Continuing with these quick round ups of my favorite releases. This time various shades of country music. First station Brooklyn, New York and some classic country gold from one of my big favourites Zephaniah OHora. His great new album Listening to the Music was produced by Neal Casal and came out officially on the 28th of August (a few weeks earlier for the folks who pre-ordered a copy). I shared the lead track All American Singer a while back, so let’s go with another advance single We Planned to Have it All on this little blog entry. This one hits me harder than I might be willing to admit. Such a perfect country ballad. Listen to / buy the whole album buy hitting those links on the Bandcamp player.

Zephaniah OHora Website
Zephaniah OHora at Facebook

Next off to Sydney for the new Arna Georgia album Yes Girl that came out on the 17th of July. I can’t say I’m a big expert on the Australian country scene. That’s probably something I should work on, because sometimes I do stumble upon great albums like this one. Here’s the first single 1998 (Catching Up To Do) as a music video and one of my own favorites Blues on a City Street.

Arna Georgia Website
Arna Georgia at Facebook

Back stateside and more precisely Lexington, Kentucky to add a bit more energy into the mix. Long time favorite Justin Wells released his wonderful record The United State on the 28th of August. Here’s an enjoyable music video for one of the advance singles No Time For a Broken Heart and another excellent album cut Temporary Blue. The latter features Abby Hamilton who released a marvellous EP earlier during this godforsaken year. Don’t sleep on that either.

Justin Wells Website
Justin Wells at Facebook

And last stop this time around is Austin, Texas and one of my favorite new country singer-songwriters Juliet McConkey. She just released her beautiful and moving debut album Disappearing Girl on the 21st of August. I’ve shared Hung the Moon, River Run and Disappearing Girl on the playlist, so let’s wrap this little blog entry with the captivating album closer Like a Rose.

Juliet McConkey Website
Juliet McConkey at Facebook

Another quick set of of albums / songs that I love. This roundabout starts in Nashville, Tennessee with a big blog favourite Charlie Whitten. His new album I’m Waiting came out on the 31st of July and it’s such a beauty. Here’s a couple of awesome songs to get you into the groove. The music video for album cut Save Me and my own favorite song Good Things.

Charlie Whitten at Facebook
Charlie Whitten Website

Moving on to Philadelphia, PA but staying in the groove. Eric Slick released his fabulous new album Wiseacre on the 14th of August. Here’s some video magic from Demi Adejuyigbe for the song Over It and another great album cut Kind of Person. Follow the links on the Bandcamp player to hear / buy the whole lovely record.

Eric Slick at Facebook
Eric Slick Website

Back in Nashville to revisit the Mark Fredson album Go to the Movies. I’ve mentioned this a couple of times, but I don’t think I’ve posted this perfect soft rock puppet show for the album cut Thoughts and Prayers. Puppets by Pete Lindberg, music video by Casey Pierce and the mighty good song (and album) by Mark Fredson.

Mark Fredson at Facebook

Finally we go to London for the new Young Gun Silver Fox album Canyons. This blast of joy came out in February here in Europe and more recently also in the US thanks to Karma Chief Records. What a sweet record. A glorious blend of yacht rock, soul, soft rock, AOR and what not. It makes me smile and that’s a positive push I sure needed. Here’s Kids from the new album.

Young Gun Silver Fox at Facebook

Here is tonight’s vacation round up of songs that I love. Starting from Hamilton, Ontario with the first single from the forthcoming Heather Valley album Wildflower Radio. She is one of my favorite new songwriters and I highly recommend checking out her 2019 album Desert Message if it has flown under your radar. But first let’s listen to Heather Valley’s beautiful new single Emily and cherish the happy bygone summers. She also just released a gorgeous Tom T. Hall cover How I Got To Memphis that you can find from Spotify.

Heather Valley at Facebook
Heather Valley Website

Moving on to Los Angeles and from Emily to Emilee. I can’t say I know a whole lot about Emilee Emiko, but what I do know is that I’ve loved the two singles she has released during the last two months. Here’s the latest dreamy beauty Wishing Away as a music video and a Bandcamp link to the the first single Quiet.

Emilee Emiko at Bandcamp

Next up a couple of amazing new albums. First the new quietly mesmerizing Sylvie Simmons album Blue on Blue that came out on the 14th of August on Compass Records. She is better known as one of the best rock writers and music journalists, but she is also a really good songwriter. Both Sylvie (2014) and this new album are full of beautiful, delicate and captivating songs. Nothing and Not In Love are my own current favorites, but perhaps this bittersweet Sweet California fits perfectly to this little blog entry.

Sylvie Simmons at Facebook
Sylvie Simmons Website

Wrapping this together with a couple of songs from the engaging and haunting new Cinder Well album No Summer that came out on the 24th of July on Free Dirt Records. This dark folk album definitely stays with you long after the last note has drifted away. The over nine minutes long Our Lady’s is a phenomenal centerpiece of this gorgeous album. Here’s also the music video for the excellent title track No Summer.

Cinder Well Website
Cinder Well at Facebook