Category Archives: Podcast

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 17 – Amy Black, Jimbo Mathus , Jason Eady and Lucinda Williams

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Twang Nation Podcast

Step right up ladies and gents. What you have before you is the latest Twang Nation podcast with the latest and best of Americana and roots cuts.

It’s also the last podcast of 2013 and the last to be done exclusively in San Francisco. Number 18 will be a cross-country effort.

This episode has some gems from the ending year by an unlikely and excellent collaboration of Norah Jones and Billy Joe Armstrong doing Everly Brothers covers. There is also new cuts from Doug Balmain and Ocean Carolina.

There are also some choice cuts from upcoming releases by Jason Eady, Jimbo Mathus and a new live cut from the upcoming reissue of Lucinda Williams’ self-titled 1988 album.

I hope you like this episode of the Twang Nation Podcast. if you do tell a friend and let me know here at my site, Google+, Twitter or my Facebook.

Happy holidays and thanks to all of you for supporting great music! Remember band shirts and show tickets to shows make great gifts.

Dale Watson – A Real Country Song

1. Norah Jones and Billie Joe Armstrong – Song: “Long Time Gone ” – album: “Foreverly” Out now on Reprise Records
2. Doug Balmain – Song: “I’ll Lay Down in the Rain ” – album: “Troubled Mind” Out now Released Independently
3. Amy Black – Song: “Layin It Down ” – album: “This Is Home” Out now Released Independently
4. Grace & Tony – Song: “Layin It Down ” – album: “November ” Out now via Rock Ridge Music
5. Jason Eady – Song: “OK Whiskey” – album: ‘Daylight And Dark’ Out Jan 21
6. Lori McKenna – Song: “Take Me With You When You Go” – album: Massachusetts on 1-2-3-4-go records – out now
7. Ocean Carolina – Song: “Women and Wine” – album: “All The Way Home” Old Hand Records 1/14/14
8. Star Anna – Song: “Mean Kind of Love ” – album: “Go To Hell” Spark & Shine out now
9. Jimbo Mathus – Song: “Hawkeye Jordan” – album: “Dark Night of the Soul” Fat Possum Records out February 15.
10. Lucinda Williams – Song: “Something About What Happens When We Talk (Live at KCRW) ” – album: “Lucinda Williams,” to be released on January 14

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 16 – Holly Williams, Brandy Clark, Devil Makes Three

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Twang Nation Podcast

Hey Twangers! Get it while it’s hot! Podcast episode 16! Wow that’s a lot df exclamation point! Argh!

New prime cuts are buzzing around Casa Twang. Old favorites like Brett Detar, Lindi Ortega and The White Buffalo have great new releases. Proud to offer “Stripes,” the neo-trad he new single from Brandy Clark, who’s setting Music Row on fire, and some great stuff from TN newcomers Boo Ray, John Murry and Ben Miller Band.

As always. I hope you like this episode of the Twang Nation Podcast and thank you all for listening. If you do tell a friend and let me know here at this site, Google+ , Twitter or my Facebook page.

As always , BUY MUSIC, SEE SHOWS!

Opening Song - Dale Watson – “A Real Country Song”

1. Brett Detar - Song: “Too Free To Live” - album: Too Free To Live  
2 Cree Rider Family Band – Song: “If You’re Gonna Cheat Me ”  Album: One Night Stand
3. Brandy Clark – Song: “Stripes”  Album “12 Stories (Slate Creek Records) 
4 Devil Makes Three – Song: “Stranger” Album: “I’m a Stranger Here” (New West Records)
5 Holly Williams -Song:  “ Drinkin’  “ Album: ‘The Highway’ out now on her own Georgiana Records 
6 John Murry- Song:  “Photograph’ Album: ‘The Graceless Age” Out noes Evangeline Recording Co.
7 Lindi Ortega - Song” “Tin Star” Album “Tin Star” Out now on Last Gang Records
8 The White Buffalo - Song:  “Set My Body Free ” Album “‘Shadows Greys and Evil Ways,” Out now
9 Boo Ray -  Song:  “Boots And Blue Jeans” Album – “Six Weeks in a Motel” Out now independently released
10 Ben Miller Band - Song: “Strike up the Band”  Album – ” Heavy Load” released independently

