Category Archives: Country Music

Listen Up! Kiefer Sutherland – ‘Not Enough Whiskey’

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Kiefer Sutherland - 'Not Enough Whiskey'

The list of Hollywood actors looking to cross the divide from their chosen vocation into music has more misses (Bruce Willis) than hits (Zooey Deschanel.) Proving just because you have skills in one branch of the arts doesn’t necessarily mean those skill can in transfer to another.

Kiefer Sutherland is the latest entry into the fray. And truth be told, He’s got chops. How much chops you might ask? Enough to take a song with hackneyed tropes like whiskey and a leaving woman and aa video featuring an old hotel room (number 13, no less) and make it interesting.

Perhaps it’s that “Not Enough Whiskey” has a great throwback roots sound with organ, pedal-steel, reverbed guitar over a rimshot beat and Sutherland’s gravel soul delivery (reminiscent of Social Distortion’s Mike Ness at his twangiest)

Of the album Sutherland says “It’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a journal or diary. All of these songs are pulled from my own personal experiences. There is something very satisfying about being able to look back on my own life, good times and bad, and express those sentiments in music. As much as I have enjoyed the writing and recording process, I am experiencing great joy now being able to play these songs to a live audience, which was something I hadn’t counted on.”

Just goes to show, Jack Bauer can do any damn thing he puts his mind to.

“Not Enough Whiskey” from Sutherland’s upcoming album ‘Down in a Hole’ , to be released later this summer — “Not Enough Whiskey” will be available on iTunes April 8, 2016.

He will also appear as a presenter on the upcoming ACM Awards and will kick off his live tour April 14th running through the end of May.

Kiefer Sutherland dates:
April 14 Milwaukee, Wis. – Shank Hall
April 15 Madison, Wis. – Majestic
April 16 Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Pyramid Scheme
April 18 Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Ark
April 19 Cleveland, Ohio – Grog Shop
April 20 Pittsburgh, Pa. – Hard Rock Cafe
April 22 Huntington, W. Va. – V Club
April 23 Cincinnati, Ohio – Ballroom at the Taft
April 24 Indianapolis, Ind – Vogue
April 26 Columbus, Ohio – A&R Music Bar
May 04 Charlotte, N.C. – Visulite Theatre
May 06 Raleigh, N.C. – Lincoln Theatre
May 08 Richmond, Va. – Capital Ale House
May 09 Annapolis, Md. – Ram’s Head Tavern
May 11 Wilmington, Del. – World Cafe Live
May 12 Teaneck, N.J. – Mexicali Live
May 14 Pawling, N.Y. – Daryl’s House
May 15 Ithaca, N.Y. – The Dock
May 16 Buffalo, N.Y. – Iron Works
May 19 Northampton, Mass. – Iron Horse
May 20 Boston, Mass. – Brighton Music Hall
May 21 Providence, R.I. – The Met
May 24 Asbury Park, N.J. – Stone Pony
May 25 Long Island, N.Y. – Founders Room
May 26 Sellersville, Pa. – Sellersville Theater
May 28 Amagansett, N.Y. – Stephen Talkhouse

Robert Ellis Returns With Eponymous Fourth Album On June 3rd

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Robert Ellis - Credit: Dusdin Condren
Credit: Dusdin Condren

‘Drive,’ the new cut off Texas singer/songwriter Robert Ellis’ upcoming eponymous release, kicks off with bluegrass-tinged, dazzling guitar work Ellis has become known for. We are then then taken on a grand tour through the halls of heartache littered with petty distractions, emotional evasion and sickening helplessness of a foundation of love and trust collapsing away.

The jaunty arrangement lures you in, the lyrics burrow under the skin with familiar sorrow.

Ellis says of his fourth albums motivation; “I felt that in the past year, lots of constructs I took for granted were turned on their head.” He continues, “With this record, I feel like I’ve gotten to where I can use the material of my own life as a jumping-off point. But now I can do different things with that material.”

The record was self-produced by Ellis at Sugar Hill Studios in his hometown of Houston, TX with engineer Steve Christensen (Steve Earle) and mixed by John Agnello (Kurt Vile, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.) Ellis also announced his first headline dates in support of the album, kicking off in Houston, TX on June 2nd. (See all dates below.)

