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As our own Joe Kendrick wrote for NPR, “Having grown up between England, France and Italy before moving to the U.S. at 18, Vane seems unlikely to have become a torch-bearer for American roots music.” But she certainly has embraced the blues well, with her soulful voice, terrific slide guitar work, and authentic blues storytelling.

Mary has lost some dear friends and songwriter colleagues recently – John Prine, Nanci Griffith, David Olney to name a few. Some of the songs on here are poignant reflections on those losses, but delivered through a lens of gratitude and celebration of life. The title track, in particular, is a realization that through loss and darkness there can be a beautiful sense of clarity and an understanding of what truly matters.

Introducing the first in an ambitious 4-part album series from Susan & Derek and co., each with an accompanying film. The series reimagines Layla and Majnun, the mythic Persian tale of star-crossed lovers through a modern-day lens: grappling with grief, fate, and romance as a way to process the emotional and isolating effects of the era. There will be one album released each month, with the culmination of all four released on September 9th.

What a blessing it is to still have Willie Nelson in our lives, and making great music. He’s 89 now, and celebrating life with this touching album of co-writes with Buddy Cannon and covers from the likes of Leonard Cohen, Lennon/McCartney, and even Asheville’s own Charles Humphrey III!

There have been a lot of recordings over the years that center around Memphis, Tennessee (not to mention the countless ones made IN Memphis.) This is a modern, unique one: a vision quest of sorts, of ghosts from the past, and characters still with us, from Kevin Morby, on his 7th, and arguably strongest, album to date. A native of Kansas, it also paints a picture (or snaps a photograph) of Middle America in general.

It’s the third in a trilogy of song collections mostly based on film music the pianist/singer/songwriter wrote for Spike Lee over the past few years. This one is a bit more on the upbeat side, despite a few of the songs relating to Covid, and the title track being about “this strange time in which we live, when the world is basically, well, ‘flicted!”

It’s her 21st album, and she’s sounding as strong as ever on this collection of soulful blues and rock that includes covers from Toots & the Maytals, Brothers Landreth, and NRBQ’s Al Anderson. She says she’s also grateful as ever to be making music, contributing to causes, keeping her crew working, and connecting with her audience. “I’m really aware of how lucky I am,” she says, “and I feel like it’s my responsibility to get out there and say something fresh and new for me and for the fans. But I need to have something to say or I won’t put out a record.”

She had all but given up on the music business during the pandemic, but fortunately her producer Dave Darling convinced her to give it another go, and now we have this strong 16th album from the Blues/Americana singer/songwriter. And it’s on her own label, Fathead Records. Magness is only the second woman to receive the Blues Foundation’s B.B. King Entertainer of the Year award.

We received and enjoyed the R&B/Soul singer’s last album, “True Story”, just 6 or so months ago. Not one to rest, Warson is back with this one, destined to live up to its name. Listen for bits of New Wave, surf-rock, and Afro-Cuban sounds on this one.

These two former members of the traditional Irish supergroup Solas have gotten together for this album of both original and traditional tunes. They each sing lead, plus there are some terrific instrumental jigs & reels. Sure to be a favorite on our Sunday afternoon “Celtic Winds”!