Articles By: Jim Simpson

Jim is a music critic and award-winning fiction writer. A native of the wilds of Florida's Gulf Coast, he now resides on the scruffy outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia.His musical taste spans all genres: Bluegrass, Americana, Classic Country, Alternative Country, Western Swing, Blues, Classical, Rock 'n' Roll, Punk, Reggae, Klezmer, and British Isles Folk (to name but a few).He once sang Happy Birthday (with about 10,000 other people) to Joni Mitchell, and has seen such legends as Miles Davis, The Incredible Jimmy Smith, Rockpile, Blue Rodeo, King Sunny Ade, Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan live in concert.Jim occasionally contributes essays to the writers collective, TheNervousBreakdown.com, and has been at work on his first novel for longer than he originally planned. It should be in bookstores some time before his death.

Kate McGarrigle, 1946-2010

We are saddened today to learn of the death of Kate McGarrigle last night from cancer. She was 63. McGarrigle performed widely with her sister, Anna, for more than three decades, recording 10 albums. She was also well-known for being the matriarch of a musical family, the Wainwrights. McGarrigle was...

January 19th, 2010 | CMP Artists, Features | Read More

“Spectacle: Elvis Costello with …”

The Sundance Channel is well into the second season of its critically acclaimed music/talk original series “Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…”. This week — Jan. 20, 10 p.m. EST — features the first of a two-part episode with guest Bruce Springsteen. In the series, executive...

January 17th, 2010 | Appearances, CMP Artists, Features | Read More

Freedy Johnston – Rain On The City – (Bar None Records)

It’s been eight years since Freedy Johnston’s last album, so what does he open with on this new one but an accordion and a ukulele. Welcome back Freedy, welcome back. Recorded in Nashville at House of David, a studio run by multi-instrumentalist Richard McLaurin and owned by legendary Nashville...

January 15th, 2010 | Features, Record Reviews, Reviews | Read More

Tiny Television – Mission Statement (Magnolia Records)

Some artists sneak up on you from out of the haze of a purple dusk, tap you on the shoulder and hand you a precious box. Tiny Television’s Mission Statement (Magnolia Records, 2009) is that box, a bejeweled wonder full of interesting compartments holding secret, shiny surprises that reveal themselves...

December 30th, 2009 | Features, Record Reviews, Reviews | Read More

Review: Van Meter – “Should’ve Been A Weathergirl” (Van Meter)

If you’re currently in a bad relationship, recently escaped one, are thinking about leaving one, or have ever been dumped, made a horrible one-night-stand mistake, or gotten a tattoo you regret, then this is the album for you! If not, the well-trod ground of heartbreak and loss will wear very...

December 14th, 2009 | Features, Record Reviews, Reviews | Read More

52nd Annual Grammy Awards Nominees List

The Academy has voted, the nominees are celebrating, and now the wait begins. A notable standout for Best Country Instrumental Performance is The Greencards, for “The Crystal Merchant” from Fascination, which we at CMP reviewed yesterday. Good luck to all the nominees! For a complete list...

December 2nd, 2009 | CMP Artists, Features, Honors & Awards | Read More

The Greencards – “Fascination” (Sugar Hill Records)

This is not your father’s bluegrass. Progressive isn’t a strong enough description for The Greencards: otherworldly is more suitable. The trio at the core of this band consists of two Aussies and a Brit who originally met in Austin, Texas, but now call Nashville home. As for the band’s...

December 1st, 2009 | Features, Record Reviews | Read More

Those Darlins: In-Studio Performance at Seattle’s KEXP FM

For those of you who just can’t get enough of Those Darlins, put the pedal to the metal — don’t even stop for “Red Lights” — and haul ass over to Seattle’s KEXP 90.3 FM website to hear the Darlins talk about stuff and sing a few songs. You’ll hear two...

November 5th, 2009 | Appearances, CMP Artists | Read More

WDVX Blue Plate Special: Band of Heathens – 11/4/09

On Wednesday, Nov. 4 at noon, check out a LIVE performance by Band of Heathens and Taylor Brown on WDVX 89.9 FM’s Blue Plate Special, at the Knoxville Visitors Center on the corner of Gay St. and Summit Hill Dr. in downtown Knoxville, TN. (The WDVX Blue Plate Special features a live performance...

November 3rd, 2009 | Appearances, CMP Artists | Read More

Loudon Wainwright III – High Wide and Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project (2nd Story Sound Records)

Back in 1966 when Bob Dylan broke his neck in a motorcycle wreck, Loudon Wainwright III was among his possible successors (along with Springsteen, John Prine and Steve Forbert) – heaven forbid should Dylan not recover. At least that’s how Wainwright told it on “Talking New Bob Dylan” from his...

October 25th, 2009 | Features, Record Reviews | Read More