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Pharis and Jason Romero — whose old-time, country-folk, and early roots music has made them three-time JUNO Award and seven-time Canadian Folk Music Award winners — have their seventh album out as a duo. Jason plays seven different banjos on the album, and Pharis plays one gourd banjo guitar—all handmade by Jason in his shop. They were even given names reflecting their individual character and identity: Papillon, Big Blue, Clara, Birdie, Mother, Bella, Gourdo, and The Beast. The photographs them in the CD liner notes are absolutely exquisite!

She’s been called the Queen of Kiwi Country, since the Canadian now resides in New Zealand. On powerful songs like “King of Country Music”, “Mama’s Talkin’”, and “Beyond the Stars” (featuring Willie Nelson), Neilson addresses gender roles, the expectations and potential of women in society, and assorted causes of grief.

This band is performing at The Grey Eagle in Asheville on Sunday the 17th, and here in Studio B the next morning! "The Deslondes seem more in sync than ever, even as they stretch across rootsy Americana, ’70s psych, lo-fi garage rock, and some good old country-western...The deftness with which they morph and touch each sonic corner of their universe makes the album go down easy." - No Depression

Lyle is back! It’s his first album in 10 years, with his excuse being -- among other things -- fatherhood for the first time, of twins who are now 5 years old. This new one features a mix of a few new originals, standards by Nat King Cole and Dave Frishberg, and a Horace Silver instrumental, representing Lovett’s dynamic live performances, all with his impressive Large Band. “Not many people in their lives get to do something their whole life that they love to do,” he says. “And I’m grateful for that.”

It’s the follow-up to his Oh Boy Records debut “Die Midwestern”, which got rave reviews. When asked about what he hopes listeners will get from this one, he says, “I hope they can identify with things they’re too ashamed to talk about or feel. There’s such a stigma that goes along with things like addiction and mental health. I would just like to make them feel a little less alone.”

Those of us who were here at WNCW in 2008 remember being wowed by this unassuming, stripped-down acoustic 7-song EP with sparse artwork and little info, from an unknown fellow named Joe Pug. There was such an impressive honesty and open-heartedness in songs like the title track, “Speak Plainly, Diana”, and especially “I Do My Father’s Drugs”. Well, he’s decided to re-record this EP, with swirling organ, electric guitar, and more, with members of the 400 Unit, My Morning Jacket, and others. And this time there are liner notes, from none other than Steve Earle.

Sure, this is her 12th album, but in many ways it feels like her debut. Its songs touch on starting over and forging ahead alone, and it’s the first one in which she was able to more fully direct the sound she wanted (this one marks her first album since divorcing producer Tucker Martine.) She recruited support from Karl Blau, Sam Amidon, and Death Cab for Cutie’s Dave Depper for these songs of reemergence.

Recorded in 2011 at Levon’s great Midnight Ramble series at his barn in Woodstock, NY, this new release captures two of our favorites with their bands having a great time playing together. “It never crossed my mind that it might be the last time we’d see each other,” says Staples. “He was so full of life and so happy that week. He was the same old Levon I’d always known, just a beautiful spirit inside and out.” “My dad built The Midnight Rambles to restore his spirit, his voice, and his livelihood,” says Helm’s daughter, Amy, who sang backup vocals with her father and Staples at their performance. “He’d risen back up from all that had laid him down, and to have Mavis come sing and sanctify that stage was the ultimate triumph for him.”

This is the 5th release from the Princeton, NJ native, on Yep Roc Records. “I wanted to let go and cut loose with this album,” Tolchin said recently. “I wanted to explore new terrain without any kind of rules or restrictions. I was a pretty rebellious kid, and I mostly listened to alternative rock and hip hop and punk growing up. Somewhere along the way, though, I feel like I lost that part of myself. These songs are my way of reclaiming it.”

You may have seen this drummer and vocalist performing around Asheville with his swinging big band (and assorted other groups.) Now there’s this new baker’s dozen of jazz tracks, and we’ll dig into it on Monday for “New Tunes at 2”, as well as “Local Color” Monday at 8pm and “Jazz & Beyond” Saturdays at 7am!