dark for you

There are always questions in regard to how we live and how our life decisions can shape our route taken, yet dreams and aspirations will always lift us to continue the search for real meaning. The song A Tissue Or Two (Love Holds Steady) is a tribute to the love of parents who always seek to bring comfort and succour to a young child and to protect against the confusion that growing brings;

There’s power in what passes, For humble and small

Always shifting the balance, In spite of it all

Final song Another Day is a look at resting easy with the things that we cannot change in this world of pain and sorrow;

There are reasons to wonder, And witness to why

Troubled times coming, No way to deny

So, I’ll lean into you, As you quietly dream

And sense all that’s right, Still here and unseen

We all like a happy ending and the sense that everything works out in the end. Carrie displays her insights with a great sense of compassion and also vulnerability, opening herself up to criticism from those who see the world as a closed and cold place where survival of the fittest is all that matters. Carrie would much prefer take everyone along for the journey and to share in the common experience of elevating the spirit. Inclusion, not exclusion, in seeking that inner light that we all possess and in spiritual reflection. Community engagement and integrated commitment to change, fuel the activities of this spiritual journey towards greater enlightenment.

In the books of essays and poetry that Carrie has published over the years, she speaks of “an invisible spirit that shines below the surface of all things.”

It is a theme that runs like a golden thread and weaves through all of her creative output. I started this review at a juncture in her life where Carrie had stepped away from her recording contract and made the decision to commence her own label.

The album that launched this new phase in her career was A PERMEABLE LIFE, and the first song on that record contained everything that you need to know when walking with her along the paths that have led to her place in the world as a self-realised and contented artist in the centre of her own power and truth ;

We sense but can’t describe, From the corner of our eye

Something nameless and abiding, And so we keep transcribing

If you are discovering her music for the first time, then there are two Greatest Hits albums that appeared in 2004 - BETTY’S DINER: The Best of Carrie Newcomer, and 2012 KINDRED SPIRITS: A collection. In 2017-  LIVE at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater was released and it is a concert from Bloomington, Indiana, the place where Carrie now resides. Half of the eighteen songs featured are taken from THE BEAUTIFUL NOT YET album from 2016. Across the albums featured, Carrie has worked mainly with talented musician David Weber on production. A long list of talented players grace her recordings, with Gary Walters an ever-present, alongside Jordan Tice as key contributors.

Long may Carrie’s musings and thoughts find their way into transcribed form and into the music that is inspired from her creative self. Join Carrie on this shared journey towards self- awareness, knowledge and perspective; all bound in a comforting warmth of kindness, humanism and loving awareness for her fellow travellers. This lady is a potent force for all that is good and pure in the world.

This appreciation was written by Paul McGee

Book Review - Graham Parker’s Howlin’ Wind

Graham Parker’s Howlin’ Wind by Jay Nachman with Graham Parker and The Rumour

With the 50th Anniversary of Graham Parker’s debut album HOWLIN’ WIND due in April of this year, long-time Parker fan Jay Nachman traces the rise to fame of the hugely influential U.K. artist. He is aided by input from Parker, members of his band The Rumour, and others, including Stiff Records co-founder and one-time Parker manager, Dave Robinson. Nachman covers in detail Parker's youth up to the release of that iconic debut album, which, at the time, was an industry game changer.

As prog rock became increasingly over-indulgent in the UK mid-70s, and before punk exploded, a select number of bands and artists coaxed punters out of their bedrooms, where they ceiling-gazed to Pink Floyd, Genesis and Yes, and back to a high-energy live scene. Leading that charge was Dr Feelgood. Their earthy, blues-driven rock propelled them from the London pub scene of the early 1970s to international fame and, eventually, a No.1 spot in the UK Album Charts in 1976. Just thirty miles from London in the Surrey village of Deepcut, Parker was also about to emerge as a leading light in what the music press would call ‘New Wave. Declan McManus, soon to be rechristened Elvis Costello, an ambitious, angry Liverpool-born young man with a forceful stage presence, would soon follow suit.

Heavily influenced by Van Morrison, Parker added aggression, energy, and his growling vocals to the more laid-back Belfast legend. Also, influenced by band members who had thrived in the London pub rock scene, a subtle reggae backbeat also found its way into Parker’s recordings. For Morrison’s song titles Tupelo Honey, Gypsy Queen and Wild Night, by unconscious revelation or otherwise, Parker’s debut album included White Honey, Gypsy Blood and the title track, Howlin’ Wind.

Nackman writes in some detail about Parker’s evolution. He covers Parker's childhood introduction to Little Richard, The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones, the formation of school bands, and his progressive appreciation of Otis Redding, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and blues and ska music.

Summer employment in Guernsey as a tomato picker and baker's assistant, alongside fellow students, introduced the naive Parker to hash, psychedelic bands like Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Captain Beefheart, and the occasional acid trip. He returned to the U.K., still passionate about songwriting and inspired by the work of Donovan, Joni Mitchell, and James Taylor. Restless again, Parker hitchhiked from Paris to Morocco, following artists and hippies, where he busked with locals, secured his first paid gig, and returned home with dreams of becoming a professional musician.

That aspiration was fulfilled in a relatively short time, with the assistance of Dubliner Dave Robinson. Working as a petrol pump attendant and house cleaner afforded Parker the time to concentrate on his songwriting. Most of it would end up on HOWLIN’ WIND, as he did not have the responsibility of a demanding job. Answering an ad by Stuart Johnson in Melody Maker magazine for a songwriter led to an introduction to Robinson. At that time, Robinson had a makeshift recording studio over The Hope and Anchor Pub in Islington. Robinson paired Parker with musicians who, with the demise of the pub rock scene, were unemployed and available. They included members of Brinsley Schwarz, whom Robinson had previously managed; his flatmate and former Ducks Deluxe guitarist Martin Belmont; a rhythm section of Andrew Bodnar and Steve Goulding; and keyboard player Bob Andrews. Collectively, they would become Parker’s backing band, The Rumour. The final piece of the jigsaw was Robinson, with his industry contacts, taking the reins as manager of Graham Parker and The Rumour. It was a ‘win-win’ scenario for both Parker and Robinson. Parker had the songs and now had the players to flesh them out.

HOWLIN’ WIND was recorded at Eden Studios with Nick Lowe at the controls. With Robinson's influence, the band signed with Vertigo. Robinson’s reward was his 20% management fee, which financed the launch of Stiff Records in partnership with Jake Riviera.

While Parker was turning heads in the U.K., his earthy R&B style was being closely watched by a huge admirer in New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen. He later added backing vocals to Endless Night on Parker’s 1980 record THE UP ESCALATOR.

A page-turner, well-researched and written with passion, the book includes a ‘track-by-track’ analysis, lyrics, and detailed notes on each song. Nachman confesses that writing the book made him fall in love with the album again. I absolutely concur. This hugely enjoyable, informative book had me dusting off my original vinyl of HOWLIN’ WIND. I was reminded not only of how outstanding it is, but also how timeless it sounds five decades later. Highly recommended. Best enjoyed with the album, preferably on vinyl, playing in the background.

Declan Culliton

Various Artists - End of Year Review

AGS CONNOLLY

Dylan Earl - Level-Headed Even Smile

This was one of my favourites this year - Dylan is a superb and unique live performer who can weave stories into songs effortlessly. This is probably the best representation of his music on record that I’ve heard, and shouldn’t be missed.

Weldon Henson - Stone Cold Country Gold

Henson is one of the last hard-charging honky tonk acts still defending the traditional outpost in Austin. This album is as solid an example of that as you’ll find, and of a type that is increasingly scarce.

Joshua Hedley - All Hat

Don’t ever tell Josh Hedley that he doesn’t understand western swing. I really loved how jazzy this thing is, showing true commitment to the roots of the genre. He completely ignores radio-friendly catchiness in favour of high-class authenticity. It’s reassuring that a significant record label will still release music like this and, of course, that it’s still being made at all.

Jeremy Pinnell - Decades

Jeremy is one of the most underrated artists out there, and this Shooter Jennings-produced effort is an effort to change that. It’s a mature body of work containing some of his best lyrics, which works best as a full album (apparently some people don’t listen that way anymore).

Throwback album:

Annie Gallup - Swerve

I listen to more albums from yesteryear than from the current one, but this one keeps coming back around. The songwriting and production (atmospherics?) on Swerve get me every time. Annie Gallup is still making music and should be far better known by now.

PETUNIA PETUNIA

The Deslondes

CW Stoneking - Gone Bugaloo

Mostly though, just random music from the 1920’s to the 1950’s

Last night Clyde McPhatter

SEAN BURNS

1. Colter Wall - Memories and Empties

2. Christopher Seymore - King of Nothing

3. Brennen Leigh - Don’t You Ever Give Up on Love

4. Rosy Nolan - Main Attraction

5. Garrett T. Capps - Life is Strange

6. Carter Felker - Loser

7. Emily Love - Heart of a Fool

8. John Howie Jr. and The Rosewood Bluff - The Return Of...

9. Brandon Birkedahl - High & Lonesome

10. Sterling Drake - The Shape I’m In

My go-to’s for classic country are pretty consistent and have been so for many years ...

Ray Price - Night Life

Hank Thompson - A Six Pack to Go

Red Simpson - Roll, Truck, Roll

Johnny Bush - Here Comes the World Again

Amber Digby - Passion, Pride and What Might Have Been

DANIEL MEADE

Stephen Wilson Jr - Son Of Dad deluxe, 2025

Blaze Foley - The Dawg Years, 1975-1978

Sierra Ferrell - Trail Of Flowers, 2024 / Long Time Coming, 2021

Chas And Dave - Gold, 1981

Billy Strings - Live At The Legion, 2025

Muireann Bradley - I Kept Those Old Blues / I Kept Those Old Blues - Remastered 2025

Justin Townes Earle - ALL IN: Unreleased and Rarities, 2024

Big Bill Broonzy - (All of it!)

The White Stripes - White Blood Cells, 2001

Diana Jones - Museum of Appalachia Recordings, 2013

Daniel Meade & The Basement Boogie Band - Live at The Rum Shack, 2023

BEN de LaCOUR

Gin Wife - incredible songs from a unique and otherworldly voice. Hilarious, heartbreaking, smart and evil in the most impish of ways. 

Upset Boy and the Queens - if Oasis had grown up in the meth swamps of Louisiana this is how I imagine they would sound. Biblical.

Chloe Kimes - a force of nature, birthed into this world fully formed and glowing. I don’t really know how to describe Chloe, so you’re just going to have to listen to her.

Caitlin Cannon - so funny, so smart, so poignant… Caitlin’s songs could’ve only been written by her and they’ll stick to your soul like a caterpillar.

Jess Nolan - a sentient Ouija board. Jess’s songs feel like the soundtrack to some tender-hearted David Lynch film lost to the annals of history only to be found in your reclusive uncle’s storage unit.

Richard Inman - nobody writes songs like Richard, and nobody sings like him either. 

Misty Harlowe - ethereal Americana from the high plains of Australia. One part Dolly Parton, two parts glitter cannon.

Maisy Owen - a new discovery for me this year, Maisy is one of my favourite new artists in Nashville. She has a vision, so we had better all get in on the ground floor while there’s still room.

DAVID MURPHY

Robert Plant - Saving Grace

Now into his late 70’s, Robert Plant continues to mine gems from the folk tradition and rework into new arrangements, this time alongside local comrades from his west Midlands home. This album contains some gorgeous harmony singing with Suzi Dian and, in usual Plant style, touches upon North African, British folk and soulful American vibes alongside more swampier sounds and instrumentation. Electric baritone guitars and subtle electronics that swim alongside cuatro, acoustic guitar and banjo provide the perfect atmosphere and space for their voices, covering traditional material as well as songs by Donovan, Kansas Joe McCoy and Low amongst others. This record sits perfectly alongside the US-based sojourns Plant previously made with Alison Krauss and Patty Griffin.

Bridghe Caimbheul - Sunwise

Continuing in her journey to take the lesser-known Scottish smallpipes to a wider global audience, Bridghe Caimbhuel once again delivered a gorgeous album in 2025 - a concept album as such on the theme of the closing-in of winter. In a slight departure from her last record ‘Carry Them With Us’ in 2023 - a collaboration with Colin Stetson of Arcade Fire - this album features some beautifully minimal solo tunes. With this theme alluding to the annual ritual of the hibernation and insulation that comes with the seasonal change, the album sets the scene in the opening track with an almost 5-minute single-note drone to introduce the tune. It’s striking in its simplicity and envelops and lulls the listener into a hypnotic trance. Soon beautiful overtones, rhythms and layers being to emerge, preparing us for a venture deep into a subliminal dream of a mystical winter landscape.

Zoe Basha – Gamble

Also of the hauntingly-beautiful vocal harmony trio Rufous Nightjar, Zoe Basha is a French/American artist residing in Ireland. This is her debut album and features her spectacular voice backed by an amazing crew of Irish musicians, deftly pulling from jazz, blues and American folk influences. The acapella ‘Love is Teasin’ is a mesmerising album opener and invites the listener deep into Basha’s world which falls somewhere between New Orleans, Dublin and the Appalachian mountains. Ultan Lavery contributes some amazing piano, organ, clarinet and old-time fiddle throughout. Highly recommended!

Geckos – Geckos

I’m partially biased on this record as I contributed pedal steel guitar to a few of the songs, regardless of which it would be high on my rotation playlist if I hadn’t, as it is essentially a supergroup of some my favourite musicians: M.Ward, Mark McKowski (of The Lost Brothers) and Howe Gelb (Giant Sand). It has the spooky and atmospheric southwestern American textures and all the languid feel of the Arizona desert one would expect from this crew and supporting cast. Containing some gorgeous songs including ‘Lo Hice’ - an M.Ward Spanish lead-vocal with Ry Cooder-like slide guitar.

Bobby Lee & Joe Harvey-Whyte - Last Ride

Joe Harvey-Whyte is a prolific pedal steel guitarist and composer from London who is always making beautiful records via his various collaborative projects with other artists. ‘Last Ride’ sees him paired with Sheffield’s Bobby Lee – another purveyor of 70’s-inspired psychedelia and cosmic British and American music – for a gorgeous record of dusty and ambient instrumentals. This is probably my most-played album of 2025 and it contains some tasty interplay between both as they take the listener on a journey through a hazy American west with such tunes titled ‘Flatbed Alfalfa Run To Pueblo, Colorado, Fall 1972’ and ‘Sagebrush Fire’ with trippy drum-machines and twanging guitars evoking all the feelings of a cosmic sun-soaked acid-trip!

DEAN OWENS

These are the albums I’ve listened most to this year. Four are new albums, one is an oldie, but very much a goldie.

Grant-Lee Phillips - In The Hour Of Dust

Grant-Lee is one of my all-time faves. You know how there are those artists that you just can’t wait for them to release another record? He’s one of them. He’s a great singer with a great voice and he writes beautiful songs. This is a superb album.

Max Richter - Sleep Circle 

I love where Max’s music takes me. I find it very moving. I love listening to this album when I’m both walking and when I’m trying to get to sleep. However, not sleep walking.

James McMurtry - The Black Dog And The Wandering Boy

Another fantastic record from James. He’s such a brilliant wordsmith. He pulls you into his little world.

Pete Drodge - Fade Away Blue

I hadn’t heard anything from Pete for a long time. It’s great to see him back with this lovely record. There are some heavy themes in these songs, but he handles them beautifully

Roy Orbison - Mystery Girl

I’ve played this old record on vinyl a lot this year. It’s an album I’d kind of forgotten about. It links up perfectly with the stuff he did with The Travelling Wilburys and man, that voice! Wow! There are often tears in my eyes when listening to this record.

GREY DeLISLE

Joshua Hedley - All Hat

I met Joshua when we were filming Ray’s Roadhouse and I was VERY impressed with his songwriting, so I was really looking forward to this release and it did NOT disappoint! 

Brennen Leigh- Don’t you Ever Give Up On Love

Brennen is a total powerhouse! Excellent musicianship and top-notch songwriting are hardly ever contained in the same person! Give this Classic a listen! 

Sunny Sweeney - Rhinestone Requiem

One of my favourite Texas songwriters! She co-wrote a couple with Brennen Leigh on this one, too! Every song is a home run! 

The Doohickeys- All Hat No Cattle 

Keep your eye on this up & coming duo! I’ve played with them around Los Angeles & even made a little cameo in their video! Their songs aren’t just really catchy…they’re also HILARIOUS! 

Willie Nelson - Oh What A Beautiful World

Rodney Crowell is my songwriting mentor & has been such an invaluable resource so it was really touching to listen to his songs covered by one of HIS heroes- the master! Mr. Willie Nelson! 

Grey DeLisle & Friends-It’s All Her Fault (A Tribute to Cindy Walker)

Is it bad form to mention an album that I executive produced???? Ha! I’m just SO DANG PROUD of this tribute to my favourite songwriter of all-time. The talent assembled here are some of the finest female voices in Americana music today!

JAIMEE HARRIS

Spyboy (Live) - Emmylou Harris

It’s no secret that Emmylou Harris is my favorite artist. The Spyboy era, although a band I never got to see live, is my favorite band. This is a spectacular live album that includes so many of my favorite arrangements of my favorite songs. “All My Tears” with Julie Miller on harmonies. Transcendent. Daryl Johnson’s harmony on “Tulsa Queen” is unreal. The rock n’ roll version of “Get Up John” is spectacular. Absolute masterpiece. 

Heart Go Wild - Caroline Spence

Any year we get a new album from Caroline Spence is a gift. She never misses. She’s able to write songs that are both timeless and deeply personal reflections of where she is as a person, navigating her continued growth as an artist and human being. This record explores her fight to regain independence over her art while preparing to welcome her first child into the world. I’d put “Effortless” up there with one of the greatest songs about being a female troubadour navigating the music business in the company of Eliza Gilkyson’s “Beauty Way” and “Nanci Griffith’s “Workin’ in Corners.” 

Creature of Destruction - Jane Leo

I’ve been a fan of Jane Leo from the jump. This sophomore album is a blast. I particularly love “I Want to be Left Out.” I’ve never laughed and rocked so hard at the same time. 

Some Kinda Summer - Richard Bennett

I became obsessed with Richard Bennett in April. I found myself watching videos of him playing guitar in the backseat when I was touring the Netherlands. Once I started to dig in I realized he’d been a part of so many recordings that shape what I love about music. Buddy Miller hipped me his solo records. In October, we got a great new one from Bennett! This album puts me in the best mood.

Millionaire Money- Angela Autumn (song)

The satisfying internal rhymes and hypnotic melody have had me putting this song on repeat for weeks. I can’t wait to hear more from Angela Autumn.

JOSHUA HEDLEY

“Thanks for having me on your list. I’ve actually heard more new music this year than I have in a long time. I typically don’t listen to much new music, but a lot of my friends put out great albums this year.

Jonny Fritz - Debbie Downers

What can I say? He does it every time and he did it again. His perspective is unmatched. Nobody is doing anything like him — ever. It’s always fresh and new and he’s always got some incredible trick up his sleeve, and this album cycle will be no different for him.

Brennen Leigh - Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love

I struggle to think of anyone doing straight-ahead no-frills country better than Brennen Leigh. My soul sister. I swear we share a brain sometimes. She’s got a whole catalogue of bangers, and she’s really captured that 60s Texas Troubadours vibe here beautifully.

Kristina Murray - Little Blue

Another pal, another great record. Tina is such a talent. Little Blue is a beautifully written album, and the production is SO GOOD. Soulful, funky, dreamy. She’s got such a smooth voice. I really like this album, it’s got a blue-eyed soul vibe but with some modern sounds sprinkled in. Super into the direction. I’m excited to spread the gospel of Kristina Murray.

Luke Bell - The King Is Back

Boy, I wish more people would’ve recognized Luke’s talents while he was here to hear the praise. Luke was one of a kind. He really embraced and embodied a kind of life that other people write about. And then he wrote about it too, and he did so beautifully. His new album is lonesome, rowdy, and dusty. You can feel all the miles traveled in his songs. I’ve always said country music is about taking your own experiences and making them relatable to everyone. And Luke does that perfectly here.”

KEN POMEROY

Gum Shoe - Samantha Crain

Genuinely amazing person and awesome artist and the record is a breath of fresh air 

Getting Killed - Geese 

I’m sure many are with me on this one, the coolest of cool 

Manning Fireworks - MJ Lenderman

I listened to this nonstop when it came out we were on tour. 

American Nervousness - Ramsey Thornton 

Ramsey plays in our band and is genuinely one of the coolest and best musicians i know

KIRSTEN ADAMSON

Indoor Safari - Nick Lowe

I discovered this album by chance when Spotify threw one of the tracks into my algorithm. The song was Blue On Blue, not the well known Burt Bacharach hit but a simple and perfectly composed piece of Nick Lowe genius. I couldn’t believe the record was from 2024 and not a classic album from his past repertoire. From start to finish the work, in my opinion, is some of his finest. Los Straitjackets are his backing band for the 12 track recording and the album perfectly navigates the human condition of being in love.

Loose Future - Courtney Marie Andrews

The first single I heard from this album was Satellite when I watched the ethereal video of her cycling through a leafless forest in winter. I am already a fan of her work but Loose Future stands to be my favourite of all her albums. The production by Sam Evian is perfect, all the little intricate guitar lines, percussion and depth of the sound and writing makes it an otherworldly listen.

Days In Europa - The Skids

There are a few new projects in the making surrounding my dad’s life and works and while I was delving into one of them I also found myself returning to listen to his first band of note, The Skids. I was particularly drawn to the songs from Days In Europa and found myself playing the album over and over. Tracks I hadn’t heard before like The Olympian, Dulce Et Decorum Est and Peaceful Times all reigniting my love for this period of my dad’s work and the album as a whole got me through a very difficult time (as did the others I have aforementioned).

Dreamer Awake - Rachel Sermanni

I was drawn to this album as a fan of Rachel’s voice and the honest fragility she allows to be exposed in her records. The album explores the journey of motherhood and the end of a long term relationship, two things I was also experiencing in my life around the same time as this release. I connect most with songs that feel honest and lived and the emotional openness of this album allowed me to explore my own situation without prejudice.

Wildflowers - Tom Petty

I think I can safely say I will never stop listening to Tom Petty and with everything that was going on in my personal life there was no better record to get me through the tough moments than Wildflowers. Time To Move On in its resolute clarity pulled me through days of despair in the way that only this kind of track can - with quiet acceptance. The reason why Tom Petty will never fail to be one of my top songwriters of all time.

KYSHONA

Here are some projects that have caught my attention this year *In no particular order:

1. Maia Sharpe - Tomboy (I am especially a fan of the title track from this album.  Maia’s lyricism and strong melodies have been my favourite things about this album. Enough groove to feel like a pop song, but enough depth to feel like true poetry.)

2. Jac Ross - American Dream - (The story telling in this song is top notch for me.  I love Jac Ross’s vocals as well.  He is a beautiful cross between R&B and Country that just hits the right spot for me.)

3. Kirby - Miss Black America - (Storytelling at it’s finest. I’ve been a fan of Kirby’s for years and have loved hearing the transformation of her voice between different albums. Kirby is an artist from Memphis, TN and the Memphis vibes and sounds are so infectious on this project! Highly recommend)

4.  Louis Cato - Black Man’s Blues - (Play this song on repeat. You’re welcome.)

5. Louis Cato - Space - (I play this song over and over and over and over and.... you get the point. I love how the production of this song reflects the lyrics of this song.  Also Louis’s vocal quality is absolutely stellar.)

6. Trousdale - Growing Pains- (This album is pure delight to me.  It’s spunky, youthful and even though it’s listed as country, has a great pop element to it that is addictive.)

7. Jensen McRae - I Don’t Know How But They Found Me! - (Story telling at its finest! Do yourselves a favour and listen to all of her projects.)

MICHAEL WESTON KING

Music:

James McMurtry -  The Black Dog & The Wandering Boy

Robbie Fulks - Now Then

The Waterboys - Life, Death and Dennis Hopper

Van Morrison - Remembering Now

Marc Ribot - Map of a Blue City

Books:

Ben Elton _ What have I Done

Kathy Burke -  A Mind Of My Own 

Justin Currie - The Tremolo Diaries 

Peter Guralnick - The Colonel and the King:

John Harris - Maybe I’m Amazed

Films:

Train Dreams

Caught Stealing

Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story

A Real Pain

I Swear

Blue Moon

Friendship

MISS TESS

The best new music I have been listening to this year is MILLIONAIRE MONEY by Angela Autumn.

SHAWN WILLIAMS

Bonny Light Horsemen - Keep You On My Mind / Set You Free

It was released last year, but I just recently found out about after being obsessed with an older song of theirs, “The Roving”.  This new album is brilliant, from the phrasing and delivery in Anais’ voice to the arrangements and lyrics.  I love this album’s raw, not overly-produced sound.  This is my album of the year.

Wet Leg  - Moisturizer

I love their ‘90s grunge-feel on this album, and it moves with its grooves.

Neko Case  - Neon Grey Midnight

“Wreck” is thee song of the year, for me! Neko sounds like no one else and is always so innovative.  

