Gary Hunn 'Breaking Blue' - Alligator Creek

This Australian country singer has released his second album of hardcore country music. There's plenty of fiddle and pedal steel here to firmly place Hunn's self-written songs in the heart of those who love their country honky-tonk honest. Hann co-produced the album in Sydney and Townsville and it sounds like it was recorded in Texas. Hunn has a deep and satisfying voice that is the focus of these tales of woe. He's joined by Peta Cherae who duets on the I'll be better when your gone tale of Out Of My Life. Anywhere In Georgia is dedicated to Gram Parsons who was doubtless a major influence on Hunn alongside many of the old-school masters. 

 Other fairly self-explanatory titles here include Heads You Win, Hard Times A' Coming, Dirty Little World and my personal album favourite Heartaches, Hangovers & Cheating Songs a title which just about says it all really. Again Gary Hann is not stretching the envelope here but then I don't think he particularly wants to. His concern here is more with delivering a crafted song that fits his favourite format.

The production and playing from the local crew is totally sympathetic to the overall aim of the songs. I'm not sure whether radio in Australia is more open than its American midstream counterpart. One can hope that he gets a good response locally but a visit to his site will give you the opportunity to listen and enjoy what Hunn has to offer.

Sage & the Saints 'I Will Lie' - Self-Release

Sage Galesi is steeped in the world of performance, having grown up in a family with strong connections into the creative arts of acting and music. She appeared in the Michael Jackson video ‘Black or White’ and sang with Natalie Merchant at Lilith Fair. In addition, her mother is a close personal friend of Leonard Cohen and Sage has studied at Yale, in London and at the Moscow Art Theatre.

So, here we have an EP of five songs and an impressive taster of greater things to come from this interesting artist. The production credits go to Jonathan Trebling who does a fine job of injecting the songs with a light touch and a bright sound. He also plays guitar, banjo and mandolin on the tracks and is ably supported by no less than ten additional musicians.

The pace is set with the opening song, Would I Run and carries through Earn My Heart, to I Will Lie, a tale of disappointment and vulnerability. The final song Love & Pain displays what a fine voice Sage possesses and she sings like a mature performance artist even at this early stage of her career. A little bit Country, a little more Commercial and a lot of potential for the future

Amanda Pearcy 'Royal Street' - Self-Release

This Texas raised artist delivers her second collection of songs and a very impressive set it is too. With the persona of a fragile, sensitive and worldly weary traveller; Amanda sings of broken hearts, having lost in love and lines on her face that keep getting older. However, there is real depth and experience of life in these songs and there are many fine examples of her beautiful words;

The story of my Heart

Is so much more than a photo in a locket

Shot of whiskey,

Pool stick chalk

Eight ball in the corner pocket   

Excellent writing and there is also much to recommend the song arrangements and production of Tim Lorsch.  All words and music are credited to Amanda with the exception of a superb cover of’ No Expectations’ by Jagger/ Richards and a traditional spiritual song ‘Wish I’s in Heaven Settin’ Down’

In the song ‘Better on my Own’ , Amanda observes that;

That silver moon has done cast its spell

And pulled you away from our happy home

Baby I guess it’s just as well

I do better when I’m on my own

Well, Amanda is not alone here and is joined by a coterie of musicians that colour the songs with some understated and wonderful playing.

Renowned Producer Tim Lorsch pitches in with violin, cello and mandolin touches and the stellar cast add accordion, pedal steel, organ and guitar across the fourteen songs on display.

 There is much to recommend this fine recording. Check it out and you will not be disappointed. 

Soulstack 'Five Finger Discount' - Self-Release

The second release from this interesting outfit who hail from Ontario in Canada. The production is bright, with sweet soulful sounds,  and the playing is loose and funky. Fine keyboard swells mix with crisp drumming and exciting ensemble riffing. I am reminded of Little Feat and the Allman Brothers Band in listening to the workouts and there is an obvious joy in creating this music that comes across in the production. 

They are a strong bunch of players with plenty of talent and the song arrangements run from the slow groove of ‘want you to stay’  to the fine boogie and funky feel of tracks like ‘hangin’ in the kitchen’.

‘Friend’ changes the tempo with a balled on the strength of friendship;

If you find you can’t stand no more

Give me a holler and I’ll give you a hand

So you don’t fall too much farther down

That’s what a friend is for.

The song has some fine understated guitar playing and a beautiful organ part, backed by a strong rhythm section.

