Watch Out! Drive-By Truckers “Shit Shots Count” – Conan 03/06/14

Drive-By Truckers "Shit Shots Count"

The mighty Drive-By Truckers took to the stage on Conan last night to perform the Mike Cooley-penned “Shit Shots Count” from their new release “English Oceans.”

Of course they burned it up as they always do live. And I defy you to find anyone this side of Keith Richards that looks cooler playing guitar than Cooley.

Listen Up! Elvis Costello Remixes Johnny Cash’s “She Used to Love Me A Lot”

Johnny Cash album 'Out Among the Stars'

As I posted a few months ago March 25 Columbia/Legacy will release a “lost” Johnny Cash album of 12 shelved recordings from the early 80s produced by Country Music Hall of Fame member Billy Sherill.

Putting aside the question “does a Johnny Cash need a remix?,” on March 11, a cut from the album, “She Used to Love Me a Lot” will be released on a 7″ with the below remix by Elvis Costello. The remix does appear on the album.

The recordings were unearthed by the label and Cash’s son John Carter Cash in 2012. It includes duets with both Waylon Jennings and June Carter Cash. Two tracks are credited as being written by Johnny Cash, “Call Your Mother” and “I Came to Believe”.

Listen to the original version of “She Used to Love Me a Lot”:

Texas Independence Day – 10 Bands/Performers That Represent

guitar case

On May 2nd, 1836, 59 Texian settlers signed a declaration of independence from Mexico, creating the Republic of Texas. May 2nd has since been celebrated as the Lone Star State day of independence honoring a spirit of individualism and pride that remains to the day.

Few states embody that spirit of independence as singularly (and brazenly) as Texas. Texas is the only state in the US that has had 6 flags hoisted over some or all of it’s territory and that’s part of what has led to it’s unique mash-up of culture.

Now we hoist the flag of great Texas music. Would you expect less from the state that gave us Buddy Holly, Bob Wills and Willie Nelson?

Below is my pick of 10 new performers that currently embody that spirit of independence and the echo the legacy of greats that hail from the Great State.

Folk Family Revival – With the pride of magnolia TX, Folk Family Revival – Lankford brothers Mason, Barrett and Lincoln – along with Caleb Pace on lead guitar, you get glimpses of folk, rock, country and Southern soul. One thing’s for sure, it’s damn good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI7FMFrKIms

Uncle Lucius – Austin-based Americana rock band Uncle Lucius draws from the same well as Faces and Lynyrd Skynyrd but end up at a righteous place all their own.

The Bigsbys – Hailing from Palestine, TX The Bigsbys can rock your face off and then turn around and throw your heart into a blender and hit the frappe button. I love the break into Pinks Floyd’s Time (Breathe Reprise)

Bonnie Whitmore – Whitmore has been around music her since she was a tyke, She played in her family band before heading out on her own. And what a path tHis AustIn-based artist has blazed.

Jason Eady – Ft. Worth’s Eady is often included in the Red Dirt camp though to my ears he just created great, timeless country music.

Collin Herring – Ft. Worth is also home for Collin Herring who appears to channel Townes Van Zandt as well as Sufjan Stevens.

Wood & Wire – This Austin Texas Based Bluegrass Band embodies the greatness of craft , the beauty of harmony with the right amount of grit.

Jamestown Revival – Sure Magnolia TX’s ran off to California, but Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance Everly-like harmony and rear for melody makes plain where they hail from.

Dirty River Boys – Originating from El Paso when members Travis Stearns and Nino Cooper met while working the circuit the Dirty River Boys have a great sound that will make you dance and turn around and cry in your working-class beer.

Quaker City Night Hawks – Southern boogie and soul soak the sound that pours effortlessly from Ft, Worth’s Quaker City Night Hawks, Have mercy!

Alabama Shakes Announce Headlining U.S. Tour

alabama shakes

Alabama Shakes has announced a headlining tour of the U.S. coming this spring. The run will kick off with a two-night stand at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC (April 25 and 26).

A ticket pre-sale begins this Friday, February 28, at 12:00 PM local time. Tickets go on sale to the public on this Saturday, March 1, for all dates except Washington, DC, where tickets will go on sale Thursday, March 6. The band will also perform at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Suburbia Festival, the Beale Street Music Festival and the Shaky Knees Fest. See below for itinerary or visit www.alabamashakes.com.

The Athens, AL-based band – comprising vocalist/guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, drummer Steve Johnson and bassist Zac Cockrell – has been in the studio working on a new album. Further details will be announced soon.

