Category Archives: Americana

I Was Drivin’ Home Early Sunday Morning Through Bakersfield – Rolling Stones, Gram Parsons and Country Music

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In the summer of ’71 The Rolling Stones took exile in the South of France in Villa Nellcôte– a 16 room waterfront mansion that once served as Gestapo headquarters for the Nazis during WWII.

The back-drop of geographic beauty, and sweltering heat, sanctuary from UK tax evasion charges and provided a fertile environment to work in the basement studio on their gritty masterpiece; Exile On Main Street.

Among the late-night sessions and day-time partying was a revolving door of model girlfriends, hangers -on and drug dealers. Sure this was just another day in the like Mick and the boys at their peek, but there was something else going on. A newcomer and his wanna-be actress girlfriend (later wife) was playing an endless jukebox of George Jones, The Louvin Brothers and other country classics while jamming with Keith Richards.

Gram Parsons brief period of the Stones history resulted directly in some of the best songs of their catalog. There’s no telling what other influences and excellent work might have resulted if not for a Parsons life-ending mix of heroin and alcohol the next year in Joshua Tree, California

On this 50th anniversary of  The Rolling Stones I present some their greatest songs that, In my opinion, probably wouldn’t have happened without those musical conversations between Richard’s and Parson’s that led Keef to add to Hank Williams and Lesfty Frizell to his blueprint of music alongside  Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters.

Let It Bleed

Far Away Eyes

Sweet Virginia

Wild Horses

Waiting On A Friend

http://youtu.be/VQ_iUz5tvi0

Dead Flowers

 

Video Feature: Wanda Jackson & Justin Townes Earle – “Am I Even a Memory? ”

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Melancholy doesn’t even begin to describe this new video of  Greg Garing’s  “Am I Even a Memory? ” This barroom weeper comes from the legendary rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson’s newest Justin Townes Earle produced full length LP, “Unfinished Business.”  The video is the second released from the album and follows the excellently retro video for the Freddie King cover “Tore Down,”

The video was shot in wonderfully moody black-and-white in Nashville hip dive Santa’s Pub by Cream contributor Seth Graves, who also directed “Tore Down.” The video shows Jackson singing a karaoke version of “Memory” to indifferent patrons. JTE shooting is pool and then visits the head to be haunted by a past love. The lanky Earle and gloriously aging Jackson partaking in a forlorn croon is beautiful as well a s haunting.

Ms. Jackson will appear on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno Nov. 20, and she’ll play 3rd & Lindsley on Dec. 7.

Ghost Brothers of Darkland County – A Gothic Americana Musical Soundtrack Forthcoming

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I’m not what you would call a fan of musicals (though I do have a soft spot for The Sound of Music) but I am intrigued by the Gothic musical Ghost Brothers of Darkland County CD release.  The result of a more than a decade long project between horror-rock master (and Americana music fan ) Stephen King and and roots/rock legend  John Mellencamp. As the musical got closer to completion they brought in singer/songwriter and producer T Bone Burnett to help flesh out the music. Burnett, who helmed the music for the Cohen Brother’s O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Scott Cooper’s Crazy Heart was brought in to “… create the vibe.”

The genesis of the project was Mellencamp who in the late 1990swas inspired by his own supposedly haunted cabin in Bloomington, IN . The lore goes that in the 1930s two brothers got into a fight over a woman at the cabin, and one of them wound up accidentally dead. The surviving brother and the woman sped away in a car, but crashed into a lake a short time later and both drowned.the stuff of Gothic lore, though the absence of moonshine and firearms works against it being Southern Gothic lore.

Mellencamp interpretats the story as  “…two brothers; they’re 19 years old or 20, maybe 18 or 21, who are very competitive and dislike each other immensely. The father takes them to the family vacation place, a cabin that the boys hadn’t been to since they were kids. What has happened is that the father had two older brothers who hated each other and killed each other in that cabin There’s a confederacy of ghosts who also live in this house. The older [dead] brothers are there, and they speak to the audience, and they sing to the audience. That’s all I want to say, except through this family vacation, many things are learned about the family, and many interesting songs are sung.” Again I emphasis the lack of moonshine and firearms!

Both King and Mellencamp welcomed to opportunity to challenge themselves. “You can just keep doing the same shit and you’ll make a living at it,” says King.

