Bob Dylan’s genius was, in part, due to his ability to write new songs that felt both canonical and contemporary. The same is true of Gillian Welch, whose new album, The Harrow and the Harvest, features 10 new tunes that sound plucked from country-folk history but are timeless in their beauty, simplicity, and emotional depth. [...]
Over the last couple of years, Boston roots-folk act The David Wax Museum has been a mainstay at group houses across Northwest. These house concerts afforded lodging and modest merch sales for Wax and Suz Slezak, his fiddle- and jawbone-playing compatriot. The parties, here and elsewhere, also consolidated a growing fan base that would elect the [...]
In which Steve Kolowich and Ted Scheinman, who play together in a roots band of dubious authenticity, converse over e-mail.
Steve: Howdy, Ted!
Like that country vernacular? Sure, I'm a blue-blooded New Englander, born and bred. But if I learned anything from last night's excellent show at the 9:30 Club, it's that authenticity is as authenticity does. [...]
Morning, readers.
*À propos of EVERYTHING, here's Anthony Burgess on the Beatles, the Youth, and the dangers of trusting "pop prophets." (Keep an eye out for Zappa in the last frame):
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*The New York Times asks, and Christopher Hitchens responds to, questions about 1) memoir vs. [...]
In which the author interviews a bluegrass musician of some repute in re: his new record Songs My Dad Loved.
Washington City Paper: How are you?
Ricky Skaggs: I'm having my first cup. [The author assumes Mr. Skaggs is referring to a cup of coffee, but does not inquire further.] So I'm good.
Where are you?
In Nashville.
You're not [...]
Jonathan Lethem's Chronic City is one of the best books of the year. So sayeth me; so sayeth the sage critterpoos at the New York Times, who include Lethem's eighth novel in their holiday gift guide. (Speaking of guides, check out ours!) While a good friend of mine alleges that Chronic City, which is about [...]
