MUST HEAR
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TOP: The Felice Brothers, Pete Droge, Ryan Adams, Elvis Costello.
BOTTOM: J.Tweedy (Wilco), Jakob Dylan, Kristen Hall, Juliana Hatfield.
Blue Divide could be as close to a perfect contemporary folk rock album as you can get. Shindell is a truly gifted songwriter, and on his worst day the quality of his songs and lyrics is exceptional. In fact, Blue Divide does not have even a mediocre song on it. Production is rich and smooth, and with a mostly full-band arrangement Shindell shies away from the “coffeehouse” folk sound more into the realm of Folk Rock/Mellow Rock. And his stories…. Shindell is simply brilliant, and Blue Divide could be my favorite of his. It is a Must Hear. GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Bill Morrissey, James McMurtry, John Gorka, Steve Forbert.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Summer Wind, A Cotton Dress,” “Fishing,” “The Ballad of Mary Magdalene,” “Arrowhead.”
Richard Shindell - Blue Divide (1994)
Richard Shindell's website----->
How does one review a live album? Briefly! This is simply one of the best live recordings I know of. As a songwriter, Jeff Tweedy is one of the most creative and talented songwriters around. As a performing band, Wilco has evolved into a tight, frenetic, eclectic unit that simmers, seethes and explodes, only to settle itself soon thereafter. This album was record in Chicago, their home town, and offers a soup-to-nuts show, and one hell of show to boot. Excellent song selection, a perfect performance. New to Wilco? Buy this CD and Sky Blue Sky pronto. A Must Hear indeed. GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock, Alternative.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Ryan Adams, The Pixies, Uncle Tupelo.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Company In My Back,” “Handshake Drugs,” “At Least That’s What You Said,” “Jesus, Etc.,” “Via Chicago,” “Hummingbird,” “Muzzle of Bees,” “One By One,” “Heavy Metal Drummer.”
Wilco - Kicking Television, Live in Chicago (2005)
Wilco's website----->
Devon Sproule's website--->
Don't Hurry For Heaven is a fresh, interesting and at times whimsical release from 28-year old Devon Sproule. Her sound is quirky – at times, jazz-infused contemporary folk; other times, the pedal steel and soothing rhythm pull it toward a country-western feel. Her voice is both charming and playful, falling somewhere between Victoria Williams and Tori Amos. The production is simple, sparse and elegant, showcasing Sproule’s engaging voice, style and delivery. Get the feeling I like this CD? I can’t get enough of it. GENRES: Folk Rock, Mellow Rock, Contemporary Folk.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Victoria Williams, Tori Amos, Heather Masse.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Ain’t That The Way,” “Julie,” “Healthy Parents, Happy Couple,” “Good To Get Out,” “Bowling Green.”
Devon Sproule - Don't Hurry For Heaven! (2010)
Black Sheep was released in ‘96 and is further evidence that Martin Sexton is a master songwriter whose music has staying power. Black Sheep consists of mostly untainted contemporary folk and mellow rock songs, and demonstrates Sexton’s gift for pure, soulful melody. Anyone else hear a touch of gospel in this one? This is Sexton at his most humble, at his best too. A Must Hear! See album Martin Sexton recommendations here for Sugarcoating and In The Journey here as well. GENRES: Mellow Rock, Contemporary Folk.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Ben Harper (mellow), Amos Lee.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Black Sheep,” “Freedom of the Road,” “Love Keep Us Together,” “Over My Head.”
Martin Sexton - Black Sheep (1996)
Martin Sexton's website--->
Figure 8 is another brilliant release from a complex, intelligent songwriter who died too young. Figure 8 is one of Smith’s most accessible releases, boasting memorable melodies/harmonies and intricate songwriting, with nuances and density that give Elliott Smith songs their edge. He was a creative genius, his songs at once eclectic, artistic and manic. Smith’s brain may have been wired differently – as a result, I’m often asking, “how did he come up with that?” If you’re your ears perk with interest upon hearing occasional alternative twists and turns or unexpected chord progressions in your music, Elliott Smith is for you, and Figure 8 is a great place to start. See also Either/Or, which is recommended here as well. GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: The Beatles, Mark Mulcahy.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Son of Sam,” “Somebody That I Used To Know,” “LA,” “Wouldn’t Mama Be Proud,” “Pretty Mary K.”
Elliott Smith - Figure 8 (2000)
Elliott Smith's fan website---->
A.A. Bondy’s second solo release, When The Devil’s Loose, sounds like it was recorded during Neil Young’s Harvest/On The Beach/After The Gold Rush-era sessions – raw, primitive, gritty and real. The production is old-school, stripped down and is a perfect complement to Bondy’s effortless and honest, down-to-earth songwriting. His trembling voice is beautifully unique, and song-for-song Bondy could be the most talented young songwriter I’ve heard in years. Bondy’s first CD, American Hearts, is a Must Hear, Must Own, Must Love. Both are completely, highly recommended!! GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: David Gray, Neil Young, Wilco, The Felice Brothers.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Mightiest of Guns,” “The Slow Parade,” “I Can See The Pines Are Dancing,” “False River,” “The Mercy Wheel.”