The musical oped at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, between  April 4, 2012 until May 13, 2012 and was directed by Alliance Theatre Artistic Director Susan V. Booth, with musical direction by T Bone Burnett. The cast of the upcoming production is led by Tony Award winner Shuler Hensley (Young Frankenstein, Oklahoma, Sweet and Sad) and Tony Award nominee Emily Skinner (Billy Elliot, Side Show, James Joyce’s The Dead), and includes Justin Guarini (“American Idol,” American Idiot, Women on the Verge…), blues musician and actor Jake La Botz, Lucas Kavner (Completeness, The Blue Flower), Kate Ferber (One Child Born: the Music of Laura Nyro), Christopher Morgan (Gut Bucket Blues) and country musician Dale Watson.

Variety reviewed the show harshly, stating ” By the end of the show, you may yearning for “Carrie.” Ouch.

Though music created for a theatrical setting has it’s own flavor there’s no denying the pedigree of Americana music talent involved CD release. But judging by the Elvis Costello cut  “That’s Me,” sung not by Costello but by a member of the cast, I think this could be a great idea that misses the mark.

Ghost Brothers of Darkland County will be available as Standard Edition CD featureing  the complete soundtrack, dialog excerpts and digital libretto. The (2CD/1DVD) Deluxe Edition contains the complete soundtrack (with and without dialog), deluxe art work, handwritten lyrics, specially printed libretto and the “Making of Ghost Brothers” mini-documentary DVD featuring in-depth interviews with King, Mellencamp and Burnett along with other bonus material. Digital editions for tablets, smartphones and e-readers will allow users to interact with the soundtrack + digital libretto, as well as exclusive video and graphic materials.

GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY

-Libretto by Stephen King
-Music & Lyrics by John Mellencamp
-Musical Direction by T Bone Burnett
-Featured cast: Kris Kristofferson, Meg Ryan,
Matthew McConaughey, Samantha Mathis, Elvis Costello

Ghost Brothers of Darkland County track listing:

That’s Me  – Elvis Costello (listen at bottom of post)
That’s Who I Am – Neko Case
So Goddamn Smart  – Dave Alvin, Phil Alvin, Sheryl Crow
Wrong, Wrong, Wrong About Me – Elvis Costello
Brotherly Love – Ryan Bingham and Will Dailey
How Many Days – Kris Kristofferson
You Are Blind – Ryan Bingham
Home Again – Sheryl Crow, Dave Alvin, Phil Alvin, Taj Mahal
What’s Going On Here – Rosanne Cash
My Name Is Joe – Clyde Mulroney
Tear This Cabin Down – Taj Mahal
And Your Days Are Gone – Sheryl Crow, Dave Alvin, Phil Alvin
Jukin’ – Sheryl Crow
What Kind Of Man Am I – Kris Kristofferson, Phil Alvin, Sheryl Crow Dave Alvin, Taj Mahal
So Goddamn Good – Phil Alvin, Dave Alvin, Sheryl Crow
Away From This World – Sheryl Crow
Truth – John Mellencamp

http://soundcloud.com/fantasylabelgroup/thats-me-elvis-costello

 

 

5 Duos To Feed Your The Civil Wars Jones

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By now you heard the bad news that The Civil Wars have cancelled all their upcoming shows and are giving each other some space. What’s a lover of melodic Americana duos with lovely harmonies that have possible ambiguous romantic ties to do?!  Here are 5 alternatives to quell those nerves until the reunion tour is announced.

 Ry Dalee and Evangeline – I don’t don’t much about this Oklahoma duo but I like what I hear!
http://youtu.be/9VufJmpYRgs

Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell – Begonias – Sure it was a one-off release from 2005 but these two Americana vets released one of the most gorgeous romantic duo albums ever. It even comes through in this crappy video.

Chapel Hill’s Mandolin Orange are the talented Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz whose tunes will soothe your soul.

Charleston, SC’s Michael Trent and Cary Ann are Shovels and Rope and are a bit rougher than The Civil Wars fare, but certainly no less talented.

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings are the obvious choice and are the standardbearers for male/female duos in Americana.

 

 

The Civil Wars Split, For Now

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The Civil WarsThe rumblings started several days ago. While on a well-reviewed UK leg of their current tour the news of cancellations of upcoming shows in Michigan, Florida and 2013 tour dates of Australia & New Zealand were announced. Emails for details were not returned.

