Americana Music News — There’s a scene in an episode of Nashville in which Deacon decides he’s going to perform his new material in Murfreesboro, TN so he can be sure that no one will see him.
On Feb. 18, Grammy-winning songwriter Don Henry will defy that stereotype with a benefit show at 6:30 p.m. at MTSU’s Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, raising money for scholarships.
Henry, whose “All Kinds of Kinds” was a recent hit for Miranda Lambert, has written for Ray Charles, Blake Shelton, Kathy Mattea, Lonestar, Patti Page, Conway Twitty and many others.
And in a town full of fine singer-songwriters, Henry is one of the best performers, regularly engaging audiences with energetic, warm and funny performances at the Bluebird Cafe. Tickets are available here.
Author: Americana Music News
Concert review: Kelly WIllis and Radio Ranch
by Paul T. Mueller
Kelly Willis’ performance at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck in Houston on Jan. 22 was a testament to the enduring power of good music. The show, the second of two at the venue that night, was part of a brief tour in honor of the 25th anniversary of her debut album, Well Travelled Love. For the tour, as on the album, she was backed by her old band Radio Ranch, sounding just as good as they did back in the day.
Well Travelled Love, released in 1990, was fueled by Willis’ lively vocals and the rockabilly twang of her band, plus big-time Nashville production (by Tony Brown and John Guess) and promotion. The 11 songs were a mix of originals by drummer Mas Palermo (who also happened to be married to Willis at the time) and such Nashville notables as Steve Earle, Paul Kennerley, Monte Warden and John Hiatt. The band didn’t last very long and neither did Willis’ status as country music’s newest sweetheart (a role she wasn’t all that comfortable with), but none of that changes the fact that WTL was an excellent album and a fine showcase for everyone involved.
“I can’t believe it’s been 25 years,” Willis said before launching the show with “My Heart’s In Trouble Tonight,” WTL’s opening track. The band’s full sound and tight playing belied what must have been a pretty brief rehearsal period. “It’s like not a day has passed!” Willis declared after the song ended.
The rest of the show included seven more songs from Well Travelled Love, along with material from Willis’ subsequent albums. An occasional hiccup notwithstanding, all were marked by Willis’ strong, confident singing and excellent backup from the band – lead guitarist David Murray, steel guitarist Mike Hardwick, bassist Brad Fordham and drummer Palermo. On many songs the guitarists alternated fiery solos, while the rhythm section provided a solid foundation and Fordham contributed harmony vocals.
There wasn’t a throwaway in the 17-song set, but particular highlights included the twangy “I Don’t Want to Love You (But I Do)”; the beautifully weepy “World Without You,” from Kelly Willis’ second album, Bang Bang; the rocking “Teddy Boys,” from her most recent solo album, 2006’s Translated from Love; and the sweet, sad ballad “One More Time,” from WTL.
After closing the main set with a spirited rendition of Hiatt’s “Drive South,” Willis thanked the audience for taking part in “this wonderful moment in time.” Returning after a short break, she and the band performed “Take It All Out on You,” a song she said was co-written by Texas singer-songwriter Bruce Robison, to whom she’s now married, and Palermo, during a breakup with Robison before they were married. “A song written by my husband and my ex-husband,” she said with a laugh. “That qualifies me to be a country singer!”
Preview: Cayamo music cruise 2016
By Paul T. Mueller
The ninth annual Cayamo music cruise sails from Miami on Jan. 31, en route to a week of music and fun under the Caribbean sun. Produced by Atlanta-based Sixthman aboard the chartered Norwegian Pearl, Cayamo is a weeklong music festival at sea, featuring dozens of scheduled performances in indoor venues ranging from small lounges to a thousand-seat auditorium, as well as a couple of open-air stages on the pool deck.
Cayamo is also known for passenger participation; a fair number of the 2,000-plus cruisers bring along their instruments and can be found jamming at pretty much any hour of the day or night. These sessions often draw the attention, and participation, of some of the professional musicians as well.