If the rest of ‘Robert Ellis’ is as good as this it’s going to be a real treat.

Screen Shot 2016-03-28 at 7.20.03 PM

Pre-Order ‘Robert Ellis.’

Robert Ellis Track Listing:
1. Perfect Strangers
2. How I Love You
3. California
4. Amanda Jane
5. Drivin’
6. The High Road
7. Elephant
8. You’re Not The One
9. Screw
10. Couples Skate
11. It’s Not Ok

Tour:
June 2nd – Houston, TX Discovery Green (Free Show)
June 3rd – Austin, TX 3Ten Austin City Limits
June 4th – Austin, TX 3Ten Austin City Limits
June 5th – Dallas, TX Kessler Theatre
June 7th – St. Louis, MO Off Broadway
June 8th – Indianapolis, IN The Hi-Fi
June 10th – St. Paul, MN Turf Club
June 11th – Davenport, IA Daytrotter Venue
June 12th – Chicago, IL Schuba’s
June 13th – Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
June 15th – Wilkes-Barre, PA Kirby Center Small Room
June 18th – Boston, MA The Sinclair
June 20th – Port Chester, NY Garcia’s
June 22nd – New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
June 23rd – Washington, DC The Hamilton
June 25th – Philadelphia, PA Milkboy
June 26th – Pittsburgh, PA Club Cafe
June 27th – Columbus, OH Rumba Cafe
June 30th – Charlotte, NC Double Door
July 1st – Atlanta, GA Terminal West
July 2nd – Birmingham, AL The Saturn
July 3rd – Nashville, TN 3rd & Lindsley Presented By Lighting 100
*Tom Brosseau supports all shows

Listen Up! Margo Price “Hands Of Time” on Conan 3/24/16

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Screen Shot 2016-03-25 at 5.25.28 AM

Margo Price performs a beautiful rendition of her hard luck lament “Hands Of Time.” Check the wonderful performance below with Ms. Price and her cracker-jack band completee with string section. The vintage mic is also a fine touch.

“Hands Of Time” is from Margo Price’s new album ‘Midwest Farmers Daughter.’

Americana Scenes At SXSW 2016

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Lydia Loveless SXSW 2016

It’s been a few years since I’ve braved the tipsey throngs of Austin’s South-By-Southwest, and mostly I don’t miss it. But with the growing roots music showcases like Jenni Finlay Promotions & Conqueroo’s
Rebels & Renegades showcase, Bloodshot Records and Billy Reid and Newport Folk Festival’s Shindig I might have to make an exeption next year.

For now I will enjoy not standing in lines and being jostled by texters and watch these excellent clips from some of Americana’s best at SXSW 2016.

A great little sampler of Aoife O’Donovan, Robert Ellis and Sarah Jarosz at St. David’s Church

Aaron Lee Tasjan, 12 Bar Blues, Mercado South, SXSW, 3/19/16

Lydia Loveless 360 Acoustic Performance of ‘Clumps’ Closing #SXSW on 6th Street

Ray Wylie Hubbard plays his grit-folk ‘Snake Farm’ at the Guitartown/Conqueroo Party at The Dogwood

Americana literary laureate James McMurtry plays ‘Copper Canteen’ at El Mercado

Ryan Adams playfully busts some SXSW chops before launching into a heartfelt “Dirty Rain”

Watch Out! Jason Isbell’s Funny Infomercial For “The Saddest Song Ever”

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Jason Isbell Releases The Saddest Song Ever

Americana and country music aren’t know for providing the world with the the lightest subjects in the music universe (Roger Miller and Todd Snider excluded). The Late Show With Stephen Colbert has underlined this truth by creating this fantastic infomercial with “alt.country troubadour” Jason Isbell, you know, from “music.”

Its a send up of common roots topes of “break-ups, addiction, fatal diseases” as Isbell, who’s currently experiencing one of the happiest periods of his like with career success, a happy marriage and a new baby, pitches “The Saddest Song Ever” — a list song of country clichés like “unemployment, the troops, reliable trucks done gone breakin’ down” and more tears-in-your-beer favorites.

But wait! That’s not all! “My new 180-minute, four-chord song also covers new cartoonishly tragic down-home scenarios that my fellow singer-songwriters are much too cowardly to tackle. Covering universal topics like “ailing family dogs” to “dying family dogs” to “a tragic cannon accident” to “Frankenstein attacks a preschool.” It gets worse as as Isbell informs us that the song is “available on triple-cassette and Tidal, the two saddest music formats known to mankind.”

The skit was most likely filmed when Isbell was the musical guest on the show a few weeks back.

Check out the clip below and have a laugh. And for any Music City A&R people that wonder by, yes this song is a joke and not a Blake Shelton pitch.

Record Store Day 2016 – Americana and Roots Music Picks

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

130424-record-store-day

Record Store Day, the annual celebration of limited runs of the antiquated data storage device known as vinyl and once the scene of hipsters when it started in 2007, has helped fuel a surprising resurgence in sales and pushing the remaining pressing plant capacity to the hilt. As is tradition the event will be taking place on the third Saturday in April. For 2016 that means Saturday, April 16th.

At a time when music sales continue a decaded long dizzying slide vinyl sales not only rivaled CD sales, revenues have surpassed streaming services like Spotify and Pandora.

As vinyl grows in popularity there’s is pressure on the remaining vinyl manufacturers, who like us all were caught off-guard by the resurgence. The demand for vinyl is partially due to its described ‘warmer’ sound (plus cooler gatefold covers!) But the real drive behind Record Store Day is uniqueness and scarcity of offerings. Many releases come on colored vinyl or as picture discs and many of the releases are produced in very limited runs, some totaling no more than a few hundred total.

This stands in direct contrast to digital music’s hemogeny of sound and structure. an MP3 might be convenient, but it’s never scarce or unique.

Check out the Americana and roots selections below and take a look at the full list. Get to your favorite indy record early on April 16th (I’ll be at Good Records in Dallas) and share those great finds with me on Instagram and Twitter.

Blitzen Trapper – Field Rexx
Format: LP
More Info: A classic DIY release, Field Rexx was made in the sweltering summer of 2004 with no budget amidst the hiss of flies and tape. “Recorded,” according to the liner notes, “at the carny shack, fer shook n timsel on Duke’s shoot-o-matic for tisks & soda & that ol’ broke 4-track that 3-fingred mike poured Old English on and lit on fire,” Rexx’s warped eclectic pop Americana proves that great songs and performances can transcend squalor and bad album art. Features archival material of the original Trapper, James Earley, performing snippets of traditional hillbilly tunes. Field Rexx is Blitzen Trapper’s self-released sophomore album originally released in 2005. It was remastered at the tail end of 2015 and is available on Record Store Day for the first time on vinyl. A free download code including 3 previously unreleased bonus tracks is included.

Brandi Carlile – ‘Live At KCRW ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’
Format: 12″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: Brandi Carlile – Live At KCRW ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’: Brandi Carlile is a long time favorite of record store owners and she is one of the most celebrated names in modern alternative country/folk rock.This very special Record Store Day Exclusive release features six session tracks recorded live at KCRW as part of their “Morning Becomes Eclectic” sessions and includes the smash radio hits “The Eye” and “Wherever Is Your Heart” on White Colored 12 inch vinyl. Limited to 2500 copies.

Johnny Cash – ‘All Aboard the Blue Train with Johnny Cash’
Format: 12″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: All Aboard the Blue Train with Johnny Cash was originally released on Sun Records in 1962. The album features prime selections of the Man In Black’s recordings between 1955 and 1958, including classic songs “Hey Porter” and “Folsom Prison Blues”. Previously out of press, it’s coming back on appropriate blue vinyl for Record Store Day 2016.

Brandy Clark – “”Girl Next Door”/”Homecoming Queen”
Format: 7″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: Side A features Clark’s new hit single “Girl Next Door.” Side B features the track “Homecoming Queen,” plus the same song covered by Sheryl Crow. Pressed on random mixed blue, yellow and red vinyl.