Vicente García - Puñito de Yocachú

This album is fun with a little bit of soulfulness and unique instrumentation blended in with a modern sound.

Lord Huron - The Cosmos Selector Vol. 1

They always take me to another world and time with their almost shoegazey blend of spaghetti western sound.

Pokey LaFarge - Rhumba Country

Released last year, but I didn’t hear of him ‘til this year. This music just feels good with his upbeat retro vibe.

Ryan Adams - Self Portrait

One of thee most prolific writers.  He’s been releasing an abundance of music lately, and it’s still not enough!

Audrey McGraw

Love her voice and the music! She’s only released singles this year, from what I know of, but they are incredible!

Sarah McLachlan - Broken

She’s timeless.  Watching the new Lilith Fair documentary, which is awesome, and then listening to this new record makes one realize how important Sarah has been in the music industry and why she still is.

Rachael Yamagata - Starlit Alchemy

One of my favourite voices, and she sounds beautifully achingly and heartfelt in this one.

NICKI BLUHM

Dillon Warnek - As the Neighbors Tried to Sleep

Jess Nolan - Right at Home

Rachel & Vilray - West of Broadway

Valley James - Star

Chris Crofton - I’m Your Man

PETER HOLMSTEDT

These are my 12 favorites from 2025 :

Benmont Tench - The Melancholy Season

The Waterboys - Life, Death & Dennis Hopper

Robert Forster - Strawberries

Van Morrison - Remembering Now

The Shootouts - Switchback

Mike Reed & Joe Henry - Life & Time

SunYears - The Song Forlorn

Josh Ritter - I Believe In You, My Honeydew

Mike Farris - The Sound Of Muscle Shoals

Emma Swift - The Resurrection Game

David Mead -January, San Fernando

Johnny Irion - U.S. Elevator

STEVE ALIMENT

thanks for the opportunity to weigh in. A lot of great music was released in 2025. I’ll list a few I loved and I also saw some of these artists on tour:

Kelsey Walton - Every Ghost

This album is great and her band, the Muleskinners shine. Authentic songwriting

Mavis Staples - Sad and Beautiful.

A great selection of songs for Mavis to put her unique vocal style upon.  She’s a treasure

Turnpike Troubadours - The Price of Admission

Produced by Shooter Jennings. Really good. By the way a couple others produced by Shooter, Charley Crocket’s Dollar A Day, and Waylon’s Songbird are all on my 2025 list.

Kristina Murray - Little Blue

Love the album and her voice!  Saw her a couple weeks ago

Margo Price - Hard Headed Woman

Every song kills!!  Love her and her new band.

Hayes Carl -  We’re Only Human

Great songwriting!

AFTON WOLFE

In between touring and a ridiculously strenuous release schedule I committed to for Ophiuchus, several albums came out that have grabbed my attention and held on. Recently, Tommy Womack's new album, Live A Little, has been playing in my van non-stop. Prior to that, I've been obsessed with Laney Jones and the Spirits' new Self-Titled album, and earlier in the year, Judy Blank's Big Mood and Van Darien's Bummertown enthralled me. Dillon Warnek's As The Neighbors Tried To Sleep is a strong contender for my favorite album in a very long time, let alone 2025. And my friends Cordovas have released a few songs from their upcoming album, Back To Life, that I look forward to consuming in early 2026.

VINCENT CROSS

This was a year when I listened more slowly. I found myself drawn to records that trusted atmosphere, phrasing, and emotional restraint — music that doesn’t announce itself loudly, but quietly rearranges you if you stay with it.

Two recent releases that really mattered to me were Paul Spring and August Wells. Both records feel unhurried and deeply considered. There’s a confidence in the writing that allows space to do its work — songs unfolding rather than performing for attention. I kept returning to them not for spectacle, but for tone, patience, and the sense that the song knows more than it’s saying.

Hovering over a lot of my listening this year was the voice of Lowell George — not just his songs, but his spirit. His phrasing and word choice— a reminder that the music we love carries its own wisdom, its own sense of where we stand, and how close we are to the edge of things.

If I had to sum up my listening year in a sentence, it would be this: in 2025, I was drawn to music that values presence over polish — records where the human being is clearly audible, and where the songs linger long after the needle lifts.

BILL PRICE

For me, in the past year, no one comes close to Jesse Welles. What this man is doing right now with his songs could not be more important or more impressive for those of us in the U.S. While his songs sound simple, they are not. His melodies are unique. His guitar playing is excellent. His voice is raw and real. Lyrically, he handles controversial topics with amazing creativity, using surprising turns of phrases that are clever, but never cliché. While irony and sarcasm run through many of his songs, I don’t get any sense of bitterness, but instead, compassion, which suggests to me that he’s not an ideologue, and that is important. He’s able to step back from a topic far enough to give both sides a listen and draw his conclusion based on common sense and the common good, which is refreshing and critical, in my opinion. He is the real deal.

JOHN JENKINS

2025 was a year rich in music, discovery, and unexpected moments of joy. One of the year’s great revelations for me was stumbling upon Wolf Alice. I became utterly hooked—so much so that I found myself travelling to Nottingham for an overnight stay just to catch them live. The performance was electrifying, the kind that stays with you long after the final note fades.

Another highlight was finally giving proper time to Woodlands by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Although the album had been on my radar for years, it was only this year that I sat with it, listened deeply, and realised just how extraordinary those songs are—musically intricate, lyrically profound, and quietly devastating in all the right ways.

Not all musical experiences were so uplifting. My 2024 visit to see Taylor Swift at Anfield was marred by a deeply disappointing Ticketmaster experience. Despite paying hundreds of pounds, I found myself in the worst seats in the stadium: top row, extreme corner, and directly beneath a roof that obscured even the giant screens I’d resigned myself to relying on. With thousands of ecstatic Swifties bouncing in front of me, it became clear I wouldn’t be seeing Taylor at all—not even via the screens. The whole thing left such a sour taste that when Bruce Springsteen announced two Anfield dates, I initially decided I couldn’t put myself through another disheartening night.

But fate—and family—intervened. With the show falling just a week before my retirement, my sister, who has endured nearly fifty years of me evangelising about Bruce Springsteen, gifted me proper tickets. And of course, he was magnificent. As ever.

My own musical life flourished this year too. I released Restless Hearts and embarked on a British tour, inviting members of the Talent Is Timeless community to join me at venues near their hometowns. It was a joy to share the stage with so many gifted, under‑the‑radar artists—proof, if ever it were needed, that brilliance isn’t confined to the well‑known.

The album also inspired an unexpected and deeply humbling companion project. Dozens of artists sent me their own interpretations of the songs, each one offering a fresh angle on material so personal to me. To have a full album of my work covered by others—released as Too Many Roads—was one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received as a songwriter.

Closer to home, I continued playing open mics around Merseyside, where the grassroots talent never fails to inspire me. Time and again I’m struck by how many remarkable artists are out there, quietly honing their craft, unknown to the wider world but every bit as gifted as those who’ve broken through.

My radio show brought another flood of new music into my life. I receive so many submissions that I’d need pages to acknowledge everyone properly, but certain names always spark a little thrill when they land in my inbox: Katy Hurt, Jade Helliwell, CC Eve, Motel Sundown, Will Riding, Jim Pearson, Anne Radcliffe, Roberta Smith, Jack and Daisy, Stem, John Witherspoon, Amelia Coburn—among many others.

And speaking of Katy Hurt, her bi‑monthly songwriters‑in‑the‑round nights at Thornton Hough Village Club have become a real highlight. The performances are wonderful, of course, but it’s the stories behind the songs that captivate me most. I’ve been to two so far, both special evenings, and I’ve already marked the 2026 dates in my diary.

NOAH ZACHARIN

Whatever one feels about Spotify's treatment of musicians, it can't be denied that it's a powerful means of bringing music into daily life--music one loves, music with which one is unfamiliar, and music one has never heard about.

This past year has been one in which I added regular exercise to a discipline of 'no alcohol' in order to feel better and get healthy. Living in a rural area of Ontario, Canada I don't have convenient access to a commercial gym, so I've been building a home gym. I've stopped buying effects pedals (for the time being!) and instead have been investing in functional trainers, racks, specialty bars, weight plates, etc. 

However, nothing--not even full-length mirrors--completes the burgeoning home gym environment like music.

Every workout I choose a name representing how I feel or what has been playing in my head, and start the machine to see where it takes me.

After Jack DeJohnette's passing I typed his name into the search and started my workout. 

Everything went well. No bars were dropped, no joints were overly-stressed. 

But every once in a while I had to stop to see WHAT was PLAYING. 

Lots of gorgeous pairings with Keith Jarrett (who makes the same noises a good weightlifter makes when pushing the iron) and John Abercrombie. Lots of Gary Peacock. And then the magic began as the algorithms kicked in and started giving me solo Peacock, Peacock with Frisell and with Ralph Towner ( a perennial favourite), And more Keith Jarrett. Divine. And then it began sending me peripherally connected artists, almost exclusively piano.

Though guitar is my main instrument, I am a great admirer of the majestic 88's and its masters. As a lad I did my best to channel McCoy Tyner, banging out big block chords on the piano in my bedroom. 

And so it was that when Spotify started streaming piano I was introduced to Brad Mehldau's work. I was familiar with his name (will see him in concert in May) but hadn't much experience with his work. Elegant restatements of popular pieces whose structures are amenable to gorgeous re-harmonizations. And then European players of whom I'd had no experience. Foremost was Tord Gustavsen. 

I have two pianos in the house. Maybe I'll try again to play the instrument. Even if I don't, I will continue listening. And though my regular 27¢ payments from Spotify pay for nothing, I admit to appreciating it being there. 

More to come!

END OF YEAR REVIEW

DECLAN CULLITON

COUNTRY:

1 Kristina Murray – LITTLE BLUE

2 Sunny Sweeney – RHINESTONE REQUIEM

3 Tobacco City - HORSES

4 Brennen Leigh – DON’T YOU EVER GIVE UP ON LOVE

5 Colter Wall – MEMORIES AND EMPTIES

6 Joshua Hedley – ALL HAT

7 Will Worden – THE ONLY ONE & ALL THE OTHERS

8 Jesse Lovelock & The Velvet Voices – SELF-TITLED

9 Kelsey Waldon – EVERY GHOST

10 Willow Avalon – SOUTHERN BELLE RAISIN’ HELL

GENERAL:

1 Kassi Valazza – FROM NEWMAN STREET

2 Chris Eckman – THE LAND WE KNEW THE BEST

3 Kathleen Edwards – BILLIONAIRE

4 Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter – FOREVER, I’VE BEEN BORN

5 Carson McHone – PENTIMENTO

6 S.G.Goodman – PLANTING BY THE SIGNS

7 Caitlin Cannon – LOVE ADDICT

8 Rose City Band – SOL Y SOMBRA

9 Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band – NEW THREATS FROM THE SOUL

10 The Autumn Defense – HERE AND NOWHERE

TRIBUTE ALBUM:

Various Artists - IT’S ALL HER FAULT: A TRIBUTE TO CINDY WALKER

RE-RELEASE:

Drive By Truckers – THE DEFINITIVE DECORATION DAY

FAVOURITE GIGS:

1 KASSI VALAZZA @ Dee’s Cocktail Lounge Nashville

2 JON BYRD @ East Side Bowl Nashville

3 MERCE LEMON @ Basement East Nashville

4 WILLOW AVALON @ Opium Dublin

5 KRISTINA MURRAY @ Vinyl Tap Nashville

6 HAYLEY REARDON @ Static Roots Festival Oberhausen

7 THE SOUTHERN FOLD @ Static Roots Festival Oberhausen

8 RYAN DAVIS & THE ROADHOUSE BAND @ Kilkenny Roots Festival

9 MARY GAUTHIER / JAIMEE HARRIS @ Pavillion Dun Laoghaire

10 THE PINK STONES @ Vinyl Tap Nashville

STEPHEN RAPID

COUNTRY:

1 Luke Bell – THE KING IS BACK

2 Dallas Burrow – THE WAY THE WEST WAS WON

3 Jesse Lovelock & The Velvet Voices – SELF-TITLED

4 Chandler Dozier – BAKERSFIELD EAST

5 Tom Dunphy – EVERYTHING WAS NEW

6 Sunny Swenney – RHINESTONE REQUIEM

7 Paul Burch - CRY LOVE

8 John Howie Jr & The Rosewood Bluff – THE RETURN OF ...

9 William Beckmann – WHISKEY LIES AND ALIBIS

10 Cody Grinder & The Playboy Scouts – AND MORE

11 The Doohickeys – ALL HAT NO CATTLE

12 Rosy Nolan - MAIN ATTRACTION

AMERICANA & ALTERNATIVE:

1 Ben De La Cour  – NEW ROSES

2 James McMurtry – THE BLACK DOG AND THE WANDERING BOY

3 Joe Stamm Band – LITTLE CROSSES

4 Teague Brothers Band  – WISH YOU THE WORLD

5 Murry Hammond – TRAIL SONGS OF THE DEEP

6 Tobacco City – HORSES

7 Daniel Meade – TIME ROLLS BY

8 Xixa – XOLO

9 Brent Amaker & The Rodeo – VAQUERO

10 Mike Delevante – SEPTEMBER DAYS

11 Helene Cronin – MAYBE NEW MEXICO

12 Kinky Freidman - THE POET OF MOTEL 6

TRIBUTE ALBUMS:

Various Artists - IT’S ALL HER FAULT: A TRIBUTE TO CINDY WALKER

Various Artists - CAN’T  STEAL MY FIRE: A TRIBUTE TO DAVID OLNEY

FAVOURITE GIGS:

BEN DE LA COUR @ Kilkenny Roots Festival

LEAF RAPIDS @ Kilkenny Roots Festival

BOOK RECOMENDATION:

MERIDIAN RISING by Paul Burch

Deciding on the albums of the year and their placement in a list is a somewhat arbitary process. We at Lonesome Highway do not tend to review albums that we don’t oursleves like. So all of the 50 or so releases that I have reviewed this year have merit. But you have to stop somewhere and rely, to a degree, on memory as to what albums made a more lasting impression - for one reason or another. A few were albums I didn’t review but became favourites, however all are worthy of investigation for the curious or those who have found that their musical tastes tend to align with mine based on the albums chosen.

EILIS BOLAND

ALBUMS:

Carter & Cleveland - JASON CARTER & MICHAEL CLEVELAND

Rebecca Porter - ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES

Becky Buller - SONGS THAT SING ME

Shawn Camp - THE GHOST OF SIS DRAPER

Mason Via - SELF-TITLED

Michael Prewitt - SOMETHING HE CAN HANDLE

Jesse Daniel - SON OF THE SAN LORENZO

Special Consensus - BEEN ALL AROUND THIS WORLD

David Mayfield Parade - GO BIG OR GO HOME

Sierra Hull - A TIPTOE HIGHWIRE

The Faux Paws - NO BAD IDEAS

Rick Faris - LIFE’S PARADE

Foggy Mountain Spaceship - GALAXY TRACKS VOL 1

Jaywalkers - MOVE ON

Seth Mulder & Midnight Run - COMING ON STRONG

Ben de la Cour - NEW ROSES

GIGS:

WILLIE WATSON @ AMA-UK, Hackney, London

STURGILL SIMPSON @ The Telegraph, Belfast

SEAMUS FOGARTY @ the American Bar, Belfast

LIAM PURCELL & CANE MILL ROAD @ Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival,

NEIL YOUNG @ Hyde Park

GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS @ IBMA World of Bluegrass, Chattanooga

MICHAEL CLEVELAND & JASON CARTER @ IBMA World of Bluegrass, Chattanooga

THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS @ IBMA World of Bluegrass, Chattanooga

MASON VIA @ IBMA World of Bluegrass, Chattanooga

FOGGY MOUNTAIN SPACESHIP @ IBMA World of Bluegrass, Chattanooga

JIM ROONEY & SHAWN CAMP @ Ballinderreen GAA club, Galway, Ireland

PAUL McGEE

Once again the amount of new music arriving at Lonesome Highway Head Office proved to be overwhelming. With our best intentions we attempted to post as many reviews that time will allow across our team of writers, and yet, “The undiminished sea still crowds the shore.”

The quality of music submitted was of a consistently high level and if we didn’t get to post a particular album, then the failure is ours. We listen with dedicated ears to many new artists/bands before deciding upon what individual choices will make the cut each week when we post new reviews. As always, our intention is to promote lesser known music with a limited exposure, in the hope that it will reach new territories and develop an improved fan base across our readers/listeners.

Our weekly radio show on Dublin City FM is a great outlet for much of the music we choose to highlight, as continues to be the case with our social media outlets on Facebook and Instagram. Our website remains the premier source for comprehensive album reviews, artist interviews and live music gig reviews as our scribes wrestle with the increasing demands of old father time.

My personal favourites for 2025 are as follows:

ALBUMS:

1 My Politic - SIGNS OF LIFE

2 The Equatorial Group - SUNSEEKER

3 Caroline Spence - HEART GO WILD

4 Amy Speace - THE BLUE ROCK SESSION

5 Dan Raza - WAYFARER

6 Katie Spencer - WHAT LOVE IS

7 Jesse Daniel Edwards - SELF-TITLED (Piano Songs)

8 James McMurtry- THE BLACK DOG AND THE WANDERING BOY

9 Morgan Wade - THE PARTY IS OVER (Recovered)

10 Kris Delmhorst - GHOSTS IN THE GARDEN

11 Lisa Cerbone - WE STILL HAVE SKY

12 Rachel Whitcomb - WILDEST DREAMS

13 Tekla Waterfield - MOTHER MIND

14 Tim Grimm - BONES OF TREES

15 Grayson Hugh - SAVE YOUR LOVE FOR ME

16 Zandi Holup - SELF-TITLED

17 Steve Postell - WALKING THROUGH THESE BLUES

18 Crys Matthews - RECLAMATION

19 Jeffrey Broussard - BAYOU MOONLIGHT

20 The Tasty Kings - NATIVE TONGUE

IRISH ALBUMS:

1 Blue Fish Diamond - RADIO SILENCE

2 Dave Clancy - LIVE OUR OWN DREAM

3 Bren Berry - IN HOPE OUR STARS ALIGN

4 DUG - HAVE AT IT

5 Mick Flannery - LIVE (with Susan O’Neill)

6 Ólafur Arnalds/Talos - A DAWNING

ARCHIVE:

1 Neal Casal - NO ONE ABOVE YOU: (The Early Years 1991–1998)

2 Kimmie Rhodes - WEST TEXAS HEAVEN (Revisited)

3 Various Artists - I WILL SWIM TO YOU: A TRIBUTE TO JASON MOLINA

4 Woody Guthrie - WOODIE AT HOME: Unreleased Tracks From 1951-1952

5 Waylon Jennings - SONGBIRD: Unreleased Songs 1974 – 1983

6 Drive-By Truckers - THE DEFINITIVE DECORATION DAY

GIGS:

1 AMY SPEACE @ Belfast and Derry

2 JEFFREY MARTIN @ Whelan’s Dublin

3 AMERICANAFEST @ Nashville, USA

4 BONNIE RAITT @ Vicar Street Dublin

5 KILKENNY ROOTS FESTIVAL @ Kilkenny, Ireland

6 EMILY SCOTT ROBINSON @ Whelan’s Dublin

7 THE DELINES @ Whelan’s Dublin

8 THOMM JUTZ / ERIC BRACE @ Rathfriland

9 RON POPE @ Workman’s Club Dublin

10 JOSHUA RADIN @ Whelan’s Dublin

11 MARTYN JOSEPH @ Whelan’s Dublin

12 JAKE XERXES FUSSELL @ Whelan’s

NEW DISCOVERY:

GOLDPINE @ AmericanaFest : September

BUFFALO NICHOLS @ AmericanaFest : September

JESSE DANIEL EDWARDS

SPECIAL MENTION:

THE LEAF RAPIDS @ Kilkenny Roots Festival : Four gigs played over May weekend

BOOKS OF THE YEAR:

YUSEF/CAT STEVENS: On the Road To Findout

JASON MOLINA: Riding With the Ghost

GARY LIGHTBODY: The Forest Is the Path

Book Review

Paul Burch Meridian Rising NSB

At Lonesome Highway, we have long appreciated the ongoing creative endeavours of Paul Burch as a singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. Now, with the same sense of creativity, he has published his debut novel, Meridian Rising, a book that, like his 2016 album of the same name, is focused on the life and times of the man dubbed the “Godfather of Country Music” - Mr Jimmie Rodgers. However, it takes a particular talent to inhabit the soul of that musician in a way that only a person with deep knowledge and appreciation of the subject could. 

The content is delivered in a way that engages the reader with its varied contextual approach, both in its appearance and attitude. Some chapters are transcripts of interviews with people who knew him, while others are his own thoughts and memories. The typography of these sections is visually distinct and therefore more effective at distinguishing their source and nature. I was previously aware of Rodgers through some of his best-known songs, such as Blue Yodel (T For Texas) and Peach Pickin’ Time In Georgia. I had read about him in numerous histories of the genre, but I didn’t know him the way I do after reading this book.

Which is, of course, as imagined by Burch, as this is not a biography but rather something that takes on a life of its own in the way it is written. Rodgers' own thoughts are sometimes conceived as somewhat surrealistic, but no doubt in tune with his lifestyle. I also learned about characters such as H.C. Speir, whom I had not heard of prior to this. He was a white businessman who recorded numerous bluesmen and early ’hillbilly’ singers. His publisher and sometime producer also makes a number of appearances through the book. You also learn of his path crossing with fellow performers like Louis Armstrong and Howlin’ Wolf.

It is a book to immerse yourself in for its own sense of imagination and craft; it creates a figure who seems to be alive again today, and in the end, it is a celebration of the talents of two men from very different eras who are nonetheless creatively linked in a way that enhanced the reputation of both. A highly recommended read.

Stephen Rapid

Book Review

Incidental Contact by Jim White Self Published (2022)

Jim White is many things. In a career that has seen him feted as a singer-songwriter and performer, he has also been a ditch digger, a suntan oil salesman, a landscaper, a dishwasher, a short-order cook, a fashion model, a fashion photographer, a professional surfer and a New York City cab driver. To say nothing of his skills as a visual artist and many other roles he has tried on for size during his incredible life. White alternates between solo projects and collaborations in his music and appears almost like a modern day shaman who walks the earth lightly.

His incredible resolve to ride the surf board of life, despite the squall of the ocean tides, is more than memorable in his debut book that visits areas of his fertile mind that both entertain and enlighten. White exists in a world that seems to engage on a regular basis with altered states of consciousness, constantly offering gifts and threats that can interpreted either way, and that certainly stretch beyond the realm of most mere mortals that walk this planet.

He surmises upon the big questions and speaks of the great corrector, the pulse that turns the cosmic wheel and the role that chance and circumstance play in life. Whether driving a taxi in NYC for a living, or moving around a variety of low opportunity cities in the USA, White makes every successive situation appear almost a necessary hurdle to be overcome in the great marathon of life. The universe speaks to White on a regular basis and he listens in a way that conjures up images of psychic balance and insane conjecture. A life lived on a series of roller coaster rides and fair ground attractions often leads to going home with no real idea of exactly where ‘home’ is anymore.

White denies the concept of seeing patterns or connections in random data. Trusting in psychic antennas the argument is that we all perceive ‘reality’ with different intensities.  He frequently cycles around  NYC , when not driving a taxi and learns much about life from the rich variety of human-kind that come across his radar. He speaks of the psychic undertow that is an ever present in his life and the power that unseen forces can bring to bear at seemingly unrelated moments in time. He expounds upon his theory of a psychic antenna that we all have, some more attuned than others into the pulse of the universe, our brains acting as giant receivers in picking up information and secrets.

His stories are so incredibly laced with larger than life moments that you can only read in awe and disbelief at the experiences that White encounters. From various contacts with his Crazy Maker (ex-wife), to being mistaken for David Byrne of Talking Heads fame; having an encounter with Samuel Beckett in central park and, in his taxi driving years, with the likes of Woody Allen, expert handwriting analysts, a gangster and drug dealer, along with transvestites and toxic midget prostitutes who conspire to spoil job interview opportunities for him. I know, crazy stuff, right? But oh so compelling and superbly woven into and through the fabric of his unique book. Novel or autobiography, the work of a fantasist or an unstable imbalanced mind. We get to decide over the 300-plus pages on offer.

Driving a leased cab is itself a risky business with the prohibitive charges and fees almost outstripping the ability to turn a profit on any given slow night; the hope of picking up a lucrative fare always a temptation to stay out driving around aimlessly. From wealthy wall street fund managers to upper east side NYC socialites, White has seen all aspects of humanity. He finds his stolen car another day while cycling in traffic and confronts the driver in a rage which ends up with the return of his vehicle. He speaks of on-course adjustments as a metaphor for his life, always having to react to circumstances that ensue from random events. His luck dips and swoops from incidents of having to look in garbage cans for recently discarded food, to receiving a sizeable royalty cheque for one of his songs that was used in a movie soundtrack, the life of Jim White is a roller coaster of emotion, karma, momentous occurrences and mysterious wayward decision making. A unique book that is a celebration of being alive and open for adventure.

