| Collin Herring � Avoiding the circus(Gravestone Picnic Records) Very strong debut from this Texan singer-songwriter. On his songs you�ll hear influences from Neil Young, Ryan Adams, Jay Farrar, Gram Parsons and the Jayhawks. Collin�s songs deal with booze, love and religion, performed with a very hoarse voice. Highlights are the love gone wrong �Angels�, �Train on my brain� with a lot of roots-rock in it ,�Hard things to fake�(a song about getting older) and the uptempo countryrocksong �Heaven never works out�. Remarkable is the fact that Collin�s father seems to be a very talented pedal-steeler. Very recommended. www.collinherring.com |
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| Eric Westbury � Burn tongues & blue truths(Barreltown records) Excellent work from this Canadian singer-songwriter-farmer On this cd you�ll find four songs from his debut-cd like �Churchill�s black dog� and �Next showing of the big picture�. Highlights are �Nickajack cave�, which is a tribute to Johnny and June Carter Cash, �Wise man watching� is a refreshing bluegrass tune, while �Knockin� the big man down� is a rootsrock song. �One million shovels� reminds me of a male Mary Gauthier. Throughout the cd you can hear the influence of producer and guitarplayer Gurf Morlix. Recommended. www.westburyroad.com |
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| Silver Shoes, "Old Friend" Mid ear Records Maureen Finlon and John Finnigan better known as Silver Shoes, they have a brand new beautiful release entitled "Old Friend" in the tradition of folk-rock and alt-country music. This acoustic-electric album has influences from The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Band and GP. Guest people are well known legendary musicians, Chris Ethridge and Byron Berline. "Old Friend" is not there first album. Fans of this band will remember there earlier work as, John Finnigan's " Way Up The Sky", Crossing Time's "Seasons Of Doubt", FM and Silver Shoes. Most of the new songs are written' by Maureen and John, some of the songs are from well known writers as Jay Farrar's beautiful song "Tear Stained Eye", James Taylor "You Can Close Your Eyes" and S. Winwood & J.Capaldi's "Many A Mile To Freedom". For the real Americana friends, "you must have this one ". www.silvershoesmusic.com |
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| Randy Weeks, "Sold Out At The Cinema" Randy Weeks, founding member of "The Lonesome Strangers" who released two albums "The Lonesome Stranger" 1989 and "Land Of Opportunity" 1997. As Solo artist he released three highly-aclaimed albums and toured with Dwight Yoakam. Following The Lonesome Strangers, Weeks began playing his newer material around L.A. with a band featuring Tony Gilkyson, Don Heffington and Kip Boardman. Mixing Americana rock and roll, roadhouse country, blues and soul music. Also Lucinda Wiliams used a song from Weeks, "Can't Let Go" on here "Car Wheels On A Gravel road" album. Highlights on "Sold Out At The Cinema" are "Don't Step Away", "Motor City" and "Get Back To Me". www.randyweeks.com |
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| Ed Jurdi - "Longshores Drive"(Redfez Records) Ed Jurdi mixes folk, country, blues, bluegrass and gospel into something he calls "Cosmic American Soul". Soulful Americana like The Band used to make in the seventies. You can also hear influences from Little Feat, Van Morrison and Otis Redding. He varies great ballads like "Philadelphia" and "Catch me if you can" with a New-Orleans shuffle like "Walking and talkin" and a Memphis soul "Bumblebee". His band consists of Mark Hickox on bass and Rohim Khenami on drums. Occasional players are guitarist John Platania(Chip Taylor,Van Morrison) and pedal-steel guitarist John Nolan(ex Say-Zuzu). www.edjurdi.com |