Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for May 31st, 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.
Laurie Lewis
Trees (Spruce and Maple Music)
On her new album, Laurie Lewis invites listeners to join her on a ramble through the natural world as she experiences both loss and joy. This project is her first without the mandolin accompaniment of long-time collaborator and partner Tom Rozum, due to his challenges from Parkinson’s disease. Rozum’s artwork, however, is featured on the album cover, and he provides harmony vocals on three of the cuts, including the haunting title song. On the album, Lewis incorporates a range of musical styles — bluegrass, old-time, folk, and more. Among her originals, she also includes Tom T. Hall’s “Hound Dog Blues” and John Hartford’s “Down on the Levee,” which conjures up images of a muddy river with “a real steam boat with double-swinging stages / compound condensing engines, and real old-timey looking gauges.” Rather than an escape into nature, Trees is a collection of songs artfully arranged to accompany an introspective journey. (edited from No Depression review)
Swamp Dogg
Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St (Oh Boy Records)
Entering his seventh decade of recording, the musician born Jerry Williams Jr’s new album is bluegass-based with a core backing band which includes Noam Pikelny, Sierra Hull, Jerry Douglas, Chris Scruggs and Kenny Vaughan. “Not a lot of people talk about the true origins of bluegrass music,” the 81-year-old Swamp Dogg said, “but it came from Black people. The banjo, the washtub, all that stuff started with African Americans. We were playing it before it even had a name. I’m trying to touch on every kind of music I grew up loving and listening to. This is my way of letting people know that I’m not just a soul singer or whatever they think I am. I’m so much more.” A family affair, the album includes guest spots from Margo Price, Vernon Reid, Jenny Lewis, Justin Vernon, and the Cactus Blossoms and it was produced by Ryan Olson. (edited from press release)
Various Artists
Long Distance Love – A Sweet Relief Tribute to Lowell George (Flatiron Recordings)
Lowell George’s musical journey began as a member of Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention before co-founding Little Feat with Bill Payne. Over his seven-year tenure with the band, they produced eight albums that continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Although George’s untimely passing in 1979 left a void in the music industry, his spirit lives on through the timeless melodies and heartfelt lyrics showcased in this album. In collaboration with Sweet Relief, an organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to struggling musicians and industry professionals, Long Distance Love serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Lowell George’s musical legacy. Featuring a lineup of artists including Elvis Costello, Ben Harper, Taylor Goldsmith, and Dave Alvin, and many lesser known artists. This collection comprises 25 tracks that breathe new life into George’s timeless classics and lesser-known gems. (edited from Grateful Web review)
Also new this week…
Wyndham Baird – After the Morning (Jalopy Records)
Jessie Baylin – Strawberry Wind (New West Records)
Jesse Dayton – The Hard Way Blues (Blue Elan Records) +
The Infamous Stringdusters – Songs from the River (Americana Vibes)
The Gringo Pistoleros – The Rise And Subsequent Fall Of The Texas Alien (independent)
Jim Keller – Daylight (Orange Mountain Music)
Kirby Lyle – Down in Nashville – Songs from the Rounds (independent)
Curtis McMurtry – The Pollen & The Rot (independent)
David Myles – Devil Talking (Turtlemusik)
Willie Nelson – The Border (Legacy Recordings) +
Noelle and the Deserters – High Desert Daydream (independent) +
Red Shahan – Loose Funky Texas Junky (Lemon Pepper Records)
Richard Thompson – Ship to Shore (Yep Roc Records)
Anna Tivel – Living Thing (Fluff and Gravy Records) +
Coming out soon … Yarn, Tony Trischka, Katie Knipp, Silverada, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs, Jesse Daniel, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Kaitlin Butts, Oliver Wood, Jubal Lee Young, David Serby, Jim Lauderdale, Melissa Carper, Joe Ely, Rory Block and more!
