Blog categories
Jim's acoustic, folk, roots and alt.country music blog
Check this page for news and updates.
Thursday 12 Jan 2012
New album, 'The Innocent' masters now complete
This is just a short note to mention that I finally got the masters for the new album yesterday. Whay hay! No more tinkering with mixes for me, the music is now set in stone and ready to copy to the final CDs.
Mastering was done by Barry Gardner (Safe And Sound Studios) who has worked with everyone from Ronnie Wood to Bela Fleck.
The next step is to get the CD design complete and the entire shebang sent off to the CD production company. Hopefully that will be done in the next couple of weeks.
Happy New Year - if I've not already mentioned it - have a great 2012.
All the best,
Jim
Thursday 1 Dec 2011
Bob Dylan autobiography review: Chronicles Volume One
Here is my review of Bob Dylan's autobiography, Chronicles Volume One. It's a great read and will have you looking forward to volume two.
Friday 18 Nov 2011
Justin Townes Earle - 'Midnight at the Movies'
Justin Townes Earle's second album on Bloodshot Records, Midnight at the Movies delivers more of the new rootsy goodness we saw from his last disc, The Good Life. Where Good Life saw Earle resurrecting and re-working songs from a classic country angle, Midnight sees him taking a decidedly more folk and alt-country direction, even singing of folk legends like the story of John Henry. Justin Townes Earle - 'Midnight at the Movies' Click here tor read the full article.
Justin Townes ... | Fri 7 pm: add your comment [0]
Friday 18 Nov 2011
Ry Cooder - A Career of Many Colors
Ry Cooder's talent seemingly knows no bounds. As a session musician, he is Michelangelo's assistant, adding the last few touches of bright color to the master's work. As a soundtrack composer, Cooder has perfectly captured the mood of films like Crossroads, Streets Of Fire, and Steel Magnolias, among many others, with his instrumental prowess. Ry Cooder - A Career of Many Colors: Click here to read the full article.
Ry Cooder - A ... | Fri 7 pm: add your comment [0]
Wednesday 16 Nov 2011
Bob Dylan Movies
Over the years, Bob Dylan has presented himself in numerous different lights: from the young rebel of the folk era to the "star of electricity" to the born-again Christian, his transformations have captivated the public. In these three films - two documentaries and an unusual bio-pic - filmmakers try to capture the essence of the real Dylan. Bob Dylan Movies: Click here to read the full article.
Bob Dylan Movi ... | Wed 12 am: add your comment [0]
Sunday 13 Nov 2011
Mississippi John Hurt
Mississippi John Hurt never aspired to a career in music, living most of his life as a hard-working farm laborer. The handful of recordings that he made in 1928 for the Okeh label - originals and adaptations of traditional songs like "Frankie," "Stack O' Lee," and "Avalon Blues" - stand as classics of the country blues. Know more about Mississippi John Hurt: Click to read the full article.
Mississippi Jo ... | Sun 8 pm: add your comment [0]
Wednesday 9 Nov 2011
I'm compiling a list of my favourite songs
One of my favourite songwriters, Fionn Regan, singing one of my favourite songs, Be Good or Be Gone.
Monday 7 Nov 2011
Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues
Justin Townes Earle has now released three full-length albums, displaying each time an increased proficiency in storytelling folk-and-country-infused songs. Harlem River Blues is another step forward in his musical progression, with songs that are at once emotionally indulgent and full of artistic restraint. Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues: Click here to read the full article.
Justin Townes ... | Mon 7 pm: add your comment [0]
Monday 31 Oct 2011
Release an Indie Album/CD in the UK: compiling the complete to do list
Release an Indie Album/CD: compiling the complete to do list. Here are some of the things I've learned about releasing a CD Releasing an Indie CD read the complete article.
