Sure Red Molly is an all female folk/newgrass trio. That’s incidental. The more important point is that they are a great folk/newgrass trio.
Red Molly – Laurie MacAllister (vocals, guitar, banjo), Abbie Gardner (vocals, guitar, Dobro, lap steel guitar), and Molly Venter (vocals, guitar,) who’s band came from a character in the Richard Thompson song “1952 Vincent Black Lightning,” echo a little Alison Krauss, a little The Mamas & the Papas, a lot of spirit.
That potent mix blended with sweet harmony has resulted in the band accumulating a sizable following of “Redheads.” as their fans are called.
“Clinch River Blues†is written by A.J. Roach the is the first track from Red Molly’s latest Red Album.
Song written by A.J. Roach. Video created by Asia Kepka.
When discussing the pioneers and legacy of the alt.country movement Dallas’ Old 97s have to be on the short list of most influential, and enduring, roots rockers to ever till that field.
The band’s indy debut, ‘Hitchhike to Rhome,’ blasted onto the scene in 1994. Already cooked in was the roots-rock with a dash of pop ingredients that has served the band well over their 20-year career. Rhett Miller, already a solo veteran, displayed a deft hand at smart and catchy phrasing on songs like “St. Ignatius,†“If My Heart Was a Car,†and the album’s standout “Stoned,” that has made one of the most charismatic, and generous, front men going.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of ‘Hitchhike to Rhome’ the excellent Omnivore Recordings continues their support of the Old 97s catalog (they released the ‘Too Far To Care’ reissue complete with demos (also available separately on vinyl as They Made A Monster), and the band’s sessions with Waylon Jennings) by reissuing the album as an expanded 2-CD and digital release. But wait there’s more! The album will also be released as on double vinyl LP for the first time with a limited edition first pressing on translucent orange vinyl!
From the presser:
“When band member and set co-producer Ken Bethea was revisiting the original tapes for this reissue, he discovered a treasure trove of eight extra tracks cut at the album sessions — many of which the band hadn’t even remembered recording. It seemed the perfect time to bring those previously unissued songs to light and add the tracks from their first four-song demo cassette to round out the early picture of the 97’s.
The 2-CD version of Hitchhike To Rhome contains the original album, coupled with a second disc of those 12 rare and unreleased tracks, many mixed from the original multi-tracks for the first time by longtime Old 97’s engineer Rip Rowan. The double LP features the LP on three sides with six of the recently unearthed tracks on Side 4. The download card included gives the buyer the complete 2-CD program. Both formats include rare photos, memorabilia and notes from Bethea.
Disc One
St. Ignatius
504
Drowning In The Days
Miss Molly
Dancing With Tears
4 Leaf Clover
Wish The Worst
Old 97’s Theme
Doreen
Hands Off
Mama Tried
Stoned
If My Heart Was A Car
Desperate Times
Ken’s Polka Thing
Tupelo County Jail
Disc Two
St. Ignatius (demo cassette version)
Drowning In The Days (demo cassette version)
Making Love With You (demo cassette version)

Stoned (demo cassette version)
Dancing With Tears (demo)*
Ivy (demo)*

Eyes For You*

Crying Drunk*

Victoria*

Old 97’s Theme Spgeddi*
Alright By Me*

Desperate Times*
LP TRACK LIST:
Side One
St. Ignatius
504
Drowning In The Days
Miss Molly
Dancing With Tears
Side Two
4 Leaf Clover
Wish The Worst
Old 97’s Theme
Tupelo County Jail
Doreen
Hands Off
Side Three
Mama Tried
Stoned

If My Heart Was A Car
Desperate Times
Ken’s Polka Thing
Tupelo County Jail
Side Four
Crying Drunk*

