Category Archives: Honky Tonk

Song Review: Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis – “Border Radio” ·

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If there is such a thing as a Texas-based Americana music version of Conway and Loretta then Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis are it. But instead of rumors of romantic involvement Bruce and Kelly have been married for 15 years, and have 4 kids, so romantic interest is assured.

Each has their own celebrated solo careers. His penning #1 hits for George Straight, the Dixie Chicks and as a solo artist and occasionally helping out his brother Charlie Robison. Her as a successful solo artist and excellent duet partner.

They have decided to combine their considerable talent and to celebrate Valentine’s Day a bit early on their release “Cheater’s Game” out February 12.

The album is result os the staggering talent of these two and the help of fans who contributed to
wildly successful Kickstarter campaign to produce and promote the effort. Cheater’s Game is split between original songs and covers of Hayes Carll, Don Williams and Robert Earl Keen. The title of the release is from a song Robison penned with The Trishas members Savannah Welch and Liz Foster which was featured on their excellent latest “High, Wide & Handsome.”

The couple infuse The Blasters’ “Border Radio” a upbeat Tex-Mex groove that makes for perfect road music spiced with lovely harmonies, slide guitar, fiddle, and ..is that a cowbell!!

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.

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)

 

Music Review: Dwight Yoakam – 3 Pears [Warner Bros.]

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It’s been seven long years since Dwight Yoakam’s last proper release, 2005’s Blame the Vain. Since then he of painted-on jeans and low-hanging Stetson has done some acting – most notably the opening scene in  The Wedding Crashers and as the manic Doc Miles in the hilariously over-the-top Crank films. Yoakam has done some music producing an an excellent tribute to his mentor Buck Owens, but for the most part, for a man you couldn’t escape in his heyday, Yoakam’s been MIA.

His newly released album 3 Pears neatly connects a path of trajectory Yoakam’s career. The road he’s been traveling since the early 80’s L.A. cow-punk scene where he was perfected his craft in clubs like Club Lingerie and The Roxy opening for local bands like The Blasters and Los Lobos. Almost as soon as he set foot on SoCal soil Yoakam became part actor – taking the cowboys imagery from 60s films like Paul Newman’s Hud and Sergio Leone spaghetti westerns, and part honk-tonk disciple – taking his sound from the 50s Bakersfield sound of Merle Haggard and his mentor Buck Owens. Yoakam always appeared assured and to be a man embodying s place he had planned to be all along.

3 Pears has all the trademarks you’d expect of a Yoakam work. Skillful performances within taught arrangements The hillbilly vocals topped-off with a hiccup finish. The swagger that won him legions of fans. All here without a skip or a a thought to ape modern trends. Even where on paper you’d think he might be a buckling toward commercial pressures -  like inviting Kid Rock to co-write the album opener Take Hold of My Hand – with it’s brash bass moving toward a spirited sock-hop snap resulting in no discernible trace of Rock’s Southern /classic rock regurgitation influence at all.

Waterfall is a lingeringly paced cut skirting between whimsey and DaDa showing Yoakam’s not afraid to throw out the classic handbook of country music themes. The song achieves a level of absurd imagery that would make Roger Miller smile. ” If I had a waterfall, It might not make no sense at all, But that won’t matter much to you and me.’

Yoakam shows his Guitars, Cadillacs Etc. Etc. roots with Joe Maphis’ honky-tonk take on the Honky-Tonk angel theme  Dim Lights, Thick Smoke, which was also extensively covered by The Flying Burrito Brothers. Yoakam’s Trying moves into sweet Memphis soul territory with a “Dock of the Bay” vibe and a lovely Wurlitzer accompaniment.

Indy rocker Beck co-produces two tracks; the bittersweet Missing Heart is great rendition of a classic pedal steel weeper but Mr Hanson’s pastiche sensibilities are most apparent on A Heart Like Mine with it’s guitar lick echoing I’m a Believer from one of Yoakam’s stylistic influences, the Monkees.  ” The slow rocking Rock It All Away cribs a bit close the melody of The Who’s  Baba O’Riley for me to just enjoy the song on it’s own merits.

Yoakam is nothing if not the American ideal of the self-made man and 3 Pears proves that  we are all, ultimately,  a product of his influences. Yaokam has taken those influences and composed one of the best albums of his career.

