As the host of a show which celebrates Americana I suppose I should be spending some of today with my eyes on the TV. There’s an event going on in Washington which is getting quite a lot of attention, as I’m sure you know. However I’m more inclined to take the sage advice I stumbled upon earlier today on hearing T Bone Burnett on a talk show when he pointed out that if you really want to know anything about America you can do that best via its music. I’m not going to argue with that.
I think that is probably true of the nations of the UK too but, perhaps, we know less about our own music than we do about America’s. What is certainly true for me is the refining and re understanding of the human spirit is constantly mirrored in the songs of any era. Sexual politics, relationships, inequality and social perspectives which constantly change are all subjects of modern songs. Given that country and folk music seeks to tell these stories simply but profoundly it’s no surprise the genres keep churning out more songs.
One of my best friends who is a great all round musician explained why he wasn’t over interested in writing songs in the way I was when I started out in music 40 odd years ago. ‘All the books have been written…’ he began. And, yes, there was logic to what he said. Had we to draw a line at the end of 1984 many of us listening to Oldie pop radio stations would hardly notice. But the line wasn’t drawn there and as we gear up for another adventure around the sun it’s obvious so many songwriters still have so much to say. Overwhelming as that is (the current estimate is 100,000 songs per day are added to streaming services) I welcome each new release with the start of this year bringing some wonderful new releases which – pardon me for repeating old tropes – I firmly believe we shall be enjoying on our best-of play lists next December.
Allow me to highlight some gems which are coming your way on this week’s AC:
Listen out for Gaby Moreno. Now an Angelino, she is originally from Guatemala and has had huge success and Grammys in Latin Music. However her current single crosses between Spanish and English and seems a perfect fit for our wider understanding of Americana.
You’ll enjoy too the wonderful talent of Stephen Wilson Jnr. He’s become a successful songwriter for hire but is breaking through with his own singing career and his current single is co written with nashville legend, Travis Meadows, the man responsible for Dierks Bentley’s Riser.
My Morning Jacket
We are also delighted to tell you we will include new tracks from old friends Bonnie Prince Billy, Michaela Anne, Ruston Kellly, Nadia Reid, Jason Isbell and the most welcome of returns from My Morning Jacket.
Finally: I’m not sure who is and ism’t Americana these days, so to muddy the waters further I find myself reflecting on a line from a song from U2′s The Joshua Tree where Bono sings, ‘Outside is America.’ It sure is.
It’s all in a packed two hours of Another Country this coming Tuesday on BBC Sounds or BBC Scotland from five past eight or any time you like after that. Join me if you can.
