Three Chords and the Truth UK

The remote Rocky Mountain cabin that Corb Lund selected as the location to write the material for his latest album was an inspirational choice as the creative fever generated has evolved into yet another fine collection of songs that should cement his position as one of the leading lights of Canadian country music. The Albertan balladeer has maximised his wonderful ability of mixing catchy choruses and quirky lyrics with a range of musical styles to tackle a host of contrasting subjects, all supported by a backdrop of the west and its wide expanse. ‘ Cabin Fever’ , the seventh   studio album by Lund, leads off with an adequate track titled ‘ Getting Down on the Mountain’ which is enhanced by a hint of banjo, before bursting into life with the stomping ‘ Dig Gravedigger Dig’ , a tongue in cheek sing along number featuring a repetitive but infectious chorus. There are many similarities in the song writing styles of Corb Lund and Hayes Carll and the invitation given for the latte...

This debut album from the wonderfully named Turnstile Junkpile is recorded proof that retro can be progressive as they have created a piece of real deal Americana in the true spirit of Parsons mission to fuse and Van Zandt’s intention to provoke thought. There is no denying that ‘ Everything is Cheaper Than it Looks ’   is an unashamedly attempt to rekindle the flame of ‘Cosmic American Music’ but the timeless quality of this style towers above many other music forms and still retains a strong relevance today. The four-piece London based band named after the Townes Van Zandt song ‘ Turnstyled, Junkpiled’ is led by Mat Clark and capably assisted by colleagues Lawrence McNamara, Ben Sumner and Dave Shaw on the usual array of string and percussion instruments you would expect on an album like this. Banjo and the twin steel sounds of pedal and lap, combined with that of standard guitars will always enhance a recording when played well and there is ample evidence of this being ...

Veteran folk-blues singer-songwriter Chris Smither has endured a roller coaster 40 year recording career and his recently released 12th studio album 'Hundred Dollar Valentine' suggest that this 67 year old is in fine fettle and currently experiencing a high. The peaks of his musical associations with Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris and Diana Krall have been interspersed with fallow periods where the drink took hold. This has probably held Chris back from widening his exposure but he remains a highly respected figure within the industry. This eleven track collection of original recordings, the first of Smither's career, meanders along a roots-infested path creating a vision of a solitary figure strumming his way through life regardless of whether anybody is listening. Yet those who take time out can immerse themselves into the hazy atmosphere created by the sound which induces a state of reverie and take a relaxing break from the hectic real world.   The album starts with...

The tried and tested formula of the Americana   International is the key to the success and longevity of this festival as once again thousands of enthusiasts flocked to the wide open spaces of the Newark Showground on the first full weekend of July. The term Americana can have many different interpretations but for the 32 nd straight year this self-professed lifestyle event blends several strands of music with the grandeur of the automobiles, motor cycles and elaborate recreational vehicles that form a vision of post-war American culture. The music is a mere snapshot of what has originated from the U.S. over the last fifty years and is centred around mainstream country, rockabilly and the wide spectrum that formulates the term rock n’ roll. The vast range of artists on show from both sides of the Atlantic encompass highly credible acts and those who steer their talent in an imitative direction but provide a mixture to entertain an all-age inclusive crowd in an affordable ...

Eve Selis Not taken at gig ‘She lit up the sky that 4 th of July’ may have had a different meaning when Gretchen Peters wrote this line for country standard, ‘ Independence Day ’, but with a little literary licence it would also be a perfect way of summing up this rousing performance by Eve Selis and her six piece band on yet another rainy night in Bilston. After witnessing Eve breeze into the UK the previous weekend with an impressive set at the Maverick Festival, expectations were high that an extended timeslot on stage could surpass this performance and the fairly well attended Robin 2 audience weren’t disappointed. For almost an hour and three quarters, those present were treated to a near-complete airing of her most recent, and in my opinion finest to date, album ‘ Family Tree’ with the added extras of some old favourites and a couple of popular covers . The lively and enthusiastic Eve made an early appearance on stage when introducing their very special guests who kin...

Before you listen to any of their music, the Random Canyon Growlers have already succeeded in grabbing your attention with such a vivid name that conjures up wonderful images of an old time traditional mountain band skilfully plying their trade around isolated rural communities. Therefore it is of little surprise that these visions gain further clarity as you absorb the musical content of this debut album from the five piece band who has found inspiration in their adopted Rocky Mountain home. The band is the brainchild of two musicians who followed their dreams and relocated from Vermont to Idaho in pursuit of their musical spirit. The resultant album, equally wonderfully named –‘ …Dickey Ain’t Got All Day’ , is recorded proof that Jamie Drysdale and David McMeekin, along with founding bassist Matt Donovan, have captured that soul and added evidence that old time/bluegrass music is now in the safe hands of the next generation. With the classical combination of fiddle, double bass, a...

After years of partial involvement in the music industry, New Jersey born performer Susan Cattaneo decided to immerse her into a fully fledged recording career in 2009 and the drift westward from her east cost upbringing is reflected in a search for her musical soul via a trawl through America’s heartland. Her first couple of full length albums reflected a move from general Americana towards country and this journey has continued with the release of this smaller seven-track record that contains all the hallmarks of a 21 st Century Nashville production. The feel is very much contemporary and if falling in the right hands could lead to some radio airplay and the rich pickings that may follow such a direction. If you like your country, traditional, rootsy, raw and authentic then this is probably not the album for you but on the other hand, the slick Nashville way of slightly blending those sounds into the background and still retaining a country feel has presented Susan with the opport...

It surely can’t be a coincidence that my third straight year of visiting the Saturday of the Maverick festival would yet again be blessed with glorious sunshine especially in a summer littered with record rainfall. Perhaps it has something to do with the finest annual assembling of country, roots and Americana artists on UK soil that is somehow granted the privilege to perform in a perfect setting each year. So once those omnipresent rain clouds had cleared during the 175 mile drive to this tranquil Suffolk location, the stage was set for the relentless procession of high quality gifted musicians purveying the fruits of their creative craft. Circumstances dictate that only the Saturday of this festival can be attended, so for me this year there was sadly no Corb Lund or Emily Barker who no doubt gave fine performances during the Friday evening slots that launch the weekend. Also the opportunity for the Sunday morning chill out with the remaining artists participating in the closing...