Bob Dylan – “Melancholy Mood”
Format: 7″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: This limited edition 7” vinyl EP was originally created for Bob Dylan’s recent Japanese tour. We were able to secure a limited quantity for Record Store Day. The EP includes 4 songs from Bob Dylan’s upcoming album, Fallen Angels, pressed on 7” red vinyl.

Alejandro Escovedo – ‘Gravity’ and ‘Thirteen Years’
Format: 2 x LP
More Info: Austin TX’s Watermelon Records was founded in 1989 and released nearly 100 records in its short life. Its catalog lay dormant until 2010 when New West Records picked it up and chose Record Store Day 2016 to relaunch Watermelon Records with two beautiful remastered classic from Alejandro Escovedo. Gravity is a 2LP set pressed on 180g vinyl and packaed in a one of a kind die-cut linen jacket along with a foldable insert and download card.

Jay Farrar – Sebastopol/thirdshiftgrottoslack
Format: 2 x LP
More Info: For Record Store Day 2016, Jay Farrar’s (Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo) Sebastopol is available for the first time on vinyl. This very limited, hand-numbered release comes on white vinyl featuring Gillian Welch and members of the Flaming Lips and Superchunk. The double LP also features the 5-track EP never before released on vinyl, thirdshiftgrottoslack.

Emmylou Harris – ‘Wrecking Ball’
Format: 3 x 12″ Vinyl
More Info: The long awaited audiophile-quality vinyl reissue of Emmylou Harris’ 1995 Grammy winning masterpiece Wrecking Ball, produced by Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Willie Nelson) and featuring appearances by Brian Blade, Neil Young, Lucinda Williams, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, among others. Includes original album sequence as well as outtakes and alternate versions from the original recording sessions. This Record Store Day release features three 180 gram LPs remastered with bonus tracks, and 4 page lyric insert. Limited to 5,000 copies.

Johnny Cash – ‘The Best of The Johnny Cash Show’
Format: 12″ LP
More Info: From the summer of 1969 to the final show in march of 1971 (58 episodes in all), The Johnny Cash TV Show not only exposed an American audience to an eclectic array of musical talent, but also helped establish Johnny Cash as a true artist, humanitarian, and a larger-than-life legend. The 16 performances contained on this new Best-Of LP, made especially for Record Store Day, and for the first time on vinyl, showcase the spectrum of incredible performers that Johnny hand-picked to be on his show, many for their first network appearance. So, “come along and ride this train” – the train that Cash envisioned for us all – every week on The Johnny Cash TV Show, and now, for generations to come. Limited to 5,000 copies.

Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear – ‘Live At Grimey’s‘
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: This Record Store Day six track EP was recorded live at Grimey’s in Nashville, Tennessee by one of our favorite new artists on the music scene, in June 2015 as part of the celebration of Americana Music Month. Limited to 1500 copies.

Jason Molina – ‘The Townes Van Zandt Covers‘
Format: 7″ Vinyl
More Info: At a Songs:Ohia show in the early ’00s, Jason Molina said to the artist William Schaff that he would love to see himself depicted as one of Schaff’s signature, skull-headed creatures. The two struck up a pen-pal friendship and Schaff sent Jason his picture. In return, he asked for a recording of the Townes Van Zandt covers Jason had performed that night. The pair of Van Zandt covers included here, recorded at Molina’s home on the north side of Chicago, symbolize not only the creative turn Molina’s songwriting had taken (seen in his forthcoming Magnolia Electric Co. release) from sparse and jagged indie rock to rootsy folk rock, but also a sonic bond between two friends who loved each other’s work very deeply. After learning of Molina’s death in 2013, Schaff spent days pouring over his lengthy correspondence with his friend, with Molina’s oeuvre on repeat. He created the painting that graces the cover of this release in the process: Apropos of everything, a skull-headed creature in flight. This special 7″ release is limited to 3500 copies worldwide.

Mumford & Sons + Baaba Maal – “There Will Be Time”
Format: 7″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: Mumford & Sons’ RSC exclusive 7″ single features a brand new song called “There Will Be Time” (previously only available in South Africa). The track features Baaba Maal, and was produced alongside Johan Hugo from The Very Best. Limited to 6000 copies.

