Lucinda Williams - West
Lost Highway 
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.                          

The Procrastinators - The Procrastinators
Independent 
The self-titled debut release from The Procrastinators has been a popular addition to Americana Homeplace.  Our e-mail inbox has been flooded with requests from fans of the Fort Worth band.  The Procrastinators are led by David Green and Bill Carson and feature progressive acoustic-based music rooted in country, rock and folk.  Despite the band's Texas roots, The Procrastinators' music is strongly reminiscent of the West Coast country-rock scene of the 1970s. "Everything I've Been Doing" would fit nicely on an early Eagles record. On "Find Another Fool" the band embraces country music, while "It's Over" is a straight-ahead blues workout.  "Growling Dogs" features a mellow groove with a social message about political fanaticism. With songs like these it's understandable why The Procrastinators have such a loyal following.  Despite the name, The Procrastinators aren't wasting any time making an impact here at Americana Homeplace.                          

Sally Spring - Mockingbird
Sniffinpup Records (Released May 2, 2006)
Review By John Davy
Lots of artists thrive in the company of a sideman who is happy to stand just out of the spotlight; Sally Spring has Ted Lyons, and between them they've come up with a cracking album. Borrowing from English folk music as much as modern American singer-songwriter styles, eight of the eleven songs are originals, with Ted Lyons getting a co-write credit on three of them.  Click here for John Davy's full review.    

Holmes Brothers - State of Grace   
Alligator (Released January 16, 2007)
Few artists combine blues, country, gospel and folk music with the ease and skill of the Holmes Brothers.  The band routinely mixes original songs with material from Americana artists. Recent releases have featured gospel-blues versions of songs written by Tom Waits, Gillian Welch, Hank Williams, Sr., Willie Nelson and Townes Van Zandt.  The Harlem-based group's most recent release continues the same musical approach.  Entitled State of Grace, the recording includes covers of songs written by Lyle Lovett, George Jones, Hank Williams, Sr., Nick Lowe and John Fogerty.  The Holmes Brothers are also joined on the release by Rosanne Cash, Levon Helm and Joan Osbourne. With a line-up like that, you can't really go wrong.  Highlights include the group's take on Nick Lowe's "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding" and the original "Smiling Face Hiding a Weeping Heart."    

Nickel Creek - Reasons Why: The Very Best    
Sugar Hill (Released November 14, 2006)
By now most Nickel Creek fans are aware that the band recently announced its plans to take a break from recording and touring together beginning next year. There is still some uncertainty regarding the ultimate future of the band, but Sugar Hill Records is giving fans a nice career retrospective entitled Reasons Why (The Very Best Of). The compilation selects the strongest releases from each of the bands three studio albums to produce a true greatest hits package.  For fans who already own these great songs, the CD also features two previously unreleased live tracks ("You Don't Have To Move that Mountain" and "The Fox") and a DVD containing seven of the band's music videos.    

Eric Clapton & J.J. Cale - The Road to Escondido   
Reprise Records (Released November 7, 2006)
The musical careers of Eric Clapton and J.J. Cale have been intertwined since the inception of their respective solo careers in the early 1970s. Clapton has repeatedly mined Cale's catalog of songs for material, while Cale has benefited from the recognition Clapton has afforded him.  It is therefore somewhat surprising that The Road to Escondido marks the first formal collaboration between the two performers. Given the consistency of Cale's sound over the years - and Clapton's occasional desire to mimic it - it is no surprise that The Road to Escondido sounds more like a Cale solo release with assistance from Clapton and an array of musical contributors - including John Mayer, Taj Mahal and Albert Lee. Cale wrote 11 of the 14 songs, and it is those selections which highlight the CD.  A revamped "Don't Cry Sister," as well as new songs such as "Danger," "Last Will and Testament," and "Who Am I Telling You" make this release a must for Clapton fans and Cale fans.             

Gob Iron - Death Songs for the Living   
Sony (Released October 31, 2006)
As one of the pioneers of the alt-country movement of the 1990s, Jay Farrar earned a stellar reputation for producing a fresh and exciting approach to American roots music. His work with Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt has earned Farrar iconic status among Americana music fans. Farrar has recently joined with Varnaline leader Anders Parker to produce a collection of folk ballads and instrumental recordings steeped in the musical traditions of Appalachia. Going under the name Gob Iron (British slang for a harmonica), the duo's debut release is entitled Death Songs for the Living.  This amazing collection of dark and eerie acoustic music proves the power of a well-written song in the hands of accomplished artists such as Farrar and Parker.    

