Rory Block Pays Tribute to Bob Dylan and New York Roots
Blues singer/guitarist Rory Block reaches back to her youth for inspiration in this tribute to Bob Dylan, choosing tunes that “touched her heart and soul”.
country blues
Swamp Dogg Goes Bluegrass and Americana on ‘Blackgrass’
On Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St, Swamp Dogg interprets soul, funk, and jazz themes through the lens of bluegrass and Americana forms.
Straight from No Man’s Land: A Conversation with Texas Bluesman Scott H. Biram
To encounter Scott H. Biram live-and-in-person, you’d figure Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister had kin in Caldwell County, a distant cousin steeped in Willie Dixon and Lightnin Hopkins.
Charlie Parr Looks Inward and Upward for ‘Little Sun’
Charlie Parr remains aware of his blues tradition, but he mostly moves into his own space, building on his roots background with creativity for Little Sun.
12 Essential Contemporary Blues Artists
Blues is the foundation of much American music, but it’s often seen as a legacy genre. These 12 blues artists make the case for its continuing relevance and vitality.
North Mississippi Allstars ‘Set Sail’ to Higher Ground in Sacramento
It’s a rare band whose newer material shines just as brightly in the live setting as their older classics, but North Mississippi Allstars are just such a group.
Buffalo Nichols Impresses Mightily with His Folk Blues on “How to Love”
Plucking chords with steel-tipped determination, Buffalo Nichols brandishes his songs with the worn sentimentality that has had many scarred souls in lonely bars crying into their beers.
Colin Linden Waits “Until the Heat Leaves Town” Before Rising
Colin Linden’s latest single has a down and dirty vibe thanks to greasy slide guitar licks and lyrics about living in the street and hiding from the heat.
Tim Easton Is Introspective and Positive on ‘You Don’t Really Know Me’
Americana singer-songwriter, Tim Easton’s You Don’t Really Know Me is a pensive and reflective album, but it’s also peaceful and positive.
Oliver Wood Goes ‘Always Smilin” Into the Future Past
Oliver Wood stretches out on his own with Always Smilin’. Wood Brothers fans will find this album sustaining them until the next release.
Jimbo Mathus and Andrew Bird Bring out the Rustic Elements on ‘These 13’
Jimbo Mathus and Andrew Bird’s songs sound like they could have been recorded more than 100 years ago or just yesterday.
Lucinda Williams Right at Home With Writing Partner for ‘Good Souls Better Angels’
Able to write and sing the blues, gospel, folk, rock and alt-country with the same amount of true grit and passion, Lucinda Williams comes out swinging while discussing her explosive new album during these troubled times.