Graham Nash – ‘This Path Tonight’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: A special version of the new album from legendary musician Graham Nash. Includes a bonus 7″ with the classic tracks “Our House” and “Teach Your Children”

Elvis Presley – ‘I’m Leaving’: Elvis Folk- Country’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: The very best of Elvis Folk-Country 1966-1973. This special Record Store Day release includes masters from Elvis’ sessions at RCA Victor’s Studio B in Nashville in May 1971, a period in which several folk writers’ material surfaced spontaneously amid gospel and holiday recordings, plus others with similar provenance: from Dylan¹s “Tomorrow Is A Long Time” in 1966, to then-contemporary pop-folk such as “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues” in 1973, this is Elvis in an introspective mood, masterfully creating definitive versions of iconic compositions that resonated with him for his friends in the studio – and for us. Limited to 5,000 copies.

John Renbourn – ‘The Attic Tapes’
Format: 2 x LP
More Info: Lovingly mastered from old tapes found in a friend’s attic, this is a vintage collection of previously unreleased rarities and early works by one of the guitar’s truly great innovators. The Record Store Day edition features five vinyl-only tracks and sleeve notes written by John shortly before his death in March 2015.

The Rough Guide To Unsung Heroes of Country Blues
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: This album brings to the fore classic early blues masterpieces that deserve to be heard and allows the limelight to fall on some of the lesser-known country blues masters. Essential listening for any blues connoisseur, this is an adventure into some of the more hidden recesses of country blues. The Rough Guide To Unsung Heroes of Country Blues is released on vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day 2016. Includes a download card.

Billy Joe Shaver- “Wacko From Waco”/”When Fallen Angels Fly”
Format: 7″ Vinyl
More Info: This Record Store Day 7″ features two songs – “When Fallen Angels Fly,” an unreleased version of his classic hymn, a tune from the Robert Duvall film, “Wild Horses.” “Wacko From Waco” is Shaver’s account of a 2007 shooting in a bar outside his hometown of Waco. Both tracks are pressed on vinyl for the first time. Limited to 1700 copies.

Shawn Colvin & Steve Earle – “Wake Up Little Susie” / “Baby’s In Black”
Format: 7″ Vinyl
More Info: The world-class singer- songwriters Shawn Colvin and Steve Earle make their duet debut with a delightful Record Store Day 7″ splash: spirited re-castings of the Everly Brothers’ “Wake Up Little Susie” and “Baby’s in Black” by the Beatles. They’ll be singing together again on their first duet project, a full length of co-written originals later this summer.

Son Volt – ‘Live At The Bottom Line’
Format: 2 x colored LP
More Info: This Record Store Day two LP set features the live content from the Trace deluxe CD. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl, limited to 3500 copies.

Allen Toussaint – ‘Live in Philadelphia 1975’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: Record Store Day honors the passing of one of America’s greatest musicians, performers and artists with an offering of Rhino’s 2003 Handmade title. This live album features bonus material and liner notes by Billy Vera. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl, it is limited to 5000 copies.

Lucinda Williams – ‘Just A Little More Faith And Grace’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: Lucinda celebrates Record Store Day by offering exclusive remixes from her new THE GHOSTS OF HIGHWAY 20 album, including Faith and Grace in it’s truest form, and as it was intended, a full 18 minutes long! Limited to 3000 copies.