Dancing With Tears (demo)
Ivy (demo)*

Victoria*

Eyes For You*
Old 97’s Theme Spgeddi*
* Previously unissued
Christian Lee Hutson, 24-year-old Nashville-via-Los Angeles roots singer-songwriter, has released a video for his song “Dirty Little Cheat” from his David Mayfield produced album “Yeah Okay, I Know” (Trailer Fire Records)
“Dirty Little Cheat” is a moody glitch-folk gem, or “bummer-core” as Hutson describes his sound, and the shadowy dark-hued video that reflects it fits its alienated dark heart perfectly.
Of the video’s production Hutson says “I met (director) Matt McCormack (Mack Productions) at the Valley of the Vapors festival in Hot Springs, AR after hearing of him through a mutual friend who had shown me some of his work. I asked if he’d be interested in making something for this song that was really precious to me and he pitched me this wonderful idea that plays exactly how he imagined it with his beautiful sister, Anna McCormack, who plays the bane of my existence.
We had a window of roughly 5 hours to shoot it, as I was in the middle of a tour that brought me through Hot Springs and had to drive to Fort Worth the following morning. I think my show wrapped up at 1 am so we must’ve shot the whole thing between 2 am and 7 am, at which point I hit the road. ”
Hutson has been touring throughout the year in support of his upcoming sophomore full-length release, Yeah Okay, I Know (Trailer Fire Records), including a Daytrotter session and an appearance in April at Communion Nashville, a monthly club night curated by Mumford and Sons’ Ben Lovett, sharing a bill with Johnny Stimson and Sturgill Simpson.
Hutson, who has shared many a stage with notable performers like Damien Jurado, Ralph Stanley and Father John Misty, worked with Grammy-nominated producer David Mayfield on the new album which you can buy from the link below.
“This is my hometown show!” Kacey Musgraves exclaimed from the stage near the start of her performance.
Though she had been on her current tour for several days in Texas this as close as Musgraves had come to her hometown. Musgraves cut her honky-tonk teeth in Golden TX. which lay a little more than 96 miles West of Dallas and many friends and family had come to see her at this special homecoming to celebrate a top-selling, Grammy-winning, chart-landing big-label debut and a tour of the world to support it.
Musgraves and her family were joined by a long-ago sold-out crowd of fans that formed a line that snaked around the side of the venue hours before doors were announced to open. Good ol’ boys, tattooed young gals and middle-age couples all stood boot-to-boot to catch country music’s newest star.
Credit Musgraves or her team for picking the Granada, and it’s capacity for roughly 800, for an intimate homecoming. She had recently rolled off an opening slot for pop-goddess Katy Perry, where the audience was treated to “Fire and dancing cats” and they were “shocked that we were a country band,” but the KatyCats eventually warmed up to them.
It’s easy to see why.
Though deeply steeped in country music’s traditional forms Musgraves has done what her predecessors like Dolly Parton and The Dixie Chicks had done years before. Worked traditional country music forms, and their strengths of storytelling, to build connections blended with contemporary sounds and dialect to appeal to a wider audience. All this without diluting the original spirit. This is no small task.
The 800 plus venue faced a stage that appeared set for a set for a larger production and might very well have been as much was probably used on the bigger venues she’s recently played.
The signature “acid western†motif of dusky western sky backdrop and neon cacti were on display to add just the right amount of kitschy fun. And her band’s Nudie style matching suits festooned with Christmas lights sealed the deal.
And a big show it was. Not big in the contemporary KISS-style circus definition of the word, but big in talent and heart.
From the opener “Silver Lining,” from her Grammy-winning 4th studio release ” Same Trailer Different Park,” she had the crowd enchanted. Donning a short skirt (she warned the front row to be careful with those phone cameras) cowboy boots, checked cotton shirt and fringed rhinestone wrist cuffs, she had the room as background accompaniment with the opening verse.
Woke up on the right side of rock bottom
You’re all out of pennies, and the well it done run dry
Light ’em up and smoke ’em if you had ’em,
But you just ain’t got ’em
Ain’t we always looking for a bluer sky
And it went that way the whole hour-plus show. Musgraves and her excellent band played ” Same Trailer…” nearly in it’s entirety as well as some choice covers and new songs at the encore.
Highlights were “Blowin’ Smoke,” which had the crowd answering back with the “Hey yeah” that gives the song it’s bluesy swagger. The non album track “The Trailer Song” which she premiered earlier this year ( “You might not have lived in a trailer, but I bet you has a nosey neighbor.”) was also a highlight as well as “Merry Go ‘Round” as Musgraves asked the crowd to use their cell phone lights to create a wonderful starry effect.
