Tag: vespers

New releases: Vespers, Whitehorse, more

 in Americana Music, New releases

Americana Music News – New releases and albums of note:

vespersSisters and Brothers – Vespers – Just released is the Vespers’ third album; the title is a nod to the band consisting of the Cryar sisters and Jones brothers. The opening lyrics are a mission statement: “Everybody sounds like someone else. We all just want to sound like ourselves.” We first saw the Vespers perform at the Americana Music Association conference about three years ago and the new album shows musical growth, confidence and an undeniably rawer and more distinctive sound.

Cowboy Boudoir – Kimmie Rhodes – Sunbird Music- We enjoyed Kimmie Rhodes’ performances on the Sandy Beaches cruise and are glad to see this new release.  The album, produced by Gabriel Rhodes and dedicated to the late great Jack Clement is described as “a retro-cowgirl-hippie-chick musical experiment.”

The Limestone Kid – Parker McCollum – Indie Extreme – On his debut album, the 22-year-old McCollum offers up an engaging collection of songs, including the full-throttle “Lucy” and the amiable single “Meet You in the Middle.” Lloyd Maines sits in on pedal steel.

whitehorseLeave No Bridge Unburned – Whitehorse – Six Shooter Records – We raved about the debut Whitehorse release in 2012 and this new album may be even better. Luke Doucet and Lelissa McCelland are musically ambitious, building on intense and intimate songs with cinematic flourishes. Favorite song title: “Fake Your Death (and I’ll Fake Mine.)”

Here We Are – John and Judy Rodman – Rivermoon Records – 29 years ago, Judy Rodman topped the country charts with “Until I Met You” for MTM Records. She would have later hits, but her recording career wound down by the ‘90s. This new album returns her to the recording studio in a duo with her husband John. This 7-song collection is set for release on March 24.

 

Reviews: Dirt Drifters, Chris Isaak,Verlon Thompson, more

 in Americana Music, Reviews

 By Ken Paulson

– As we close out 2011, there’s still a stack of CDs we’ve been meaning to write about. Here’s a quick round-up of noteworthy 2011 Americana music releases:

The Dirt Drifters – This Is My Blood:  We first came across the Dirt Drifters at a free-speech benefit in Nashville in 2009; they had tremendous energy on stage and we looked forward to their recording. This album has been in the pipeline for a while, but it was worth the wait. This is vibrant music at the intersection of rock and country. “Married Men and Motel Rooms” and “Something Better” smack of “Guitar Town”-era Steve Earle – and that’s a very good thing.

Chris Isaak – Beyond the Sun:  Chris Isaak’s new album is a salute to the great music recorded in the legendary Sun Records studio.  Isaak says he was honored when Sun founder Sam Phillips once named him as a favorite singer; he’s returned the compliment with impeccable renditions of songs like “I Forgot to Remember to Forget,” “Trying to Get To You” and the truly vintage “My Happiness.” Beyond the Sun makes the classics contemporary.

Dean Fields – Under A Searchlight Moon – This has no filler; just five smart songs that ring true. “You get pretty; you just keep going, that’s why we’re late for everything we ever do,” Fields sings in “Forever Never Knowing,” one of a number of songs that suggest real relationships set to music.

Edwina Hayes – Good Things Happen Over Coffee – Good things also happen at Nashville parties when a talented British visitor joins an impromptu jam session. That’s where we first heard Edwina Hayes’ impressive vocals. Clearly, Nanci Griffith is an inspiration to this young singer. Griffith offers a supportive quote in Hayes’ press materials and the album features “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness,” a John Prine song covered earlier by Griffith. Hayes’ own evocative songs run to the sad, particularly “Nobody’s Coming Around.”

Verlon Thompson –Works: Verlon Thompson is perhaps best known for his work in tandem with Guy Clark, and it’s good to see him take a solo turn on the engaging Works. Highlights include “The Show We Call the Business,” an apt song about Thompson’s line of work, and the Clark co-writes “The Guitar” and “The Ballad of Stringbrean and Estelle,” a compelling account of the night on which the Opry performer and his wife were robbed and murdered.

The Vespers – Tell Your Mama – OK, so this album actually came out in 2010, but we didn’t hear the Vespers until this year at the Americana Music Festival. This is tasteful, inspired folk, fueled by the sterling harmonies of the Cryar sisters. The Vespers are very young and very talented.