High Fences - James Edwyn and The Borrowed Band (06/10/17)

View fullsize

• Artist: James Edwyn & The Borrowed Band

• Release Date: 6th October, 2017

• Genre: Americana, Rock

• Record Label: Dead Records Collective

• Tracks: 10

• Website:

• Review By: Gary Smith (LCM)

Glasgow based Scottish Americana & Folk-Rock band James Edwyn & The Borrowed Band are certainly making waves. After the excitement and critical acclaim surrounding their debut album ‘The Tower’ in 2014, their second album ‘High Fences’ released in October 2017 certainly lives up it’s promise. It’s released on the band’s own Dead Record Collective label and is currently winning them even more attention. The band feature James Edwyn, Emma Joyce, Scott Keenan, Ronnie Gilmour, Ross McLaughlin and Neil McDonald

They thrilled at this years AMA UK conference & showcase and also performed on the main stage of the FATEA’s 30th birthday bash in Bournemouth. They have been very busy this year with a UK tour and many other successful festival appearances.

‘High Fences' is a perfect showcase of the bands unique combination of the finest melody-driven songwriting along with their trademark attention to production and arrangement. The inclusion of pedal steel and horns adding an extra dimension.

There are echoes of The Band too in the interplay and rich grooves in ‘Get Back Up’. It is a album of wonderful contrast and texture including the guitar-driven alt-country of the opening track ‘Passing San Ysidro’ , the gentle flow and reflection of ‘Pushing Statues’ through to the soulful ‘Quoting Sagan’. Soul and heart is what this album has in abundance. There is even the lovely ‘Never In A While’ which strips everything down to just James Edwyn on acoustic guitar. It perfectly suits the intimate nature of the song.

With it’s gentle melodic pop sway, ‘Starlet’ is another particular highlight of mine, with Emma Joyce’s harmony vocals adding to the rich mix. The album closes on two slow waltzers with ‘Burning Man’ and Ronnie Gilmour’s guitar playing perfectly complementing James Edwyn’s soulful and heartfelt delivery in ‘Doubts’ bringing to mind CSNY and The Eagles.

Buy the album here >>>

Motel Bouquet - Caitlin Canty (30/03/18)

• Artist: Caitlyn Canty

• Release Date: 30th March, 2018

• Genre: Folk, Blues, Americana, Singer-Songwriter

• Record Label: Caitlin Canty / Tone Tree Music

• Tracks: 10

• Website: https://www.caitlincanty.com

Caitlin Canty is an US singer/songwriter whose music carves a line through folk, blues, and country ballads. Her voice was called “casually devastating” by the San Francisco Chronicle and NPR Music describes her songs as having a “haunting urgency.”

’Motel Bouquet’, Caitlin’s third album, features ten original songs that hold her darkly radiant voice firmly in the spotlight. Produced by Grammy-nominated Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers) and recorded live over three days in Nashville, the album boasts a band of some of finest musicians in roots music, including fiddler Stuart Duncan and vocalist Aoife O’Donovan. Rolling Stone hails Motel Bouquet as “dreamy and daring” with “poetic lyrics and haunting melodies.”

Made In Streatham EP - Ferris & Sylvester (02/02/18)

• Artist: Ferris & Sylvester

• Release Date: 2nd February, 2018

• Genre: Folk, Contemporary Folk, Blues, Rock

• Record Label: Archtop Records

• Tracks: 5

• Website: http://www.ferrisandsylvester.com/

Down The Road Wherever - Mark Knopfler

• Artist: Mark Knopfler

• Release Date: 16th November, 2018

• Genre: Rock, Blues, Americana

• Record Label: Universal Music

• Tracks: 16

• Website: http://www.markknopfler.com/

Ask Mark Knopfler to explain the title of his ninth solo studio album and he will tell you that ‘Down The Road Wherever’ is a line from one of the tracks: 'One Song At A Time.' He'll give the credit for that title phrase to a sadly departed friend with whom he shared a lifelong love of songwriting and guitar playing, and their endless potential to change lives.

