Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for July 12th, 2024. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go to either Amazon, iTunes, Bandcamp or the artist’s site for ordering or downloading. A + sign means although not a featured release, it’s a notable album that’s still worth checking out. Also, this page will be updated as I find out about other new releases so check back again.
Johnny Blue Skies
Passage Du Desir (High Top Mountain Records)
A few years back, Sturgill Simpson let us all know that he’d be releasing five – and only five – albums under his own name. After those five records (plus two Cuttin’ Grass albums that were largely bluegrass takes on his catalog) and the erstwhile John Sturgill Simpson last year adopted the name Johnny Blue Skies. Passage Du Desir is an inspired, omnivorous work that is sometimes country, sometimes genre-less, often rock and roll, and more soundscape than singer/songwriter. Those hoping for a second coming of Sturgill’s debut album High Top Mountain, or even his magnum opus Metamodern Sounds in Country Music might be rendered somewhat disappointed. But Johnny Blue Skies owes country music nothing. Neither does Sturgill Simpson. Country is most certainly one of the aspects that Passage Du Desir is rendered in, and perhaps where it finds some of its best moments. The album is perhaps not the masterpiece some people will decree it as after a first listen—giddy that they’re even getting new music from Simpson after he said he was retired. It lacks a level of cohesion, and makes a few sonic mistakes along the way. (edited from Saving Country Music review)
Maya De Vitry
The Only Moment (independent)
On her fourth full-length album, The Only Moment, Maya de Vitry exhibits a sense of self-awareness in her lyrics and in arrangements that complement her vocals. The songs, all written or co-written by de Vitry, strike a balance between a driving rock tempo and gentler rhythms, between staying put and moving on. Each of the tracks on the album showcases de Vitry’s vocal range. The harmonies and the musical accompaniment are added with a light hand. Backed by Anthony da Costa on electric guitar, Ethan Jodziewicz on bass, Dominic Billett on drums, and Wilder on organ, de Vitry delivers vocals sometimes almost wispy and other times hard-hitting. (edited from No Depression review)
Billy Strings
Live Vol. 1 (Reprise Records)
His first live album, Billy Strings Live Vol. 1, was recorded last year and earlier this year at venues across the globe, including in Austin, Paris, New Orleans, and Atlanta, with two cuts from a February performance at the Ryman in Nashville. The album, technically 8 tracks but adding up to well over an hour of music, kicks off with “Dust in a Baggie,” which Strings has said is about a friend who he thought had done his time and licked his problem, only to slide back into using and prison. If not for the lyrics, you’d think you were listening to some vintage Flatt and Scruggs superpickin’ with spot-on high and lonesome harmonies. Strings fans, who dub themselves Billy Goats (as in “greatest of all time”), don’t expect the tunes he does live to sound like they do on his records, and he doesn’t disappoint. Strings’ solos go anywhere he feels in the moment, but always seem to land in the right place. (edited from No Depression review)
Also new this week…
Sam Burchfield & The Scoundrels – Me and My Religion (EatMusic Records)
Steve Earle – Alone Again (Live) (Howe Sound Records/Missing Piece Records)
Jake Xerxes Fussell – When I’m Called (Fat Possum Records) +
Cassandra Lewis – Lost in a Dream (Emerald City Records)
Rainy Eyes – Lonesome Highway (Royal Potato Family) +
Tray Wellington – Detour to the Moon (Mountain Home Music Company)
Donovan Woods – Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now (End Times Music)
Coming out soon … AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Yarn, Melissa Carper, Joe Ely, Johnny Blue Skies, Norman Blake, The Cactus Blossoms, The Red Clay Strays, Caleb Caudle, American Aquarium, The Deslondes, 49 Winchester, Pony Bradshaw, Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters, Shemekia Copeland, Shelby Lynne, Jerry Douglas, Bella White and more!