Blaze Foley – Duct Tape Messiah (Original Soundtrack)
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: This Record Store Day release is limited to 1000 copies pressed on 180g heavyweight vinyl, and includes full documentary film on DVD. This Record Store Day Elite Eecords releases Duct Tape Messiah by exceptional Texan Folk artist Blaze Foley for the first time ever on vinyl. The soundtrack to the 2011 documentary film about the turbulent life of Townes Van Zandt’s companion and close friend literally spans Blaze’s whole musical life. It includes rare archival tracks never released on vinyl before as well as tracks from posthumously released Blaze albums. The limited RSD edition comes with a DVD including the full documentary film. The film beautifully draws the picture of Blaze’s life and times and his extraordinary character. Born in Arkansas, Foley was shot to death way before his time, under circumstances still to be fully clarified. As a homeless, he traveled the streets of the Texan cities to share his music with people in nightclubs and bars. Foley always stood up for the weak, which eventually cost his life. Finally, after a life of rejections and blown opportunities, his work is now gaining recognition. In 2008 his biography Living In The Woods In A Tree was published, followed by the acclaimed documentary about Foley!s underdog life: Duct Tape Messiah. The film’s soundtrack comprises of 14 carefully selected songs from all stations in Blaze’s life and gives an insight into his straight and genuine songwriting. Blaze!s musical heritage was close to being forgotten and much material used on the record are chance discoveries from record shops and old master tapes.

Left Lane Cruiser- ‘Beck In Black’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: Retrospective of early Left Lane Cruiser material with drummer Brenn Beck, re-mastered and with three previously unreleased tracks (“Chicken”, “Bloodhound” and “Maybe”). Limited edition of 1000 on metalic gold vinyl for Record Store Day.

Charlie Parr – ‘I Ain’t Dead Yet’
Format: 10″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: A brand new 5 song 10” EP pressed on Green Vinyl. Minnesotan Country Blues guitarist Charlie Parr has been building an audience among roots music aficionados for over a decade. I Ain’t Dead Yet features four new original tunes and Charlie’s take on the traditional tune, Old Dog Blues. All songs previously unreleased!

Heartworn Highways – 40th Anniversary Edition Box Set
Format: Vinyl Box Set
More Info: This Record Store Day Exclusive release is limited to 1,000 copies worldwide and consists of a two LP set pressed on whiskey colored wax and much more in a hand crafted custom wood box by Boles Studio, Bronx, NY including an LP-sized 80-page book with exhaustive 20,000 word essay by Sam Sweet interviewing artists, documentary creators and crew, over 100 unseen photos taken during the making of the film, a cast of characters drawn by legendary Austin illustrator Kerry Awn, a reproduction of the original film poster (24”x36”), a region free DVD of the original 1976 film with restored image and sound plus 45 mins of bonus features, including performances by Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark and others, and download card for full soundtrack.

The Weepies – ‘Say I Am You’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this release, a Record Store Day exclusive edition has been put together with orange vinyl, new liner notes, exclusive new photos and a poster of album cover, autographed by the band.

Billy Don Burns- A Night in Room 8
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: Billy Don Burns is considered a friend to the greats of country music and has collaborated with artists such as Harlan Howard, Willie Nelson, Wanda Jackson, Connie Smith and others. A Night in Room 8 was recorded at the Joshua Tree Inn hotel room where Gram Parsons was found dead in 1973. Recorded on a Tascam Portastudio (the same model on which Bruce Springsteen recorded Nebraska). This is an eerie yet extremely vulnerable album of new, brilliant material from such a relic of country music

Music Review: Dori Freeman – ‘Dori Freeman’ [Free Dirt Records]

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

dori freeman

picture- Kristin Horton

2016 is still a young year but The album that sets the mark is already released.

Dori Freeman’s splendid debut is a deft study on the hill and holler template crafted by the Carter family. Her sonic road winds through honky-tonks, coffee houses , and even classic pop, to deliver a surprisingly cohesive and enjoyable journey of style and influence.

In part the influences come Freeman’s upbringing in a musical family. Raised in the small, rural Appalachian independent city of Galax, Va. (population 7,042 as of the 2010 census) soaking in the sounds and cutting her teeth in her grandfather’s shop on the historic Crooked Road.

This self-titled debut, produced by Teddy Thompson (son of English folk/rock legend Richard) brings a contemporary spark to seemingly familiar territory. The sparse acoustic opener ‘You Say’ balances a women’s pining for affection, that ultimately will leave her “blue,” with her need for independence. Like Gillian Welch Freeman is not a belter, but uses her range in a beautifully nuanced that dips and sways as the song needs.

“Go On Lovin'” is a barroom lament of love lost that showcases Freeman’s aforementioned vocal style with a sublimely subtle yodel break in the chorus. Sanag with yearning over beautiful pedal steel, fiddle and piano accompaniment this will result in many tears in beers.

“Tell Me” and “Fine Fine Fine” are revamps of classic 60s lovesick pop confections that Lesley Gore would have killed to record. “Ain’t Nobody” has Freeman, accompanied by only finger snaps, has a very Peggy Lee “Fever” feel to it, though in this case it’s detailing the worker blues and not a steamy come-hither.

Dori Freeman is a sterling example of a new generation if roots influenced musicians . She has blessed us with an ambitious debut that defies, satisfies and proves that when an artist’s vision is unencumbered by chart placement or other arbitrary distractions a thing of beauty can be realized.

four-half-rate

Buy | Official Site

Listen Up! Sturgill Simpson – “Brace for Impact”

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Sturgill Simpson 'Living The Dream' on Conan

Sturgill Simpson , the reluctant outlaw country music hero appears to be moving further and further way from that designation. Simpson took to Apple Music’s Beats 1 with host Zane Lowe to preview his brutally gritty new single “Brace for Impact,” The singer/songwriter also let it be known his new album’s title, ‘A Sailor’s Guide To Earth.’

Simpson tells Lowe he made A Sailor’s Guide to Earth for his son, and it represents the next steps in his own personal musical evolution.

Never afraid to take a risk Simpson says “If you take a chance and try to progress a little bit, which for me is what it’s all about — I already made Metamodern, so I didn’t want to make another psychedelic country record,” he says. “But as soon as I open my mouth, it’s always going to be a country record. You’re always a little nervous because people might expect more of the same or they might not be as willing to take the journey with you, but I think any of the true fans probably wouldn’t expect anything less.”

On March 2, Simpson shared on social media an intriguing illustration that may well be the cover his upcoming album. Nope, actual cover updated:

Sturgill Simpson - A Sailor’s Guide To Earth

A SAILOR’S GUIDE TO EARTH TRACK-LISTING:
1. Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)
2. Breakers Roar
3. Keep It Between The Lines
4. Sea Stories
5. In Bloom
6. Brace For Impact (Live A Little)
7. All Around You
8. Oh Sarah
9. Call To Arms

“Brace for Impact,” moved more the the garage rock direction of “Sugar Daddy,” Simpson’s theme for HBO’s Vinyl, rather that the Bakersfield sound on peyote of Metamodern. Funked up splashes of Hammond organ, Simpson delivers a carpe diem message of kindness with swelling guitars and synth bass crashing around.

Still no word on a release day. Release date in April 15th.

STURGILL SIMPSON TOUR DATES
May 5—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater
May 6—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater
May 7—Dallas, TX—The Bomb Factory
May 10—Houston, TX—White Oak Music Hall
May 11—Oklahoma City, OK—Criterion Theater
May 16—Lexington, KY—Lexington Opera House
May 17—Lexington, KY— Lexington Opera House
May 18—Chattanooga, TN—Tivoli Theater
May 20—Knoxville, TN—Tennessee Theater
May 21—Indianapolis, IN—Egyptian Room – Old National Centre
May 22—Louisville, KY—Louisville Palace
June 2—Royal Oak, MI—Royal Oak Theatre
June 3—Chicago, IL—Riviera Theatre
June 4—Milwaukee, WI—Riverside Theater
June 5—Minneapolis, MN—First Avenue

Listen to the song and Simpson’s interview with Lowe below.

Listen Up! Ashley Monroe – ” Like A Rose” Live At Third Man Records

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Ashley Monroe - " Like A Rose" Live At Third Man Records
Photo by Angelina Castillo

Last spring Ashley Monroe took to the intimate stage of the Blue Room at musician-producer Jack White’s Third Man Records to play songs , some from from her upcoming album, The Blade, to a room of mostly industry folks in Nashville for the annual Music Biz (Music Business Association) conference.

Monroe is the name, and she’s no stranger to the stage of our Blue room. The first time Ashley Monroe sang at Third Man Records, it was with Wanda Jackson for her “Live at Third Man Records,” LP released as part of Third Man Records’ Vault Package #9.

