Tag: Nashville

Review: Chris Richards’ Goldenwest

 in Reviews

By Ken Paulson

— It’s not a surprise that a songwriter who’s logged time in Wisconsin, Nashville and now LA would travel throughout his new album Goldenwest, beginning with “Rubblefields,” a reassuring tale of a road trip gone right.
Richards writes smart, compelling narratives and delivers them with a voice and cadence that may bring Gordon Lightfoot and an earlier generation of singer-songwriters to mind.
Many of the songs are about journeys, personal or literal, and highlights include the affirming “Let’s Show ‘Em How It’s Done,” “Cried Like a Steel Guitar.” and the haunting “Brilliantine.
Goldenwest is available at Chris Richards’ site.

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Interview: Kevin Gordon and “Gloryland”

 in Interviews, Reviews

By Ken Paulson
—Kevin Gordon is one of the most respected singer-songwriters in Nashville, which is saying something. Gloryland, his latest album, elicited rave reviews in the New York Times, USA Today and the Tennessean. Here he talks about the album and “Colfax,” a song about both his school marching band and courage in the face of adversity:

listen to ‘Gordon’ on Audioboo

Review: Todd Snider times two

 in Reviews

By Ken Paulson

–Todd Snider’s new album Agnostic Hymns and Stoner Fables may put you a little on edge, but thankfully, he’s also provided the antidote.

Agnostic Hymns could well be the original cast album for the Occupy Movement, with a fair share of contemporary protest songs and attitude.

The opening track “In the Beginning” makes the case that religion was invented to keep the poor from killing the rich. On “New York Banker,” Snider sings “good things happen to bad people.” No happy endings here.

Closer “Big Finish,” sort of a “Hey Jude” for the unraveled, advises “It ain’t the desire that gets you; it’s the hope.” It also contains the best line on the album: When I found myself in possession of these car keys, I just naturally assumed I could drive.”

“Brenda” is a change of pace, melodic and affirming, about either a challenged and enduring couple or the partnership between Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. Probably both.

If you tire of Agnostic Hymns, you need only turn to Snider’s other current album. Time as We Know it: The Songs of Jerry Jeff Walker, is a celebration of the singer and songwriter who helped transform the Austin music scene of the ‘70s. It’s an engaging sampling of Walker’s best known-songs and a handful of intriguing obscurities.

The covers are pretty faithful, with the occasional lyrical liberty. On a terrific version of “Sangria Wine” recorded with Kix Brooks, Snider moves the drinking to East Nashville.

“Taking it as it Comes,” “Jaded Lover,” “Derby Day,” “Railroad Lady” and “Little Bird”(with Elizabeth Cook) all reveal Snider’s obvious affection for Walker, and in turn, Jerry Jeff’s clear influence on Todd.

The two albums are a formidable combination; one contemporary and cutting, the other nostalgic and joyous. Not a bad spring for Todd Snider.

Review: Marc Cohn in concert at the Ryman

 in Americana Music

We’ve seen Marc Cohn in concert a few times, but he’s never been better than last night at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Actually it was a bit of a surprise that he was there at all. The night before, he had cancelled a show in nearby Franklin, TN.

Cohn apologized to anyone who had tickets to that show, and said that nothing gets you back on your feet more quickly than opening for Bonnie Raitt at the Ryman.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” he said.

His set was brief, but compelling. He said he set out one day years ago to explore new places as a cure for writer’s block and found his way to Memphis. That in turn inspired his biggest hit, “Walking in Memphis.”

Cohn laughed and said if he had dropped by Music City first, it could just as easily been “Walking in Nashville,” with Music Row supplanting Beale Street.

The evening’s highlight was “Listening to Levon,” his tribute to the late Levon Helm, which he recorded in 2007 on Join the Parade.

The only disappointment was that Cohn didn’t play anything from his outstanding 2010 album Listening Booth: 1970, a collection of covers from that year. Still, it’s hard to complain when Cohn packed so much great material in a 30-minute set, and closed with “Silver Thunderbird,” a song that should have been every bit as big as “Memphis.”

Review: Bonnie Raitt in concert at Nashville’s Ryman

 in Reviews

By Ken Paulson

–Bonnie Raitt’s show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville last night was as loose as they come and every bit as entertaining.