The covers were inspired as Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again ” fit her pop leanings and the Roger Cook, John Prine penned “Dance With You,” made famous by Texas legend George Strait shows she has a keen sense of great songs.
Her reggae-flavored working of “Step Off” folded nicely into Bob Marley’s positive vibe of “3 Lil’ Birds” to the crowd’s roaring delight and her version of Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood “These Boots Are Made For Walkin” brought the show to a steamy, rocking boil.
The finale has Musgrames and the boys circled around a single mic for an accapella version of Roy Rogers “Happy Trails.”
Years of playing live and penning quality songs for the likes of Gretchen Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride and ABC’s Nashville have honed Musgraves into a sharp songwriter with an eye for common themes told in uncommon ways. Her “aw shucks” demeanor never come off as false or forced.
Will she have the staying power of loretta, Dolly or the pre-scandal Dixie Chicks? Time will tell. But one thing for sure, Kacey Musgraves is off to a hell of a start.
Set List:
Silver Lining
Stupid
Blowin’ Smoke
I Miss You
High Time
Here You Come Again (Dolly Parton cover)
The Trailer Song
Keep It To Yourself
Back on the Map
Mama’s Broken Heart (Miranda Lambert)
No Scrubs (TLC cover)
It Is What It Is
Dance With You – (George Strait cover)
Step Off / 3 Lil’ Birds (Bob Marley & The Wailers cover)
Merry Go ‘Round
My House
Encore:
Biscuits (new song – solo acoustic)
Cup of Tea (new song – solo acoustic)
These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ (Nancy Sinatra /Lee Hazlewood cover)
Follow Your Arrow
Happy Trails (Roy Rogers cover)
Ryan Adams has displayed some, um, irritation at being mistaken for Canadian pop-rocker Bryan Adams. He’s also been known to get bent out of shape when Bryan Adams songs are called out at his shows.
Well they’re nothing to be done about the former confusion the latter seems to have been remedied. During a Santa Barbara gig Adams (Ryan not Bryan) covered Adams (Bryan not Ryan) hit “Run To You.â€
After some playful banter about tempo-changes, fitted jeans and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Adams launched into the cover with no mention of what was to come.
And like most of his covers he not only nails it, he improves the song.
Last winter that the Drive-By Truckers were scheduled to play live at the 40 Watt to support their latest album “English Oceans.” Then a winter storm hit Athens, GA that had a local meteorologist staing that the storm “…truly is Armageddon…”
Sub-zero end-times proclamations were not enough to stop the Rock Show that night as the mighty Drive-By Truckers performed English Oceans in entirety that night.
As the final track on English Oceans, “Grand Canyon” brings together both the record and the band’s 40 Watt performance, as it is an emotionally overwhelming elegy for Craig Lieske. Lieske was a longtime member of DBT’s touring family, a former manager of the 40 Watt Club and a key player in the city’s experimental music scene. Lieske died suddenly of a heart attack in January 2013 following the first night of the band’s three-night homecoming stand in Athens. English Oceans is dedicated to him.
“I probably wrote it in 15 minutes,” Hood says. “It wasn’t any kind of a conscious thing. It’s the most important song of mine on the record. I wrote new songs to go with it. It recalibrated something. It became a totally different record for me than the record I thought we were going to make.”
1. First Air of Autumn
2. Grand Canyon
3. Made Up English Oceans
4. The Part of Him
5. Feb 14
6. Panties in Your Purse
7. Dead Drunk and Naked
8. Shit Shots Count
Tour Dates
9/12 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater w/ North Mississippi All-stars
9/13 – Detroit, MI – Royal Oak Theater%
9/14 – Champaign, IL – Canopy Club%
9/16 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown#
9/17 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom#
9/18 – Dallas, TX – Southside Music Hall#
9/19 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall%
10/4 – Mt. Pleasant, SC – Holy City Hogs
10/10 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle$
10/11 – Birmingham, AL – Cask and Drum
10/ 17 – New York, NY – Beacon Theater$
10/ 18 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory$
10/ 19 – Albany, NY – Hart Theatre at The Egg
10/21 – Pawtucket, RI – The Met
10/22 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest Cafe
10/23 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall^
10/24 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theater^
10/25 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theater^
10/28 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge^
10/29 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford^
10/30 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium^
11/1 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore^