Americana’s best
While it’s not specifically an Americana cruise, this year’s Cayamo features a couple of the biggest names in Americana music at the moment – Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton, both still touring on the strength of excellent 2015 albums (Something More Than Free and Traveller, respectively). Other scheduled performers include two-time Cayamo veteran Lucinda Williams; three-timer John Prine; John Hiatt, back for a sixth tour; Nashville (and Nashville) superstar Buddy Miller, a fixture on every Cayamo except 2009; Shawn Colvin, who’s sailed five times before; John Fullbright, a two-time Cayamoan, and Steve Earle, back after two previous sailings. Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins, the only performer who’s been on every Cayamo, also returns to keep his streak unbroken.
New to the cruise
Buzzworthy newcomers this year include Alabama-based singer-songwriter Paul Thorn; former Maine resident turned Austin folkie Slaid Cleaves; Hurray for the Riff Raff, featuring neo-New Orleanian Alynda Segarrra; Irish singer Foy Vance; and Angaleena Presley, also known as a member of Nashville’s Pistol Annies.
Returning to the Cayamo music cruise after successful debuts on previous cruises are country songbird Kacey Musgraves, whose duet show with Prine was a big hit last year; Amanda Shires, a fiddler and singer-songwriter who’s married to Isbell and is a member of his band, the 400 Unit; the talented duo Birds of Chicago (2015); Texas singer-songwriter Robert Ellis (2013), and Knoxville, Tenn.-based The Black Lillies (2015).
Stepping out from sideman roles with scheduled sets of their own are Buick 6 (Lucinda Williams’ band, consisting of guitarist Stuart Mathis, bassist David Sutton and drummer Butch Norton) and Jason Wilber, Prine’s longtime guitarist.
A wide range of artists
The rest of the announced lineup for the Cayamo music cruise includes Jim Lauderdale, David Bromberg, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, Watkins Family Hour (featuring former Nickel Creekers Sean and Sara Watkins and others), Johnnyswim, Angaleena Presley, Langhorne Slim, The Bros. Landreth, Sam Lewis, American Babies, Mingo Fishtrap, The Alternate Routes, Rainey Qualley, Kate York and Joe Pisapia, Sugar & the Hi-Lows, Maren Morris, Martin Harley and Jimmy Galloway. The winners of this year’s Soundcheck
competition for spots on the roster include the Andrew Duhon Trio, from New Orleans; The Novel Ideas, a Massachusetts-based folk quintet, and the aforementioned Slaid Cleaves. And the possibility of a “stowaway” surprise artist can never be ruled out; last year Todd Snider filled that role, coming aboard mid-cruise and performing a couple of excellent sets.
A good many Cayamo passengers don’t much care where the cruise goes and would just as soon sail around in circles for a week. But for those who like a little sightseeing with their music, this year’s ports of call are Tortola, one of the British Virgin Islands, and St. Maarten/St. Martin, which consists of both Dutch and French territory. There will also be four full days at sea, providing time for traditional cruise-ship activities – and for even more music than on port days.
(Cayamo music cruise photos by Paul T. Mueller.)
Sandy Beaches Cruise 2016 in photos
By Ken Paulson
Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise always offers a rich array of blues, R&B, rock and folk performers and the 2016 event continued the tradition. On board the Holland America Westerdam were Keb’ Mo’, the Mavericks, Marcia Ball, Jimmy Hall, Mingo Fishtrap, Alyssa Bonagura, Seth Walker, The Quebe Sisters, Band of Heathens, Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps, Lee Roy Parnell, Fred Eaglesmith, Shelley King, Mike Zito, Big Joe Maher, Anson Funderburgh, Kevin Welch, Doyle and Debbie, Danny Flowers, Kree Harrison, Brian Dunne, the McCrary Sisters, Bruce Channel, Etta Britt, Clay McClinton, Lari White, Chuck Cannon, Red Young, Gary Nicholson, the Howlin’ Brothers, Spooner Oldham, Bob Dipiero, Tom Hambridge, World Famous Headliners, the Damn Quails, Halley Anna Finlay, Baillie and the Boys and the Bluz House Rockers.
That meant music most days from noon until 2 in the morning. You’ll find our review on our site. Here’s a sampling of photos from one very entertaining week:
Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise 2016
By Ken Paulson
As Marcia Ball wrapped up her first song to polite applause, she seemed a little nonplussed.
