Roots, rock and reggae shine on new releases

Several new eagerly-awaited returns have been released as well as two new recordings pulled from the early 1980s.

Artist: Joy Williams
Title: Front Porch (Thirty Tigers)
You might like if you enjoy: The Civil Wars, 
Tell me more: Those missing the enticing Americana style pioneered on the Civil Wars' brief five-year path are in luck. Joy Williams — one half of the popular Grammy-winning duo that also featured John Paul White — has returned from her brief detour into a more electronic-meets-pop style via 2015's Venus to reward listeners with the luxurious Front Porch (available May 3, 2019). The beautiful title track is one of the most lovely songs this writer has heard this year; the better news is that the disc's sonic riches don't end there. The introspective and nuanced Appalachia-painted soundscapes inspire across a dozen-track run that showcases Williams' expressive soprano. The artist delivers probing material with cliche-free depth, as evidenced by mining feelings of loss ("When Does a Heart Move On," "Be With You") and romantic celebration ("One and Only," "No Place Like You") with equal artistry. Information: JoyWilliams.com.

Artist: Nils Lofgren
Title: Blue With Lou (Cattle Track Road Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Lou Reed, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/guitar great Nils Lofgren has returned with his first studio album in eight years, and the 12-song disc reveals it was an ambitious recording project more than worth the wait. Featuring six songs that Lofgren co-wrote with the late Lou Reed, Blue With Lou is an album that would have sounded great in any era while definitely resonating in 2019. While a few of the songs that the two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers co-wrote have appeared on previous Lofgren and Reed releases, Blue With Lou features a handful of songs previously-unheard. The must-hear collaborations include the wry rocker "Attitude City," funk-tinged "Give" (featuring loads impressive and expressive Lofgren guitar work) and the poignant "Talk Thru the Tears." In addition, Lofgren has crafted two beautiful tributes on the LP; "Dear Heartbreaker" casts its magic on the memory of the late Tom Petty while the album's affecting closer "Remember You" is a poignant look at his family's dog Groucho. But at its heart, Blue With Lou a showcase for Lofgren's immense talents as singer, lead guitarist and songwriter. Information: NilsLofgren.com.

Artist: Lone Justice
Title: Live at the Palomino, 1983 (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Emmylou Harris, Lindi Ortega, the Blasters
Tell me more: The most celebrated artist on Los Angeles' early '80s cowpunk scene, Lone Justice blended old school country and honky tonk with punk, rockabilly and roots rock with authenticity and firepower during the group's short run. Omnivore Recordings has just released a previously-unavailable "Live at the Palomino, 1983" featuring 12 great songs captured on October 22, 1983. The fast-moving track list includes nuggets from their not-yet-released 1985 debut album ("Working Late," "You Are the Light") and a great take on Merle Haggard's "Working Man's Blues," and an amped up version of the Johnny Cash/June Carter duet "Jackson." The live LP is a winning reminder of the talents of the talents of Maria McKee (lead vocals, guitar), Ryan Hedgecock (lead guitar, vocals), Marvin Etzioni (bass) and Don Willens (drums). Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Culture
Title: The Nighthawk Recordings (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Bob Marley, reggae music
Tell me more: Lovers of '70s-'80s roots reggae will love the terrific Culture: The Nighthawk Recordings. Lead singer Joseph Hill, who passed away in 2006, was among the genre's best singers and this collection captures the Jamaican artist at the top of his powers. The first three songs on the collection were recorded in 1981 and feature Culture (Hill, Albert Walker, Lloyd Dayes) backed by the Roots Radics; the timeless "This Time" is a highlight of those sessions. The other four tracks on the disc find Culture backed by the Wailers; several of these tracks were put away in vaults and this 2019 title marks their commercial debut. The driving "Can They Run" is particularly forceful and is bolstered by an interesting mix of vocals on the track. The other previously-unheard song, the infectious "Mr. Music," is a feel good melodic groove. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.