There is much versatility across the tracks and the quality never drops or sags in any way. The keyboard and guitar interplay is exciting and lift the song arrangements into a higher gear on tracks like ‘warm bed to sleep ton’ and ‘living room’. The final track in this twelve tune collection is a live version of ‘This May Be the Last Time’ and the Tom Waits vocal mannerisms are just perfect  for the song. I am certainly a convert to the fine brand of musical magic. Recommended.

Stephen Fearing 'Between Hurricanes' - Self-Release

This fine Canadian artist has been producing music of real quality for many years now but has remained steadfastly below the radar, outside of his native land. He has a body of work that includes an impressive seven solo releases, plus collaboration with Ireland’s Andy White and some additional recordings as part of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. Apart from a greatest hits package, released in 2009, this is the first set of songs that has seen the light of day in five years.

The time has brought its changes to the artist, who has moved home, remarried, become a father and continued to tour in service to the song. Stephen Fearing sings that the measure of a man is not his wealth and this strikes me as very true for this troubadour who consistently produced sublime songs from 1991 through 2006. He sings with a warm and wise voice that has seen the world and is reporting back from the front. The humanity in his words is a real pleasure to absorb and the dedication on ‘Cold Dawn’ to the crew and passengers of a Cougar Helicopter that crashed in 2009 off the coast of Newfoundland is perfectly apt for the gentle tribute that follows in the lullaby and soft strum of the song.

This release is co- produced by Stephen Fearing and John Whynot. (Bruce Coburn, Blue Rodeo, Lucinda Williams) and the arrangements are just full of space and a tender touch that highlights a supreme talent in the playing. ‘Wheel of Love’ sings of the need to continue on the road towards our journey’s end and the promise of a contented ending to it all.  The ‘Half-light of Childhood’ speaks of days past and the way that time seemed to take forever. ‘These Golden Days’ starts with a groove just out of a Joni Mitchell songbook and speaks of time woven as a silver thread, through these golden days.

The bonus track ‘Early Morning Rain’ brings the collection to a satisfying conclusion as we reflect on the traveller who is a long way from home and missing family. In a way, this is the fate of the singer-songwriter, ever searching for the next thing over the hill and the expectation of a new experience. A beautiful loneliness, captured with subtlety, in these eleven songs. Everybody should own at least some of the music of Stephen Fearing and this recording is a damn fine place to start. An excellent and welcome return from this, as yet unrecognised, superstar of song. 

Tim Ash 'Up On Block' - A & M

Twelve tracks on this recording by Tim Ash, a country music artist who has two previous releases to his name. It is a very commercial sound and an attractive recording with the instruments jumping out of the mix in bright bursts. He has a fine vocal to promote these songs of love and loss, faith in the future and believing in yourself. Hard rockin’ songs like Broke have instant appeal, as does Beertropolis, a song that celebrates hard drinking and a chilled attitude. 

There are so many country artists travelling this same road that it becomes hard to find the differentiating factor to separate one from another. All fine singers and players and all touting a new recording; it can get a little crowded in the foyer of the wannabe hotel.

No sense in naming other artists that sound the same, I am sure that Tim Ash has his local following and his regular circuit that can earn him a steady living. I cannot see him as a headline act, but there again; the fact that he gets out and lives his dream is enough.

Nothing too new then, nothing ground-breaking, just steady song-writing, nice arrangements and regular themes that populate such country releases

Randy Rogers Band 'Trouble' - Humphead

Country Rock comin’ at ya - Big & Proud. Texas born Randy Rogers sings it like he means it and he has the perfect voice to carry off these down home n’ dirty tunes. He has been releasing music since 2002 and has a steady flow of recordings to his name. The band on this outing is very impressive and plays tight, rocking arrangements with much finesse and fun. The guitar and fiddle interplay is especially catching as the songs come and go – Fuzzy talks of the hangover from hell while Flash Flood speaks of sudden attraction & love like a tidal wave. Trouble Knows My Name is about living life on the edge and learning on the streets. There is a hoarse, yearning quality to the vocal of Randy Rogers, never more evident than on Don’t Deserve You, supported by a driving beat. Never Got Around To That is a commercial hit if ever there was one in Country music. Had to Give That up Too deals with the eternal dance of drink and women and the sad end when ‘you love it more than it loved me’ ...  Shotgun is a salutary tale of crossing a cowboy and the likely consequences when you do. My copy of this new release carries no information concerning the players here or the production team but all involved do a fine job. Steady as you go, fine stompin’ country music and a solid release

Israel Nash Gripka 'Israel Nash's Rain Plans' - Loose

Everybody knows there is nowhere that those who hear Israel Nash Gripka can't escape his debt to the influence of a certain Canadian rocker; yet there is much to savour on Gripka's latest album that blends pedal steel with a wide open psychedelic quietly melancholic thoughtfulness. There is also an inviting glow to these songs that offer a suite of sounds that touches many bases while retaining a confident central theme.

