October is country music month, a time when the lives, stories, and history of country music is celebrated in the United States and around the world. Country music has always focused on story, whether that’s a story told in words or through melody, whether that’s a story told in big stage shows or quiet cafes. Take a listen to these story tellers who draw their music from different corners of the country compass.
Those who like country and Americana music, as well as folk music lovers and those who like music in Spanish and the music of Texas are drawn to Tish Hinojosa’s thoughtful and refreshing perspectives. Hinojosa, a first generation Mexican American who writes and sings in English and in Spanish, was working on an all Spanish record when other songs started calling her attention, including several half finished pieces she’d written some years ago when she lived in Nashville and thought a mainstream country career might be her destination.
Those songs as well as several newly written ones form the substance of her album Our Little Planet. The title song is a polka with words in Spanish and English which encourage connection and listening. Roadsongs and Bygones is a traveler's tale as well as a love song, as is, in its own way Mountain Lullabye. We Mostly Feel That Way, a lively duet with Rosie Flores, could be taken as a bit of social commentary. Fiddle player and singer Carrie Rodriguez joins in on Mi Pueblo, which also considers traveling and returning. Is Time Being Kind is filled with vivid images of reflection, while Count Me in is an affirmation of friendship. The other tracks are equally varied and interesting, and a fine way to reach beyond mainstream country for your listening, during country music month or any other time of year.
When she chose the name On the Brooklyn Road for the second album, Nell Robinson was not thinking about that city in New York. She chose the name, rather,of the red clay road that led to her family’s farm in Alabama. Song and story weave around and through Robinson’s view on her slice of southern life, with country classics including Can’t Help Falling in Love With You and I Saw the Light fitting in alongside relatives telling family anecdotes and Robinson’s own well crafted original songs. Among the standout out originals are Red Clay Creek and Don’t Light My Fire. Robison, who only began singing in public when she was in her forties, has an assured voice and style to anchor things. Top bluegrass artists Jon Reischman, Laurie Lewis, and Jim Nunally are among those who sit in to back her up.
Noam Pikelny does live in Brooklyn, the one in New York, these days. The music on his latest solo album, Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail, though, comes right out of his love for and knowledge of old time and country music. In the six years since his last solo album, Pikleny has been banjo anchorman of the cutting edge group The Punch Brothers, a journey which gave him fresh idea about writing and arranging the old time, bluegrass, and country music he chose for this record. Pikelny speaks eloquently through his banjo on original tunes including the kick off track Jim Thompson’s Horse, a high energy tune that’ll draw you right in, as well as on slower pieces such as Boathouse on the Lullwater. Backing him up, or rather, in musical conversation with him across the dozen tunes is what might be a dream band for any acoustic musician: Jerry Douglas on Dobro, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Chris Eldridge on guitar, Mark Schatz on bass, and Tim O’Brien on mandolin. O’Brien is also the voice for the song Bob McKinney, and Aoife O’Donovan of Crooked Still steps in to sing on Tom Waits’ song Fish and Bird. Punch Brothers band mate Chris Thile and award winning banjo player and actor Steve Martin are among others who sit in for a track on two. It’s Pikelny’s ideas and style which ground the music, though, and he’s more than up to the task of inspiring these artists.
There’s a long standing tradition of country blues, and music which crosses borders between the two genres. That’s what you’ll find of Ray Bonneville’s album Bad Man’s Blood. Bonneville’s music reflects the life of a musical traveler who has lived in several places across Canada and the United States, and looked at life and love from many aspects. Bonneville’s guitar and voice combine to illuminate stories from the dark life of the man in the title track through the heartfelt plea of the one in Darlin’ (Put Your Suitcase Down). the many layered ideas in Mississippi, and the rollicking Funny ‘Bout Love. It is a collection which well illustrates why singer, songwriter, and guitar player Bonneville draws fans from across country, blues, and Americana music listeners.
Four different voices, musicians equally at home in country music and at the edges of it. Take a listen.
Kerry Dexter is the Music Editor at Wandering Educators
She writes about music, the arts,Ireland, and Scotland at Music Road. Strings, Perceptive Travel, and other places. You may reach Kerry at music at wanderingeducators dot com