Real Bluegrass Book

Protobilly: The Minstrel and Tin Pan Alley DNA of Country Music 1892-2017 Produced by Henry H. Sapoznik, Dick Spottswood, David Giovannoni 3 CDs - 81 selections - 42 never before reissued - 72 page illustrated book Foreword by Dom Flemons - Opening essay Henry H. Sapoznik Track annotations Henry H. Sapoznik and Dick Spottswood Audio transfers by Doug Benson - Design by Andrew Roberts

My Name Is Buddy: Another Record by Ry Cooder is the thirteenth studio album by Ry Cooder. It is the second social-political concept album by Ry Cooder. Cooder has described it as the second in a trilogy that began with Chávez Ravine and concluded with I, Flathead. The album is packaged in a small booklet that includes a brief story and drawing to accompany each song. Both the songs and the stories relate tales from the viewpoint of the characters, Buddy Red Cat, Lefty Mouse, and Reverend Tom Toad. The liner notes ask listeners/readers to join them as they "Journey through time and space in days of labor, big bosses, farm failures, strikes, company cops, sundown towns, hobos, and trains… the America of yesteryear".

If you only know John Anderson from his 1983 novelty crossover hit "Swingin'," you're missing out: In the '80s and early '90s, he was real-deal country, with a backwoods Florida twang and a completely unique delivery—you could never predict if his timbre was going to swoop or take flight. Anderson fell off radio playlists but has remained a favorite of other artists, and an impressive roster of them has lined up for a tribute album produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach for his Easy Eye Sound label.

Aaron Parks Little Big, the new Ropeadope album from the acclaimed pianist, keyboardist and composer, is at once the culmination of his brilliant early career and the long-awaited follow-up to his Blue Note Records debut, Invisible Cinema. That 2008 release, with its gorgeously melodic writing and improvising and deft use of indie-rock, electronica and hip-hop elements, established Parks as one of the most gifted and original young voices in jazz. “This is the natural successor to that record,” says the New York-based artist, 34. “It’s taking the ideas of that project and doubling down on them—fully committing to that direction.”

Johnny Cash: Forever Words is a collaborative album consisting of 16 songs created from Johnny Cash's unknown poetry, lyrics, and letters set to music by an astounding array of contemporary artists including Chris Cornell, Ruston Kelly & Kacey Musgraves, Rosanne Cash, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Brad Paisley, Kris Kristofferson & Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Elvis Costello, and more.