Choice cuts – Dim Lights, Thick Smoke , Wateerfall , Trying

Official Site | Buy

 

George Jones, Jamey Johnson and Blackberry Smoke – “Yesterday’s Wine ” [VIDEO]

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While indulging my frequent music video ADHD I followed a YouTube  trajectory to a  series of videos of Jamey Johnson doing classic cover of Waylon Jennings and Patsy Cline and the like . One really caught my eye, it was Johnson not only covering, but joining with none other than country  music legend George Jones on Willie Nelson classic “Yesterday’s Wine.”  And it had only 751 views!! What a find!

“Yesterday’s Wine”  is the title cut from Willie’s 1971 album and, in 1982, Merle Haggard and Jones recorded a duet of “Yesterday’s Wine” which became a number one single on the country chart. Not everyone can fill The Hag’s boots but Johnson and Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr do a fine job.  And, ladies and gentlemen , if that went enough the great Atlanta-based Southern Rock band Blackberry Smoke is backing them up. As one twitter follower responded when i posted it “Dayum!”

I was puzzled where the track came from and discovered, through the power of the google machine , that it’s included as a bonus track on Blackberry Smoke’s  “Little Piece of Dixie” (2010.) I guess i should have payed more attention that that fine album!

Behold the greatness!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyRLTzdEv_k&feature=youtu.be

Americana Honors & Awards Picks

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One of the highlights of the Americana Music Festival and Conference is the Americana Honors and Awards program, which takes place at within the sacred walls of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. on Sept. 12. It’s a great event because not only do you have Buddy Miller leading a stellar house band and Jim Lauderdale, and tireless and engaging MC, deserving of the moniker “Mr. Americana,” but the performances are always some of the best I’ve had the good fortune to witness from those storied pews.

For the first time TV viewers get a new perspective. This year’s Americana Honors & Awards will be broadcast on AXS TV which will include live behind-the-scenes coverage.

The ceremony will also broadcast live on radio, satellite and the web via outlets including Nashville’s legendary WSM, SiriusXM’s “Outlaw Country” and NPR.org, respectively. As they did last year Austin City Limits, will broadcast an edited special ACL Presents on November 10, and Voice of America and Bob Harris’ BBC Radio 2 will broadcast overseas in the following weeks.

I’ve already opined on my views of the nominees, now it’s time to settle in for the ride. below find the nominees and my pick in bold.

Album of the Year
Here We Rest – Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
I’ll Never Get Out of this World Alive – Steve Earle
The Harrow & The Harvest – Gillian Welch
This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark – Various Artists

Artist of the Year
Gillian Welch
Hayes Carll
Jason Isbell
Justin Townes Earle

Emerging Artist of the Year
Alabama Shakes
Dawes
Deep Dark Woods
Robert Ellis

Song of the Year
“Alabama Pines” – Written by Jason Isbell and performed by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
“Come Around” – Written and performed by Sarah Jarosz
“I Love” – Written by Tom T. Hall and performed by Patty Griffin
“Waiting On The Sky to Fall” – Written and performed by Steve Earle

Instrumentalist of the Year
Buddy Miller
Chris Thile
Darrell Scott
Dave Rawlings

Duo/Group of the Year
Carolina Chocolate Drops
The Civil Wars
Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Punch Brothers

Americana Music Conference & Festival Picks

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Below you’ll find my picks for the 2012 Americana Music Conference showcases. This was one of the the toughest  years to winnow down the performances I’m going to attend. And I still did a poor job! There is too many great acts playing at the same time. Such an embarrassment of riches!

But there is hope! Unlike the misery of traversing the stages at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass where you’re lucky to catch parts of shows at more than one stage, and or even to make it alive in some cases, the Americana Festival has buses to get us to the venues.

