Author. Educator. Musician.
We all ache at our own frequency. Maybe it’s the suffering Buddhism talks about. Maybe it’s Christianity’s Original Sin. Maybe it’s simply the pain of being on a lone planet in an ever-expanding universe. Whatever you want to call it, the important fact is that it’s there at the edge of all our moments of …
Continue reading “Album Review: American Kid, Patty Griffin”
If you’ve found yourself on my blog before, then you most likely read the post where I gush over Josh Ritter. Gush might be too minor a word. Lyrically, the guy can ne’er do wrong in my ears. I’m even willing to let slide the occasional musical shortcoming because atop that shortcoming is usually a …
Continue reading “Concert Review: Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band Reach New Heights”
Now in the throes of the Americana music revolution, there are a glut of bands making the same stripped-down, down-home sound. With any musical movement that is generating revenue, the market gets flooded with opportunistic bands trying to ride the high cresting wave and make a living as artists. (For the record, I begrudge no …
Continue reading “The Felice Brothers Destroy the Boundaries of Americana Music”
I wanted to hate Dawes. Badly. Before I heard a note from leadman Taylor Goldsmith’s guitar marinated in Neil Young fuzz, I only knew that they were the darlings of the rock and roll old guard. They’ve received nods from Jackson Browne and Heartbreaker organist Bentmont Tench who both play on Nothing is Wrong. Chris …
Let’s get something clear right off: Josh Ritter is the best singer/songwriter on the scene these days. Best is a slippery term, but I stand behind my diction. Argue as you probably should with such a bold statement, Ritter is the man who gave us “The Temptation of Adam” (Historical Conquests) and “The Curse” (So …
Continue reading “Album Review: The Beast in its Tracks, Josh Ritter”
The Coloradas, by The Coloradas Released December 2011 We are in a full-on Folk/Bluegrass Renaissance. From internationally successful acts like the Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons to the glut of talented Americana bands here in the Portland area, it’s clear that this Americana movement is running at full tilt. Add to this revival The …
DAVE PATTERSON 