Category Archives: New Releases

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 13 – Jason Isbell , Patty Griffin , Shonna Tucker , George Jones

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podcast

No overt themes in this episode, just great music.

One of my favorite bands Durham, North Carolina’s Hiss Golden Messenger kicks things off with the raucous Red Rose Nantahala from their new album Hawwe also take a listen o new work from Jason Isbell being supported by members of his band, the 400 Unit, and his newly betrothed Amanda Shires. Patty Griffin gives us the beautiful Mom & Dad’s Waltz from her new American Kid and we get an early listen to Shonna Tucker, and her new band Eye Candy.

And lastly we say goodbye to a country music legend with Choices by George Jones.

As always. I hope you like this episode of the Twang Nation Podcast and thank you all for listening. If you do tell a friend and let me know here at this site, Google+ , Twitter or my Facebook page.

As always , BUY MUSIC, SEE SHOWS!

Opening Song – “Mr. D.J” – by Dale Watson

1. Hiss Golden Messenger – “Red Rose Nantahala”- Album: “Haw” (Paradise of Bachelors)
2. Shannon McNally – Song: “If It Were Mine To Keep”- Album: “Light Walker Demos EP” (Sacred Sumac Music)
3. The Builders and the Butchers– Song: “Dirt In The Ground”- Album: “Western Medicine” (Badman Recording Co. – July 2nd)
4. The Dustbowl Revival – Song: “Hard River Gal”- Debut Album: “Carry Me Back Home” (self-released)
5. Jason Isbell – Song: “Traveling Alone” – Album: Southeastern (Southeastern Records/Thirty Tigers. – out June 11th)
6. Rita Hosking – Song: “Nothing Left Of Me” – Album: Little Boat (self-released)
7. Shonna Tucker and Eye Candy – Song: “Linda Please” – Album: ? ( ? )
8. Patty Griffin – Song: “Mom & Dad’s Waltz” – American Kid ( New West Records – out May 7 )
9. Eastbound Jesus – Song: “Katie Belle” Album: Northern Rock ( Self-released)
10. George Jones – Song: “Choices”

The Civil Wars Annouce New Album This Summer

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The Civil Wars New Album

The Civil Wars were holed up working on a new album in Nashville last fall with Barton Hallow producer Charlie Peacock. But last February fans were jarred by news that Joy Williams and John Paul White cancelling all of their concerts citing “irreconcilable differences of ambition,” but they left the door open for more music soon.

The band worked with T Bone Burnett for new music for the soundtrack for “A Place at the Table.” the pair also seems unconformable sharing the stage with T Bone and Taylor Swift to accept a Grammy for their contribution to the Hunger Games soundtrack.

All this time the band’s Facebook page has been flooded with well-wishing fans begging for new music. They’re going to get their wish this summer.

The best-selling folk pop duo announced today via Twitter, Facebook and their site (which crashed from the traffic on the news) that they will release their their self-titled sophomore album in “late summer” on Sensibility Music/Columbia Records.

“Patience is a virtue,” White writes to fans in a letter posted on the duo’s official website. “Yours has been appreciated. Here’s to the hope you consider it rewarded.

So far there is no official news on public appearances or performances planned around the release.

Watch Out! John Fullbright “Gawd Above” [VIDEO]

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John Fullbright - Gawd Above Video

Gawd Above, one of the best songs on john Fulbright’s Grammy-nominated “From the Ground Up” has now gotten the proper video treatment.

The Oklahoma native stars in this moody succession of black-and-white temptations, jump-cuts between Scantly clad women (one that eats fire) seedy hotels, confessional booths and (shudder) white loafers!

Gawd Above is a great song song no matter what imagery is draped around it but if it needed to be done this is a pretty cool way to do it.

Listen Up! The Builders and the Butchers “Dirt in the Ground”

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The Builders and the Butchers - Western Medicine

Dark roots band The Builders and the Butchers, (Ryan Sollee – vocals/guitar; Harvey Tumbleson – guitar/banjo/mandolin; Ray Rude – drums/organ/piano; Willy Kunkle – bass; Justin Baier – drums), are known for their for their rowdy live shows and their proclivity toward folks musics darker subject matter.

