Here’s some the best Americana and roots-type music releases for November 22nd, 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.
The Coward Brothers
The Coward Brothers (New West Records)
The exact relationship between Henry (T-Bone Burnett) and Howard Coward (Elvis Costello) remains ambiguous. They often referred to themselves as “One and a Half Brothers,” which might hint at their height difference or imply they were not actually siblings but were involved in an elaborate ruse. Their musical partnership, known as The Coward Brothers, was initiated by Smiley “Doc” Snipson, who discovered Henry Coward in 1956 and signed him for a UK tour. The brothers’ hit single, “My Baby Just Squeals (You Heel),” was followed by less successful records and a controversial Cold War-themed song. To preserve their fading fame, Snipson orchestrated their supposed death in a plane crash, but they were actually in hiding on a Caribbean island, secretly recording music and sending it back to Snipson. They later resumed recording, but their partnership eventually fractured, leading to years of estrangement. Their music, from early rock and roll hits to later, more introspective songs, is compiled in the album, The Coward Brothers. After years of silence, their story was explored in a radio program, revealing the complexity of their relationship and their enduring bond. Despite their tumultuous history, their music remains a testament to their unyielding spirit.
Also new this week…
C. Daniel Boling – Love, Dan (Perfectly Stable Records)
Ags Connolly – Your Pal Slim: Songs of James Hand (Happy Valley Music)
Eddie 9V – Saratoga ( Ruf Records)
Evie Ladin – Riding the Rooster 2 (self released)
Ramona and the Holy Smokes – Til It’s Over (EP) (self released)
Letitia VanSant & David McKindley-Ward – Eye of the Storm (self released)
Coming out soon … The Milk Carton Kids, Lucinda Williams, Ringo Starr and more!