Alabama Shakes – Upcoming Tour Dates

4/25 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club- Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires Fsupporting
4/26 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club- Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires supporting
4/28 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel – Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires supporting
4/29 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel -Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires supporting
5/2-4 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
5/3-4 – Plano, TX @ Suburbia Festival
5/4 – Memphis, TN @ Beale Street Music Festival
5/7 – Northfield, OH @ Hard Rock Live – The Deslondes supporting
5/8 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE – The Deslondes supporting
5/9 – Richmond, VA @ The National – The Deslondes supporting
5/11 – Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Fest

Listen Up! Sturgill Simpson – “Living The Dream”

Sturgill Simpson - Living The Dream

Sturgill Simpson slows things down a but for “Living The Dream” his first cut released from his upcoming sophomore album, “Metamodern Sounds In Country Music.” The album will be released May 13th.

It’s good to hear he’s still channeling Waylon. Remaining ornery with a touch of gallows humor he sings “I don’t have to do a goddamn thing, but sit around and wait to die” and “That old man upstairs wears a crooked smile, staring down at the chaos he’s created.”

Buy all os not grim. Simpson says about the album – “Myriad worldly offerings – religion, drugs and more – all claim to be the omnipotent universal truth, but in my experience, love is the only certainty. That’s what this record is about.”

Simpson will perform at several SXSW showcases and, in April, will be featured on Communion’s Club Nights Series.

Contest: This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes – Omnivore Recordings

Lone Justice

Lone Justice was the gateway band for much of the music that I have loved and written about over the years.

Maria McKee, Ryan Hedgecock, Marvin Etzioni, and Don Heffington helped define the term “Cowpunk in 80’s L.A. and were famous for their blistering live shows (which, alas, I never got a chance to see) The “Ways to Be Wicked” video entered the synth-gelled hair-florescent fray with unabashed roots-rock with McKee sporting her sultry sneer, garbed in vintage dress, and belting out the song of a jilted lover.

After only two excellent albums the band folded under label and internal pressures. McKee embarked on a successful solo career and Lone Justice helped shape the musical landscape forever.

Before it all LJ went into Suite 16 Studios in December of 1983 and recorded much of the set list they were packing Los Angeles area clubs with.

Recorded direct to 2-track tape by engineer David Vaught and with no overdubs, those twelve tracks can finally be heard in their entirety on “This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes, 1983.” As Billboard’s Chris Morris writes in his thoughtful liner notes, the release “offers the best representation of the band in its infancy—hot, full of piss and vinegar, and ready to take on the world.”

Nine of these twelve tracks are previously unissued, and include originals (including “Soap, Soup And Salvation”, which would appear on their Geffen debut two years later) to the covers they made their own in concert (Johnny Cash and June Carter (Cash)’s “Jackson” and “Nothing Can Stop My Loving You,” written by George Jones and Roger Miller.)

Available on CD and LP (with the first pressing on translucent red vinyl) by Omnivore Recordings, in addition to Morris’ liners, the package contains an essay from the band’s Ryan Hedgecock, as well as a remembrance of David Vaught from Marvin Etzioni and an loving endorsement from Dolly Parton. With unseen photos and memorabilia, this collection is what Lone Justice fans have been waiting for. This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes, 1983 takes us back to a time when music had an energy that was hard to contain.

For a chance to win a copy of red vinyl + digital download card just leave a comment below describing your favorite Lone Justice song and why or a memory from a show.

A winner will be chosen at random and will be announced on Sunday 2/23 at 12 Noon Central time.

Good luck pilgrim.

THE CONTEST IS NOW OVER. THANKS TO ALL WHO SHARED THEIR THOUGHTS.

Old 97’s to Release new Album, ‘Most Messed Up’

Old 97s Most Messed Up

Dallas’s own Old 97’s will celebrate their 20th anniversary this year with the release of their ATO Records debit Most Messed Up on April 29.

Sporting an excellent cover of a flaming Saguaro and recorded in Austin with producer Salim Nourallah, features guest appearances from Tommy Stinson from The Replacements and Jon Rauhouse steel & Hawaiian guitar player from Neko Case’s band.

The band have released the first single from the album, “Longer Than You’ve Been Alive” a jaunty ditty giving a whimsical history of the band and showcasing Rhett Miller’s wordplay.

“We’ve been in nightclubs and we’ve been in bars, Honky-tonks and theaters from Memphis to Mars.”

You can stream it over at EW.com and check out the cover art and tracklist below.

Rhett Miller has some solo dates this month and next. Those tour dates are listed below. Old 97’s 2014 tour dates will soon be announced.

