Ags Connolly - Nothin' Unexpected

Ags Conolly isn’t going to fool anybody. In a discipline of music where authenticity is everything, especially in the traditional realm, the English born, raised, and currently-residing songwriter already starts with marks against his ability to articulate or even accurately interpret an artform that is distinct to the American South and West, and born from rural landscapes, wide open spaces, and a life experience the British Isles just can’t re-create, however close certain English locales may come in certain instances.
But the good news for Ags Connolly is he doesn’t try. He understands this fundamental limitation more than anybody. And that is the key to his music. Nothin’ Unexpected is traditional country, meaning you’ll hear fiddle and steel guitar, and many other indicators that your brain will immediately recognize as the familiar modes of country’s original and authentic sound. But it’s all done in a voice and perspective authentic to Ags himself instead of trying to stretch the truth, or do his best impression. And through this, he’s able to be both country, and authentic, despite his place of origin...