Cyrus, Earle top new releases

Friday, May 24, 2019 – Billy Ray Cyrus is out with his 16th album, "The Snakedoctor Circus." The set consists of nine originals and was released by BMG. Cyrus recorded the disc in Muscle Shoals, Ala. with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Spooner Oldham (piano), Nashville Musician's Hall of Fame member Will McFarlane, as well as David Hood (bass guitar), Kelvin Holly (electric/acoustic/bass guitar), Bekka Bramlett (vocals, tambourine), Shonna Tucker (bass guitar), Larry Byrom (piano), Mick Utley (piano) and Jimmy Nutt (acoustic/electric guitars, tambourine, percussion).

Justin Townes Earle looks to the oppressors and oppressed along with the downtrodden on "The Saint of Lost Causes" (New West) Earle recorded the 12-song set in Nashville and helped produce the disc.

Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters' are out today with a live album, "Live At The Grey Eagle." The CD contains 14 tracks, while a digital version has 21 songs. The recording was a homecoming for Platt, who is based in Asheville, N.C. The group has a country/folk bent to the music. Evolved versions of selected songs from five prior releases, two new originals written by Platt ("18 Wheels" and "Low Road") and a cover of "To Love Somebody" are included.