Tag Archives: Americana

Quick plays: JULIA HENNING, SARAH BORGES, JENNIE DEVOE, GIRLS,GUNS AND GLORY

Posted on August 20, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

JULIA HENNING Fledgling (www.juliahenning.com) In days gone by, record companies would sift the wheat from the chaff and, generally speaking, you got a fairly finished product. But in the digital age it’s every man, or woman, for him / herself … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Americana, blues, country, Fledgling, Girls Guns And Glory, Good Luck, jazz, Jennie DeVoe, Julia Henning, Radiator, Radio Sweetheart, review, Sarah Borges, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: JIM STAPLEY – Long Time Coming

Posted on August 18, 2014 by petefeenstra

Mita [Released 13.10.14] If you pair together a young up and coming singer-songwriter with a veteran rock producer sparks will surely fly. Jim Stapley is no ordinary singer and Tony Visconti is an A-list producer, and ‘Long Time Coming’ is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged ackson Brown, album, Americana, blues, Frankie Miller, JOE COCKER, Paul Rogers, review, rock, Steve Marriott, vocals | Leave a comment

Album review: OTIS GIBBS – Souvenirs of A Misspent Youth

Posted on July 30, 2014 by petefeenstra

Wanamaker Recording Company [Release date 17.02.14] Otis Gibbs is a socio-politico story teller who infuses his blue collar characters with enough real urban grit for you to care about their trials and tribulations. He’s also recalls autobiographical stories and his … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Amy Lashley, blues, folk, Gordon Lightfoot, Johnny Cash, Otis Gibbs, review, singer, songwriter, Souvenirs of A Misspent Youth, Woody Guthry | Leave a comment

Quick plays: POLLY BARRETT, CATHERINE MACLELLAN, JANE KRAMER

Posted on July 28, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

POLLY BARRETT Probably Me [Release date 22.09.14] We had the release of Irish singer songwriter Polly Barrett’s 2011 debut Mr Bookshop down as the folk/pop album Andrea Corr should have made if she wanted to sustain her popular profile. Barrett … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Americana, Break & Bloom, Catherine MacLellan, folk, Jane Kramer, Polly Barrett, Probably Me, review, roots, singer, songwriter, The Raven's Sun | Leave a comment

Album review : THE RIOTOUS BROTHERS – The Tree

Posted on May 18, 2014 by petefeenstra

Riotous Brothers [Release date 26.02.14] ‘The Tree’ is the Riotous Brothers third album and it’s a notable step forward for the Mash Sonnet/Paul Long songwriting partnership. The duo contributes 7 co-writes and 3 solo efforts that combine good melodies with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, Brinsley Schwarz, Dirk Maggs, funk, Howlin Wolf, John Cipollina, Mash Sonnet, Mat Lake, Paul Jones, Paul Long, Ray Charles, review, rock, The Riotous Brothers, The Tree | Leave a comment

Album review: HANNAH ALDRIDGE – Razor Wire

Posted on April 25, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

Trodden Black Ent. [Release date 13.05.14] ‘Dark Americana’ is how Hannah Aldridge – daughter of esteemed Muscle Shoals/ Nashville songwriter and producer Walt Aldridge – describes her gritty, uncompromising debut. Recorded in analogue (naturally) in Nashville (where else?) she’s backed … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, country, Hannah Aldridge, Nashville, Razor Edge, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: MATT ANDERSEN – Weightless

Posted on April 24, 2014 by petefeenstra

True North [Release date 14.04.14] Produced by former Blasters sax player and Los Lobos producer Steve Berlin, ‘Weightless’ puts the emphasis squarely on songs, catchy hooks and a subtle sonic landscape that nestles Matt Andersen’s emotive baritone vocal. Released by … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, blues, country, Dave Gunning, David Myles, folk, JOE COCKER, Joel Plaskett, Keith Mullins, Los Lobos, Matt Andersen, Paul Rigby, review, Robert Cray, Ryan Hupman, singer songwriter, Steve Berlin, Suzie Vinnick, The Blasters, Thom Swift, Tom Wilson, Weightless | Leave a comment

Gig review: JOHN ILLSLEY – East End Arms, Lymington, East End, 8 April 2014

Posted on April 9, 2014 by petefeenstra

It was back in 1982 after the break up of Steely Dan that Donald Fagen unveiled his signature sound on the ‘The Night Fly’ album and confirmed his creative input into Steely Dan. And while former Dire Straits bass player … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Americana, blues, Bob Dylan, Dire Straits, Donald Fagen, folk, JJ Cale, John Illsley, Mark Knopfler, review, Robbie McIntosh, rock, Steely Dan, Testing The Water | Leave a comment