A.A. Bondy's Facebook page---->
A.A. Bondy - When The Devil's Loose (2010)
Transcendental Blues is yet another classic Steve Earle album offering a nearly flawless set of Rock, Mellow Rock and Folk songs. Similar to Jerusalem (also recommended here), these guitar-based songs are organic, free of polish and carry the same grassroots/Americana feel as The Jayhawks, John Melloncamp and old electric Neil Young. Not a bad song on the CD. I continue to make the Springsteen comparison because of basic similarities: both delivery highly charged lyrics addressing politics, social issues and are revered within the music industry. Earle enjoys significant recognition, but not always with the casual music fan - if you like Springsteen, you should try Steve Earle.
GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock, Folk.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, John Prine, The Jayhawks, John Melloncamp.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Transcendental Blues,” “Everyone’s In Love With You,” “Another Town,” “I Can Wait,” “Steve’s Last Ramble,” “Lonelier Than This,” “When I Fall.”
Steve Earle - Transcendental Blues (2000)
Steve Earle's website ---->
Bill Morrissey is a songwriting treasure. You’ll Never Get To Heaven (his 8th album) offers rolling, relaxing rhythms and bluesy folk, often with a tad more “band” ornamentation than usual. Morrissey’s songwriting and delivery is at a peak here. As a songwriter, there are few folk artists who have Morrissey’s gift for telling a story – tidy vignettes wrapped in warm melodies. A Must Hear artist and a Must Hear album. See also Morrissey’s Come Running, which is recommended here as well. GENRES: Contemporary Folk.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Greg Brown, John Prine, Richard Shindell, Townes Van Zandt.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “When Summer’s Ended,” “As Long As The Sun,” “Ashes, Grain and Sand,” “Different Currency.”
Bill Morrissey - You'll Never Get To Heaven (1996)
Bill Morrissey's website----->
World Without Tears is classic Lucinda Williams - bluesy, sultry, smokey - her voice will always be in a league of its own. Williams is a spirited songwriter with plenty of attitude, plenty of edge. This is roots/blues, roadhouse rock at its best, and Williams is cut out of the same cloth as Neil Young and James McMurtry. Is there any bigger complement? Pure integrity. This is only one of many quality Lucinda Williams albums – Little Honey is recommended here as well. GENRES: Rock, Mellow Rock, Blues.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Neil Young, James McMurtry.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Righteously,” “Ventura,” “Bleeding Fingers,” “Sweet Side.”
Lucinda Williams - World Without Tears (2003)
Lucinda Williams' website---->
Imagine an acoustic/folky, Appalachian-flavored Ryan Adams – hell, he even covers an Adams tune, “To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High.” Turns out I’m an idiot – Rawlings not only co-wrote the song but appears on that recording as well as the entire Ryan Adams recording Heartbreaker. The songs here are infectious, alternating between serious folk tunes and Appalachian folk songs, and Gillian Welch’s support on harmonies is outstanding. “Method Acting / Cortez The Killer” is mesmerizing – LOVE the Neil Young cover, and Rawlings channels the spirit of The Band in “Ruby.” Finally, the cover of “Monkey and the Engineer” is reminiscent of The Dead’s version on Reckoning. Looking forward to more from Rawlings. GENRES: Contemporary Folk, Mellow Rock.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: The Band, Poco, The Jayhawks, Ryan Adams.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: “Ruby,” “I Hear Them All,” “Method Acting / Cortez The Killer,” “Sweet Tooth,” Bells of Harlem.”
Dave Rawlings Machine's website---->
Dave Rawlings Machine - A Friend of a Friend (2009)
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Filth & Fire and Mercy Now are two absolutely stunning albums evoking all the qualities I cherish about music: this is bluesy, rootsy, infectious stuff. As a huge Lucinda Williams fan, Gauthier falls into the same mold – her vocals are gripping: at various times husky, whispering or crystal clear, all-the-time seasoned with Gautheir’s Louisiana twang and snarl. So what is it? Contemporary folk? Bar-room ballads? Alt-country? Roadhouse rock? All of the above, without pretension. There is a renegade spirit here that embraces the saw dust around the jukebox over martini glasses. The production is respectful of the material – not spiffed up, but warm enough to pay due respects to the genuine sense of presence, space and atmosphere Gauthier creates in her songs. She forces time to slow - late night walks on quiet, rain-drenched streets, sultry, slow-dance waltzes, etc. (my visions, not hers). Highly, highly recommended! Both albums are Must Hears!
GENRES: Alt Country, Mellow Rock, Folk Rock, Contemporary Folk, Americana.
BUY IF YOU LIKE: Lucinda Williams, James McMurtry, Johnny Cash.
MUST HEAR TRACKS: Filth & Fire: “Long Way To Fall,” “Sugar Cane,” “Good-Bye,” “Camelot Motel,” “The Sun Fades The Color of Everything.” Mercy Now: “Falling Out of Love,” “Mercy Now,” “Prayer Without Words,” “Drop In a Bucket.”
Mary Gauthier - Filth & Fire (2002)
Mary Gauthier's website ---->
Mary Gauthier - Mercy Now (2005)
Mary Gauthier's Facebook page----->
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