Amelia White 'Old Postcard' - White Wolf

Old Postcard was produced and recorded in Nashville,  and though there are touches of pedal steel it is leaning much more to the left than the centre. Producer Mike Poole has gathered together a bunch of independent and like-minded players to support White’s latest album of songs. There’s Ann McCue, Sergio Webb, Pete Finney and Poole himself with may others who have contributed to this rootsy and rounded album.

At its heart is the voice of Amelia White and her and songs. There are three co-written with John Hadley, who has written with and for the likes of David Olney, Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch and Trisha Yearwood.  Telisha Williams, Anne McCue and Thomm Jutz are others who had a hand in the writing of some of this album’s 11 songs. The opening track Big Blue Sun, Hollow Heart, River of My Dreams  and Get Your Cowboy On are all songs that immediately appeal. The latter has a sense of need for and nefarious thoughts about a bar-room opportunity with a cowboy object of affection.

Poole has fused these songs with some gritty and graphic guitars. They have a layered depth that give the songs a toughness. This would doubtless appeal to those who have loved,  lived and grown with Lucinda Williams. The themes are adult and concern with times that are hard.  White seems to feel that life is hard generally and there is a need to find sunlight where you can. That’s what these songs are about, the people whom you love, lose and learn from.

Not every song is completely lyrically clear and the lack of printed lyrics allows the listener to add their interpretation of the individual songs sense of truth and reconciliation. Suffice it say I like what I hear and, like an old postcard, it is a picture from another place, another time, filled with new memories

Grand Old Grizzly 'Grand Old Grizzly' - Self-Release

This is a rockin’ rootsy, what we used to call alt.country trio of the old school, who offer up eleven self-produced songs that are neither particularly subtle or sanitised. Rather, Grand Old Grizzly set out to mark their territory, which in their case is Houston, Texas. While there is nothing brand new here that you haven’t heard before, that doesn’t diminish the fact that you can enjoy it with a tapping toe and a hearty smile. Grizzly have added extras to the studio versions of these song with additional guitars, banjo and pedal steel,  all which make Grand Old Grizzly something of an undiluted pleasure;  a rowdy night in as opposed to seeing the band live at a rowdy night Inn.

The songs are snappy and run from Marvelistic Coward Band’s 2.34 to Indecision’s 4.22, so nothing outstays it’s welcome and the songs are additionally carried by the vocals which are led by guitarist Will Thomas and are impassioned and pivotal. There are hints of punk style crowd choruses that suggest earlier musical affiliations. But there’s as much Old 97s here as there is London Calling. Whatever inspired this trio,  the results speak for themselves. Not that everything is hell for leather as there are pauses for reflection and breath on Lament but they also consider Desperate Times and ways to get round them. This Grand Old Grizzly make give you a hug, but be careful of those claws and that fancy footwork. Either way,  enjoy the dance

Jonas Carping 'All the Time In The World' - Self-Release

The cover on this album doesn’t seem to represent the music in it. Jonas Carping possesses a voice with a memorable quality that suits the songs well. The music is also effective and evocative. The voice and acoustic guitar are central and around that you get layers of strings, pedal steel, mandolin and a range of guitars that create a compelling mood that is folk-ish, yet not strictly of that genre.

Carping sing in English throughout and on the song The Sting shares his vocals with Sigrid Nilsson. Both have a strong vocal presence that fills the song with a quiet drama that is intriguing. There is a quality to this music that draws you in and makes you want to understand the understated nature of the songs. The voice, guitar and cello of The Rulers combine to tell a strange story that pleads “don’t be ruler, not like that” that has you, as a listener, trying to get to the heart of the song while you are captivated by what you are hearing.

It is an album that you have no expectation for but find yourself listening to closely, not just passively but in a more focused way as you get drawn into the overall sound. There appears to be a melancholy to much of Carping’s writing. It has a sadness that is lyrical though, at times, impenatrable. However that doesn’t really matter as it’s likely that you will be either drawn in or you won’t see it the same way. That is the truth of music: you can  be taken with a particular overall sense of an album or it just passes you by.

 All The Time In The World is not something that we all have, but on this occasion it is perhaps worth taking some to listen. 

The New Madrids 'Through the Heart of Town' - Self-Release

Drawing from the irresistible Stones countrified swagger and such catholic roots influences as The Band, Byrds and later bands like Whiskeytown and Drive-by Truckers gives the New Madrids their musical seasoning. This five piece have a bedrock rhythm section topped with guitars, keyboards, mandolin and pedal steel before adding additional guest textures that include brass, violin and guest vocals; one of which, recorded in Austin, is Brennen Leigh. 

