Vinyl Roots – Linda Ronstadt: Silk Purse

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

One of the most lasting genres to come out of the 1970’s is country-rock, and few did it better than Linda Ronstadt. In her stint with the folk trio the Stone Poneys Ronstadt was already shining through with their charting single cover of Mike Nesmith’s (From Monkees fame) “Different Drum”.

Soon after the Stone Poneys folded and with Capitol Records still seeing something in this fledgling chanteuse bankrolled her debut “Hand Sown … Home Grown” (1969) to generally favorable reviews. She had relied on bandmate Bobby Kimmel for songwriting she was in need of material to record a follow up. So, like much of her solo debut, she would draw on country music she heard as a child growing up in Tucson, Arizona.

Songs covered by Hank Williams, the Cliff Friend and Irving Harold Mills penned “Lovesick Blues,” the Mel Tillis penned and recorded “Mental Revenge” and Gene Clark and Bernie Leadon’s written song “He Darked the Sun” are featured on the album. The Gary White’s penned Countrypolitan cut “Long Long Time” was one of two singles released and it became Ronstadt’s first charting single in the US and Canada.

‘Silk Purse’ was given generally positive reviews and it was Ronstadt’s first to make chart positions in Australia, Canada and the US. The recording of ‘Silk Purse’ took place at Cinderella Sound Studios and Woodland Sound Studios, both in Nashville, Tennessee, between January and February 1970.

The record starts out with the aforementioned “Lovesick Blues” which Rondstadt covers with exuberance and deftly nails the yodeling bits. Next up is the Mickey Newbury penned track “Are My Thoughts with You?” featuring mournful harmonica that brings to mind another Mickey (Raphael) and a chorus of backup singers.

The Brill Building power couple Carole King/Gerry Goffin penned heartacher “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” made famous by the girl group the Shirelles in 1960 (their first song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart) and included on King’s seminal 1971 album Tapestry. Rondstadt has her work cut out for her on this cut but her heart-wrenching performance, complete with backup singers and guitar with just a touch of psychedelic tendencies, wins the day.

On the charting single “Long Long Time,” Rondstadt’s take on this unreciprocated love longing proves that the Countrypolitan crown that once resided on the late Patsy Cline could rest comfortably on her head.

The inclusion of Tillis’ “Mental Revenge, ” which was cemented in country fans as a perfect remedy for heartache by Waylon Jennings. Here Rondstadt sounds like she’s having a grande time, with a swinging fiddle that emphasises the getting even theme by a slowing swagger of the chorus.

A must-have for any roots music fan.

Vinyl Roots – Ry Cooder: Boomer’s Story

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Vinyl Roots is a random selection dive into my record collection.

Ry Cooder’s third record, Boomer’s Story is a masterwork by an eclectic musician and intrepid musical global traveler/archeologist. Akin to his previous work Cooder reflects back to blues and country greats including blues legend Sleepy John Estes who adds guitar and vocals on the cut “President Kennedy,” and songwriter Dan Penn, who adds backing vocals, and Jim Dickinson (father of Luther and Cody) plays piano, bass and adds backing vocals as well.

The title track, previously recorded as “The Railroad Boomer” by Bud Billings (aka Frank Luther) and Carson Robison in a performance recorded at the studio at Liederkranz Hall in New York on September 9, 1929. This version allows Cooder mournful bottle-neck guitar and his mottling mandolin to shine.

“Cherry Ball Blues” is a slow-trucking instrumental, originally by Skip James, that lays the groundwork for Cooder’s latter work (especially his excellent ‘Paris, Texas’ soundtrack.)

On “Crow Black Chicken” Cooder gives this cut a funky treatment while providing some tasty bottle-neck guitar to an originally bluegrass novelty cut.

“Rally ‘Round the Flag” has Cooder, and his partner in sardonic rhyme Randy Newman on piano, originally titled “Battle Cry of Freedom” by George Frederick Root and published in 1862 – during the Civil War – pushes the patriotic spirit into a contemplative dirge. The Doc Watson-style guitar performance of the World War II standard “Comin’ in on a Wing and a Prayer” has a sense of hope and elated idealism.

This is a must-have for any roots music fan.

Record Store Day Announces 2024 RSD Black Friday Exclusive Titles

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Record Store Day has recently announced its list of exclusive titles for RSD Black Friday 2024, which happens on Friday, November 29. See here for the complete list.

Some of the notable country and roots-rock releases include:

Allman Brothers Band – Manley Field House, Syracuse NY April 7 , 1972 – 3 x LP – The complete live recording of the Allman Brothers Band’s April 7, 1972 performance at Manley Field House at Syracuse University in Syracuse NY. The two disc set is pressed on Syracuse colors of orange and blue, and numbered for RSD Black Friday.