11/20, 21, 22 – San Fran, CA – The Fillmore w/ Sturgill Simpson
# = Lucero
% = Lee Bains & The Glory Fires
$ = St. Paul & the Broken Bones
^ = Houndmouth
I’m not generally a fan of contemporary pop, but I do keep an ear out for talent that rises above the saccharine din.
Pink has always impressed me in her material versatility as well as vocal strength and dexterity. She always struck me as a woman that could take on more than is expected from your garden-variety dance club diva.
But I’m always skeptical when performers that have made it big in one genre try and tackle folk or country. But I like being wrong.
Robert Plant showed me it could work with passion and understanding. So did Beck. Now it appears Pink is doing the same.
According to Billboard.com P!nk (real name Alecia Moore) met Dallas Green when his band, City and Colour, opened for her on several dates of her Truth About Love tour.
Folk, like blues, is hard to make fresh. On “You and Me†the lyrics start off a bit stilted. But the lovely harmonies and spirit of true devotion wins me over.
Hear the proof on “You and Me†below.
The track list from the forthcoming (10/14) Rose Ave. album:
1. Capsized
2. From a Closet in Norway (Oslo Blues)
3. Gently
4. Love Gone Wrong
5. You And Me
6. Unbeliever
7. Second Guess
8. Break The Cycle
9. Open Door
10. No Ordinary Love
Check this intimate but vibrant performance and interview with the reunited newgrass super-group Nickel Creek, curated by 91.3fm WYEP & Produced by AltarTV.
Songs played are “21st of May” and “Destination,” both from their new album ‘A Dotted Line’ via Nonesuch Records.
If you’re a fan of roots music there is only one place to be in the fall, and that’s Americanafest. The Americana Music Association will be presiding over this 15th Festival – along with its Conference and Awards Ceremony – in Nashville, September 16-21.
This is the premier industry event celebrating the music we love. Thousands of artists, fans and industry folks from all over the world will gather to talk biz, eat BBQ, drink local beer and, yes, hear the best music on the planet.
then get up the next morning and do it all over again (pace yourself, drink water!)
This year the increased the number of acts has grown to 160 (!) performing across 11 venues (!!) This might have given me more awesome choices, but I’ve yet to figure oy t that whole cloning myself thing. This makes seeing many performances, many happening at the same time, an impossibility.
But the upside is no matter where you find yourself you’re in for some of the best music going.
Over the years of attending this extraordinary event I’ve tried to dig deep in the bill and look for hidden gems that might I might miss on my initial scan. Some newer or more obscure performers are the ones that can often leave an impression and have fans talking for days after.
Though I like to see the big names as much as anybody, There are a few names that fly a little lower under the radar but will be well worth making time for.
Caroline Rose – The Basement – Tuesday September 16, 2014 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Caroline Rose just came across my ADD addled mind and I’m better for it. Pop folk never sounded so fresh and vibrant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4cAnRTrKD0
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John Moreland – High Watt – Wednesday, September 17, 2014 11:00pm – 11:45pm
There’s nothing fancy about a John Moreland performance. He sits alone, mostly with an acoustic guitar spinning rich tales of the human landscape. His sparse, concise yet elegant style has him counting Lucero and Jason Isbell as fans and having his songs showcased on the biker drama, Sons of Anarchy
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Hannah Aldridge – Fanny’s House of Music “Americana Ladies Night Line-Up” – Thursday September 18, 2014 5:30pm – 8:30pm
A voice of the ages that can be heard from two blocks over (unmiced) Aldridge beings the goods and more on her sterling debut “Razorwire.”
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Banditos – The Rutledge – Thursday September 18, 2014 9:00pm – 9:45pm
This Nashville-by-way-of Birmingham band is a potent blend of rock, country and soul that draws on many influences and squeezes greatness from every drop. Some of the tunes might seem “jammy” but they always right themselves and head straight for solid framework.
Zoe Muth’s sweetly plantive voice sings songs of hardscrabble love and life that can tear out your heart or rock your soul, often at the same time.
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Shinyribs – High Watt – Wednesday September 17, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm
Shinyribs is the pseudonym of The Gourds mastermind of madness Kevin Russell. Tightly arranged tunes, spiked with a heavy dose of whimsy, shows Russell reflecting a stew of influences from Bob Wills to the Texas Tornadoes.
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Jonny Two Bags – The Basement – Wednesday, September 17, 2014 11:00pm – 11:45pm
