This week on the Down Home Shakedown on UtahFM.org, we played a whole stack of new music.  The Black Lillies got a few spins, I've been enjoying that new CD.  I continue to love the new release from Those Darlin's - that one makes me feel like summer, despite the long cold spring.

The CD that was on my iTunes most however, was the new CD from Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers.  This group out of Seatle does fine, authenic country music.  Zoe is a fantastic songwriter, and has one of those singular country voices.  I particulary got a kick out the song "If I Can't Trust you with a Quarter, How Can I Trust You With My Heart," a song that laments that sunken feeling you'd get when you'd realize your date just has bad taste in music.

The full playlist for April 27, 2011:

This week on the Down Home Shakedown, I checked out a bunch of new releases, with a number of classics thrown in as usual.  I continue to enjoy the latest from Wanda Jackson.  The Party Ain't Over" is nice cross between her classic rockailly sound and the contemporary influence of producer Jack White.

Shaun Horton's Del Rio Ramblers is an interesting release from the UK, playing authentic honky tonk and rockabilly that sounds a lot like classic Hank Williams.

Carrie Rodriquez and Ben Kyle released "We Still Love Our Country," and I look forward to exploring that some more soon.

Another new release worth checking out is the latest from Daptone Records - Charles Bradley.  This is great classic soul sounding record.

The Down Home Shakedown is live on www.utahfm.org, Wednesday from 9am to 11am MST.  You can listen to past episodes online here:

http://utahfm.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=100036

Lots of new music this week on The Down Home Shakedown.  The new CD from Gregg Allman is nice, acoustic blues treat, from one of real legends of rock.  Glad to see him returning to his roots.

However, the album that really stuck out for me this week is the new one from Bow Thayer & The Perfect Trainwreck called "Bottom of the Sky."  The songs are catchy, clever and soulful.  The CD was recorded with Levon Helm, and you can feel that "Band" vibe.   I look forward to spending more time with this CD, and exploring their back catalog.

The Down Home Shakedown in on internet radio, UtahFM.org, live Wednesday morning 9am - 11am MST. 

2010 was a very good year in Americana music - there were quite a few very strong releases.  So many in fact, I've given up trying to pick a top top, or rank them.

Looking at the list, however, so a glaring lack of good blues releases - did I just miss them all or has that genre been lacking in the last few years?  It seems to me to be harder and harder to find strong new releases in blues.

Here, in no particular order, are some notable roots and Americana releases of 2010.   Let me know your thoughts and favorites in the comments!

• Los Lobos - Tin Can Trust
• Peter Wolf - Midnight Souvenirs (Bonus Track Version)
• Mose Allison - The Way Of The World
• Dr. John - Tribal
• Truth & Salvage Company - Truth & Salvage Company
• Shelby Lynne - Tears, Lies, And Alibis
• John Hiatt - The Open Road
• Carrie Rodriguez - Love and Circumstance
• Joe Pug - Messenger
• Butcher Holler - Eilen Jewell Presents A Tribute To Loretta Lynn
• Ray Wylie Hubbard -A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment (Hint: There is no C)
• Jakob Dylan - Women and Country
• Peter Case - Wig!
• Old 97's - The Grand Theatre Volume One
• Jason & The Scorchers - Halcyon Times
• Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues
• Frazey Ford - Obadiah
• John Mellencamp - No Better Than This
• The Black Keys - Brothers
• Bettye Lavette - Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook
• Ray LaMontagne And The Pariah Dogs - God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise
• Elizabeth Cook - Welder
• The SteelDrivers - Reckless
• Chatham County Line - Wildwood
• Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
• Elvis Costello - National Ransom
• Will Kimbrough - WINGS
• Josh Ritter - So Runs The World Away
• Alejandro Escovedo - Street Songs of Love
• The Weepies - Be My Thrill
• Patty Griffin - Downtown Church
• Aloe Blacc - Good Things
• Galactic - Ya-Ka-May
• Whitey Morgan and the 78's - Whitey Morgan and the 78's
• Truckstop Darlin' - Self Titled
• Raul Malo - Sinners & Saints
• Mat d. - Plank Road Drag
• Richard Thompson - Dream Attic
• The Dap-Kings Horns - How You Like Me Now? EP
• Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - I Learned the Hard Way (Bonus Version)
• John Legend & The Roots feat. Black Thought - Wake Up!
• Preservation Hall Jazz Band - An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program (Deluxe Version)
• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Mojo (Deluxe Version)
• Kevin Welch - A Patch of Blue Sky
• Paul Thorn – Pimps and Preachers
• Phosphorescent – Here's to Taking it Easy
• Mary Gauthier – The Foundling
• Reckless Kelly – Somewhere in Time
• Tim O'Brien – Chicken and Egg