Then today the other show dropped. From The Civil Wars official Facebook and Twitter account:

“We sincerely apologize for the canceling of all of our tour dates. It is something we deeply regret. However, due to internal discord (SP) and irreconcilable differences of ambition we are unable to continue as a touring entity at this time. We thank each and every one of you for your amazing love & support. Our sincere hope is to have new music for you in 2013.

– Joy Williams & John Paul White.”

After seeing them recently at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival and watching their set stream from the Austin City Limits Festival there was no sign of tension or discord.  On the contrary, Nashville vets  Joy Williams and John Paul White appeared outwardly to be having the time of their lives. Working with T Bone Burnett and Taylor Swift on the Hunger Games soundtrack,  a pair of Grammys and an Americana Music Association award for Duo/Group of the Year, a gold album and new album underway and some of the biggest audiences in their young career it was easy to see why.  Last week the couple released a cover of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” as part of a Holidays Rule compilation also featuring Paul McCartney and others. The tipping point for super stardom for the duo was now. It must have been something serious to tip things the other way.

For a couple of performers of songs of love and heartache that so many people assumed were a romantically involved couple the ending comes off as a bitter break up.

The end of groups are almost never permanent and the wording of the statement alludes to only touring and “…to have new music for you in 2013.” The tone of the announcement is certainly gives hope for future collaboration.

The reason for the halt to the tour might be that new mother Joy Williams simply wanted to be with her husband Nate Yetton, the duo’s manager, and their only son Miles Alexander which was born last Summer.  But this is just speculation.

I have always championed The Civil Wars as a shining light of the commercially desirable wing of the Americana brand that did not have to compromise their talent to gain that mass acceptance.  Here’s to a quick respite for this excellent band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDlGq1wxLRg

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 9 – Rodney Hayden, The Pollies, Jason Isbell, Dillon Hodges and Doc Dailey

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Here it is hot off the presses ladies and gents, the last single-digit podcast from Casa Twang.  That’s right #9 is in the books and ready for your listening pleasure.

As I say in the podcast (listen and see!) with 4 performers -  The Pollies, Dillon Hodges, Jason Isbell and Doc Dailey -  all hailing from the fertile music climes of Muscle Shoals, AL,  that it feels like this episode is sponsored by the Alabama Tourism Department This is patently untrue! At least until they send me a check!

If there is another theme in this episode it’s the rich display of old-school honky-tonk from Rodney Hayden, Daniel Romano , Billy Don Burns and the legendary Loretta Lynn.

A couple of mia culpas on the introduction to Rodney Hayden’s song: “I Drink To Remember” I mention George Jones as a contributing songwriter. I misspoke and meant to say George Strait. Also I mention the new Pollies release “Where The Lies Begin”  was on Palomino Records. It is out on This Is American Music.

I hope you like this episode of the Twang Nation Podcast. if you do tell a friend and let me know here at my site, Google+,  Twitter or my Facebook.

And thanks to all of you for supporting great music!

Opening Song – “Mr. D.J” – by Dale Watson
1. Rodney Hayden – song: “I Drink To Remember” – Album: “Atascosa Sand”  (Palomino Records – out now)
2. The Pollies – song: ” Little Birdie” – Album: “Where The Lies Begin”  (This Is American Music – out now)
3. The Martha Redbone Roots Project  – song: ” The Garden Of Love” – Album: “The Garden of Love, Songs of William Blake”  ( Blackfeet Productions – out now)
4. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit  – song: ” Danko/Manuel” – Album: “Live From Alabama”  ( Lightning Rod Records  – out November 19)
5. Daniel Romano – song: “Middle Child” – Album: “Come Cry With Me”  ( Normaltown Records, an imprint of New West – January 22, 2013 this single “Middle Child” out 11/27 on iTunes)
6. Amy LaVere and Shannon McNally  – song: “Never Been Sadder” – Album: “Chasing The Ghost Tour-Rehearsal Sessions EP”  ( Archer Records – out 11/27)
7. Dillon Hodges – song: “The Proof” – Album: “Rumspringa”  ( Single out November 20 and his Debut album, Rumspringa slated for 2013 release )
8. Billy Don Burns – song: “Honky Tonk Singer” – Album: “Nights When I’m Sober: Portrait of a Honky Tonk Singer”  ( Rusty Knuckles – out now)
9. Goodnight, Texas – song: “Submarines” – Album: “A Long Life of Living”  ( Tallest Man Records – out now)
10. Doc Dailey & Magnolia Devil – song: “Catch the Presidents” – Album: “Catch the Presidents”  ( Southern Discipline Recording Co. Records – out November 13th)
11. Loretta Lynn – song: “Honky Tonk Girl” (MCA Nashville)

