MARTY STUART: When the Glitter is Gone
Once the king of the glitterbillies-the term he coined for the style of music known for a rhinestone suits and rockabilly backbeats-Marty Stuart seems comfortable with more modest apparel, both in terms of music and clothing.
RICKY SKAGGS: Making Old Traditions New
Probably the only musician who will ever be able to say that he has shared stages with both Ralph Stanley and Phish, Ricky Skaggs has squeezed a full lifetime of music into his 54 years.
BRIAN WILSON: God’s Messenger
With his wondrous songs extolling the simple joys of sun, sand, surf-and more introspective fare examining the psychic heartbreak of life-Brian Wilson is recognized as one of the most important songwriters of the last century.
GAMBLE & HUFF: Soul Deep
Long before Daryl Hall, John Oates and Todd Rundgren were met with major success, songwriting legends, hit producers and label founders of Philly International-Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff-put the “City of Brotherly Love” on the musical map.
LES PAUL: Still Changing Songs
Guitar legend Les Paul is onstage at Manhattan’s Iridium Club, where he has been its star attraction every Monday evening for the past 13 years.
HALL AND OATES: Soul Survivors
Architects of consummately crafted rock and soul, Daryl Hall and John Oates are the best selling duo of all time.
Architects of consummately crafted rock and soul, Daryl Hall and John Oates are the best selling duo of all time. Since meeting up in the late ‘60s in a freight elevator, scurrying away from a riot [...]
MAC DAVIS: Hook, Line and Sinker
Had he only penned Elvis Presley’s No. 1 smash, “In The Ghetto,” Lubbock, Texas, native Mac Davis’s place in the annals of important songwriters would be assured.
HANK COCHRAN: Humble Captain
A native of Isola, Miss., Hank Cochran moved to Nashville in January 1960 after living in California and touring the country with Eddie Cochran and Lefty Frizzell.
DONS HELMS: Add Some Steel Guitar, Don Helms and the Songwriting of Hank Williams, Sr.
In August of 2008, Don Helms died. As one of country music’s greatest pre-pedal steel guitar players, Helms is essential to ten of Hank Williams’ 11 No. 1 hits, as well as major hits by Lefty Frizzell, Patsy Cline, Stonewall Jackson and many more.
ANYA MARINA > Slow & Steady Seduction, Phase II
Anya Marina’s Slow & Steady Seduction, Phase II has Billboard Heatseaker stamped all over it.
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE > Merriweather Post Pavillion
On the heels of Strawberry Jam last year, Animal Collective underwent a change from overlooked techno-rati darlings of the critical elite to a name practically synonymous with fringe experimentalism.
RALPH STANLEY: The Last Mountain Man
Ralph Stanley is a man of few words and short answers, and after over 60 years of playing music, he can be forgiven for not wanting to say it all again.
ANDREW BIRD > Noble Beast
Depending on your perspective, Andrew Bird is either inching closer toward the mainstream or is still about a thousand miles away from it.
DEL MCCOURY: Time Has Come Today
Though it took him awhile to become a household name in Americana circles, throughout his career, Del McCoury has demonstrated time and again he has impeccable timing.
J.D. SOUTHER > If the World Was You
Souther’s Conltranesqueries strike the nuanced intimacy of Joni Mitchell’s best work.
THE DEAD TREES > King of Rosa
Though their names suggests something hollow and gone, their music is anything but.
THE POSTMARKS > By-the Numbers
Those who don’t like their indie pop fronted by breathy, little girl voices can stop reading here.
THE BIRD & THE BEE > Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future
…a disorienting amalgam that is pure, lo-fi deliciousness.
HOLLY GOLIGHTLY & THE BROKEOFFS > Dirt Don’t Hurt
…another 14 track slab of high lonesome, backwoods Americana.
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