New music: 'Long Journey Home' Americana collection, Kevin Gordon, Al Basile

In this column I review three new American music-minded audio titles.

Artists: Molly Tuttle, Old Crow Medicine Show, John. McCutcheon, more

Title: Long Journey Home: A Century After The Mountain City Fiddlers Convention (Appalsongs)
You might like if you enjoy: Old Crow Medicine Show, Mollly Tuttle, John McCutcheon, Americana music
Tell me more: In May 1925 the small town of Mountain City, TN hosted a fiddlers convention. That single concert's impact has been long remembered and now a century later a number of today's Americana greats have contributed to an ambitious new title celebrating that event. The 17 tracks on Long Journey Home: A Century After The Mountain City Fiddlers Convention (a project spearheaded by John McCutcheon) showcase virtuoso musicianship in spades while conjuring up the magic of classic Appalachian-steeped Americana. Highlights abound on the outstanding collection including singer-fiddler Stuart Duncan's fast-paced opener "Cumberland Gap," the bewitching collaboration between singer-guitarist Molly Tuttle and fiddler Ketch Secor ("I've Always Been A Rambler"), Tim O'Brien's infectious "Old Molly Hare," singer-banjo master Jake Blount's "House Carpenter," singer-fretless banjo player John McCutcheon's captivating "Cuckoo," Old Crow Medicine Show's buoyant "What You Gonna Do With The Baby," the haunting instrumental "Cluck Old Hen" featuring Tray Wellington (on bluegrass banjo) and Victor Furtado (on old time banjo), and enticing "Forked Deer" featuring dynamic play from Becky Buller (fiddle), McCutcheon (banjo), Tim O'Brien (mandolin), PJ George (guitar) and Missy Raines (bass). Information: folksongs.com. 

Artist: Kevin Gordon

Title: The In Between (Kevin Gordon)

You might like if you enjoy: Kevin Gordon, John Hiatt, John Mellencamp
Tell me more: On his latest album The In Between, singer-songwriter Kevin Gordon chronicles dark times and triumph — much of the winning material centered on events and emotions centered around his successful fight to overcame throat cancer during the recording of the outstanding release. The catchy uptempo opener "Simple Things" is a roots rocker that was penned during the pandemic and — as Gordon notes in media notes about his seventh album — taps into the "exchange of energy between me and an audience." The luxurious alt country-tinged title track finds the Louisiana native looking at his life and the decisions he has made with depth and candor. Other standouts on the stellar album include the galloping rocker "Love Right," lovely fiddle-adorned "Tammy Cecile," garage rock-styled nugget "Coming Up," rollicking "Destiny" and deeply affecting closer "You Can't Hurt Me No More." Information: https://kevingordon.bandcamp.com/album/the-in-between.

Artist: Al Basile

Title: Blues In Hand (Sweetspot Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Dr. John, Roomful of Blues, Tab Benoit
Tell me more: Eight-time Blues Music Award-nominated singer/songwriter/cornetist Al Basile's latest full-length. album Blues in Hand showcases his signature brand of blues with a parade of strong originals. Among the captivating tracks on the 13-track disc is the opener "All of Your Lies," cornet-anchored "Blues is My Roommate" (the latter bolstered by Kid Andersen's lead guitar work), horn section-fueled "Good Friends" and "Leave it All Behind You," confessional "Older By the Minute," exuberant "Thank You, Fool" and funky "You Ain't That Fine." Basile's strong baritone vocals and stellar cornet playing enhance the album's tracks at every turn. Information: albasile.com.

Robert Kinsler 

New music: Julie Christensen, Keb' Mo', Night Crickets, John Mellencamp

In this column I celebrate new releases from Julie Christensen, Keb' Mo', Night Crickets and John Mellencamp.