Review by Paul McGee

End of Year refections from number of Lonesome Highways favourite artists.

JAMIEE HARRIS

SONGS:

I Love America Better Than You - Aaron Lee Tasjan

This has been a highlight for me in Aaron's live shows for years. I am so glad it's finally out there to hear whenever I want. 

Other Girls - Leslie Mendelson 

This song is just so cool. Great music video, too. I had it on repeat for weeks in March. 

You've Got A Shine - Jim Lauderdale

I love Jim Lauderdale. I'm super fond of this Game Changers era. They're one of my favorite live bands.

Lucky Strike - Valley James

You might not know Valley James yet, but I'm betting it won't be long before she's a household name. Her voice is extraordinary and I love what she has to say in her songs. 

The Relic Song - Creekbed Carter Hogan

The folk song about the Catholic relic trade we didn't know we needed. 

ALBUMS:

Kim Richey - Every New Beginning 

This year blessed us with a new Kim Richey record...and it is perfection. "A Way Around" is probably my most played song of the year. 

Amyl and The Sniffers - Cartoon Darkness 

The TikTok algorithm actually hipped me to this band and I'm so grateful. This is currently my favorite band. 70's style punk rock from Australia.

Alden Derek & Shannon Sheridan - What's Your Favorite Scary Movie?

I am a superfan of horror. When I'm not making music, I'm either watching or reading horror. I genuinely love this comedic, horror-focused album. The highlights for me are LONGLEG’S and Girl in My TV. 

Stars - Set Yourself on Fire (20th Anniversary Edition)

Set Yourself on Fire is one of my desert island records, so I was thrilled when Stars announced the 20th Anniversary edition of this album. It did not disappoint. 

Various Artists - Can't Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney

David Olney is one of my favorite songwriters. I've known about this tribute album for a while and have been anxiously awaiting its arrival. Wow, did they knock it out of the park. I love what every artist brought to this stunning collection of some of the greatest songs ever written. I'm particularly fond of Afton Wolfe's "Titanic." 

Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore - TexiCali

I'm so fond of this combo. This is my favorite live band. They rock. The songs are perfection. I'm particularly fond of "Borderland" and "Blind Owl." 

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland Studios

We got a new Gillian Welch album this year. We needed it and we are not worthy. "Hashtag" makes me cry every time. Every. Single. Time. 

Nick Cave - Wild God

Every year Nick Cave puts out an album it makes my favourites list. A cinematic, poetic masterpiece. 

Chappell Roan - The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess 

Like everyone else on the planet with ears, I am obsessed with Chappell Roan. 

T Bone Burnett - The Other Side

This year, we got T Bone the artist again and it is a gift. I also recommend his three interviews on the Buddy & Jim show. So, moving.

RETRO

Madison Cunningham - Revealer

I spent my summer diving back into this Madison Cunningham album. I find it so comforting. 

Pops Staples -World in the Motion

I heard this in a cafe in Tilburg, NL. Somehow, I missed this Pops Staples song (and the album Peace to the Neighborhood). I've had it on heavy repeat.  Deeply moving lyrics, perfect tone, and backing vocals from Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne. Once again...we are not worthy. 

KAITLIN BUTTS

Chappell Roan - Midwest Princess

Ella Langley - Hungover

Maggie Antone - Rhinestoned 

Sierra Ferrell - Trail of Flowers

Wyatt Flores - Welcome To The Plains

Sabrina Carpenter - Short n Sweet

MISS TESS

I've been enjoying the new Deslondes album"Roll it Out"

LOUIEN (LIVE MIRANDA SOLBERG)

What I’ve been listening to in 2024:

Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well

I’ve been a huge fan of KM since the release of Golden Hour in 2018, that record got me through some rough days and reminded me of all the beauty this world actually holds. Deeper Well has become a steady companion throughout 2024, she’s one of those rare musicians who can write songs with depth and joy, melancholy and gratefulness. 

Julia Logan

I just discovered this amazing artist, based out of Sweden and South Carolina, a few months ago. I just love her songwriting, her soft, fierce voice and her overall sound. My current favourite song of hers is Top of the World, it’s new and fresh, but also reminds me so much of Carole King. 

Maggie Rogers - Don’t Forget Me

This song is perfection. Just pure, simple, amazing songwriting. I must have listened to it a million times since it was released earlier this year! My first listen was on the subway, tears streaming down my face, the lyrics just really hit home.

DEAN OWENS

It’s been strange and at times a very difficult year for me. A lot of the year has been taking up with dealing with my late mother’s ill health (she sadly passed away at the end of August) and all the sadness and stress that goes with that. On my many trips back and forth from visiting with her in Edinburgh, from where I now live in the Scottish Borders I did listen to an awful lot of music. A constant companion through these journeys was the late, great Tom Petty. Honestly, his music has helped me so much through some very dark days. I don’t think there have been many days at all over the past few months where I haven’t listened to him. The albums I’ve probably listened to most are Wildflowers, Into The Great Wide Open and Full Moon Fever.

Another big discovery for me this year has been the wonderful music of Rory Gallagher. Of course I’ve been aware of him for many, many years, but I just haven’t ever paid his music a lot of attention. That changed this year and I’ve really enjoyed diving into his back catalogue. There are so many great songs and brilliant performances. An obvious choice would be the album Tattoo, but there’s also a beautiful song of his called Wheels Within Wheels which I’ve listened to over and over again.

Out of the newer releases I’ve really enjoyed the Waxahatchee record Tigers Blood and a couple of my friends have released lovely albums – Danny and The Champions Of The World and Miracle Mile. I’ve also enjoyed the latest John Moreland, Jeffrey Foucault, Will Kimbrough and Max Richter records.

Another older artist I’ve listened to a lot this year is the late Alan Hull, from the band Lindisfarne. He wrote so many beautiful songs.

I’ve spent a lot of this year getting my new album Spirit Ridge ready for release in February and the Ridge Trilogy EPs that accompany the album. I’m excited to share this new record that I recorded out in Italy. It has a strong connection to my Calexico collaboration Sinner’s Shrine, but has a few different colours and textures on there. I hope people will enjoy it. 

Merry Christmas to you and all your readers and a very happy new year when it comes.

SOPHIE GAULT

What I’ve been listening to lately:

Elizabeth Cook’s album Aftermath. Such a brilliant production and group of songs. My favorite song is Perfect Girls of Pop.

King Margo’s album Waters Rise. They’re so good.

Mk.Gee, an r&b singer I just found out about. He has this album called Two Star & the Dream Police. It’s really interesting dreamy sounding music and I love it. 

Gurf Morlix, who’s one of my favourite guitar players and writers, just put out an album called In Love at Zero Degrees. My favourite song is called Petals Fall.

DAVID NEWBOULD

Margo Cilker - Valley Of Hearts Delight. I recently discovered Margo Cilker. I’d heard her name but never any music. She is wonderful! Such smart songs, so much personality and humor, and great musicians and engineering … it’s all filled with so much charm and emotion. I love the production and musicianship in the record. She is a great talent. 

Shannon McNally - Trouble and Celebration (singles). These recent singles are so, so good. Pretty much everything she puts her name to is extraordinary. I’ve been really mesmerized by her voice in recent months, its character and the way she writes and lets music just move right through her is very inspiring. I always loved her Southside Sessions album with Charlie Sexton from way back in 2006, but hadn’t dug much further until this past year. On the one hand I was pissed off that I denied myself for so long, on the other hand it feels like I clued in at just the right time. 

Nellen Dryden - Show Me The Way. I love this album. It’s her second album (her first, "Standstill” is also excellent). She is a singer/songwriter based here in Nashville. Really organic sounds with a super sultry and expressive voice. To me it’s undeniable music. Check her out.

Sam Fender - I kept hearing a song on the radio and Shazamming it to see who it was, and it kept being him. I dig it! To be honest I’ve been mostly spinning his 2 live albums, Live From Finsbury Park and Seventeen Going Under (Live). His songs are really melodic adrenaline vessels. His life story as I understand it is also something that’s hard not to get behind as well. I’m always thrilled to see people with guitars, drums and honest songs still breaking through. He’s definitely got a “thing" and it’s very exciting. 

Tears For Fears - Songs For A Nervous Planet. My 10 year old randomly discovered Tears For Fears a couple of years ago and we’ve listened to them so much that there’s absolutely no way I shouldn’t be sick to death of them by now. Yet somehow I’m not. We took him to Las Vegas earlier in the year to see them and it was fantastic. This album is essentially a live album from their last tour with a few new studio songs at the top. So many bands that are frozen in a certain era in today’s zeitgeist tend to rest on past laurels, but for anyone who hasn’t kept up with Tears For Fears since the ’80’s…their current music is very strong. So I like this album a lot. 

Heavy revisits:

I’ve been listening a ton to these reissues/extended versions.. whatever you want to call them.

Tragically Hip - Up To Here (reissue). I grew up in Canada and this band was omnipresent in my formative years. This was their first real album and while it still holds up, I’ve most enjoyed hearing the raw demos to the songs that, cut before recording the album. Big sound and personalities and you’re right there in the…garage, rehearsal studio… wherever they did them. Coll stuff.

The Replacements - Dead Man’s Pop. This came out in 2019 but I’ve been revisiting it heavily. It is itself a revisit of Don’t Tell A Soul, with a “new” mix that’s really the old mix that they wanted to use but the label wouldn’t approve. It’s so good! I love this band. Paul is a one of a kind songwriter. I’ll never tire of Aching To Be, Talent Show, Darling One…There are all kinds of outtakes and a whole concert, and a bunch of material from a highly liquidated late night studio hang with Tom Waits in clear and perfect stereo.

Thin Lizzy - 1976. This finally made me take a break from my 2 year Live And Dangerous box set indulgence (all 7 concerts they sourced for the original release - some of the best music ever, but I know you know that). This has very interesting and cool remixes of Jailbreak, Johnny The Fox, a bunch of outtakes etc, but the crown jewel is a live show taped for WMMS in Cleveland that is transcendent! Phil and the whole band at the top of their game, showing us over here how it’s done. It sounds to me like it’s sourced from a cassette recording of the broadcast, but who cares? So good. 

ALICE WALLACE

2024 has been such a spectacular year in music! I have to be honest that I've spent a good chunk of my year listening to albums released by friends of mine, like Zero Gravity - The HawtThorns, Baptized by the Blaze - India Ramey, and in the last couple weeks I've been playing my friend Alicia Witt's new album I Think I'm Spending Christmas With You on repeat because I love a Christmas album with clever new ways of looking at the holiday season. I also have to admit that even though pop music rarely catches my ear, I have listened to way more Chappell Roan this year than I ever would have expected. Her vocals and melodies are just so spot-on and creative, and as a yodeler, I love hearing pop music that leans heavily on vocal breaks. Her music has been my go-to to pep me up on long drives or when I'm out jogging. Also, the band Lawrence and their album Family Business! So catchy and infectious in a way that leans on serious musical talent. Of course, I'm also in the Sierra Ferrell fan club for her album Trail of Flowers this year, and I was ridiculously excited to see that her co-write with my friend Melody Walker, American Dreaming, got nominated for a Grammy! Melody and I wrote the song Bonfire on my album together, and Melody is a songwriter and singer that I think deserves all the recognition she can get. 

AMANDA FIELDS

I listened to so many incredible albums this year. On the Country and Americana side of things, it felt like an especially strong year for Brenna MacMillan (Dear Life), Johnny Blue Skies (Passage Du Desir), Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (I Built A World), and brother Bob Sumner (Some Place To Rest Easy). I also enjoyed the Bon Iver EP, Sable. My album of the year 2024 is …Quiet Town by Mindy Smith. The kindness of Mindy’s pen is unmatched in songwriting as far as I can tell and Quiet Town is a perfect album. My takeaway from the project – Mindy is Nashville’s monarch butterfly and she must be protected at all costs. It’s been a great year for music!

MICHAEL WESTON KING

Bernard Butler - Good Grief. The opening track Camber Sands is arguably my track of the year. It’s brilliant, it just builds and builds.

Adrienne Lenker -  Bright Future, and in particular the song Sadness As A Gift, which is just stunning, one the best, most plaintive yet beautiful songs I have heard in years. It became something of a go to song for me after the summer, and My Darling Clementine even covered it on or recent December tour. The lyrics say it all. ‘You and I both know there is nothing more to say / Chance has shut her shining eyes and turned her face away.’

Tucker Zimmerman - Dance Of Love   also made with Adrienne and her band Big Thief, another lost singer songwriter now in his 80’s but he has written lovely understand gems here.

Nick Lowe - Indoor Safari - his first new album in years and his first co-produced with Neil Brockbank.

Nothing for years then along come two albums from T. Bone Burnett, one solo, The Other Side and one with Elvis under The Cowards Brothers pseudonym. Enjoyed both immensely.

Having seen him when we played Kilkenny Roots in May, I immediately bought the Jeffrey Martin album, Thank God We Left The Garden. Although it was released in 2023, I only heard it for the first time this year, and it is a real gem. Quite outstanding songwriting with Red Station Wagon being my highlight but there are many.  

Others of note in 2024 -

Nick Cave - Wild God

Chuck Prophet - Wake The Dead

Oisin Leech - Cold Sea

Tom Rush - Gardens Old, Flowers New

Yard Act - Where’s My Utopia?

Shout out too to my old pals, and lifers, Peter Bruntnell and Danny Champ, who both released fine albums this year, in fact the new albums are arguably amongst the finest releases of their long careers. What more can we do other than try and keep getting better. I’d like to think we all are.

OLD - but new to me this year

Eric Justin Kaz – If You're Lonely

Marc Benno - Minnows

While on tour in Japan recently our promoter, knowing of my love of 70’s singer songwriters recommended Eric Justin Katz and Marc Benno. Both had passed me by I am ashamed to say, but for those of a similar disposition to me, I’d recommend they be heard. In particular Katz, who falls somewhere between Jackson Browne and Paul Simon, and even reminded me of Gerry Rafferty a little in places. A classy sounding album, lots of A listers playing on it. 

RE-ISSUES

Various Artists - Les Cousins: The Soundtrack Of The Legendary Folk & Blues Club   Cherry Red put out some fine compilations and this 3 cd  box sets celebrating the famed London club is fabulous.

Elvis Costello - King of America & Other Realms is a six-disc box set of a top three all-time EC album for me and this cd box set is a  deep dive into that album and many other Costello albums recorded in the US  with fascinating demo's and outtakes. It’s not cheap but for EC acolytes it’s essential.  Incredibly detailed liner notes too. I’ve read shorter novels!

Various Artists - David Hepworth’s More Deep 70s – Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade - Not out yet (comes in January), but if it is half as good as the first one (Deep 70s: Underrated Cuts From A Misunderstood Decade) then we are in for a treat. 

AGS CONNOLLY

Ruth Theodore - I Am I Am. This album was by far and away my favourite of the year in any genre, and indeed of many years. Ruth is a very accomplished musician and her lyrics are both clear and evocative. Her delivery of a range of styles is superb too. I played this album endlessly and found undiscovered corners of it every time.

James Talley - Bandits, Ballads & Blues. Released to little fanfare, it's nonetheless great to know James is still making music. He's one of the best country-blues writers ever (I always thought his song Are They Gonna Make Us Outlaws Again? could have been a giant hit for Willie Nelson, for example) and doesn't miss a beat with this later career effort.

Johnny Cash - Songwriter. Speaking of later career efforts, this album created from demos with newly recorded backing by John Carter Cash is extremely tasteful and gets better with every listen. Arguably the best posthumous Cash release.

Alex Key - Outdated There's been a lot of talk of 90s revivals this year and Zach Top in particular. For me, nowhere near enough attention has come the way of Alex Key, who for me offers more as an original writer. This album was a very nice surprise.

And one from yesteryear...

Hoyt Axton - My Griffin Is Gone Having been a casual fan for some time, this year I went right down the Hoyt Axton rabbit hole. An incredibly imaginative and singular artist - particularly for the time period - all his albums have something new and unexpected to offer. This was the first I really focused on though, and what got me hooked. 

Apologies, as ever, to any I have missed that deserved a mention. I'm sure I'll remember them all the instant this gets posted up...

DAVID MURPHY

Oisin Leech - Cold Sea

Within the acoustic duo The Lost Brothers, the songwriting of Oisin and Mark McCausland got better and better with each record they released over a 15+ year period. Upon hearing an early copy of this solo album by Oisin, I was wondering to myself if it was going to be 'Lost Brothers lite', however what unfolds across the nine songs is a step in a different direction for the Meath man. It is full of wonderfully crafted songs alluding to imagery of the ocean and the solitary beauty of County Donegal where it was recorded and brings to mind Nick Drake in its delivery and production. The subtle accompaniment of Steve Gunn, M.Ward and Tony Garnier's gentle double bass beautifully envelop these melancholic songs in a way that never detracts from the core of Oisin's voice and acoustic guitar.

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - Woodland Studios

While it's been 13 years since the last new Gillian Welch record, this album - with David Rawlings receiving double-billing for the first time - seems to almost continue in the same space as David Rawlings' Nashville Obsolete, production-wise and in some of the themes of the songs. Stories of ways of life which are long lost as well as stories reminiscing of absent friends of old. As with every studio record from this duo, it is full of finely-honed words and music that are nothing short of sublime. With some beautifully subtle pedal steel guitar by Russ Pahl, North Country and What We Had are two stand-out tracks to me alongside minimal acoustic gems like Lawman' and 'The Bells and The Birds which showcase just how in-sync these two artists are: sometimes singing in harmony, sometimes in unison, with their guitars perfectly blended becoming a single-voiced force of nature. There has never been nor ever will be anybody just like Welch and Rawlings! This record is yet another stand-out of theirs.

T-Bone Burnett - The Other Side

After a couple of amazing experimental records with Keefus Cianca and Jay Bellerose of fire-and-brimstone beat-poet electronica, T-Bone has successfully ventured back to what he has been a core champion of for many years: simple folk and country-blues songs, though here full of the wonders of life and our human mortality. The album features some beautifully gentle accompaniment and wonderful picking from Colin Linden on a variety of stringed instruments as well as duets with Roseanne Cash and harmony-duo Lucius. Country shuffles and back-beats are handled by double bass and mandolin instead of drums, bringing to mind the simple yet subtle power of The Carter Family or Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two. Burnett has never sounded better or more at ease either with his vocal delivery.

The Unthanks - In Winter

Like every record The Unthanks release, there is a sense of them taking us somewhere new, albeit always through the lens of their Northeastern view of the world. Their continuing ability to take ancient songs and render them into something new is a marvel and this ambitious double album In Winter successfully delivers upon what they describe as a Winter Fantasia. Playing across four long-playing sides, the listener is treated to an aural journey through wintery soundscapes evoking the harsh weather of their Northumberland home - sounds of the elements outside juxtaposed with the cosiness of a roaring fire or the distant, nostalgic hum of a colliery brass band playing Christmas carols. Glacial instrumentals are sprinkled amongst winterish folk tales ripe for The Unthanks treatment such as in The Bleak Midwinter, The Snow It Melts The Soonest and Dark December. Rachel, Becky and Niopha's haunting voices as always perfectly conveying all the moods and elements of this time of year.

JERRY ZINN ( WEST OF TEXAS)

Here's my top 10 albums and top 10 singles. So many bands aren't releasing albums and releasing a single at a time. I guess this is the new thing, because bands know after 3 months their album is dead. If they release a single at a time they can promote an album for 10 to 12 months.

Top 10 Albums:

Tony Martinez - Everywhere West

Hannah Juanita - Tennessee Songbird

JP Harris - Is A Trash Fire

Elijah Ocean - Loser's Holiday

Matt Hillyer - Bright Skyline

Cory Cross - There's More

Lasers Lasers Birmingham - Mystery Highway

Mallory Eagle - The Neon Waltz

Silverada - Silverada

Jesse Daniel - Countin' The Miles

Top 10 Singles:

Christopher Seymore - Cheated On

The Reeves Brother's - Drink Her Off My Mind

The Reeves Brother's - Small Town Sundown Saturday Night

The Reeves Brother's - She Don't Want A Cowboy

Jesse Daniel - Workin' Hard (Day and Night)

Todd Day Wait - Oh Don't Tell Her

Todd Day Wait - Time Will Let You Know

Gus Clark & the Least of His Problems

Emily Rose & the Rounders - Too Much Too

Rosy Nolan - One of Your Songs

WONDER WOMEN OF COUNTRY - BRENNEN LEIGH. MELISSA CARPER,KELLY WILLIS

This year, Wonder Women of Country have collectively been listening to records by Ernest Tubb, Bob Wills, and Jolie Holland. We’ve also been enjoying podcasts about murder, and YouTube’s about aliens.

VICTORIA BAILEY

1 Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well

This album has been on repeat for me since it came out. The Architect has become one of my favourite songs ever written and this album, (and her writing in general) is always so relatable, and true, and to the point. I saw her play Live in LA in the fall and it was truly such a beautiful show… the stage design, the band, Kacey, all of it. It was a beautiful spacey-western, confetti filled night! I’m a forever fan. 

2. Roy Rodger - An Old Cowhand 

When I went on tour this summer, this album was the official Sound Track to all of the miles spent on the road. We drove through a lot of desert with a lot of rich Western history, and it just felt right to have Roy Rodgers keep us company and help narrate it all. We went back and forth between this album and a Billy the Kid documentary as we drove through Arizona, New Mexico & Colorado. 

BRIT TAYLOR

I have to start with Sturgill Simpson’s newest record, or shall I say Johnny Blue Sky’s new record? I dig it! As always.  I’m still listening to all his old records, too; they’re all great. 

I’m also still stuck on Brent Cobbs’ - Southern Star record he released in 2023! It’s so much fun and it just soothes my soul when I’m listening to it.  I can’t go any further without including Adam Chaffins.  I’m not including him because he’s good looking and sweet and funny and kind.  And it’s certainly not because we are married, and I am supposed to say good stuff about him! I am including him because he’s released two incredible new singles this year that everyone should be aware of and I can’t wait for him to release more next year.  I got to be part of the songs, and it’s so rewarding to watch and hear the artist he is and is becoming. It fun to see him open up in these songs and speak his truth. “Lay-Away Momma” and “Little Bit At A Time” are songwriting at its best.  I also love Maggie Rose’s - No One Gets Out Alive. She really outdid herself, in my opinion. It is so refreshing to see an artist just be themself and not trying to chase something that isn’t them! “No One Gets Out Alive” is so authentically her, and I love it. The new Marcus King record Mood Swings slaps. It’s so vibey. Delilah is my favourite song from the record, and it’s so cool that he wrote it with Gabe Lee. I’ve also been loving everything from super couple Meg McCree and Ben Chapman. It’s not just because they’re my friends, but it’s because they make incredible music. They aren’t trying to be anybody else or compete with anyone. They’re just making music from the depths of their souls, then making it funky as hell, and I love it! I’m still stuck on Chris Stapleton's 2023 record Higher as well. The first song on the album wrecks me. And I love that Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton wrote it together. 

You will still find me listening to all the classics and the songs I grew up on — lots of Patty Loveless, LeeAnn Womack, Bobbi Gentry, Keith Whitley, Ricky Skaggs — especially the bluegrass record they made together!  And that’s just a start to all the music I love so much!

KRISTINA MURRAY

Here are a few of my favourite albums from the year; thanks for having me! 

Waxahachie - Tigers Blood. Across the board, this is absolutely one of the best records to come out this year. Writing, singing, production all matched perfectly. Favourite cuts: Right Back To It, Bored, title track, Lone Star Lake.

Melissa Carper - Borned In Ya: Melissa's writing and singing (and bass playing...though Dennis Crouch is perfect--per usual--on this LP) are unique, interesting, dynamic and truly grab you and keep you listening. I just adore this country lounge record top to bottom. Favourite cuts: I Don't Love You Anymore, Let's Stay Single Together, title track, Let's Get Outta Here.

