Guadalcanal Diary
Oddballs in a fertile mid-1980s college-rock scene that prized cryptic eccentricity, the wildly original Guadalcanal Diary was largely ignored by the mainstream, unlike fellow Georgians R.E.M. Whatever the reasons why, … Read more
Reviews
John Batdorf
Almost half a century ago, a wave of new, mainly acoustic music, from quintets, quartets, trios and duos, came out of the Pacific Coast, which just so happened to … Read more
James House
I got my first James House album (on cassette) about 30 years ago, and at that time he was in the rapidly expanding class of Nashville “hat acts.” Although he … Read more
Kevin Gordon
Nashville singer-songwriter Kevin Gordon penned one of the greatest roots songs in the last two decades with his epic “Colfax/Step in Time” from Gloryland. It’s a career defining song that … Read more
Joe Bonamassa
Joe Bonamassa makes concept albums, but not the type we’re accustomed to hearing. His are “themes,” often a double CD with an accompanying DVD. It might be a show with … Read more
Boz Scaggs
“Lido Shuffle” must still pay some decent bills. As slick as the song was in 1976, the bold blue soul always behind it rushes to the fore when Boz Scaggs … Read more
Israel Nash
In times full of anger and despair, Israel Nash insists on hope. He’s got the golden falsetto of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon—not to mention the shaggy mountain-man looks and habit … Read more
Samantha Fish, Daryl’s House, Pawling NY
I saw Samantha Fish at Daryl’s House for the first time. I had heard her name thanks to the Blues Hour on WBGO 88.3 out of Newark and the BB … Read more
Willie Nile
Leave it to a veteran songwriter like Willie Nile to take a stand on what our country is becoming. I’ve been waiting for an album like this since November … Read more
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Oak Hill, NY
Photos by Gene Knapp The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival has been going strong since 1984. The four-day extravaganza has evolved into a true 21st century event, with four stages, shuttle … Read more