‘I remember my pal Chet Atkins once saying that he picked his way out of poverty one song at a time, and it just stuck in my mind,’ says Mark. ‘You get to an age where it is a few songs. But Down The Road Wherever seems to be appropriate, just because it's what I've always done. I've always tried to keep my own geography happening in the songs, that applies there as well.’ In One Song At A Time' that autobiographical geography pinpoints Deptford, where the up-and-coming Dire Straits began to make their way, one song at a time.

The unassuming spirit of the itinerant songsmith is still Knopfler's pilot light, inextinguishable through more than 40 years at the absolute pinnacle of his profession. ‘Down The Road Wherever’ is the latest, elegant evidence of that steadfast hunger, a bold and often surprising songbook of 14 selections (more on the deluxe editions) boiled down from twice as many that went into the workshop.

Shake The Spirit - Elle King (19/10/18)

• Artist: Elle King

• Release Date: 19th October, 2018

• Genre: Soul, Blues, Rock, Pop

• Record Label: Colombia

• Tracks: 13

• Website:

Songs Of The Plains - Colter Wall (12/10/18)

• Artist: Colter Wall

• Release Date: 12th October, 2018

• Genre: Country, Americana, Blues, Rock

• Record Label: Young Mary Record Company

• Tracks: 13

• Website:

The excellent second album from Saskatoon based Americana singer-songwriter Colter Wall.

Venom and Faith - Larkin Poe (09/11/18)

• Artist: Larkin Poe
• Release Date: 9th November, 2018
• Genre: Blues, Rock
• Record Label: Ticki-Woo Records
• Tracks: 10
• Website: http://www.larkinpoe.com/

Lay It On Down - Kenny Wayne Shepherd (21/07/17)

• Artist: Kenny Wayne Shepherd
• Release Date: 21st July, 2017
• Genre: Blues-Rock, Blues, Rock, Acoustic, 
• Record Label: Provogue
• Tracks: 11
• Website: https://www.kennywayneshepherd.net

One Last Kiss - RJ Comer (15/06/18)

• Artist: RJ Comer
• Release Date: 15th June, 2018
• Genre: Americana, Alt-Country, Blues, Singer-Songwriter
• Record Label: Growling Moon Records
• Tracks: 12
• Website:

False River - Andrew Duhon (25/05/18)

• Artist: Andrew Duhon
• Release Date: 25th May, 2018
• Genre: Americana, Folk, Blues
• Record Label: Independent
• Tracks: 11
• Website: https://www.andrewduhon.com/

Gota Fria - Beth Rowley (29/06/18)

View fullsize

• Artist: Beth Rowley
• Release Date: 29th June, 2018
• Genre: Blues, Americana, Jazz, Gospel
• Record Label: Stoopnik Records
• Tracks: 12
• Website: https://bethrowley.com/

The excellent highly anticipated second album from the wonderful Brit nominated Beth Rowley.

Purgatory - Tyler Childers (05/01/18)

View fullsize

• Artist: Tyler Childers
• Release Date: 5th January, 2018
• Genre: Country
• Record Label: Hickman Holler Records
• Tracks: 10
• Website: https://tylerchildersmusic.com

Purgatory

By Tyler Childers

Buy on Amazon

Revival - Jenn Bostic (04/05/18)

• Artist: Jenn Bostic
• Release date: 4th May, 2018
• Genre: Americana, Gospel, Blues, Rock, Country, Pop
• Record Label: Absolute Marketing
• Tracks: TBA
• Website: http://jennbostic.com

Solo Duo Trio - Luke Jackson (09/02/18)

• Artist: Luke Jackson
• Release Date: 9th February, 2018
• Genre: Americana, Blues, Folk
• Record Label: First Take Records
• Tracks: 15
• Website: http://www.lukepauljackson.com

Luke Jackson organised a show in his hometown of Canterbury and decided he would record the whole thing and release these recordings as a CD. The night included a solo, duo & trio sets showing the different sounds and contrasts of Luke's music and live performances. He took tracks from all his previous albums, breathing new life into old songs, others he has been performing every night for the last few years. It also includes a few tracks, that although may have been performed, never made it onto any records.

