The Drive-By Truckers drop their new album Go-Go Boots (release 14 Feb 11 U.K.; 2/15/11 U.S.) next week just in time for Valentine's Day.  They have posted a series of videos on Youtube ahead of the event.

 

As usual, it looks like the Truckers have put together an uplifting…

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I have enjoyed the Mountain Stage radio show for a long time, but it's not broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio.  The Mountain Stage Podcast has come to the rescue, featuring an expanded version (sometimes close to 3 hours a week) of the radio show delivered direct to iTunes.  The artists vary a bit—recent artists have included… Continue

Cut back on my music purchases this year, so the list is a bit more mainstream Nashville than usual (sort of, kind of). Just decided not to stress about it this year (sort of, kind of).  Still some good sounds out there.  Here's my favorite albums I heard in 2010, in no particular order.



Patty Griffin, Downtown Church. Patty is a must-get for me, it's just some of her albums take…

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For your holiday enjoyment:

Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me, pa rum pa pom pom…

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I stumbled on Markus Rill this week. Or rather, I should say, Markus Rill stumbled across me, over on Twitter. I tweeted about a European alt.country festival and he tweeted back.



I checked out his links....



He's good. Reminds me of Tom Waits, what little… Continue

I'm really feeling this tune today. This week. This year.

It's the same old tune, fiddle and guitar Where do we take it from here



Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars



We've been the same way for years



We need to change

Some days I'm feeling Hank. Some days I'm feeling it… Continue

Been awhile hibernating in my Northern State, but soon I hope festival season will be upon us.



I've been drooling over the line-up at Merle-fest, coming up soon. Soon as in Southern State height-of-spring end-of-April optimism that a Northern Boy like me can not fully understand nor appreciate.



April in the North is still a time of transition--it can be 80*F one day, and frost that night. I like my place, don't… Continue

Americana is such a great wide fraternity that I am seldom satisfied with the majority of year end "Best of" picks. The tree grows broad and wide over American roots music.



However you made your way here, perhaps you've seen a few of my commentaries this year on Americana, roots music, and the fall and decline of western civilization. If you just googled in thanks for visiting. This… Continue

Bryan Simpson from Cadillac Sky talks about the band and their music during their visit to public radio's Mountain Stage. Not the best quality stage sound on the video, but nice insight on where these young guys are and where they think they're going.



C-Sky came out of the Southern bluegrass scene in the last couple years with a sophomore… Continue

I want to say a lot of great things about Fishing Music. In this case, at least, less is more.

Fishing Music I, Snake River Records, 2003

Fishing Music…

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I'm gonna leave the city, I'll be ridin' on that train

If I don't leave the city, I might lose my brain.

-Matching Baggage



Bill Isles reminds me of his hometown of Duluth, Minnesota. The port city at the head of Lake Superior stands nestled into the crags of the harsh North Shore, not so much built as grown out of rock, sweat and tears. It is a Detroit sort of city, a weathered shadow of better days gone by, yet full of Minnesota vim… Continue

Justin Townes Earle, "Midnight at the Movies" from Bloodshot Records on Vimeo.

I'm increasingly impressed with what I'm hearing from Justin Townes Earle. Young J.T. has alot to live up to, and to my ears he's delivering. Combine some of the best features of his namesake,… Continue

Graham Lindsey put together a new album that went into general distribution earlier this year, We Are All Alone In This Together. I reviewed it in a… Continue

TOM BROSSEAU "Kiss My Lips" (dublab VisionVersion) from dublab on Vimeo.

Tom Brosseau is a Dakota boy working his way up in the SoCal music scene. Think Bob Dylan channeling Jimmie Rodgers. Tom has a new album coming… Continue

I blame No Depression. For everything.



I was a casual music listener before No Depression. I liked country music. I liked rock and roll. I bought CDs now and then. I tuned into whatever was on country radio. I was the picture of ignorant bliss.



Then I found No Depression's magazine and life has never been the same.



Quickly I was drawn in by… Continue