Dale T. Brann - Walking Back  
Obro Records (Released 2006)
Walking Back is the debut release from Tennessee-based singer-songwriter Dale T. Brann. The 13-song collection is a compelling blend of folk, bluegrass and "old-time" roots music. What stands out about this record is the quality of the musicianship as well as the songwriting. If you like traditional Americana music in the style of the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, then give Walking Back a listen. This record proves that some of the finest Americana music being produced today comes from independent artists who rarely get their proper due.  We are more than happy to bring artists like Mr. Brann to the attention of our readers. <Click here for Dale T. Brann's website>                

Vince Gill - These Days   
MCA Nashville (Released October 17, 2006)
Vince Gill's latest release is a 4-CD collection of songs entitled These Days. Each disc features a selected theme -  rock, romance, honky-tonk, and acoustic music. The release also features collaborations with some of the biggest names in country and rock music, including Rodney Crowell, Del McCoury, Gretchen Wilson, Alison Krauss, Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt, among many others. Though many Americana fans will be attracted to the compilation's acoustic disc, the strongest disc may be the rock-oriented opener. While multi-disc releases invariably contain a few weaker songs to complete the set, These Days matches quantity with quality to produce a consistently solid collection of contemporary rock, country, folk and bluegrass.        

Jim Lauderdale - Bluegrass   
Yep Roc (Released September 19, 2006)
Jim Lauderdale's affinity for bluegrass is well established. His collaboration with Ralph Stanley on 2002's Lost in the Lonesome Pines remains one of his most highly acclaimed releases. Two years later, Lauderdale released another bluegrass-flavored recording with Headed for the Hills.  On his latest release, the highly respected Nashville songwriter has once again returned to the bluegrass well for a collection of songs entitled - appropriately enough - Bluegrass. While not quite to the standard of Lauderdale's prior bluegrass-oriented releases, Bluegrass is still a solid effort led by tracks such as "Mighty Lonesome" and "There Goes Bessie Brown."            

Guy Clark - Workbench Songs   
Dualtone (Released September 12, 2006)
In 2005, Guy Clark was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting by the Americana Music Association.  With accolades such as that, it is easy to see why Guy Clark is held in such high regard by Americana music fans. Clark's latest release, entitled Workbench Songs, maintains his established standard of songwriting excellence. The release finds Clark sharing songwriting credits with luminaries such as Darrell Scott, Rodney Crowell, Lee Roy Parnell, Verlon Thompson and Gary Nicholson.  Clark also includes a cover of "No Lonesome Tune" by late friend Townes Van Zandt.        

Kasey Chambers - Carnival    
Warner Brothers / Wea (Released September 12, 2006)
An interesting trend has emerged in 2006. While pop/rock artists like Norah Jones, Van Morrison and Frank Black have embraced country and Americana music, a number of alt-country artists have moved in the opposite direction with pop-oriented releases. Add Kasey Chambers to the list of artists including Golden Smog, Brent Best, Neko Case and Robinella who have adopted a decidedly more pop-oriented sound on their latest releases. While Chambers' newest CD, entitled Carnival, aims for a more mainstream audience, it retains just enough country roots to appeal to her established fan base.        

The Duhks - Migrations     
Sugar Hill (Released September 12, 2006)
The Duhks continue their soulful and funky approach to traditional folk music on their latest release, Migrations. The Juno-award winning group has quickly established itself as one of Americana's most compelling new bands. Mixing bluegrass fiddle tunes with spirituals, funky jams, and original compositions, the CD incorporates a variety of musical influences but never veers too far from its folk roots.     

Tony Joe White - Uncovered    
Swamp Records (Released September 5, 2006)
Uncovered is the latest release from the King of Swamp Rock. Tony Joe White, who is most famous for writing songs such as "Polk Salad Annie" and Rainy Night in Georgia," is joined on his latest release by Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, J.J. Cale and Michael McDonald. The CD also features the late Waylon Jennings via a tape of one of his last recorded songs. Unfortunately, the CD suffers from an incredibly slow pace which often sounds like a 45 single played at 33 rpm (with apologies to anyone under 30 who doesn't get the vinyl reference).    

