Jedd Beaudoin

Tuesday, June 19

We remember Matt “Guitar” Murphy, who died on Friday, June 15. Although perhaps most widely known for his work with The Blues Brothers, Murphy also performed alongside Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon among others. Plus: Selections featuring Murphy’s Blues Brothers bandmate, Steve Cropper.

Wednesday, June 20 

Released in 1993, Rumble Doll is the debut album from Patti Scialfa and features performances from members of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers as well as members of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. Springsteen, who Scialfa married in 1991, also appears. We’ll hear selections from that recording as well as Slim Dunlap’s 1993 solo debut, The Old New Me.

Thursday, June 21

We celebrate the first day of summer with selections from The Jam, X, BB King and The Alarm.

Friday, June 22

Arthur Buck is the new collaboration between singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur and former REM guitarist Peter Buck. We’ll hear music from the duo’s debut album as well as selections from REM’s Life’s Rich Pagaent LP.

Saturday, June 23

Hollow Bones is the latest release by singer-songwriter Maria Elena. We’ll hear selections from that as well as from Shane Marler’s latest, One Stop.

Monday, June 25

Up To The Sky is the new recording from cellist Serena Jost. Listen for music from that release as well as from Zoe Keating’s 2010 effort, Into The Trees.

Based in Fort Worth, Texas singer-songwriter Tommy Luke’s songs recall the dusty, well-worn sounds of western music. His earthy voice drives the narrative of songs such as “The Ground,” “I Don’t Know (I Had It All)” and “Oklahoma Hula Hoopin’ Angel” with a confidence and honesty that recalls Kris Kristofferson’s best, early work.

You might be forgiven for thinking that his work emerged from an earlier time in music. It’s unencumbered by the trappings of contemporary music and free of the irony that some bring to traditional music. This is to say that there’s an undeniable appeal to the songs that populate his album Life Ain’t Hard and his live shows.

Speaking from his Texas home, Luke, who performs at Barleycorn’s on Thursday, June 14, says that he’s looking forward to returning to Wichita for the concert.

Serena Jost’s Up To The Sky finds the New York City-based cellist working in a new environment and without a band. Having completed two LPs with a full group, this time she set up shop in St. Peter’s Church, not far from her home. The result is a collection of composed and improvised pieces that marry her distinctive playing style with her otherworldly voice.

The recording appeals to fans of experimental popular music and those more comfortable in the classical realm. The material carries listeners through a variety of moods and settings that capture Jost at her most unadorned.

The classically-trained musician says that she may undertake more projects of this kind in the future and that the fast pace of the sessions and the room itself made for a memorable experience.

Tuesday, June 12

Swallowed By The New is the 2016 album from Toad The Wet Sprocket frontman Glen Phillips. The record was inspired by the end of Phillips’ 20-plus-year marriage and its aftermath. He recently released a deluxe edition of the album and we’ll hear selections from it on this episode of the show plus music from The Cure’s 1980 LP Seventeen Seconds.

Wednesday, June 13

Byron Isaacs has shared the stage with The Lumineers, Willie Nelson, Levon Helm and a variety of other artists. Despite that, he’s never released a solo album. That changes with Disappearing Man, a meditation on vanishing ways of life and the changing landscape of New York City. We’ll hear music from that release as well as from Brian Belknap’s In Lieu of Flowers.

Thursday, June 14

After touring the United States with his band Soft Machine in the late 1960s, Kevin Ayers considered leaving the music industry behind. His friend Jimi Hendrix had different ideas and gifted his fellow musician with an acoustic guitar. That guitar inspired Ayers to write his first solo effort, Joy of a Toy which features guest appearances from Soft Machine’s Robert Wyatt and Hugh Hopper and, on the 2003 reissue, Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett. Listen for selections from Joy of a Toy as well as Bridget St. John’s Ask Me No Questions.

Friday, June 15

What A Wonderful Industry is the latest from singer-songwriter M. Ward (She & Him). We’ll hear music from that release as well as from Nik Freitas’ Day & Dark.

Saturday, June 16

Issued in 1988 Naked became the final album from Talking Heads. We’ll hear material from that record as well as selections from the latest by Chris Stills, Don’t Be Afraid.

Monday, June 18

We celebrate Paul McCartney’s 76th birthday with selections from throughout his solo work, his time with Wings and, of course, The Beatles. Plus a variety of collaborations and side projects.