Tag: Randall Bramblett

New releases: Jim Lauderdale, Ted Hawkins tribute

New and recent releases in Americana music:

Jim LauderdaleSoul 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 MusicRandall 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.

Ted HawkinsCold 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.

 

 

 

 

 

Interview: Randall Bramblett on “The Bright Spots”

bramblettSun209 – We caught up with Randall Bramblett at the Americana Music Festival. He played a great, but short set to open the evening at the Cannery Ballroom in Nashville. Here’s Bramblett on his career and new album The Bright Spots:

New releases: Willie Nile, Randall Bramblett, Go Jane Go

nile2By Ken Paulson

We’ll have what Willie Nile is having.

35 years on, Nile is making some of the most ambitious and rewarding music of his career.

American Ride builds on the spirit of his fine 2011 album The Innocent Ones and its anthemic  “One Guitar.” This time around, the rousing  “This is Our Time” is the opening call-to-arms.

There’s a duality evident throughout the album. Tracks like “Sunrise in New York City” and “There’s No Place Like Home” couple reassuring sentiments to sing-along arrangements. But then there’s “God Laughs,” a striking and irreverent song that will provoke reflection, indignation and laughter, but not from the same people. And in the middle of all this is a sterling cover of Jim Carroll’s “People Who Died.”

American Ride is all over the road, but in a very good way.

hot club

Rendezvous in Rhythm –Hot Club of Cowtown – Gold Strike Records

The Hot Club of Cowtown – Elana James, White Smith and Jake Erwin – has delivered a thoroughly charming collection of jazz standards, with a nod to Left Bank influences. It’s just fiddle, bass, guitar and vocals, intimate and energetic at the same time. Favorite tracks: “Avalon” and “The Continental.”

 Go Jane Go – Dead Reckoning Records

Fans of Kieran Kane, the Dead Recknoers and David Francey are in for a treat with the release of Go Jane Go. This collaboration teaming of Kane, Francey and Lucas Kane grew out a tour of Australia. It’s stripped down and as basic as Americana music comes, delivering strong songs in an intimate setting.

bramblettThe Bright Spots – Randall Bramblett  – New West Records

 Here’s an impeccably soulful album by Randall Bramblett, a storied session musician and former member of Sea Level. He’s also a fine writer and vocalist, bringing to mind Bonnie Raitt and late-period Nick Lowe.  Favorite tracks: “Til the Party’s Gone” and “My Darling One.”

 A Date with the Everly Brothers – The Chapin Sisters – Lake Bottom Records

Cribbing the title of this collection from a classic Everly Brothers LP, the Chapin Sisters deliver faithful covers of some of Don and Phil’s best work.  It’s a fun listen that includes some surprising song selections.

More new releases:

Rule the World – Max Gomez – New West Records

Todd May – Rickenbacker Girls – Peloton Records

Jerry Miller – New Road Under My Wheels – Signature Sounds

Bovine Social Club – Eclipso Records

Steven Casper and Cowboy Angst – Trouble – Silent City Records

Sweeter Songs – Craig Jackson Band – Green Records

No Regrets – Juliet and the Lonesome Romeos – Tree O Records

Gold Boots Glitter – Wheeler Brothers – Bismeaux Records

Blanket of Stars – Glen Eric – Dodu Records