Introduction A few weeks back I assembled a list of my ‘essential eleven’ traditional murder ballads. While we here at Murder Ballad Monday usually delve deeply into one ballad or theme, we saw some possible value in a lighter ‘list-based’ … Continue reading →
Carla Bozulich We noted in the previous installments (1 and 2) how Willie Nelson’s 1975 album Red Headed Stranger (Spotify) represents the realization of a distinctive artistic vision. It challenged the conventional wisdom of the recording industry when it was released. One … Continue reading →
This is our second post on Nelson’s classic murder ballad concept album Red Headed Stranger. Read the first one here. Now the preaching is over and the lesson’s begun As I hope was clear from the previous post, Willie Nelson’s creative enhancements … Continue reading →
There are few singers who rise to the level of a true icon, and fewer still who wear that banner with equal parts honest pride and realistic humility. Our dear Faith Petric, the godmother of the San Francisco folk music … Continue reading →
We just received the sad news that sandal maker / fiddler Allan Block passed away on Wednesday, October 23rd, at 90 years of age. Allan was a seminal figure in the Folk Revival and Greenwich Village folk scene of the … Continue reading →
ROBBIE FULKS Gone Away Backward Bloodshot 211 www.bloodshotrecords.com Years ago, a promoter fondly described Fulks as a big Dennis the Menace of country music – something country music often deserves. At 50, he’s mellowed … Continue reading →
DEEP DARK WOODS Jubilee Black Hen 976 www.blackhenmusic.com Advance press for Canadian roots-rockers The Deep Dark Woods’ fourth album played up the fact that they were working with producer Jonathan Wilson, noted for his … Continue reading →
CHRIS JONES & THE NIGHT DRIVERS Lonely Comes Easy Rebel 1847 www.rebelrecords.com There is a healthy and longstanding tradition of country and bluegrass musicians doubling as radio DJs and becoming as widely known for their … Continue reading →
RON BLOCK Walking Song Rounder 9167 www.rounder.com Ron Block is familiar to bluegrass and mainstream country music fans by virtue of his long tenure as banjo player and guitarist in Alison Krauss’ band Union … Continue reading →
WHALEBONE Runes Two Wild Women www.whalebone-music.com This is the fourth album for the instrumental trio from Shropshire, England. Two guitars and fiddle, and a few other instruments they play (mandolin, etc.) tossed in for … Continue reading →