Old ’97s – ‘Most Messed Up’ tracklist:
1. “Longer Than You’ve Been Alive”
2. “Give It Time”
3. “Let’s Get Drunk & Get It On”
4. “This Is The Ballad”
5. “Wheels Off”
6. “Nashville”
7. “Wasted”
8. “Guadalajara”
9. “The Disconnect”
10. “The Ex Of All You See”
11. “Intervention”
12. “Most Messed Up”

Rhett Miller – 2014 Tour Dates
Feb 04 Live Oak Fort Worth, TX
Feb 05 Sam’s Burger Joint San Antonio, TX
Feb 06 Continental Club Austin, TX
Feb 07 McGonigel’s Mucky Duck Houston, TX
Feb 07 McGonigel’s Mucky Duck Houston, TX
Feb 27 World Cafe Live Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA
Feb 28 Johnny D’s Somerville, MA
Mar 03 City Winery New York, NY
Mar 26 Off Broadway St Louis, MO
Mar 28 Radio Radio Indianapolis, IN
Apr 02 3rd and Lindsley Nashville, TN
Apr 03 Eddie’s Attic Decatur, GA
Apr 04 The Southern Charlottesville, VA
Apr 05 Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, NC
Apr 24 South on Main Little Rock, AR

Emmylou Harris To Release “Wrecking Ball” Special Package Reissue

Emmylou Harris Wrecking Ball

American Songwriter reports that Nonesuch Records will reissue Emmylou Harris’ acclaimed 1995 album Wrecking Ball as a three-disc set. The reissue will contain a remastered version of the original album, which snagged the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album in 1996. There will also be a bonus CD of recently unearthed demos and outtakes.

The reissue will also include a documentary DVD “Building the Wrecking Ball,” featuring studio footage and interviews with Harris and producer Daniel Lanois, as well as album contributors Steve Earle and Kate and Anna McGarrigle, and Neil Young, who wrote the title song.

Last month Harris celebrated her collaboration with Rodney Crowell, “Old Yellow Moon,” by winning the Grammy for Best Americana Album

In October of 2013 Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois, joined by Jim Wilson, Brian Blade and Malcolm Burn, performed “Wrecking Ball” in it’s entirety at the Marathon Music Works in Nashville. (see video below)

The Wrecking Ball reissues is slatted for release on April 8

In celebration of the reissue, Harris will hit the road with Lanois this spring. Check out tour dates below.

Disc 1

1. “Where Will I Be?” (Daniel Lanois)
2. “Goodbye” (Steve Earle)
3. “All My Tears” (Julie Miller)
4. “Wrecking Ball” (Neil Young)
5. “Goin’ Back to Harlan” (Anna McGarrigle)
6. “Deeper Well” (David Olney, Lanois, Emmylou Harris)
7. “Every Grain of Sand” (Bob Dylan)
8. “Sweet Old World” (Lucinda Williams)
9. “May This Be Love” (Jimi Hendrix)
10. “Orphan Girl” (Gillian Welch)
11. “Blackhawk” (Daniel Lanois)
12. “Waltz Across Texas Tonight” (Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris)

Disc 2 – Deeper Well: The Wrecking Ball Outtakes

1. Still Water 3:55
2. Where Will I Be (alternate version) 4:14
3. All My Tears 3:21
4. How Will I Ever Be Simple Again 3:36
5. Deeper Well 2:18
6. The Stranger Song 5:21
7. Sweet Old World (alternate version) 5:56
8. Gold 3:16
9. Blackhawk (alternate version) 4:40
10. May This Be Love (acoustic) 2:15
11. Goin’ Back to Harlan 2:35
12. Where Will I Be (alternate version) 2:13
13. Deeper Well 3:06

Emmylou Harris Wrecking Ball Tour Dates:

April 3 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
April 5 San Francisco, CA The Warfield
April 7 Royal Oak, MI The Royal Oak
April 8 Chicago, IL The Vic
April 11 Washington, DC The Lincoln Theatre
April 12 Brooklyn, NY TBA
April 13 Boston, MA The House of Blues
(additional tour dates to be announced)

Tribute “Bob Dylan In The 80s” Out March 25

Bob Dylan 80s

Okay, this is cool. A tribute album from preeminent indy-roots artists focusing on Dylan’s under appreciated 80’s era.

ATO Records will release Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One on March 25. The brainchild of producers Jesse Lauter (Elvis Perkins, The Low Anthem) and Sean O’Brien (Dawes, PAPA), the mission of Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One is to shed new light on a large cache of Bob Dylan songs that have long gone ignored, covering the period starting with 1980’s Saved and ending with 1990’s Under The Red Sky (including unreleased material — the “80s Basement Tapes” — and The Traveling Wilburys).

