Three Chords and the Truth UK

  Just when you take a breather another Grey DeLisle album torpedos in your direction exploding into a galaxy of star spun songs. Since the Borrowed album re-introduced this multi-talented entertainer to music audiences in January 2023, a further five albums have surfaced including the recently US released DONT’T TURN AROUND that gets its formal European unveiling on November 13th. It is easy to label a current album ‘the best yet’ but the case is made moments after unwrapping its contents. The background narrative is strong; the songs stronger. If this standard remains, a Grey DeLisle drop each month wouldn’t be a chore. All eleven tracks are solo written originals marking DeLisle’s prolific phase. The route to record began in harness with credited producer Andy Paley who sadly passed away before it came to fruition. Regular collaborator Marvin Etzioni completed the process before its treasures were unleashed on ears primed for this iconic style. DeLisle mixes the world of classic...

  The narrative behind the album is Track Dogs 20th anniversary. An achievement in itself coupled with the band releasing over 11 albums and cultivating a trademark sound. Self irony is evident in the title as existing fans will be reassured that a successful formula has only been tinkered not cast aside. STILL AT THE MUSIC with its implied work-in-progress is a dozen-strong collection of tracks delivered with a crisp assertiveness. The album is an antithesis to the grower as it reaches peak appeal in first play without any significant drop off as its durability is tested. Snappy songs and a polished groove cut deep appealing as much to fresh listeners as those fully in tune to an international outlook blending influences from Latino to folk to Americana.   The acclaimed Madrid-based quartet are renowned for a tight instrumental core of guitar, bass, cajon and trumpet. The latter being the most definitive in mid-stride, Over the years sound expansion has utilised banjo, ukulel...

  Free Dirt Records have been at the heart of American folk and roots music for 20 years releasing albums that have been picked up and reviewed all around the world. Some of their alumni have become household names, while others remain embedded in their own communities. The constant is whatever the slant - country, folk, old time, bluegrass, singer-songwriter - the music is pure, authentic and dealt in an idealist wrapper. My single most memorable engagement with Free Dirt is being exposed to the utterly gorgeous music of Dori Freeman in 2017.  To commemorate this milestone the label have released a dozen-strong collection of demos, b-sides, live cuttings and the odd brand new song, though all now having a debut recorded format. Each artist breathes the Free Dirt ethos. Some have a profile overseas, others may be a new name to many. The collection is a worthy insight to what the label does and is  a fabulous listen to anyone with a fondness for this style of Americana mus...