Dickey Betts & Great Southern – Southern Jam New York 1978 – 3 x LP – This 110-minute concert performance from the legendary Allman Brothers Band guitarist was recorded at the Calderone Concert Hall on Long Island, New York on August 11, 1978. The show features thirteen tracks including the ABB classics “Jessica”, Southbound”, “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”, “Blue Sky” and “Ramblin Man” along with tracks from the 1977 album from his band, Great Southern. The live performance was previously released digitally and on CD in 2017, but this triple LP set will be packaged in a gatefold sleeve with new liner notes and photos.

The Blasters – Over There: Live at The Venue London 1982, The Complete Concert – 2X LP – On their first international tour, in May of 1982, Americana music legends The Blasters were recorded at the Venue in London England. Six of those tracks were released on Slash Records as a 12” EP later that year. Four more tracks were uncovered and included on the Rhino/Warner Bros anthology album Testament in 1997. As part of a new catalog deal for the Blasters recordings with Liberation Hall, the label has uncovered the thirteen remaining tracks and is releasing the complete concert.
The show found The Blasters firing on all cylinders as they were taking off in London, after Shakin Stevens’ version of the Dave Alvin-written “Marie Marie” hit the top 20 of the UK charts. It is quintessential listening, and a magical music moment uncovered for any fan of the band. The RSD Black Friday classic black vinyl double LP exclusive is housed in a gatefold sleeve with new liner notes, rare photos and memorabilia images.

The Byrds/Buffalo Springfield – Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival – 2X Lp – The two most important American rock bands performing at the Monterey International Pop Festival—Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds—had one thing in common: David Crosby. These sets mark a pivotal moment in Crosby’s career: One of his final performances before leaving The Byrds and, sitting in with Buffalo Springfield at the request of Stephen Stills, the beginnings of the partnership that would become Crosby, Stills, and Nash. While the sets by Otis, The Who, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix were revolutionary moments, these sets by The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield tell a different story, of one artist’s evolution that in turn changed rock music itself.

Buck Owens – I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail – LP – Out of print on vinyl since the ’70s, this prime slab of ’65 Buck is Buck at his best. Topping the country charts and being named the Billboard Country Album Of The Year, the interest in this album never waned. This is THE Buck Owens album to own, as it is the apex of his career with the Buckaroos. Don Rich never sounded tighter (and even throws a guest vocal with “Wham Bam”). There has never been a more distinctive nor instantly recognizable sound in country music than Buck Owens, and this album is reflective of that. There are a handful of hits on this one, including the title track, “Cryin’ Time,” and “Memphis.” If you only have room for one Buck Owens album, well, this is it! Cut all analog and pressed on orange vinyl for RSD Black Friday
2024.

Leon Russell – Hymns Of Christmas – Lp – For the first time on vinyl, Dark Horse Records reissues Leon Russell’s 1995 instrumental album Hymns of Christmas, offering a unique and reflective take on traditional holiday music. Featuring Russell’s masterful piano playing as the centerpiece alongside intricate orchestral arrangements, the album features ten holiday classics including “O Holy Night,” “Silent Night,” and “Away in a Manger. Hymns of Christmas stands as a testament to Leon Russell’s versatility and his gift for creating deeply moving recordings.

Listen Up – John Moreland: “Gentle Violence”

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Today, esteemed singer-songwriter John Moreland released a powerful video for his folk track “Gentle Violence.” Directed by Rahul Chakraborty, the video stars actors Jonah Lewis and Drew Pollock, who powerfully portray a son and father battling addiction and substance abuse. Alongside the video Moreland encourages fans to donate what they can to Tulsa’s Zen Recovery organization which helps people in recovery.

Watch the “Gentle Violence” video below.

George Strait Announces New Album + A Song with Chris Stapleton

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

At the George Strait show at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Saturday night (5/4) Strait not only confirmed a new album is on the way, he also debuted two new songs from it, including a cut with Chris Stapleton entitled “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame.”.

Strait said during the concert that, “We’ve got a new record that’s called ‘Cowboys and Dreamers. It’s gonna be coming out soon.” (See below)

So Strait fans, it looks like the cowboy won’t be riding away anytime soon, and thank goodness.

Listen up: Madeline Hawthorne – “Where Did I Go Wrong” (Single Review)

Posted on by — No Comments ↓
Photo Credit: Dan Bradner
Photo Credit: Dan Bradner

Hawthorne says she’s happily married and I’ll take her word for it.

But she’s done a dang good job portraying a troubled woman. Sure her newest cut, “Where Did I Go Wrong,” marks off many country music cliches – a broken heart, sitting in the bar pining on what went wrong – with her Miranda Lambert-belt meets Bonnie Raitt-bluesey swagger she sends the tune into another dimension.