Accomplice One - Tommy Emmanuel (19/01/18)

View fullsize

• Artist: Tommy Emmanuel
• Release date: 19th January, 2018
• Genre: Acoustic, Blues, Americana
• Record Label: Mascot Records
• Tracks: 16
• Website: http://tommyemmanuel.com

A wonderful duet album two years in the making from Tommy Emmanuel, one of the best guitar players in the world. Accomplice One sees Tommy join a host of special guests for one of the most innovative and interesting albums so far in 2018.

•   1. Deep River Blues (feat. Jason Isbell)
•   2. Song And Dance Man (feat. Ricky Skaggs)
•   3. Saturday Night Shuffle (feat. Jorma Kaukonen & Pat Bergeson)
•   4. Wheelin' & Dealin (feat. J.D. Simo & Charlie Cushman)
•   5. C-Jam Blues (feat. David Grisman & Bryan Sutton)
•   6. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay (feat. J.D. Simo)
•   7. Borderline (feat. Amanda Shires)
•   8. You Don't Want To Get You One Of Those (feat. Mark Knopfler)
•   9. Keepin' It Reel (feat. Clive Carroll)
•   10. Looking Forward To The Past (feat. Rodney Crowell)
•   11. Purple Haze (feat. Jerry Douglas)
•   12. Rachel's Lullaby (feat. Jake Shimabukuro)
•   13. Djangology (feat. Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo)
•   14. Watson Blues (feat. David Grisman & Bryan Sutton)
•   15. Tittle Tattle (feat. Jack Pearson)
•   16. The Duke's Message (feat. Suzy Bogguss)

Encore - Anderson East (12/01/18)

• Release Date: 12th January, 2018
• Artist: Anderson East
• Genre: Southern Rock, Blues, R&B, Rock
• Record Label: Low Country Sound/Elektra
• Tracks: 11
• Website: http://andersoneast.com

Ready The Horses - Jarrod Dickenson (29/09/17)

• Release date: 29th September, 2017
• Genre: Americana, Country, Folk, Blues
• Record Label: Decca
• Tracks: 10
• Website: https://www.jarroddickenson.com/

Storytelling is something of a Texas tradition. Tall hats and even taller tales are woven into the fabric of The Lone Star State, and singer-songwriter, Jarrod Dickenson can spin a yarn with the best of them. Hailing from Waco, now based in Nashville, Jarrod spends most of his time on the road bringing his own particular brand of soulful Americana to a wide variety of music loving audiences around the globe.

Jarrod's critically acclaimed album 'The Lonesome Traveler' and his subsequent EP 'Songs From Willow St' paved the way for him to tour the UK, Ireland and Europe extensively over the last several years. Breakout performances at Glastonbury and Larmer Tree Festival, along with recent tours supporting legendary artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Don McLean, The Waterboys and Jools Holland have earned Jarrod a formidable and loyal fan base across the globe, including BBC radio hosts Dermot O'Leary, Cerys Matthews, Huey Morgan, Janice Long, Robert Elms and Alex Lester.

All tracks on the album were recorded with the core band live onto 2” tape, with Jarrod recalling, “I've found that getting a group of musicians all together in the same room, and playing the songs live allows you to capture the energy and feel of a live performance, because it's just that; a performance. You feed off each other, and create a much more honest and meaningful thing in my opinion. Recording to tape produces that warm sound we all love, but also affords you less room for error. I think it forces you to give each take your all. "

What's That Sound? - Hayley Reinhart (22/09/17)

View fullsize

• Artist: Hayley Reinhart
• Genre: Singer-songwriter, Blues, Jazz, Pop
• Release Date: 22nd September, 2017
• Record Label:
• Tracks:
• Website: https://www.haleyreinhart.com

Elles Bailey - Wildfire (01/09/17)

