American Crossroads

Sugar Hill Records has announced a a July 16 release for anew compilation project from the late Doc Watson.

The Definitive Doc Watson will contain 34 tracks on 2 CDs, covering selections from Watson’s time recording for both the Vanguard and Sugar Hill labels.

The Vanguard era began in 1962, and includes the early solo albums that launched this legacy performer to international stardom as a singer, guitarist, and folklorist. For many people, Doc’s music was their first glimpse into the folk music of the Appalachian region.

Later recordings, including several with his son, Merle, were released on the Flying Fish label. Both Vanguard and Flying Fish were acquired by the Welk Music Group, which also owns Sugar Hill. The last few Watson recordings were on Sugar Hill.

Taken together, Sugar Hill’s new compilation has access to Doc’s music from 1962 to 2005. Talk about a treasure trove!

Album's guest spots, international tour dates to be announced later. 

Veteran gospel act The Blind Boys of Alabama has signed with Sony Masterworks, Paste has learned. The band is now set to release a new album this fall, taking production notes from other than Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. An album title has not yet been released.

The album will feature a few unexpected guest spots, which will be announced later. Its release will be followed by an international tour.

The 'Searching For Sugar Man' star was praised for his 'musical genius'. Rodriguez, star of the Oscar winning film Searching For Sugar Man, has received an honorary degree from Detroit's Wayne State University.

The protest singer was honoured as a Doctor of Humane Letters yesterday (May 9) in his hometown. Sixto Rodriguez was praised for his "musical genius and commitment to social justice" at the university's commencement ceremony. He earned a philosophy degree from the same university in 1981, reports the Associated Press.

Rodriguez recently said that he is preparing to release his long awaited third album, his first since 'Coming From Reality' in 1971.

The Mississippi-born bluesman shaped and transformed American music. If the blues is the backbone of American popular music, then Muddy Waters was the backbone of the blues. Sure, there were plenty of significant blues artists before him and others after his heyday, but Waters, who was born McKinley Morganfield in Issaquena County, Mississippi one hundred years ago this week, was a singer, guitarist, composer, and bandleader of such elemental power that he’s come to stand for everything that’s soul-stirring about the music itself. Without Waters, it’s safe to say, rock and roll and its many derivations would never have turned out the way they did. Listing those influenced by him would be a fool’s game, their number is so legion, but let’s just mention a band called the Rolling Stones, who in honor of their hero, named themselves after a classic Muddy Waters song.

Bluegrass legend Peter Rowan has a new album titled The Old School. “The Old School is a big school. It is where the tributaries of the river came from,” says bluegrass musician and GRAMMY-winner Peter Rowan of his new album.

Influenced by his experience with the dynamic and enigmatic father of bluegrass Bill Monroe and written with the “bluegrass code” in mind, the now 70-year-old Rowan recorded the album with an intergenerational cast of skilled players. Old masters such as Bobby Osborne and Del McCoury sat shoulder to shoulder with younger players including The Traveling McCourys, Michael Cleveland, Bryan Sutton and more, everyone playing and singing in a circle and recording old school style. It was an appropriate way to capture the raw spirit of bluegrass music and, for Rowan, the album became the perfect vehicle through which to explore the complex musical strands of the bluegrass tapetry.

On May 9, 1956 Jimmy Martin had his first recording session for Decca Records.

At an afternoon session at Bradley Studio, 804 16th Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee, Jimmy Martin recorded four songs Before the Sun Goes Down, Skip Hop and Wobble, You’ll Be a Lost Ball and Hit Parade of Love.

Supporting Martin [lead vocal/guitar] at the session were Porky Hutchins [baritone vocal/banjo], Earl Taylor (tenor vocal/mandolin), Howard Watts (Cedric Rainwater), playing bass, and Tommy Vaden [fiddle].