Laurel Canyon Music

For fans and musicians of Folk, Americana, Country, Blues, Singer-Songwriter, Rock, Roots & Acoustic and music from the Laurel Canyon late 60’s/early 70’s era.

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Filtering by Tag: Nov 19

Elles Bailey - Blacktop Companion (08/11/19)

Elles Bailey - Blacktop Companion.jpg
  • Artist: Elles Bailey

  • Release Date: 8th November 2019

  • Genre: Blues, Americana, Soul, Rock

  • Record Label: Independent

  • Tracks: 9

  • Website: https://www.ellesbailey.com

‘Blacktop Companion’ is a special 9-track companion disc to Elles’ second great studio album ‘The Road I Call Home’. This wonderful new album features three fully produced unheard tracks from the 'Road I Call Home' recording session in Nashville, 3 'live in the studio' alt band versions of songs from ‘Road I Call Home’, two acoustic versions of ‘Miss Me When I'm Gone’ and ‘Medicine Man’ and a cover of Levon Helms 'When I Go Away'

Elles won't be releasing the album digitally however the CD album is available from her website. The first single release is a fully produced cover of John Prine's 'Angel From Montgomery' released on 13th September.

Elles comments “For me, 'Blacktop Companion' marks the continuation of this epic “Road I Call Home” adventure that I have travelled for the last year or so, and it tells a lot more of the story! It also highlights the incredible live band that I have had the pleasure of touring this record with, and I am so grateful for their talents, humour and for just being wonderful human beings!' Elles Live band are: Joe Wilkins - Guitar and BvsMatthew Waar - Bass and BvsJonny Henderson - Organ and BvsMatthew Jones - Drums and Bvs

You can order Elles’ new album below >>>

https://www.ellesbailey.com/product-page/blacktop-companion

Allen Stone - Building Balance (08/11/19)

Allen Stone - Building Balance.jpg
  • Artist: Allen Stone

  • Release date: 8th November, 2019

  • Genre: Soul, R&B, Funk, Singer-Songwriter

  • Record Label: ATO Records

  • Tracks: 14

  • Website:

Soulful Vanguard Allen Stone's building balance takes his soul-stirring R&B and funk to the next artistic level. Allen continues to draw inspiration from '70s funk and soul with current flexes, sitting amid D'Angelo in its sultrier moments, Stevie wonder at its most melodic and the production of Mark Ronson at its most modern. The album features the most personal, lushly produced and gorgeously performed songs of his career. Building balance was largely written in a cabin in the Washington state woods and recorded at sound emporium Studios in Nashville with three producers: the acclaimed British artist Jaime lidell, Grammy-winning producer nasri, and Jeremy most (Emily King). the album is a textured amalgam of R&B and soul, a result of several personal co-writing sessions, collaborations with Emily King & Theo Katzman/ Joey Dosik of vulfpeck, and lyrics by Allen. Equal parts sentimental ("Brown Eyed lover", "consider me") and replete with nostalgic funk ("back to the swing", "sweaters"), Allen's third album shows an artist who has grown into his own and learned to balance and appreciate all parts of his life: the vices of the past and the Gifts of the present, career and family, the brilliant highs and discouraging lows.

Please order your copy below >>>

Smith and McClennan - Small Town Stories (15/11/19)

Smith & McClennan - Small Town.jpg
  • Artist: Emily Smith & Jamie McClennan

  • Release Date: 15th November 2020

  • Genre: Folk, Americana

  • Record Label: White Fall Records

  • Tracks:10

  • Website: https://smithandmcclennan.com/

Small Town Stories is the stunning debut album by husband-and-wife duo Emily Smith and Jamie McClennan, its ten tracks drawing on the couple's shared life in rural south-west Scotland. It's an intimate, uplifting and intensely beautiful record, reflecting the pair's deep-seated affiliation with American roots music. Influences include classic harmony duos The Civil Wars and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, as well as stalwart Nashville singer-songwriters such as Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Darrell Scott and Kacey Musgraves.

Produced by Ross Hamilton (Mark Lanegan, Isobel Campbell, Texas, Wolfstone) at Rocket Science in Glasgow, and mastered in Nashville, the album features eight original songs written by Jamie McClennan, the New Zealand-born fiddle player and guitarist, as well as a cover of Willow Macky's Sixties peace anthem, 'Better Than War', and a stirring new arrangement of the traditional broadside ballad, 'Sailin's A Weary Life'. Front and centre is Emily’s voice, an instrument of remarkable purity, capable of conveying the full spectrum of emotions on an album which tackles the universal themes of parenthood, addiction, separation, war, childhood, love and loss. Small Town Stories is the high point of a musical partnership which has developed over almost 20 years. A hugely respected figure on the international folk scene,

Emily Smith is a former BBC Young Traditional Musician of the year, has twice been Scots Singer of the Year, received two BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominations and has released eight acclaimed solo albums of traditional music. McClennan has played in his wife's band for 17 years, as well as performing with numerous other artists.