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 15 – The Civil Wars, Robbie Fulks, Valerie June

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Twang Nation Podcast

Hey Twangers! Here it is, number 15 podcast. In this special episode we feature the latest from The Civil Wars, currently residing on the top of the Billboard charts. Also excellent new music from Robbie Fulks, Valerie June, Aoife O’Donovan and Trisha Ivy. Also er feature a great cut from the master songwriter himself Guy Clark.

We finish up by featuring an older cut by Jim White that is currently enjoying popularity due to placement on a recent placement on FX’s “Breaking Bad.”

As always. I hope you like this episode of the Twang Nation Podcast and thank you all for listening. If you do tell a friend and let me know here at this site, Google+ , Twitter or my Facebook page.

As always , BUY MUSIC, SEE SHOWS!

Opening Song – Dale Watson – A Real Country Song

1. The Civil Wars – song: I Had Me a Girl – album: The Civil Wars (Sensibility Recordings/Columbia Records)
2. Robbie Fulks – song: I’ll Trade You Money For Wine album: Gone Away Backward ( Bloodshot records)
3. Valerie June – song: Twined And Twisted – album: Pushin’ Against a Stone (Sunday Best Recordings)
4. Jason Isbell and John Paul White – song: Old Flame – album:High Cotton ( Lightning Rod Records)
5. Aoife O’Donovan – song: Briar Rose – album: Fossils (Yep Rock Records)
6. Court Yard Hounds – song: Phoebe – album: Amelita (Columbia Records)
7. Guy Clark – song: The Death Of Sis Draper – album: My Favourite Picture of You (Dualtone Records)
8. Porkchop Express – song: On My Way Down album: Skin Your Smoke Wagon (self-released)
9. Trisha Ivy – song: Talking in Your Sleep – album: Cotton Country (self-released)
10. Jim White song: Wordmule album: “Wrong-Eyed Jesus” (Luaka Bop)

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 14 – Della Mae, David Ramirez, Nora Jane Struthers, John Moreland

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TNPodcast

This may be the best Twang Nation podcast yet (yeah, I know I always say that. But this time it’s true!)

We have fantasticly spirited bluegrass of newcomers Della Mae. Heartfelt folk with singer/ songwriters David Ramirez, Ashleigh Flynn,Andrew Duhon and John Moreland.

Hurray for the Riff Raff offers a beautiful rendition of John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” and Mother Merey and the Black Dirt and Defibulators bring new meaning to hillbilly bliss

We conclude with Bill Monroe and Steve Earl doing Monroe and Peter Rowan’s “Walls of Time” from his upcoming Warner Brothers box set.

ON EDIT: One correction to the podcast, I say that Mother Merey and the Black Dirt’s album is titled “A Million Stars.” That’s the title of the Ashleigh Flynn release. The correct title for Mother Merey and the Black Dirt’s album is “Down to the River.”

Also, I mistakenly refer to the new Donna the Buffalo as “My Dearest Darkest Neighbor.” The name of the album is actually “Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday/” “My Dearest Darkest Neighbor.” is thr name of the upcoming Hurray for the Riff Raff album.

Sorry for the mix up folks.

As always support local music and thanks for listening.

This podcast is dedicated to the great Chet Flippo.

1. Della Mae – “Empire”
2 David Ramirez – “The Bad Days”
3 Mother Merey and the Black Dirt – “Down to the River”
4 Ashleigh Flynn – “New Angel in Heaven”
5 Nora Jane Struthers and The Party Line – “Barn Dance”
6 Andrew Duhon – “Sidestep Your Grave”
7 Laura Cortese – “I Am The House”
8 Donna the Buffalo – “Don’t Know What We’ve Got”
9 Hurray for the Riff Raff – “Jealous Guy”
10 Defibulators – “Cackalacky”
11 John Moreland – “God’s Medicine”
12 Steve Earle With Bill Monroe – “Walls Of Time”

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 13 – Jason Isbell , Patty Griffin , Shonna Tucker , George Jones

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podcast

No overt themes in this episode, just great music.