Friday 28 Oct 2011
Justin Townes Earle - The Good Life
The legacy of parent-to-child inheritance is a trademark of country music, dating all the way back to the Carter Sisters following in their famous parent's footsteps, continuing on now for three generations and more. The focus on the family is, after all, a constant for country music. Now enter the son of Texas outlaw and volatile speaker for the people Steve Earle, the astoundingly talented Justin Townes Earle, and what we have is another great country music dynasty. Justin Townes Earle - The Good Life: Click here to read the full article.
Weblog archive
New album, 'The Innocent' masters now complete: Thursday 12 Jan 2012
Bob Dylan autobiography review: Chronicles Volume One: Thursday 1 Dec 2011
Justin Townes Earle - 'Midnight at the Movies': Friday 18 Nov 2011
Ry Cooder - A Career of Many Colors: Friday 18 Nov 2011
Bob Dylan Movies: Wednesday 16 Nov 2011
Mississippi John Hurt: Sunday 13 Nov 2011
I'm compiling a list of my favourite songs: Wednesday 9 Nov 2011
Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues: Monday 7 Nov 2011
Release an Indie Album/CD in the UK: compiling the complete to do list: Monday 31 Oct 2011
Justin Townes Earle - The Good Life: Friday 28 Oct 2011
Justin Townes Earle - Tractor Tavern: Thursday 27 Oct 2011
Tom Waits, the Jazz Pianist: Tuesday 25 Oct 2011
The Childhood of Johnny Cash: Sunday 23 Oct 2011
Suggestions for Bob Dylan Biography: Thursday 20 Oct 2011
Leonard Cohen: A Poet, a Musician: Wednesday 19 Oct 2011
A Beginner's Guide To Bob Dylan: Tuesday 18 Oct 2011
Tom Waits. Bad As Me album review by Jim Byrne: Tuesday 18 Oct 2011
Johnny Cash -- A Legendary Country Musician: Monday 17 Oct 2011
Album Review: Songs of Leonard Cohen: Sunday 16 Oct 2011
Tom Waits' Best Albums: Friday 14 Oct 2011
Top 5 Songs of Johnny Cash: Thursday 13 Oct 2011
Tom Waits' Top 5 Songs: Monday 10 Oct 2011
Top 5 Songs by Leonard Cohen: Saturday 8 Oct 2011
Top 5 Songs of Bob Dylan: Wednesday 5 Oct 2011
Johnny Cash: His Final Years: Tuesday 4 Oct 2011
Tom Waits: A Car Wreck is Worth a Symphony: Monday 3 Oct 2011
Dylan's Rock Star Status and Recent Work: Friday 30 Sep 2011
Bob Dylan's 'Hurricane': The Story Behind the Song: Thursday 29 Sep 2011
Johnny Cash: A Country Music Legend: Wednesday 28 Sep 2011
Top 5 Tom Waits Songs: Monday 26 Sep 2011
Tom Waits: A Contemporary Folk Music Legend: Monday 26 Sep 2011
Leonard Cohen Biography: Saturday 24 Sep 2011
Johnny Cash: A Man In Black: Thursday 22 Sep 2011
Bob Dylan: A Musical Legend: Thursday 22 Sep 2011
Fingering The A-Based Major Barre Chord: Sunday 18 Sep 2011
Creating a Barre F: Thursday 15 Sep 2011
Minor Chords: Thursday 8 Sep 2011
Stringing a Steel-String Acoustic Guitar: Wednesday 7 Sep 2011
Pecking at the Keyboard: Tuesday 6 Sep 2011
Picking the Guitar: Monday 5 Sep 2011
Stringing Your Guitar: Sunday 4 Sep 2011
Shortcuts and Cool Technologies for Songwriting: Saturday 3 Sep 2011
Removing Old Strings: Saturday 3 Sep 2011
Recording update: Friday 2 Sep 2011
The Pre-Chorus: Monday 29 Aug 2011
The Chorus: Monday 29 Aug 2011
The Verse: Monday 22 Aug 2011
Looking at the Meter of Music: Monday 22 Aug 2011
Stringing an Electric Guitar: Monday 22 Aug 2011