Album review: DEBORAH BONHAM – Spirit

Posted on April 6, 2014 by petefeenstra

Deborah Bonham, track by track, May 2014 (Part 1 10:43, Part 2 11:43) Spectra [Release date 28.04.14] Being part of the Bonham dynasty is both a blessing and a curse for Deborah Bonham. Stripped of her family tree, she would … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Americana, Bad Company, BJ Cole, Deborah Bonham, Fleetwood Mac, Glenn Skinner, John Prine, Led Zeppelin, Mavericks, Mike Poole, Patty Griffin, Paul Rogers, Pete Bullick, review, Robert Plant, Spaklehorse, Spirit, Tom Petty | Leave a comment

Quick plays: AMELIA WHITE, EDDI READER, THE O’s, THE SWEET LOWDOWN

Posted on January 27, 2014 by GRTR! HQ

AMELIA WHITE Old Postard [Release date 10.03.14] East Nashville-based singer and songwriter Amelia White wasn’t encouraged by her parents to pursue her musical dream. But their disapproval lit a fire as she listened to Neil Young, Beatles, Stones, and Muddy … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged acoustic, Amelia White, Americana, Eddi Reader, folk, May, Old Postcard, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, The O's, The Sweet Lowdown, Thunderdog, Vagabond | Leave a comment

Album review: ROSCO LEVEE AND THE SOUTHERN SLIDE – Get It While You Can

Posted on January 2, 2014 by petefeenstra

Red Train Records Records [Release date 27.01.14] ‘Get It While You Can’ wrestles with the common problem of a Brit band trying to sound authentic on material that evokes the deep south with some shit kicking roots rock. Rosco leads … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Allman Brothers, Americana, Andy Hayes, blues, Bo Diddley, country, David Tettmark, funk, Get It While You Can, Gram Parsons, JOE COCKER, Lee Wilson, review, Rival Sons, rock, Rolling Stones, Rosco Levee, Roscoe Levee and the Southern Slide, Simon Gardiner | 1 Comment

Quick plays: BLACK RAINBOWS, NEVER TRUST, TIM GRIMM, JADED HEART

Posted on October 20, 2013 by jason

BLACK RAINBOWS – Holy Moon (EP) Heavy Psych Sounds Something in the Italian water as they not only produce a series of fine melodic rock/AOR bands but now have some rather good stoner/psych rock bands including this band Black Rainbows. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged Americana, AOR, BLACK RAINBOWS, EP, Fastball Music, High Bar Gang, Holy Moon, Italian, Italy, Jaded Heart, Lost And Undone, MASTERPLAN, melodic metal, metal, Morning Light, Never Trust, roots, Tim Grimm, Turning Point | Comments Off

Album Review: ANDERS OSBORNE – Peace

Posted on October 8, 2013 by petefeenstra

Alligator [Release date: 08.10.13] There may be a significant gap between Alligator Records’ original mission statement of ‘genuine houserocking music’ and Anders Osborne deeply felt, confessional singer song-writing, but the contemporary blues scene has surely benefited from the liaison. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Alligator Records, Americana, Anders Osborne, blues, Jackson Brown, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Peace, Procol Harum, review | Leave a comment

Album review: ASHLEIGH FLYNN – A Million Stars

Posted on September 25, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Sheryl Crow’s got a new album out soon, but judging by the lead single it’s going to be slushy, sentimental pap. Shame, as she used to be one of the leading singer songwriters who could comfortably straddle the country/rock divide. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Million Stars, album, Americana, Ashleigh Flynn, country, pop, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, The Decemberists | 2 Comments

Album review: TONY McLOUGHLIN – The Contender

Posted on September 7, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

He may look uncannily like Billy Connolly’s long lost brother, but opening with strains of Muhammad Ali getting ready to ‘rumble in the jungle’, Tony Mcloughlin’s fifth album The Contender is a glorious Telecaster-infused slab of Tom Petty/Springsteen inspired Americana. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, review, rock, roots, singer, songwriter, The Contender, Tony McLoughlin | 2 Comments

Album review: LEEROY STAGGER – Truth Be Sold

Posted on August 13, 2013 by petefeenstra

Clubhouse Records UK [Release date 04.06.13] ‘Truth Be Sold’ is an album full of linguistic exuberance and boisterous musical vitality. Leeroy Stagger is a Canadian wordsmith with a punk indie past who is joined on this album by the experienced … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Americana, Canadian, Jackson Brown, Keith Richard, Led Zeppelin, Leeroy Stagger, Neil Young, Nick Stecz, review, Steve Berlin, Truth Be Sold, Van Morrison | Leave a comment

Album review: WILLIE NILE – American Ride

Posted on August 9, 2013 by petefeenstra

Blue Rose Records [Release date 24.06.13] Willie Nile is a true blue collar troubadour with a poet’s eye for colourful analytical prose. He’s worked every bar, club and theatre in town, world-wide and he’s excited audiences big and small with … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged American Ride, Americana, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Jim Carroll, Randy Newman, review, singer, songwriter, Willie Nile | Leave a comment

Interview with GARY BONER (ROADHOUSE) – 2 August 2013

Posted on August 4, 2013 by petefeenstra

22 years into their career, the hard gigging Roadhouse release ‘Gods & Highways & Old Guitars’, the best album of their career on Krossborder records. It pays homage to the darker elements of the American south and would fit into … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rock Stars | Tagged Americana, Bill Hobley, Danny Gwilym, Gary Boner, Gods & Highways & Old Guitars, Joe Bonamsa, Mandie G, Roadhouse, Roger Hunt, Sarah Harvey Smart, Suzie D, Walter Trout | 1 Comment

Album review: ROADHOUSE – Gods & Highways & Old Guitars

Posted on July 27, 2013 by petefeenstra

Krossborder [Release date 19.08.13] Roadhouse have long impressed with their unique take on southern roots rock and Americana, but ‘Gods & Highways & Old Guitars’ raises the bar to another level. As ever, the 10 songs come with Gary Boner’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Americana, Bill Hobley, Bo Diddley, Danny Gwylim, Gary Boner, Gods & Highways & Old Guitars, Mandie G, Marion Post Wolcott, Roadhouse, Roger Hunt, Sarah Harvey Smart, Suzie D, ZZ Top | 1 Comment

Album review: MADISON VIOLET – Come As You Are Live

Posted on July 13, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

True North Records [Release date 01.07.13] Released on both DVD and CD formats, Come As You Are Live captures Madison Violet – Canadian country / folk due Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac – at a sold out date in Koln, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Brenley MacEachern, Come As You Are Live, country, folk, Lisa MacIsaac, Madison Violet, review, roots | Leave a comment

Album review: DREW HOLCOMB AND THE NEIGHBORS – Good Light

Posted on July 13, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

Magnolia Music [Release date 26.08.13] Being something of a female vocalist ‘junkie’ I was rather hoping Drew was the blonde on the album cover. But it turns out that’s Drew’s wife and band mate Ellie. Drew’s the foot-clapping guy who … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Drew Holcomb And The Neighbors, Good Light, review, roots, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: SLAID CLEAVES – Still Fighting The War

Posted on June 3, 2013 by petefeenstra

Music Road Records [Release date 01.07.13] Slaid Cleaves is an Americana singer-songwriter who pens insightful story telling and relationship songs of which there are several. You may wonder if there’s still an audience for the troubadour in these post modern … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album review, Americana, Bob Dylan, country, Don Walser, Elana James, folk, Jackson Brown, Lloyd Mains, Mark Hallman, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, singer songwriter, Slaid Cleaves, Texas music, Woody Guthrie | Leave a comment

Album review: RUTH MOODY – These Wilder Things

Posted on April 23, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

A six day residency at The Royal Albert Hall (albeit opening for Mark Knopfler) says a lot about the rising status of Ruth Moody, founder and current member of Billboard topping band The Wailin’ Jennys. Produced and engineered by David … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, Mark Knopfle, review, rock, roots, Ruth Moody, singer, songwriter, These Wilder Things | Leave a comment

Album review: RILO KILEY – Rkives

Posted on April 3, 2013 by GRTR! HQ

After a couple of lesser known albums LA indie rockers Rilo Kiley’s ‘More Adventurous’ album (2004) provided the springboard for a major record deal with Warners. Their subsequent 2007 release ‘Under The Blacklight’ looked like the big time had finally … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Americana, review, Rilo Kiley, Rkives, rock, roots | Leave a comment

Album Review: DAVID MIGDEN & THE DIRTY WORDS – Killing It

Posted on February 16, 2013 by petefeenstra

Promo Every once in a while you stumble something a little different and an album that reaffirms your belief in the potency of the independent release. In David Midgen case it’s not so much the wide array of musical … Continue reading →