Twang! Americana Roundup. By Denise Hylands

By Denise Hylands

As we swing in and out of lockdowns it’s good to know the music keeps coming. Let’s talk anniversaries, reunions, encores and much, much more. The Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson has just released a new album appropriately titled Encore. She announced her retirement from performing back in 2019. In a career that has spanned 64 years, 83-year-old Jackson is stepping up for her Encore. Working with Jack White on The Party Ain’t Over in 2011 and Justin Townes Earle, Unfinished Business in 2012, as producers, she keeps it interesting again brings in fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Joan Jett and Kenny Laguna to oversee production and collaborate. “Right around the time I retired from performing and what I thought was the end of my career, I found myself back to writing songs with some of the great writers in Nashville. The songs you hear are truly my life story. This is the first time I have ever inserted so much of my personal life into my music.” This is Jackson’s 32nd album. Legendary 88-year-old, Willie Nelson is participating in a multi-part docuseries which will focus on his life and career titled Willie Nelson & Family. Emmy and Grammy awardwinning filmmakers Oren Moverman and Thomm Zimny are co-directing the project, “We are celebrating the music, the career, the long road, the family, friends and history,” Zimny and Moverman said in a joint statement. “But, more than anything, we are piecing together a narrative — one never before seen in its entirety — about an extraordinary man with a unique ability to bring people together; folks of all races, orientations, genders, political ideologies and musical leanings. These days, we sure could use the healing powers of Willie Nelson.” And while we’re on Willie, his good buddies Asleep At The Wheel will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary with a new album, Half A Hundred Years. Since their beginning longtime front man Ray Benson and band were inspired by Western Swing and Honky Tonk with the aim “to bring the roots of American pop music into the present”, which they have done and continue to do. Earning themselves 10 Grammys, 25 plus albums, countless collaborations, and tributes. AATW are joined on the new album by many good friends including of course Willie, Lyle Lovett, Bill Kirchen, George Strait, Emmylou Harris, and old band mate Lucky Oceans just to name a few. The reunion of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss has us all looking forward to the release of their follow up album to their brilliant 2007 album Raising Sand. Yet again produced by T Bone Burnett the new release is titled Raise The Roof. Featuring 12 songs and an A list of guests including drummer Jay Bellerose, Buddy Miller, Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot, and David Hidalgo amongst others. While we’re talking about Alison Krauss, it was surprising to realise that Krauss wasn’t yet a member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame after it being announced that she is a 2021 inductee recently. It’s been a long time coming for an artist whose first Grammy win in 1991 is among her 27 in total. The Country Music Hall of Fame announced their 2021 inductees. Ray Charles joins as the annual Veteran Era artist, who as a kid grew up tuned to the sounds coming out of the Grand Ole Opry, he tried his hand at ‘hillbilly’ music and gave us the brilliant album Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music in 1962. The Judds will be inducted as the Modern Era Artist. The rags to riches story of the mother / daughter duo, Wynonna and Naomi, who provided one of the most outstanding success stories in country music and some damn fine music too. In the Recording/ Touring musician category is Eddie Bayers, 14-time ACM Drummer of the Year, studio drummer for such greats as Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson and honoured a decade ago as one of the ‘Nashville Cats’. Another ‘Cat’ is Pete Drake who becomes the first Recording/Touring musician inducted for his pedal steel playing. Arriving in Nashville in early 60’s, his steel can be heard on recordings by Johnny Cash, Charley Pride and Tammy Wynette but it was playing on Dylan’s Nashville Skyline that saw him as a musician bridging the connection between country and folk. And talking about folk, Home In This World: Woody Guthrie’s Dust Bowl Ballads is a tribute album to Woody Guthrie’s 1940 concept album Dust Bowl Ballads, featuring Watkins Family Hour, John Paul White, Chris Thile, Waxahatchee,The Felice Brothers, Colter Wall and more. Did I say concept album? Sturgill Simpson has released his 5th album called The Ballad of Dood & Juanita, a concept album. “I just wanted to write a story— not a collection of songs that tell a story, but an actual story, front to back. (This album is) a rollercoaster ride through all the styles of traditional country and bluegrass and mountain music that I love, including gospel and acapella. It is a simple tale of either redemption or revenge. Dood & Juanita are his grandparents. Due in early November is Highway Butterfly:The Songs of Neal Casal, a tribute to the life and music of singer, songwriter and musician. A 41-song collection featuring a wonderfully diverse collection of artist, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Beachwood Sparks, Dori Freeman, Hiss Golden Messenger, Shooter Jennings, you get the idea.

Wanda Jackson in the ‘50s.

New and forthcoming releases to look out for… Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming The Felice Brothers - From Dreams To Dust Dori Freeman - Ten Thousand Roses Bela Fleck - My Bluegrass Heart Alison Krauss & Robert Plant - Raise The Roof Mike & The Moonpies - One To Grow On Legendary Shack Shakers - Cockadoodledeux Bela Fleck - Bluegrass Album - My Bluegrass Heart Margo Price EP - Live From The Other Side Various Artists - Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows Vol. 2 (John Prine Tribute) Tre Burt - You, Yeah, You Charley Crockett - Music City USA Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes - As Long As It’s Not Us Summer Dean - Bad Romantic Eric Shicotte - Miss’ry Pacific Wanita - I’m Wanita The High Heaven - Outlaws Vol. 1 Jesse Daniels - Beyond These Walls Dallas Burrows - Self Titled Asleep At The Wheel - Half A Hundred Year Sturgill Simpson - The Ballad Of Dood & Juanita