AFSHeeN - Secrets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ze92d9Hdmo
My wife has been giving me grief for listening to country music, but I counter that my latest discoveries are “alt-country” or “Americana”. Were the Eagles, Dylan, Linda Rondstat or The Band country? Really, who cares about genres, it’s just good music. We saw John Prine a few weeks ago, and this guy Sturgill Simpson came out and played a few songs with him. Sturgill has three albums out, bought them all, and have been playing them non stop. The first one is the most “country”, but he even covers Nirvana on the third one. Watch this SNL appearance and tell me whether this is country music: https://youtu.be/qsrsrOB0zNQ
Been listening to alt-country/Americana for years. None of it crosses over to mainstream country stations. I think I did hear Kaci Musgrove once, maybe. It’s really two different genres.
Re Jason Isbell: I know it’s not new this month, but have been listening to his “I Hope the High Road Takes You Home Again” a LOT, lately. Very timely.
Garland, I think Isbell is the closest singer songwriter to Bruce without being an imitator. Like Springsteen, his songs convey the gamut of emotions and tell stories of both heartbreak and hope. And who else could rhyme sixteen with benzodiazepene?
Brothers Osborne is firmly country and supremely talented. Their newest song was released yesterday and reminds me of Lynyrd Skynyrd and other Southern rock acts from the '70s. (I was a mere child, but my big brother got me hooked.) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV-eTFXazKc
But here’s my favorite of theirs for a chance of pace … I heard them do this live with a long instrumental intro, and it was fantastic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PKk62XccU0
Also, if y’all haven’t seen Isbell in person, do it. It’s otherworldly.
This isn’t a new CD, but it’s different:
“Aktar Wahed” by Amr Diab.
He is Egyptian and the style is pop. There are some good songs that must have been hits in Egypt.
In the midst of highly stressful times of this past college admissions cycle (for class of 2021), I introduced my son to some of the music that I was listening to when I was growing up, songs by Andy Williams, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, etc. I don’t think he was wild about any of these guys’ songs, but they certainly relieved some of the stresses we were feeling at the time. 
@“Youdon’tsay” I saw Jason Isbell a few years ago kid of by accident. We were going to see Shovels & Rope when the were opening for him. My husband knew about Jason Isbell but I didn’t and I didn’t really want to stay because I figured he was too country for me. Turned out he was amazing -I’m excited to see him again this summer.
@audiophile Sounds like you need to get to the Newport Folk Fest, that is exactly the type of music there every year. Sturgill has been there as well as John Prine. I was lucky enough to meet John Prine this year - he was the sweetest man which perfectly matches his sweet voice!
I’m going to the High Water Festival this year - go check out the list of artists and I am sure you will find some you love. Many have been to Newport and I’m sure many will overlap again this year. I have been slowly listening to some of the names I don’t know - Tank and the Bangas seems very cool. I do the same for Newport Folk Fest but they don’t list their artists for a few more months.
Tank and the Bangas Tiny Desk concert -
Great lineup at High Water this year. In addition to Tank and the Bangas, check out Shakey Graves, Valerie June, and St. Paul and the Broken Bones.
^Not quite the same, because I knew the second act, but summer before last I went to an outdoor Stone Pony concert to see Frank Turner who was the opening act in a double bill with Flogging Molly. I knew the latter, but my aim was to see Frank, and I didn’t think I’d be able to stand through both. I was so glad we decided to stay; FM were great (I stood on the edge of a mosh pit though didn’t indulge). Could barely walk back to the Boardwalk and car when it was over–seriously limping–but it was worth it.
In the spirit of new discoveries, I saw Julien Baker on Stephen Colbert this week and was blown away. I searched out her albums and they are really, really good.
@doschicos Sounds like we like the same kind of music! Shakey is my favorite. I’ve never been to Charleston and when I saw Shakey, Old 97’s and of course Shovels & Rope at High Water I told my husband we had to go. He wasn’t 100% convinced, then he saw Jeff Tweedy and Jason Isbell and he agreed! The others I have seen at Newport, we have been going for 5 year now. The only problem with festivals is that it is inevitable that some of the people we want to see overlap so we end up running from stage to stage.
And to add college into this discussion I told him I wanted to check out College of Charleston while we are there.
Long time NFF goers here, @momtogkc. Felt lucky to score tickets this year given how fast it sold out. I’m tempted to go to High Water this year (never been but have family that goes) but not sure it is an open weekend for us.
@doschicos Isn’t it crazy how fast the tickets sell out every year?! They have done such a great job bringing it back from the dead. I’m excited for High Water, by the time I knew about it last year it was sold out.
@garland Thought of you listening to “Hope the High Road” to buoy your spirits in these difficult times. I suggest alternating that with the live version of “Land of Hope & Dreams”, where Bruce ends with: “People Get Ready”
@“Youdon’tsay” just got tickets to see Isbell for the second time in the Spring (Richard Thompson opening!). It takes a special performer to keep me out late on a school night.
@audiophile One of my very favorites! Bruce is always good for my soul.
Jason Isbell + Richard Thompson, what a fantastic double bill!
1952 Vincent Black Lightning
In these days of Tinder shopping and “I can have another you in a minute” memes I searched for an early recording of this song; it was digitally remastered to produce stereo effect then synched to the video - so “new” in some sense:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KmactMIhrRM
This couple is incredible. If you have a chance to see them live, go. Great show.
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/16/620698921/summer-music-preview-the-war-and-treaty-debuts-healing-tide