Artist: Julie Christensen

Title: 11 From Kevin: Songs of Kevin Gordon (Wirebird Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Flesh Eaters, Divine Horsemen

Tell me more: The exceptional song writing of Nashville singer-songwriter Kevin Gordon is celebrated by Julie Christensen on her latest album 11 From Kevin: Songs of Kevin Gordon (released Jan 21). It speaks volumes about the power of Gordon's songcraft and Christensen's strengths as a recording artist that this is an album where diverse music styles somehow couldn't be more at home together. The loose rocker "Find My Way," the medley of the countrified "Heart's Not In It / Down To The Well," bluesy "Jimmy Reed Is The King of Rock n' Roll," gorgeous roots rocker "Gatling Gun" and lovely folk gem "Rest Your Head" collectively cast a welcome light on Gordon's pictorial lyrics while simultaneously showcasing Christensen's gifts as a singer. Co-produced by Christensen and Brett Ryan Stewart, 11 From Kevin: Songs of Kevin Gordon also rises via contributions from a field of great musicians; in particular Sergio Webb and Chris Tench add a myriad of diverse guitar sonics across the marvelous recording. Information: stonecupid.com.  

Artist: Keb' Mo'

Title: Good To Be (Rounder Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Keb' Mo', Darius Rucker, Bill Withers

Tell me more: Keb' Mo' is back with an album (Good To Be) that celebrates the richness of life with an optimistic and winning approach that reminds us not to let life's everyday moments pass us by. Indeed, the opening track "Good To Be (Home Again)" acknowledges "It's good to be here, good to be anywhere" and not later, "Good to be young, good to be old, good to be home again." Elsewhere on Good To Be the South Los Angeles native takes that same inspiring approach on the romance-minded "So Easy," social justice-aimed "Louder," heartfelt cover of Bill Withers' "Lean On Me" and luxurious life-affirming "Marvelous to Me." There are also several impressive collaborations here, including the lovely duet "Quiet Moments" (featuring soprano Kristin Chenoweth), Americana-styled "The Medicine Man" (with Old Crow Medicine Show) and tuneful "Good Strong Woman" (with Darius Rucker). Across the 13-track album —  his first since his 2019 holiday set Moonlight, Mistletoe & You — Keb' Mo' utilizes his signature mix of blues, gospel and even pop to create songs that are as infectious as they are memorable. Information: KebMo.com.

Artist: Night Crickets

Title: A Free Society (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, Violent Femmes, David Bowie

Tell me more: A trio comprised of David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets), Victor DeLorenzo (Violent Femmes) and Darwin Meiners, Night Crickets has released an impressive debut whose sonic moodscape fully captures the era of the pandemic. A Free Society features 13 originals that challenge and thrill the listener. The mix of sparse electronica, enticing rhythms, introspective lyrics and stylish grooves draws positive comparisons with a range of greats spanning from David Bowie to Gorillaz. Listening to this evocative album, I wondered if it could have been created any other way than musicians working remotely and sharing audio files from their far-flung locales. The dazzling opener "Black Leather on the Inside," retro "Amanda's Mantra," hypnotic "Roman A Clef" and "Soul Wave," lovely "Sloe Song," experimental "Down Below" and swirling "Sacred Monster" all enthrall. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: John Mellencamp

Title: Strictly A One-Eyed Jack (Republic Records)

You might like if you enjoy: John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan

Tell me more: Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp has returned with his highly-anticipated 25th studio album Strictly A One-Eyed Jack, which finds the 70-year-old artist reflecting on his life with honesty and insight. Tracks such as "Always Lie To Strangers," "I Am A Man That Worries," "Chasing Rainbows" and "Gone So Soon" capture the spirit of the album's arc. All tracks on the disc are adorned with traditional Americana instrumentation that is a perfect counterpoint to Mellencamp's raspy baritone. Highlights include the lovely "Streets Of Galilee," genre-blending "Sweet Honey Brown" and driving "Lie To Me" along with several notable collaborations with Bruce Springsteen (the rootsy "Did You Say Such A Thing," affecting "A Life Full Of Rain" and poignant "Wasted Days"). Information: Mellencamp.com.  

Robert Kinsler