Of course I can’t make all the shows unless am able top perfect that time bending and beer making contraption I’ve been working on (SOON!) but you van catch any of these performances and not go wrong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 11

The 5 Spot
$2 TUESDAYS /Twang Nation Social Club -  Hosted by Derek Hoke : feat.Melody WalkerAlanna ,
Royale Joshua Black Wilkins, Marsha & The Martians (Angel Snow & Robby Hecht) Late Night with Los Colones9pm
$2 cover/$2 Yazoo pints #UnofficialAMA

Mercy Lounge
Somebody’s Darling w/ Buffalo Clover – The High Watt #UnofficialAMA
The Billy Block Show featuring Yo Ma Ma, Erica Nicole, Chelle Rose, Allie Farris, Caroline Rose and The Cumberland Collective  #UnofficialAMA

Two Old Hippies 401 12th Ave. South
The Alternate Root Presents a Pre-AMA Triple-Play of Music with Amelia White, Julie Christensen and Tommy  Womack & The Rush To Judgment #UnofficialAMA
Showtime: 6:00-8:00 pm
No Cover ~ Special Treats
615-254-7999

Wednesday, September 12

Puckett’sGrocery, 5th & Church

5pm & 7pm Allen Thompson Band CD Release Party,
Dinner & show before the AMA Awards at 5 . Later show 7 #UnofficialAMA

The Basement
11:00 Blue Mountain
12:00 Shovels and Rope

The Station Inn
11:30 Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

The Rutledge
10:00 Gretchen Peters
12:00 Delta Rae

Mercy Lounge
10:00 Corb Lund
11:00 This Wheel’s On Fire: A Tribute to Levon Helm

The High Watt
10:30 Whitehorse

Cannery Ballroom
10:00 Star Anna
Thursday, September 13

The Basement
8:00 Lydia Loveless
9:00 Angel Snow
10:00 Sons of Fathers
11:00 The Deep Dark Woods
12:00 Black Lillies

The Station Inn
10:00 Mary Gauthier
11:00 Richard Thompson

Mercy Lounge
8:00 Turnpike Troubadours
9:00 Billy Joe Shaver
10:00 Steve Forbert
11:00 John Fullbright
12:00 Jason Boland & The Stragglers

The High Watt
10:30 Eilen Jewell
11:30 Julie Lee
Cannery Ballroom
8:00 Blue Highway
9:00 Sara Watkins
10:00 Paul Thorn
11:00 Punch Brothers (with a Sara Watkins cameo?)

Friday, September 14

Sheraton Hotel lobby – 623 Union St.
Wanda Jackson
12:30-1:10pm

Amy Black,  Susan Cattaneo, Rose Cousins and Rod Picott
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

The Basement
9:00 American Aquarium
11:00 Chuck Mead and His Grassy Knoll Boys

The Station Inn
8:00 Red June
9:00 Della Mae
10:00 McCrary Sisters
11:00 Steep Canyon Rangers
12:00 Humming House

The Rutledge
8:00 Mandolin Orange
9:00 Mindy Smith
11:00 Belle Starr

Mercy Lounge
8:00 Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coalition
9:00 Holy Ghost Tent Revival
10:00 Dylan LeBlanc
11:00 Darrell Scott
12:00 Reckless Kelly

The High Watt
9:30 Two Gallants

Cannery Ballroom
9:00  Amanda Shires
10:00 Robert Ellis
11:00 John Hiatt

Saturday, September 15

The Basement
9:00 Chastity Brown
11:00 The Pines
12:00 Chris Scruggs

The Station Inn
8:00 Brennen Leigh
9:00 Phoebe Hunt
10:00 Marvin Etzioni
11:00 Rodney Crowell

The Rutledge
8:00 Felicity Urquhart
9:00 The Wood Brothers
10:00 Kevin Gordon
12:00 The Trishas

Mercy Lounge
8:00 Lera Lynn
9:00 honeyhoney
10:00 Tift Merritt
11:00 Buddy Miller & Lee Ann Womack

The High Watt
8:00 Jill Andrews
9:00 Derek Hoke

Railroad Revival Tour Ticket Giveaway

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As part of my own Twang Nation train redemption series we bring you an opportunity to win a pair of tickets to a Railroad Revival Tour show at a stop of your choice.

Railroad Revival Tour is celebrates a pivotal age of American transportation and the more recent musical spirit best exemplified by the Festival Express. That tour chartered a Canadian National Railways train to transport Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, The Band, Buddy Guy and others to Toronto, Winnipeg and Calgary, during the summer of 1970. The Railroad Revival Tour is a truly a uniques experience as travels town to towns aboard 16 vintage, 1940’s railcars, setting up open air, pop-up concert venues in parks, fields and lots around the railroad tracks where they stop.

