Tex, Don and Charlie live review – a magnificent slab of Australiana from three of the greats
Trio exude a weary charm as they skilfully bring to life a cast of drifters and loners lost in the maelstrom of modern life
CW Stoneking review – wry revivalist makes party music for the present
The droll Australian repurposes old trad jazz, blues, calypso and country sounds into fresh, absurdist entertainment
Diamanda Galás review – a shriek at death by goth’s high priestess
The American singer stretches her voice from mirror-shattering highs to demonic lows in an intense spiritual communion
Tamikrest review – desert blues on shifting sands
The passion and range of the Saharan Tuareg band’s music was somewhat lost in translation until their gig’s triumphant finale
Otis Taylor: Fantasizing About Being Black review – raw and unflinching
Intended as a history of African-American life, from slavery onwards, the 15th album from “trance blues” maestro Otis Taylor proves a raw experience. Banjo Bam Bam, for example, is the voice of a shackled slave who is slowly losing his … Continue reading
Duke Garwood: Garden of Ashes review – slow and sleazy desert blues
It won’t surprise you to learn that Duke Garwood is a collaborator of Mark Lanegan, such is his gravel-raked voice and penchant for syrupy, swampy folk (perhaps Lanegan only works with people who sing as if they’ve likewise been licking … Continue reading
Angelina: Vagabond Saint review – sumptuous southern mythology
(Wonderful Sound)
The Rolling Stones: Blue & Lonesome review – more alive than they’ve sounded for years
Mick Jagger’s voice and harmonica drive an album of blues covers that returns the Stones to their roots
Pretenders: Alone review – Chrissie Hynde still a magnificent one-off
Related: ‘The history of punk was always HIS story’: the women rewriting rock What was originally intended as a Chrissie Hynde solo album finally appears, packaged as a Pretenders release, with the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach aboard as producer. A … Continue reading
Michael Kiwanuka review – self-doubting soul man delivers raw retro-blues
Perfectionism and polish does not disguise the fact that Kiwanuka’s music comes straight from a simmering core of turmoil
Billy Bragg & Joe Henry: Shine a Light review – Essex to Carolina on railroad songs
Related: Laying down tracks: Billy Bragg and Joe Henry take a railroad trip to the blues Billy Bragg once toured the UK by British Rail, rocking up in cities with guitar in hand and loudspeakers on his shoulders. More than … Continue reading
Ruth Theodore: Cactacus review – skills and stories from an original folk voice
Granted the ragtime and folk-blues influences in Ruth Theodore’s quirky, highly original songs, it was perhaps to be expected that she would quit Hackney to record her latest album on the US west coast. Her producer is Todd Sickafoose, who … Continue reading
Lady Nade: Hard to Forget review – a mellow voice drowned out
(Kitchen Studio Records)
