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This might be the most musically adventurous and ambitious album of the blues man’s long and storied career. The album contains thirteen original songs written by him or co-written with his Grammy-nominated producer Glen Scott, plus a cover of the title track, written by iconic singer-songwriter Janis Ian - whom Bibb has known since they were at high school together in New York in the ’60s - and Fred Koller. The album was recorded and mixed at Scott’s in Uppsala, Sweden, and features a stellar cast of musicians, including UK-based guitar virtuoso Robbie McIntosh (Paul McCartney, John Mayer). Eric Bibb has been nominated for a Grammy three times… Might this be the one that nets him a win? Released on January 30th.Listen on Apple Music
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The second volume of the Red Album is a continuation of Carsie's effort to revive the proud American tradition of writing songs to inspire courage, defiance, and revolution with the power of short funny songs.
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Based in Nashville, Cordovas have often drawn comparisons to the Band, Grateful Dead, and Crosby, Stills & Nash; see what influences you hear on this fifth strong album of theirs. One track, “Wings,” features a surprise appearance by saxophonist Kamasi Washington!
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England’s James Hunter provides tight, timeless R&B and Soul with his band; we love each and every album of his! A former guitarist and backup vocalist for Van Morrison, James has a track on this new one featuring his former boss, on this, his first album on Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound record label.
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Mike Mattison is best known as a vocalist in the Tedeschi-Trucks Band and the Derek Trucks Band for over 23 years, though we also recall his cool work with the scrappy group Scrap-o-Matic, too. He has now released his third solo album, which he also produced. The album tells the story of Ted ‘n ‘Turk, a fictional 1930s Blues duo, who are “rediscovered” in the 1970s. It’s an intriguing story that uncovers a lot of the darker sides of the music industry, and Mattison says he’s also working on releasing this concept as a novella someday.
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We kick off Black History Month with this powerful one from Queen Esther. Blackbirding is a reclamation-driven Black country soul album that roams the Gettysburg battlefield to create songs that dismantle myths and assumptions about what happened there -- and to explore the reasons why, like slavery, the Civil War has never really ended.
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Having been friends and occasional touring partners for well over a decade, Asheville-based singer-songwriter-guitarist Tyler Ramsey and My Morning Jacket guitarist Carl Broemel have now made their full-length recorded debut with Celestun (out Jan. 15th). It is predominantly filled with lush, mostly acoustic instrumentals, although they each sing a song or two here as well.
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This new album authentically reflects Appalachia. She sings about Hurricane Helene, her grandmother slipping into dementia, a cash-only saloon full of characters, and gratitude for life, despite its hardships.
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Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives -- Space Junk
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She’s 72, she’s a recent stroke survivor, and this is her 18th studio album. And it’s one of her most powerful, spirited ones yet! This is mostly a collection of modern-day protest songs, as she addresses corruption, oppression, division, and women bearing witness to all of this. But it’s also multi-layered, and poised to stand the test of time along with other gems in her catalog like Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and Essence. Lucinda’s band, both on this record and when on tour, back her up well, plus she’s joined here by Mavis Staples, Norah Jones, Brittney Spencer, and Mickey Raphael among others.