Stasia Lanier

At 65, Loudon Wainwright III is older than his father ever was, and it’s got him thinking, and writing, and singing. As he puts it, the new album deals with “death ‘n’ decay” and he’s approached the subject from all angles, with his customary insight, honesty, and rueful humor. But pondering the imponderables can be a lonely business, and so, like never before, Loudon has brought in friends and family to help him with the heavy lifting.

Please tune-in Wednesday at 1:15 for a live performance and interview with the internationally renowned California Guitar Trio. These three virtuosos —Paul Richards of Salt Lake City, Bert Lams of Affligem, Belgium, and Hideyo Moriya of Tokyo met at a 1987 Guitar Craft course, in which legendary guitarist Robert Fripp instructed them in the "new standard tuning". 

Traveler, the new album from world-renowned musician Jerry Douglas, is his first first solo release since his acclaimed 2009 Christmas album "Jerry Christmas". 

The project features special guest vocals from Eric Clapton, Mumford & Sons, Paul Simon, Keb’ Mo’, Marc Cohn and Alison Krauss and Union Station. The 11-track album also features legendary musicians Dr. John (piano), Béla Fleck (banjo), Del McCoury (harmony vocals), Sam Bush (harmony vocals and mandolin) Omar Hakim (drums) and Viktor Krauss (bass), among others.

Michael Franti and Spearhead will perform Saturday (8/11/12) at Three Springs in Durango as part of their "Do it For the Love" tour. Gates open at 1; Zach Heckendorf performs at 3:45; with Michael Franti at 5. There will be food and beverage vendors, with beer sales benefiting United Way of Southwest Colorado. Tickets available at Animas Trading in Durango or frontgate tickets.com; kids 12 and under are free. Durango Transit will run a free shuttle service from noon until 8:30 pm, between the Transit Center and Three Springs.

With Michael Kiwanuka, it’s all about the voice. A voice that he describes as “hitting straight through to the core” with direct, emotional songs about love, yearning, comfort and belonging. It’s a voice that built him a following via MySpace and small London gigs, and led Paul Butler from The Bees to invite him to the band’s Isle of Wight studio to lay down these introductory tracks from what promises to be a major new British singer/songwriter.

“Having fun with the songs of Allen Toussaint” is how Jon Cleary describes his new record, a celebration of great songs put through Cleary’s unique set of funky filters. Featuring Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, there are unexpected twists and turns on this journey through the Toussaint songbook that will keep surprising you till the last piano glissando fades away.  

Jon Cleary will perform at the Telluride Jazz Celebration. Tune-in to KSUT Friday at noon for a warm up when we feature his new CD Occapella. 

The Infamous Stringdusters' latest studio recording Silver Sky was released in March on High Country Recordings.  It's the band's fourth studio album, produced by Billy Hume, better known for his work with hip-hop artists.  A pledge campaign provided the funding for the album and tour, with incentives given to donors such as song dedications and signed memorabilia. Progressive thinkers and musicians, the Dusters' stellar artistry, great composing and vibrant synchronicity has delivered another great recording. 

Creatively, Cassandra Wilson has never rested on her laurels, and her new album, Another Country, is no exception to the rule. Nine of the ten songs are composed by Ms. Wilson and/or her collaborating partner, guitarist-producer Fabrizio Sotti, with the tenth a very special arrangement by the duo of the classic aria, O Sole Mio. Recorded in Florence, Italy, the entire sound of the album is intimate, guitar-driven, and lushly romantic. Launched by the lead single, Red Guitar, Another Country is poised to invigorate Cassandra's intensely loyal fan base as well as greet new audiences.

Willie Nelson's new album, Heroes, features 13 brand new recordings, produced by Buddy Cannon, and featuring a host of guest artists.

The songs take on a reflective, emotional tone and move from heartfelt (a stunning rendition of Pearl Jam's "Just Breathe") to humor (on "Roll Me Up" with guest vocalist Snoop Dogg). Other guest vocalists on the album include Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Jamey Johnston, Billy Joe Shaver and Sheryl Crow. Sons Lukas and Micah Nelson also feature prominently, making this a real family affair.

The phenomenal, solo, instrumental guitarist Michael Gulezian will be stopping by the KSUT studios Thursday (7/5) at 1:00 PM for some live music and conversation. If you've never heard his music, don't miss it, Michael is a master, and a lot of fun.