Tag: The Flying Burrito Brothers

Reviews: Chris Altmann, Mary Johnson Rockers, Jill Jack

 in Reviews

Over four days at the Americana Music Festival, review copies of albums can be as ubiquitous as business cards. A sampling of some of the most intriguing artists we came across:

Australian artists were well-represented at the Americana Music Festival. Chris Pickering’s “Work of Fiction,” produced by Don Nix, was a dazzling collection of jangly pop and his fellow countryman Chris Altmann mines similar, if even more derivative territory, on “Que Paso.” You can play “spot the influence” all over this album. The first five seconds of “Other Side of the Mountain” brings to mind both “Dear Prudence” and “The Weight.” “Mucho Grande” recalls the best of Doug Sahm; “Love Like This” channels the Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers and “Zig Zag Rag” smacks of Bob Seger. “Hard Tac” and “Bad News” rock with abandon and a bit of Elton John. Yes, it all sounds familiar, but it’s also a lot of fun. Altmann is inspired by the best and does his heroes justice on this energetic and entertaining album.

From North Carolina, Mary Johnson Rockers and the Spark have teamed up for “Hummingbird Heart,” an impressive eight-song collection that moves from lost sailor saga “Lucio” to the bluesy “Eyes on the Road” to the sweet and goofy love song “Ten Things.” But the title track eclipses all. It’s a stunning song about the premature birth of Rockers’ son Ty, and the challenges he faced. “Life is hard from the start with a hummingbird heart,” Rockers sings. Very touching.

Jill Jack’s “Songwriter Sessions” is an ambitious CD/DVD project, a live recording of all new material with a fine band and appreciative audience. The soaring love song “It’s You” is a highlight, as is the unlikely cover of “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly.” The project – and notably the bonus track “Northern Michigan” – remind us that there are vibrant music communities all over America, with talent to match.
Her new “Sunflower Girl” album is due in February.

This day in Americana music: Gram Parsons died in 1973

 in Americana Music

Sept. 19: On this date in 1973, Gram Parsons died of a drug overdose at age 26. His recordings spanned just seven years, but his melding of rock and country was hugely influential, and established a foundation for what we now call Americana music.
From his role in the Byrds and “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” to the founding of the Flying Burrito Brothers, his later solo recordings and influence on the Rolling Stones, Parsons bridged genres and broke new ground.
38 years after his death, Parsons’ impact is still apparent. Emmylou Harris wrote about her friendship with him on a song called “On the Road,” which leads off her current album, “Hard Bargain.”
NPR music had an inspired idea to salute Parsons by asking a young intern to review his final album, “Grievous Angel.” Laurin Penland wrote “Each time I give Grievous Angel a spin, I listen to Parsons’ voice for a glimpse of the downfall that was to come only a month later — but I never hear it. In fact, there’s relief here for people who have survived hard times.” You’ll find her full review here.