Bob Dylan - Modern Times    
Columbia (Released August 29, 2006)
The latest release from Bob Dylan is a blues-oriented collection of songs which reflects many of Dylan's original musical influences. "Rollin' and Tumblin," "Someday Baby" and "The Levee's Gonna Break" are all rooted in traditional country-blues. Dylan mixes in country, rockabilly and R&B influences to produce a more-than-worthy successor to 2001's Love and Theft.          

Old Crow Medicine Show - Big Iron World    
Nettwerk (Released August 29, 2006)
The second release from Old Crow Medicine Show is a compelling mix of traditional and original music produced by David Rawlings.  Big Iron World continues the mix of bluegrass, folk and Appalachian-based string music which this quirky quintet presented on their self-titled debut release.  As their name indicates, OCMS love the imagery and tradition of old-fashioned traveling variety shows. But despite the traditional influences, the band plays its roots-oriented music with a flare and edginess which is often missing from retro-Americana acts.    

Daniel Wylie - The High Cost of Happiness  
Neon Tetra (Released August 29, 2006)
The High Cost of Happiness is the latest release from Scottish singer-songwriter Daniel Wylie. Wylie is the former singer for Scotland's Cosmic Rough Riders. Since leaving the Cosmic Rough Riders in 2002, Wylie has released a series of solo albums which have won him critical acclaim in the UK. The High Cost of Happiness mixes folk influences with mainstream pop to produce an eclectic collection of West Coast-inspired music reminiscent of The Byrds and The Beach Boys. <Click here for more info>              

Crooked Still - Shaken by a Low Sound    
Signature (Released August 22, 2006)
Crooked Still is a Boston-based "newgrass" band with a growing critical reputation. Shaken By a Low Sound is the group's sophomore release. Though the CD relies heavily on traditional material such as "Little Sadie" and "Railroad Bill," the band also puts its unique stamp on Robert Johnson's "Come On In My Kitchen" and Bob Dylan's "Oxford Town." Keep an eye on this band. They may be poised to fill the gap left from the soon-to-be-defunct Nickel Creek.               

Carrie Rodriguez - Seven Angels on a Bicycle    
Narada (Released August 15, 2006)
Seven Angels On a Bicycle is the first solo album from Austin native Carrie Rodriguez. After several releases with Chip Taylor, Rodriguez takes the reigns and puts her personal stamp on this slightly more contemporary release. Taylor's influence is not hard to find though. He produced the CD and wrote most of the songs.  But Rodriguez takes the material in a new direction incorporating pop and jazz influences, while maintaining the country/folk roots of her previous recordings.              

Bernard Fanning - Tea & Sympathy    
Lost Highway (Released August 8, 2006)
Tea & Sympathy is the solo debut from Powderfinger lead singer Bernard Fanning. The Australian singer-songwriter recently won the 2006 ARIA (Australian Grammy) for Best Male Artist and Album of the Year for Tea & Sympathy.  The CD was released in Australia in 2005, but Lost Highway has recently picked up the CD for a separate release in North America.  Fanning - who cites Ryan Adams and Neil Young as influences - has managed to assemble a nearly perfect blend of power-pop and country-influenced rock.               

The Sadies - In Concert, Vol. 1   
Yep Roc (Released August 8, 2006)
The Canadian quartet known as The Sadies have released their first live recording which was recorded over two nights in Toronto.  This two-disk set features an amazing 40 songs with contributions from the Jayhawks' Gary Louris, the Band's Garth Hudson and Jon Spencer. The performance also features contributions from Neko Case and Jon Langford, both of whom have utilized the Sadies as their backing band on recent releases.            

PrinceRodriguez - Ballad of Pedro Nix  
Reload Records (Released October 31, 2004)
Ballad of Pedro Nix is the debut effort from Texas-based performers Jeff Prince and Phillip Rodriguez. Going under the name PrinceRodriguez, the duo's debut release is a concept album which tells the story of Pedro Nix - a Texan whose travels and travails form a compelling tale of love, life, adventure and tragedy. Mixing country, folk and Latino influences, the result is a unique and poignant musical narrative. <Click here for more info>