Whether explaining that she hadn’t found time to do a set list, calling former band member Rick Vito to the stage or saluting Nashville’s songwriters, Raitt was casual, comfortable and in command.

She drew heavily from Slipstream, her excellent new album. Songs like “Marriage Made in Hollywood, “Split Decision” and “Down to You” stood up alongside her classics.

A surprise cover on the album and in concert is “Right Down the Line,” the 1978 Gerry Rafferty hit. Stripped of its ‘70s production sheen and infused with reggae, it was a bluesy highlight.

Raitt saluted John Prine and his manager Al Bunetta, and recalled her mom and grandmother in a touching introduction to Prine’s heart-rending “Angel from Montgomery.”

This was a generous set running more than two hours with an extraordinary encore.

Praising songwriters Allen Shamblin and Mike Reid, Raitt delivered their “I Can’t Make You Love Me” in stark and powerful fashion, followed by “Have a Heart.” She closed out the evening sharing vocals with Vito on a raucous version of the 1959 Elvis Presley hit “A Big Hunk O’ Love.”

Raitt – and her music – have aged beautifully.

Grammy Block Party 2012

 in Nashville music

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The annual Grammy Block Party in Nashville once again featured outstanding Music City-based performers, including the reunited Mavericks, Wynonna, Luke Bryan and Keb’ Mo’.
(photos by Ken Paulson)

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 in Americana Music

Registration opens for 2012 Americana Music Festival in Nashville

 in Americana Music Festival, Nashville music

Early registration for the 13th annual Americana Music Association Festival and Conference, set for Sept. 12-15, 2012 in Nashville is now open.
This is one of the best music festivals in the nation, and always attracts an intriguing mix of artists. This year, Gregg Allman, Robert Plant, the Civil Wars and a Muscle Shoals tribute were all on the bill.

The AMA is offering an early bird registration of $250 for association members and $350 for non-members. Registration at the convention hotel is also now open.

Americana artists salute John Lennon

 in Americana Music, Nashville music

Americana artists were well-represented at last night’s John Lennon tribute at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville. The concert, designed to raise awareness about gun violence and to celebrate Lennon’s music, ran for almost four hours and showcased the talents of a number of Americana music performers, including:
– Bill Lloyd on “Girl”
– Kenny Vaughan on “Cry Baby Cry” and “Bad Boy”
– Tommy Womack on “I’m a Loser” and “Well, Well, Well”
– Chris Scruggs on “Crippled Inside” and “I Found Out”
– Rosie Flores (with Anne McCue) on “Strawberry Fields” and “No Reply”
You’ll find the full roster and another slideshow here.
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Photos copyright 2011 by Ken Paulson

Glen Campbell Ryman show cancelled, Jan. 3 date set

 in Nashville music

Glen Campbell, who delivered an inspiring set at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville last Wednesday, had to cancel a return trip to the fabled hall tonight. The statement from the Ryman:

“Glen Campbell has been forced to postpone his December 5 performance at the Ryman this evening due to a case of laryngitis. He will perform a make up date on Tuesday, January, 3 at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the December 5 show will be honored at the January 3 date. If ticket holders are unable to attend the rescheduled date, refunds are available at the point of purchase.”

The show was essentially sold out, so there’s a sliver of a silver lining here for those who didn’t want to miss Campbell’s final Nashville show.

“Imagine No Gun Violence:” Nashville Lennon tribute

 in Americana Music, Nashville music

One of the best annual music events in Nashville each year has been the “Imagine No Handguns” concert, a celebration of the music of John Lennon and an effort to build awareness about gun violence. The show ran in Nashville from the mid-’90s through 2005, and is now back after a six-year break with the updated “Imagine No Gun Violence” title.
We first caught up with the show in 1999 at the Exit In, where we saw an impressive line-up of performers, including Rodney Crowell and Allison Moorer. It’s always a great show, featuring some of Nashville’s top talents.

The show is at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville on Friday, Dec. 9. Cover is $10, exactly what we paid in 1999.