Robert Kinsler

Stellar Sonic Stocking Stuffers

A handful of essential Americana-styled releases are available now and should be on any music lover's shopping list.

Artist: Old 97's
Title: Love The Holidays (ATO Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Wilco, Rhett Miller
Tell me more: The members of Old 97's truly do "love the holidays" and have created the wildly spirited Christmas album to prove it. The majority of songs on the 14-track Love The Holidays are original and fully capture the freewheeling spirit of the Texas-spawned band. The rollicking title track "Love The Holidays," '60s-flavored "I Believe in Santa Claus," cowpunk-tinged alt rocker "Gotta Love Being A Kid" and beautiful countrified folk nugget "Snow Angels" are early standouts on the disc. The world's most famous reindeer gets a new musical chapter courtesy of the colorful "Rudolph Was Blue." The reworked versions of traditional material such as "Auld Lang Syne," "Angels We Have Heard On High," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Up On The Housetop" are equally marvelous, with the quartet using their best instincts to capture the spirit of the originals without abandoning their raw and decidedly raucous approach. Information: old97s.com.

Artist: Michael Ubaldini
Title: Song Of Our Time (Blackwater Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska," John Mellencamp, Bob Dylan
Tell me more: Michael Ubaldini has released yet another brilliant full-length album; the aptly-titled Song Of Our Time features a dozen cuts finely crafted with nothing more than the artist's signature vocals, acoustic guitar and occasional harmonica. The tracks offer probing and penetrating observations of life in a fast-moving world caught in a state of seemingly-endless turmoil. Ubaldini's sound recalls the acoustic approach of legacy masters Bob Dylan and Neil Young but the Southern California troubadour has a strong voice of his own. The title track reflects the timbre of the age with Ubaldini looking around at a world filled with troubles and admitting "There's nothing I can do, but sing a song for you." Make no mistake that while the artist offers an honest assessment of our world there is a hopeful and uplifting resonance in his songcraft that provides comfort and optimism. Ubaldini's musical pen is wide and aside from the sharp political observations (just listen to "A Clean Mind," "Free Speech Blues" and "Teardrops") and personal defeat ("Walkin' Cane Blues") there are songs of love (the Celtic-flavored "Maddie O' Day") and loss ("When The Chips Were Down," "Gambled Away My Woman"). Song Of Our Time delivers on its stark title more fully with every listen. Information: rocknrollpoet.com.

Artist: Lone Justice
Title: The Western Tapes, 1983 (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Maria McKee, Whitney Rose, Nikki Lane
Tell me more: It's clear listening to the glorious 6-track EP The Western Tapes, 1983 featuring groundbreaking country roots rockers Lone Justice's earliest demo recordings that the band was decades ahead of its time. The strength of these early tracks – five of which are previously unissued – led the troupe on a glorious path to being signed to a major label and releasing several memorable LPs later that decade. The original lineup of Lone Justice (singer-guitarist Maria McKee, lead guitarist-vocalist Ryan Hedgecock, drummer Don Willens and bassist Dave Harrington) carved out a handful of songs that sound as potent today as they did 35 years ago; the rollicking "Working Late," aching "Don't Toss Us Away" and no-holds-barred "The Train" are among this writer's favorites on the disc. The stylish package is excellent and includes liner notes penned by producer Marvin Etzioni, who is spot-on when he writes "I believed we were creating a 21st century country band."  Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Ashley Monroe
Title: Sparrow (Warner Music Nashville)
You might like if you enjoy: Kacey Musgraves, Pistol Annies
Tell me more: Although Ashley Monroe's 4th album Sparrow was released in April 2018, yours truly only recently discovered this amazing album. Produced by Dave Cobbin at RCA Studio A in Nashville, the disc features 12 inviting tracks featuring Monroe's sweet and affecting soprano. Among my favorite songs are the poignant opening track "Orphan," the countrified baroque flavored "Paying Attention," tender ballad "I'm Trying To," sparse piano-anchored "This Heaven" and simmering "Hands On You." The songs are nuanced and artfully arranged in a symphonic moodscape throughout, all the better to be immersed in Monroe's authentic neotraditional country music approach. Information: AshleyMonroe.com.

