| This Is Americana - Various Artists | |
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Reviewed by Kathy Coleman
Although the title is fairly self-explanatory, I'm still confused at the end of listening to
this disc as to what, precisely, "Americana" is. What it appears to be is simply the best music
the related genres of country, rock, folk, and blues can offer but which are all "too country," "too
rock," "too folk," and "too blues" for their respective genres, so they've all been moved to this
new genre.
Because this is GOOD music. This is beyond good music. This is some fantastic music. Every track presented here by Sugar Hill Records is simply incredible. From enjoyable covers of "After The Fire Is Gone" by Robin and Linda Williams and "Working Man Blues" by the venerable Doc Watson & Frosty Morn to the bizarre and delightful country-folk "(Somebody Bring Me A Flower) I'm A Robot" by Kev Russell's Junker and the more straightforward folk melodies such as "Out Here In The Middle" from James McMurty and "Mighty River" from
Railroad Earth, "grunge country-blues" from The Gourds, "My Name Is Jorge," driving southern-fried rock from John Cowan, "Two Quarts Low," and pure mountain music from Baucom, Bibey & Blueridge with "It's All My Fault," and "Poor Boy Woking Blues" from
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, not to mention just plain ol' COUNTRY music from Dudley Connell & Don Rigsby with "Another Saturday Night," this is an amalgam of simply fine roots music, and I suppose that's what has been given the tag "Americana." Country won't recognize this grand music as its own, which it is, so people have taken to calling it "Americana."
Whatever it is, this is a tremendous cross-cut example of it. Sugar Hill Records obviously have some phenomenal talents signed to their bill, and this is a grand showcase for them. In addition to those mentioned above, there's also young Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek) presenting the beautiful "Let It Fall," Rodney Crowell's sharp "The Rock Of My Soul," Jerry Douglas, premiere dobro player, giving us the instrumental "Patrick Meets the Brickbats," Hot Rize with "Colleen Malone," and Maura O'Connell (the only female vocalist on this disc) with
an exquisite "Poor Man's House."
The disc comes from the Americana Music Association, a group which has kindly taken it on themselves to help save American Roots Music from simply disappearing into the morass of homogenized pop which has taken over the country, blues, and rock/pop radio landscape. The
interior of the CD tackles that tough question I asked, "What IS Americana?" They respond that this album is only the beginning of the answer, as this music is no more easily defined than any music should be. It is the music of a people, of a nation, of thoughts of the future and ideas of
the past; it is heart and soul and dirt and blood and tears; it is emotion both sad and deliriously happy; it is American music.
And that, I suppose, is why "Americana" is the only term that fits it all.
Song List:
Album cover, used with permission of Sugar Hill Records.
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