 

A Far Away Feel – Happy Birthday Gram Parsons

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“Left us too soon” and “What might have been” are often terms associated to the brief career of Gram Parsons who overdosed in Joshua Tree, CA on September 19, 1973 at the age of the age of 27.  I say screw that, let’s celebrate the greatness that was!

Though largely unappreciated in his lifetime Parson introduced the world to Emmylou Harris, laid the groundwork for bands like The Eagles, Uncle Tupelo, the Rolling Stones country leanings of Exile on Main Street and Sticky Fingers and was directly responsible for shaping the country rock fusion that resulting in cow punk, alt.country and Americana.

On this 66th birthday of Gram Parsons what is your favorite Gram song? Here’s mine – Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris – Love Hurts (Studio Recording)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bwmiJWFHN0

The Civil Wars Cancel Tour Dates , Breaks Up

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It was brought to my attention from a UK Twitter follower that the Grammy-winning Americana chamber pop duo The Civil Wars have cancelled upcoming shows in Michigan, Florida and overseas 2013 tour dates including Australia & New Zealand. I can’t find any details on the reason but it must be pretty serious and private since there is no no official word on their Facebook page (The reason on their Facebook page cited “personal reasons”) or from their Twitter account aside from the standard “regret” response. The duo is currently on the European leg of their tour.

Here’s hoping everything is okay with John Paul, Joy and their families.

Check Australia’s Orange Press for information on refunds in that part of the world.

EDIT: This sad news just posted on the band’s Twitter account  Facebook page: “We sincerely apologize for the canceling of all of our tour dates. It is something we deeply regret. However, due to internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition we are unable to continue as a touring entity at this time. We thank each and every one of you for your amazing love & support. Our sincere hope is to have new music for you in 2013.

– Joy Williams & John Paul White.”

Video Feature: Big John Bates – “Taste the Barrel”

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Truth be told  had no awareess of Vancouver, Canada’s Big John Bates until they tweeted this video to me during my  day-long Twitter #HalloweenTwang video theme playlist. Their sound could be described as  dark gothic Americana along the lines of The Handsome Family and Those Poor Bastards.

The video for Taste the Barrel,  from their latest release Battered Bones (Rookie Records) , has a Sun-washed dustiness to it reminiscent of a Sergio Leone western.  Singer and stand-up bassist stars in the video as a victim of either torture or just frontier surgical practices. Either way, the gruesome outcome if the same. Bones sings with a sort of wailing unhinged soprano befitting the the scenes ans though i’m unsure of the storyline it’s effective. She even drops in a quick title of a Cormac McCarthy book “All the Pretty Horses” to give the whole thing another level of greatness and menace. The only thing missing is a parting shot of buzzards circling overhead.

A great find that i wanted to apss along and very fitting for All Hallows Eve Twang Style!

Mumford and Sons Announce “The Road to Red Rocks” Concert Film

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Fresh on the heels of their best-selling  sophomore album, Babel, Mumford and Sons have announced the release of a new concert film, The Road to Red Rocks.

The film documents an August 2012 at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colo., supporting that same album. The DVD will on Blu-ray and in a special package including vinyl and a 96-page booklet. The Road to Red Rocks is set for release on 11/26 in the U.K. and 11/30 in New Zealand and Australia, but won’t be released until 1/22 in the U.S.

Check out the film’s trailer and the performance set list below.

The Road to Red Rocks Set list
1. Lovers Eyes
2. Little Lion Man
3. Below My Feet
4. Roll Away Your Stone
5. Lover of the Light
6. Thistle & Weeds
7. Ghost That We Knew
8. Awake My Soul
9. Whispers
10. Dustbowl Dance
11. I Will Wait
12. The Cave