JP Harris - JP Harris is a Trash Fire: JP is a true treasure of a musician, songwriter, collaborator and human. This album has what we expect from JP but this is his best effort yet: elevated, sensitive, witty, real, raw songwriting that's plain as the beard on his face. There's no bullshit here and it's another record I love, top to bottom. Favourite cuts: To The Doves, Old Fox, title track, East Alabama, Write It All Down

The Deslondes - Roll It Out: My favourite Deslondes record since their self-titled label debut. Drummer Howe's songwriting and playing adds volumes to Deslondes catalogue and the boys (and producer Andrija Tokic) were really rolling (pardon the pun) when they put together this collection. Favourite cuts: Mercury on Parade, Go Out Tonight, Hold On Liza, Drifter's Wife, Pour Another Round

Pat Reedy - Make It Back Home: Pat is a longtime (goner) friend and one of the (grand)fathers of our lil underground country music scene. Simply put: he's a legend. He's one of the better songwriters in my generation and this is his best record yet. I am partial also as I lent some backing vocals on this record way back when it was recorded in 2019! Traveling around Europe with Pat was a highlight of 2025 for me. Favourite Cuts: All The Way Down, title track, Should You Ever (about Luke Bell)

Noeline Hoffmann - Purple Gas: I'm always slightly initially sceptical of instant-famous TikTok musicians, but this album delivers: really excellent writing-- especially for someone so green, hot shit country band and production, and such beautiful haunting voice. Excited to see more from Noeline. Favourite Cuts: Rodeo Junkies, August, solo self-title

Other records I've been loving and spinning a lot this year:

The Mavericks - Moon & Stars

Stephie James - As Night Fades

Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future

Swamp Dogg - Blackgrass

Hannah Juanita -Tennessee Song Bird

The Lostines - Meet The Lostines

Sam Burchfield - Me and My Religion

Sierra Ferrell - Trail of Flowers

Kelsey Waldon - There's Always A Song

BOB SUMNER

1) Phosphorescent - Revelator (2024)
Phosphorescent, or Matthew Houck scratches an itch for me that few others can. He very gently hints at his influences while creating music very much his own. I have been a fan for a long time. If it were not for his record 'To Willie", a record of Willie Nelson tunes, one might not be aware at all of Matthew's love of country music. His records and songs are consistently stunning. He writes words that matter and surrounds them with beautiful thoughtful soundscapes. Revelator does not disappoint with the title track and the second track, a tune penned by his wife Jo Schornikow being standouts. 

2) Doug Paisley - Say What You Like (2023)
Doug Paisley is a Canadian treasure. He is an artist not widely known by the general public but beloved by those that do know. He is a world class flat picker, a marvellous wordsmith and consistently puts out records worth their weight in gold. With 'Say What You Like' Doug teamed up with Producer Afie Jurvanen of the Bahamas, enlisting said band in the studio. What results is a deliciously understated groovy record, one that would make Don Williams proud. 

3) Don Williams - Expressions (1978) 
   Don. Always Don. Smooth. Groovy. A warm blanket. 

4) Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future (2024)
Exquisite. Possibly the greatest songwriter of our time. Every time I listen to her music, be it solo or Big Thief I am inspired and humbled. I am reminded why I started writing songs. So true and pure. Art distilled to its basic ingredients. Art for arts sake. 

5) Chuck Johnson - Balsams (2017)
Ambient Western? Yes please. I find more often than not I am drawn to various takes on ambient music. I love the soundtrack to Paris, Texas by Ry Cooder. In recent years there seems to be an uptick in what some might call Western Ambient. There is a great band called SUSS who I believe led me down a 'Country Ambient' rabbit hole to which I have not surfaced and do not plan to anytime soon. Chuck Johnson is one that I found down that hole and who appeared as a standout. His record Balsams is a constant rotation for me. 

PRINZ GRIZZLEY (CHRIS COMPER)

1 Taylor McCall - Mellow War
Love the sparse production, the vocal performance, and the great songs. The standout song for me is definitely "Rolling Stoned Again"—what a song!!

2 Father John Misty - Mahashmashana
Just released, but I know this album is greatness!!!! It will be on repeat for a while! What a genius!!

3 Nicky Diamonds - Perdido en La Salsa
Stumbled upon this great artist by accident, and was wrapped in the songs immediately. For me, it’s a listen-through album—I can't say which song touches me the most. I also love that nearly every song is longer than 5 minutes; great vibe!

4 Steel Saddle - Steel Saddle
Was hooked from the first time I heard the single Under Your Arms. This album is right up my alley! It's always great having Canadians doing Americana—there's always a twist and great songs.

5 Sierra Ferrell - Trail of Flowers
What else is there to say? The Queen delivers! Really like the production, and the songs are great, especially "Fox Hunt"!

6 Charley Crockett $10 Cowboy
Let’s not waste any words here—I am sure by the time you publish this list, he will have another 3 albums out. Hardest working man in the business! When it says Charley Crockett on the cover, you know you will get Charley Crockett!

Honorable Mentions:

Golden Everything - Sweet Old World
JP Harris - Is A Trash Fire
Jeremie Albino - Our Time In The Sun
The Black Keys - Ohio Players (mostly because of the two songs co-written by Noel Gallagher)

That’s it—wait, wasn’t there another album? By one of my favorite artists? Was it by Sturgill? Ah, sorry, it was by Johnny Blue Skies! All good then.

MAC LEAPHART

Clay Parker & Jodi James - Your Very Own Dream

I have been waiting for a new album by Clay Parker & Jodi James since I wore out 2018's The Lonesomest Sound that can Sound and it did not disappoint.This album is elegantly sparse and austere, with rich textures and fantastic song writing.

Cody Gentry: Blue Ridge Gold

A relatively new artist, but his debut album seems like he's been doing this for years-

Great, thought-provoking lyrics, and fantastic production.

Hayes & The Heathens

The album we didn't know we needed until we heard it, right? This album had to be great: one of the best songwriter's out there right now with one of the best bands.  It's one of those albums you can just put on and let it spin.

Elliott Blaufuss - Prairie Du Chien

A great album from one of the best musicians I know here in Nashville.

Elliott has serious musical chops & so he throws a lot of curve balls into the typical Americana chord progressions, but not in a pretentious or "trying too hard" kind of way.  A great vibe runs through this entire record.

Caleb Caudle - Sweet Critters

I had a spotify playing random songs, and Knee Deep Blues popped up, and I was like, "Damn, this song sounds cool as hell."  I really dig the overall vibe of this album.

The Wild Feathers - Sirens

I've been a fan of The Wild Feathers for a long time, they always put out solid albums, and this one is no exception.

Rob Leines - Headcase

This album is guitar heavy, raw & raucus, much like Rob's live shows.  Solid.

Ben Chapman - Downbeat

This album will be released on December 13, I'm writing this on the 9th, I've only heard the 5 songs he's released so far, but those are all great, so, I think it’s safe to assume it's going to be a great album.

India Ramey - Baptized by the Blaze

India is a great singer/songwriter and has this almost goth honky tonk thing going on-it’s really cool.

Year End Review - Albums / Gigs etc.

DECLAN CULLITON

COUNTRY

1   LIV GREENE - DEEP FEELER

2   GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS – WOODLAND STUDIOS

3   BOB SUMNER – SOME PLACE TO REST EASY

4   BRONWYN KEITH-HYNES – I BUILT A WORLD

5   AMANDA ANNE PLATT & THE HONEYCUTTERS – THE ONES THAT STAY

6   JESSE DANIEL – COUNTIN’ THE MILES

7   MINDY SMITH – QUIET TOWN

8   JP HARRIS – JP HARRIS IS A TRASH FIRE

9   EMILY NENNI – DRIVE & CRY

10 CHARLEY CROCKETT - $10 COWBOY

11 KIMMI BITTER – OLD SCHOOL

12 HANNAH JUANITA – TENNESSEE SONGBIRD

13 KAITLIN BUTTS – ROADRUNNER

14 SUNNY SWEENEY – STILL PROVOKED

15 PAT REEDY & THE LONGTIME GONERS – MAKE IT BACK HOME

16 NATHAN JACQUES – DARK WANDERER & THE BOUNTY HEART

17 KELSEY WALDON – THERE’S ALWAYS A SONG

18 SIERRA FERRELL – TRAIL OF FLOWERS

19 SARAH GAYLE MEECH – EASIN’ ON

20 KAYLA RAY – THE WORLD’S WEIGHT

ROOTS / AMERICANA

1   PETER BRUNTNELL – HOUDINI AND THE SUCKER PUNCH

2   HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF – THE PAST IS STILL ALIVE

3   LOUIEN – EVERY DREAM I HAD

4   KIELY CONNELL – MY OWN COMPANY

5   SOPHIE GAULT – BALTIC STREET HOTEL

6   DEAN OWENS – THE RIDGE TRILOGY EPS

7   THE THIRD MIND – THE THIRD MIND 2

8   IRON & WINE – LIGHT VERSE

9   CAITLIN CANNON – BEGGAR

10 BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN – KEEP YOUR MIND / SEE YOU FREE

COVERS ALBUM

LUCINDA WILLIAMS – SINGS THE BEATLES FROM ABBEY ROAD

TRIBUTE ALBUM

AGS CONNOLLY – YOUR PAL SLIM: SONGS OF JAMES HAND

IRISH ALBUM

DAVID MURPHY – CUIMHNE GHLINN: EXPLORATIONS IN IRISH MUSIC FOR PEDAL STEEL GUITAR

GIGS

1   BOB SUMNER – DEE’S COCKTAIL LOUNGE, NASHVILLE

2   THE FELICE BROTHERS – BUTTON FACTORY, DUBLIN

3   HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF – BUTTON FACTORY, DUBLIN

4   MARY GAUTHIER / JAIMEE HARRIS – PAVILLION, DUN LAOGHAIRE

5   JESSE SYKES & THE SWEET HEREAFTER – CONCERT HALL, DUBLIN

6   AMANDA FIELDS – DEE’S COCKTAIL LOUNGE, NASHVILLE

7   KRISTINA MURRAY – THE 5 SPOT, NASHVILLE

8   TYLER CHILDERS – BUTTON FACTORY, DUBLIN

9   THE SADIES – STATIC ROOTS, GERMANY

10 DAVID NEWBOULD – STATIC ROOTS, GERMANY

………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

EILIS BOLAND

ALBUMS:

ANDREA & MUD - INSTITUTIONALIZED

AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT - CITY OF GLASS

DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE - TALK OF THE TOWN

GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS - WOODLAND STUDIOS

BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN - KEEP ME ON YOUR MIND/SEE YOU FREE

ANDY STATMAN - BLUEGRASS TRACKS

LIV GREENE - DEEP FEELER

DANNY & THE CHAMPIONS - YOU ARE NOT A STRANGER

BILLY STRINGS - HIGHWAY PRAYERS

WILLI CARLISLE - CRITTERLAND

GIGS:

BILL KIRCHEN - UK AMERICANA WEEK, HACKNEY 24/01/24

MARGO CILKER - UK AMERICANA WEEK, HACKNEY 24/01/24

BELA FLECK/ MY BLUEGRASS HEART - CELTIC CONNECTIONS, GLASGOW 01/02/24

PETER ROWAN - RED ROOM, COOKSTOWN 07/04/24

JOHN BLEK & THE RATS - KILKENNY ROOTS FESTIVAL 05/05/24

MUIREANN BRADLEY - CQAF  BELFAST 07/05/24

CHRIS LUQUETTE & RICK FARIS - WESTPORT FOLK & BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 08/06/24

DAVID NEWBOULD - STATIC ROOTS FESTIVAL, OBERHAUSEN 13/07/24

TEDDY THOMPSON - COLFER’S, WEXFORD 26/7/24

JOHN MARTYN BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION- MANDELA HALL, BELFAST 11/09/24

………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

STEPHEN RAPID

COUNTRY/HONKY TONK

1   DWIGHT YOAKAM – BRIGHTER DAYS

2   GEORGE DUCAS – LONG WAY FROM HOME

3   BENJAMIN TOD – SHOOTING STAR

4   WEST OF TEXAS – HOT MOTEL NIGHTS

5   MATT CASTILLO – PUSHING BORDERS

6   JESSE DANIEL – COUNTIN’ THE MILES

7   JP HARRIS – JP HARRIS IS A TRASH FIRE

8   KAREN JONAS – THE RISE AND FALL OF AMERICAN KITSCH  

9   RAY SCOTT – BILLBOARDS AND BRAKE LIGHTS

10 JOHN MILLER & THE COUNTRY CASUALS – LOSERS HALL OF FAME

Highly Recommended

GEORGE DEARBORNE – LOTTA HONKY TONK LEFT IN ME

VICTORIA LIEDTKE & JASON RINGENBERG – MORE THAN WORDS CAN TELL

CAMERON WRINKLE – IN MY HEAVEN

BEN ARSENAULT – MAKE WAY FOR THIS HEARTACHE

PAT REEDY & THE LONGTIME GONERS – MAKE IT BACK HOME

DAVID SERBY – LOW HANGING STARS

JENNY DON’T & THE SPURS – BROKEN HEARTED BLUE

MATT HILLYER – BRIGHT SKYLINE

CORY CROSS – THERE’S MORE

GRANT LANGSTON – ALABAMA

MATT MASON – TIME’S ALL I GOT

COUNTRY & WESTERN

TRIS MUNSICK – BIG MEDICINE MOON

ZACK MCGINN –  COWBOY MOON

CORB LUND – EL VIEJO

TRIBUTE ALBUMS

AGS CONNOLLY – YOUR PAL SLIM  / THE SONGS OF JAMES HAND

VARIOUS ARTISTS – CANT STEAL MY FIRE / THE SONGS OF DAVID OLNEY

AMERICANA

1   SLIM CESSNA’S AUTO CLUB – KINNERY OF LUPERCALIA/BUELL LEIGON

2   THE OLD 97’s  – AMERICAN PRIMITIVE

3   SURRENDER HILL – RIVER OF TEARS

4   JESSE DAYTON  – THE HARD WAY BLUES

5   DAVE ALVIN & JIMMIE DALE GILMORE – TEXICALI

6   INDIA RAMEY  – BAPTIZED BY THE BLAZE

7    ANDREA & MUD  – INSTITUTIONALIZED

8   SAMMY VOLKOV & DANA WYLIE – THE DAY HAD TO COME

9   THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS – EVERY TIME I THINK OF YOU

10 SWAMP DOGG – BLACKGRASS

Highly Recommended

ELAINE PALMER – HALF MOON RISING

JOE ELY – DRIVEN TO DRIVE

SINGER/SONGWRITER

MICHAEL MCDERMOTT - LIGHTHOUSE ON THE SHORE/EAST JESUS

OISIN LEECH - COLD SEA

………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

PAUL McGEE

CHOICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are my selections for 2024 and I have restricted my list to music that left the deepest impression on me during the year. Reviewing so much music is a privilege that is never taken for granted and one that brings many rewards. This year I posted 130 album reviews on the Lonesome Highway website and the inevitability of having to restrict my final choices is always the hardest part. There are many great records not included on my final list but increasing numbers only serves to take away from the stature of my top selections. I have limited my choices to albums and gigs that I have personally reviewed or attended.

FAVOURITE ALBUMS

1   HEATHER LITTLE – BY NOW

2   ORDINARY ELEPHANT – ORDINARY ELEPHANT

3   EMILY HADEN LEE – THE WOMAN I WOULD BE

4   LEAF RAPIDS – VELVET PAINTINGS

5   AMY SPEACE – AMERICAN DREAM

6   ERIC BIBB – IN THE REAL WORLD + LIVE AT THE SCALA THEATRE, STOCKHOLM

7   CHRIS SMITHER – TO THE BONES

8   STEVE DAWSON – GHOSTS

9   SMALL TOWN JONES – KINTSUGI

10 MATT OWENS – WAY OUT WEST

11 MALCOLM Mac WATT – DARK HARVEST

12 HANK WOJI – HIGHWAYS, GAMBLERS, DEVILS and DREAMS

BEST IRISH ALBUMS

1   WITHOUT WILLOW – LEFT BEHIND

2   THE NEW LEAVES – A SKETCH OF HOME

3   SAMMY HORNER (THE ELECTRICS) – BIG PUB IN THE SKY

GIGS

1   THE PAPER KITES -  VICAR STREET, DUBLIN

2   EDDI READER – THE PAVILLION, DUN LAOGHAIRE

3   OVER THE RHINE – FITZROY CHURCH, BELFAST

4   AMY SPEACE / WITHOUT WILLOW – NEW GATE CENTRE, DERRY

5   KEVIN MONTGOMERY / JUDE JOHNSTONE - WHELANS, DUBLIN

6   JEFFREY MARTIN – THE WORKMANS CLUB, DUBLIN

7   MARY GAUTHIER / JAIMEE HARRIS – THE PAVILLION, DUN LAOGHAIRE

8   CRAIG FINN / KATHLEEN EDWARDS – WHELANS, DUBLIN

9   THE ANTLERS / OKKERVIL RIVER – OPIUM, DUBLIN

10 KASSI VALAZZA / CHRIS ACKER – WHELANS, DUBLIN

11 ANDREW COMBS / JAKE XERSES FUSSEL – THE WORKMANS CLUB, DUBLIN

12 SESSION AMERICANA – THE CHERRY TREE, DUBLIN

ARCHIVE

MYRIAM GENDRON – NOT SO DEEP AS A WELL (2014)

KRISTA DETOR – CHAOS, COLLISIONS and CLOCKS (2019)

COMPILATIONS

SESSION AMERICANA – THE RATTLE and the CLATTER… (20 Years, So Far)

DAVID OLNEY – VARIOUS ARTISTS… YOU CAN’T STEAL MY FIRE

HIDDEN TREASURE

THE PAPER KITES – AT THE ROADHOUSE (2023)

BARBARO – ABOUT the WINTER (2023)

BOOK of the YEAR

JIM WHITE – INCIDENTAL CONTACT (PUBLISHED IN 2022)

AUSTIN HEALING (Cautionary Tales From 20 Years of SXSW) by Oliver Gray.

 If you have ambitions of attending SXSW in Austin, Texas, and are the type that micromanages your schedule of 'who, when and where' of the acts you intend to see, there may be a better book for you. If, however, you are the patient, easy-going music lover, as is the case with author Oliver Gray, read on. Retired school teacher, music promoter, music writer, grandfather and with a colossal appetite for live music, Oliver's latest novel recalls twenty years of attendance at SXSW.  It's written with honesty, enthusiasm and no end of wit as he delves into his diaries from those twenty years to recall some memorable and less-than-memorable events in Austin.

The book begins with the author's introduction to the world of a 'music head', his early days as an aspiring music writer, and his first eventful trip to Austin in 2001 with his wife, Birgit.  

Gray's first visit to the festival in 2003 was a surprise in many ways. As the UK correspondent for the US publication Amplifier, he was unexpectedly granted press accreditation and even managed to bring a 'plus one', his close friend and now official photographer, Paul Dominy. This partnership would become a regular feature at the festival in the years to come.

Hindsight can sometimes be cruel, so we hear of the artists that the author deemed to become 'the future of rock and roll' yet disappeared without a trace (Sons and Daughters, Stellastart*), the 'nearly made it' ones (The Polyphonic Spree, Andrew Combs) and the apparently over-hyped and unlikely to display any degree of longevity (Arctic Monkeys, Drive By Truckers). History will be more applauding to Gray for recognising the potential of Fontaines DC, and especially, as far back as 2012, Ed Sheeran. Despite early documentation of Sheeran’s‘world domination' likelihood, Gray's street credibility was potentially under fire until a photo appeared of Sheeran completing his set standing on a table where Gray was seated and apparently asleep (which he wasn't!).

Incredibly bad sound, disgusting toilet facilities, blistered feet, hour-long queues only to be turned away from venues, cheap and not so cheap and occasionally free beer, and lunchtime margaritas are recurring entries each year. Though a seasoned writer and interviewer, Gray, honestly and somewhat surprisingly, regularly refers to being 'star struck' and unable to bring himself to approach many of the artists. On one occasion, in an act of bravado, he invited P.J. Harvey's band out to dinner and trembled as the bill was presented to him. A spotlight on various venues is also included each year, from the relative luxury of the Convention Center to the Tex-Mex restaurant Jovita's and Stubb's Bar-B-Q.

UK acts that get regular mention include Frank Turner ('He announced that he was going to pay his hits. I wasn't aware he had any'). Greater appreciation is afforded to fellow Brits Peter Bruntnell, Billy Bragg, and The Zombies. Acts that were enjoyed on many of the trips to Austin included Alejandro Escovedo, Chuck Prophet, Billy Bragg, Jesse Malin, and Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires.

The novel's foreword asks, 'What is it REALLY like?' After enjoying this page-turner (which I devoured in one sitting), you'll have a 'warts and all' representation of precisely what the SXSW has to offer whether you are a potential visitor to the festival, a rock and roll music lover or simply enjoy a delightful music travelogue.

Review by Declan Culliton 

Best Of 2023 - Artist Choices

AMANDA FIELDS

OLD TUNES & SAD SONGS - SARAH KATE MORGAN

Sarah Kate Morgan is one of the up-and-coming artists I’m most excited about. She’s got a traditional foundation and is known around Appalachia for her dulcimer playing. She has such a beautiful and sweet perspective that shines through and nothing about her is put on. This album is like a gentle “welcome home” for me.

RUSTIN’ IN THE RAIN - TYLER CHILDERS

I love this album and its little quirks and playfulness. Tyler’s voice really resonates with me and this record is fresh while being super country!

COSMICO - CRUZ CONTRERAS

This is such a dreamy and interesting record. Cruz’s piano playing is one of my favourite things and it’s wrapped up in this dreamy soundscape on Cosmico.

WORKIN’ ON A WORLD - IRIS DEMENT

Iris has to be one of the best songwriters of our time. The songs on this record have so much depth and lyrically so many layers, that it hit me hard the first time I heard it, which beckoned another listen to look more deeply into the wisdom she transmits. It’s a spiritual experience.

BRENNEN LEIGH

THE BIGGEST LIFE - SUMMER DEAN

It has been a staple for me since it came out. It’s so honest and real.

CHRISTMAS IN PRISON - HAYES CARLL AND MELISSA CARPER

Hayes Carll and Melissa Carper’s cover of Christmas in Prison

It has given me my daily good cry.

THAT OLD FAMILIAR DRUNKEN FEELING - CORB LUND

Loving Corb Lund’s new one That Old Familiar Drunken Feeling

It never stops being funny, no matter how many times I hear it.

CHERIE - THEO LAWRENCE

I’m a new fan, great record.

SHAWN WILLIAMS

HACKNEY DIAMONDS - THE ROLLING STONES

LIVE AT DEE’S - SHANNON MCNALLY

GOD GAMES - THE KILLS

ZACH BRYAN - ZACH BRYAN

GET BEHIND THE WHEEL - EILEN JEWELL

MULTITUDES - FEIST

SONIC CHAMELEONIC - THEM VIBES

ESTHER ROSE

NOTHING FOR ME, PLEASE - DEAN JOHNSON

Required listening for anyone going through a breakup with another person, with themselves, or with reality.

ROMANTIC PIANO - GIA MARGARET

This album is ketamine approved.

TOMORROW’S FIRE - SQUIRREL FLOWER

Perfect vocals, perfect shredding.

SHADOW PEOPLE - DUFF THOMPSON

Duff Thompson produced my first album and his finesse in the studio always feels like home.”

MELISSA MCCLELLAND (WHITEHORSE)

Here are some of the records and artists that made an impact on me in the last year. Some of these tracks found their way to me through friends’ recommendations or being in the right place at the right time, like a 2am kitchen dance party on a frigid night in Winnipeg. Some of these voices are new to me and some are warm and familiar-we go way back. So much music enters my realm without making an impact, so when it does it tends to never leave my personal playlists. I take these songs along with me for life.

CYCLAMAN - NURIA GRAHAM

REVEALER - MADISON CUNNINGHAM

SESSA - ESTRELA ACESA

BRAZIL: SONGS OF PROTEST - ZELIA BARBOSA

GOD SAVE THE ANIMALS - ALEX G

ARE WE GOOD - HAYDEN

AGS CONNOLLY

Usually when I’m asked to name my albums of the year, I make two mistakes: I miss out some great ones (probably done that again here) and I try to be way too smart about it. Well, this year there’s nothing to be smart about - these albums just cook. So here goes, in no particular order:

THE BIGGEST LIFE - SUMMER DEAN

I’ve been a Summer Dean fan for a very long time, and this is a fabulous singer-songwriter country album which showcases her diversity as a writer without ever being impersonal. Opening for Summer on her first UK tour this year was an incredible goal to unlock for me, but it also taught me a lot. Summer is a force of nature as well as a model of dedication, and The Biggest Life is a manifestation of that.

I’VE SEEN A LOT OF HIGHWAY - BILLY DON BURNS

One of those quasi-mythical figures who everyone in the country music trenches has a story about. Billy Don Burns has lived many lives and continues to bring them to us via his underrated albums.

I DON’T KNOW A THING ABOUT LOVE - WILLIE NELSON

Willie isn’t slowing down in his quest to make every possible album he’s ever dreamed of making. Harlan Howard is a big hero of mine so naturally this record of his songs is a treat for me.

BLUEGRASS VACATION - ROBBIE FULKS

The sheer higher-plain quality of Robbie’s last few albums had me worried that this one couldn’t match up. I was proved majorly wrong. The song Angels Carry Me may be one of his very best ever.

AIN’T THROUGH HONKY TONKIN’ YET - BRENNEN LEIGH

Guess who foolishly released an album on the same day as this rip-snorter from Brennen? Yup, you guessed it. Another triumph from one of the most talented and versatile artists working today.

Old album newly discovered:

PENGUIN EGGS - NIC JONES

Saw someone raving about this album from 1980, so I gave it a go. This is hands down the best traditional English folk (maybe any folk) album I’ve ever heard and it would probably convert many non-folk listeners. I get the impression it was a big influence on Bob Dylan’s Good As I Been To You record too.