Robert Kinsler

Kiefer Sutherland thrills capacity crowd at The Coach House

Kiefer Sutherland leading his band through an impressive 90-minute headlining set
of country and roots rock at The Coach House in Orange County, CA on April 26, 2018.

Kiefer Sutherland's performance at the Belly Up in Solana Beach, CA in May 2017 was one of my favorite concert performances of last year (read my review of that show here) so it should come as no surprise the artist's first-ever performance at The Coach House in Orange County, CA (delivered on Thursday night, April 26, 2018) marked another excuse to celebrate one of country music's true rising stars.

Kiefer Sutherland performing
on April 26, 2018.

Sure, the star of Designated Survivor has been an acclaimed actor for more than 30 years, but the release of his full-length debut album Down in a Hole in August 2016 was truly a surprise. Filled with detailed and confessional original material blending traditional and alt-country styles, the album's stellar songs gain even more depth via Sutherland's compelling concert appearances. That definitely proved to be the case over the length of a fast-moving, 90-minute performance as part of his 2018 Reckless Tour that was staged in San Juan Capistrano last night.

Country rocker Kiefer Sutherland.

While the Coach House set list featured included many of the same songs featured last year, there was an added confidence, depth and power this time around. In addition to Sutherland's obvious star power and bona fide talents as both singer and songwriter, credit the strength of a top-tier band featuring guitar great Michael Gurley (of DADA and Butterfly Jones fame), drummer Jess Calcaterra, guitarist Austin Valleijo and bassist Joseph DeLeo with further bolstering the night.

There was a strong rhythm to the night, with Sutherland and company coming out rocking with the song "Run to Him," Sutherland working a tambourine as he took the stage. Strong guitar work from both Gurley and Valleijo injected further firepower in the opener.  

The night featured uptempo countrified rockers, poignant ballads, and winning covers that consistently worked. There were also the concise but revealing asides where Sutherland would discuss the genesis of his own tracks and affection he had for the covers and the artists that created them in the first place.

There were many high marks of the night. The early part of the show featured the confessional blues-country tune "Reckless & Me" with Gurley's ethereal slide guitar work adorning Sutherland's heartfelt vocals; the emotional rocker "Going Home" with its big finish leading into the tender ballad "I'll Do Anything" came next.

A rousing rollicking cover of Patty Loveless' "Blame It On Your Heart" was pure fun; a cover of the late Merle Haggard's "The Bottle Let Me Down" was faithful in both its power and in traditional country stylings.

Kiefer Sutherland on April 26.

Late set highlight were just as powerful with the country-folk nugget "Faded Pair of Blue Jeans," haunting "Calling Out Your Name" (the ambitious arrangement spanned from a quiet opening to a sweeping Neil Young-styled blast to finish), Americana rocker "Down in a Hole" (complete with a duel between Gurley and Valleijo) and terrific honky tonk-worthy cover of Lone Justice's "Ways to be Wicked" adding to the momentum.

The show ended with palpable power. After performing the apt acoustic tribute to professional truck drivers ("Open Road"), Sutherland and his band were off to the races. They unleashed the mighty country rocker "Rebel Wind," a fitting freewheeling tribute to the late Tom Petty ("Honey Bee") and finally finished off the inspired night with a new original Latin rock track, "Agave."

To be sure, the same artistic talents Sutherland has displayed on screen are evident in his strengths as a singer, songwriter and sonic storyteller.

Visit Kiefer Sutherland's official music site here.

Rick Brantley performing at the
Coach House on April 26, 2018.

