Category Archives: alt.country

Nashville Bound

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So as I said a while back I’m going to be heading to Nashville to spend some quality time with my Uncle Tony Lane, (here comes the bragging) a singer/songwriter on Music Row that has written songs for Lee Ann Womack and George Strait among others, and his wonderful family and to attend the Americana Music Conference. This is going to be a great week.

I’ve never been to Nashville and am looking forward to visiting legendary joints like the Ryman Auditorium (home of the original Grand ‘Ol Opry) The Bluebird Café (where legends come to try out their tunes) and, of course, the Country Music Hall of Fame. And I can’t wait to get to see so many great performances (Rosanne Cash. Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint, Alejandro Escovedo, Jon Langford, Tres Chicas and Ray Wylie Hubbard just to name a few.)

If you’re going to the conference and would like to meet for a drink drop me a line. I’ll be checking email on and off and will try and post from the road, but you know how these things go. If I can’t post from there I’ll wrap up when I get back to New York.

Hem – Funnel Cloud (Nettwerk Records)

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They sound like they should be making their brand of dreamy folk music over the smoldering embers of an Appalachian campfire instead of on the stop of a brownstone in their residential Brooklyn, but Hem’s music blurs place as well as time.

 

Much of Hem’s muscle comes as much from the sweet crystal clear vocals of Sally Ellyson as it does from the potently restrained songs of Dan Messe. During the recording of Funnel Cloud, Messe’s home was flooded during the recording sessions by hurricane Ivan and his father died a week later, the themes of tragedy, hope and acceptance run throughout the lyrics and the feel of the songs. Assisted by a 21-piece orchestra, Ollabelle singer Amy Helm and Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, the music fills in the spaces between the silences at just the right time for emotional impact. Funnel Cloud is a glisteningly sparse and melancholy work that show Hem continues to deliver.   

Musick Fest Benefit Concerts – Athens, GA.

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If you live in the vicinity of Athens Georgia head on over to Musick Fest. These shows are to benefit a friend of Twang Nation and beloved Athens musician Wendy Musick, who plays guitar for Southern Bitch, with some very high medical bills.
As you know, most musicians don’t have insurance, so please come see these shows! There are two of ’em in Athens, and will feature Patterson Hood (Drive By Truckers) and the Screwtopians, Will Johnson from Centro-Matic, Don Chambers + Goat, David Barbe and the Quick Hooks, Dave Marr, Clay Leverett, Mother Jackson, Kimberly Morgan, Betsy Franck, Diet RockStar, Still Small Voice and The Joyful Noise, and Fest-goers can expect surprise performances by other members of the Athens Music Family.

Now go out, do some good and hear some great Georgia music!

Farm Aid 2006 Offers Diverse Line Up

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The Texas Yodas doing it again for the family farmers. This year the 20th annual Live Aid benefit concert will take place in Camden, New Jersey and will feature Jerry Lee Lewis, Gov’t Mule, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Los Lonely Boys, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, reggae legand Steel Pulse, polka legend Jimmy Sturr, Steve Earle and his wife Allison Moorer, Shelby Lynne, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Arlo Guthrie, Pauline Reese and Danielle Evin and of course, Mr. Willie Nelson.

If you can’t make it to the show, please consider making a donation anyway.

Jerry Lee Lewis – Last Man Standing – 09-26

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Musical legends have teamed up to play on Jerry Lee Lewis’ latest album. Bruce Springsteen is the latest to sign up to guest on the album, with three Rolling Stones also set to feature. Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Little Richard, Merle Haggard and Jimmy Page complete the line-up of guests.

Lewis’ album, entitled Last Man Standing, will be released on September 26.