Twang Nation – The Best In Americana Music
Americana & Roots Music & Culture
Ryan Adams’ ongoing tour for his current self-titled release took him to a packed house at the historic Ryman Auditorium last night. Past tour mates, Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires, were part of those in attendance and the crowd were treated when they joined Adams on a lovely rendition of his “Jacksonville Skyline.”
On August 7th everyone’s favorite dark country chanteuse, Lindi Ortega, will release her fourth album ‘Faded Gloryville’ out on Grand Tour/Last Gang Records.
Ortega lends her signature crystal trill and lonesome wail to the album, created over three sessions and produced by Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Shooter Jennings), who also worked on her previous effort, ‘Tin Star’ recorded three songs at the Sound Emporium in Nashville. Colin Linden (T Bone Burnett), who was behind her “Cigarettes & Truckstops’ album., produced four songs and the Single-Lock Records heads Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes) and John Paul White (Civil Wars) produced three songs tracked in Muscle Shoals, including a Nina Simone-inspired update of the Bee Gees classic “To Love Somebody.”
The press release reads “Although all three sessions were different, every one of them focused on live studio takes, capturing both the rough-edged rawness of Ortega’s live performances and the smooth salve of her voice.”
“There’s something about the Shoals that entices artists to forget themselves, to reimagine, to reinvent,” says John Paul White, whose harmonies can also be heard on three of the album’s tracks. “Lindi did a great job of immersing herself in what we do around here, yet retain that thing that makes her indelibly unique. That takes an amount of confidence that most do not have.”
The Canadian ex pat appears to have a cinematic frame of mind for her newest effort. To her “‘Faded Gloryville’ represents a state of mind — a place we all visit on our way to something bigger and better. It’s the dark, dreary town that looms on the near horizon, infinitely closer that the far-off destination we’re trying to reach. Most weary travelers pull their cars into ‘Faded Gloryville’ and stay awhile, beaten down from the long journey. Some are willing to dust themselves off and leave town in the morning, though, determined to chase after their goals regardless of the conditions.”
“‘Faded Gloryville’ isn’t just about music,” she told Rolling Stone Country. “It’s about anything that brings you down, whether it’s dreams not coming true or relationships not working out, and its message is this: you can go to place where you’re feeling really down about things, but it’s what you do afterwards — do you decide to reside there forever, or do you leave and make the situation better — that matters. You have to travel through ‘Faded Gloryville’ to get to Paradise.”
‘Faded Gloryville’ – Track Listing
1. Ashes
2. Faded Gloryville
3. Tell It Like It Is (Hear below)
4. Someday Soon
5. To Love Somebody
6. When You Ain’t Home
7. Run-down Neighborhood
8. I Ain’t The Girl
9. Run Amuck
10. Half Moon
Glide Magazine and JamBase both report that Ryan Adams debut masterpiece get the special re-release treatment as CD and vinyl formats. Look for it worldwide May 26th on Pax-Am (Caroline/Universal). The album will be available for purchase at your local record store as well as online outlets.
The album was recorded over fourteen days at Woodland Studios in Nashville, Tennessee and released September 5, 2000. ‘Heartbreaker’ is heralded as an Americana classic and has been available on always been available digitally on online channels like iTunes but the physical album has been out of print for a few years.
But you might want to hold out for a “special deluxe ‘ version due later this year.
Here’s the classic “Sweet Carolina’ from the album with backup from Emmylou Harris
It’s no coincidence that Conan O’Brien’s official site held the premiered the new Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard video for “It’s All Going To Pot” on this day, 4/20. If you don’t get the title reference to this day I suggest you Google 4/20. i’ll wait…
Now that we’re up to speed, big horns kick off this uptempo ditty which plays the legendary pair’s reflection on the state of society and their choice of adult recreational activity. Recounting their days of drinking and popping pills and how it just doesn’t compare. And that whatever society and that ‘cacklehaed in the box” says, they’ll stay true to their Outlaw moniker to the end.
The cut can be found on the upcoming collaboration album ‘Django and Jimmie” to be released June 2nd. Pre-order it on Willie’s Official Online Store or Amazon.
Jason Isbell has officially announced the follow-up to 2013’s breakthrough “Southeastern.” “Something More Than Free,” will release July 17 via Southeastern Records. The record was recorded at the Sound Emporium in Nashville, TN and produced by Dave Cobb, who also produced ‘Southeastern.’