One of my favorite bands Durham, North Carolina’s Hiss Golden Messenger kicks things off with the raucous Red Rose Nantahala from their new album Hawwe also take a listen o new work from Jason Isbell being supported by members of his band, the 400 Unit, and his newly betrothed Amanda Shires. Patty Griffin gives us the beautiful Mom & Dad’s Waltz from her new American Kid and we get an early listen to Shonna Tucker, and her new band Eye Candy.

And lastly we say goodbye to a country music legend with Choices by George Jones.

As always. I hope you like this episode of the Twang Nation Podcast and thank you all for listening. If you do tell a friend and let me know here at this site, Google+ , Twitter or my Facebook page.

As always , BUY MUSIC, SEE SHOWS!

Opening Song – “Mr. D.J” – by Dale Watson

1. Hiss Golden Messenger – “Red Rose Nantahala”- Album: “Haw” (Paradise of Bachelors)
2. Shannon McNally – Song: “If It Were Mine To Keep”- Album: “Light Walker Demos EP” (Sacred Sumac Music)
3. The Builders and the Butchers– Song: “Dirt In The Ground”- Album: “Western Medicine” (Badman Recording Co. – July 2nd)
4. The Dustbowl Revival – Song: “Hard River Gal”- Debut Album: “Carry Me Back Home” (self-released)
5. Jason Isbell – Song: “Traveling Alone” – Album: Southeastern (Southeastern Records/Thirty Tigers. – out June 11th)
6. Rita Hosking – Song: “Nothing Left Of Me” – Album: Little Boat (self-released)
7. Shonna Tucker and Eye Candy – Song: “Linda Please” – Album: ? ( ? )
8. Patty Griffin – Song: “Mom & Dad’s Waltz” – American Kid ( New West Records – out May 7 )
9. Eastbound Jesus – Song: “Katie Belle” Album: Northern Rock ( Self-released)
10. George Jones – Song: “Choices”

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 11 – Steve Earle, Brett Detar, Caitlin Rose

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podcast

Two themes emerged unintentionally from this episode, Californian cities and the highway. Both are classic themes in country and Americana music and both are telling on his we got here and where we’re going as a community.

On Californian cities , the Son Volt song, “Bakersfield,” included tells the story of dust bowl immigrants to that Southern California town that resulted in a thriving Southern/plains working class culture there. After work visits to honky-tonk bars like The Blackboard gave performers like Wynn Stewart and Buck Owen’s a stage to shape the Bakersfield Sound. This sound contrasted against the Nashville Sound that was thriving in Music City and borrowed elements to rock music sweeping the nation.

Fusion and evolution is what created this music we love. But we wear our roots proudly. Blake Shelton might be right about Music Rows’
jettisoning it’s legacy to craft a business plan for sustained growth. But great culture never comes from a corporate marketing department and strip mine approach to culture is not what Americana is about. It’s about sustained growth for long-term benefits for everyone involved.

Regarding the highway, we are all on it. The internet is part of that analogy and the past, present and future of the genre is another. then there’s the literal hundreds of miles of highway that these performers travel every year. It’s a tough life they choose to bring us this great music and we owe it to them to see them live, buy their music and pick up a t-shirt. We owe it to ourselves because this financial investment in them allows them to bring us more great music.

As always. I hope you like this episode of the Twang Nation Podcast and thank you all for listening. If you do tell a friend and let me know here at this site, Google+ , Twitter or my Facebook.

Opening Song – “Mr. D.J” – by Dale Watson

1.Caitlin Rose – “I Was Cruel””- Album: “‘The Stand-In” (ATO Records)
2. Holly Williams – Song: “Let You Go”- Album: her third album “‘The Highway” (Georgiana Records)
3. Wayne “The Train” Hancock – Song: “Ride”- Album: “Ride” (Bloodshot Records)
4. The Law – Song: “Crazy and Lonesome”- Debut Album: “Dust And Aether” (TLB Records)
5. Brett Detar – Song: “A Soldier Burden” – available for the low price of an email address at brettdetar.com
6. Escondido – Song: “Bad Without You” – Album: debut The Ghost of Escondido
7. New American Farmers – Song: “Everywhere” – Album: Brand New Day
8. Son Volt – Song: “Bakersfield” – Album: Honky Tonk (Rounder Records)
9. Charlie Parr – Song: “Groundhog Day Blues” Album: Barnswallow
10. Dale Watson – Song: “Smokey Old Bar” Album: El Rancho Azul (Red House Records)
11. Steve Earle – Song: “Calico County” Album: The Low Highway (New West records)
12. Carrie Rodriguez – Song: “Devil in Mind” Album: Give Me All You Got (Ninth Street Opus records)

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 10 – Chris Knight, Buddy Miller,Jim Lauderdale, John Fullbright, Gurf Morlix

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podcastEpisode #10 (alright double digits!) of Twang Nation Podcast pulls from my first 10 of a list of 21, Cream of the Crop selections from 2012. It’s been a great year for Americana and roots music. T Bone Burnett has done a fine job of sliding roots artists like Lindi Ortega and Shovels and Rope within a Music Row soap opera with ABC’s Nashville. The Americana Music Association continues to burnish the brand and their conference and wards show set attendance and submission records. Even that bastion of Music Row glitz, CMT, saw crossover potential and launched CMT Edge which has featured artists like Jason Isbell and Justin Townes Earle.

2013 shows no signs of slowing down with upcoming releases from Kris Kristofferson, Dale Watson as well as joint releases from Kelly Willis and her hubby Bruce Robison and Emmylou Harris and ex Hot Band member and legendary songwriter Rodney Crowell.

As the Americana music culture and industry grows and becomes more of a mainstream staple, with bands like Mumford and Sons and the Avett Brothers leading the way, I applaud the advantages and the opportunities for musicians and we who cover them. As I’ve said, I want the performers I cover to get more prestigious gigs, better recording facilities, more gear and to leave their touring vans behind and be bale to afford the relative comfort of a touring bus. I don’t believe musicians should suffer for tier craft (much!) Here’s to mutually rising boats.

In the new year I resolve to do my best not to follow the hyped path most traveled and do what I’ve always done, follow my heart and my ear to places more interesting and authentic for the love of music. I hope you come with me in and enjoy what I discover.

Thanks you for reading the site, following on twiiter , Facebook, Google+ and my work over at Grammy.com.

Happy holidays and a safe and happy New year to you all.

Opening Song – “Mr. D.J” – by Dale Watson
1.Chris Knight– song:”Little Victories”- Album: “Little Victories” (Drifter’s Church Productions)
2.Malcolm Holcolmbe – song: “Gone Away at Last”- Album: “Down the River” (GypsyeyesMusic – out now )
3.Darrell Scott – Song: Hopskinville – Album: Long Ride Home (Full Light Records)
4.Corb Lund – song: Gettin’ Down on the Mountain Album: Cabin Fever (New West Records)
5. Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale That’s Not Even Why I Love You. – Album: Buddy and Jim (New West Records)
6.Iris DeMent – song:Sing The Delta- Album:Sing The Delta (Flariella Records)
7.Dwight Yoakam – song:A Heart Like Mine- Album:3 Pears (Warner Bros. Records)
8.Turnpike Troubadours Song: Gin, Smoke and Lies- Album:Goodbye Normal Street (Bossier City Records)
9.John Fullbright song:Satan and St. Paul- Album:From The Ground Up (Bossier City Records)
10. Shovels & Rope– song:Fire On The Hill- Album:O’ Be Joyful (Dualtone Records)
11. Gurf Morlix – song:Present Tense- Album: Gurf Morlix Finds the Present Tense – Out March 5, 2013)
12.Robert Earl Keen– song:Merry Christmas from the Family- Album: Gringo Honeymoon

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 9 – Rodney Hayden, The Pollies, Jason Isbell, Dillon Hodges and Doc Dailey

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Here it is hot off the presses ladies and gents, the last single-digit podcast from Casa Twang.  That’s right #9 is in the books and ready for your listening pleasure.

As I say in the podcast (listen and see!) with 4 performers -  The Pollies, Dillon Hodges, Jason Isbell and Doc Dailey -  all hailing from the fertile music climes of Muscle Shoals, AL,  that it feels like this episode is sponsored by the Alabama Tourism Department This is patently untrue! At least until they send me a check!

If there is another theme in this episode it’s the rich display of old-school honky-tonk from Rodney Hayden, Daniel Romano , Billy Don Burns and the legendary Loretta Lynn.

A couple of mia culpas on the introduction to Rodney Hayden’s song: “I Drink To Remember” I mention George Jones as a contributing songwriter. I misspoke and meant to say George Strait. Also I mention the new Pollies release “Where The Lies Begin”  was on Palomino Records. It is out on This Is American Music.

I hope you like this episode of the Twang Nation Podcast. if you do tell a friend and let me know here at my site, Google+,  Twitter or my Facebook.

And thanks to all of you for supporting great music!

Opening Song – “Mr. D.J” – by Dale Watson
1. Rodney Hayden – song: “I Drink To Remember” – Album: “Atascosa Sand”  (Palomino Records – out now)
2. The Pollies – song: ” Little Birdie” – Album: “Where The Lies Begin”  (This Is American Music – out now)
3. The Martha Redbone Roots Project  – song: ” The Garden Of Love” – Album: “The Garden of Love, Songs of William Blake”  ( Blackfeet Productions – out now)
4. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit  – song: ” Danko/Manuel” – Album: “Live From Alabama”  ( Lightning Rod Records  – out November 19)
5. Daniel Romano – song: “Middle Child” – Album: “Come Cry With Me”  ( Normaltown Records, an imprint of New West – January 22, 2013 this single “Middle Child” out 11/27 on iTunes)
6. Amy LaVere and Shannon McNally  – song: “Never Been Sadder” – Album: “Chasing The Ghost Tour-Rehearsal Sessions EP”  ( Archer Records – out 11/27)
7. Dillon Hodges – song: “The Proof” – Album: “Rumspringa”  ( Single out November 20 and his Debut album, Rumspringa slated for 2013 release )
8. Billy Don Burns – song: “Honky Tonk Singer” – Album: “Nights When I’m Sober: Portrait of a Honky Tonk Singer”  ( Rusty Knuckles – out now)
9. Goodnight, Texas – song: “Submarines” – Album: “A Long Life of Living”  ( Tallest Man Records – out now)
10. Doc Dailey & Magnolia Devil – song: “Catch the Presidents” – Album: “Catch the Presidents”  ( Southern Discipline Recording Co. Records – out November 13th)
11. Loretta Lynn – song: “Honky Tonk Girl” (MCA Nashville)

 

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 7 – Corb Lund and Hayes Carll, Turnpike Troubadours, The Driftwood Singers and The Trishas

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Podcast number is in the can and it might be the best one yet.

Here you’ll find great cuts from upcoming albums like Corb Lund’s swamp-guitar laced road buddy number featuring Hayes Carll “Bible On The Dash” and The Trishas bring sweet, sweet harmony in Little Sweet Cigars.

Blackberry Smoke channels 70’s era Allman Brothers in the soulful The Whippoorwill. There’s also some great cuts from newcomers Angela Perley, Shovels & Rope and The Driftwood Singers.

Finally I use the last slot to say goodbye to another legend. Susanna Clark’s “Easy From Now On,” a song she penned for Emmylou Harris’ album “Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town,” and album she also painted the cover for.