KASSI VALAZZA

SWEETKORN - MICHAEL HURLEY

SPENCER CULLUM’S COIN COLLECTION - SPENCER CULLUM

ANARCHIST GOSPEL - SUNNY WAR

GOOD KID - CHRIS ACKER

NOTHING FOR ME PLEASE - DEAN JOHNSON

MISS TESS

STRANGER TO THE FEELING - TAYLOR ASHTON

I have been pretty bad about checking out new music this year, but I did enjoy my friend Taylor Ashton’s Stranger to the Feeling.

JAIMEE HARRIS

WORKIN’ ON A WORLD - IRIS DEMENT

This is one of the best folk records to hit my ears in YEARS. I would expect no less from the great Iris DeMent. If I was in charge of the business, this record would be nominated for and win ALL OF THE AWARDS. DeMent was able to artfully

articulate the experience of what it’s like to be a person on this Earth, during this time right now while also creating a body of work that I believe will prove itself to be timeless. A masterpiece. I keep going back to the title track over and over again because it genuinely fills my heart with hope.

LIFE’S A CIGARETTE - ZÖE PETE FORD

California-raised, NYC-based singer-songwriter Zöe Pete Ford is definitely an artist to watch. This self-engineered, self-produced debut album is a stunner. It’s simultaneously raw and catchy. Pairs well with The Nerves and frustrating subway rides.

FALLOWEEN - DON HENRY

You may have to do some digging to find a digital version of this incredible record from Don Henry. However, the vinyl packaging is a stunner. The liner notes include a little backstory for every song, the artwork by Mike Moran is incredible, and instead of labelling the vinyl “Side A” and “Side B,” you’ll flip this pumpkin orange wax from “Trick” to “Treat.” The production on this record is perfection and the songs are rock solid. After one spin, you’ll be singing “it’s fall y’all” for weeks!

IN THE THROES - BUDDY & JULIE MILLER

Any time Buddy and Julie Miller put a record out into the world, it’s certain to be my favourite of the year. I can’t even type the title The Last Bridge You Will Cross without crying. What a powerful song. I feel extraordinarily fortunate to be on this planet at the same time as Julie Miller. Her writing never stops blowing my mind and expanding my heart.

PIECES OF TREASURE - RICKIE LEE JONES

The Dutchess of Coolsville indeed. Rickie Lee Jones continues to be one of the most creative, captivating, and passionate artists making music on this planet today. Whatever she does, I’m in. Because she’s one of the greatest songwriters of our time and one of the greatest singers of our time, she’s one of the strongest interpreters of songs. Hell yes, I love hearing her sing selections from the Great American Songbook. I also extremely appreciate Mike Dillon’s vibes kicking off the record. How can that not put a smile on your face?

SEAN BURNS

THE MORE THE MERRIER - JOEL PATERSON

Another beautifully crafted (Christmas) record by one of the finest guitar pickers out there, today. Thoughtful arrangements, wonderfully executed.

VALLEY OF THE HEART’S DELIGHT - MARGO CILKER

This highly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s Pohorylle does not disappoint.

AIN’T THROUGH HONKY TONKIN’ YET - BRENNEN LEIGH.

Brennen follows themes for her records and this one hits hard. Produced by Chris Scruggs, he and Leigh are a combo destined to make beautiful country music together. Proof’s in the pudding.

CHERIE - THEO LAWRENCE

Billy Horton makes high quality records and Theo shines here with beautiful vocals, pleasing sonics and great musicians playing killer country songs.

BACK TO THE BLUE SIDE - THE COUNTRYSIDE OF HARMONIA SAM

I still marvel at the fact that the fellas who comprise what is arguably the top hardcore Honky-Tonk band on earth today hail from Sweden. A handful of cuts written by the aforementioned Theo Lawrence packed in with other expertly performer Honky-Tonk make for another winner by the boys from Malmo.

BOTH SIDES OF LONELY - MICHELLE BILLINGSLEY

I’m a fan of the Billingsley’s songs and unique voice. Backed by some dynamite pickers, this record is a step up and leap forward for this Chicago based performer.

LONELY STREET - MALPASS BROTHERS

These dudes just seem to quietly go about their business. Good thing for us, their business is making beautiful country music.

SASKATCHEWAN COUNTRY GUITAR - BRYCE LEWIS

With cameos from Grant Siemens, Redd Volkaert and, Jeff Bradshaw to name a few, you know you’re in for a treat. Nice instrumental selection of instrumentals from one of the nicest fellas and hottest guitar pickers you’ll meet.

BOUND FOR HEARTACHE - JOEY FRENDO

Based in Oklahoma, Frendo has crafted a high-quality album of country rockers and well written songs.

SIEMPRE - AGS CONNOLLY

Big fan of Ags. Consistetly churning out good records and songs, here’s a true country singer/songwriter in the mould of the greats and the outlaws he looks up to. Over the years, Ags has crafted a sound for himself backed by his rock-solid acoustic rhythm guitar playing that drives the material.

MICHAEL WESTON KING (MY DARLING CLEMENTINE)

ALL THE EYES CAN SEE - JOE HENRY

A new Joe Henry album is always something to get excited about, and I have been buying them ever since his debut in 1989. This album though is arguably his best, certainly of his later years, when he espoused Alt country for more jazz influenced releases. Intimate, sparse arrangements but by no means under produced. Lyrically as poetic and meaningful as anything he has written before, and that is saying something. There is not a weak song on here and it gets better with each listen. Too many highlights but Kitchen Door, Song That I Know and the title track are especially wonderful.

THE VIVIAN LINE - RON SEXSMITH

Like with Joe, someone I have followed from the start, and had the pleasure to tour with. As much I have enjoyed Ron’s last few albums, this is a real return to form, with magnificent and very fitting production from Brad Jones allayed to a clutch of some of Rons best sings in years, it’s a great album and it was played to death when we albums were touring Europe in spring, which include a night off seeing Ron live in Paris. Maybe the pandemic gave everyone an enforced break from touring that allowed us to focus more on the writing and the releases that followed are all the stronger for it?

SEVEN PSALMS - PAUL SIMON

Like Dylan and Leonard Cohen on their later work, PS ruminates on his mortality and the onset of old age, but, unlike some of his other contemporaries, without letting the standards drop. This is a beautiful piece of work, one long 30-minute movement with reoccurring musical themes. Not an album to listen to by track, it is its own entity. My son described at You Want It Darker with better finger picking. Pretty good summarisation.

WORKIN’ ON A WORLD - IRIS DEMENT

It was great to see Iris so active in 2023, a new album and a lot of touring. Sadly, I missed her when she was in the UK and

Ireland but have feasted on WOAW. Her albums are always made up of fine songs, and this is no exception, and she continues to fight the good fight. In an era where protest albums, and plain-speaking protest songs are in very short supply she doesn’t mince her words, so all power to here. Rave on Iris.

VALLEY OF HEART’S DELIGHT - MARGO CILKER

Lou and I both loved her debut album, 2021’s Pohorylle. VOHD has its moments and again it eased us down the road on many trips but it feels like it maybe came a little too soon after the first one, maybe these were songs/tracks that didn’t make the cut first time round?  I am sure Margo is here to stay and has many great songs yet to write, a little more time between releases and I am sure some of those would have made this a stronger album. Still, it is worth your ears, my personal faves being In The Middle and Beggar For Your Love.

EVENSONGS - ANDREW RUMSEY My Album of The Year

One that  I ‘reviewed’ on my social media pages, such was my enjoyment of it. SO here it is again, if space permits -

A constant and soothing presence in recent months has been the starkly beautiful new album from Andrew Rumsey. A very English folk album in spirit, full of rich open tunings and pastoral songs often about the beauty of the English countryside, and his native Wiltshire in particular but also with plenty of heart wrenching personal reminisces to satisfy the miserabilists in us all. Andrew’s voice has more than a hint of Martín Carthy but he is of a vintage who was raised on pop, rock and punk. Shades of Robyn Hitchcock and Syd Barrett permeate this record too.

Most of my favourite releases this year have been by men of a certain age brandishing acoustic guitars (Joe Henry, Ron Sexsmith, Paul Simon), and I now add Evensongs to that list. And in It’ll Come To Me Andrew has written, imho, a perfect modern folk song, a standard that should sit alongside the likes of May You Never by John Martyn or Withered And Died by Richard Thompson. One of those rare moments when everything just fits. Melody, lyrics, arrangements. All in their perfect place.

LILLIE MAE RISCHE

Favourites & songs most listened to :

WATCHING THE RIVER ROLL BY - MARK THORNTON

Mark is an extraordinary musician and person who played guitar with Jerry Reed and plenty of others.  This new song of his, features great songwriting, lovely singing and superb musicianship, and has Billy Contreras on strings. I could listen all day every day to it.

THE REAL WORLD - FREYA JOSEPHINE HOLLICK

I’ve loved listening to this. She is one of the all-time greats. 

LONG HARD YEAR - THE HOWLIN’ BROTHERS

One of my favourites this year and every year.

KISSIN CALIFORNIA - SHED SEVEN

LOVE IS THE CALL - CAST

My Husband Craig, from Scotland, turned me onto Cast years ago and I got to play with Liam Tyson of Cast, funny how the world works. But their new song is awesome!

HONEY, I MISS YOU - TAMMY WYNETTE

The production is so good and I listen to it on repeat.

WONDERLAND - MARTHA SPENCER

She’s my dear friend and a talented writer and musician. Her next record, coming out soon, is killer as well.

FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH - MILLY RACCOON

Milly is my friend and sister in love. I am played a little part here or there but Milly’s song writing is fresh, smart, and witty. I love all her songs!

DRIVIN’ and ELEPHANT - ROBERT ELLIS songs

I listen to them on repeat.

ERIN ENDERLIN

I’m terrible at keeping up with which albums come out which year - but if I had a winner this year it would be Brennen Leigh.

AIN’T THROUGH HONKY TONKIN’ YET - BRENNEN LEIGH

MINOR GOLD  - (TRACY & DAN)

SWINGING STARS - MAPACHE

COMMON NOTION OF SORROW - RACHEL BAIMAN

CAN’T STAY HERE - SMITH & TEGIO

STORIES FROM A ROLL ‘N’ ROLL HEART - LUCINDA WILLIAMS

THE WINDING WAY - THE TESKEY BROTHERS

PAT REEDY

What I’ve been enjoying the most is the music of Dustin Bothwell, but I’m not sure when his album is coming out.  I’ve been spending a bit of time playing with him.  It’s recorded by Chris Weissbaker who used to play drums for me.  He’s now built a studio in his home and has been recording a lot of young people, kind of the next generation of Nashville country acts.  Someone to watch. I like Dustin because he’s real.  Not just working class, but this fella has been in serious trouble in the past.  He came up in the same shit that I did and came out of it with really good and honest songs, so that means a lot to me. I like Chris Acker, he’s down in New Orleans, and Zach Bryson who is now up in Nashville. Kristina Murray released two singles in 2022.

SAM OUTLAW

PEOPLE TALK - LAUREN MARROW

Lauren lives on my street in East Nashville and every time I drive by her house I think “A country music superstar lives right there - if anyone in Nashville would take the time to notice”. The collection of songs on this album are… perfect. The song Hustle is a bonafide country hit with better lyrics than 99% of Music Row’s best attempts. And if you’re lucky enough to catch Lauren live, the songs shine even brighter.

SACRAMENTED - MOLLY PARDEN

Molly has made another subtle masterpiece with introspective songs about, well, everything. And the minimal production beautifully captures Molly’s hushed yet powerful voice. “Looking for love in the wrong spots / Thinking about the wrong thoughts”

TIN ROOF - ALEX BARNES single

Alex has a voice that is weary beyond her years and when I heard this single it made me want to write some more sad country waltzes. The lyrics in this song about a lovers’ quarrel on a rainy night cut right through the bullshit. She’s got the magic.

HOLD - WILD NOTHING

Jack Tatum makes really cool songs. Great hooks and interesting instrumentation that never goes fully “electronic”. The new single Headlights On”pairs ‘90s-style “Jock Jams” beats with self-deprecating lyrics that I think everyone can relate to. Or at least I can relate to them. “I fucked it up, I fucked it up again. Was there even a chance I could change? Or am I resolute to stay the same?”

GRACIE HORSE

Here’s some stuff I liked this year:

HAZY ROAD - BONG WISH

Cool psych rock- great live show- one of my best buddies- great album.

YEAR AWAY - KACEY JOANSING

Kacey has such a pretty voice, she’s a great musician and her live show rocks- she plays piano really well too- her partner Tim Ramsey is a great pedal steel player and musician in general too and plays on the album.

SO FAR SO GOOD - MEERNAA

Friend of mine- beautiful voice-sounds like 1000 years old several karmic life times very wise great guitar player.

MAC CORNISH – MAC CORNISH

I don’t know her but I heard her song at a coffee shop so I checked it out-  out of Portland Oregon- cool songs cool voice!

WILD ONION - SHAWN HESS

He has a couple singles released that I like- looking forward to hearing the album coming out in January! A friend of mine, Cooper, who is a great pedal steel player is on it so

OUT OF CONTROL - SAM BUCK

Got to know him - his EP out of control is awesome and he is so great live.

THE RAINBOW WHEEL OF DEATH - DOUGIE POOLE

My Wharfcat brother Dougie Poole did a good cd too- check it out - I listened to track 4 so many times it doesn’t work anymore!

SEAN THOMPSON’S WEIRD EARS – SEAN THOMPSON’S WEIRD EARS

Haha, I love this album cove. I played a couple shows with Sean- he rocks- he is so good at guitar. Album is cool.

RHINESTONE SUNSET - SUNNY AND THE SUNSETS

Played a show with this crew too! This album is a cool take on some country styles. It’s not new but it is new to me!

HANNAH ALDRIDGE

THE RECORD - BOYGENIUS

I appreciated the lyrical rawness of this record. I discovered Phoebe Bridgers this year and this was an extension of my appreciation for her approach to writing.

I ONLY SEE THE MOON - THE MILK CARTON KIDS

I love all the Milk Carton Records but I really loved the production on this one. The strings and arrangements are beautiful.

THE LAND IS INHOSPITABLE AND SO ARE WE - MITSKI

This is another beautifully produced record. The strings production and vocal treatment is just perfect. I listened to this record on many long-haul flights.

AT THE ROADHOUSE - THE PAPER KITES

I really love the pop sensibility of The Paper Kites records and this one reaches into the rock world a little more which I really enjoyed.

Lonesome Highway - Best of The Year List

Well, It’s true that 2023 has been a year full of challenge and of difficult realities to accept in the world. War rages across our delicate planet and politics divides many nations as people find themselves cast upon the seas of change. It’s as if we have learned nothing from the Covid virus and that global threat to humans and our future. That need to look out for each other has seemingly disappeared. While most Covid-19 restrictions were lifted in Ireland since early 2022, it has taken quite some time for people to return to previous activities, such as attending live concerts. There was a palpable nervousness to be in crowded situations after spending the previous two years in fear of the consequences of mixing with strangers.

Happily, as 2023 progressed, there was a return to something approaching pre-Covid times with increasing numbers taking the time to book live shows again. This situation continues to unfold and the increase in artists and bands visiting Ireland has been welcomed by communities around the country. There has always been that sense of endurance and fortitude to keep looking for things that unite us rather than what pulls us apart. Music has always been a shining light in the daily lives of so many and the sense of community fostered around the spirit that music invokes has proven a welcome refuge for us to seek comfort in.

The months have passed quickly and we find again that the time has arrived for the Lonesome Highway team to reflect on the year that is about to end. As always, the team has reviewed a large amount of music and at a conservative estimate, 350 albums have been posted on our website over the 12 months. Our ethos continues to be one of support to the music community in highlighting and promoting the work of artists who don’t receive a mass-market media appeal. We listen to a lot of suitable submissions and try to get through as much new music as possible.

At Lonesome Highway, we pay due respect to the number of like-minded artists, PR companies and labels who understand what we have set out to do and send us such great music. Here are the thoughts of our writers for the year in terms of our own personal favourites :

PAUL McGEE

CHOICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are the albums and gigs that have made the deepest impression on me during the year. Reviewing so much music is a great privilege and one that brings many rewards, despite the many commitments

involved in the process. Leaving some choices to the side is always the hard part and there are many great records not on my final list. I have limited my choices to albums and gigs that I have personally reviewed.

TOP 12 FAVOURITE ALBUMS

1    EDIE CAREY - THE VEIL

2    ELIZA GILKYSON - HOME

3   JEFFREY MARTIN - GLAD WE LEFT THE GARDEN

4    EQUATORIAL GROUP - SEA

5    HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER - JUMP FOR JOY

6    NORMA MACDONALD - IN WAVES

7    ROD PICOTT - STARLIGHT TOUR

8    LYNN MILES - TUMBLEWEEDYWORLD

9    BRUCE COCKBURN - O SUN O MOON

10  GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV - APPOLOOSA BONES

11  LORI MCKENNA - 1988

12  MALCOLM HOLCOMBE - BITS N’ PIECES

BEST IRISH ALBUMS

1  REMEDY CLUB - BACK TO YOU

2  HISBEN - THE STERN COST OF LIVING

3  IMELDA KEHOE - WHERE TO NOW

LIVE GIGS

1    BONNIE RAITT VICAR STREET, DUBLIN

2    NATALIE MERCHANT THE OLYMPIA THEATRE, DUBLIN

3    CALEXICO THE HELIX, DUBLIN

4    HIBSEN SMOCK ALLEY THEATRE, DUBLIN

5    THE JOHN MARTYN PROJECT WHELAN’S, DUBLIN

6    EMILY SCOTT ROBINSON / VIOLET BELL / ALISA AMADOR THE GRAND SOCIAL, DUBLIN

7    JOE HENRY WHELAN’S, DUBLIN

8    GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV THE NATIONAL STADIUM, DUBLIN

9    LUKAS NELSON THE ACADEMY, DUBLIN

10  THE INDIGO GIRLS NCH, DUBLIN

11   EDDI READER THE VENUE, RATHOATH

12 THE REMEDY CLUB THE WORKMAN’S CLUB, DUBLIN

DECLAN CULLITON

TRADITIONAL COUNTRY

1    AMANDA FIELDS - WHAT, WHEN &WITHOUT

2    MARTY STUART & HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES - ALTITUDE

3    BRENNEN LEIGH - AIN’T THROUGH HONKY TONKIN’ YET

4    VICTORIA BAILEY - A COWGIRL RIDES ON

6    BRIT TAYLOR - KENTUCKY BLUE

7    COLTER WALL - LITTLE SONGS

8    MALPASS BROTHERS - LONELY STREET

9    THE COUNTRY SIDE OF HARMONICA SAM -THE BLUE SIDE OF ME

10  AGS CONNOLLY - SIEMPRE

11  TYLER CHILDERS - RUSTIN’ IN THE RAIN

12  TANYA TUCKER - SWEET WESTERN SOUND

13  WHITEHORSE - I’M NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING

14  ERIN ENDERLIN - BARROOM MIRRORS

15  VANESSA BOURNE - GIVE ME A BREAK

16  ERIN VIANCOURT - WON’T DIE THIS WAY

17  SCOTT SOUTHWORTH - COMIN’ ROUND TO HONKY TONKIN’ AGAIN

18  SEAN BURNS - LOST COUNTRY

19  ANDY HEDGES - ROLL ON, COWBOYS

20  CHRIS GUENTHER - AMERICAN OUTLAW VOL.2

AMERICANA AND NON-COUNTRY

1    IAN M BAILEY - WE LIVE IN STRANGE TIMES

2    DYLAN LE BLANC - COYOTE

3    CHRIS STAMEY - THE GREAT ESCAPE

4    BEN DE LA COUR - SWEET ANHEDONIA

5    SON VOLT - DAY OF THE DOUG

6    LILLIE MAE - FESTIVAL EYES

7   JAIME WYATT - FEEL GOOD

8   MARGO CILKER - VALLEY OF HEART’S DELIGHT

9   JOBI RICCIO - WHIPLASH

10 THE PINK STONES - YOU KNOW WHO

11  NORA JANE STRUTHERS - BACK TO CAST IRON

12  KASSI VALAZZA - KASSI VALAZZA KNOWS NOTHING

13  ESTHER ROSE - SAFE TO RUN

14  ROSE CITY BAND - GARDEN PARTY

15  HANNAH ALDRIDGE - DREAM OF AMERICA

16  JAIMEE HARRIS - BOOMERANG TOWN

17  H.C. MCENTIRE - EVERY ACRE

18  ANGELA PERLEY - TURN ME LOOSE

19  DEAN OWENS - EL TIRADITO

20  MILLY RACCOON - FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH

IRISH ALBUM

CIAN NUGENT - SHE BRINGS ME BACK TO THE LAND OF THE LIVING

LIVE ALBUM

GRAM PARSONS & THE FALLEN ANGELS - THE LAST ROUND UP - LIVE FROM THE BIJOU CAFÉ PHILADELPHIA 3/16/73

COVERS ALBUM

STUFFY SHMITT - STEALIN’ STUFF

RE-ISSUE

LAURA CANTRELL - JUST LIKE A ROSE: THE ANNIVERSARY SESSIONS

TRIBUTE ALBUM

VARIOUS ARTISTS - MORE THAN A WHISPER: CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF NANCI GRIFFITH

ALBUM COVER & PACKAGING

MARTY STUART & HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES - ALTITUDE

GIGS OF THE YEAR

1    ZEPHANIAH OHORA SOUND SHARP, NASHVILLE

2    JIM WHITE CLEERE’S, KILKENNY

3    CALEXICO THE HELIX, DUBLIN

4    CHARLEY CROCKETT THE BUTTON FACTORY, DUBLIN

5    BRENNEN LEIGH DEES COCKTAIL LOUNGE, NASHVILLE

6    KRISTINA MURRAY SOUND SHARP, NASHVILLE

7    SUMMER DEAN DEES COCKTAIL LOUNGE, NASHVILLE

8    MY DARLING CLEMENTINE THE WORKMAN’S CLUB, DUBLIN

9    VICTORIA BAILEY ACME & SEED, NASHVILLE

10  LILLIE MAE EAST NASH BOWL, NASHVILLE

STEPHEN RAPID

BEST TRADITIONAL COUNTRY THEMED ALBUMS

MALPASS BROTHERS - LONELY STREET

THE COUNTRY SIDE OF HARMONICA SAM - BACK TO THE BLUE SIDE

GREY DELISLE - SHE’S AN ANGEL

SEAN BURNS - LOST COUNTRY

TEDDY THOMPSON - MY LOVE OF COUNTRY

BRENNEN LEIGH - AIN’T THROUGH HONKY TONKIN’ YET

MARTY STUART AND THE FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES - ALTITUDE

BILLY DON BURNS - I’VE SEEN A LOT OF HIGHWAY

SUNNY SWEENEY - MARRIED ALONE

CASEY PRESTWOOD - WHERE I’M GOING IS WHERE I’VE ALWAYS BEEN

SAM MUNSICK - JOHNNY FARAWAY

THE SHOOTOUTS - STAMPEDE

SCOTT SOUTHWORTH - COMIN’ ROUND TO THE HONKY TONK AGAIN

SUMMER DEAN - THE BIGGEST LIFE

AGS CONNOLLY - SIEMPRE

WYLIE & THE WILD WEST - BUNCHGRASS

JENNI MULDAR & TEDDY THOMPSON - ONCE MORE

JON BYRD - ALL YOUR MISTAKES

CAMERON WRINKLE - IN MY HEAVEN

MATT CASTILLO - HOW THE RIVER FLOWS

CODY GRINDER AND THE PLAYBOY SCOUTS - SNACKS

BEST AMERICANA/SINGER-SONGWRITER ALBUMS

BEN DE LA COUR - SWEET ANHEDONIA

THE HANDSOME FAMILY - HOLLOW

HELENE CRONIN - LANDMARKS

ED SNODDERLY - CHIMNEY SMOKE

DIRTY COUNTRY - BROKEN RADIO

DYLAN LE BLANC - COYOTE

BEN BOSTICK - THE RASCAL IS BACK

TEAGUE BROTHERS BAND - LOVE & WAR

CS NIELSEN - BETTER TIMES

SLAID CLEEVES - TOGETHER THROUGH THE DARK

ROD PICOTT - STARLIGHT TOUR

WHITE ROSE MOTOR OIL - THE GIFT OF POISON

TREMOLOCO - CURANDERA (VOLUME 1)

PHILLIP BOWEN - OLD KANAWHA

TOMMY STINSON COWBOYS IN THE CAMPFIRE - WRONGER

FAVOURITE GIGS

CALEXICO THE HELIX, DUBLIN

CHARLEY CROCKETT THE BUTTON FACTORY, DUBLIN

AGS CONNOLLY THE BUTTON FACTORY, DUBLIN

CHUCK PROPHET - KILKENNY ROOTS

ALBUM COVER & PACKAGING

MARTY STUART & HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES - ALTITUDE

(noting that we mainly recieve downloads to review and are not always aware of the full graphic design)

EILÍS BOLAND

FAVOURITE ALBUMS 

NIALL MCCABE - RITUALS

MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES - ALTITUDE

JON BYRD - ALL YOUR MISTAKES

WILLIAM PRINCE - STAND IN THE JOY

THE KODY NORRIS SHOW - RHINESTONE REVIVAL

SPECIAL CONSENSUS - GREAT BLUE NORTH

TAPESTRI - TELL ME WORLD

JASON CARTER - LOWDOWN HOEDOWN

HENHOUSE PROWLERS - LEAD AND IRON

LARRY SPARKS - IT’S JUST ME

THE PLEASURES - THE BEGINNING OF THE END

FAVOURITE GIGS

THE SADIES AMA-UK FESTIVAL, LONDON

SIMEON HAMMOND DALLAS AMA-UK FESTIVAL, LONDON

WILLIAM PRINCE AMA-UK FESTIVAL, LONDON

SPECIAL CONSENSUS THE RED ROOM, CO. TYRONE

CHUCK PROPHET KILKENNY ROOTS  

GRETCHEN PETERS THE MAC, BELFAST

ARBORIST THE BRAID REAL MUSIC CLUB, BALLYMENA

JERRY LEGER THE COURTHOUSE, BANGOR, CO DOWN

THE KODY NORRIS SHOW WESTPORT FOLK & BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, CO MAYO

VALERIE JUNE THE BLACK BOX, BELFAST

THE PLEASURES THE FIVE SPOT, NASHVILLE

LILLIE MAE EAST SIDE BOWL, NASHVILLE AMERICANAFEST

JESSI COULTER (& MARGO PRICE) THIRD & LINDSLEY, NASHVILLE AMERICANAFEST

DALLAS BURROW THE STATION INN, NASHVILLE  AMERICANAFEST

AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT THE MARRIOTT, RALEIGH NC IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS

JASON CARTER BANDSTREET STAGES, RALEIGH  IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS

JAKE BLOUNT STREET STAGES, RALEIGH  IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS

DEL MCCOURY BAND RED HAT AMPHITHEATRE, RALEIGH  IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS

WILLIE CARLISLE VOODOO, BELFAST

FAVOURITE MOVIES

ASTEROID CITY

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

BALLYWALTER

ARE YOU THERE, GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET

OPPENHEIMER 

BARBIE

Lonesome Highway - The Best of 2022

It’s time for everyone at Lonesome Highway to put their writing implements down, turn off the computers and reflect on the year that is about to end.

