It’s been twenty-five years since country’s first supergroup, the Highwaymen— Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson—joined forces to record. These four giants shared a deep and complicated friendship through the years as ...

Black Dub’s self-titled debut album imaginatively combines 60s-style psychedelic guitar riffs with reggae-tinged blues, female soul singing, and gospel music. With Daniel Lanois on guitar, Trixie Whitley on lead vocals and keyboard, Brian Blade on ...

In the 1960s, Jerry Garcia joined up with Sandy Rothman and David Nelson to play bluegrass and old-time music. Twenty- some years later, the trio reunited; along with John Kahn, Kenny Kosek, and David Kemper ...

For their sixth album, The King Is Dead, the Decemberists set out to record an album that embraced the adage “less is more.” This evolution came as a direct result of the indie folk rockers’ ...

In his first solo record in more than 14 years, Gregg Allman offers a self-assured, spirited tribute to the many bluesmen who’ve influenced him over his career. Highlights include “Sleepy” John Estes’ ominous “Floating Bridge,” ...

It’s easy to pick on Neil Diamond, as evidenced by the high snark factor surrounding his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year. “Hmmm. Neil Diamond. Reeeeally. Instead of (insert ...

Patti Smith came up with the title Collapse Into Now for R.E.M.’s 15th album, and that’s exactly what happened—the band merged choice instrumental elements from their past with lyrics about today. Everything die-hard fans love ...

Keren Ann’s 101 evokes noirish vignettes of loss, heartbreak, and longing, skillfully mixing ethereal sound with sophisticated and sometimes twisted storylines. Her music incorporates many influences, including Leonard Cohen and Jacques Brel for songwriting, and ...

After a series of ambitious, atmospheric concept albums over the years, Robbie Robertson delivers his fifth album, the bluesy How To Become Clairvoyant, his most personal and appealing. Finally comfortable writing about his past, Robertson ...

Steve Cropper, Grammy-nominated Rock Hall of Fame guitarist, recorded Dedicated as a heartfelt tribute to fellow guitarist Lowman “Pete” Pauling and his pioneering 50s R&B group, The 5 Royales. Cropper was the house guitarist of ...

Eight years in the making and definitely worth the wait, this latest roots music collaboration from singer/songwriter Gillian Welch and guitarist David Rawlings uses spare vocal harmonies and simple folk instrumentation (guitar, banjo, and harmonica) ...

“Welcome to cyber-space, I’m lost in a fog/Everything’s digital, I’m still analog” proclaims Joe Walsh in “Analog Man,” the title track of his first solo release in nearly twenty years. He’s toying with us, of ...

This new outing by the Tedeschi Trucks Band is likely to cement the group’s reputation as one of today’s hottest live bands. Formed in 2010, TTB is led by blues singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi and her ...

After a seven-year hiatus from recording, Bonnie Raitt is back with a bluesy, soulful album that’s sure to make her fans fall in love with her all over again. Raitt has always had great taste ...

Bruce Springsteen’s latest solo album, Wrecking Ball, is a collection of populist songs powered by the recession-driven fear and unfocussed rage of working (and out-of-work) Americans. These rough-hewn protests harken back to Woody Guthrie, Pete ...