I hope you all enjoy the great Americana and roots music featured in this and all the podcasts, and hope you seek out the musicians and buy their music, merch and , most importantly, take all your friends and see them live. Remember you can leave requests or feedback below or email me at baron(at)twangnation(dot)com. All you feedback , good and bad, is appreciated.

1. Corb Lund – Song: “Bible On The Dash” – Album: Cabin Fever (New West Records)
2. Polecat – Song: “Fire On The Hill” – Album: Fire On The Hill (Independently released)
3. Shovels & Rope – Song: O’ Be Joyful – Album: Song: O’ Be Joyful (Dualtone Records)
4. Catherine Irwin – Song: Mockingbird – Album: Little Heater (Thrill Jockey Records )
Removed by request of Thrill Jockey Records
5. The Trishas – Song: Little Sweet Cigars – Album: High Wide & Handsome (Trisha Records)
6. Blackberry Smoke – Song: The Whippoorwill – Album: The Whippoorwill (Southern Ground Records.
7. The Driftwood Singers – Song: If I Take That Notion – Album: The Driftwood Singers (Trailer Fire Records)
8. Angela Perley and The Howlin’ Moons – Song: 18 Feet Under- Album: Nowhere is Now Here. (Vital Music USA)
9. Whitey Morgan and the 78’s – Song: I Ain’t Drunk – Album: Whitey Morgan and the 78’s (Bloodshot Records)
10. Turnpike Troubadours – Song: “Before the Devil Knows We’re Dead” – Album: Goodbye Normal Street (Bossier City Records)
11. Emmylou Harris – Song: “Easy From Now On” – Album: Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town (Warner Bros)

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 6 – Willie Nelson , Austin Lucas with Glossary, Delta Rae

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Six podcasts in featuring some of the best in country and Americana music and I do believe I’m hitting a stride. Or something. Whatever, it getting even more fun!

This episode may be  the best yet! On the cut, “Hero,” Willie Nelson shares the spotlight with Jamey Johnson and Billy Joe Shaver off his new release “Heroes.” Austin Lucas with Glossary sends me a rough mix of “Alone in Memphis” being backed by his current tour mates Glossary. Delta Rae proves the power of the voice in the fiery ” Bottom of the River” from their debut album “Carry The Fire.”things end out with a tribute to the great Levon Helm from his Grammy award winning “Dirt Farmer.”

I hope you all enjoy the great Americana and roots music featured in this and all the podcasts  and hope you seek out the musicians and buy their music, merch and , most importantly, take all your friends and see them live. Remember you can leave requests or feedback below or email me at baron(at)twangnation(dot)com.

Now, kick back with your adult beverage of choice and let Twang Nation remind you what great music sounds like.

1. Jason Eady – song:  “AM Country Heaven”  album: “AM Country Heaven” (Underground Sound)
2. Marty Stuart -  song:  “Tear The Woodpile Down” -  album: “Nashville, Volume 1: Tear The Woodpile Down”  (Sugar Hill Records)
3. Delta Rae -  song: “Bottom of the River” – album:  “Carry The Fire” (Sire Records)
4. Shawn Mullins – song: “Give God The Blues” – album:  “Mercyland – Hymns For The Rest Of Us” (Mercyland Records)
5.  Giant Giant Sand  -  song: “Detained”  – album: “Tucson” (Fire Records)
6. Paul Thorn  -  song: “What the Hell Is Goin’ On”- album: “What the Hell Is Goin’ On” (Perpetual Obscurity)
7.  Willie Nelson – song: “Hero” – album: “Heroes” (Sony Music Entertainment)
8. Austin Lucas with Glossary – song: “Alone in Memphis” album: Demo
9. The Mavericks – song: “Born To Be Blue” – album: “Suited Up and Ready EP” (The Valory Music Co.)
10. Levon Helm – song: False hearted lover blues album: Dirt Farmer (Dirt Farmer Music)