Luke Jackson - Journals (08/11/19)

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  • Artist: Luke Jackson

  • Release Date: 8th November 2019

  • Genre: Americana, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Folk-Rock, Soul

  • Record Label: First Take Records

  • Tracks: 12

  • Website: http://lukepauljackson.com/

  • Review By: Gary Smith (LCM)

Luke is the kind of vocalist and songwriter who always creates an instant first impression. The type of artist that stops you dead in your tracks, knowing that you are listening to something very special. His fifth studio album ‘Journals’ continues his rich and exciting musical journey. At only 25 years old Luke has matured into one of the UK’s finest young singer-songwriters.

Released through his own ‘First Take’ label, ‘Journals’ sees Luke write 11 of the album’s 12 tracks, with a spine-tingling cover of Sanny Denny’s classic ‘Who Knows Where Time Goes’ added for good measure. Luke is joined on the album by former college friend Andy Sharps on bass and Elliott Norris on drums, both adding their harmony vocals. Jarrod Pinner (Gentleman Of The Few) adds impressive piano and Keyboards, while Lizzie White adds her sensitive vocals.

We love Luke’s music which blends Americana, Blues, Rock, Folk, Soul and even some Jazz. Co-produced by Luke and Kent based Dan Lucas ‘Journals’ showcases some of Luke’s best work to date from reflective moving ballads to fuller rock and blues tracks.

The word ‘journal’ is defined as ‘a record of occurrences, experiences and reflections kept on a regular basis’ and this perfectly describes the inspirations of this album. Luke comments that ‘the album was about the car journeys, the people I meet and music I listen to on the road, the endless podcasts, conversations and snapshots of other lives, landscapes and cultures.’ The album also Include on-point songs themed about modern issues both social and political.

The excellent album opens with the sultry and rich bluesy bitter-sweet ‘Honeycomb’ with it’s driving rhythm, soaring vocals from Luke and on-point harmonies from Andy and Elliott. This is followed by the heartfelt love song ‘Home’, written from a hotel room longings for home life and family. A story of hardship and reflection from frequent life on the road. We love the wonderful guitar solo and the piano interplay. ‘Aimee’ was written by Luke while travelling on a Trans-Canadian train. It’s a simple song about two people who meet briefy then go their separate ways in the morning. Beautifully paced and measured.

Along ‘with the more personal songs there is the witty ‘Cherry Picker’ the story of a farmer trying to win of the girl of his dreams by courting her with his mobile crane. There is a great retro soulful groove here, growing with propulsive rhythms, hypnotic bass and keyboard lines. The pace slows for the beautiful ‘Red Oak’ based on a true story of war, love and loss. Another lovely and thoughtful track with an initial slow tempo building into a crescendo of electric guitar and keyboards. ‘Heavy’ seeing Luke reflecting on the silent crisis of male depression. Full of impact with a retro soulful groove. “No there really ain’t no shame in being a broken man”. Wise words in a time when many men have trouble in appearing vulnerable and emotionally troubled.

Baby Boomers’ was inspired by the birth of Andy’s daughter and reflects on how the world might change in her lifetime. Luke’s personal experiences and thoughts on growing to adulthood are also included. Luke said that he channeled his inner ‘Billy Bragg’ to write the song. ‘Eliza Holt’ is a rollicking and very sad folk song. Luke previously lived in a village that grew around a 18th century psychiatric hospital, which closed in the 1990’s. As a child he would play in the graveyard. He was struck by one gravestone which read “Here lays Eliza Holt’ with others name underneath showing more than one generation had been buried there. Luke says “that he discovered that young girls which became pregnant out of wedlock would quite likely be sent to a hospital like this. Where mother and baby would spend the rest of their lives there, ending up buried together.”

The gentle ‘A Queen In Her Own Way’ is a tribute to Luke’s Grandmother. Who lovingly helps three generations of her family. Wonderful acoustic guitar interwoven with piano and gentle vocals. The Sandy Denny classic ‘Who Knows Where The Time Goes’ has always been very special in the folk cannon. Luke’s thoughtful and reflective new cover version is perfectly judged, highlighting Sandy’s timeless lyrics. Luke comments “It’s a joy to play such a marvelous song by someone who was a national treasure.”

‘This Ain’t Love (But It’ll Do)’ is a tongue-in-cheek look at fake love inspired by TV shows like ‘Love Island’. A tale of transient love and infatuation. The album closes with ‘Every Flame’ a defiant song about carrying on even when things get tough. Pursuing his music journey until as Luke says “I’m going to ride it, until the wheels come off’. The song ends with a strong spiritual gospel-style outro.

Journals is a wonderful chronicle of Luke’s musical journey. Mature, deep, highly crafted and highly impressive. One of my favourite albums so far this year.

Pre-order your copy below >>>

Miranda Lambert - Wildcard (01/11/19)

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  • Artist: Miranda Lambert

  • Release date: 1st November 2019

  • Genre: Country, Country Pop, Country Rock

  • Record Label: Sony Music CMG

  • Tracks: 14

  • Website:

This is an excellent seventh studio album by one of the US country music superstars. 'Wildcard' moves from fraught, taut rock & roll to gentle folk, classic Wurlitzer country and a bit of funky gospel, with Miranda’s signature wit and tongue-in-cheek humour permeating throughout.

Order your copy below >>>

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