Ever ask yourself what Al Jourgensen, main man of industrial metal pioneers Ministry, would sound like if he decided to go country? Yeah, me either. You May Also Like: Esquire featuring Nikki Squire, “Ministry of Life” (2016): One Track Mind Wilco (The Album) echoed, but didn’t quite live up toRead More

You will never hear anyone accuse Neko Case of “phoning it in.” She’s the kind of singer about whom there’s no doubt that she’s passionate about her craft, belting out a modern combination of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. The alt-country chanteuse returned here from a three-year break, and continuedRead More

The range and scope of Ray Charles’ talent could never be contained within one genre, no matter its lasting joys.

While working as a session player in the 1960s with legendary songwriters such as Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, an up-and-coming Charlie Daniels witnessed first-hand greatness at both the pen and the microphone. You May Also Like: Charlie Parker – Unheard Bird (2016)

Boasting a homey, Dan Fogelberg-esque nostalgia in both tone and style, Drexel Rayford’s Cherokee Road takes a series of long looks back You May Also Like: Bart and the Bedazzled – Blue Motel (2018)

In a few short years after these sides were put to tape, Buck Owens would be hailed as the architect of the Bakersfield sound, notching memorable hits for Capitol including “Tiger by the Tail” and “Act Naturally.” He was, really, still gathering his tools, and picking out building materials. Yet,Read More

Growing older has made Nick Lowe grayer, a little quieter, but no less clever, no less relevant, and certainly no less off-handedly absorbing. He is the living, breathing, guitar-playing, Buddy Holly shade-wearing embodiment of the old saw about getting better with age. You May Also Like: East Axis [Matthew Shipp,Read More

Somber, but I really like this. Glen Campbell is definitely going out on top.

‘Southern Independent Vol. 1 and Vol. 2’ are a pretty good representation of what’s out there in country and related genres that you’re not hearing on the radio.

Among some of my Internet friends, I’m known for being into “obscure” jazz. I suppose this is true, though given the average person’s engagement with the jazz world (face it people, it’s a pretty small number, percentage-wise), the definition of “obscure” is a slippery one. Maybe I just like obscureRead More