THE BEST OF AMERICANA 2007 (Part Two)

Other Pages of Interest:
Best of Americana 2007 (Part 1)
Best of Americana 2006 (Part 3)
Best of Americana 2006 (Part 2)
Best of Americana 2006 (Part 1)

Ryan Bingham - Mescalito Lost Highway / Released October 2, 2007 Mescalito is the Lost Highway debut from Texas singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham.  Bingham penned all of the songs on the CD which features contributions from Texas legend Terry Allen and former Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford (who also produced the album).  Bingham's weathered vocals provide a distinctive trademark which belie his relative youth.

Green Peppers - Domino Mornings Neon Tetra Records / Released August 7, 2007 Artist Website: www.greenpeppers.info   Domino Mornings is the second release from Glascow’s Green Peppers. The group is essentially the solo project of former Soup Dragons’ guitarist Jim McCulloch. "Honest Injun" is the CD’s first single release and features lead vocals from Del Amitri’s Justin Currie.

Peter Karp - Shadows and Cracks Blind Pig Records / Released June 26, 2007 Artist Website: www.peterkarp.com   Shadows and Cracks is the new release from singer-songwriter Peter Karp. Raised in Alabama and New Jersey, Karp began his musical career in his late teens. This is the follow-up to 2004's The Turning Point which featured former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor. According to Steppin’ Out magazine, "Karp’s unusual style enables him to effortlessly merge folk, funk, blues and rock into a steamy mixture of American music styles..."

Prince Rodriguez - Songs From The Sod Reload Records / Released 2007 Artist Website:  www.princerodriguez.com   Jeff Prince and Phillip Rodriguez return with their second album entitled Songs From the Sod. Collectively known as PrinceRodriguez, the pair have been performing together since the early 1980s. Songs From the Sod is authentic Southwestern Americana incorporating a variety of musical influences. The Fort Worth duo recorded the CD over a period of two years, but as Rodriguez notes, "we squeezed in plenty of beer and tequila along the way, otherwise we could have finished in about two weeks."

Lucinda Williams - West Lost Highway / Released February 3, 2007  The latest release from Lucinda Williams is entitled West. Thematically, West finds Williams dealing with the death of her mother and the aftermath of a broken relationship. Williams has a reputation for being a bit of a control freak when it comes to her recordings, so it is notable that the new CD marks the first time she has turned over production to someone else. Lucinda brought in New York producer Hal Willner to co-produce the follow-up to 2003's World Without Tears. Unfortunately, the result suggests that Lucinda would have been better served to retain control. The release is dominated by slow and mid-tempo ballads and uninspiring melodies. Lyrically, there are a few high points, but overall West is a disappointing effort from a singer-songwriter who is capable of far better.

Jim Armstrong - Mudtown Sonic Deli Records / Released 2007 Artist Website:  sonicdelirecords.com   Mudtown is the debut release from Toronto singer-songwriter Jim Armstrong. Armstrong mixes a retro blues-rock foundation with Americana sensibilities. Reminiscent of the work of John Hiatt and fellow Canadian Fred Eaglesmith, Armstrong’s music has a gritty, earnest edge for fans who enjoy the rockin’ side of Americana.

Dave Desmelik - Unheard Of Independent / Released 2007 Artist Website: www.davedesmelik.com  Singer-songwriter Dave Desmelik returns with his latest release entitled Unheard Of. A distinctive artist with a laid-back musical approach, Desmelik has assembled another consistent effort highlighted by "Loud and Clear" and "You’ve Come So Far."

Dan Janisch - Bad Medicine Green Door Record Co. / Released July 10, 2007 Artist Website: www.danjanisch.com Medicine Man is the latest release from Venice, California singer-songwriter Dan Janisch. Janisch penned all nine tracks on the acoustic-based folk-rock CD. Highlights include the title track, "Saynora Chinatown" and "Longway."

Sarah Borges - Diamonds in the Dark Sugar Hill Records / Released June 12, 2007 Artist Website: www.sarahborges.com   Diamonds in the Dark is the sophomore release from Massachusetts native Sarah Borges. Borges recognizes a broad array of influences, most particularly LA punk-rockers X. Diamonds in the Dark includes a cover of X’s "Please Come Back to Me," Dolly Parton’s "False Eyelashes," and Tom Waits’ "Blind Love." But Borges originals such as "The Day We Met" and "Lonely Town of Love" highlight the CD.

The Rounders - Wish I Had You Blind Pig Records / Released 2007 Artist Website: www.the-rounders.com   Wish I Had You is the Blind Pig Records debut from Oklahoma City roots rockers The Rounders. Combining back-to-basics blues rock with elements of Americana and a persistent driving groove, this CD will remind you that good rock ‘n’ roll still exists.