New Music--June 2011

Playing For Change

Songs Around The World

Genre: World Music

2009's Playing for Change album blazed new trails by recording street musicians from around the world and blending the sounds into a new, unexpected whole. Volume 2 continues the global mix on tunes originally performed by Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Taj Mahal, and more.

Sweetback Sisters

Looking for a Fight

Genre: Folk

"Sweetback Sisters Emily Miller and Zara Bode may not be blood relations, but their precise, family-style harmonies recall the best of country music from the Everlys to The Judds, as well as the spirited rockabilly energy of Wanda Jackson, one of the band’s role models."

Jill Andrews

Mirror

Genre: Folk/Pop

Half of the Everybodyfields, Mirror marks Jill Andrews' first full-length solo album. With producers Neilson Hubbard and Scott Solter, Andrews' sound is equal parts indie pop, contemporary folk and Nashville country.

Lindi Ortega

Little Red Boots

Genre: Folk/Pop

As featured on NPR, Ortega's voice sometimes resembles Dolly Parton's, and her americana tunes are alternately good-humored and slightly dark. From Canada, Ortega's parents are from Mexico and Ireland, respectively.

Cheikh Lo

Jamm

Genre: World

The first new album in five years from Senegalese sufi troubadour Cheikh Lô. The dreadlocked singer's signature blend of semi-acoustic flavours - West and Central African, funk, Cuban, flamenco - has been distilled into his most mature, focused, yet diverse statement to date.

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

Kings & Queens

Genre: Folk/Pop

A Canadian americana supergroup featuring Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing and Tom Wilson. This album features duets with some of the foremost names in americana and country music, including Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Roseanne Cash and more.

Madeleine Peyroux

Standing on the Rooftop

Genre: Folk/Pop

The jazz chanteuse's new release takes listeners in a new direction. Joined by guitarist Marc Ribot, Peyroux turns towards a more roots-centric sound, adding a "tougher" side to her voice.

Neil Young

Treasure

Genre: Folk/Pop

The most recent of Young's archival recordings revisits a series of concerts performed in 1984 and 1985. Joining Young onstage were an amalgam of roots music luminaries, including Spooner Oldham, Ben Keith, Hargus "Pig" Robbins and more.

Bon Iver

Bon Iver

Genre: Folk/Pop

On NPR: "Bon Iver is a grand, chance-taking record: It sheds the raw nerviness of 2008's perfect For Emma, Forever Ago and replaces it with arrangements so lush and vivid, it can be hard to make out much of what Vernon sings. Out June 21, the whole record dares to be dreamy, and to let Bon Iver's ever-growing backing band paint pictures while Vernon's words dissipate into the ether."

Jim Lauderdale

Reason & Rhyme

Genre: Folk/Pop

The americana and bluegrass artist releases his second collaboration with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. Guests include fellow musicians including Mike Compton on mandolin, Tim Crouch on fiddle, Randy Kohrs on resonator and more.

The Wilders

The Wilders

Genre: Folk/Pop

“The Wilders is the follow-up to the concept album Someone’s Got to Pay, which took the band in a new direction, veering from its staple sounds: old-time country, the kind Hank Williams used to concoct. The new album, all three agree, goes even further in several directions, and the changes are apparent from the very start." - Timothy Finn for The Kansas City Star

Marianne Fathfull

Horses & High Heels

Genre: Folk/Pop

The distinctive-voiced singer ranges across genres on her most recent offering. Her first album since 2009 features everything from French chanson to early R&B and contemporary indie rock.

Eilen Jewell

Queen of the Minor Key

Genre: Folk/Pop

The americana singer-songwriter finds inspiration for her new album in film noir. Guests on Queen include Big Sandy and Zoe Muth.

Gillian Welch

The Harrow & the Harvest

Genre: Folk/Pop

The long-awaited fourth album by one of americana most respected names. With her musical partner, Dave Rawlings, Welch returns with more hushed, backwoods tunes, dark in spirit but beautifully executed.