The Alaska-born / Portland-based and band’s new release, Dirt in the Ground , trods through similar stylistic territory. The chugging intro is a study in stark mortality said to be inspired by the Southern Gothic writings Cormac McCarthy. Sollee’s frantic wail threads symbolism of a patriarchal graveyard jig , fire, fear and guilt and our collective end as he wails as a matter-of-fact “one day soon you’ll be the dirt in the ground.” The song’s pressure-cooker conclusion is like a Mumford and Sons show gone off the rails.

Western Medicine is The Builders and the Butchers fourth release and will be released on July 2nd. Pre-order will be available soon through Badman Records site.

The Builders and the Butchers upcoming dates:

May 10 Austin TX-Anotnes
May 11 Denver CO-Bluebird Theater (w-The Thermals)
May 23 San Fransisco Ca-Cafe Du Nord
May 24 Visalia Ca-Cellar Door
May 25 Santa Cruz Ca-Crepe Place
May 26 Sacramento Ca-Harlow’s (w-Murder By Death)
June 8 Spokane Wa-Elkfest
June 22 Portland Or-Mississippi Studios ( CD release show)

Steve Martin and Edie Brickell Perform “When You Get to Asheville” on David Letterman 4/23/13 [VIDEO]

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Steve Martin & Edie Brickell - When You Get to Asheville - David Letterman

Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. The pairing seemed odd when i caught wind of it, but the results were a great combination of rustic roots with modernist sensibilities. Like the Nashville Sound if it had taken place 30 years earlier.

They made their collective TV debut last night, performing “When You Get to Asheville” with the Steep Canyon Rangers on the Late Show With David Letterman.

Appearing in back woods finery Martin deftly works the banjo and Edie recalls her “What I am…” breathlessness on this plaintive tune of a classic lovelorn longing. The perennial theme is afforded
modern touches like using email to communicate. They are deftly backed by the Martin’s usual partners Steep Canyon Rangers The cut is taken from their new release, Love Has Come for You, which Rounder released this week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xVFpn_MK0G8#!

Watch Out! Sarah Jarosz Live at the Troubadour EP – Special Record Store Day Exclusive [VIDEO]

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Sarah Jarosz

in honor of Record Store Day 2013 Austin native and folk singer/songwriter Sarah Jarosz is offering a new live release, Live at the Troubadour. The five song EP was was recorded the famed Los Angeles venue and features longtime collaborators Nathanial Smith (cello) and Alex Hargreaves (violin.)

Four live performance videos, shot by videographer Alex Chaloff, beautifully capturing the grace Jarosz of her live shows were created especially for the release. These were originally featured on The Bluegrass Situation, CMT Edge, Bluegrass Nation and RecordStoreDay.com.

Currently wrapping up her senior year at the New England Conservatory of Music, Jarosz will spend her summer making appearances at major festivals including Del Fest, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, High Sierra, Forecastle, Ossipee Valley and Newport Folk Festival.

LIVE AT THE TROUBADOUR track listing
1. Tell Me True
2. Kathy’s Song
3. Mansinneedof
4. Shankill Butchers
5. Broussard’s Lament

Look for Sarah Jarosz new Sugar Hill release is coming this fall.

Sarah Jarosz Tour Dates
2013-4-19 Burlington, VT – Flynn PAC – with John Prine
2013-4-20 Portsmouth, NH – The Music Hall – with John Prine
2013-5-03 Austin, TX – AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center
2013-5-23 New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall
2013-5-25 Cumberland, MD – Del Fest
2013-6-12 The Woodlands, TX – Dosey Doe Coffee Shop
2013-6-13 Wimberley, TX – Blue Rock Artist Ranch – Blue Rock Studio
2013-6-14 Dallas, TX – Poor David’s Pub
2013-6-15 Santa Fe, NM – The Downs of Santa Fe – with Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris
2013-6-16 Phoenix, AZ – Musical Instrument Museum
2013-6-18 Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
2013-6-21 Telluride, CO – Telluride Bluegrass Festival
2013-6-22 Telluride, CO – Michael D. Palm Theatre
2013-7-06 Quincy, CA – High Sierra Music Festival
2013-7-07 Quincy, CA – High Sierra Music Festival
2013-7-13 Louisville, KY – Forecastle Festival
2013-7-25 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
2013-7-26 Hiram, ME – Ossipee Valley Music Festival
2013-7-27 Newport, RI – Newport Folk Festival
2013-7-28 Ogunquit, ME – Jonathan’s Restaurant
2013-8-10 Portland, ON – Oregon Zoo Amphitheatre
2013-8-11 Seattle, WA – Woodland Park Zoo Amphitheatre

Slaid Cleaves’ New Release ‘Still Fighting The War’ to Benefit Returning Soldiers

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Slaid Cleaves' New Album Still Fighting The War

Slaid Cleaves’ new song, Still Fighting the War, was inspired in part by Denver Post photographer Craig F. Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photo essay about a soldier trying to reconnect with civilian life as he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. Cleaves said he began the song before seeing Walker’s work, but “when I came across the photo essay, it helped me feel closer to the experience of what a vet goes through when he comes home. I don’t have anybody in my family who served, but I used that photo essay to find out what it was like for those people.”

