Pulling melodies from some of history’s greatest composers, artist Father of the Vibe is set to debut an instrumental EP, A Thousand Words. This innovative project takes adaptations of Debussy, Bach, Bartok, and Tchaikovsky, raking them over the coals of reggae, resulting in a sound that is both organic and complex.

Natalie Spears' music is animated by the quiet awe of wild places. From her home in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley, she immerses herself in the natural world, finding beauty and meaning in the language of birds, the patterns of migration, and the cosmic dance of nature. Her forthcoming album, Hymn of Wild Things, set to release on June 28, is a poignant collection of songs chronicling her experiences of wonder, loss, and metamorphosis.

A live recording of a concert can preserve one powerful moment indelibly in time. Coming June 14, 2024, Smithsonian Folkways will release The Complete Friends of Old-Time Music Concert by Bessie Jones, John Davis & The Georgia Sea Island Singers with Mississippi Fred McDowell and Ed Young, presenting a riveting, historic look at the intersection of Black folk traditions and civil rights activism.

The debate over AI-generated vocals continued this week with an exclusive Variety feature article by executive music editor Jem Aswad reporting on a still-growing list of celebrated musicians uniting with Mollie Marriott, daughter of the late Steve Marriott, in objection to plans by the Marriott Estate to release “new” recordings from the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame singer created with AI-powered technology.

Genre-bending singer-songwriter Kyra Gordon is back with her latest track, “Traveler,” an indie folk anthem for the free of heart, out May 15th through Starita Records. The song helps to showcase the versatility of her sophomore album ‘Traveler’ as its title track. ‘Traveler,’ the four-track masterpiece, is scheduled for release in June 2024. Through a melodic journey, poetic lyrics, and compelling, down-to-earth vocal delivery, listeners are invited into a deeper connection with their authentic selves.

The Buena Vista Social Orchestra, under the direction of Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos, original band leader, arranger, and trombonist of The Buena Vista Social Club, has added 13 more dates for their upcoming late summer and fall U.S. tour, bringing the band created by Ramos in 2016 to the States for the first time. The 38-date outing now includes shows in Seattle, Portland, Northampton, San Francisco, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Detroit, among other cities.

Westchester County-based singer-songwriter Sean Lippin is set to captivate audiences with the release of his latest single, "Run Away." Known for his emotive lyrics and smooth vocals, Lippin's newest track promises to resonate deeply with listeners around the globe.

Today, May 10th, 2024, marks the birthday of Donovan, a true pioneer in the world of music, whose influence spans generations and genres. As we celebrate his birthday, we at Grateful Web take a moment to reflect on the illustrious career of a man who not only defined an era but also enriched the lives of countless music enthusiasts with his distinct blend of folk, pop, and psychedelic rock.

Top Five Donovan Songs: A Journey Through Sound

In celebration of turning seventy-five last March and in conjunction with his “50 years on the road” anniversary (with over forty albums and three-thousand shows all around the world), rock ‘n roll legend Elliott Murphy has released a new single Old-Timer" on all streaming platforms.

"Old-Timer" was inspired by Elliott’s annual “Birthday Shows” in Paris (where he has lived for the last 35 years).  As he tells it:

New artists have been added to the highly anticipated second sailing of the Big Easy Cruise, which will set out January 5 – 12, 2025. The voyage will depart from Ft. Lauderdale and will make stops in Key West, Belize City, and Cozumel on the luxurious Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam.