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| Lee Marvelous �One step right behind� Hard-core country from Sweden. These guys are heavy influenced by Johnny Cash and Hank Williams sr. They founded the band in 1997 during a Johnny Cash concert in Stockholm. They perform traditional country in a modern way. Most of the songs, written by Peter Fr�vik, sound very catchy. Other band members are Inge Norlin on electric guitar, Andrew Dry on electric bass and Johan Sundberg on drums. Throughout the cd you�ll hear also mandolin,dobro,pedal steel and banjo. Highlights of the cd are �Big strong man�, �I leave the forgiving to the lord� and �Just plain fun�. Recommended to the fans of BR549 and the Hollisters. www.leemarvelous.com www.dustyrecords.com |
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| Ruth Minnikin � same(self-released) In spite of her young age Ruth Minniken has already been part of two bands(The Guthries, The Heavy Blinkers). This ep is her first solowork. She plays in the same league as the Be Good Tanyas, The Cowboy Junkies and Gillian Welch. The ep starts with �Maiden Voyage�, a somewhat rattling alt-folk song, followed by �This Heavy Heart�, lo-fi alt-country reminiscing the Cowboy Junkies with great steel from Dale Murray. �Dono Whertho Mexico� is a spooky western song. The ep ends with another alt-folk song �Snow Day�. This ep makes me longing for a full cd in the future. Sure to remember is Ruth�s great voice and the superb playing of the ex-Guthries members. www.ruthminnikin.ca [email protected] |
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| Cactus Hunters � same(rustic records) Pop-rock with slices of Americana inbetween from this New-York based band. The cd reads like a enumeration of 60�s and 70�s influences : The Band(�Lonesome cowgirl�, �Roam�), Rolling Stones(�Kickin� the mule�, �Elvis Land�), J. Cash(�I got the bait�, �Rain,Rain,Rain�), the Faces(�Joline�), Little Feat(�Sooner or later�). �Halfway to Texas� is New-York tex-mex with great accordion from Professor Louie. Watch out for superb slide guitar from Fred Scribner on �Heartbreaking World�. Almost every song is written by Lance Juckas, who also plays guitar and bass., John Rush plays drums, Brad Scribner plays drums and backing vocals are performed by Jake Lee Rau. Warm recommended to all roots-rock fans. www.cactushunters.com |
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| Justin Rutledge- No Never Alone(Shady Lane Records) Impressive debut from this Canadian troubadour. Firstrate alt-country with influences from (early)Ryan Adams, Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young, I'm sure Gram Parsons is smiling down from heaven. No fillers on this cd, it's one big highlight. Slow melancholy songs with acoustic guitar, larded with heartsick pedal-steel and dancing pianosounds plus incidental additions from mandolin,fiddle,dobro,banjo and accordeon. Justin gets some help from Mary Margaret O'Hara(vocals,pipes), Burke Carroll(pedal-steel) an Doug Dyson and Tom Howell(keyboard-piano). Highly Recommended. www.justinrutledge.com |