“I thought there was a dance floor here,” she said, as she kicked off Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise 2016. The crowd took the hint, and the rest of the evening – and the week – was one non-stop dance floor.
That sets this music cruise apart from others, where headliners and reserved seats are the norm. The Sandy Beaches crowd listens respectfully, but they move to the music.
That’s probably the influence of McClinton himself, who is a low-key and welcoming presence thoughout the cruise. It’s as though you were invited to Delbert’s house – one with a very large pool – with his musical friends on a Saturday night.
And if this is your first visit to Delbert’s, you won’t feel like a newcomer for long.
“This is your cherry and we’re here to bust it, “ Ball declared, launching into a high-velocity set of rhythm and blues, including the week’s first performance of “Sea Cruise.’ “A lot of nerve, “ she laughed.
“All Night Long” with the Mavericks
The Mavericks headlined the pool deck stage three times and the energy never flagged. Since reuniting in 2012, the band has been on a roll, culminating in their Grammy nominations for the song “All Night Long” and their Mono album, and being named group of the year in the Americana Music Association awards. When a band with more than two decades of experience hits a new career high, it shows on stage. In their final set of the week, they even played a danceable “Okie from Muskogee.”
The McCrary Sisters Let It Go
The McCrary Sisters delivered their first set on Sunday, appropriately so for this hard-rocking gospel quartet. Regina McCrary spoke of God’s capacity for healing and offered to pray for anyone in need. If you have a burden, you should “Let It Go,” they sang. No, not the song from “Frozen.”
Later in the day, Roger Blevins Jr. and Mingo Fishtrap announced they were going to echo the McCrarys’ advice to “let it go, “though their version would be “more profane.”
It wasn’t all church for the McCrarys . The sisters did the Family Stone proud with an inspired version of “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin.)”
Sandy Beaches Cruise 2016 songwriters
The songwriter sessions were uniformly impressive, giving artists the chance to showcase their writing in an acoustic performance. Sharon Vaughn told the story of how she pitched her classic My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” to Waylon Jennings, who refused to believe she wrote it. Spooner Oldham played songs he co-wrote with Dan Penn, including James and Bobby Purify’s hit “I’m Your Puppet.”
Delbert McClinton joined the songwriters mid-week to showcase songs from a new album due this spring.
The World Famous Headliners
Former NRBQ member Al Anderson has been on the last 18 cruises, but this time he brought his bandmates from the World Famous Headliners . It’s a tongue-in-cheek name, but Anderson, Shawn Camp and Pat McLaughlin make up a potent front three, with stellar guitar work and tight harmonies. The band – deep in writing talent – showcased songs from their new album, including “Hitchike Home,” “The Whoa Whoa Song” and “Fried Chicken,” a song that mashes up Memphis music and the Bee Gees.
The Headliners know no barriers. “We’d like to apologize for these songs,’ McLaughlin told the audience, shortly before Anderson sang “Stick It Where the Sun Don’t Ever Shine.”
The band brings Little Village to mind. That was the storied band featuring Nick Lowe, Ry Cooder, John Hiatt and Jim Keltner, an amazing line-up of players and songwriters that never seemed to gel as a group.
The Headliners gel. They even have their own theme song, which they played at both the beginning and close of their set. “We’re the World Famous Headliners…”
Keb’ Mo’ and the return of Lee Roy Parnell
Among other highlights of Sandy Beaches Cruise 2016:
Keb’ Mo’ drew big and appreciative crowds poolside with impeccable sets of blues and soul, including his fresh take on the O’Jays’ “Love Train.”
Mingo Fishtrap rallied the audience on the final day, with Blevins Jr. saying that although everyone would have to disembark the next morning, now was the time to “self-lobotomize.” The band then launched into a blistering medley of classic James Brown songs.
Lee Roy Parnell, on the Sandy Beaches Cruise since its inception 22 years ago, was back after a year away. He saluted the late Allen Toussaint with a spirited take on his “Holy Cow.” Lari White joined him for a duet of a song she and Parnell had written, and Etta Britt delivered a powerful “People Get Ready.”