Using Chords to Write Songs: Thursday 18 Aug 2011
Playing Songs in Position: Wednesday 17 Aug 2011
Evaluating Your Melody Magic: Wednesday 17 Aug 2011
Number 1 Uk Americana chart on Reverbnation: Sunday 14 Aug 2011
Knowing the Power and Emotion of a Melody: Tuesday 9 Aug 2011
Finding The Right Melody for Each Section of the Song: Tuesday 9 Aug 2011
Tuning In to The Lyric’s Tone and Style: Sunday 7 Aug 2011
Accented and Unaccented Syllables: Thursday 4 Aug 2011
Giving Goose Bumps: Thursday 4 Aug 2011
Understanding the Basics of a Melody: Tuesday 2 Aug 2011
Getting It Close With Near Rhymes: Monday 1 Aug 2011
Finding your Melody: Monday 1 Aug 2011
A Checklist for Songwriters: Thursday 28 Jul 2011
Practice Makes Perfect: Tuesday 26 Jul 2011
Creating Memorable Music: Tuesday 26 Jul 2011
Making Melody Magic: Friday 22 Jul 2011
Good songs don't need novel chord structures: Thursday 21 Jul 2011
Looking at the Rhythm of Words: Thursday 21 Jul 2011
Getting Some Perspective: Tuesday 19 Jul 2011
Placing Beats In a Bar: Tuesday 19 Jul 2011
Working on a songwriting beginners guide: Monday 18 Jul 2011
Working with Perfect Rhymes: Monday 18 Jul 2011
Examining Poetic Devices: Thursday 14 Jul 2011
Getting the Basics of Rhyme Structure: Thursday 14 Jul 2011
Using Poetic Devices in Lyrics: Wednesday 13 Jul 2011
Using Alternate Picking: Friday 8 Jul 2011
Playing in Position: Friday 8 Jul 2011
Getting a Grip on Left-Hand Fingering: Friday 8 Jul 2011
Having Fun with Basic Major and Minor Chords: The "Oldies" Progression: Friday 8 Jul 2011
Paying Attention to The Sounds of Words Within a Lyric: Friday 8 Jul 2011
Starting With an Idea or Concept: Friday 8 Jul 2011
Starting With a Title: Friday 8 Jul 2011
Using a Melody That Suggests a Lyric: Friday 8 Jul 2011
Concept-Driven Lyrics: Wednesday 6 Jul 2011
Love Song Lyrics: Wednesday 6 Jul 2011
Having the Right Mindset When Working with Hooks: Wednesday 6 Jul 2011
Writing a Great Lyric: Wednesday 6 Jul 2011
Tuning the Guitar to Itself: absolute beginners tips: Tuesday 5 Jul 2011
How to Play a Chord: absolute beginners tips: Tuesday 5 Jul 2011
You Don't Have to Read Music to Understand Guitar Notation: : absolute beginners tips: Tuesday 5 Jul 2011
Left-hand position: Fretting made easy: Tuesday 5 Jul 2011
Finding the inspiration zone: Monday 4 Jul 2011
Finding Your Own Inner Voice and Expression: Monday 4 Jul 2011
Being Prepared When Inspiration Strikes: Monday 4 Jul 2011
Drip, Drip, Drop: The Songwriting Six-Step Process: Monday 4 Jul 2011
Repetition - One of the Keys to Great Songwriting: Saturday 2 Jul 2011
Jim Byrne music adventures: can you help? Who's like me?: Friday 10 Jun 2011
10 facts you didn't know about the singer songwriter Jim Byrne: Thursday 12 May 2011
Who are my real influences?: Monday 28 Feb 2011
Some nice comments about 'Every Day is Sunshine': Tuesday 25 Jan 2011
Jim Byrne on Songwriting: Saturday 8 Jan 2011
My favourite albums and music from 2010: Thursday 6 Jan 2011
Every Day is Sunshine now on general release: Thursday 14 Oct 2010
About the songs on the CD, 'Every day is sunshine': Sunday 26 Sep 2010
Iona MacDonald: Thursday 23 Sep 2010
Adam Levy on songwriting: Friday 17 Sep 2010
A new songwriters website?: Wednesday 8 Sep 2010