This year’s roster includes:

Alcohol Stunt Band

Steve Allen

Bright Little Field

Austin Edwards

Craig Krampf

Jonathan Carpenter and Grayson Crouch

Katie Cook and Roger Cook

Dez Dickerson

Jason Eskridge

Rosie Flores

Matt Friction

James ‘Hags’ Haggerty

Tommy Keenum

The Kingston Springs

Carey Kotsinois

Bill Lloyd

The Nobility

Dave Paulson

Chris Scruggs

The Jack Silverman Ordeal

Allen Thompson

Kenny Vaughan

Tommy Womack

Concert review: Glen Campbell at the Ryman in Nashville

 in Reviews

It was a sad and exhilarating evening at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville tonight.

It’s wasn’t sad because Glen Campbell is suffering from Alzheimer’s or that his performance was part of his “Goodbye Tour.” He’s 75 and ailments strike us all.

It was sad because this is the last tour of one of America’s great pop singers, interpreters and guitarists, and it’s not realistic to expect anyone else to ever perform the work of Jimmy Webb with as much passion and joy.

Campbell had some challenges tonight, forgetting the lyrics to set opener “Gentle on My Mind” when a prompter malfunctioned and stumbling through some stage patter. But his guitar
playing was solid, and his solo on “Wichita Lineman” was stirring.

In full stride, singing the songs that dominated America’s pop and country charts from 1967 through 1977,he was impressive. He played his biggest hits, including “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and “Galveston,” but also lesser and still memorable hits, notably “Where’s The Playground Susie?” and “Dreams of the Everyday Housewife.” Haunting and beautiful stuff.

It was inspiring to see Campbell pepper the show with tracks from his outstanding final album Ghost on the Canvas. He’s been an artist all his life and he’s going to leave the stage playing new songs. That’s what artists – as opposed to oldies acts – do.

The Moody Blues and Nashville

 in Reviews

Tickets for the Moody Blues’ March 21 date at the Ryman Auditorium
in Nashville go on sale this Friday, Dec. 2.

The band that got its start with the 1964 hit “Go Now” still has
three long-time members, Graeme Edge, John Lodge and Justin Hayward, and puts on a good live show that spans more than four decades of music

What’s most surprising, though, is the band’s clear affinity for
Nashville and its music, and vice-versa. That’s clear on Moody Bluegrass Two… Much Love, the second album of Moody Blues songs recorded by some of  bluegrass music’s biggest names.  And a bonus for long-time Moody Blues fans is the participation of Hayward, Lodge, Edge and former band members Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas.

The material is not quite as familiar as on the first record, but it’s a nice mix of later hits and favorite album tracks.  Highlights  include Vince Gill on “ I Know You’re Out There,” Ricky Skaggs’ “You and Me,” Jan Harvey’s “Say It With Love” and Sam Bush,  John Cowan and Russell Smith’s take on “Nice to Be Here.”

This was a terrific concept the first time and it’s nice to see it revisited in such a compelling way. It’s also a reminder of just how pastoral and softly melodic the Moody Blues could be.

The Ultimate Songwriters’ Round, plus Lynn Anderson

 in Americana Music

Mac Davis and Bobby Braddock

By Ken Paulson

Songwriters in the round can have the feel of a poker game, particularly when someone plays a big hit. Sudenly, everyone is raising, playing their own hits.
That can make for a very entertaining evening, particularly when every songwriter has a hot hand.
On the final night of Tin Pan South, the round at the Bluebird Cafe was pretty astonishing. Bobby Braddock sang “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “Let’s Talk About Me,” and then his daughter Lauren stepped in for “D-I-V-O-R-C-E.”
Mac Davis did “Memories,” I Believe in Music” and “Don’t Get Hooked on Me,” apologizing for the misogynistic lyrics of the latter.
Sonny Curtis, a rock pioneer and member of the Crickets, did “Walk Right Back,” “The Straight Life” and “I Fought the Law,”
among other hits.
So how did Jim Weatherly keep pace with all of that? It helps when you’ve written big hits for Gladys Knight and can close with “Midnight Train to Georgia,” a song he originally recorded as “Midnight Plane to Houston.”
Before performing his biggest hit, Weatherly saluted Lynn Anderson, who once recorded “Midnight Train” and was sitting in the audience. She ended up singing along from her seat.
Only in Nashville.