The annual “Pianorama,” with Marcia Ball as ringleader, convened virtually every keyboardist on the cruise for a piano jam. Five players at a time took the stage, trading off parts on songs like “Iko Iko,” “Nothing from Nothing” and Drinkin’ Wine Spo-de-o-dee.”
The Quebe Sisters were a revelation. Their harmonies were gorgeous – in 1940 they would have been the Andrews Sisters –and all three play fiddle beautifully. They draw on a big songbook, but Western Swing is a specialty.
Doyle and Debbie, the lampooning country music revue, doesn’t change and doesn’t need to. It remains fresh and funny.
Alyssa Bonagura was joined onstage by her parents Kathie Baillie and Michael Bonagura, aka “Baillie and the Boys ,” who revisited their musical past, including an impressive “Blue Bayou.” It’s that rare family where the daughter can plug her parents’ CDs at the merch table.
Bruce Channel joined Delbert to perform his big 1962 hit “Hey Baby,” a record on which McClinton played harmonica. I’m sure they’ve performed it together dozens of times, but it’s still a joyous performance.
The Howlin’ Brothers – Ian Craft, JT Huskey and Jared Green impressed audiences with both a reverence for folk, blues and bluegrass classics and their ability to craft new songs that continue the tradition.
(More Sandy Beaches coverage can be found here.)
New releases: BR5-49, Paul Kelly, Neil Finn
By Ken Paulson
New and recent releases:
BR5-49 – One Long Saturday Night – Bear Family Productions – Long before Nashville became the “It City,” BR5-49 was Nashville’s “It Band.” The young country band brought an energy to Music City’s Lower Broad that had been missing for a couple of decades. Suddenly, locals packed Robert’s Western Wear, foreshadowing today’s dynamic music scene. One Long Saturday Night is a recording of BR5-49 on German television in 1996, and the band’s Chuck Mead attests that it’s a classic setlist from the group’s earliest years. It’s Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, Harlan Howard, Carl Perkins and a sampling of cool originals played with spirit. History to dance to.
Neil Finn and Paul Kelly – Goin’ Your Way – Omnivore Recordings – Great songs and tight harmonies distinguish this double-CD collection capturing Neil Finn and Paul Kelly in concert in 2013 at the Sydney Opera House. Finn is the better known to American audiences, largely as a member of Split Enz. His “Don’t Dream It’s Over” is included here, but the album is deep in well-crafted compositions. They’re both talented solo artists, but work really well as a duo.
And three more from Nashville:
Brandy Zdan – Brandy Zdan – Who would have guessed we’d find one of the freshest rock albums of the year in our own backyard? Brandy Zdan is a Canadian artist, now relocated to Nashville, and her self-titled album is bold and smart. “Back on You” and “Running for a Song” sound like classic singles you’ve never heard.
Dave Zobl – Simplify – Warm and carefully crafted album produced by Will Kimbrough and recorded in Muscle Shoals. “Colorado Girl” and “John Prine Sunday Morning” are among the best tracks.
Kyle Frederick – Eventide – Vandermont Music – This new album from Kyle Frederick is ambitious and engaging, with wide-ranging music that draws on pop/rock, folk and country. Highlights include “Be Kind to Yourself,” an affirming co-write with Kim Richey, and the hook-packed “The Wishing Tree” and “Karma Lola.” Emmylou Harris joins Frederick on the title track.
Delbert McClinton hosts Sandy Beaches benefit
Delbert McClinton’s annual Sandy Beaches cruise launches this Sunday at 7 p.m. in non-nautical Nashville with a benefit concert for Mark Allison, McClinton’s longtime monitor engineer.
The concert at 3rd and Lindsley will feature artists scheduled to join McClinton on the Jan. 8 cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, including LeeRoy Parnell, Etta Britt, the McCrary Sisters, Gary Nicholson, Alyssa Bonagura, the Howlin’ Brothers, Danny Flowers, Lari White, and Rocky Block.
