Crisper Roots
Reviews of two new release country, blues, Americana, roots reggae, cajun, gospel, soul, zydeco, bluegrass etc albums by Crispin Sartwell, long-time yet wildly fresh critic and…expert on beauty.
Episodes
46 episodes
Creative Outburst: On the Great Jesse Welles
Jesse Welles, whose LP 'Hells Welles' I covered last year, is in an amazing patch of creativity, and has a new album, MIDDLE.
Championship Week!: the Doohickeys and Jason Eady
Crisper Roots is back for season 2! With the Doohickeys' hilarious ALL HAT NO CATTLE and Jason Eady's lovely MISSISSIPPI, UNPLUGGED.The gutsiest country song ever recorded: I Don't Give a Damn About Football
Top Ten 2024
Last episode of Season 1. Out of 90, more or less.(1) Samory I, Strength(2) Jesse Welles, Hell's Welles(3) Fiona Boyes, Ramblified(4) Stephanie Lambring, Hypocrite(5) Jerron Paxton, Things Done Changed...
Saddest Man in Texas (or Oxfordshire): Hudson Westbrook and Ags Connolly
Hudson Westbrook's eponymous EP and Ags Connolly's YOUR PAL SLIM: SONGS OF JAMES HAND
Instruments of Construction: Tyler Ray Miniard and the Doohickeys
Two fine EPs: Tyler Ray Miniard, THE COUNTY LINE and the Doohickeys, CAN'T BEAT MY OLD BEATER
Singin' Songwriters: John R. Miller and Forest Sun
Two good late-year albums! John R. Miller, FIRESIDE SESSIONS VOL 1 and Forest Sun, NO FINISH LINE. No it's not "I'll meet you at the bar" on "America I Love You." It's "I'll meet you at the mall."
Rodeo Literature: Tyler Halverson and Corb Lund
Two unusual 'Western' items: Tyler Halverson's WESTERN AMERIJUANA (pt 2) and Corb Lund's stunning EL VIEJO (deluxe edition)
History Lesson: Eric Bibb and Lone Justice
Bluesman Eric Bibb's beautiful IN THE REAL WORLD and the late-arriving greatest record of cowpunk, VIVA LONE JUSTICE. I meant to say, re Bibb: J.B. Lenoir.
Vulnerable Revival: Joy Oladokun and Jerron Paxton
Tradition and innovation from the great young bluesman Jerron Paxton and the budding folk-pop star Joy Oladokun.
Not Too Polished: Gurf Morlix and Chris Acker
Lovely albums by two guys who with outsider personae: Gurf Morlix, IN LOVE AT ZERO DEGREES and Chris Acker, FAMOUS LUNCHSorry, I kept saying "Bill Bruckner". Bill Buckner!
Business Plan: Franklin County Trucking Company and Darrin Bradbury
Fine new records this week from Franklin County Trucking Company (THE DEATH-DEFYING ADVENTURES OF) and Darrin Bradbury (FREEMAN'S TV REPAIR SHOP)
Anti-Authoritarian Roots: Embla and the Karidotters and Jack Barksdale
Two surreal and beautifully-played political roots albums: Embla and the Karidotters' LP OFF LEASH and Jack Barksdale's EP OUT OF ORDER.
My Coolass Aunt: Hannah Juanita and Sunny Sweeney
Great new items by the lovely but asskicking songbirds Sunny Sweeney (STILL PROVOKED) and Hannah Juanita (TENNESSEE SONGBIRD)
Fifty-Year Gap: Elizabeth King and Jontavious Willis
Reviews of fine and original albums by 77-year-old Elizabeth King, a gospel singer from Memphis, and 27-year-old Jontavious Willis, bluesman from West Georgia.
Conceptual Country by Layla Tucker and Karen Jonas
Two quite interesting conceptual projects and two very fine singers: Karen Jonas, THE RISE AND FALL OF AMERICAN KITSCH and Layla Tucker, HOLD MY COAT (reissue from 2022?, songs of Merle Haggard)
You Need Therapy. Music Therapy: Mike Montrey Band and Evan McMillian
Two lovely and humble albums, out this week: Evan McMillian, FOR A DREAMER and the Mike Montrey Band, LOVE, TIME, AND MORTALITY
Fresh Developments in Blues Harmonica: Son of Dave and Big Harp George
Wild, eclectic, yet bluesy harmonica and excellent singing and writing: Big Harp George, COOKING WITH GAS and Son of Dave, A FLAT CITYColumn from '22: https://www.splicetoday.com/music/lucian-satan-son-of-dave-and-the-future-of-blues-ha...
What is This, '94? Zach Top and Elijah Ocean
Great trad country from singer/guitar player Zach Top, COLD BEER AND COUNTRY MUSIC (a little late getting to this one, out in March I think), and fine country songwriting from Elijah Ocean, LOSER'S HOLIDAY
Cover Me: William Michael Morgan and the Little Roy and Lizzie Show
Reviews of two new albums of covers: paradigm country singer William Michael Morgan, COUNTRY CLASSICS VOL. 1 and bluegrass from rowdy, godly multi-instrumentalists The Little Roy and Lizzie Show, ALL FOR THE LOVE OF SUNSHINE
What is America?: Jesse Welles and Josh Morningstar
Writer writer writer. Amazing political folk and blues by Jesse Welles, HELLS WELLES and fine folky country Josh Morningstar, JOSH MORNINGSTAR
American Masters: Kim Wilson and Del McCoury
Two albums by great repositories of musical tradition: blues rockers the Fabulous Thunderbirds, STRUCK DOWN and bluegrass legends the Del McCoury Band, SONGS OF LOVE AND LIFE
Highway to Nowhere (or Pratt Street): Bumpin Uglies and Matt "The Cat" Hillyer
Lovely country from Matt "The Cat" Hillyer, BRIGHT SKYLINE (Dallas); and rockin Sublime-style ska/rock/hiphop from the Mid-Atlantic
Rays of Musical Truth: Kayla Ray and Sugaray Rayford
Fine new LPs from Kayla Ray, THE WORLD'S WEIGHT (true country) and Sugaray Rayford, HUMAN DECENCY (funk blues)Oops "The Highest Point in Seven Counties" is a suicide song.
