Challenging Tradition

The long history of American roots music is rife with gospel slayers, bluegrass guitarists, outlaw country dudes, and weird, dark tales. You might say, when it comes to those music traditions, it’s all been done before. But has it? Parker Millsap gives raw gospel a run for its money yet again, with his latest, The Very Last Day. Margo Price proves outlaw country isn’t as narrow as we thought. And Sean Watkins, always an innovator, grabs his bluegrass creds and rides them into singer-songwriter town with another excellent solo release. Then there’s Bob Mould and Lee Harvey Osmond … where does one even start? Just pick up one of these records that interests you, and press play.