Twang Nation – The Best In Americana Music
Americana & Roots Music & Culture
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.
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 Billâ€
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 Muskogeeâ€
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
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.
Beck’s chameleon-like career has rivaled that of the Thin White Duke himself. Like Bowie, Beck has both trailed and established trends so tightly that it’s hard to tell which proceeds or which follows his maneuvers.
Beck has tackled soul, funk and might have started Emo with “Loser.†But the best Beck is the dour-folk Beck.
Said to be a companion to 2002’s heart-crushing “Sea Change” “Morning Phase” has a slightly more comfortable feel. More excepting, fateful. Like Beck seems more at home with being uncomfortable.
“Morning Phase” is Beck’s “Pink Moon.” On “Heart Like A Drum” he sings “The Heart is a Drum / Keeping Time With Everyone.” and “Beat Beat beat / It’s Beating Me Down.”
The whole album has a pop-menace that sound like it sprang from the mind of Brian Wilson.
When Beck strips away he beat-box schtick here’s is genuine talent here. Dare I say genius. Yes, I think I will.
A more complete review will come soon. Just wanted to share this with you.
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.â€
Nine of these twelve tracks are previously unissued, and include originals (including “Soap, Soup And Salvationâ€, 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.
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.
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
7 years ago neo-bluegrass trio Nickel Creek,Chris Thile (mandolin/vocals), Sara Watkins (fiddle/vocals) and Sean Watkins (guitar/vocals) , went on “indefinite hiatus” and then ventured into separate successful solo careers. Many thought the day the band might reunite had passed
They would be wrong.
Nickel Creek have announced new album in the Spring of 2014 as well as a 7 city tour this Spring.
A limited ticket pre-sale will begin tomorrow, February 4 at 10 a.m. local time at nickelcreek.com. Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning this Friday, February 7.
Hear “Destination,” a song from the upcoming Nickel Creek album below.
Here’s the latest of Nickel Creek’s tour dates:
April 18 and 19 – Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
April 29 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
May 1 Boston, MA House of Blues
May 3 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
May 9 Chicago, IL Riviera Theater
May 19 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
June 19-22 Telluride, CO Telluride Bluegrass Festival
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)
The live (and lively) performance by country legends Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Merle Haggard on the 56th Annual Grammy Awards stage to perform the classics “Highwayman,” “Okie From Muskogee” and “Mamma’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” was a magnificent, albeit creaky, moment of music history. It is also a testament to how far off the reservation Music City has veered.
Leaving aside whether Blake Shelton merited a spot alongside such luminaries (cough…Jamey Johnson, Sturgill Simpson…cough) it was a highlight of the event.
Wille mentioned to Billboard.com that a formal collaboration among the three is in the works.
“We’re working on one now, yeah,” Nelson said, adding that they’ll release it “as soon as we get it together.”
Tentatively called “The Musketeers†(SavingCountryMusic.com) this will be the first time the trio has collaborated on the same project. Nelson is the common bond as he recorded the Townes Van Zandt’s classic, “Pancho & Lefty,” with Haggard and worked with Kristofferson in The Highwaymen alongside Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.
Given Kristofferson and Haggard’s recent health concerns a collaboration album released this year might be the last we hear from these gentleman. I certainly hope not.
But going out among friends would be a fine adios.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SspAWnLvUFc