Mike Davies

A Bit of Blue is a deeply rewarding album, it coincides with the publication of Emily Maguire’s second book, Notes from the North Pole, a collection of her poetry and songs.

A long overdue album from two musicians at the top of their game; Bill Kirchen and Austin de Lone rip it up for a hands-across-the-Atlantic collection with their new studio album, Transatlanticana before heading to the UK in March and April on tour.

Windy City is Alison Krauss’s first solo album in 17 years. Bringing new life to old songs can be difficult, but, as per the title, Krauss makes it seem like a breeze on this era-spanning album produced by Nashville veteran Buddy Cannon.

After the first flush of acclaim, Guy Clark somewhat faded from the mainstream country spotlight, but, as this Dualtone anthology ably demonstrates, his talent never dimmed.

Chain up the Swings is a fitting tribute to the late the Bard of Dundee by his daughter Alice Marra. She more than ably demonstrates the strength of the material by placing it in a different mainstream musical setting. Michael Marra would have loved it. So should you.

On Son Volt’s latest offering ‘Notes of Blue,’ Jay Farrar homed in on the unique and haunting tunings of Mississippi Fred McDowell and Skip James. Whilst clocking in at just over 30 minutes you’re not left feeling short-changed.

When Team Love signed Willy Mason, they had no idea that another story existed, that of his mother. From an album recorded in 1979 that never saw the light of day to an album of newly recorded material, this double album paints an excellent musical portrait of Jemima James and places her in the spotlight. Hopefully, there’ll be further chapters yet to come.

For his latest release ‘No Rain, No Rose,’ John Craigie decided to make an album about Portland and his life there. He’s joined by a collection of local musicians, among them The Shook Twins and Gregory Alan Isakov.

On Enter the Kingdom, their fifth album, Frontier Ruckus offers an invitation to visit and explore suburban American homes. It’s a wistful reflection on a vanished past and childhood innocence.

Brigitte DeMeyer and Will Kimbrough record as a duo for the first time with Mockingbird Soul, a stripped-back collection of blues, gospel, folk, country and early jazz. A fine album of understated but expertly crafted musicianship.

For their latest album, husband and wife duo Truckstop Honeymoon decided to make things a family affair. Recruiting their kids as musicians, Big Things and Little Things was recorded around their dining room table.

Son of the Velvet Rat is a Joshua Tree-based husband and wife duo. Dorado, their sixth album, is a haunting and soulful offering which was produced by Joe Henry….for those who like their music steeped in the parched sand, dry rocks, forbidding cacti and mournful night winds.