Last year’s inaugural journey, featuring Mumford and Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Old Crow Medicine Show, was a huge success and 2012’s version, featuring Willie Nelson & Family, Band of Horses, Jamey Johnson and John Reilly & Friends, is shaping up to be even bigger and better!

This year’s train route kicks off at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, Georgia surrounded by the historical steam locomotives and railcars of years past. The train then heads to Memphis, home of the legendary Stax Records and Elvis (and BBQ!.) Returning to the tour’s (and my) home state of Texas, the train will stop in the historical railroad town of Old Town Spring before heading west to Tempe, San Pedro and a finale where it began last year in Oakland, CA.

Now how do you enter the contest? Easy! Head over to the Twang Nation Facebook page and enter a caption for this pic. Rules: Post your caption on the image and the one with the most “Likes” at 1 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday August 1st will be claimed the Winner. Twang Nation reserves the right to settle a tie.
Make sure to “Share” the Facebook post with friends and family to increase your “Likes”.

Dwight Yoakam’s New Album, 3 Pears, Out Sept. 18

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It seems too crazy to be true. It was over a year ago that I read about a potential collaboration between Dwight Yoakam and Beck. I thought it was too good to be true and as the months rolled by I thought my hunch was correct. No way Jose.

I’ve never been so glade to be mistaken. The recently announced “3 Pears,” is the result of that creative union and will be be released Sept. 18. It’s also Yoakam’s first studio album of original material since in seven years ‎and his return to Warner Bros. Records.

I read that Yoakam has been working on the 12 songs on the album since 2008 and jokingly describes the process as “reaaall reaaaallllll sloooww.”

Let’s hope it results in a release that’s reaaall reaaaallllll good!

Here’s a little Bakersfield heaven with Dwight joining the Hag on his “Swinging Doors.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiARHDNECBo&feature=related

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 7 – Corb Lund and Hayes Carll, Turnpike Troubadours, The Driftwood Singers and The Trishas

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Podcast number is in the can and it might be the best one yet.

Here you’ll find great cuts from upcoming albums like Corb Lund’s swamp-guitar laced road buddy number featuring Hayes Carll “Bible On The Dash” and The Trishas bring sweet, sweet harmony in Little Sweet Cigars.

Blackberry Smoke channels 70’s era Allman Brothers in the soulful The Whippoorwill. There’s also some great cuts from newcomers Angela Perley, Shovels & Rope and The Driftwood Singers.

Finally I use the last slot to say goodbye to another legend. Susanna Clark’s “Easy From Now On,” a song she penned for Emmylou Harris’ album “Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town,” and album she also painted the cover for.

I hope you all enjoy the great Americana and roots music featured in this and all the podcasts, and hope you seek out the musicians and buy their music, merch and , most importantly, take all your friends and see them live. Remember you can leave requests or feedback below or email me at baron(at)twangnation(dot)com. All you feedback , good and bad, is appreciated.

1. Corb Lund – Song: “Bible On The Dash” – Album: Cabin Fever (New West Records)
2. Polecat – Song: “Fire On The Hill” – Album: Fire On The Hill (Independently released)
3. Shovels & Rope – Song: O’ Be Joyful – Album: Song: O’ Be Joyful (Dualtone Records)
4. Catherine Irwin – Song: Mockingbird – Album: Little Heater (Thrill Jockey Records )
Removed by request of Thrill Jockey Records
5. The Trishas – Song: Little Sweet Cigars – Album: High Wide & Handsome (Trisha Records)
6. Blackberry Smoke – Song: The Whippoorwill – Album: The Whippoorwill (Southern Ground Records.
7. The Driftwood Singers – Song: If I Take That Notion – Album: The Driftwood Singers (Trailer Fire Records)
8. Angela Perley and The Howlin’ Moons – Song: 18 Feet Under- Album: Nowhere is Now Here. (Vital Music USA)
9. Whitey Morgan and the 78’s – Song: I Ain’t Drunk – Album: Whitey Morgan and the 78’s (Bloodshot Records)
10. Turnpike Troubadours – Song: “Before the Devil Knows We’re Dead” – Album: Goodbye Normal Street (Bossier City Records)
11. Emmylou Harris – Song: “Easy From Now On” – Album: Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town (Warner Bros)