This combination allows for some soul-tinged country rock on a set of original songs written by the band members Ian Hutchison and Donny McElligott. The latter’s steel and brass song Shake has a nice retrained yet soulful delivery on a song that sees a relationship hitting the rocks. It is matched in tone by Hutchison’s similarly minded Shine a Light. Hutchison has a voice that is well up to the task of delivering these songs with an authority that gives them their depth and believability. Throughout the album there is a nice mix of rockers and mid-tempo reflection. Mountain of Trouble is a song about standing up and overcoming whatever difficulties life has a habit of throwing your way. There is a positivity in the delivery that sometimes belies the downward nature of some of the song’s themes. Alaska starts out slow and acoustically before reaching the chorus where Brennen Leigh joins in a nice blend of voices that underpin the essential sense of desperation that make this an album highlight.

As debut release go this is a great start for any band and though this is following  a well trodden path,  the destination is always going to be worth the trip. The New Madrids is another name to add to a growing list of UK bands finding their own space and place. They should be on your musical map if you like your roots/rock music to have some muscle.

Jon Pardi 'Write You a Song' - Capitol/Humphead

This is the debut album from newcomer Jon Pardi and it sounds as country as possible, while still angling for mainstream radio play. Pardi co-writes the majority of the songs and also co-produces the album, so one can assume this is a pretty fair representation of what he wants to do. He has employed some notable players in guitarists Keith Gattis, and J.T. Corenflos, steel players Dan Dugmore and Robbie Turner as well as fiddler Joe Spivey. They, among others, give the album a flavour of the traditional whilst at the same time aiming for a sound that fits in the more rock/pop radio sounds of many of Pardi’s contemporaries.

Some of the songs fall into line with current themes, the most obvious being Up All Night with its mention of trucks, midnight swims and dirt roads. It also has one of the most insistent choruses and a catchy riff that took it to the upper echelons of the singles chart. Drink, a long-time country staple, is celebrated and also lamented in Empty Beer Cans, When I’ve Been Drinkin’ and Trash a Hotel Room. That other universal topic, love, permeates these songs of missing, losing and hoping for better days. Young and romantically inclined, the songs don’t have the feel of an oolder artist, but a lot of the songs have a kick and energy that should find favour with Pardi’s peers.

Jon Pardi is balancing the sound that he loves with a need to hit the mark at his label and with the radio programmers who control the airwaves,  and while he may not please everyone by being quite neither one thing the other, he’s made a album that engages and entertains. Interesting to see how long he’ll stick around and where he goes next.

Martin Lorentzson 'Together' - Self-Release

Eight songs in 30 minutes and enough quality to hint at greater success ahead for this Swedish singer-songwriter. With two previous, self-released CD’s, Together represents a step forward in that it was created while working with seven separate song-writers.

Produced by Carl Granberg, the overall sound is based in a folk/roots genre, but there are many nice soundscape touches in the arrangements to keep everything interesting and flowing in a positive direction. Some very nice harmony vocals by an unidentified female voice add a certain mystery and the restrained playing creates an atmospheric mood to the experience. Less is More.

Jenai Huff 'Grace and Elbow Grease' - Self-Release

A 6 track release from singer-songwriter Jenai Huff which  follows on from her debut Transitions which appeared in 2012. The playing on this short set of songs is beautifully restrained and both Ben Wisch and Kevin Barry, on a variety of instruments, raise the performance level with understated accompaniment. The songs cover such topics as murder, personal relationships and rebirth, letting go of dreams and the temptation of strong attraction. Face your fears and do it anyway could be a motto for Jenai Huff as she sets down a marker for the future with strong song arrangements and a warm production

Eastwick 'Beyond Reason'

This new release from Swedish band Eastwick comes with a strong country music sound. Up-tempo songs with a positive message of love couple with political statements about questioning our authority figures. So, we get titles such as Wrong Will be Right and Out With the Old which speak of the need to push ahead with change. Personal growth and reflection are covered in songs I Will Stand and Part of the Deal.

Up For the Ride has hit song written all over it and the full sound and harmonies across many of the tracks are perfectly balanced by the excellent playing, with both cello and fiddle featuring prominently. The quiet resignation of Right Here is balanced by the optimistic wish for love on Closer. With these five musicians on top of their game the strength of this release is self-evident

Mason Summit 'Absentee' - Self-Release

A debut release by a young performer, aged seventeen, from Los Angeles. Mason Summit has a maturity beyond his years and has attracted some very experienced musicians to fill out the sound and complement his pleasant voice.

The twelve songs here have a light touch in their arrangement, with excellent playing from all those involved. Mason Summit contributes various guitars, organ, dulcimer and vibes, harmonica and pan flute. This is Folk Rock and introspective for such a young voice, perhaps the result of losing his father in 2008?

Early Roddy Frame and Aztec Camera come to mind as this young talent mixes strong melody with a confidence to succeed. Fools in April and Walk on Water are strong songs while the teen tempo of Jésus behind the Ice Cream Cart has hit written across it. Drain ends the set in reflective mood and points to a positive future for this performer

The Jamie Freeman Agreement '100 Miles From Town' - Union Music Store.

A full band release from English songwriter Jamie Freeman displays all the music sensibilities of a veteran performer. The dynamic in the thirteen songs is both tasty and tight with a fine production performance by the Freeman himself.