The months have passed by like a speeding train and we find ourselves at the end of the line, looking back at all the wonderful music that has come our way.

It never gets taken for granted, all the long hours put into creating a new release, all the inspiration and perspiration that it takes to finally realise that goal. However it should be noted that not every release we receive will make the review process. It is simply because we like to spend time with music that moves us in a way that provides us with the inspiration to write about it. This is no reflection on the submissions but rather down to personal and subjective taste, as well as time commitments.

At Lonesome Highway we like to pay due respect to the process and we listen to as much new music as our daily activities will allow. We continue to be inspired by the depth of talent and the range of musical visions out there. We have been privileged to be in contact with a number of like-minded artists, PR companies and labels who understand what we have set out to do at Lonesome Highway. We also receive a large number of communications that fall outside the increasingly wide-ranging definition that is Americana. Often, we are included on the basis of music activity only with no real discernment for our core ethos and focus.

Here are the thoughts of our chief scribes when push comes to shove and we are asked to pick our own personal favourites over the year.

DECLAN CULLITON

Traditional Country

1.   Kelsey Waldon - No Regular Dog

2.   Emily Nenni - On The Ranch

3.   Charley Crockett - Lil’ G.L. Presents: Jukebox Charley

4.   Pug Johnson & The Hounds - Throwed Off and Glad

5.   Jim Lauderdale - Game Changer

6.   Sunny Sweeney - Married Alone

7.   Joshua Hedley - Neon Blue

8.   Jake Penrod - Million Dollar Cowboy

9.   Kaitlin Butts - What Else Can She Do

10. Melissa Carper - Ramblin’ Soul

11. Ashley McBryde - Presents Lindeville

12. Cody Jinks - Mercy

13. 49 Winchester - Fortune Favors The Bold

14. Sad Daddy - Way Up In The Hills

15. The Broken Spokes - Where I Went Wrong

16. Brennen Leigh - Obsessed With The west

17. Sterling Drake - Roll The Dice

18. Courtney Patton - Electrostatic

19. Alex Williams - Waging Peace

20. Hailey Whitters - Raised

Americana and Non-Country

1.   Florence Dore - Highways & Rocketships

2.   Shawn Williams - Wallowing’ In The Night

3.   S.G. Goodman - Teeth Marks

4.   Rich Hopkins & Luminarios - Exiled On Mabel Street

5.   Angel Olsen - Big Time

6.  The Hanging Stars - Hollow Heart

7.   Mariel Buckley - Everywhere I Used To Be

8.   Native Harrow - Old Kind Of Magic

9.   The Sadies  - Colder Streams

10. Dean Owens - Sinner’s Shrine

11. Michelle Rivers - Chasing Somewhere

12. The Prescriptions - Times Apart

13. Ian Noe - River Fools And Mountain Saints

14. Ian M Bailey - You Paint The Pictures

15. Amy Ray  - If It All Goes South

16. Carson McHone - Still Life

17. Bonny Light Horseman - Rolling Golden Holy

18. The Delines - The Sea Drift

19. Joan Shelley - The Spur

20. Mary Gauthier - Dark Enough To See The Stars

Tribute Album

Something Borrowed, Something New: A Tribute to John Anderson

Covers Album

Cowboy Junkies – Songs of The Recollection 

Compilation Album

Various Artists : American Railroad:

Gigs of the Year

1.   Sierra Ferrell @ The Button Factory, Dublin

2.   Florence Dore @ Dee’s Cocktail Lounge, Nashville

3.   Charley Crockett @ The Workman’s Club, Dublin

4.   Jesse Daniel @ 6th and Peabody, Nashville

5.   Kristina Murray @ American Legion Post 82, Nashville

6.   S.G. Goodman @ Riverside Revival, Nashville

7.   The Felice Brothers @ Whelan’s Dublin

8.   Kelsey Waldon @ Riverside Revival, Nashville

9.   The Hanging Stars @ Billy Byrne’s Kilkenny

10. Jim Lauderdale @ Exit Inn, Nashville

11. Jesse Dayton @ Kytelers Inn, Kilkenny

12. Shannon McNally @ Dee’s Cocktail Lounge, Nashville

13. Whitehorse @ The Wash, Eastside Bowl, Nashville

14. Hurrah For The Riff Raff @ Whelan’s, Dublin

15. Sunny Sweeney @ The Wash, Eastside Bowl, Nashville

16. Margo Cilker @ Cleere’s, Kilkenny

17. Lyle Lovett @ The Wash, Eastside Bowl, Nashville

18. Shawn Williams @ The Vinyl Tap, Nashville

19. Anais Mitchell @ The Pepper Canister, Dublin

20. Annie Keating @ The Whale Theatre, Greystones

STEPHEN RAPID

Traditional Country

Jim Lauderdale - Game Changer

Sunny Sweeney - Married Alone

Jake Pernod - Million-Dollar Cowboy

Wesley Hanna - Brand New Love Potion

Joshua Hedley - Neon Blue

The Broken Spokes - Where I went Wrong

Matt Castillo - How The River Flows

The Western Express - Lunatics, Lover & Poets

Laura Benitez and The Heartache - California Centuries

Skinny Dyck - Palace Waiting

David Gideon - Lonesome Desert Strum

Alex Key - Neon Signs And Stained Glass

Brennan Leigh - Obsessed With The West

Geoffrey Miller -Leavin’ 101

Steve Hammond - Honky Tonk Record Club Number 1

Matt Hillyer - Glorieta

Emily Nenni - On The Ranch

Sam Platts & The Plainsmen - West Side

Tobias Berblinger - The Luckiest Hippie Alive

Carter Felker - Even The Happy Ones Are Sad

A Welcome Return

Danni Leigh - Walkin’ On A Wire

Close Harmony

The Williams Brothers - Memories To Burn

The Cactus Blossoms - One Day

The Brother Brothers - Cover To Cover

Americana and Non-Country

Shawn Williams - Wallowin’ In The Night

Michael McDermott - St. Paul Boulevard

Michael Weston King - The Struggle

Ashley McBryde - Presents Lindeville

49 Winchester - Fortune Favours The Bold

Teague Brothers Band - Love & War

This Lonesome Paradise - Nightshades

Rod Picott - Paper Hearts and Broken Arrows

Grey DeLisle - Borrowed

Triggers & Slips - What Do You Feed Your Darkness

Luther Black and the Cold Hard Facts - Moment Of Truth

Jason Boland and the Stragglers - The Light Saw Me

Nikki Lane - Denim & Diamonds

Daniel Meade - Down You Go

Ragland - Guardian

Anders Thomsen - Seven Songs

Merle Jagger - Trash Talking Guitars

Hermanos Gutierrez - El Bueno Y El Malo

Martha Spencer - Wonderland

Robin Lane - Dirt Road To Heaven

Ian M Bailey -You Paint The Pictures

Compilations

Various Artists - JR: A Tribute to Johnny Cash

Various Artists - Live Forever: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver

Various Artists - Something Borrowed, Something New: A Tribute to John Anderson

Gigs Of The Year

The Brother Brothers @ The Cellar, Dublin

Jesse Dayton @ Kilkenny Roots Festival

PAUL McGEE

The choices that I have made for my year-end lists come from music that I have personally reviewed. There are so many other albums that have impressed and moved me but I have decided to focus on actual review albums for my top picks.

Top 12 Favourite albums

Katie Spencer - Edge Of the Land

My Politic - Missouri Folklore: Songs and Stories from Home

Jay  Byrd - At Home Again

Sylvie - Sylvie

Rod Picott - Paper Hearts and Broken Arrows

Audrey Spillman - Neon Dream

Steve Dawson - Gone, Long Gone

The Mystix - Tru Vine

Luke LeBlanc - Fugue State

Clever Hopes - Artefact

Eric Brace and Last Train Home - Everything Will Be

Fellow Pynins - Lady Mondegreen

Best Irish Album

Pete Kavanagh - Join Up the Dots

Best Irish reissue

Andy Irvine/Paul Brady

Best UK Folk Album

Concrete Prairie - Concrete Prairie

Best Compilation

Paul Kelly - Time

Best Retrospective

Bobby Allison and Gerry Spehar - Delta Man

Live Gigs

C2C Tour Weekend @ 3Arena, Dublin

Kilkenny Roots Festival

Oh Boy Records Tour @ The Cellar, Dublin

Courtney Marie Andrews @ Liberty Hall, Dublin

Felice Brothers @ Whelan’s, Dublin

Fellow Pynins @ The Cobblestone, Dublin

Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen @ Whelan’s, Dublin

Tenille Townes @ The Workman’s Club, Dublin

The Cowboy Junkies @ NCH, Dublin

Honourable mention also for the Dublin theatre tour of Girl From the North County which ran at the 3Olympia Theatre, in June/July last. It reimagined the legendary songs of Bob Dylan, like you’ve never heard them before and writer and director Conor McPherson received fulsome praise from Dylan himself when the Broadway production opened. Dylan stated that “To be associated with Conor is one of the highlights of my professional life. It goes without saying the man is a genius for putting this thing together and I’m thrilled to be a part of the experience. My songs couldn’t be in better hands.”

EILÍS BOLAND

Albums of the Year

Peter Rowan - Calling You From My Mountain

The Local Honeys

The Slocan Ramblers - Up The Hill and Through the Fog

I Draw Slow

Sunny Sweeney - Married Alone

The Hanging Stars - Hollow Heart

Rayna Gellert & Kieran Kane - The Flowers That Bloom in Spring

Shawn Williams - Wallowin’ in the Night

Dean Owens - Sinner’s Shrine

Something Borrowed, Something New: A tribute to John Anderson

Gigs of the Year

Peggy Seeger -  The Home Place, Bellaghy

The Slocan Ramblers - Omagh Bluegrass

The Hanging Stars - Kilkenny Roots

Margo Cilker - Kilkenny Roots

Jesse Dayton - Kilkenny Roots

The Hen House Prowlers - Westport Folk & Bluegrass

The StillHouse Junkies - Westport Folk & Bluegrass

Marty Stuart & his Fabulous Superlatives - London O2

Jason Isbell - The Olympia, Dublin

Billy Strings - O2 Forum, London

Films of the Year

An Cailin Ciuin

Liquorice Pizza

Emily

The Menu

She Said

Elvis

Top Gun

Bones And All

ARTIST’S CHOICES

KRISTINA MURRAY

Right On – Banditos

The best effort yet from one of the most underrated rock bands in the country; this album is sublimely reflective of Banditos diverse sound blending true blue rock-n-roll with blues, country, boogie-woogie, soul, and top-notch songwriting. Plus, it’s just pure fun, from top to bottom. Mary Richardson’s voice is just unreal; be sure to see them live when you can. Favorite Tracks: title track; Waves; Said and Done.

Scoundrel - Sam Burchfield

Had never heard of Sam Burchfield until this record and I am so glad I found him. Reminds me a little of Danny O’Keefe. Interesting songwriting and sonic arrangement; excited to be a new fan of his. Feels like this record has been criminally overlooked by the Americana world and I hope that changes for Sam in 2023. Favorite Tracks: title track; Cold Steel; Sugar Cane.

No Regular Dog - Kelsey Waldon

Another killer record by a long-time friend. Shooter Jennings and Kelsey were a great pair to create this record together; she has honed her sound and writing, and delivers these songs with conviction and, as always, you can hear her great love and reverence for country music. Dig it! Favorite Tracks: Tall and Mighty; Season’s Ending; title track.

Palomino - Miranda Lambert

I’ve been a fan of Miranda since her debut record and I think she just keeps getting better at making albums. Not only does she know how to write, she knows how to curate co-writers and songs that put together classic albums. Some really clever and beautiful lines on this record. Miranda is a hero. Favorite Tracks: That’s What Makes The Jukebox Play; In His Arms.

BOBBY DOVE

In 2022 I scored a Charley Pride record called Charley Pride Gold and the soundtrack to Honeysuckle Rose on vinyl! My friend Charlie Treat based in Nashville put out a great record recently in November 2022 called “Into the Wild Mystic Mountain” - The Sadies released “Colder Streams” album which has the last works of the formative member and one of my inspirations, the late great Dallas Good, and my friend and fellow queer Canadian country artist Mariel Buckley put out “Everywhere I Used to Be”

MICHAEL WESTON KING (My Darling Clementine)

New Albums:

The Delines - The Sea Drift

Margot Cilker - Pohorylle

John Fulbright - The Liar

Kevin Morby - This Is A Photograph

Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler - For All Our Days That Tear the Heart

Michael Head & the Red Elastic Band - Dear Scott

Bill Callahan - Reality

Arctic Monkeys - The Car

Eliza Carthy - Queen Of The Whirl

Honourable mentions for friend’s album:

Danny George Wilson - Another Place

Kathryn Williams - Night Drives

Dean Owens - Sinners Shrine

Re-issues:

William Bell - Never Like This Before - The Complete ‘Blue’ Stax Singles 1961-1968’ on Ace

Various - The Golden Age Of Peter Bogdanovic on Cherry Red

Various - David Hepworth Deep 70s - Underrated Cuts From a Misunderstood Decade

Rodger Wilhoit - The Social World Of Rodger Wilhoit

Various - You Showed Me - The Songs Of Gene Clark on Ace

Creedence Clearwater Revival -  At the Royal Albert Hall, April 14, 1970

Films:

Kurt Vonnegut - Unstuck In Time

Elvis

The Banshees of Inisherin

The Worst Person In The World

EMILY NENNI

Teddy and the Rough Riders - self titled. It’s a great record start to finish. It’s country, it’s rock, and it’s current but there’s something warm and familiar ability it. Produced by Margo Price, she was pretty pregnant at the time and invited me into the vocal booth with her to sing harmonies together. That was pretty special. I’m such a fan of Jack Quiggins and Ryan Jennings songwriting, and it’s engineered by my favorite guy to do it, Jake Davis.

Kelsey Waldon - No Regular Dog. I can’t express how much I admire Kelsey for making music with such integrity, and like her past releases, this record is so true to her. That being said, it’s so relatable. She pays homage to her upbringing and writes with vulnerability and strength. Sweet Little Girl always gives me chills.

Joshua Hedley - Neon Blue. I consider myself to be a honky tonk woman, and this record is another prime example of what makes Josh a honky tonk man. He’s truly keeping traditional country music alive and I love how this record is just as country and western as his debut, Mr. Jukebox, but it’s a twostep through a different decade. And any record with a Roger Miller song on it gets two thumbs up from me.

Erin Rae - Lighten Up. She writes with such compassion and empathy, and her songs are a reflection of how beautiful a person Erin is. Modern Woman and True Love’s Face are just two off the record that hit me hard the first time I listened to them. The world could use a whole lot more people who think about people and understand them like she does.

Orville Peck - Bronco. It’s a beautiful record and these songs brought the house down at the Ryman. I just love the following Orville has; it’s people from all walks of life and a lot of folks you’re not going to see at some country shows. I appreciate what Orville does and how he may turn on non-country loving folks to country music, and shows the honky tonk crowd that fans of the music don’t all look the same. It’s very special.

MARIEL BUCKLEY

Kelsey Waldon - No Regular Dog

I was stoked that Kelsey Waldon and I were releasing music on the same day this year, and this record was a constant staple since its drop in the summer time. A warm, inviting companion with great songs throughout, it plays year-round like an old friend.

Megan Thee Stallion - Traumazine

I’m aware that this probably comes out of left field for some, but this is such a no nonsense, powerful record with undertones of feminism and that underdog spirit I just can’t resist. It fully slaps.

Caitlin Rose - Cazimi

I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s been eagerly awaiting her return to music, but this album is awesome. This album proves her commitment to quirky, thoughtful songwriting and unexpected arrangements, but still full of ear worms and memorable moments.

Teddy & The Roughriders - Self-Titled

This one was a tour-van staple, right up my alley for a roadie with pals or driving to the next cold beer. Female-produced, fun, well-executed, tight and a great listen back-to-back to back. Can’t wait to see this band live!

Skinny Dyck - Palace Waiting

Had to throw props to a fellow Canadian and one of my fav dudes making tunes, this EP may have snuck under a few radars but these 6 songs are near perfect and carry Skinny’s signature laissez-faire panache. He’s one to watch in a big way.

ALMA RUS

River Fool’s & Mountain Saints by Ian Noe

I love the skinny’s pictures he paints. You can see and feel Appalachia so clearly, through haunting and cinematic lenses.

World Without Tears by Lucinda Williams.

This album has always and will always mean a lot to me, so it’s not really unique to this year. Lucinda Williams has been my top artist on Spotify for 2 or 3 years in a row. Her songs feel like old friends to me, raw and real, sexy and serene, and while it’s hard to choose one favorite, this may be my favorite album of hers.

Deprecated by John R. Miller

This album feels so good. I hope and pray that one day I’ll get to see people the way that John R. Miller illustrates them in his songs.

Long Time Coming by Sierra Ferrell

How can one not be on the Sierra Ferrell train? I believe she is probably the best singer in country and Americana music right now.

Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson

I’ve always loved Willie of course, but this past year I got into the habit of listening to this album through. Feels like you’re walking with Willie through the desert.

Pieces of the Sky by Emmylou Harris

Emmylou sings of sadness and longing so beautifully, and this album is my favorite example of that.

The Deslondes by The Deslondes

The Deslondes make me feel like I’m chilling by the Mississippi River on a sweet summer day. Their music is fun and honest.

Strange Country by Kacy & Clayton

This album is dramatic and beautiful. I love her voice.

Viva Terlingua by Jerry Jeff Walker

London Homesick Blues is definitely my favorite track on that one, too.

DEAN OWENS

To be honest I haven’t listened to a lot of new music this past year, but done a lot of revisiting records that I’d either forgotten about or missed first time around. My friends Calexico released a great new record El Mirador. It’s always a good day when a new Calexico record is released into the world. Their records have been the soundtrack to many, many road trips over the years. There are some killer tracks on the new record. The new Gaby Moreno record - Alegoría is beautiful. I’m not picking these records just because both artists feature on my new record Sinner’s Shrine. They’re fab records. Gaby has a stunning voice and there’s a great feel to this new record.

I’ve really enjoyed The Killers new album - Pressure Machine. They’re not a band I’ve listened to much, but a good friend recommended I check it out and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s got an interesting theme running throughout the whole album and there are some killer tunes on there. My friends Neilson Hubbard and Joshua Britt made the video for the track Quiet Town. The War On Drugs record - I Don’t Live Here Anymore is a lovely thing. I always find their music kinda comforting. Their sound has something of the 80’s about it. In a good way. I hear Dylan, The Waterboys and 80’s Springsteen vibes. I enjoyed the new Wilco album - Cruel Country and my buddy Grant Lee Phillips released a cool new record All That You Can Dream.

An album I really fell in love with this year is Talk Talk’s Laughing Stock. I love Mark Hollis and Talk Talk, but never gave this album much of a chance first time around. I have it on vinyl now and it’s a stunning piece of work, as is Mark’s solo album, which I’ve also listened to a lot this past year. I’ve really been enjoying rediscovering David Sylvian’s - Secrets Of The Beehive. A lovely, warm and rich sounding record. I need to get that on vinyl. Another old album that’s been played a lot this year is the beautiful Changing Places by the Tord Gustavsen Trio. This album has accompanied me on many a train journey from my new home in the Scottish Borders up to my beloved Edinburgh, to visit family and friends.

SHAWN WILLIAMS

I’m still digging albums from 2021, so many good releases, but here are my favourites from 2022

The Kills - No Wow (The Tchad Blake Mix)

Ryan Adams - Chris

Ryan Adams - Romeo & Juliet

Wet Leg - Wet Leg

Father John Misty - Chloe

Carson McHone - Still Life

Morgan Wade - Acoustic Sessions

Caroline Spence - True North

RICHARD OLSON (The Hanging Stars)

I’ve never been hip and I never will be. I’m always late to the party and I always leave last as you can clearly see below. So, in no particular order here is some music, old and new, that I’ve enjoyed over this blessed year of 2022.

Night Beats - That’s All You Got (Single 2020)

I’ve always been a latent fan of the Nightbeats ever since my old band supported them at a grotty London venue a good few years back. But this neo garage soul banger has proved to be a reliable and comforting friend during what’s been a challenging year for me.

Farmer Dave Scher - Ocean Eyes (EP 2020)

The Beachwood Sparks multi-instrumentalist dives deep into the Pacific Ocean on this starry eyed, wave crashing beauty of a song that draws from everything west coast to Enya. Perhaps the defining song of the New Spacore Movement. Thanks Curation Records.

Anne Briggs - Blackwater Side (Album 1971)

Anne is a constant companion of mine and should be as celebrated as any Joni or Karen Dalton. As a matter of fact, I’ve always seen her as the UK version of Karen Dalton. But that’s probably a silly thing to say. Her voice makes me feel safe in the knowledge that it’ll all come tumbling down upon us at some point or another. And you know what? That’s cool.

Sylvie - Falls on Me (EP 2021)

Kindred spirits of The Hanging Stars for sure. These guys got the production, songwriting, voices and performance all nailed down in the same barge we also loiter. The fact that they named themselves after an Iain Matthews song only makes me love them more

Spacemen 3 - Playing With Fire (Album 1989)

The first few days being away on our two-week European tour in November I felt out of place and ill at ease. However, medicine was about to be administered in the shape of a lonesome walk through a grey drizzling Hamburg dock with this album in my headphones. Sadness turned to bliss in 46 minutes and 45 seconds.

Barbara Keith - Detroit or Buffalo (Album 1970)

My guiding star at the moment when it comes to discoveries of songs and deep cuts old or new is our friend and main Choogler Bobby Lee who turned me on to this. Everything you ever wanted from a country rock album released in 1970. You do the maths.

AGS CONNOLLY

Discoveries

Derrick McLendon - a superb singer and songwriter from Texas/Louisiana. I find his earthy songs bring Chris Knight and Guy Clark to mind

Richard Inman - Richard is known in the serious Canadian songwriting circles but his lack of online presence meant it took a while for me to encounter his stuff. I’m very glad I did

Greg Brown - I’m sure many will (rightly) scoff at me taking so long to properly hear Greg. Not sure how these songs escaped me before now but his lyrics are great and demand repeated listens. 

Rediscoveries

Christopher Cross - yes, that one. ‘Yacht rock’ it may be but I feel dim for not focusing on him before. Songs, voice, chops - it’s all there.

Brooks & Dunn - stuff like this was talked about as being desperate and outdated when I started learning about country music, but in reality these guys had some great songs that were undeniably true country.

Book Review

THE BIRTH OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: THE ILLUSTRATED STORY OF SUN RECORDS & THE 70 RECORDINGS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD

by Peter Guralnick and Colin Escott.

