Listen Up! Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings – I’m Movin’ On

Johnny Cash album 'Out Among the Stars'

Casa Twang is proud to bring you another cut from the highly anticipated Columbia/Legacy release “Out Among the Stars,” (March 25) An album of lost songs recorded by Cash in the early 1980s and produced by Billy Sherrill.
(see the video for “She Used to Love Me a Lot” here)

Cash is in fine form joking about a conversation he had with the creator of the song , the great Hank Snow. Jerry Kennedy’s guitar, Hargus “Pig” Robbins on piano and an uncredited drummer lays down a solid shuffle, The lead guitar portions sounds like classic Marty Stuart, who was tasked with “fortifying” the original recordings.

“I’m Moving On” is a 1950 country standard. The song reached #1 on the Billboard country singles chart and stayed there for 21 weeks. The song was previously covered by Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris, Chuck Prophet among others.

Willie Nelson on Jimmy Kimmel Live – 3/114/14

Willie Nelson on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Jimmy Kimmel Live broadcast the show for a week in Austin from The Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center for the Performing Arts, The show’s week-long trip to the capital was timed with the 28th annual South by Southwest (SXSW®) Festival.

And on his last night of his stay Kimmel invited Lonely Boys as well as the Lone Star State’s greatest ambassador Willie Nelson.

Clad in black discusses his history with Austin, getting a black belt in Taekwondo and his SXSW party “The Heartbreaker Banquet.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRExfUzdy8I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPc8HQQ3E5E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgt3bnaqPBo

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”:

Merle Haggard Live 45th Anniversary “Okie From Muskogee” To Be Released

merle haggard

Merle Haggard and the Strangers’ original release of the of “Okie From Muskogee” was December of 1969. The album went on to win the Academy of Country Music award for Album of the Year and Single of the Year for the Roy Edward Burris co-written ode to small town pride, “Okie from Muskogee.” The album was recorded live in Muskogee, Oklahoma and has been re-released in 1992, 1996, 1997, 2005, and 2006.

You can add 2014 to that list.

On March 25th Capital Nashville will reissue a special 45th anniversary package. The rerelease has been Remastered from the original analog tapes and will include “The Fightin’ Side Of Me,” a live Philadelphia recording that has never been released before on CD or digitally

Hear an up-tempo live version of Haggard’s ‘I Take a Lot of Pride In What I Am’ below.

Track List:
Disc 1
Okie From Muskogee
Recorded Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma 1969
1. Introduction by Carlton Haney
2. Mama Tried
3. No Hard Times
4. Silver Wings
5. Merle Receives Key To Muskogee
6. Mere’s Introduction to Medley
Medley:
7. Swinging Doors
8. I’m A Lonesome Fugitive
9. Sing Me Back Home
10. Branded Man
11. In The Arms Of Love
12. Workin’ Man Blues
13. Merle’s Introduction To “Hobo Bill”
14. Hobo Bill’s Last Ride
15. Billy Overcame His Size
16. If I Had Left It Up To You
17. White Line Fever
18. Blue Rock
19. Introduction To “Okie From Muskogee”
20. Okie From Muskogee

Disc 2
The Fightin’ Side Of Me
Recorded Live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1970

1. Opening Theme: Hammin’ It Up
2. I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am
3. Corrine Corrina
4. Every Fool Has A Rainbow
5. T.B. Blues
6. When Did Right Become So Wrong
7. Philadelphia Lawyer
8. Stealin’ Corn
9. Harold’s Super Service
Medley:
10. Devil Woman
11. I’m Movin’ On
12. Folsom Prison Blues
13. Jackson
14. Orange Blossom Special
15. Love’s Gonna Live Here
16. Today I Started Loving You Again
17. Okie From Muskogee
18. The Fightin’ Side Of Me

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.

Miranda Lambert Looks Back In a New Cut “Automatic”

Miranda Lambert - Automatic

Just as there could have been no Tanya Tucker without a Dolly Parton I believe the current wave of female upstarts, like this year’s Best Country Album Grammy-winner Kacey Musgraves, owe a debt of tanks to Miranda Lambert.

I’m a fan.

Lambert is the only contemporary country music artists to be featured on the bible of alt.country No Depression, Lambert often chooses to cover songs by greats like Gillian Welch, Fred Eaglesmith. An she often channels the greats – Haggard, Loretta – in her own songs. And when her songs hew a little too close to an an influence, like when it was brought to her attention that her her hit song “Kerosene” closely resembled her hero Steve Earle’s 1996 comeback single “I Feel Alright” she retroactively gave Steve Earle writing credit for the song, owning up to a simple case of unintentional plagiarism.

As they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, just as long as you pay up. Right Dierks Bentley?

Lambert’s newest song she wrote with Nicolle Galyon, a contestant from second season of The Voice. and Natalie Hemby who has written for Lee Ann Womack, Eli Young Band and many others.