View fullsize

• Artist: Elles Bailey
• Genre: Blues, Country
• Release Date: 1st September, 2017
• Record Label: Outlaw Music
• Tracks: 12
• Website: https://www.ellesbailey.com/

Bristol based Elles Bailey (28) seamlessly weaves rootsy blues, country and soulful rock with a contemporary edge and her trademark ‘smoky vocals’ taking the lead. Her husky toned, lived-in voice sounds like she has a 60-a-day habit, but was actually caused by a serious illness when she was three. Her two EP's, both produced by Brian Banks, (Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie) 'Who I Am To Me' (Feb 2015) and 'The Elberton Sessions' (Oct 2016) were released to critical acclaim, and her debut album is set to drop Spring 2017.

No stranger to the scene, over the last three years, this captivating, hardworking songstress and her talented band have built up a loyal all-age fan base through relentless touring, through both the UK and Europe. She’s opened for acts like Wille & The Bandits and shared festival line-ups with Lisa Simone, The Mystery Jets & Wilko Johnson. Elles has just finished recording her debut record, at Blackbird studios in Nashville which has played hosts to artists such as Taylor Swift, Kings of Leon and Chris Stapleton to name but a few. Produced by Brad Nowell, the album features world-renowned country and blues musicians, including Grammy Award winner and a two-time winner of the CMA ‘Musician of the Year’ Brent Mason on guitar, pianist Bobby Wood ‘Musician Hall Of Famer’ 3 Times Over and more. One of the tracks on the record has been co-written with Ivor Novello Award writer Roger Cook. ‘Wildfire’ penned by Elles & Joe Wilkins (Elles touring band) will be the first single from the record. In fact, 2017 looks set to be a very busy year for Elles with over 30 dates scheduled in the run up to her debut album release in April. Her festival diary is also filling up very quickly. Elles will feature at The Great British Rock and Blues Festival in Skegness and will be opening for soul singer Jo Harman on her February tour before heading back into Europe in Spring 2017. Like many artists today, Elles is breaking down the barriers of traditional genres, taking inspiration from many and fusing them together to bring you her own unique sound, which is earning her a legion of devoted fans, young and old, from across the UK and further afield. 

'Gritty, southern, smoky vocals that have a real bluesy/country feel to them' (Maverick Magazine)

'One to watch for 2017' (Country Music Magazine)

'A Great Voice' (BBC 6 Music)

'Elles voice just keeps getting better" (Richard Pitt - BBC Introducing in the West)

'Elles Bailey gave it all, the complete package, energy, swagger and soul, whilst her band matched her passion and drive laying down hook after hook. Blues Princess, maybe, but with performances like this Elles will soon be taking the throne by storm' (Blues in Britain) 

Haze - The King's Parade (12/05/17)

View fullsize

• Artist: The King's Parade
• Genre: Soul, Blue, Pop
• Release Date: 12th May, 2017
• Record Label: The King's Parade
• Tracks: 4
• Website: www.thekingsparade.com

Since their formation in 2012, this four-piece’s assured touch of classic Detroit blues with melodic, crossover pop has evoked the crafted sounds of Jamie Woon, Leon Bridges and Alabama Shakes. 

After releasing their debut EP ‘Vagabond' in 2015 as well as a string of singles including ‘Bunched Up Letters’, ‘Silhouette’ and ‘Gathering the Pieces of a Broken Heart', The King’s Parade have seen themselves picking up wide critical acclaim. They also independently sold out London’s OSLO on the last leg of their debut sold-out European tour – echoing a growing number of hype acts growing fan bases and selling out large venues completely under the radar. 

Their classic sound was honed by musicians that were previously playing together more than 40 hours a week on a Hawaiian cruise ship. Think the Beatles’ unknown early gigs in Hamburg’s strip clubs and you’re just about there. The King’s Parade continue to refine a new soul blueprint that’s seeing a loyal and expectant fan base grow by the day, cementing their status as one of the most naturally talented and hustling young acts this year.