This album has been on heavy rotation for the last couple of months, which have been busy for me and my family which has just expanded, give it a listen to see why.
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Iain is a Scottish songwriter who creates some mysterious and very beautiful music. This was the first album of his I heard, but I have stated collecting more, and so far they are all amazing.
Go to his website to grab the album. http://www.iainmorrisonmusic.com/
One For The Road
I love real American folk music. The music is so simple and complex at the same time. This really showed up with this album when I put it on a car CD. Before it came on was thinking to myself that it would a little to mellow and folky for driving. But I was very wrong, it was perfect for it, showing depth that I hadn’t known was there.
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This is just simple honest american folk. When it sounds this good I can never get enough.
Get there stuff here: http://www.redtailring.com/
One For The Road
I love Northern European Americana. Yes that is a thing.
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These guys have a fantastic guitar player that I feel really gives the song a unique sound. Along with great songwriting and that European way of pronouncing and singing particular words a little bit different, which really appeals to me for some reason.
They changed there name to John Dear Mowing Club at some stage, and then seemed to have disappeared just about altogether.
The only trace I can find of a way to buy this is here http://www.mowingclub.com/product/lawnmower-mind/. Maybe you can email them for more options?
One For The Road
I have a lot of friends that don’t seem to enjoy country all that much. But they love Chris Knight with a passion. Go figure.
Have A Listen
Chris Knight – Leaving Souvenirs
This album has stripped back versions of songs he plays and and has mostly released earlier with his full band. I like the full band sound, but I like this one man and his guitar version that much better.
Even if you don’t like country, going on my previous experiences, you will still like Chris Knight. After that its a slippery slope my friend.
Grab the Albums and stuff here: https://missinginkshop.com/chrisknight/
One For The Road
With a little girl on the way it is time to learn some lullabies to play her to sleep. First choice on my desk so far is the song just below.
Have A Listen
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Gregory has been blowing my mind for quite a while and is very high on my list of how this type guitar folk should be done. This album has been out for a long time and is quite well known now, but still one that I listen to over and over. The banjo that comes in to accompany him is done very well.
Grab the album and stuff from his site: http://gregoryalanisakov.com/
One For The Road
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To be able to build a song up from start to finish is a great thing to be able to do, and this first song in one of my favourites that does just that.
Have A Listen
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This album from Ola Podrida contains many understated folk gems. If may take a few listens to really appreciate the quite vibe of the album as a whole, one that builds the whole way through to end with the great final song below.
You can grab the album through his website here: http://olapodrida.com/
One For The Road
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Did I mention I like sad songs. After watching an amazingly heartbreaking French film last night (Blue is the Warmest Color), I am in need of more heartbreaking music to get me through the day.
Have A Listen
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This album is the second telling the story of a sailor whos life is pretty good at falling apart. That said you don’t really need to focus on the overall story to much (I’ve been listening to these for years and haven’t really figured any of it out), as each song is a story itself.
You can grab the album here: http://rightawaygreatcaptain.bandcamp.com/album/the-eventually-home
One For The Road
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There are plenty of singer songwriters around. Hell why not, even you should be one and release your album. But with that much competition out there it takes a little more to standout. Caleb Stine does.
Have A Listen
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Caleb comes across as world weary and as somebody that has been on the road for way to long. But that doesn’t mean he is going to stop. The album digs deep into his own psychological minefields and examines the simple problems of actually finding out how to just fit in.
Check him out and get the music here: http://calebstine.com/
One For The Road
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Music needs room. Lots of instruments and sound can be good, but less and less can be better.
Have A Listen
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Jack has produced a sparse masterpiece that has fantastic vocals and a story to tell. It often takes me a few listens to hear the real quality in an album, this one had me in the first minute.
You can get the album, and really should, from his website; http://www.jackday.net/.
One For The Road
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I found my way to bluegrass through punk music believe it or not. One of the earlier bands back then that caught my ear was Split Lip Rayfield. Their energy and grit really came shining through in the music giving it a real edge over other music like this type around then.
Have A Listen
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The loss of their guitar player Kirk Rundstrom to cancer a number of years after this album did not stop them continuing to make music, but without Kirk I feel some of the magic may have left the building for good.
They used to have a website, but it appears to be down at the moment; http://www.splitliprayfield.com/. Unless it comes back I am sure you will be able to find the album for sale elsewhere. There is also a film with the same name about the band and Kirks fight with cancer in particular.
One For The Road
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