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How can a band last for some 56 years and keep its legacy so strong? By maintaining its identifiable groove and sound, and by doing so while evolving with different members over the years. Such is the case with Little Feat, formed by Lowell George, Bill Payne, Richie Hayward, and Roy Estrada back in 1969.

Produced by Grammy Award-winner Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker), American Romance cements Nelson as a singular artist, as he showcases his songwriting dexterity in a way that feels both familiar and new. Reflecting on the project, Nelson shares, “This album is the first chapter in a whole new era of my life as an artist. It’s a love story to the country that raised me. Diners and highways that carried me through the joy and pain that led to the music you hear now.” He’s embarked on an extensive tour that includes the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (September 19-21.)

Recorded live over four days at 64 Sound Recording Studio in Los Angeles, Right Now! is a masterclass in instinct and improvisation by skillful musicians meeting in real time to find the songs as they go. “Everything about this record is intuitive,” says GRAMMY award-winning singer/songwriter and guitarist and The Third Mind co-founder Dave Alvin. “It’s five musicians walking a tightrope, improvising in dialogue with each other and finding the songs in real time.”

Lake Street Dive singer Rachael Price and guitarist/songwriter Vilray Bolles have their 3rd collaboration out, and this time it’s an out-of-time vision of their beloved New York City, inspired by Vilray’s recent fascination with classic musicals. Recorded at Sear Sound in New York City, West of Broadway features saxophonist Steve Wilson (Chick Corea’s Origin sextet) and drummer John Riley (Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie). Comedian and late-night TV host Stephen Colbert, a longtime fan, also appears on the album version of “Off Broadway.” “There’s so much imagery in the lyrics,” says Price. “I think a fun way to listen to the record would be to go for a walk and let the songs play out like a little movie in your mind.”

These two members of the Rising Appalachia band, both of whom grew up in Asheville, recorded this album in a rustic cabin in Colorado (named Long Branch.) It’s a wonderful exploration of both both traditional Appalachian and Irish tunes and inventive originality here. Duncan played fiddle, mandocello, guitar, cello; David played guitar, banjo, upright bass. By the way, the album art is by another artist who grew up in Asheville, Hannah Seng. She helped introduce the two to each other years ago, as well as coax Duncan into playing old time fiddle.

This is Van Morrison’s first collection of all original music since 2022, with songs that transcend across soul, jazz, blues, folk, and country (including a tribute to another legend known for that, Ray Charles.)

As his publicist says, after a decade of being born, Josh Tillman is finally busy dying. Supposedly this is in reference to his time stepping out into the spotlight since his previous life as drummer for Fleet Foxes, and now coming to terms with mortality and finding spiritual contentment. Mahashmashana is Sanskrit for “great cremation ground.” Check out this 6th album of his, which includes Jonathan Wilson, Drew Erickson, Eli Thomson, and others.

Check out the follow-up to his 2019 self-titled collection, once again reflecting on universal themes but delivered with a personal touch that makes it seems like he’s having an intimate one-on-one conversation with just you. A British singer-songwriter of Ugandan descent, Michael sings songs of self-discovery and acceptance with strikingly honest delivery, and a wide variety of musical styles woven in.

David Lowery and Johnny Hickman wanted to introduce new fans to the band Cracker, but discovered that algorithmic streaming playlists put too much emphasis on just their ‘90s alt-rock hits. As great as those tracks are, there’s so much more to them, as many of us WNCW listeners know! Licensing issues made rereleases of their catalog challenging, so they’ve decided to re-record a lot of songs, and release them along with demos, outtakes, collaborations, and live tracks. Thus we have a 2-CD and 3-LP release with Cracker, Leftover Salmon, Drive-By Truckers, and others. “’Cause what the world needs now…”

Listen for some Holiday cheer, WNCW-style throughout December, beginning with these new singles.