The Americana and roots music authority

What is your favorite album this week?

Doesn't have to be a great revelation. Doesn't have to change the year in music. Could be old. Could be new. Just has to do it for this week. So what is doing it for you this week?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by SoCalBert on August 17, 2009 at 10:12am

"Bluesiana Triangle" is a (ca. 1989) colaboration of Dr. John with the great jazz drummer Art Blakey and Sax Dave "Fathead" Newman. So it's a bit jazzier than the bulk of Dr. John's stuff and he keeps up nicely. The album has kind of slipped off the radar screen-- even of New Orleans music enthusiasts. I think this is only due to the fact that as a colaboration, it kind of get's buried in the discographies of the artists, if it appears at all. But it's kind of a gem. I thought to pick it up as I just finished Dr. John's 1994 autobiography, which I highly recommend.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron Wall on August 18, 2009 at 10:22am

Sam Baker's Cotton. I saw him play last week with Gurf Morlix and it was nothing short of spellbinding.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by declan culliton on August 18, 2009 at 2:15pm

In a league of his own.. did not realise Cotton was realeased yet.. something to really look forward too. He should be writing novels with his storytelling gift. Relly nice guy too

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sandy Herder on August 18, 2009 at 11:27am

I am so loving Rural Alberta Advantage's "Hometowns" right now, I have to hear it a few times a day. Singer Nils Edenloff's voice may not be to everyone's liking, a bit nasally, although I think it adds to the evotive nature of the lyrics.

Check out The Deadroads and Edmonton.

http://hypem.com/search/rural%20alberta/1/

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Jackson on August 19, 2009 at 4:29pm

I've been listening to Tulare Dust, a tribute record to Merle Haggard. Produced by Tom Russell and Dave Alvin, it has everyone from Peter Case and Dwight Yoakam to Iris Dement and Marshall Crenshaw. My favorite song is "Shopping for Dresses" by Steve Young.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jeffo Crowley on August 19, 2009 at 7:09pm

Been checking out "Under The Covers II by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs do not really know what to think-they have some really strange taste, but some of the songs do resonnate--her voice bugs me a little, but anyone who wanta a distorted stroll down memory lane should check it out.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by declan culliton on August 20, 2009 at 9:27am

Listening to 'Counter Culture' by Roy Harper, compilation of his earlier work. Under rated UK singer songwriter who wrote some great music particularly in the early to mid seventies. His 1975 album 'HQ' is a classic. Also listening to 'Rock Bottom' by Robert Wyatt from the same era.... he is an acquired taste and well worth the effort. Both are UK artists ........ I don't know if they had or have a large audience in the States.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Daniel T on August 20, 2009 at 9:32pm

Roy Harper's "When an Old Cricketeer Leaves the Crease" is my favorite of his. He does have some excellent vinyl out there. Don't know how much has made CD reissue yet. Worth looking for. Friend of Page/Plant... "Hat's off to Roy Harper" ......

This week though is Mark Smilor's " Rural Suburbia " . Deceptively simple. Definatley Americana. Lyrically more of a Springsteen style story teller than Dylan cryptic poet. His songs ring true and the playing is fantastic. I hear something new everytime I listen.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by declan culliton on August 21, 2009 at 2:42am

Daniel.. 'Old Cricketer' is on HQ which is readily available on cd. Saw him touring the album to a half filled hall in dublin in mid seventies...sensational. Still tours solo. You should give Robert Wyatt a listen if you like RH