In concert: Welch Family Throwdown
By Paul T. Mueller
Three singer-songwriters named Welch playing the same show – what are the chances? Pretty good when it’s the Welch Family Throwdown, featuring Americana veteran Kevin Welch and his talented progeny, son Dustin and daughter Savannah (plus cellist Mark Williams). The inexplicably small audience notwithstanding, the evening at the Dosey Doe, just north of Houston, turned into a warm and intimate 90-minute set that included originals from all three Welches and a few well-chosen covers.
It was something of a holiday show – when putting together the set list, Kevin said, “We’re just looking for songs with the word ‘Christmas.’ ” Thus the opener, a sweet rendition of Joni Mitchell’s regret-laden “River,” featuring lead vocals by Savannah, a member of The Trishas. The theme continued later with Dustin’s take on Mark Germino’s “Lean on Jesus (Before He Leans on You),” set at a mission on Christmas Eve and featuring a nice solo by cellist Williams, whom Kevin had introduced as “the littlest Welch.” A few songs later came “Santa Had a Dream,” which began as an eighth-grade writing project of Savannah’s and reimagines the origin of the Santa Claus legend as a dream experienced by an exhausted, impoverished West Virginia coal miner, “way back before Christmas had been invented yet.”
Most songs featured fine harmonies along with strong lead vocals. The playing was excellent as well, with Dustin alternating between standard and resonator guitars and banjo, and Savannah playing guitar and mandolin as well as percussion. Kevin stuck with one well-worn acoustic guitar, picked and strummed, and Williams’ fine cello added atmosphere and texture to the arrangements.
Other highlights included Kevin’s gentle love song “Millionaire”; a lively rendition of “After the Music’s Gone,” with a capella harmonies to finish; “Gawd Above,” a song Dustin wrote with John Fullbright that’s become a staple of the latter’s sets; “Come a Rain,” Kevin’s whimsical reimagining of a long roster of historical figures, and “Dust Devil,” a new song by Kevin that he said was inspired in part by an atmospheric event that damaged his car.
The show closed with a beautiful rendition of William Bell’s soulful “Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday.” The song featured solos by Williams on cello and Dustin on resonator; its optimistic tone, underlain by melancholy, seemed perfectly suited to the season.
Most played 2015: Americana Music Association Top 100
The Americana Music Association today released its year-end compilation of the Top 100 Albums of the Year, tracking the most-played Americana albums from December 2, 2014 through November 30, 2015. Jason Isbell has the top album of the year, followed by JD McPherson, Brandi Carlile, Alabama Shakes, Steve Earle and the Dukes, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Kacey Musgraves, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, Chris Stapleton and the Mavericks.
The full list:
Jason Isbell Something More Than Free
JD McPherson Let The Good Times Roll
Brandi Carlile The Firewatcher’s Daughter
Alabama Shakes Sound & Color
Steve Earle & The Dukes Terraplane
Ray Wylie Hubbard The Ruffian’s Misfortune
Kacey Musgraves Pageant Material
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell The Traveling Kind
Chris Stapleton Traveller
Mavericks Mono
Robert Earl Keen Happy Prisoner – The Bluegrass Sessions
Ryan Bingham Fear And Saturday Night
Dwight Yoakam Second Hand Heart
Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard Django and Jimmie
James McMurtry Complicated Game
Richard Thompson Still
Rhiannon Giddens Tomorrow Is My Turn
Asleep at the Wheel Still The King, Celebrating The Music of Bob Wills
Calexico Edge Of The Sun
Eilen Jewell Sundown Over Ghost Town
Amy Helm Didn’t It Rain
Dale Watson Call Me Insane
Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Lost Time
Houndmouth Little Neon Limelight
Allison Moorer Down To Believing
Watkins Family Hour Watkins Family Hour
Rhett Miller The Traveler
Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes Lost On The River: The New Basement Tapes
