Tag: “Greg Trooper”

Show 43 “Girl to City:” The Remarkable Amy Rigby

 in New releases, Podcast

By Ken Paulson –

We’ve been fans of Amy Rigby since meeting her at a party at Greg Trooper’s home in Nashville in 2002. Both Amy and Greg were working on new albums and played some new songs. Trooper played “Muhammed Ali (The Real Meaning of Christmas)” and Amy followed with “Are We Ever Going to Have Sex Again?” Both songs were jaw-dropping, for slightly different reasons.

Common to both, though, was honesty and a refreshing perspective. That – and a healthy shot of irreverence – have been the hallmarks of both Amy and Greg’s work.

There’s great news for Amy Rigby fans this year. There’s a vibrant new album called “The Old Guys” and “Girl to City,” a compelling memoir about Amy’s early career in New York and the era that spawned it.

We were able to catch up with Amy at this year’s 30A Songwriters Festival in Walton Beach, Florida and spoke to her about both the album and book in this edition of the Americana One Podcast.

(Photo above courtesy of Amy Rigby)

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Review: A.J. Croce’s soulful “Just Like Medicine”

 in Americana Music, New releases

By Ken Paulson – –

“Just like Medicine” s A.J. Croce’s most soulful album to date, and with good reason. His compelling collection of new songs is in the hands of producer Dan Penn,  abetted by an amazing band including Colin Linden, David Hood, Bryan Owings, the Muscle Shoals Horns and the McCrary Sisters.

We loved Penn’s production of Greg Trooper’s Make It Through This World, creating a vibe, but also staying out of the way. That same approach is evident here.

Highlights include “The Heart That Makes Me Whole” with Steve Cropper and “Name of the Game,” an unreleased song written by A.J.’s father Jim Croce. Vince Gill joins on guitar.

Croce will bring his new music to the City Winery in Nashville on August 10, joined by Penn, Linden and the Time Jumpers’ Jeff Taylor.

New releases: Greg Trooper, the Grahams

 in Americana Music, New releases

New Americana, folk and bluegrass releases:

greg trooper liveLive at the Rock Room – Greg Trooper – Due in June is Greg Trooper’s Live at the Rock Room, recorded in Austin with Chip Dolan on keyboards and accordion and Jack Saunders on bass. It’s Trooper’s third live recording and a testament to his exceptional songwriting and performance skills.

Trooper has been a recording and touring artist for many years, a longevity that only comes with a compelling stage presence and catalog. The new album draws from recent albums, with themes ranging from quiet resignation (“They Call Me Hank”) to enduring lust (“Mary of the Scots in Queens.”)

Trooper writes about real lives and challenges; his “We’ve Still Got Time” is one of the best songs you’ll ever hear about aging and romance.

Highly recommended.

Glory Bound – The Grahams – There’s an ambitious new album and film on the way from the Grahams. Glory Bound  has a companion film Rattle the Hocks that explores the intersection of railroads and roots music. Our favorite track on Glory Bound is the driving title song. It begins with youthful regrets and then soars in window-rattling style.

Holidays and Wedding Rings – Jamie Lin Wilson – Also out Tuesday is a solo album from Jamie Lin Wilson of the Trishas.  Jon Dee Graham and Wade Bowen are among contributors to the set.

Onward – Christian Lopez Band – Blaster Records – Christian Lopez is a 19-year-old songwriter with West Virginia Roots. Produced by Dave Cobb.

Restless Youth – Deer Run Drifters –This is the second album from the Virginia-based roots band. Anthem in the making: “You Go to Hell, I’m Going Drinking.”

Sour Bridges – Sour Bridges – The band calls its music “browngrass,” explaining that it’s bluegrass, “but a little dirtier.”

 

Sun209 interview: Greg Trooper

 in Interviews, Nashville music

Greg Trooper incidentWe caught up  with Greg Trooper on his return to Nashville after leaving the city in 2008. The Basement was packed with fans and friends, including a contingent from Boston. His almost two-hour show was a prime example of an artist capturing the room with just an acoustic guitar, striking songs,  irreverence and energy.

In one of our Three-minute Interviews, Trooper talks about the “tawdry” cover of his new album Incident on Willow Street and life as a touring artist:

 

We loved Incident. You’ll find our review here.

Follow Sun209 on Twitter at @Sun209com.

Greg Trooper: Upside-Down Town

 in Reviews

Greg Trooper’s just-released Upside-Down Town ranks with his best work – and that’s saying something.
His last studio album, the Dan Penn-produced Make It Through This World in 2005 was a compelling melding of folk and R&B, and this album builds on that, with touching songs and a Hammond B3.
Trooper remains a storyteller and Upside-Down Town reminds us what a fine lyricist he is.
“They Call Me Hank” is a good example of that. The song, reminiscent of Rodney Crowell’s recent work, paints a portrait of a homeless man’s life in vivid detail, including the fishing that occasionally pays for a beer at “the last bar in town that lets me in the door” and a hint of the circumstances that brought Hank to this place in his life.
Most striking are two songs that touch on aging. “We’ve Still Got Time” is a song of redemption, reminding a woman that “if life were not a crooked road, you’d never find out who you are.”
A similar, but infinitely more joyous sentiment can be found in “Time for Love,” an upbeat and funny take on love a little later in life: “Time is flying by, before you know it honey, there’ll be coins on our eyes… so get ready Andretti, we’re into overdrive.”
It’s probably not a coincidence that this most optimistic of Trooper songs features his son Jack on drums and wife Claire Mullally on harmony vocals.
There are also a number of songs of regret, from the melancholy “Dreams Like This” to the kicking- youself anthem “Could Have Been You.”
Trooper’s band is terrific, and includes Kevin McKendree on keyboards and guitar, Dave Jacques on bass and Kenneth Blevins on drums (when Jack’s not playing.)
Upside-Down Town is an impeccably written and performed album, with soul in all the right places.