Jesse Welles, whose LP 'Hells Welles' I covered last year, is in an amazing patch of creativity, and has a new album, MIDDLE.

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

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...

Hudson Westbrook's eponymous EP and Ags Connolly's YOUR PAL SLIM: SONGS OF JAMES HAND

Two fine EPs: Tyler Ray Miniard, THE COUNTY LINE and the Doohickeys, CAN'T BEAT MY OLD BEATER

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."

Two unusual 'Western' items: Tyler Halverson's WESTERN AMERIJUANA (pt 2) and Corb Lund's stunning EL VIEJO (deluxe edition)

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.

Tradition and innovation from the great young bluesman Jerron Paxton and the budding folk-pop star Joy Oladokun.

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!

Fine new records this week from Franklin County Trucking Company (THE DEATH-DEFYING ADVENTURES OF) and Darrin Bradbury (FREEMAN'S TV REPAIR SHOP)

Two surreal and beautifully-played political roots albums: Embla and the Karidotters' LP OFF LEASH and Jack Barksdale's EP OUT OF ORDER.

Great new items by the lovely but asskicking songbirds Sunny Sweeney (STILL PROVOKED) and Hannah Juanita (TENNESSEE SONGBIRD)

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.

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)

Two lovely and humble albums, out this week: Evan McMillian, FOR A DREAMER and the Mike Montrey Band, LOVE, TIME, AND MORTALITY

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...

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

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

Writer writer writer. Amazing political folk and blues by Jesse Welles, HELLS WELLES and fine folky country Josh Morningstar, JOSH MORNINGSTAR

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

Lovely country from Matt "The Cat" Hillyer, BRIGHT SKYLINE (Dallas); and rockin Sublime-style ska/rock/hiphop from the Mid-Atlantic

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.

Just one this week: Swamp Dogg, BLACKGRASS: FROM WEST VIRGINIA TO 125TH STREET. Great album by the 80-something American surrealist, Afrofuturist, soul man, country singer, genius.

Two fine new records. Memphis blues pianist Wyly Bigger, BROKEN TELEPHONE and Soul/funk/rock combo Pimps of Joytime & Sophia Urista, DON'T BELONG