Ben Rogers 'Lost Stories: Volume One' - Self-Release

These are story songs delivered with a lived-in voice by Canadian Ben Rogers. The Dealer tells of the bad breaks and hard life suffered by surviving on the wrong side of the law. The Cheatin’ Kind tells of a crime of passion and a jilted husband who takes his revenge. Cowboys and Indians is a tale of love across the ethnic divide that ends in pregnancy and death. 

There are other songs about jailbirds and bums on easy street, railroad workers and lonesome travellers. The arrangements are simple and dominated by acoustic guitar and harmonica, but Ben Rogers also chips in with mandolin, banjo, piano and organ at different stages across these ten songs. So, a solo effort and a self- realised project that entertains. A pleasant and relaxing listen. 

Kyle Carey 'North Star' - Americelta Records

This second release from Kyle Carey is a mixture of Scottish Gaelic and American folk influences. Carey has lived a colourful life as a citizen of the world and absorbed traditional influences from various sources;  living in an Eskimo village in the Alaskan Bush, studying language and music in Cape Breton Canada, the Isle of Skye and New York City. So we are given a truly transAtlantic artist who includes both American and Celtic styles into her songs. This set of twelve tracks was recorded in various locations; Scotland, Ireland, New England and Louisiana.

Produced by Seamus Egan and including two traditional songs, one in Scottish Gaelic, the self- penned music is rich and played with real heart. The arrangements possess great harmonies and the melodic feel of the many musicians used here translates into a very smooth listen. Kyle sings in a beautifully clear voice and the accompaniment of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, viola, cello and guitars help to lift the songs onto a higher level. Wind through Casper, North Star and Winter Fever are all fine examples of the themes of longing and immigration that run through her songs and the cover of Kate Wolf’s Across the Great Divide is a fitting way to bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion. 

Wurster 'Raw' - Self release

This is the 13th release from Florida based singer-songwriter Jim Wurster. It contains 5 original compositions and 5 cover songs; all recorded in a live setting. The acoustic feel is very important to the artist as a true representation of the live shows performed. The playing is understated with various guitars and vintage pedals augmented by stand- up bass and drums.

The roots feel of the music is true to traditions of the American heartland with stories of love affairs and rough justice, city living and hard lessons learned.  Covers of Neil Young (Southern Pacific), Sonny Bono (Bang Bang), the Doors (Riders on the Storm) and Fred Neil (Dade County Jail) join forces with the original songs of Jim Wurster. Big Surprise and Ojus both work well in this context and the final track, a cover of Sunshine Melody by Jimmie Davis and Bill Withers, closes the recording with a Johnny Cash style delivery that is both unsettling and mellow at the same time.

Blind Lemon Pledge 'Evangeline' - Ofeh Records

This singer-songwriter, based in San Francisco, has released three previous records and this collection of ten songs clocks in at just over 40 minutes with a variety of musical styles. We visit the blues, prison chants, salsa beats and ballads from the heartland. The playing is sparse and rootsy with an authentic feel and the ensemble of 8 musicians blend well together, as they deliver a mix of all that is strong in folk, roots and blues based music.

From the southern swing and jive of Brimstone Joe we visit the prison farm Jubilee singers and we can detour into a light jazz workout with Go Jump the Willie before parking into the salsa beat of The Language of Love.  The easy shuffle of Ham and Eggs is an early morning blues, while the closing title track is a deeper version of the slow blues with some fine playing. 

Danny & The Champions Of The World 'Live Champs' - Loose

     This well recorded album captures the band in full flight and serves as a reminder of what sounded a good night for all on both sides of the stage as well as a perfect introduction (and greatest hits collection) to their blend of soul, country and rock with a little jazz thrown in for good measure.
     The band are fronted by Danny George Wilson who has previously released solo and Grand Drive albums as well as several albums fronting his Champs. The double album of thirteen tracks shows a band at the peak of their powers and perception. Firing on all cylinders with Danny acting as host and heart. The five piece band all show their skills and combine the textures of pedal steel and sax to give the songs a Caledonian via Camden soul setting. But guitarist Paul Lush does’t let the side down either with some edgy and tasty solos, witness the solo in the song of Elvis and Tom Parker The Colonel And The King as one example. This is all delivered over a robust rhythm section who give the songs the solid base they build on.
     Wilson has a distinctive voice that fits right on top of  his strong and evocative story telling songs that have an obvious connection while offering enough diversity of mood to show the versatility of the band. There are a number of highlights across the two albums and those highlights can change with each listen. A knockout for all involved.

