Jeff Black's "Folklore" Released Today April 1st

Jeff Black continues his roots music tradition by releasing his 10th CD, Folklore. I'm not sure what part I enjoy more, Black's clear vocals and powerful and vivid songwriting or the "bare bones" musical notes from the 5 string banjo, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars and harmonica. The title tack is my favorite song, with Break the Ground and Flatcar close behind - but all of Folklore is acoustic poetry. The cover photograph is also pretty cool and reflects the roots tradition of this release. The photo was taken by Black's paternal grandmother, Lotos Nile Black in 1930. Jeff Black writes in his liner notes: “I think it’s the picture of my Dad looking into the camera, into the future, that inspires me, and the fade of my Uncle into the unknown that keeps me searching.”  Recorded at Black’s Arcana Studios and mixed by Dave Sinko (Chris Thile & the Punch Brothers, Sam Bush Band, Don Williams), the CD comes highly recommended. Pair with Nashville's Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery rootsy pre-prohibition brand Belle Meade Bourbon.

Livestream of Jeff Black's New Relase BSACV2 Tonight

Today is the release date of Jeff Black's ninth album: B-Sides And Confessions Vol. 2. To celebrate the release, Black is hosting a worldwide release party from his virtual speakeasy, the TAPROOM. Broadcasting from 333 - the TAPROOM's stage to the world - Black is streaming the album for a full 24 hours before performing songs from the new album and other favorites with friends Sam Bush and Stephen Mougin on January 15th at 8 p.m. CT.  I haven't listened to the CD yet, but here's from the press release:

B-Sides and Confessions, Volume Two follows Black’s Plow Through the Mystic (2011), which was hailed as a “masterful music soundscape” by Folk Alley and celebrated by PopMatters as an example of “the tradition of an artist delivering songs that are damn near perfectly crafted, and filled with the wisdom of the ages." This latest album is a new chapter of moving and soulful songs from the insightful storyteller.

B-Sides and Confessions, Volume Two, features special appearances by music legends Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Matraca Berg and Gretchen Peters, and with these friends lending their musical support, Black has created another remarkable collection of roots-driven, moving and cinematic songs. Recorded at Black’s Arcana Studios and mixed by Dave Sinko, known for his work with Punch Brothers, The Bee Eaters and legend Don Williams, B-Sides and Confessions, Volume Two resonates with Black’s celebrated and personal style of matching verse and melody with portrait and tone. 

Jeff Black has been a collaborator with some of music’s most credible names, including Waylon Jennings, Dierks Bentley, Sam Bush, Alison Krauss, Iris Dement and more. Black’s song “Frozen Fields” - co-written with Jon Randall Stewart - was featured on both last year’s GRAMMY award-winning album Paper Airplane by Alison Krauss & Union Station, as well as Jerry Douglas’ album Traveler, released in 2012.

Frequently flying below the radar, Black is an innovator in how he connects directly with his fans as patrons. Dubbed “The Blacklist,” Black’s supporters have transformed over the years from a group of faithful podcast subscribers into a fervent family. Black takes that connection one step further with The TAPROOM, a cutting-edge file exchange website to better serve his loyal supporters.