Turnpike Troubadours - Goodbye Normal Street

When the dust settles on this year of music, I think we will find Goodbye Normal Street near the top of the heap.  If you've been wishing for a great country album for a long while, this one will scratch that itch.  Salty lyrics, some downright nasty fiddle licks, and just enough twang.  This album has moved in and taken residence in my CD player since I received it, and it won't be leaving any time soon.

Buy the album here.









Turnpike Troubadours - Empty As a Drum
Turnpike Troubadours - Gin, Smoke, Lies


Web: Turnpike Troubadours
Twitter: @TpTroubadours

Chelle Rose - Ghost of Browder Holler



I could tell you that Ray Wylie Hubbard produced Ghost of Browder Holler and that would be reason enough for you to buy it.  I could tell you Brad Rice plays guitar on it and that would be even more incentive.  But after you hear it you hear it, you'll agree that the best thing going for this album is Chelle Rose's gritty, yet tender, vocals and her flat-out honest Appalachian songwriting. Think Ray Wylie meets Elizabeth Cook and youll have a working description of Ghost of Browder Holler.  This is one of my favorite albums I've heard this year and it spent a few solid months in my CD player.  You can purchase it in your preferred format from Chelle's website below and check out tour information as well.  Check out a couple tunes and video below in the meantime.


Web: http://chellerose.com/
Twitter: @ChelleRoseMusic


Chelle Rose - If I Could
Chelle Rose - Wild Violets Pretty
Here's a video of "Sweet Violets Pretty" with Elizabeth Cook joining Chelle onstage at The Station Inn.

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real - Wasted

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real is a new band on my radar, but Wasted is their second full-length album. Immediately recognizable on the first play of the disc is the nasally vibrato in the lead vocal. Yes, it's excellent.  Yes it's familiar. No, it isn't Willie. But Lukas is Willie's son.
Lukas lays claim to the songwriter's triple crown on this album: he writes the songs, sings them as well, and also plays all the guitars. As you would expect, there is no good genre with which to characterize Lukas' music. A little country, soul, and a lot of rock.  Maybe a sprinkling of jazz, and a dose of the blues. Check out "Heart of the Matter," my favorite after first listen. This is one of the best songs I've heard this year.  Highly recommended.

Lukas Nelson and POTR - Heart of the Matter

And check out a performance of the title track "Wasted."