The album has a gentler approach than the band in a live setting. There there is a sonic intensity that takes these songs to another place but on record the nine songs seem to flow seamlessly together, appearing as one long river of that has tributaries that could easily lead to other destinations.

Israel Nash Gripka songs are fairly opaque with phrases and couplets standing out but the overall context is less storyteller than stored memories and hopes expressed in song. The band throughout intertwine with Gripka and all soon submerge into the sound. They also had some strong vocal support to Gripka's passionate vocals.

Rain Plans always have to be made and Israel Nash Gripka has drawn and delivered one that will serve him and those who listen to it's execution well until the next instalment of his musical journey arrives.

Danny & The Champions of the World 'Stay True' - Loose

The latest album from Australian-born Danny George Wilson continues his exploration of Caledonian soul pop and Americana roots music on his fourth and finest album to date. Wilson and co-producer Chris Clarke have employed their champions well using London based bluegrass band Foghorn Leghorn on two tracks to add a different flavour to the sound. Elsewhere as on Let's Grab This With Both Hands they employ Melvin Duffy's pedal steel guitar and brass to fine country soul effect.

Overall there is a sense of place and time. The opening (Never Stop Building) That Old Space Rocket is an expression of remaining true to one's dreams and centres on a trip Wilson made with his Dad to see The Fabulous Thunderbirds play live. That kind insight gives the album it's real soul and it's need to stay true to it's intentions, to come in from the cold in what can be a cold, cold world. There is a warmth here that is central to it's charms.

Alongside such welcome recordings as those by My Darling Clementine Danny & The Champions of the World are underlining the fact that the cross-fertilisation of musical roots can grow to fruition pretty much anywhere in the world if the intentions of those making the music are honest and true to themselves.

Johnny Fritz 'Dad Country' - Loose

Formerly Johnny Corndawg who brought us Down On The Bikini Line an album that some thought was a send-up but Dad Country shows that Mr Fritz was in fact pointing us in the direction of the kind of old-school country that many a Dad would understand. Often that music had a cornball charm but it also had a pathos and true-to-life setting that reflected the lives of the people who listened to that music.

Things change though and those who have the final say have decided that country music now is perhaps more about something completely different. The life experiences of privileged teenagers perhaps?

Johnny Fritz however address such concerns as Have You Ever WantedDie?, Wrong Crowd, Suck In Your Gut or Trash Day - about forgetting to take the trash out. These Fritz written songs have a degree of humour inherent in their make-up but don't write a song about wanted to die without considering the darker side of life and living. Some like Holy Water are more wanting and wanton.

His concerns also look at society's inextricable layers and cliques on Wrong Crowd or Social Climbers. That all these songs are delivered in Fritz's slightly nasal country voice and backed by his on-form band make them sound good and bar-room ready. Taylor Goldsmith, who co-produced the album with Fritz, plays some fine guitar as does Spenser Cullum, Jr on pedal steel and Joshua Hedley adds fiddle to the tracks recorded in Nashville. The remaining tracks were recorded in California and overall they marry together well.

Jonny Kaplan & The Lazy Stars 'Sparkle And Shine' - Reckless Grace

A part of the Americana scene in California Jonny Kaplan's fourth album is a mix of rock (Rolling Stones, Tom Petty) and country (Gram Parsons). Kaplan has produced the album and assembled a strong crew of supportive guest musicians in such musicians as keyboardist Adam McDougall (Black Crowes), Brad Smith (Blind Melon), alongside actual Lazy Stars Rami Jaffee on keyboards and guitarist Dan Wistrom. Another guest on a number of tracks is pedal steel stalwart Chris Lawrence who brings that a touch more of a country flavour to a number of the songs. Actress Daryl Hannah is also on hand to add some backing vocals.

The album opens in rockin' style with the title track before taking a more bluesy route with Annalee Meets The Scorpion with B3 and resonator guitar and Kaplan's distorted vocal adding to the grit. That mood lights a little with Helena's Friend, a song that sounds a little like recent Elliot Murphy. There is a lot of diversity with the songs. The tempos change and Kaplan's song explore the emotions of relationships. Daryl Hannah joins Kaplan on the sage harbour offered in When Your Down. In more rootsy mode The Child Is Gone balances the acoustic guitar, B3 and pedal steel over the slow paced rhythm on a song of reaching a level of pain. 