 

Malcolm Holcombe 'Pitiful Blues' - Self release

     Those who are acquainted with Holcombe knows his ragged sandpaper worn world weary voice and songs that draw from the depths of pain and gritty hope. To capture the real moment of these songs they were raw recordings done live in a small home studio and the musicians were then added later in the process. The result manages to capture the essence of Holcombe while adding the depth of the additional musicians. This proves to be a worthwhile process and makes for something that may well be easier to assimilate that a purely solo situation might otherwise elicit.
     Again these are all original songs, tales of the haunted souls and moments of enlightenment. Songs like Savannah Blues, Words Not Spoken and the title track are deep, hurting blues that are perfectly enunciated by Holcombe’s lived in voice.
     Co-produced by Holcombe and long time collaborator Jared Tyler the result is one of the finest of his albums to date and something that those who have previously encountered the man live or recorded will be happy to have. This, his latest instalment of his real expression of pain and real emotions. Music made from the need to express some humanity in a world that is more usually about something more superficial.

 

Justin Townes Earle 'Single Mothers' - Loose.

     Good to find Earle finding a home with London indie label Loose. A label who believe in the music they release and who punch above their weight. For his latest release Earle has found a more personal and slightly introspective space. The album opens with Worried Bout The Weather wherein two people circle round each other and talk about the weather rather than what’s actually on their minds. 
     This is a more personal album and one recorded since he got married and found some solace and happiness in that situation. He still hasn’t lost his anger completely as shown in the title track which is directed against absent fathers and perhaps one in particular. Though there is some comprehension of the causes that create that situation - not forgiveness but not entirely with understanding. Elsewhere the tight band rocks out a little more (My Baby Drives) or cuts the song back to just voice acoustic and steel guitars. Sympathetic in many ways to the expression of the mood for It’s Cold In This House. The album closes with Burning Pictures, an up-tempo song that deals with moving on from the emotional turmoil expressed through burning pictures and breaking frames.
     Produced by Earle with the assistance of engineer Adam Bednarik it has a tight sparse sound that entirely suits this set of songs. Aside from Earle on acoustic guitar and vocals the trio of players includes Paul Niehaus on electric guitar and pedal steel, Matt Pence on drums and Mark Hedman on bass. Simple and direct yet expressive and full of tone. It is perhaps slightly more country than of late but without any of the overtones that that brings and conjours in some younger minds. Today and A lonely Night and White Gardenias finds Niehaus underlying the longing and loss of the songs.
As with most of Justin Townes Earl’s albums these songs require a few plays to get to know them and bring out the melodic depth that he has imbued in them. Single Mothers is a singular success.  

 

Fayssoux 'I Can’t Wait' - Red Beet

     A well conceived album from Red Beet that finds producers Peter Cooper and Thomm Jutz surrounding the voice of Fayssoux McLean with a group of understanding players whose skills give these songs a quiet beauty. Fayssoux is a name know to some as the harmony singer with Emmylou Harris on albums like Pieces Of The Sky. Maybe not quite as distinctive but certainly cut from similar cloth. She released her debut album early in 2008 and now returns with I Can’t Wait. A sentiment that her fans would doubtless echo.
     A largely acoustic folk orientated album it has a gentle tone that gives Fayssoux’s voice it’s place at the centre of the songs. A well chosen set of songs too that includes numbers from David Ball, Kieran Kane, Mose Allison, RB Morris, Jim Lauderdale and Merle Haggard alongside original songs from McLean, either written solo or with the producers. One song I Made A Friend Of A Flower Today written by Tom T and Dixie Hall previously appeared on a Hall tribute album and features the man himself trading verses.
     All of which makes this an album that will have a wide-ranging appeal. It is an album that is easy to listen to without becoming easy listening. It is thoughtful and timeless and well worth the wait.

