Fresh Cuts: Pedal Steel to Steal Your Heart
Fresh Cuts! Here we are. Cindy’s picks. Cindy hosts. We have the ED of FA, Sarah LaDuke, writing her reactions to some of the songs for the Fresh Cuts blog post. Where is that? You’re reading it right now.
Cindy’s weekly Fresh Cuts radio hour airs every Friday at 2pm ET / 11am PT on Folk Alley’s 24/7 stream — available on our website, mobile app, or your smart speaker. You can always hear the best in new folk music on our Fresh Cuts stream.
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William Prince featuring Nathaniel Rateliff – “Change”
Manitoba/Peguis First Nation musician William Prince invited his friend Nathaniel Rateliff to collaborate with him on the new single “Change” – which thumps an honest rhythm underneath stories of dreadful experiences and a chorus that reminds you, sagely and with resolve, that it’s all a part of life.
🎼“The only thing that changes is the change itself, the way it keeps you down and for how long. Kinda makes you thankful for just how hard it ain’t on the good days and the not-so-good between.”
A day with a new William Prince song is a good day. Add Nathaniel Rateliff’s harmonies and we’re downright spoiled. (I couldn’t find information about who plays on the track – if you know, send me an email?)
Jess Williamson – “Tracking The Tropics”
The second single from Jess Williamson’s upcoming album ‘A Mile South Of Heaven’ (10/9 New West) is a pedal-steel gilded longing bomb. The lyrics place what’s not working now next to what was magical in the wistful past. A current discomfort could be alleviated by the return of a past sense of belonging. Or could it?
Can’t wait to hear more of the record – which is produced by Shooter Jennings!
Cindy’s list also has an absolutely beautiful song from Rising Appalachia; the title track from Charlie Parr’s upcoming folk opera concept album about the lives of Upper Midwesterners; and a Loudon Wainwright III summer cover from The Head and the Heart – featuring the ever-expanding Scott McMicken from Dr. Dog.
Fresh Cuts:
Chris Pierce – “Madonna of the San Joaquin”
Billy Strings – “Mill Town Flood”
Phoebe Bridgers – “Haunted (Feat. Nickelcreek)”
Rising Appalachia – “Chance at Wholesome”
Mary Bragg – “What Do I Do (feat. John Paul White)”
Charlie Parr – “Rooming House”
Jess Williamson – “Tracking The Tropics”
William Prince – “Change (feat. Nathaniel Rateliff)”
The Kennedys – “Without Us”
Keb’ Mo’ – “Fussing and Fighting”
Lambchop – “Stella”
Buddy Miller – “Don’t Look Back”
The Head And The Heart – “The Swimming Song”