Pokey LaFarge Something In The Water
Sonny Landreth Bound By The Blues
Patty Griffin Servant Of Love
Kasey Chambers Bittersweet
Uncle Lucius The Light
Ashley Monroe The Blade
Warren Haynes Featuring Railroad Earth Ashes & Dust
Leon Bridges Coming Home
John Moreland High On Tulsa Heat
Punch Brothers The Phosphorescent Blues
Blackberry Smoke Holding All The Roses
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Medicine
Sam Outlaw Angeleno
Don Henley Cass County
Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams
Joe Ely Panhandle Rambler
Nathaniel Rateliff and The Nightsweats Nathaniel Rateliff and The Nightsweats
Jimmy LaFave The Night Tribe
Lucinda Williams Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone
Los Lobos Gates Of Gold
Statesboro Revue Jukehouse Revival
Mark Knopfler Tracker
The Bros. Landreth Let It Lie
Josh Ritter Sermon On The Rocks
Bottle Rockets South Broadway Athletic Club
The Mike & Ruthy Band Bright As You Can
Gretchen Peters Blackbirds
Whitey Morgan & The 78s Sonic Ranch
Will Hoge Small Town Dreams
Jorma Kaukonen Ain’t In No Hurry
Whitehorse Leave No Bridge Unburned
Langhorne Slim The Spirit Moves
Justin Townes Earle Absent Fathers
Turnpike Troubadours Turnpike Troubadours
The Deslondes The Deslondes
Milk Carton Kids Monterey
Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line Wake
Leftover Salmon High Country
Shelby Lynne I Can’t Imagine
J.J. Grey And Mofro Ol’ Glory
Laura Marling Short Movie
American Aquarium Wolves
Honeycutters Me Oh My
Daniel Romano If I’ve Only One Time Askin’
Jonathan Tyler Holy Smokes
Black Lillies Hard To Please
Shakey Graves And The War Came
Jackie Greene Back To Birth
Anne McCue Blue Sky Thinkin’
Wood Brothers Paradise
Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers Loved Wild Lost
The Grahams Glory Bound
Sugarcane Jane Dirt Road’s End
Glen Hansard Didn’t He Ramble
Steeldrivers The Muscle Shoals Recordings
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds The Weather Below
Stoney LaRue Aviator
Sam Lewis Waiting On You
Honey Honey 3
Della Mae Della Mae
Darrell Scott 10 Songs of Ben Bullington
Dar Williams Emerald
Yonder Mountain String Band Black Sheep
Ryan Adams Ryan Adams
William Clark Green Ringling Road
Whitney Rose Heartbreaker Of The Year
Underhill Rose The Great Tomorrow
Liz Longley Liz Longley
Shawn Colvin Uncovered
Waifs Beautiful You
The Lone Bellow Then Came The Morning
Kentucky HeadHunters Meet Me In Blues Land
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Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise set for Jan.9
By Ken Paulson
We’re less than a month away from the Jan. 9 launch of Delbert McClinton’ Sandy Beaches Cruise, one of our favorite musical events of the year. It’s blues, roots music and rock on the high seas, with a heavy infusion of talent from our hometown of Nashville.
This year’s artists include Keb’ Mo’, The Mavericks, Marcia Ball, Jimmy Hall, Mingo Fishtrap, Alyssa Bonagura, Seth Walker, The Quebe Sisters, Band of Heathens, Teresa James, Lee Roy Parnell, Fred Eaglesmith, Mike Zito and the Wheel, Big Joe Maher, Anson Funderburgh, Doyle and Debbie, The McCrary Sisters, Bruce Channel, Etta Britt, Clay McClinton, Lari White, Chuck Cannon, Red Young, Whitey Johnson, Bob Dipiero, Brian Dunne, Tom Hambridge, World Famous Headliners, The Damn Quails, Halley Anna Finlay and The Bluz House Rockers.
You’ll find more info on the cruise on Delbert McClinton’s site. You’ll find our past coverage of Sandy Beaches here.
Americana Music Grammy award nominees announced
Review: Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets
By Ken Paulson
Nick Lowe and his Quality Holiday Revue rolled into Nashville tonight at the City Winery. It’s an entertaining hybrid of slightly warped Christmas songs and Lowe’s rich catalog, abetted by Los Straitjackets.
For a long-time Lowe fan, the show offers a chance to hear energetic (if slightly slower) takes on “Raging Eyes,” “Half A Boy and Half A Man” and “Without Love.” For those who just wandered in off the street, it’s a warm and often funny holiday show, fueled in large part by Los Straitjackets and unexpected and unconventional songs like a revved-up “Linus and Lucy.”