When he brings things down to the level of guitar and voice (with strings) Kaplan further extends the capabilities of his range with Sweet Magnolia Flower. Hannah's second stint at the vocal microphone is on Charlie Robison's Always. A good time romp with guitar and piano giving it a Faces' feel. He finishes the set with Pretty Little Nose, a song that starts with guitar and steel guitar and slowly builds to a mediative reflection on loving someone close who may at times cause you pause to consider the times that they might let you down.

Dave Van Ronk 'Down In Washington Square' - Smithsonian Folkways

With the Coen Brothers film Inside Llewyn Davis focusing on the 60's folk scene in New York's Greenwich Village this compilation is a timely release. Van Rock, for many, epitomises the generic folk singer and over the 54 tracks featured here legitimise that description to a degree though it was a label he himself didn't see. He felt he was using a traditional fingerpicking style to play a songs he heard from a variety of sources - mostly from the 20s and 30s. More often than not it is voice and guitar that draw you into the heart of these songs. Though on occasion he gathers voices around him to deliver a hearty sea-shanty such as Leave Her, Johnny or Santy Anno. Otherwise the songs are a mix of originals and traditional blues material like Willie Dixon's Hootchie Kootchie Man, or the gospel of his friend and mentor Rev. Gary Davis' Oh Lord, Search My Heart. 

Other interpretations include Ain't No Grave Can Hold My Body Down, Stackalee, In The Pines and House Of The Rising Son (which was then "borrowed" by Bob Dylan whose recording was then covered by The Animals). The blues was something he understood and such original songs as Standing My My Window and If You Leave Me, Pretty Mama make that clear. Van Ronk never strayed far from his path. There was no electric conversion that may have brought him to a bigger audience. Instead he concentrated on his arrangements of a wide variety of source material that included everything from traditional tunes to Bob Dylan.

This collection includes 16 previously unreleased recordings and is annotated well giving details of the songs and their recording as well as sleeve notes from archivist Jeff Place and an essay by Andrea Vuocolo, his widow. All in all it is a worthy and well compiled and produced package to the man known as the Mayor of MacDougal Street who never had the mainstream recognition that many of his contemporaries achieved but who remained true to his vision and was a supreme singer, guitarist and writer and this 3 CD set makes he music readily available to many who may have only heard his name in passing. It is testament to a talent who, though he is no longer with us, left behind a legacy that will stand the test of any time.

Robbie Fulks 'Gone Away Backward' - Bloodshot

Back with the label he first worked with as an insurgent country artist Robbie Fulks latest album finds him in a relatively acoustic mode. Producer Steve Albini has kept the sound direct and raw. The songs straddle a country/bluegrass mode, although both styles of songs are delivered in a similar fashion and Fulks voice and delivery holds it all together. The songs are tales of those facing the struggles that life and love has thrown at them in this current century and in earlier times.

I'll Trade You Money For Wine, has a urgent bluegrass feel and the title sums up its overall theme. The realisation that how some of life's cards may fall and can dictate the way life pans out is expressed in the effective forthrightness of Where I Fell. That's Where I'm From is back to bluegrass and song that lauds the spirit of song (and other simple opportunites) over more monetary aspirations. It is the album's longest song at over 6 minuets but holds attention throughout. That theme is also echoed in That's Where I'm From, which details some of the values that have shaped him in his current outlook. When You Get To The Bottom has a more country feel though the delivery is still very much acoustic with a plaintive fiddle motif and some tight harmony singing.

There are a couple of instrumentals featured in Snake Charman's Tune, a melancholic fiddle lament, while Pacific Slope has a more some fast picked guitar that gives the song a more  vibrant energy. The album closes with some songs that again reinforce the somewhat dark and foreboding image on the album's cover Sometimes The Grass Really Is Greener finds Fulks ruminating on the choices he made during his career and where he feels his heart truly lies. The more gentle understanding of Guess I Got It Wrong shows an writer maturing and learning from all that has occurred in his life to date. The final tracks The Many Disguises Of God and Rose Of The Summer have a more traditional folk song elements that makes them feel more timeless and indeed could well have been played at any folk festival in the 60s.

 It is good to have Robbie Fulks back and with a label more sympathetic to his needs. However at this point he may well be playing to those who are aware of him and have followed him from his first album to this point, rather than being able to break through to a broader audience. He has not gone away even if he is looking backward which is something his fans can look forward to.