Sun Records have marked its 70th Anniversary with the publication of this significant book that details the history of the iconic record label, both in written and pictorial format. The label’s anniversary is also recognised by listing seventy recordings by both well-known and prominent artists, alongside some lesser-hailed men and women, who recorded their music at the Memphis studio.

Fittingly, the book was written by two celebrated journalists. Peter Guralnick is the author of SAM PHILLIPS: THE MAN WHO INVENTED ROCK ’n’ ROLL and also the comprehensive two-volume biography of Elvis Presley, LAST TRAIN TO MEMPHIS and CARELESS LOVE. Colin Escott wrote CATALYST: THE SUN RECORDS STORY in 1974 and has written about the label extensively over the years. Forwarded by the late Jerry Lee Lewis and featuring numerous rare images, the book is not only an in-depth history of Sun Records but also a chronicle of the birth and emergence of rock and roll.

Born on a farm in Alabama in 1923, Sam Phillips relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1945, where he became a radio engineer and presenter on the radio station WREC. Enthralled by the vibrant music scene in that city, Phillips, ignoring the advice of his employers at WREC and following the demise of Royal Record Studio, developed the Memphis Recording Studio in 1950 at 706 Union Avenue, Memphis.

The emergence of Sun Studios, and the many musical and commercial gambles taken by Phillips, resulted in the studio becoming the spearhead and forefront of rock and roll, pop, blues, gospel and rock music both in the U.S.A and worldwide for decades.  Despite the traumatic early days of Sun, their cash flow difficulties and its effect on Philips’ mental health, the label limped on. The jewel in the crown came to light on Monday, July 5th 1954, when a young Elvis Presley entered the studio to record a country love ballad. Passing the time during the recording break, Presley blasted out a blues song, That’s All Right. Liking what he heard, Phillips recorded the song and within a short period of time, Presley was to be head hunted by RCA who paid Phillips the princely sum of $35,000, which allowed Sun to remain in business. The label’s history has been documented in many other publications and Guralnick and Escott’s account of that history amounts to less than a fifth of the book. The remaining pages are dedicated to seventy recordings on the label, with each one allocated an individual chapter. Rather than featuring the seventy best sellers for the label, though many are included, the authors drill down on Phillips’ faith and conviction of artists and music styles that other labels would not touch. His tinkering with B.B. King’s sound transported from him what Phillips considered as ‘polite blues’ to one of the most influential blues guitarists of his time. Despite the commercial limitations of blues music and in particular female blues artists, Sun continued to support the genre and recorded female artists like Big Memphis Ma Rainey. Household names such as Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins all feature alongside often forgotten artists like Frank Frost and The Night Hawks and Warren Smith. Also included is a complete discography of all singles recorded on the Sun label from Jackie Boy and Little Walker’s Blues in My Condition from 1952 to Johnny Cash’s So Doggone Lonesome in 1960 and LPs from Johnny Cash’s With His Hot and Blue Guitar from 1957 to the final LP released on the label, Original Sun Sound of Johnny Cash in 1964.

Meticulously researched and featuring many rare images, this is a ‘must-have’ for both the music historian and any music lover that wants to trace the rise in popular music. 

Review by Declan Culliton

Book Review

Live Forever - The Songwriting Legacy of Billy Joe Shaver by Courtney S. Lennon

-Texas A&M University Press.

As the title suggests, this is not a biography of the life and times of Billy Joe Shaver, rather it is a collection of interviews of the great and good of the songwriting fraternity from Texas, the outlaw movement and beyond. Some are reflections on meeting the man and others who recognise his natural talent and the power of his music,  words and stage presence.

The foreword by Bobby Bare, who signed Shaver to a publishing deal, simply states that he was in every way “the real deal.” Lennon offers a preface that explains her interest in writing the book and the effect his music had on her. From then, it’s on to the interviews, which each include a small biography of the person interviewed. They are, in some ways, as revealing of the interviewees themselves as they are of Shaver. But the over sixty five interviews give you a pretty vivid picture of a man often described as a part of the holy trinity of Texas songwriters - Townes van Zandt, Guy Clark and Billy Joe Shaver. There are, of course other writers who are compared to Shaver but all agree on the poetic power of his words - though, it seems, he always considered himself a songwriter rather than a poet.

The recollections (conducted between 2018 and 2019) come from such names respected in their own right as Rodney Crowell, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Steve Earle, Jessi Colter, Ray Benson, Kinky Friedman, John Carter Cash (who produced the album Everybody’s Brother with Shaver), Marty Stuart, James McMurtry, Jesse Dayton, Rosie Flores, Radney Foster, Dale Watson, Rod Picott, Elizabeth Cook and Jim Lauderdale. There are also pieces from a number of perhaps lesser know artists that I am familiar with, as well as some unknown to me. All of this gives you a rounded picture of his legacy and respect.

Some talk here also about his relationship with his son Eddy and how, at times, he could be a difficult person to be around , but equally many reflect on his kindness and consideration. For anyone interested in Billy Joe Shaver, his work, his lifestyle and commitment as well as the outlaw movement (through the years) this represents and entertaining and sometimes enlightening read and will help his legend ‘Live Forever’.

Stephen Rapid

Black Deer Festival Preview

In a little over two weeks Black Deer Festival will finally return to the lush grounds of Eridge Park just outside of Tunbridge Wells. The third edition of this award-winning festival was postponed in 2020 and came so close to happening in 2021 but, well we won't dwell on that. It's been a harrowing couple of years for the live music community and frankly it's a miracle independent festivals like this one still exist. Black Deer 2022 is all set to celebrate! The line-up this year sees a selection of the previously scheduled headliners (Wilco as a UK-exclusive, The Waterboys, Van Morrison) together with an astounding array of international and domestic talent expanding the realm of Americana. With so much music on offer the prospect of wrangling with the festival schedule feels almost overwhelming after so long out of the saddle but fear not, dear reader; here follows a brief overview of the moments you absolutely won't want to miss at Black Deer Festival in 2022.

1. Clash Magazine Takeover - Friday - The Roadhouse Stage: An eclectic mix of artists showcasing the breadth of Americana; from the impeccable blood-harmonies of folk trio Wildwood Kin to the rambunctious guitar-driven rock'n'roll of His Lordship, via the punk-trad fusion of Black Water County, the gritty blues of William Crighton and the ambling soul-infused sounds of Seafoam Green. It's a cliché to say "there's something for everyone here" but...well, there is.

2. The Great Americana Songbook - Saturday - Haley's Bar Stage: The Band's 'The Last Waltz' gets the Black Deer Festival treatment. Hosted by Americana Music Association UK's 2021 Artist of the Year, Robert Vincent, and boasting an embarrassment of incredible guests with a smokin'-hot house band, this promises to be an unforgettable set.

3. Gospel Brunch - Sunday - Live Fire Stage: If you're feeling a little fragile on your final festival morning there is no better medicine than music, specifically gospel music with a side of (free) wings or waffles. It's a favourite among past attendees, the word is out, so get in early and prepare to have your mind, body and soul uplifted.

4. Songwriter Sessions - Daily - The Ridge Stage: Another fan favourite from previous festivals, the traditional 'guitar pull' format is getting a big-top glow up, owing to the overwhelming demand for these intimate acoustic performances. The sacred alchemy of songwriting is revealed through exchange and storytelling by some master artists in this field, including Caroline Spence, John Smith, Emily Barker, William Prince and Lady Nade (just to name a few).

5. Supajam - Daily - The Supajam Stage: Supajam is a unique music and media college that empowers vulnerable young people to re-engage with formal education and find career pathways that they'd otherwise been denied in traditional education because of social, behavioural and emotional challenges. More than just a class project, The Supajam Stage is where students have the opportunity to really put their technical skills on display, in all aspects of stage management, production and - this year, for the first time - performance. There's an inspiring aura around the young talent running this show and it's worth your visit any time of day.

If you're still not sure how to approach the music schedule we suggest starting at the bottom of the artist list and working your way up. If you don't find at least 20 acts you want to see before reaching the headliners, look again!

In addition to the music (as if more were needed) Black Deer also boasts a wealth of entertainment for families of all ages and interests. In the Live Fire Arena you'll find every conceivable form of BBQ available; smoked, roasted and grilled delights for meat-eaters and veggies alike, as well as competitions and demonstrations. If you even have time to eat, guaranteed you won't go hungry at this festival! At The Roadhouse you'll find classic hot rods and custom bikes with no shortage of motorheads eager to talk shop. This isn't the only 'culture' you'll find on site either, as down at The Outpost there's axe-throwing and ironmongery while other traditional skills and crafts can be found on display throughout the deer park. For those especially energetic attendees not content to sit and listen to music all day - children, you know who you are - there's the aptly titled Young Folk portion of the grounds dedicated to entertaining and (hopefully) tiring out little legs and minds with a range of challenging and fun activities including slacklining, tree-climbing, fort-building, guitar, ukulele and harmonica workshops, print-making, clay moulding, skateboarding workshops, arts and crafts and a silent disco. Young Folk is a festival within a festival!

It may seem rather indulgent to be thinking about music festivals again, in the face of global political, economic and humanitarian struggles, but there's also an argument to be made for sharing in this celebration of community. Community and joy, in spite of adversity.  No, festivals and live music events aren't rewards we earn for enduring hardships but rather they are the pay-off for unity, for the compassion, attention and openness we show up with these days; a necessity for harmony. Harmony for the greater good. And it's a well known fact; we're stronger when we sing together.

Kendall Wilson

Book Review

William The Conqueror A Novel by Ruarri Joseph

Ruarri Joseph is the frontman of three-piece rock band William The Conqueror, alongside bassist Naomi Holmes and drummer Harry Harding.  Formed in 2017, they have recorded three albums to date including the Ethan Johns produced Bleeding On The Soundtrack (2018), followed by Maverick Thinker (2021), which was self-produced and recorded in Sound City Studio in Los Angeles. 

In a previous interview, the singer songwriter, and now novelist, makes reference to an essay by Hermann Hesse which relates to the three stages of human development; innocence, disillusionment and acceptance.  On the basis of Joseph’s impressive musical output with Cornwall based William The Conqueror and his debut novel of the same name, it would appear that he has successfully navigated through all three stages. 

Whether his first novel is entirely autobiographical or not, it is a most detailed memoir of psychological suffering, centred around episodes of innocence and disillusionment.  It tells the tale of an introverted only child whose naïve pipe dreams of success and stardom as a singer songwriter are his only medium of escape.  

The novel’s protagonist William was born into a dysfunctional family (‘I was an accident. Born the only son of an academic and an artist on the dot of 1981’). His father was a Bob Dylan obsessed alcoholic, his mother an introverted new age hippy. With parents who barely acknowledged each other’s existence and growing up in a small rural village in Cornwall, William’s companions were his headphones, his father’s (mainly) Dylan albums and his sketch pads, which soon became filled with poems, stories and comic drawings. While all family members, despite living under the same roof, avoided any contact with each other, an eight-year-old William befriended his nearest neighbour’s daughter of a similar age. Part of a family at the opposite end of the spectrum to his own, Jess became his first and only childhood love and as we subsequently learn in the novel, she also became every bit as ‘unlucky in love’ in later life as her boyhood admirer. 

Discovering an old guitar in his father’s garage created another distraction. Some formal lessons led to previously scribbled lyrics becoming fully-fledged songs and teaming up with an older schoolboy Simon, to form a grunge two-piece band. However, the wheels fall off when Simon’s interest turns to Jess, rather than his younger bandmate.

Leaving Cornwall and her fruitless marriage, mum heads to her sister in the North Island of New Zealand to start a new life, with fifteen-year-old William in tow. Taken under the wing of his fearless and reckless first cousin Hamish, the following months introduce William to pipe bombs, homemade crossbows and eventually enrolment in a local school. Forming a punk band and performing in the local and nearby schools proved to be a confidence booster for the sixteen-year-old, only to be shattered on discovering that his English teacher and mentor’s interest were directed more in the direction of William’s mother than his pupil.

With a returning sense of isolation, bags are packed and William set his sights on a return to London to pursue his musical career. That journey, with stopovers at Bali and Amsterdam, both of which prove to be anything but enlightening, finally delivers him to his final destination. On his arrival in London, rather than his intended career galvanising placement in an indie record store, he is reduced to low paid employment in a supermarket and senior citizens home, both of which end in dismissal. Low grade accommodation is provided by a shabby acquaintance, whose modus operandi includes shifting stolen goods, petty drug dealing, while promising his tenant stardom, despite spectacularly mis-managing any career potential the budding musician may have had. Flirtations with drugs, illness, failed relationships and despair follow, leaving the now eighteen-year-old William, on the eve of the millennium, alone and impoverished in a high-rise complex in an unsavoury part of London, pondering his next move.

Joseph’s style of writing is by way of two-way dialogue. His written memories are challenged throughout the novel by an alter ego, at times questioning the validity of his writing and other times reminding him of unsavoury incidents deliberately ignored and omitted.  Though very much a page turner, it’s not an easy read. There are numerous moments of hilarity amongst the tragedy, isolation and despair. It also leaves the reader pondering where reality checks out and fiction kicks in. 

A stylish and engrossing debut, Joseph’s capacity to turn a tale of struggle into essential reading is admirable.

Review by Declan Culliton

PAUL McGEE

It’s been another challenging year for many. The Covid virus, and its variants, continued to dictate the manner in which our lives have changed. Even with the easing of restrictions, there were still a lot of constraining factors; not least the challenges faced by the music industry.

With live gigs shut down for most of the year, certainly in Ireland where I’m living, the opportunity to earn much needed income was hugely curtailed for most performing artists. It was a time to retreat to homes and local studios in order to create new music that reflected the mindset of musicians and songwriters. Many dusted off old songs that had been unfinished and others took the time to reimagine previous work in new formats. Creativity brings its own rewards of course and I recall a quotation; “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” 

Well, in Lonesome Highway we’ve been given many gifts throughout the year, in the form of new music from all corners of this troubled globe. Despite the anxiety and unease, the creative output of artists and musicians has been a continued source of inspiration and motivation to me.

The choices that I have made for my year-end list are comprised of music that I have reviewed. There are so many other albums that have impressed and moved me, but I have decided to focus on actual review albums in my top picks. The other categories are also choices where I have personal experience of the selections – whether books that I have read or films that I have seen. 

Top 20 Favourite albums:

Steve Dawson - At The Bottom Of A Canyon In The Branches Of A Tree 

Dar Williams - ’ll Meet You Here

Jackson Browne - Downhill From Everywhere

Hiss Golden Messenger - Gently Blowing It

James McMurtry - The Horses and the Hounds

Sean McConnell - A Horrible Beautiful Dream

Craig Cardiff - All This Time Running

Garrison Starr - Girl I Used To Be

Annie Keating - Bristol County Tides

3HatTrio - Lost Sessions

Jesse Terry - When We Wander

Doug Hoekstra - The Day Deserved

The Golden Roses - Devil’s In The Details

Brigitte DeMeyer - Seeker

Georgia English - Pain and Power

Clint Morgan - Troublemaker

Suzie Ungerleider - My Name Is…

Joe Stamm Band - Midwest Town

Brandon Isaak - Modern Primitive

Evans McRae - Only Skin

Best Irish Albums:

Jane Willow - Burn So Bright

Sammy Horner - Far Away Places

Rev Sam & the Outcasts - Stet

Best UK Folk Albums:

Henry Parker - Lammas Fair

Jim Ghedi - In the Furrows Of Common Place

John Smith - The Fray

Best Live Albums:

Danny and the Champions Of the World - Los Campeones En Vivo

Laura Nyro - Trees of the Ages: Live in Japan

Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Way Down In the Rust Bucket

Best Compilations:

Highway Butterfly - The Songs Of Neal Casal

Bruce Cockburn - Greatest Hits (1970 - 2020)

Joni Mitchell - The Reprise Albums (1968–1971)

Books:

Richard Thompson - Beeswing

Cowboy Junkies - Music Is the Drug

Mary Gauthier - Saved By A Song

Christa Couture - How To Lose Everything

Kelefa Sanneh - A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres

Best Films:

Songs For While I’m Away - The Phil Lynott Story

The Sparks Brothers - Sparks documentary

Respect - Aretha Franklin biopic

Live Gigs: 

Kila - Opium October 2021

Paddy Casey - Whelan’s October 2021

Richard Thompson - Vicar Street November 2021

The Remedy Club - The Grand Social December 2021

Live music returned in early October, on a restricted basis, as Covid constraints began to unwind. This proved to be a source of happy release for everyone. The joy of musicians playing to an audience was almost overwhelming after eighteen months of silence in the venues of Dublin. Sadly, at the time of writing, new restrictions have been introduced for the Christmas season, which has led to many gigs being cancelled or deferred. So much for a return to the timeless pleasures of live music. We watch this space…

Honourable mention also for three worthy albums that were released in 2020 but were reviewed in 2021 for reasons beyond my control:

Martin Simpson Home Recordings

Dave Clancy The Path

Scott Cook Tangle Of Souls

DECLAN CULLITON

Country:

1 Sierra Ferrell – Long Time Coming

2  Bobby Dove – Hopeless Romantic

3 Mose Wilson – Self Titled

4 Mike & The Moonpies – One To Grow On

5 Charley Crockett – Music City USA

6 Jesse Daniel – Beyond These Walls

7  Connie Smith – The Cry Of My Heart

8  West Of Texas – Heartaches, Hangovers & Honky Tonks

9 Charlie Marie – Ramble On

10  Charley Crockett – Ten For Slim

11 Melissa Carper – Daddy’s Country Gold

12 Summer Dean – Bad Romantic

13 Wild Earp & The Free For All – Dyin’ For Easy Livin’

14 Hannah Juanita – Hardliner

15 Katie Joe – Pawn Shop Queen

Americana:

1 Margo Cilker – Pohorylle

2 The Felice Brothers – From Dreams To Dust

3 Starry Eyed & Laughing – Bells of Lightning

4 Esther Rose – How Many Times

5 Mac Leaphart – Music City Joke

6 Dori Freeman – Ten Thousand Roses

7 The Pink Stones – Introducing The Pink Stones

8 Hope Dunbar – Sweetheartland

9 Shannon McNally – The Waylon Sesions

10 Son Volt – Electo Melodier

11 Ana Egge – Between Us

12 John R Miller – Depreciated

13 Rose City Band – Earth Trip

14 Riddy Arman – Self Titled

15 Holly Macve – Not The Gir

Favourites outside the Country / Americana genres:

1 Stuffy Shmitt – More Stuff Happens

2 John Murry – The Stars Are God’s Bullet Holes

3 Peter Bruntnell – Journey To The Sun

4 Side Pony – Lucky Break

Compilation:

Choctaw Ridge – New Fables of The American South 1968 – 1973

Covers Album:

Shaye Zadravec – Now And Then

Live Album:

Glen Campbell – Live From The Troubadour

EILÍS BOLAND

Top 10 albums (in no particular order):

Justin Moses - Fall Like Rain

John Blek - on ether & air

Darin & Brooke Aldridge - This Life we’re Livin’

Billy Strings - Renewal

James McMurtry - The Horses and the Hounds

Nora Brown - Sidetrack My Engine

Bela Fleck - My Bluegrass Heart

Israel Nash - Topaz 

Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming

Amythyst Kiah - Wary & Strange

Top gigs:

Mary Coughlan - The Black Box, Belfast  Dec

Peter Bruntnell - The Half Moon, London  Oct

John Murry - The Ulster Social Club, Belfast  Sep

Malojian - The American Bar, Belfast  Oct

James McMurtry - Facebook live 

Top movie: Wildfire

STEPHEN RAPID

Firstly I would like to thank, on behalf of the Lonesome Highway team, all the PR persons, Labels and Artists who continue to make music against the odds. Not everything we receive gets reviewed or works for us on certain levels. That would be an impossible task physically and since the lockdown we receive many more considerations than previously but we do thank those who continue to send both digital and physical product. However, it is also quite apparent that a great many people who send music to us have no idea who or what we are and many of the releases are totally off target. We are first and foremost fans and from those that we appreciate, we make our selections.

Sticking to the roots of country (in no ranked order):

1 Legendary Shack * Shakers - Cockadoodledeux

2 Moot Davies - Seven Cities Of Gold

3 Stephen Flatt - Cumberland Bones

4 West Of Texas  - Heartaches, Hangovers and Honkytonks

5 Jesse Daniel - Beyond These Walls

6 Ward Hayden & The Outliers - Free Country

7 Elijah Ocean - Born Blue

8 Sierra Ferrrell - Long Time Coming

9 Jason Ringenberg - Rhinestoned

10 Dallas Moore - Rain

11 The Shootouts - Bullseye

12 Wild Earp - Dyin’ For Easy Livin’

13 Jason Boland & The Stragglers  - The Light Saw Me

14 Bard Edrington V - Two Days In Terlingua

15 Sturgill Simpson -The Ballad Of Dood & Juanita

16 JP Harris - Don’t Marry No Railroadman

17 The Flatlanders - Treasure Of Love

18 Zachary Lucky - Songs For Hard Times

19 Mose Wilson - Self Titled

20 Mike & The Moonpies – One To Grow On

Americana The umbrella for the rest (in no ranked order):

1 Charles Wesley Goodwin - How The Mighty Fall

2 Heath Cullen - Springtime In My heart

3 Chris J Norwood - I Am Nor Cool

4 Kiely Connell - Caslumet Queen

5 Ross Adams - Escaping Southern Heat

6 Ian Fisher - American Standards

7 Nathan Bell - Red, White And American Blues

8 Daniel Meade - Ever Wonder Why You Get Outta Bed?

9 Starry Eyed And Laughing - Bells Of Lightning

10 Rod Picott - Wood, Steel, Dust And Dreams

11 Steve Almaas - Everywhere You’ve Been

12 KC Jones - Queen Of The Inbetween

13 Mary Duff - Razor Blade Smile

14 Tim Grimm - Gone

15 Malcolm MacWatt - Settler

ARTIST CHOICES

JASON RINGENBERG

Shovels and Rope The Human Race

Bob Dylan Springtime in NY 

Jason Isbell Georgia Blue

Tommy Womack I Thought I Was Fine

Charlie Crockett Music City USA

MARY DUFF

1 Julian Lage - Squint  

Unadulterated genius on the pointy end of the jazz stick.

2 John Murry - The Stars are Gods Bullet Holes

Brilliant lyrical webs are spun by earnest vocals and captured without production pretense.

3 Melissa Carper - Daddy’s Gold 

Pure enjoyment from start to finish with a hint of nostalgia and not a shred of flimflammery.

4 Carolyn Wonderland - Tempting Fate

Carolyn playing guitars, singing and Produced by Dave Alvin …WINNER! 

5 Jade Bird -Different Kinds of Light

Great Writer, Great Singer, Reliable Observer. I like to jog on the river to this record.

6 Heartless Bastards - A Beautiful Life

Revolution.” Enuff said.

7 Samantha Fish - Faster

She’s licking a Gibson Firebird on the cover and she plays her ass off, as usual!  The songs are great, production is just about flawless and she swings from the best of Blues, Pop, Rock & Cry your eyes out Ballad. All Ice No Whiskey should sell as many records as Britney’s Toxic.

8 Side Pony - Lucky Break

So honest and raw yet polished, packaged and Perfect! These women as solo artists are divine, but together they create A Duosonic Delight! 

9 Jose Gonzales -Local Valley

HIS VOICE!!!!! The sound of a nylon guitar is special. Willie always made that obvious but Jose takes it somewhere else and his hypnotic style and compositions always impress me.

10 Mathew James Adkins -Stoned on my Own

For a debut record, I was pretty blown away by this one but it’s no surprise when you consider it’s on Whistle Pig records and Produced by Detroit’s own Bunky Hunt. Sincere and packed with Mighty Feels, Matt’s debut deserves EARS! 

JERRY DALE McFADDEN (The Mavericks)

Flyte - This Is Really Going to Hurt

Thad Cockrell - In Case You Feel the Same

Aimee Mann - Queens of the Summer Hotel

The Mavericks - En Español (Edición Deluxe)

WILD EARP

Sturgill Simpson - The Ballad of Dood and Juanita

I love concept albums, and this one is so well produced. I liked Sturgill’s bluegrass stuff just fine, but this one with a prologue, epilogue, and sound effects is my bread and butter.

Melissa Carper - Daddy’s Country Gold

This album is pure fair weather back porch Sunday afternoon.  She’s got the vibe dialed in just right, and the songs are all winners.  I find myself singing “Would You Like to Get Some Goats?” fairly often.

Jesse Daniel - Beyond These Walls 

When it comes down to it, I probably like Jesse’s 2020 Rollin’ On a little better as a whole, but this one has some great tunes and some ambitious moments.  I had only heard Clayton Was a Cowboy once during a livestream of his, but I realized when I heard it on the album I already remembered so much of the song. He’s making some great country music, and I’m really rooting for the guy.

Charley Crockett - 10 for Slim 

I thought Charley did a really great job with these songs, and the genuine admiration for James Hand comes through clearly. Of course any album that starts with a spoken word intro is definitely starting off on the right foot in my book.

Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming 

Sierra seems to be everywhere online, and has for the past couple of years (I’ve also randomly run into her a couple times in Nashville, which adds to a sense of her ubiquity).  I was surprised that this was her first full-length, and the name speaks to that, but it’s a super solid record all around.  She really runs the gamut across her varied musical styles, and I’m all for it.  I especially dig her darker, minor key offerings.  I saw her recently on tour, and she and her band just crushed it.  

MARGO CILKER

Ten Thousand Roses - Dori Freeman

I find everything about Dori’s art charming- her songs’ hooks, her vibrato, her living in small-town Virginia…  Every time I bring up this album with someone else on the Freeman Train, there’s a moment where we burst into “Today I felt just like a movie staaaar, driving down the highway cryin’ in my caaaaar”. Her songs feel anthemic. Dori owns the space she holds in the world. They resonate straight to the core of the listener (at least this one). One more thing I’ll add is that I like how the production doesn’t distract, but digging into the guitar parts and drum parts after the first few listens is truly a delight in itself. 

Home Sweet Nowhere - Lowstar Rodeo

Kevin Carducci, half of the California country band The Easy Leaves, released my favourite “quarantine album” in January 2021. He’s singing what the freshly unemployed songwriters were thinking in the months of bewilderment… Will things reopen? Is it worth writing songs? Should I write a song about “These walls”? Does my friend have a good enough home recording set-up to overdub pedal steel for me? It’s weepy, and that’s what makes certain lines on the record so triumphant: “Today must be my lucky day… this guitar in my hand sounds like a five-piece country band”. We’ve been there. The peaks and valleys of the last few years were strangely familiar territory to the artist community, as devastating as they were. Carducci comes across here comfortable looking for the silver lining.

Warm Buildings - Junior

There’s a nostalgia for me in this Missoula band’s latest effort Warm Buildings … maybe the same kind of partner ripped our hearts out; maybe we’ve driven the same Montana back-road crying, or smoked behind the same bars. It’s chock-full of great imagery- see “Midnight Summer”.  That song will paint you right into that night with a cold drink in your hand. On another song, Blue Bathroom we see an excellent use of repetition I’ve come to love about their music. Both the chorus “I worry about you in your blue bathroom” and the kind-of haunting anti-chorus “Wasn’t gonna work out” ring in your head after listening. For all the luxurious clouds of I-IV changes to sink into, the record also has some outside-the-box chord progressions that add to the experience- especially while bolstering the lyric “Cause I’m the raccoon at your cat door”. Woman of the Woods, indeed. I’ll also add I love a recording effort that features multiple songwriters, and Junior executes this well.  Eric Heywood pedal steel, stacked harmonies, heart-wrenching takes on friendship and love, perfectly droned out strings, and guitar fuzz al gusto… I’m sold.

Favourite Singles of the year:

The Whiskey Wouldn’t Let me Pray- Queen Esther

New Bikini- Cassandra Jenkins

TONY POOLE (Starry Eyed And Laughing)

Introduction: I’ve liked so many releases during this weird time, including quite a few ‘mainstream’ best sellers, but I’ve listed some here that are possibly more obscure, in the hope that they at least get checked out by your readers ...

Nelson Bragg - Gratitude Blues

Nelson was a long-time member of Brian Wilson’s touring band, and this, his 3rd album, is a beautiful peak Beach Boys\West Coast\Byrds sounding collection - great songs and incredible harmonies. Hopefully not his last (as he modestly claims). The CD package is a work of art too ...

The Green Pajamas - Sunlight Might Weigh Even More

A group who’ve been under the radar for almost as long as Starry Eyed & Laughing ...  33 albums since 1984, and this new one continues and develops their psychedelic excellence - this is Electric Banana (The Pretty Things) for the 21st century.

Susanna Hoffs - Bright Lights

The Bangles deserve so much more respect than their great hit singles indicate - they kept alive the music and spirit of the 60s when it was completely out of fashion. And this beautiful album by Susanna continues that, with perfect choices and versions of important songs by some of my favourite artists.

The Coral - Coral Island

I’ve been a fan of The Coral for 2 decades now - they seemed to carry a brilliant torch in a line from all my favourite 60s ‘groups’ through later decades favourites The Las and Cast, and this album continues that excellence.

Aimee Mann - Queens of the Summer Hotel

Been a fan of Aimee Mann since I heard her incredible Fifty Years After The Fair with Roger McGuinn’s Rickenbacker and harmony vocals (is that a surprise ?!) on her first album Whatever. But this new record is completely the opposite of that jangle sound, with aching Bacharach-like arrangements and Judee Sill-like melodies - though her amazing wordcraft and beautiful voice remain a constant.

MICHELLE BILLINGSLEY

Even if the pandemic is putting a damper on live music as we know it (or at least as we can remember what it used to be), so much good music came out this year. There’s been a lot of thought into each of the artists who chose to release music this year, and I’m sure a ton have played it safe and held onto their releases, so I’m glad some brave souls thought now is the time. Here’s some of my favourites:

Melissa Carper - Daddy’s Country Gold 

My favourite album of 2021. Sweet, dreamy, perfect. It’ll make a western swing fan out of everyone.  I listen to it at least once a month. 

Bill and the Belles - Happy Again

Fun and inventive, with amazing harmonies. Queue this one up after Daddy’s Country Gold on long car rides.

Wild Earp & The Free for Alls - Dyin’ for Easy Livin’

Earp knows how to make an album that makes you feel like you’re in the front row of a rowdy show. But then you listen again, for the lyrics this time, and you realize how dang GOOD he is at ALL of it.

Mikaela Finne - Time Stands Still

Sometimes you need some badass gal energy to pep you up when you lose yours. She’s got you.

Noel McKay - Blue, Blue, Blue

As soon as it ended, I listened to it all the way through again. It’s a cloudy day on the couch album, it’s a hanging out on a summer porch album, it’s a tinkering on your car album. There’s a song for every mood. 

My most favourite Song of 2021: 

Charlie Marie - El Paso

Such a fantastic melody and lyrics, and her voice! I listen to it once and it’s on repeat in my head for three days. 

MAC LEAPHART

The Pink Stones - Introducing the Pink Stones

I’ve really been digging this album-very cosmic/hippie country vibes. Great guitar & steel work, and I really like Hunter’s vocals-he puts this extra emphasis/half shout thing on some lines that I think is really cool.

Gotten to play some shows on the road with them, as well. Fun to hang out with, and they do a great version of the George Jones song, Her Name is. Fantastic stuff.

Melissa Carper - Daddy’s Country Gold

First time I heard a track off this album, I genuinely thought it was an artist from the 60s that had flown under my radar. The songs and the production are fantastic. I heard the album made the initial list in the Grammy Roots category. I don’t think it made the final cut, but it certainly should have. It’s a great record.

Bobby Dove - Hopeless Romantic

I met Bobby at a Gram Parsons Tribute in Nashville and Bobby was definitely one of the artists I remember from that night.  We released our albums right about the same time, and I just thought it was a great record Top To Bottom.  Solid stuff-fantastic album.

John R Miller - Depreciated

This album has great songs and also quite a bit of groove, which is something I don’t hear enough of in the Americana world. Great Sunday morning coffee album.

Mike & The Moonpies - One To Grow On

These guys seem to put out a great new record every year-very consistent quality. I still haven’t seen them live, which is on my list, because the recordings scream: “Great live band!” 

Anglea Autumn - Frontiers Woman

This album wasn’t on my radar, but we ended up on the same bill and she put on a stellar set, and ended up singing with me on my song, Window From the Sky as well as the old Townes tune, Snowin On Raton, I went home and listened to her album and it was just fantastic.  Great stuff. Excited to hear more from her.

Hunter Hicks - Self Titled

Hunter was a recommended artist from Angela Backstrom’s Spotify page-and I checked it out, and it was some really vibey cool stuff.  Can’t wait to hear more from him, either.

ANA EGGE

Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia Moonlight Edition

It was necessarily a good year for dancing at home and I probably danced the most to “don’t start now” and “levitating” from this album. I really love the production on “don’t start now” it starts out with that loud bass line and vocals and then the bass completely disappears for the first chorus. Less is more and more! Also, fun fact-some of that video was filmed at a small venue I’ve played many times called Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn.

Allison Russell - Outside Child

What a phenomenal album. So beautiful, haunting, brave. Highly recommended! It’s really incredible. We toured together for a while in a band called Salt and I helped co-produce an EP for them years back that ended up getting repurposed as individual tracks for another album. I hope she wins a Grammy or two or three!

Judee Sill - Down Where The Valleys Are Low: Another Otherworld (tribute album produced by Lorenzo Wolff)

Wow, I love this record! When I first heard it, I got pulled in more and more with each track. Every song features a different singer. (Check out The Pearl, feat. Bartees Strange!) Upon first listen, by the third track I’d pretty much decided I wanted to work with whoever produced this magic on my next album. And I did. Lorenzo produced Between Us. 

Joy Oladokun - In Defense Of My Own Happiness

I saw her tiny desk performance immediately loved her writing, her voice, her presence. I already got tickets to her next show here next spring.

Mick Flannery and Susan O’Neill - In The Game

I’m a lover of Micks past albums and he and I co-wrote a bunch of the songs on my new album Between Us. This is another great collaboration. 

GRACE MORRISON

Music for me this year has been a big ol’ mix of the old and the new.  Taylor Swift’s Evermore and Folklore were the soundtrack to my drives to the studio to put the finishing touches on my album.  They’re so elegantly written and produced, and have created a musical soundscape all their own. And selfishly, knowing they were written about figures and homes from Newport, Rhode Island (a half hour drive from me) makes them feel particularly close to me.

A voice in country music that I love is Kacey Musgraves. Star Crossed is pretty different from her first couple of records, and it took me a couple of listens to get into it. But I’m glad I gave her the time.  Such quirky turns of phrase, and accessible vocals. Her singing doesn’t show off any vocal acrobatics that I can think of…and she doesn’t need to. The songwriting is just so good.

Prior to writing with her for my record, I hadn’t listened to much of Lori McKenna’s solo stuff. I can’t tell you why, but what a loss for me. I’ve really dug in over the past year, and The Bird and the Rifle is hands down one of my favourite records of all time. The song Old Men Young Women, I don’t even know what to say. It’s perfect. And when that chorus hits, it gets me every time.

These last two aren’t albums, but songs that I’ve fallen in love with. I was fortunate enough to be a finalist in a songwriting competition judged by Kim Richey and Walt Wilkins. It was a lovely weekend long event at the most gorgeous ranch in Texas, and the whole thing ended with a concert by the judges.  I was particularly blown away by Kim’s song Chase Wild Horses and Walt’s Trains I Missed. If you haven’t heard ‘em, you gotta hear ‘em!!

BECKY WARREN

In no particular order, my favourites have been:

It’s a Beautiful Day and I Love You - Jillette Johnson

Daddy’s Country Gold - Melissa Carper

American Siren - Emily Scott Robinson

Blue, Blue, Blue - Noel McKay

Stand for Myself - Yola

Catspaw - Matthew Sweet

AYCOCK TERRY

Dori Freeman - The Storm 

Highway Butterfly - The Songs of Neal Casal

Starlight Cleaning co. – Self Titled

Daniel Romano’s Outfit - Cobra Poems 

Karen Paris - A Song is Way Above the Lawn

Kieth Hudson - Flesh of my Skin Blood of my Blood 

Popol Vuh - Acoustic and Ambient Spheres (vinyl box set) 

Bob Dylan - Springtime in New York 

Micheal Hurley - The Time of the Foxgloves

Scott Hirsch - Windless Day 

BOBBY DOVE

I thank you for asking me to participate, my favourite albums of the year - I’m honestly not sure... I heard snippets of songs and albums mostly and was often lost in my own Dove shaped rabbit hole. 

But let me think about it:

I tend to listen to the same old The Best Of Joe Ely 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection when in doubt! 

More recently, there is Nick Campbell (my 17yr old prodigious honky tonk/western swing/rockabilly pal in Peterborough, Ontario) who released his debut record Livin and Other Western Ideas shortly after mine.

I would also like to mention my badass friend (and paramour), Bebe Buckskin who is indigenous from Alberta. She put out a great blues-rock album this year called Captain Medicine - recorded at Fame studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. 

John Prine’s single I Remember Everything (or was that 2020?) Either way feels like this has all been one stupid year and that song tore me apart, and should be mentioned as often as possible.

MOSE WILSON

Melissa Carper - Daddy’s Country Gold

Melissa Carper’s Daddy’s Country Gold is not only my favourite album of the year, it’s my favourite of the last 10, and one of my favourites of all time. It is country song writing at its finest with some of the best players Nashville has to offer (which, in my opinion, means they are the best in the world.) Her voice is high and lonesome and feels like it came from an era before FM radio and coloured TV. Sad never sounded so good.

Sarah Jarosz - Blue Heron 

When asked to list my favourite records of the year, I realized how little I listen to modern music. I get stuck in the old stuff, and I am grateful for the opportunity to write this article because it forced me to explore new waters and find records like Sarah Jarosz latest release, Blue Heron. It is a uniquely beautiful blend of folk, pop, bluegrass, and classical themes. Just roll a J, set the needle down on the record, sit back, and enjoy the ride. 

John R. Miller - Depreciated

Mr. Miller proves he is an original with Depreciated. It’s as funky as it is twangy, and his smooth delivery of clever and captivating lyrics make for a great piece of art. I was humming his tunes long after listening.

Garrett T. Capps - I Love San Antone

I met this Texas Honky Tonk hero last November when I played his club in San Antonio. I had not heard his music before meeting him, but had heard his name. So, on the long drive back to Nashville I gave his latest record, I Love San Antone, a listen. What I found was a proud San Antonian that knows his Texas country music. From western swing to Tejano and everything in between, Garrett T.  Capps delivers on his new release; I love San Antone.

Hannah Juanita - Hardliner

I nearly didn’t put this record in my list because I had so much involvement with it and felt I was being biased.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn’t leave it out because what I love most about this album is what made me want to produce and play guitar on it in the first place––the songs. Hannah Juanita‘s writing is catchy, clever, at times heartbreaking but always fun. And she sings them with the same integrity as greats like Dolly, Tammy, and Loretta. If you are a true country fan, then you need to give this record a spin. 

SHAYE ZADRAVEC

I’ve come up with a list of albums that caught my ear and heart this year. I’m listing them randomly and completely without a rating system. I love them all equally. 

James McMurtry - The Horses and The Hounds 

Beatrice Deer - Shifting

The Flatlanders - Treasure of Love

Samoa Wilson with the Jim Kweskin Band - I Just Want to be Horizontal

John Wort Hannam - Long Haul

Shaela Miller - Big Hair, Small City

Del Barber - Stray Dogs (Collected B-sides /Volume 1.)

Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming

Side Pony - Lucky Break

Aaron Lee Tasjan - Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!

JERRY ZINN WEST OF TEXAS

Mike & the Moonpies – One to Grow On

Summer Dean – Bad Romantic

Hannah Juantia – Hardliner

Mose Wilson – Mose Wilson

Jeremy Pinnell – Goodbye L.A.

Kevin Carducci – Home Sweet Nowhere

Jesse Daniel – Beyond These Walls

David Miner – Silver Valley

Charlie Marie – Ramble On

Sturgill Simpson – The Ballad of Dood & Juanita

The Year in Albums (and more) from the Lonesome Highway Team

It was no easy task preparing final lists of our best loved albums of 2020. Despite the horrible times most artists and bands lived through this year, both the quality and quantity of recordings has been exceptional.

The reality of life these days has impacted upon so much of what we took for granted and central to this is the ability to make an income. For musicians, this basic need has been taken away. Limited to online concerts and virtual tip jars, artists have had to look for other means to create an income stream and this continues to be the major challenge facing all those involved in the music industry into next year.

Our considerations included well in excess of 400 albums reviewed on our website, together with numerous personal purchases during this year.
Many thanks to all the PR people, record labels and in particular the artists, for sharing the music with us. It would be impossible for us to review every physical album and download we receive, but we do endeavour to listen to each and every one that fits our model and review as many as possible. A huge thumbs up to all of you who visit our website, Facebook and Instagram pages and listen to our weekly radio show on 103.2 Dublin City FM.

We also want to pass our thanks and best wishes to all at Dublin City FM (especially Sam) and to Gareth. Both have been essential to our remote recording broadcasting.

Here’s wishing you all a Happy Christmas and New Year. We look forward with optimism to a return to live music in 2021.

The Lonesome Highway Team

Steve, Paul, Declan and Eilis

Photograph by Kaethe Burt O’Dea

PAUL McGEE

Top Albums (Known Artists) 

1 The Jayhawks XOXO

2 The Lone Bellow Half Moon Light

3 Kathleen Edwards Total Freedom

4 Eliza Gilkyson 2020

5 Courtney Marie Andrews Old Flowers

6 Drive By Truckers The Unraveling

7 Mary Chapin Carpenter The Dirt and the Stars

8 Nadia Reid Out Of My Provence

9 Lynn Miles We’ll Look For Stars

10 Will Johnson El Capitán

11 Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit Reunions

12 Jonathan Wilson Dixie Blur

Albums by emerging artists

1 Ben de la Cour Shadow Land

2 Beki Hemingway Earth & Asphalt

3 Justin Farren Pretty Free

4 My Politic Short Sighted People In Power - A Home Recording

5 I’m Kingfisher Captain, I’m Going Blind

6 Market Junction Burning Bridges

7 Hayward Williams Every Colour Blue

8 Bonny Light Horseman Bonny Light Horseman

9 A.K.& the Brotherhood Oh Sedona!

10 Rodney Rice Same Shirt, Different Day

11 Taylor Kopp Found

12 The Remedy Club True Hand True Heart

  Live Albums 

1 Allman Brothers Warner Theatre, Erie, PA 7-19-05

2 Mike Newell Live From Eddie Owens Presents

3 Peter Mulvey Live At the Cafe Carpe (with SistaStrings)

Compilations

 1 John Prine Crooked Piece Of Time (1971-1980)

2 Joni Mitchell The Early Years (1963-1967)

3 Neil Young Archives Vol 2 (1972-1982)

Live Gigs

1 Felice Brothers Whelan’s 23rd January 2020

2 Sean McConnell (with Kelsey Waldron/Garrison Starr) Whelan’s 11th February 2020

3 Jeffrey Foucault/Ry Cavanaugh Mick Murphy’s and DC Club 27th & 31st January 2020

Online Gigs

Allison Moorer

Eliza Gilkyson

James McMurtry

Mary Gauthier with Jaimee Harris

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Books

John Martyn Small Hours Graeme Thomson 

Re-issues

Oh Susanna Sleepy Little Sailor (Deluxe Edition)     

Richard & Linda ThompsonHard Luck Stories (1972-1982)

Film

Laurel Canyon The Movie 2020

DECLAN CULLITON

Country

1 Jamie Wyatt Neon Cross

2  Brennen Leigh Prairie Love Letter

3  Zephaniah OHora Listening To The Music

4  Jessie Daniel Rollin’ On

5  Victoria Bailey Jesus, Red Wine & Patsy Cline

6  Caitlin Cannon The TRASHCANNON Album

7  Rachel Brooke The Loneliness in Me

8  Kacy & Clayton and Marlon Williams Plastic Bouquet

9  Tessy Lou Williams Tessy Lou Williams

10 Gillian Welch Boots No.2 The Lost Songs Vol.1

11 Michelle Billingsley Not The Marrying Kind

12 Norma MacDonald Old Future

13 Logan Ledger Logan Ledger

14 Western Centuries Call The Captain

15 Charley Crockett Welcome To Hard Times

16 Kelley Swindall You Can Call Me Darlin’ If You Want

17 Colter Wall Western Swing & Waltzers

18 Ashley Ray Pauline

19 Alicia Nugent The Old Side Of Town

20 Joshua Ray Walker Glad You Made It

Americana

1  Courtney Marie Andrews Old Flowers

2  Becky Warren The Sick Season

3  Kathleen Edwards Total Freedom

4  Damien Jurado What’s New, Tomboy?

5  Juliet McConkey Disappearing Girl

6  Jim White Misfit’s Jubilee

7  Emily Barker A Dark Murmuration Of Words

8  Malin Pettersen Wildhorse

9  Native Harrow Closeness

10  H.C.Mc Entire Eno Axis

11  Samantha Crain A Small Death

12  Corb Lund Agricultural Tragic

13  Diana Jones Song To A Refugee

14  Zack Aaron Fill Dirt Wanted

15  Laura Veirs My Echo

16  James Steinle What I Came Here For

17  Lucinda Williams Good Souls Better Angels

18  The Remedy Club True Hand True Heart

19  Clem Snide Forever Just Beyond

20  Shelby Lynne Shelby Lynne

Folk(ish)

1 This Is The Kit Off Off On

2 Seamus Fogarty A Bag Of Eyes

3 Aoife Nessa Frances Land Of No Junction

Cover Albums

1 My Darling Clementine Country Darkness

2 Emma Swift Blonde On The Tracks

3 Gretchen Peters The Night You Wrote That Song: The Songs of Mickey Newbury

4 Kelsey Weldon They’ll Never Keep Us Down

Live Albums

Sunny Sweeney Recorded live at The Machine Shop Radio

Re-Issue

Hurrah for The Riff Raff Hurrah for The Riff Raff/Look Out Mama

Box Sets

Gillian Welch Boots No.2 The Lost Songs

Live Gigs

Michaela Anne Oslo, Hackney

Sam Baker The Empire, Hackney

The Felice Brothers Whelans, Dublin

Peter Bruntnell Paper Dress Vintage, Hackney

Malin Pettersen Rough Trade East, London

Pete Gow & The Siren Strings Oslo, Hackney

Daddy Long Legs/Trouble Pilgrims The Sugar Club, Dublin

Live Streams

1 Courtney Marie Andrews The Parthenon, Nashville

2 Kathleen Edwards Quitters Coffee Stittsville, Ottawa

3 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival

4.Jaime Wyatt 3rd & Lindsley Nashville

EILÍS BOLAND

Albums

Seamus Fogarty A Bag Of Eyes

Steve Thomas All of These Years

Jason & Pharis Romero Bet On Love

Blackbird & Crow Ailm

Jake Blount Spider Tales

This Frontier Needs Heroes Go With The Flow

David Keenan A Beginner’s Guide to Bravery

Ben de la Cour Shadow Land

The Gossamer Strings Due to the Darkness

Waylon Payne Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, the Pusher and Me

Chatham County Line Strange Fascination

Live Gigs

David Keenan Belfast Empire Jan

Jonah Tolchin Out To Lunch Festival, Belfast  Jan

UK-Americana Fest Hackney - Everything

Richard Dawson Belfast Empire  Feb

Live Streams

James McMurtry

Mary Gauthier & Jaimee Harris 

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Seamus Fogarty 

Gretchen Peters

STEPHEN RAPID

Country

Jesse Daniel Rollin’ On

Zephaniah Ohora Listening to The Music

Scott Southworth These Old Bones

Joey Allcorn State Of Heartbreak

Colter Wall Western Swing & Waltzers

Corb Lund Agricultural Tragic

Alecia Nugent The Old Side Of Town

Whitney Rose We Still Go To Rodeo

Karen Jonas The Southwestern Sky And Other Dreams

George Ducas Yellow Rose Motel

David Quinn Letting Go

Charlie Crockett Welcome To The Hard Times

Andrea & Mud Bad News Darlin’

Craig Gerdes Tough As Nails

Live Albums

Sunny Sweeney Live At The Machine Shop Recording Studio

Legendary Shack Shakers Live from Sun Studio

Americana

Ben De La Cour Shadow Land

RB Morris Going Back To The Sky

Sean Harrison Halfway from Nashville

Michael McDermott What In The World

CS Nielsen Pilgrims

Paul Burch & WPA Ballclub Light Sensitive

Lucinda Williams Good Souls Better Angels

Gill Landry Skeleton At The Banquet

Terry Allen Just Like Moby Dick

My Darling Clementine (with Steve Nieve) Country Darkness

Daniel Meade & Lloyd Reid Of You Don’t Mind

Pokey LaFarge Rock Bottom Rhapsody

Ben Bedford Portraits

Old 97s Twelfth

Surrender Hill A Whole Lot Of Freedom

Teddy Thompson Heartbreaker Please

Chuck Prophet The Land That Time Forgot

Justin Wells The United State

Coyote Brothers Coyote Brothers 

Amberly Chalberg Hi-Line

Roots/Folk/Cross Cultural

Cinder Well No Summer

India Ramey Shallow Graves

Molly Maher Follow

Hoth Brothers Workin’ And Dreamin’

The Mavericks En Espano

Compilations

Bill Kirchen The Proper Years

Jeffery Halford & The Healers Beware Of Worthless Imitations (1999 - 2019)

Gigs (of which there were few)

Tyler Childers The Grand Social, Dublin

Jeffrey Foucault Dc Club, Dublin

For further information on these albums you can (for the most part) reads the reviews here on the website.