The first album reviews are in for Every day is sunshine: Monday 6 Sep 2010
New CD launch party: Every day is sunshine: Thursday 19 Aug 2010
The road to the new CD: a musical rollercoaster: Thursday 22 Jul 2010
Chords for the song: We all need the days (When rain don't fall): Saturday 5 Jun 2010
Chords for the song The handles broken on my cup: Saturday 5 Jun 2010
London gigs and CD news: Sunday 30 May 2010
Looking forward to opening for Benny Gallagher in London on Friday 21st May: Tuesday 18 May 2010
Acoustic guitar pickers corner: beginners tips: Tuesday 11 May 2010
On these dark nights now available as a digital download: Tuesday 6 Apr 2010
Ditch the PA system and play better: Tuesday 23 Mar 2010
A couple of music career low-lights: Monday 1 Feb 2010
California calling: Wednesday 20 Jan 2010
Meeting in the physical world still tops: Wednesday 20 Jan 2010
The songwriters' dilemma?: Wednesday 6 Jan 2010
Featured in the Clydebank Post: Thursday 10 Dec 2009
Interviewed by Helen St Helen: Monday 23 Nov 2009
Playing in France, Leith Folk club and making a movie: Thursday 8 Oct 2009
You say your music is Americana Jim but what does that actually mean?: Wednesday 12 Aug 2009
Trip to London town for gigs and a wee break: Wednesday 15 Jul 2009
Dispatched to Dorris Island, West End Festival and future fun: Monday 15 Jun 2009
I'm featured artist on www.info-music-bands.com: Friday 29 May 2009
Reflecting on Otis Gibbs, The Moonshiners and Hans Theessink: Thursday 21 May 2009
A song written to play at the Butterfly Ball - to raise fund for a memorial garden: Sunday 17 May 2009
On Celtic Music Radio live at Oran Mor: Tuesday 5 May 2009
Learning to record at home: Friday 1 May 2009
On these dark nights album reviewed by 'The Letter': Wednesday 8 Apr 2009
New songs uploaded: You always look for the good in me: Monday 23 Mar 2009
On these dark nights reviewed on Spiral Earth website: Monday 9 Feb 2009
Jinty M'Guinty's, Radio play and hello to Marti Pellow: Monday 2 Feb 2009
Songwriting and radio interview: Monday 2 Feb 2009
Celtic Connections Danny Kyle Open Stage gig and CD review: Thursday 29 Jan 2009
Celtic Connections Danny Kyle Open Stage - and Borders Bookshop: Saturday 24 Jan 2009
Hand injuries, blues stomping and in awe of Kris Drever: Saturday 17 Jan 2009
A songwriters blog: Sunday 11 Jan 2009
CD review and lots of gigs: Friday 9 Jan 2009
Sold first CD on CDBaby: Wednesday 31 Dec 2008
Ireland, Cafe gig and Martin Stephenson: Wednesday 24 Dec 2008
CD launch night: Saturday 13 Dec 2008
Radio sessions, getting lost and CDs arrive: Thursday 4 Dec 2008
Liquid Ship weirdness and CD designs: Monday 24 Nov 2008
Learning about how to release a CD: Thursday 13 Nov 2008
Recording and CD launch: Monday 10 Nov 2008
Partick Folk Club: Saturday 1 Nov 2008
Who do I sound like?: Friday 31 Oct 2008
Perthshire Amber Festival adventures: Monday 27 Oct 2008
Famous in Holland: Thursday 23 Oct 2008
Featured in folk and acoustic roots magazine SpiralEarth.co.uk: Tuesday 21 Oct 2008
"a heady and exotic mix. " Q Magazine.
"..full of cinematic turns of phrase, dressed up in alluring melodies delivered by some of the most respected players on the modern-day Celtic Folk scene." UNCUT