americana round-up

The great John prine enjoyed a fruitful 2017, publishing his first book, John Prine Beyond Words, and making off with Artist Of The Year at Nashville’s Americana Awards. Now he’s about to unveil a fresh studio album on his Oh Boy imprint. Details are scant, but he’s earmarked the spring for his first set of allnew songs in 13 years. Watch out, too, for Kacey musgraves’ follow-up to 2015’s Pageant Material. The release date for Golden Hour is yet to be firmed up, but Musgraves promises a “trippy” experience, “musically influenced by everything from Sade to Neil Young”. Recorded at Sheryl Crow’s home studio (and produced by Ian Fitchuk and Daniel Tashian of The Silver Seas), the album sees her team up with regular co-writers Shane McAnally, Luke Laird and Natalie Hemby. Boston veterans buffalo Tom are back in the saddle as well.

Quiet And Peace, due in March on SCRAWNY/SCHOOLKIDS, is their first in six years and sees them collaborate with producer Dave Minehan, formerly of The Replacements. Later that month, courtney marie andrews returns with May Your Kindness Remain, a swift successor to 2017’s Honest Life. She also plays UK dates in late January/early Feb, as do Loose lablemates The americans, the mighty Johnny dowd and sister act shelby lynne & allison moorer. rOB HUgHeS