Highlights abounded, including Lowe’s plaintive rendition of (“What’s So Funny About) Peace Love and Understanding,” famously performed by Elvis Costello and included in the mega-selling Bodyguard soundtrack.
Los Straitjackets are given their own mini-set during the show, and oddly enough, play the first two songs of the encore.
The rich and rewarding evening closed with Lowe’s quiet acoustic performance of Costello’s “Alison,” a song he produced on the groundbreaking My Aim is True.
We’ve seen Lowe’s solo shows in recent years and have always come away impressed. But this one was special — fast-paced, fun and vibrant.
New releases: Peter Cooper, Drive-By Truckers
New and recent releases:
Peter Cooper – Depot Light: Songs of Eric Taylor – Red Beet Records – Peter Cooper insists this isn’t a tribute album to the under-recognized and brilliant songwriter Eric Taylor. Disclaimer aside, you’ll come away with a much better appreciation of Taylor after hearing Cooper’s impressive renditions of songs spanning Taylor’s career. We knew Taylor’s work primarily from recordings by Nanci Griffith and Lyle Lovett, but this collection is a revelation.
Drive-By Truckers – It’s Great to Be Alive – It’s a measure of the full-throttle new live album from the Drive-By Truckers that the review bore a sticker warning radio stations that 17 songs could get you in trouble with the FCC. The band didn’t hold anything back on “It’s Great to Be Alive,” a three-disc collection recorded in late November a year ago at the Fillmore in San Francisco. It’s a raucous retrospective that should please fans and convert others.
Butchers Blind – A Place in America – Electric Giant – We admired Butcher Blind’s “Destination Blues” for the same reason we’re enjoying their new EP A Place in America: Thoughtful lyrics matched with hook-laden melodies, from the reflective “Ghosts” to the affirming “Only Love.” There’s some Wilco in their music, but Butchers Blind consistently delivers a fresh sound.
Max Stalling – Banquet – Blind Nello Records – This new album produced by Lloyd Maines opens with the spirited “Night’s Pay in My Boot” and closes with a country cover of the Beatles’ “Two of Us.”
T.G Sheppard – Legendary Friends & Country Duets – Goldenlane Records – T.G. Sheppard’s new rlease is disnticntly old school ,but pleasingly so. Singing partners include Merle Haggard, George Jones, Delbert McClinton and Lori Morgan, with the album’s most memorable moments coming from Jerry Lee Lewis on “The Killer” and Willie Nelson on “In Texas.”
Seth Timbs sets “New Personal Record”
By Ken Paulson
Nashville singer-songwriter Seth Timbs has just released a fine new album called New Personal Record. Timbs, formerly the leader of Fluid Ounces, offers up a melody-laden collection of smart and engaging songs. That includes album opener “Give Up On Your Dreams,” the exact opposite of a pep talk. It sounds like Schmilsson-era Nilsson, no small feat. Another highlight is “Far Away From Here,” a thriller screenplay in song.
Here’s Timbs in performance at War Memorial Auditorium:
New releases: Andrea Zonn’s reflective “Rise”
Andrea Zonn – Rise – Compass Records – This is a truly beautiful album from a fine vocalist and violinist who has played with some of music’s best, including James Taylor, Vince Gill, Linda Ronstadt and Lyle Lovett. The album combines an all-star rhythm section – Willie Weeks and Steve Gadd – with an impressive array of songs co-written with some of Nashville’s most substantive songwriters.
Highlights include “Another Side of Home,” a thoughtful look back written with Bill Lloyd and Thomm Jutz, “Another Swing and a Miss” written with Peter Cooper and Jutz, and the Kim Richey-Zonn-Jutz composition, “Where the Water Meets the Sky,” featuring harmony vocals from Sam Bush.
James Taylor shows his respect by singing harmony on “You Make Me Whole,” an affirming contribution to this reflective and rewarding collection. (Ken Paulson)
Lucero – All A Man Should Do – ATO Records – This album recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis is already at # 20 on the Americana Music Association airplay chart. Lucero is on tour now, with upcoming stops in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Utah, Washington and Oregon.
Jonas Carping – Cocktails & Gasoline – Recorded in a cabin in rural Sweden, but the album doesn’t sound like it. Lots of emotional peaks and valleys, propelled by ambitious production.
