Reviews: Jason Heath, Jerry Reed, Mike + Ruthy, Stilson Greene

Quick hits in Americana, folk and country music:

Packed for Exile – Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls: When you hear that a band named itself after a passage in the Old Testament, you don’t expect the energetic, often raucous mix of folk and American found on Packed for Exile. There’s a lot of Bruce Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions here, songs with a social conscience and a dancer’s heart. The Springsteen connection isn’t exactly happenstance; Danny Federici’s son Jason plays accordion and organ with the Greedy Souls. Highlights include “Sacred Geometry,” “#1 with a Bullet” and “California Wine.”

The Unbelievable Guitar and Voice of Jerry Reed / Nashvillle Underground – Jerry Reed: This new Real Gone Music collection of Jerry Reed’s first two albums is one revelation after another. Before he became Burt Reynolds’ sidekick in the Smokey and the Bandit movies, Reed was already a fine guitarist, session player and songwriter.
Reed wrote “U.S. Male, a bit of bragadoccio that became a hit for Elvis Presley in 1968 and “Guitar Man,” a recurring musical element in Elvis’ 1969 comeback special. Both songs are on this collection.
Beyond those biographical hits are Reed’s efforts at country-flavored pop. The lyrics to “You’re Young” may make you gag – it seems that this young lady is just too good for this guy – but the production is terrific and sounds as fresh as the lyrics sound dated.
The package also includes Reed’s ” A Thing Called Love,” which became one of Johnny Cash’s big hits in 1971.

The NYC EP – Mike + Ruthy: At the heart of this husband-and-wife duo’s new EP is “My New York City,” a song written around unrecorded lyrics from the Woody Guthrie archives. I’m always left wondering how much Guthrie DNA is still in a song once it’s finished and married to a melody, but the harmony-laden results here are so pleasing that you won’t care. Other highlights: “Romance in the Dark” amd “Raise Your Glasses High.”

Young Lions – Stilson Greene: Young Lions began with a single song. Stilson Green wanted to record Shenandoah for his ailing father, who loved the song. That track grew into this new album, a highly personal effort that addresses family, friends and relationships.
There’s an appealing sincerity and simplicity throughout. Green talked with Leesburg Today about the origins of Young Lions. You’ll find the interview here. Favorite tracks: “When the Night Falls,” “You (A Song for Tammy)” and “Shenandoah.”