Billy Currington 'We Are Tonight' - Humphead

This country music artist has released four previous recordings and has had seven number one singles, including the song Hey Girl which is the first cut on this new release. Born in Savannah, Georgia, he has come a long way in a short space of time, witnessed here by the presence of Willie Nelson on the excellent Hard To Be A Hippie.

Wingman is a fun song about guys on the town and their plans to hit the jackpot. One Way Ticket is straight out of the Jimmy Buffet songbook and the easy groove of 23 Degrees and South is a well thought out arrangement that speaks of love and the dreams of youth.

Despite three different producers across the ten songs here and a host of different musicians, it is to his credit that the parts add up to a cohesive whole. Most of the songs slip easily into each other and the bright sound keeps the listener engaged at all times. Banana Pancakes and Hallelujah close the record in fine style and turn in a very steady performance from this country artist with a fast growing reputation. Dare I say Tim McGraw with a twist..? And no big hat either.

Alabama 'Alabama & Friends' - Humphead

Alabama are an American band who took their name from their home State who won a huge reputation in the arenas of country music and southern rock. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), and his cousin Teddy Gentry (bass guitar, background vocals), plus Jeff Cook (lead guitar, fiddle, keyboards).

Alabama is often credited with originally bringing country music bands into the mainstream and paving the way for the success of today's top country groups. This band has experienced unprecedented success and has over 30 number one country records on the Billboard Magazine charts.

They have also sold over 75 million albums, making them one of the world's best-selling bands of all time.

With a massive back catalogue, it is impossible to pick the ultimate song selection for a greatest hits collection. So, Alabama do the next best thing in asking nine different performers to interpret some of their most widely loved songs. We get to hear Rascal Flats, Kenny Chesney and Trisha Yearwood  in quick order and many of the songs are kept close to the original arrangements. Some new country talent is also given free reign with the appearance of Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line.

Alabama also include two new songs in That’s How We Were Raised and All American both of which sit comfortably with the more famous tried and tested songs. The final  song is a Jamey Johnson take on the hit My Home’s in Alabama and it proves to be a fitting conclusion to a record that celebrates everything that is good about country music and points an arrow at the past to realise just where country rock was born. A very timely and welcome release.

Melody Walker & Jacob Groopman 'We Made It Home'

Guitars, banjos and mandolin exclusively create the song arrangements on this release. Twelve songs played across a stripped down production, that highlights the fine playing and singing of both musicians.

This duo has been two short years in existence. This is their first release, although both musicians come from backgrounds that included various band and solo incarnations, in addition to playing together as part of the bluegrass band Front Country.

Produced by Laurie Lewis, country and bluegrass fuse together in a potent mix of harmony vocals and sensitive playing. Black Grace is a song that has won Melody Walker recognition and a first place in gospel song-writing circles. “Heaven is right here, if you’re doin’ it right” reflects the lyric and this could be taken as a guide for the confused and vulnerable in search of the celestial map.

We are given fine cover versions of Paul Simon’s Graceland and Peter Rowan’s Mississippi Moon and Melody writes a further six songs, including the excellent O Heartbreaker which is a plea to love ourselves first before we can hope to find the love of another.

Billy the Chimp is a true story about a circus boxing performer who ‘never moved back to Africa’ while Yellow Haired Girl, to quote the liner notes, is a meditation on the simultaneous worship and exploitation of pretty women around the world; an arresting song with body and hand percussion used to great effect.

This is a fine collection of songs and recommended to lovers of acoustic collaboration.   

Ashleigh Flynn 'A Million Stars' - Home Perm

Originally from Kentucky, Ashleigh Flynn has released three previous records and I will wager that her name hints at a little Irish blood somewhere in the family line. This new release includes songs that were written in tribute to unnamed female heroes that history has overlooked. The playing is excellent throughout as we are treated to tales of pioneering women.

 Chris Funk of the Decemberists is producer on the record, in addition to contributing as a musician across a fine array of musical instruments with banjos, trumpets, fiddles, clarinets and any other instrument you could name in the next 20 seconds. The song arrangements add to a feeling of celebration to the music and the twelve songs are very engaging.

Prohibition Rose is a real treat with its New Orleans swing and easy jazz feel.  Dirty Hands and Dirty Feet is a dip into banjo and fiddle stomp music, while The West Was Won is a tribute to Calamity Jane.

There is some fine pedal steel guitar underpinning the song Runnin’ with the cautionary message; “Walk the line searching for the limit, watch for signs that won’t come unless you’re willing…”