Sometimes punk rockers age and cross over to Americana. Sometimes their original band has always had a foot in the dusty road. The latter is the case for Jonny Two Bags. As the guitarist for the SoCal institution Social Distortion, Jonny Two Bags didn’t have to travel far to pull out his
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Whiskey Shivers – Station Inn – Thursday September 18, 2014 9:00pm – 9:45pm
Newgrass? Naw, how bout thrashgrass. Whiskey Shivers heats up the already hot genre by pulling in an audience and making a performance a communal celebration that will have you to leaving your troubles at the door. They’ve even caught the ear of fellow Texas genre-hopper Robert Ellis who has produced their upcoming self-titled album.
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Otis Gibbs – Station Inn – Thursday, September 18, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm
Otis Gibbs is what a musician looks like that refuses to compromise. His songs are instantly relatable and yet poetic.The man effortlessly exudes that ever elusive quality of authenticity.
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Hello Strangers – Two Old Hippies – Friday, September 19 6:00 PM – 7:00pm
Sisters Larissa Chace Smith and Brechyn Chace hail from the foot of the Appalachian mountains, due north of the Mason-Dixon Line , in Mercersburg, PA. They ended up in Austin where they worked their craft in the rich music scene helped hone their harmony-rich folk and roots rock spirit.
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Jonah Tolchin – Third Man – Friday, September 19, 2014 9:00pm – 9:45pm
Jonah Tolchin’s voice belies his years on earth. His neo-soul roots style transports you and breathes life into the past.
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Marah – The Basement – Friday, September 19, 2014 9:00pm – 9:45pm
Marah are one of my favorite rocks bands, all ramshackle and passion fueled recklessness. Thier newest roots music production, ‘Mountain Minstrelsy of Pennsylvania’ takes all that’s great with the band and runs it through a copper wire od dark mountain folk.
Nashville by way of Texas classic country and Townes Van Zandt influenced Cale Tyson’s musical path. Tyson’s latest EP, “High On Lonesome” reflects that legacy with hints of Gram Parsons, Guy Clark and Willie Nelson.
After seeing Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance, Jamestown Revival, at an LA Americana event honoring the Everly Brothers I was hooked. They arguably stole the show that night. This was a show that included Rodney Crowell and Bonnie Raitt get there early. JR might be somewhat off the radar but their popularity is growing.
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Cory Branan – High Watt – Friday, September 19, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm
Sharp songwriting and an aversion of the lazy trope has made Chuck Ragan and Lucero into fans of Cory Branan. Come see what all the fuss is about.
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Grace and Tony – Station Inn – Saturday September 20, 2014 8:00pm – 8:45pm
Grace and Tony come from a bluegrass and punk rock background respectively. Not just joining in matrimony they fused a hybrid style they describe as Punkgrass. Colliding the worlds of Charlie Poole and The Clash might have been a disaster for some, but they make it work thanks to a love of craft many of live performances in front of adoring fans.
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Lera Lynn – High Watt – Saturday September 20, 2014 9:00pm – 9:45pm
Texas-born Lera Lynn has a hard one to characterize. A little Dusty , a dash of Loretta, leads to a quality to her that make her rock-roots/soul style irresistible.
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Jason Eady – Mercy Lounge – Saturday, September 20, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm
Jason Eady’s is the odd man out here. He’s not Americana, he’s country..or at least he’s what country used to be , before it became Americana. Damn it just go see him!
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David Ramirez – The Rutledge – Saturday September 20, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm
Austin’s David Ramirez is the textbook definition of a troubadour. A songwriter hammering out hard tales with a guitar and a song. His extensive touring has gained him fans from coast to coast.
With the official demise of the Civil Wars I invite you to turn your wistfully romantic ears toward husband and wife dup Carolina Story (Ben and Emily Roberts.) Though they can get a little more country (read twang) than TCW the Arkansas couple can also plumb the depths of a forlorn soul.
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Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons – The Basement – Sunday September 21, 2014 12:00am – 12:45am
Joe Fletcher’s solo debut ‘You’ve Got the Wrong Man,’ populated with soldiers, scammers, hangers-on, hellraisers, boozers and the woe-begone. Comparisons to Tom Waits would not be far off.