She was obsessed with music since her childhood on the East Coast, Madeline planted roots in Bozeman, MT during college and never turned back. She honed her talents through countless backup and band gigs before going solo amid the Global Pandemic- which put her then band, Hawthorne Roots, on the skids. Balancing Americana, roots, folk, and rock, she introduced herself on the 2021 LP, Boots, co-produced by Brad Parsons and Tyler Thompson in Pittsburgh. In between, she shared the stage with everyone from Jason Isbell, Lukas Nelson, Josh Turner, and Kip Moore to Sierra Hull, John Craigie, and Nathaniel Rateliff.”

Hawthorne’s new album ‘Tales From Late Nights & Long Drives’ (which contains this single) is due out everywhere on June 14 and was produced by the famed Ryan Hadlock (Zach Bryan, The Lumineers, Vance Joy) and recorded at Bear Creek Studios near Seattle, WA.

Official Site | Preorder

Listen Up – Randy Travis – “Where That Came From” (video)

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

At this point in country music history Randy Travis has been cast along with some of the greatest voices in the genre. Even now, as this track shows, Travis’ voice can still melt butter on a January morning. In 2013 Travis experienced a stroke in that left him unable to speak or move without assistance. He spent over 2 years in daily therapy to regain the abilities. As this song, first song in a decade, proves the man is back in fine form.

“You’ll hear much more about the special team of folks who came together to help make this magical moment in my career possible in the coming week.In the meantime, just know that when it comes to singing songs for you, there’s always more where that came from.” Travis posted on his Instagram.

The song is a bittersweet recollection of a love that has now gone, delivered in Travis’ signature baritone.

There appears to be some hoopla via AI filling in for much of Travis’ vocal issues. But not from me. As I type this on my laptop, who am I to point a finger and judge a legend. It sounds good and that’s enough for me.

Listen Up – Jesse Daniel and Ben Haggard – “Tomorrow’s Good Ol’ Days”

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Austin-based singer/songwriter Jesse Daniel releases the incisive duet “Tomorrow’s Good Ol’ Days” featuring Ben Haggard, son of country legend Merle Haggard.

A stomping piece of social commentary, the track comes from Daniel’s upcoming LP Countin’ The Miles, due out June 7 via Lightning Rod Records. It follows the raucous yet reflective first single “Comin’ Apart At The Seams,” which earned praise from Brooklyn Vegan, Holler, No Depression, Whiskey Riff, Country Central, Twang Nation and more. This month, Daniel will support Blackberry Smoke in Houston, TX before supporting Charles Wesley Godwin on a run of dates in July.

Official Site | Preorder

Review: Lucero – Should’ve Learned by Now

Posted on by — No Comments ↓


In a time of sobriety the alt-country Memphis rockers bring us a round and and takes us back to the rowdy old days.

There was a time, in the early 90s, when if you swung a cat youâ’d hit a country influenced rock band. Local hers Slobberbone and the Old 97s as well as the underground kings, Uncle Tupelo. The Drive-By Truckers developed in their wake and MTV brought Lone Justice, The Georgia Satellites and Jason and the Scorchers into unsuspecting suburban households. Dwight Yoakum moved from the L.A. underground to start a neo-trad movement as he and his skin tight jeans took off into stardom.

These days, unfortunately, alt.country bands are as rare as hen’s teeth. Well, good ones anyway.

Stalwarts of the genre Luceros dirty dozenth release blasts out of the shoot with Roy Berry beating his cowbell like a rented mule. Brian Venable rips into his guitar then pulls back into a tasteful melody and Rick Steff tickles the ivories with an E. Street wide throttle. Vocalist Ben Nichols has had enough of a bar fly buzzing around his whiskey. “It wasn’t like I came here thinking, ‘Man, this bar is great to drink in’,” Nichols declares in his familiar velvet-gravel voice, “It’s one more ‘fuck you,’ that’s it and I’m gone.”

The redneck rave-up “Macon If We Make It” is about waiting out a gale force in some Florida bar while reminiscing about another Gail forcing herself into his mind.

“The bar starts to sink
And all my ears do is ring
I heard you crying
All I hear’s wind howling now”

“At the Show,” is Nichols reflecting back on life as well as the audience as he puts himself in their boots. All the while hoping that a certain young lady will come around and hear his song he’s written just for her.

“Nothing’s Alright” is an epic heart buster that could easily bring a tear to even the hardest soul.

“But I don’t think about her anymore
The way she looked when she walked through the door
We all fell hopelessly in love
Now I don’t think about her much”

Lucero has dicked around with horns and blues scales recently, which I’d all fine and good. But this is the band at their best. Lean songs for troubled times. Simple love and a fistfight between friends.

And whiskey all around. God bless alt.country and Lucero.