 

Red Dog Run 'Red Dog Running' - Self-Release

     An acoustic folk/bluegrass that includes versatile Donna The Buffalo  guitarist Jim Miller alongside the trio of Rosie Newton, Jed Greenberg and Richie Sterns. A guitar, bass, fiddle and banjo quartet who all add their voices to give these songs a attractive vocal blend that is immediately pleasing to the ear.
     What makes them slightly different to some of the many other outfits working in this area is the choice of songs; many not the standard choice of bluegrass. So you get songs like No Lonesome Tune from Townes Van Zandt, Talking Heads’s Heaven, Lazy Eye by Kathleen Edwards and Black Keys’ Dan Auerback’s When The Night Comes. There are a number of traditional songs alongside other titles and one original Walk Past Your House. 
     Bluegrass styled bands that cover rock songs are nothing new - think Hayseed Dixie or even Pink Floyd’s The Wall reimagined by Luther Wright and the Wrongs. What makes this album stand out is the power of the voices and the subtlety of the playing which is restrained but thoroughly effective throughout. Their take on the traditional songs Little Girl and The Dreadful Snake, Rainbow Mid The Willows and Jim Jones are all equally effective choices and the use of Sterns and Newton as vocalists, either together or solo gives the material a variety that keeps the performances interesting and make the album such a pleasure.

 

Bob Cheevers 'On Earth As It Is In Austin' - Private Angel

     The title says a lot about the album and Austin based singer/songwriter Bob Cheevers who has recorded this album using his voice and guitar as the central focus in this recording. To add an exta musical element he has brought in a selection of friends who are also, all but one, Austin based. So for each track he brings in one extra player  - mainly acoustic and electric guitar players but also accordion, banjo, fiddle and pedal steel. Familiar names include Bradley Kopp, Chris Cage, Marvin Dykhuis and Chip Dolan. Familiar that is to those who read the credits on Austin recorded albums anyhow.
    The other thing that you immediately notice is summed up in the title of one of his own songs and that is You Sound Just Like Willie. Something that may attract or distance potential listeners. While not phrasing his words as Willie does there is a definite similarity. But set that aside and there are some good songs here among the fifteen included. Notable are My First Rodeo, Snake Oil Man, Falling Hard On Easy Street and Paradise Lost.
     Some may find that, even with the guest players, the tone and pace is very similar throughout. Others may think that if I want Willie I’ll play Willie but that would be to ignore the positive aspects that this album has and that once you get into the mode you find an album that has some fine playing, singing and writing. With that you may wish that all were as it suggests in the title

 

Moira Smiley & VOCO 'Laughter out of Tears' - Self Release

This release celebrates harmony singing within the genre of folksong and the accompaniment of cello, banjo, ukulele, accordion and body percussion really lifts the songs. Moira Smiley is joined by six other voices, in a compelling blend of voices as VOCO and we are given the energy of street singing and the elegance of some fine arrangements. This is music that both dances  and mourns at the same time. There is an ethereal element to proceedings, not unlike that best traditional music of Ireland of Scotland, with 17 tracks to enjoy. I Live in California, Deportee, Oh Winter and Orphan Girl are all fine examples of the craft at play here. Original and compelling.

Red Bird Sky 'The Unravelling' - Saira Records

A debut record, Every Lesson in its Turn, brought this talented duo to the attention of music fans in England and further afield. Bringing together an eclectic mix of Folk, Americana and Celtic influences, Red Bird Sky create original songs of real depth, whether looking at the more difficult aspects of life or just observing the intricacies of relationships. Bernie Maguire sings with a confident and mature voice and combined with Mike Seal's restrained  guitar playing, their songs are engaging and interesting.