The players on the recording include regular band members Abigail Downs, Jessica Spengler, Jonathan Hirsch and Joe Ellis who are augmented by members of Larkin Poe, BJ Cole, Brandy Zdan and Richard Smith among others. The harmony vocals of Rachel Davies are particularly arresting on a number of the songs.

There is much to recommend here and the poignancy of Message from Limbo is balanced against the anger of Never Be The Same Again, as different as they are impressive. The up-tempo rock sound of Scrabble in Afghanistan stands up against the country groove of Two Sugar Baby and it all works beautifully. Recommended listening.

Sofia Ekberg 'All the Small Details' - Self-Release

An acoustic collection of six songs, this is the debut release from Sofia Ekberg, a Swedish singer/songwriter. Her sweet vocal carries the songs along in an easy style while a strong  folk influence comes through in the storytelling narrative of songs.

These songs cover topics such as Alzheimer’s (All the Small Details); divorce and the childhood questions and insecurities that result  (Let it Slip Away). Self- awareness and growth is referenced in Happy Feet and Fire in my Heart and there are two songs in her native tongue, which pose a challenge, but you can still enjoying the melody and arrangements.

The playing is light and restrained and the best song is reserved until last with Goodnight Sally, a lullaby for adults who need comfort and reassurance against the uncertainty of life.

Dan Krikorian 'Bloom'

This is an excellent release from Californian-based singer-songwriter Dan Krikorian. This is Krikorian’s fourth album and the songs are loosely based around author Daniel Wallace’s novel Big Fish which was later turned into a film, directed by Tim Burton. Krikorian fell in love with the story of Big Fish and was taken by the sense of adventure that the main character, Edward Bloom, possessed. Bloom wished for an extraordinary life, one worth living and took many risks to find it. The ten songs here are based around the need for growth and realising the need to build a life with meaning. Georgia Reign is a standout song and the beautiful violin and harmonies on Wedding Day are a pure joy.  The quality of playing is very strong throughout and the overall feel is one of quiet confidence. Sunday and Joe Purdy linger in the memory with fine melody and quiet, spacious arrangements. Highly recommended.

Loveflowers 'Bridge or Barrier'

This Swedish trio release their second collection of folk/roots songs and the arrangements are both catchy and easy on the ear. With a predominantly acoustic sound, the double bass/guitar combination can begin to sound a little predictable across the 12 tracks and some more colour would have been nice. One exception is  Like a Brick of Stone that boasts some nice touches with fiddle, accordion and bells adding quite a rich depth to the arrangement.  The sparse feel of Paradise Train is a moment of nice reflection with some fine guitar atmospherics and Waterfall has some nice harmony vocals

Abi Moore 'Amoeba and Stone' - Honest Records

This is the third release from Lincolnshire lady, Abi Moore. She sings of mermaids and the seduction of the deep on the title track. A tribute is paid to Johnny Cash with Nickajack Cave, a place Johnny Cash visited in 1968, intending to commit suicide. Instead, he had a spiritual awakening that inspired him to stop his drug abuse.

Protection is a love song to a partner while All Outta Sympathy is a message to someone who has let her down just once too often. Ten well produced songs and a confident voice make this a very pleasant listening experience

David Berkeley 'The Fire in my Head' - Self-Release

The eight songs here are true testament to the maturing talents of this singer/songwriter from New Jersey. David Berkeley has released six recordings since 2002 and his literate, sincere approach to arrangements and melody make him an artist to recognise as a real player of note.

His songs are earnest and intimate and this release was recorded over just a few days in a live studio setting. Spontaneous and brave in concept, the starkness of the arrangements lends a certain intimacy to the songs. Shelter and Song for the Road are particularly appealing as is the track The Well (Wait for the Rain). Check out this interesting artist at www.davidberkeley.com

Harmonious Wail 'Bohemian Tango'

This band, Harmonious Wail, define themselves as a gypsy swinging, torch singing, death-defying love note. All very "bohemian" indeed and the jazz tinged, swing sound recalls the heady days of Django Reinhardt and the Parisian Café Society of the 1930’s.

Tango dates back to the 1890’s in Argentina and Uruguay. The twelve tracks contain a number of tango based rhythms but it is the overall bright and light jazz feel of the numbers that will linger in the memory. A heady mix of mandolin, ukulele, upright bass, piano, melodica, sax and various guitars are topped off with the fine vocals of Maggie Delaney-Potthoff. She also fills out the sound with various percussive instruments including a cardboard box, egg shakers, sand blocks, scissors, a vintage brass lampshade and even a regular tambourine.

Sims Delaney-Potthoff produces the CD, as well as playing a variety of stringed instruments, plus a porch board. By now you have the sense that the song arrangements are very fluid and liquid and the excellent playing is warm and full of invention.

The closest that we ever get to a country sound is the cover versions of Trouble In The Fields (Nanci Griffith) and Tennessee Waltz (Stewart/King).However, it is the Rodgers and Hammerstein cover of My Favourite Things that steals the moment with some fine scat singing from Maggie to heighten the experience.