Carlene Carter - Carter Girl (2014)

Carter Girl, set for release April 8, is the first album of new recordings this decade from Americana legend Carlene Carter. Produced by Don Was, Carter Girl is, in a very literal way, Carlene's personal homage to the Carter Family legacy that both underpins so much of America's music and is part of her own DNA. The album revisits both classic Carter Family repertoire as well as original songs that reflect Carlene's direct connection to her roots. Willie Nelson guests on Troublesome Waters and Kris Kristofferson joins Carlene on Black Jack David while the unmistakable voice of Vince Gill is heard harmonizing on Lonesome Valley 2003. Blackie's Gunman is a duet with Elizabeth Cook, whom Carlene likes to think of as her adopted sister Carter Cousin Lorrie Carter Bennett and Carlene's husband Joe Breen. Musicians on the sessions included Jim Keltner, Rami Jaffee, Greg Leisz, Sam Bush, Mickey Raphael, Blake Mills as well as Don Was on bass. The guitar of the late Cowboy Jack Clement is heard on I Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow and there are vocal contributions from generations past -- Carlene's aunts Helen and Anita Carter as well as her mom, June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash on the chorus of I Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow-- that make Carter Girl an evocative collection, bringing music history to life for contemporary listeners.

Rodney Crowell - Tarpaper Sky (2014)

 

Esteemed musician, songwriter and author Rodney Crowell has teamed up with New West Records to release Tarpaper Sky, his new self-produced album. It comes fast on the heels of Old Yellow Moon, Crowell s critically lauded collaboration with Emmylou Harris, which won a 2013 Grammy® Award and was named 2013 Album of the Year by the Americana Music Association.
Crowell has pushed the boundaries of country, folk and roots music since long before the term Americana was coined as a genre, making a name for himself and gaining respect as both a songwriter and as an artist. Celebrating 40 years of making music, Crowell has created an album that harkens back to some of his most revered and loved works. Tarpaper Sky would sit comfortably on the shelf right between the chart-topping fan favorite Diamonds and Dirt (1988) and Life Is Messy (1992). This album marks a reunion of the creative partnership of Crowell and musical accomplice Steuart Smith, who was an integral part of his overall sound during the late 80s.