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Kenny Roby – The Reservoir
The Reservoir is Kenny Roby’s first studio album in seven years, and he certainly had a well of inspiration to draw from. Made on the heels of great loss, The Reservoir is less punchy honky-tonk than the bulk of Roby’s previous work. It’s a more sophisticated, polished, folk-rock album, perhaps a musical metaphor for Roby’s transition from Raleigh to Woodstock. The spirits of fellow residents like Bobby Charles and Jackson C. Frank may be lingering about, exerting their influence on songs like “For the First Time” and “Only Clown in Town”. The Reservoir is extremely personal, dealing with divorce, addiction,…
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Troubled Folk Songs : Playlist
I suppose it’s time to release this playlist into the wild. I’ve been working on it since November, gradually. Initially I named this one “Things I’m Sensitive To.” I’d been fascinated by this concept of ‘unearthed’ records for a minute, but had little guidance after a while and so went it alone. Over the next few weeks, I discovered the Numero Uno group but also did some heavy research seeking distinctly lo-fi private pressings from the very early 70s, or things that tend to be classified as “loner acid folk?” I guess, meaning that it was people who had been…
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Bonny Light Horseman at Rough Trade and Levon Helm Studio
It may be 2020 but the spirit of the 1800s is alive and well. I heard Wild Mountain Thyme three nights in a row this week, performed by two different bands. There’s no chance of traditional music being forgotten any time soon, if Anais Mitchell, Josh Kaufman, and Eric D. Johnson have anything to say (sing) about it. It’s an education. Bonny Light Horseman continues the long tradition of reinventing and reinterpreting classic folk music of various origins, from Scottish airs to 1960s Greenwich Village revivalist tunes. Their self-titled record ties a gorgeous knot on the long tangled threads of…
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James Elkington – Nowhere Time : Listen
James Elkington announced upcoming album Ever-Roaming Eye, out April 3rd on Paradise of Bachelors. Elkington is one of the best living guitarists today, but he’s also a multi-instrumentalist of staggering talent, adept at instruments I haven’t even heard of (mandola?). You can hear his brilliant playing on some of my recent favorite albums by Joan Shelley, Steve Gunn, Itasca, and Michael Chapman. “Nowhere Time” proves Elkington’s musical prowess extends beyond instrumental command into masterful songcrafting. While you’re waiting, check out his 2017 album Wintres Woma, as well as Ambsace, his release with fellow fingerstylist Nathan Salsburg. Stream the singles and…
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Bonny Light Horseman – Deep in Love : Listen
No words, really. Why am I writing about music???? How dumb to try to use words to try to describe already perfect existing words and art. Listen to this song. It’s so fucking beautiful. Every piece is perfect. Ahhhhh Listen on your favorite streaming service and pre-order the album (to be released on January 24th, 2020 on 37d03d) and see them on tour. This is really something special.
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Bonny Light Horseman : Listen
Today! A much anticipated first single from supergroup Bonny Light Horseman appears on the horizon. Hear the eponymous song from Eric D. Johnson, Anais Mitchell, and Josh Kaufman today. Listen on any streaming platform
