Cosmic American Music is hard to define, and often easier to define by what it’s not. Michael Grimshaw in his essay “Redneck Religion and Shitkickin’ Saviours? Gram Parsons, Theology and Country Music” writes: “Parsons’ mission was the creation of a new way forward, […]
I find most DJs are pretty smart about music and willing to share their knowledge with others. I guess that’s why I thought this column would be interesting. Rick August qualifies as both smart and active in more than just music. […]
Once upon a time, I did write about a David Bromberg show, for Huffington Post. That’s been a few years ago now, and – though I’ve heard him many times since – I hold off. Why? Some of the […]
Leonard Cohen isn’t the only Canadian octogenarian making fine music these days. Country/rock/folk pioneer Ian Tyson, who turns 82 this month, has just delivered his 13th CD, and it’s a winner. Like his other recent work, this latest effort displays […]
As Ian Tyson approaches his 82nd birthday Sept. 25, don’t presume for a minute that he is no more than a tired, over-the-hill folksinger who once penned a great song, “Four Strong Winds,” as part of a long-gone duo Ian & […]
Tom Russell is so prolific that it’s hard to keep up: I have about two dozen of his albums, and I’m still missing a few. This pair of 2014 releases almost slipped by me. Tonight We Ride, subtitled “The Tom […]
Tom Russell’s talent and penchant for experimentation have fueled some terrific projects over the course of his four-decade, 28-album career, but never more so than in recent years. In 2013, for example, he issued Aztec Jazz, a genre-bending classic that […]
Tom’s ancestral and musical triptych finally reaches fruition – Tá sé iontach, tá sé go hálainn More decades ago than he’d probably care to be reminded, Thomas George Russell graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a […]
In his 72nd year (and 40th making records), Ian Tyson knows who he is. Completely immersed in Alberta ranch life, he could no sooner forsake horses and horizons than Johnny Cash could avoid sin and salvation. His best work has […]
There’s a fascinating documentary making the art house rounds this summer titled Festival Express, comprised of footage from a roving rock festival that traversed Canada by train in 1970. Although the movie features The Band, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin […]
