Mike Davies

Having spent several restless years in search and motion, it would seem Jurado has finally found a shore on which to set anchor and land, the fact that he wrote these songs many years ago fittingly echoing the sense of waiting for time to unfold its plans.

Mile Twelve are part of the new bluegrass generation, taking tradition and shaping it within a contemporary approach as they demonstrate so well on City on a Hill.

Simple, insightful, heartfelt and lyrical, Danny Schmidt’s ninth solo album ‘Standard Deviation’ finds him in a reflective mood and deserves to rank among the year’s finest releases.

The Hermit’s Spyglass evokes a simple life, at one with nature, of timelessness and memories. Bedford was once described as among the 50  most significant folk singer-songwriters of the past 50 years. This album changes that. He’s now among the Top 30.

Steve Earle’s ‘Guy’ stands as both a terrific tip of the hat to Guy Clark (who he first met in ’74), a seminal Americana figure and a damn fine Earle album in its own right.

Patty Griffin’s latest offering is an album of quiet grace, determination, survival and self-identity that serves as a reminder of her status among the Americana greats.

Stepping outside of a well-established comfort zone and challenging fan expectations is a bold but risky move for any artist, on their latest offering Rusty Shackle pull it off with horizons-widening success.

On Sharing the Covers, Chatham County Line have some self-indulgent fun covering songs by some of their influences from Wilco to bluegrass legend Carter Stanley, even John Lennon gets a  bluegrass makeover.

Rolling Stone once declared Tom Russell to be “the greatest living folk-country songwriter”.  October in the Railroad Earth offers no reason to disagree.

Amour is the first collaboration between Colin Linden and Luther Dickinson. A bittersweet Americana covers album featuring guest vocalists Rachael Davis, Ruby Amanfu, Billy Swan and Sam Palladio & Jonathan Jackson

Everly Brothers-style harmonies and vintage country influenced rock’n’roll balladry, twanged guitar, what’s not to love on the new offering from The Cactus Blossoms.

Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards’ latest offering gets a UK release. Recorded at a series of Manitoba house concerts organised through Home Routes, our reviewer declares they can play his house anytime.