The next time she sang at Third Man Records, it was with Willie Nelson for his special 80th Birthday CMT Crossroads Live at Third Man Records performance, released as Vault Package #17. The last time Ashley Monroe sang at Third Man Records, it was May 2015 to record her very own Live at Third Man Records 12″ LP, recorded direct-to-acetate in the Blue Room.

Monroe first worked with White when she sang, alongside Ricky Skaggs. on The Raconteurs song ‘Old Enough.’

‘Like a Rose’ is from Monroe’s second studio album. This version can found on ‘Ashley Monroe – Live At Third Man Records” is available for pre-order now. The record will be released and available next Friday, February 26th.

Read the Rolling Stone coverage of this special event.

TRACKLIST
Side A:
1. Like A Rose
2. Dixie
3. The Blade
4. Weed Instead of Roses
5. Bomshell

Side B:
7. On To Something Good
8. Satisfied
9. Has Anybody Ever Told You
10. I’m Good At Leaving
11. Hickory Wing (Gram Parsons)

T Bone Burnett, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings will receive Berklee American Master Awards at Music City Roots

Posted on by — 1 Comment ↓

Gillian Welch

Berklee College of Music will present American Master Awards to legendary record producer, songwriter and recording artist T Bone Burnett, as well as the acclaimed roots duo of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings on a special Tuesday night edition of Music City Roots, the variety weekly music broadcast from the Factory in Franklin, TN. The show, set for March 15, 2016, will feature performances by outstanding all-star Berklee alums Sierra Hull (’11), Liz Longley (’10) and Maureen Murphy (’99). Berklee alumni Welch and Rawlings will perform as well, closing the show following presentation of the awards.

Berklee at Music City Roots, Live at the Factory is open to the public and tickets will be available at musiccityroots.com. The show will air on participating public radio affiliates around the country on a future date.

The American Master Award is presented by Berklee to industry leaders whose openness, generosity and deep commitment to music education have made a positive impact on the lives of young musicians, providing them opportunities to grow as artists and leaders. Past recipients of the award include Grand Ole Opry Manager Pete Fisher, drummer Eddie Bayers and recording executive Jim Ed Norman.

“We’ve enjoyed the music of quite a few Berklee graduates and students on Music City Roots over the years, and we know what an important role the college has played in supporting roots and Americana artists to develop fresh and original takes on tradition, so this special show means a lot to us,” says the show’s journalist and artist interviewing co-host Craig Havighurst.

Gillian Welch, along with her singing, guitar playing partner David Rawlings, both Berklee class of 1992, made an immediate impact on American music with the release of their 1996 album Revival. Since then, they’ve released a string of acclaimed albums that update the atmosphere of Appalachian folk music and participated in key milestones of Americana, including the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack of 2001. T Bone Burnett produced Welch and Rawlings’ first album and the O Brother soundtrack, plus dozens of other recordings by artists as varied as Los Lobos, Ralph Stanley, Elton John and Diana Krall. He has been a member of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue, a Grammy-nominated recording artist and an enabler of numerous careers.

The March 15 show and award ceremony coincides with and celebrates Berklee’s Nashville trip, now an honored annual tradition. For 31 years, a group of Berklee students has spent its spring break in Nashville, getting deep music industry insight through clinics and workshops with accomplished alumni artists, songwriters, producers and engineers. The trip, which began with five students, has grown to more than 100 students per year and is led by Pat Pattison, professor of songwriting, and Stephen Webber, program director for the Music Production, Technology and Innovation Program at Berklee’s campus in Valencia, Spain. More than 3,000 students have attended the program since its inception. Longley and Hull participated in the Nashville trip as Berklee students. Welch and Rawlings first connected and started playing together as a result of the trip.

“This feels like a homecoming and a new beginning at the same time,” said Berklee President Roger Brown. “We’re thrilled to recognize T Bone, Gillian and David for their immeasurable contributions to music here in Nashville where so many Berklee alumni have become integral to the music community, and to forge a partnership with Music City Roots, a show that is so important to the tradition of live radio.”

The show will be webcast free via Livestream at 7:00 p.m. central at www.musiccityroots.com.