The mid-tempo cut has Miranda lamenting about the good old days. This might seems strange corning from a 30 year-old but “Ran” pulls it off by trading in a country music standard trope of nostalgia without cloying sentimentality.

Lambert drew on her personal experiences to co-write “Automatic,” which details early memories like using pay phones, recording country countdowns on cassettes and driving to Dallas to buy an Easter dress. She wrote the song with Nicolle Galyon and Natalie Hemby.

“Automatic’ is a song about the good life,” Lambert said. “It’s about slowing down, taking a breath and remembering what it’s like to live life a little more simply. It’s not about going back, but reminiscing about what it was like to hang laundry on the line and wait for it to dry and my dad teaching me how to drive my ’55 Chevy that I still have but don’t drive nearly enough.”

The song’s topic also ethos a current wave in America to move back to a small, craft-based culture and economy. I enjoyed listening to it over and over while enjoying a locally brewed beer.

“Automatic,” is a track from a new as-yet untitled album expected later this year.

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)

Mary Sarah to Release “Bridges,” duets with Dolly, Willie, Merle, Ray Price

Sarah Mary

It’s fashionable to gripe about the current sorry state of contemporary country music and for good reason. In it’s single-minded obsession for hits and radio charting Music Row often appears to be like an Chinese iPad factory (with better clothes.) A casual listen of country music hits from the last 40 years clearly shows that the industry often tilts the cultural scales toward stacks of commerce over the beauty of craft.

Mary Sarah has the looks and the pipes to shoot for the denim and glitter of Country Music stardom. She even toured with the lucrative Kidz Bop franchise as a singer and dancer when she was 12 years old. The lady’s got options

But performing in the Texas near her home in Richmond TX home (outside Houston) put her in a unique position to be steeped in tradition and to meet some of the legends that created that music.

Her upcoming release, “Bridges,” is a collection iconic songs done as duets with the legends that made them famous. Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Vince Gill, recorded over the last two-and-a-half years.

“I never imagined that singing these songs in the Texas Oprys would lead to one day recording them with some of the greatest country legends of our time,” Mary Sarah says. “Working on this album and with these legends has changed my life. Not only did I learn more about traditional country music, it has led me to have a clearer vision of what I want to accomplish in country music.”

That doesn’t sound like a crass money grab to grease the path to maga-stardom. It does sound like a smart move in a genre starving for substance to set herself up for longevity and, dare I say, a shot as legend.

Yes, Loretta there is hope for Music City.

“Bridges” is expected to be released in early April.

“Bridges” track listing

“Jolene” with Dolly Parton
“Crazy” with Willie Nelson
“Fightin’ Side of Me” with Merle Haggard
“Heartaches by the Number” with Ray Price
“What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life” with Ronnie Milsap
“Texas, When I Die” with Tanya Tucker
“Rose Garden” with Lynn Anderson
“Go Rest High on That Mountain” with Vince Gill
“Dream On” with the Oak Ridge Boys
All I Wanna Do Is Sing My Song” with Freddy Powers
“Where the Boys Are” with Neil Sedaka
“My Great Escape” with Big & Rich (original song)
“I’m Sorry” (solo version of Brenda Lee classic)

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)

Ken Burns’ Country Music Documentary Coming to PBS in 2018

Ken Burns

I’ve been hearing about Ken Burns’ new project focusing on Country Music for over a ear. Now PBS has made it a realty b announcing that the anticipated documentary, succinctly called called “Country Music,” will air in 2018.

That will be about 5 years worth of work on the one series. Sure that’s a long time
but it helpes to keep in mind that it’s a year less than he spent on his ten-episode miniseries detailing jazz. And given Burn’s attention to detail ranging from The Civil War and the history of baseball it’s satisfying to see that there is care being applied ot a genre we all love.

The origins and fundamentals of roots, folk and country music are vast . deep at least as deep and vast as many of the topics Burns has tackled before. I have faith that this is going to be a fascinating (and lengthy) series.

From the release “The country series explores the question, “what is country music.” It will track the careers of the Carter family, Jimmie Rodgers, Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and others.”

“For over a century, country music has been a pivotal force in American culture, expressing the hopes, joys, fears and hardships of everyday people in songs lyrical, poignant and honest,” said PBS President Paula A. Kerger. “It is fitting that we have two of America’s master storytellers, Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, tell the story on film of an art form that for generations has told America’s story in song.”

The documentary will follow the rise of bluegrass music with Bill Monroe and note how one of country music’s offspring – rockabilly – mutated into rock and roll in Memphis. It will show how Nashville slowly became not just the mecca of country music, but “Music City USA.” All the while, it will highlight the constant tug of war between the desire to make country music as mainstream as possible and the periodic reflexes to take it back to its roots.

That;s the part that will be interesting to me, how Burns handles the splinter threads of the genre. The aforementioned Bluegrass The Outlaws, Bakersfield and, as Steve Earle helped shepherd and deemed, “Great Credibility Scare of the Mid-1980s.”