By Don Robertson
Say Goodbye! to hard rock as it writhes in dying pain and bid Hello! to Americana, the new acoustic popular music. Thank God you have arrived.
In the previous articles of the New Acoustic Popular Music series, I discussed the emergence of new music that is widely divergent from the typical commercial offerings brought to us by corporate America. It is acoustic music that is mainly based on the roots music of Southeastern America. We find that it is innovative, fresh and young. Most of the musical members of this genre are under 30 years of age, or were when they started their careers. In this and the following articles in this series, I will continue to introduce this new generation of music.
In the previous articles of the New Acoustic Popular Music series, I discussed the emergence of new music that is widely divergent from the typical commercial offerings brought to us by corporate America. It is acoustic music that is mainly based on the roots music of Southeastern America. We find that it is innovative, fresh and young. Most of the musical members of this genre are under 30 years of age, or were when they started their careers. In this and the following articles in this series, I will continue to introduce this new generation of music.
The Staves
Here is a great group from England known as The Staves. They released their first album in 2011.
"Facing West" by The Staves
"Mexico" by The Staves
Shovels and Rope
This duo is from Charleston, South Carolina. Their first album was released in 2008. Their 2014 album Swimmin' Time reached Position No. 21 on US charts.
"Birmingham" by Shovels and Rope
The Paper Kites
The Paper Kites are from Melbourne, Australia. They formed in 2010 and their debut album States was released in 2013.
"Bloom" by The Paper Kites
"St Clarity" by The Paper Kites
Mike Farris and the McCrary Sisters
Many music lovers in Nashville wonder when these local artists, Mike Farris and the McCrary Sisters, will become world-known. I judge that it won't be long. Amazing singers loved by the Nashville music community, they are opening the doors to both white and black gospel music to the world of popular singing.
"Mercy Now" by Mike Farris and the McCrary Sisters at the Loveless Cafe 2011
Misattributed in the following YouTube description to the great Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the song "Ain't No Body Gonna Hold this Body Down" was actually penned by mountain-gospel singer Brother Claude Ely.
"Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold my Body Down" by Mike Farris and the McCrary Sisters 2008
Negro spiritual "Oh Mary, Don't You Weep" originally recorded by Nashville's Fisk Jubilee singers in 1915. It became well-known in the black-gospel music world from two recordings, first by The Caravans in 1958, and then by The Swan Silvertones in 1959:
In the next episode of "The New Acoustic Popular Music" I will continue to present videos that I hope you will love and enjoy as I do.
Enjoy the music. There is more to come.
So for now, "Good music. Good Vibes." I'm Don Robertson.
© 2016 by Don Robertson