Opening the show was Macon, Georgia-spawned singer-songwriter Rick Brantley, whose Southern charm helped get the crowd to sing along on some of his fun-styled material but thankfully never masked the power of his probing acoustic numbers. Highlights of his 45-minute set included the sparse Bruce Springsteen-tinged "40 Days, 40 Nights," eloquent study of suffering, the affecting "Hurt People." His soulful cover of the Otis Redding classic "Try a Little Tenderness" was a justified crowd pleasing moment with everyone riveted by Brantley's inspired vocals and strong rhythms on his acoustic guitar.



Review by Robert Kinsler

Photography by Bob Steshetz


Kiefer Sutherland Concert at the Coach House Setlist
Run to Him / Something You Love / Reckless & Me / Going Home / I'll Do Anything / Blame It On Your Heart (Patty Loveless cover) / The Bottle Let Me Down (Merle Haggard cover) / Faded Pair of Blue Jeans / Saskatchewan / Calling Out Your Name / All She Wrote / Down in a Hole / Can't Stay Away / Ways to be Wicked (Lone Justice cover) / Rebel Wind / Honey Bee (Tom Petty cover) / Agave

Recommended new releases: Lone Justice, The Doors, The Strypes

By Robert Kinsler

Two of Los Angeles' most beloved bands are celebrated via essential new retro-mining collections, while a young brash Irish outfit is set to unleash its retro rock brew in the U.S in early 2014.

Artist: Lone Justice

Title: This is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes 1983 (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Hot Club of Cowtown, Emmylou Harris, Johnny and June Carter Cash

Tell me more: Long before modern-day Americana outfits such as the Civil Wars and Lumineers launched the global roots revival, Los Angeles' own Lone Justice paved the way with a formidable mix of authentic country, rockabilly and rock that became a centerpiece of the early '80s music scene. Now, This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes 1983 celebrates Lone Justice and the band's pioneering alt-country sound. Recorded live to two-track tape by engineer David Vaught, the 12-song collection features potent originals ("Soap, Soup and Salvation," "Dustbowl Depression Time") and artful covers (including a fiery take on Johnny and June Carter Cash's "Jackson"). Since the majority of the tracks on the disc have never been released, This is Lone Justice is truly a dream come true for fans of this seminal outfit that helped launch the still-thriving roots and alt country music scene that extends from L.A. to Europe. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Get This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes 1983

Artist: The Doors

Title: R-Evolution (Eagle Rock Entertainment)

You might like if you enjoy: The Doors, the Zombies

Tell me more: Available on DVD and Blu-ray, the latest Doors release is more than a simple documentary. R-Evolution chronicles the Doors' use of television to help shape and project their unique brand of rock to the world. Featuring well over two hours of television appearances (the highlight being an incredible live performance of "Touch Me" on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour aired on Dec. 15, 1968), concept music films (notably a potent "The Unknown Soldier") and a myriad of extras (a performance of "Break On Through To the Other Side" filmed at the Isle Of Wight in August 1970 is a real gem), R-Evolution not only celebrates the Doors' timeless sound but confirms the group's continuing impact more than 40 years after the death of Jim Morrison. Information: TheDoors.com.

Buy R-Evolution on DVD or Blu-ray

Artist: The Strypes

Title: Blue Collar Jane (Photo Finish Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Kinks, the Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones

Tell me more: The Strypes have been tearing it up in their native Ireland for the past few years and are finally ready to make their splash here in America. The quartet's rousing blend of early rock and rhythm & blues is nothing short of intoxicating as evidenced on their U.S. debut EP Blue Collar Jane (coming Jan. 21). The members of the band (singer-harmonica player Ross Farrelly, lead guitarist Josh McClorey, bassist Pete O'Hanlon, drummer Evan Walsh) conjure up that hard-edged sound first mined by the Kinks, Yardbirds and the Rolling Stones, but unleash their own songs with a modern flair that is the Cavan-spawned band's own. The Strypes embark on their first-ever U.S. tour on Jan. 20, and will be appearing at the legendary Troubadour in Los Angeles on Jan. 28. I caught the Strypes when they opened for Blur last summer and the young band is terrific. Read my review of that show here. Information: TheStrypes.com.

Get Blue Collar Jane