Andy Hackbarth – Panorama Hotel – This Colorado artist’s new album was “written and recorded in the wake of a messy breakup,” according to press materials.
Stephen Young and the Union – Eagle Fort Rumble – The new album from this Irish Americana band is set for release Nov. 27.
The Dappled Grays – Las Night, Tomorrow – The third album from the talented bluegrass group. The band had two songs featured in Trouble with the Curve
Chris Laterzo – West Coast Sound – The fifth studio album from this LA-based artist will remind you of Tom Petty’s solo work.
Leroy Powell – The Overlords of the Cosmic Revelation – Cleopatra Records – A space opera from Shooter Jennings’ former guitarist. Powell promises (with tongue in cheek) that “this is the greatest record ever recorded by anyone and of all time.”
Jeff Crosby and the Refugees – Waking Days – Coming Nov. 6, Jeff Crosby’s new album was recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville.
Electric Rag Band – My Side – Horton Records – The sixth album from the Tulsa-based father and son duo.
Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s “So Familiar”
Rolling Stone Country on Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s new album:
.@SteveMartinToGo and @ediebrickell talk about their new album and Broadway musical. https://t.co/E5EGCvyEs2 pic.twitter.com/solBvrIYQA
— RS Country (@RScountry) October 29, 2015
Paul McCartney: The Esquire interview
Paul McCartney Opens Up About Lennon, Yoko, and More https://t.co/yWrGsXSe1P via @Esquire
— Americana Music News (@KenPaulson7) October 31, 2015
New releases: Jim Lauderdale, Ted Hawkins tribute
New and recent releases in Americana music:
Soul Searching Volumes 1 and 2 – Jim Lauderdale – Music should always be about quality and not quantity, but there’s something astonishing about Jim Lauderdale’s output over the years. In a 30-year span, he’s released 28 albums of real merit. Apparently concerned about underachieving, he has now released the double-disc Soul Searching collection, with one disc recorded in Memphis and the other in Nashville. They’re both excellent, though we’ll admit to being partial to the Memphis set, recorded at Royal Studios with Charles and Leroy Hodges, Alvin Youngblood Hart and other soulful players. Luther and Cody Dickinson appear on both discs.
Get Together: Banana Recalls Youngbloods Classics – Grandpa Raccoon Records – Founding Youngbloods member Lowell Levinger aka “Banana” offers up a spirited collection of what John Sebastian once described as “good time music.” An agreeable colleciton of jugband and folk music includes appearances by David Grisman, Ry Cooder. Maria Muldaur and the late Jesse Colin Young.
Devil Music – Randall Bramblett – New West Records – We were impressed by Randall Bramblett’s The Bright Spots and Devil Music is a worthy follow-up, with appearances by Chuck Leavell, Derek Trucks and Mark Knopfler.
Cold and Bitter Tears: The Song of Ted Hawkins – Eight 30 Records – Ted Hawkins was a street singer whose talent transcended those humble origins. His first release on a major label came just a year before his death in 1995, but his musical legacy remains vibrant. This collection of his songs features an amazing array of Hawkins fans, including Kasey Chambers, Mary Gauthier, Tim Easton and James McMurtry, plus an
Hear the Bang: The Life and Music of Denny Lile – Big Legal Mess Records – The music business has always been tough, and countless talented players have never recieved the recogniton that their talent warranted. This new release is a case study, chronicling the career of Denny Lile, a Louisville singer and songwriter who seemed destined for great things. Four decades after Lile’s debut album, a documentary and CD tell us what we missed.
Review: Kim Richey in Richmond
A review from jmcspadden3 in New Depression:
In Richmond, @kimrichey demonstrated why her songs and singing stand the test of time. https://t.co/kyCzhEiEbA pic.twitter.com/G7PkfuC9Pv
— nodepression (@nodepression) October 28, 2015
Hank Williams film delayed
'I Saw the Light,' the Hank Williams biopic has been delayed: https://t.co/rAY3xetzlF pic.twitter.com/Xykb7IMn00
— Taste of Country (@TasteOfCountry) October 29, 2015