Album contributors include: Built To Spill, Aaron Freeman of Ween & Slash, Glen Hansard, Reggie Watts, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Lucius, Langhorne Slim, Craig Finn Of The Hold Steady, Deer Tick, Dawn Landes, Blitzen Trapper, Carl Broemel Of My Morning Jacket, Elvis Perkins and more. The album is available for pre-order now.

Hear the first track from the record, Jokerman by Built to Spill, below.

“80s Dylan is by no means a celebrated period in his career,” says co-producer Lauter. “It was, in fact, the lowest point of his commercial success even though he released eight studio albums.” He continues, “Our goal was to showcase one of the greatest artists of our time during an off-rhythm period and bring a stronger sense of harmony to the material at hand. Sean and I did everything we could to make this album flow together sonically as if you were listening to a concept album.”

Portions of proceeds from album sales will go to the charity, Pencils of Promise. Pencils of Promise is a non-profit organization that builds schools and increases educational opportunities in the developing world. The charity has built more than 150 schools in Asia, Africa and Latin America. For more information on Pencils of Promise, visit www.pencilsofpromise.org.

COMPLETE TRACK LISTING:

1. Langhorne Slim & The Law – “Got My Mind Made Up”(from Knocked Out Loaded, 1986)
2. Built To Spill – “Jokerman” (from Infidels, 1983)
3. Reggie Watts – “Brownsville Girl (Reprise)” (from Knocked Out Loaded, 1986)
4. Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) – “Sweetheart Like You” (from Infidels, 1983)
5. Ivan & Alyosha – “You Changed My Life” (from Shot Of Love outtakes, 1981)
6. Deer Tick – “Night After Night” (from Hearts of Fire Soundtrack, 1987)
7. Dawn Landes & Bonnie “Prince” Billy – “Dark Eyes” (from Empire Burlesque, 1985)
8. Tea Leaf Green – “Waiting To Get Beat” (from Empire Burlesque outtakes, 1985)
9. Aaron Freeman of Ween & Slash – “Wiggle Wiggle (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)
10. Elvis Perkins – “Congratulations” (from Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)
11. Hannah Cohen – “Covenant Woman” (from Saved, 1980)
12. Marco Benevento – “Every Grain Of Sand” (from Shot Of Love, 1981)
13. Yellowbirds – “Series Of Dreams” (from Oh Mercy outtakes, 1989)
14. Blitzen Trapper – “Unbelievable” (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)
15. Lucius – “When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky” (from Empire Burlesque, 1985)
16. Glen Hansard – “Pressing On” (from Saved, 1980)
17. Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket) – “Death Is Not The End” (from Down In The Groove, 1988)

In addition, there will be seven bonus tracks available exclusively via iTunes as a Deluxe Edition and will also be included on the digital download card that accompanies the vinyl. The seven bonus tracks are listen below:

1. Spirit Family Reunion – “Man Of Peace” (from Infidels, 1983)
2. Widespread Panic – “Solid Rock” (from Saved, 1980)
3. Grayson Capps – “Silvio” (from Down In The Groove, 1988)
4. Neal Casal – “Property Of Jesus” (from Shot Of Love, 1981)
5. The Low Anthem – “Lenny Bruce” (from Shot Of Love, 1981)
6. Jesse Elliott (These United States) – “Handy Dandy” (from Under The Red Sky, 1990)
7. Chastity Brown – “Saving Grace” (from Saved, 1980)

Listen Up! Hear New Beck Song, “Blue Moon”

Beck Morning Phase

The L.A.-based singer and songwriter on Friday posted a clip on his website depicted “Morning Phase” being rendered in the petroleum by-product so popular with the kids these days, vinyl.

“Morning Phase” set for release on Feb. 25 through Capitol Records, his first studio disc since “Modern Guilt” in 2008. Backed by players including Smokey Hormel, Justin Meldal-Johnsen and Joey Waronker.

Beck is a master at revamping music style – soul, funk, folk. His upcoming release “Morning Phase” is reported continue the gauzy forlorn-folk theme so brilliantly captured in 2002’s “Sea Change.”

In the current issue of Uncut magazie, Beck said: “I set out to make a gritty king of record, along the lines of those early ’70s singer-songwriter records. But the songs ended up having another quality to them. There are harmonies there: Simon & Garfunkel, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Everly Brothers, The Stanley Brothers. The Mamas & The Papas, even.”

Judging by the the clip below it appears that that is a correct assessment of style.

Really looking forward this one.

“The Morning Phase” tracklist:
‘Morning’
‘Heart Is A Drum’
‘Say Goodbye’
‘Waking Light’
‘Unforgiven’
‘Wave’
‘Don’t Let It Go’
‘Blackbird Chain’
‘Evil Things’
‘Blue Moon’
‘Turn Away’
‘Country Down’