Produced by Nigel Stonier (Thea Gilmore, The Waterboys), "The Unravelling" sees the band joined by a number talented musicians and backing vocalists, including Rod Clements (founding member of Lindisfarne) and Paul Beavis on drums (Andy Fairweather Low and The Lowriders). Rod plays Dobro, Baritone Guitar and Mandolin on several tracks, whilst Nigel Stonier's multi-instrumentation adds  an energy and colour to every song. She Ain’t Lookin’ Back is an observation on domestic abuse and having the will to leave. Being Human deals with the innate ability within us all to be compassionate and reach out to each other. Barney Soanes plays some great harmonica on this track as does Oliver Garrett on the track Travellin’ Light. Ben Cashell (Cello) and Gabriella Gemesi (Viola/Violin) also feature and the excellence of the various studio musicians is a strong influence  throughout.

Outdoor Boogie 'Self-Titled' - Sepia Tones Records.

This is country rock played with enthusiasm and a smile. Jewels & Johnny Nation are the two musicians behind all but one of the ten songs here. They play a simple guitar sound with harmonica and percussion adding to the grooves. Vocally they are very complimentary and the easy shuffle of Highway 27 captures their sound perfectly.

They used to perform in California circles under the name of City Fritter but have decided to perform as themselves these days. There are some blues elements in the music but mainly it is a journey through the lightness of upbeat arrangements, produced, engineered & mixed by Fulton Dingley (Kula Shaker, Susan James, The High Llamas). 

Outdoor Boogie and Blues in the Morning show off the guitar playing of Johnny Nation and Winter Rose is a sweet country arrangement with Jewels singing out in a clear and confident voice.  The final track speaks of a night out with friends when you meet that special one, If We’d Have Met When We Were Young; although I get the feeling that it’s autobiographical in tone also.

Haas Kowert Tice 'You Got This' - Self Release

Roots music trio Haas Kowert Tice come together after years of playing on local circuits and crossing paths whenever they could. Brittany Haas played with Crooked Still and Paul Kowert was a member of the Punch Brothers. Jordan Tice lived in the Boston area and played in various collaborations, releasing a solo record in 2012.

Together this trio make a compelling sound across the nine instrumental tracks on show here. The playing is wonderfully loose and right on point as Brittany Haas soars on fiddle, ably supported by strong double bass lines from Paul Kowert and subtle flowing guitar from Jordan Tice. The tunes remind me of the open road where the sights and mood of a motor bike ride in the heartland of the USA is perfectly captured.

Playing off each other in a joyful uplifting swirl of melody and harmony, the tunes seem effortless and free. El Camino and The Switchback Games are two examples of compelling arrangements that highlight each member and their virtuoso playing abilities. However it is the closing song Tell Me Whatcha Gonna Do Now that brings the full package together to a fine conclusion.  

The Alt 'Self-Titled' - Under the Arch Records.

Irish Traditional music, mixed with English Folk traditions and played by John Doyle (guitar, bouzouki, mandola), Nuala Kennedy (flutes, whistles) and Eamon O’Leary (guitar, bouzouki). All three members share vocals and the eleven songs are performed with an easy flow and gentle quality that soothes the listener. There are some fine jigs, The Geese in the Bog/ Covering Ground and there are a few reels, The Green Gowned Lass/ Danger Mouse/ Dan Breen’s. Old songs from the archives, The Eighteenth of June, singing of the Battle of Waterloo. A trio of songs that reference the sog-writing craft of Sam Henry with Lovely Nancy, Willie Angler and Finn Waterside. These three experienced musicians are a perfect fit and blend seamlessly together in their ensemble playing and restrained harmonies. The Scottish Gaelic song, Cha Tig Mór Mo Bhean Dhachaigh (Mór, My Beloved Wife will not Return) is a lovely piece of music and a fine example of the delights contained on this recording.

St. Paul & the Broken Bones 'Half the City' - Single Lock Records

Half The City is the debut release of this Birmingham, Alabama-based sextet, who have already created great interest with their live shows. Produced by Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes, and recorded and mixed in the renowned studios of Muscle Shoals, the album harkens back to the region’s classic soul roots while adding an exciting new mix to the genre. The playing is really tight, with elemental rhythm and plenty of feeling. Paul Janeway sings with real passion and the arrangements are very bright and full of rich sound. The brass section is very dynamic and the keyboard/organ swell augments the backline that fuels each of the 12 tracks here.

 St. Paul & The Broken Bones deliver R & B, Motown and Memphis soul in an impressive and heart-felt manner.