Still Fighting the War, co-written by Ron Coy and featuring the legendary Jimmy LaFave on harmony, is the title song for the acclaimed Texas singer/songwriter’s forthcoming album. Cleaves tells USA Today “As I was putting together all these songs that I had recorded, this song was one of the strongest, and I saw a little bit of a theme,” Cleaves says. “They’re songs about perseverance and holding your head up through hard times, so I decided to use it as the title.”

Cleaves has is using the song as a vehicle to help raise money for Operation Homefront, an organization that provides emergency financial relief for service members and their families.

“Operation Homefront raises funds for people, whether they’re in need of car repair, help with their rent or help getting to their job,” Cleaves says. “It’s a very personal, easy-to-understand way to help people.

“I had a song that speaks to an issue of the day, and I’m thrilled when my songs connect with people. That’s the main reason I write songs. But with this one, I could go a step further and do some good with it, use it to get more attention to this cause.”

Head to Cleaves’ website and donate a minimum of 99 cents for the single. 100% of proceeds from the download will go to Operation Homefront.

Still Fighting the War, produced by Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Lloyd Maines and Mark Hallman, is out June 18 on Music Road Records.

Visit Operation Homefront for more information.

Watch Out! Levon Helm Covers Randy Newman’s “Kingfish” [VIDEO]

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Levon Helm not in it for my health

RollinStone.com posted this great clip from Ain’t in It for My Health</em> , Jacob Hatley’s documentary on the musical legend.

The film will premiere in upstate New York on April 19th, near his famous barn where his rambles are held to this day. The opening will occur exactly one year after his passing,

The film show’s Hatley’s intimate access to Helm and follows his comeback with the Grammy-winning Dirt Farmer album. Below is a clip from the film showing Helm performing acoustic rendition of Randy Newman’s “Kingfish” his voice raspy as a result of throat cancer treatment.

From RollingStone.com “So this clip was one of the first things we shot,” says Hatley. “We were in between takes on a music video for the Dirt Farmer record and had rented out this dilapidated motel for the shoot. We were all sick of shooting this lip synched, choreographed video and wanted to hear some real music, so Levon and Little Sammy Davis went in to one of the rooms and started playing. They did about eight songs, just for the crew. There was a heart shaped jacuzzi just off frame. The motel has since burned to the ground.”

Record Store Day – “Buddy & Jim” Vinyl Contest

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buddy_and_jim_12

Step right up folks for a special Record Store day contest featuring New West recording artists Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale.

One lucky ,random, winner will receive one Record Store Day exclusive copy of Buddy Miller & Lauderdale new, acclaimed release “Buddy & Jim” on gloriously sonic 180 g 12″ Vinyl. This special release is limited to 1000 and each one is hand numbered. This particular baby is number 727.

Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale are two of the pioneers of Americana. Their solo recordings, songwriting, studio session work and live performances (as front men and musical directors) have made them treasures of the roots and country music scene. In an unexpected moment of inspiration, the two have collaborated to make a true duets record, trading licks and verses for one of the most inspired and fun albums of 2012.

Here’s how to enter:
– On Record Store (4/20) Day buy any limited edition release (in case you’re wondering what’s available I’ve listed some great Americana and roots releases) and take an Instagram pick of your new treasure.
– use your twitter account and tweeet us a pic of your goodies with the hashtag #RSDTwang

That’s it. You’ll be entered to win this limited edition beauty.

Winner needs to be located in the United States and will be picked at random, Sunday, April 22nd, 12PM PST. Good luck!

1 I Lost My Job Of Loving You
2 The Train That Carried My Gal From Town
3 That’s Not Even Why I Love You
4 South In New Orleans
5 It Hurts Me
6 Vampire Girl
7 Forever And A Day
8 Lonely One In This Town
9 Looking For A Heartache
10 I Want To Do Everything For You
11 The Wobble