‘Something More Than Free’ features 11 tracks of what the press release calls his “most sonically diverse album to date.†The release also details some tracks – “If It Takes A Lifetime†having a “classic country tone.” “24 Frames†(see video below) has an “easy, Laurel Canyon vibe.” “Flagship†is described as “wistful folk balladry” and “Palmetto Rose†has a “bluesy Southern rock timbre .”
Isbell took to twitter on March 14th to declare that “I think these songs are better than the Southeastern batch.”
Sounds pretty great, yes? I for one can’t wait for June to come.
Isbell and his 400 Unit are currently on the road with old and new songs in towa and featuring some fantastic opening acts. The tour ends with a four-night stand at the Mother Church of Country Music, The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, October 23-26. Isbell visits Texas , but both shows are in Austin – June 20th at a sold-out Texas Union Ballroom show and on July 4 where he plays Willie Nelson’s talent-packed 4th of July Picnic.
http://youtu.be/6sh2yxYnma4
tour dates below.
April16 – Chattanooga, TN – Track 29 ^^
April 17 – Charlotte, NC – Tuckfest at U.S. National Whitewater Center
April 18 – Greenville, SC – Horizon Records (Record Store Day 2015 In-Store)
April 18 – Columbia, SC- Music Farm Columbia ^^
May 2Â – Meridian, MS – Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival
May 8 – Richmond, VA – Friday Cheers at Brown’s Island
May 9 – Maryville, TN – The Shed #
May 12 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre **
May 13 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theatre **
May 15 – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Theatre **
May 16 – Atlanta, GA – Shaky Boots Festival
May 17 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre **
May 19 – Westbury, NY – The Space at Westbury **
May 20 – Port Chester, NY – Capitol Theatre **
May 22 – Albany, NY – Hart Theatre @ The Egg **
May 23 – Cumberland, MD – Del Fest
May 24 – Boston, MA – Boston Calling
May 26 – Rochester, NY – Water Street Music Hall **
May 27 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues **
May 28 – Bristol, TN – Paramount Center for the Arts **
June 4 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion %
June 5 – Dayton, OH – Rose Music Center at the Heights %
June 6 – Black Mountain, NC – Pisgah Brewing Co. Outdoor Stage°°
June 20 – Austin, TX – Texas Union Ballroom – SOLD OUT
July 4 – Austin, TX – Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic
July 9-12 – Winnipeg, Canada – Winnipeg Folk Festival
July 26 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion ✚
July 31 – Fort Smith, AR – Peacemaker Music & Arts Festival
August 14-16 – Lyons, CO – Folks Festival
October 23-26 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
** = Craig Finn opening
^^ = Strand of Oaks opening
# = Anderson East opening
°° = Amanda Shires opening
% = With Amanda Shires, opening for Dwight Yoakam
✚ = Opening for My Morning Jacket
Ryman Auditorium Special Guests:
October 23: Amanda Shires
October 24: Parker Millsap
October 25: Hurray for the Riff Raff
October 26: Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton is someone who straddles,and thrives in, the stylistic and cultural divide between factions of contemporary country music.
He pens hit songs for the likes of Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan, whose version is up for for Song of the Year at this Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards. Though they are chart topping these songs are a cut above the bro-country radio fodder currently resulting from the Music Row songwriting sessions assembly line.
As a singer/songwriter his burly baritone gives testimony of a personal journeys that can hush a room or stir a crowd into a ruckus, as he does on this night.
Fresh from his television debut two nights’ before, making it onto the tightly restricted list of David Letterman’s musical guest before his retirement, Stapleton didn’t display airs as he
worked his craft on the road.
You’d be forgiven for overlooking Stapleton as just a member of the audience. Slightly unkempt hair and beard frame his unassuming features. His weathered straw cowboy hat sports a front feather splay emanating from a center turquoise stone. The kind of hat that could come from Johnny Paycheck’s closet.
Stapleton might have an ear for what makes a current country hit, but they’re built from an appreciation and deep understanding of style and stories manifested in classic 70’s country gold. A variety largely abandoned by Music Row in pursuit of money that enjoying a resurgence with artists with greater aspirations, like Sturgill Simpson, Whitey Morgan, Sarah Gayle Meech and Kelsey Waldon.
The Kentucky native resemble many of the crowd that break into hoots and hollers as he climbs on the small stage.
“Sounds like we’ve got some hillbillies here tonight.”
The band slowly build into the heart beat cadence of “Nobody to Blame,†from his anticipated “solo debut “Traveler.” It’s a swampy blue-collar mea-culpa of a man taking responsibility for a list of his wife’s retaliation in response to his unsaid transgressions.
This song is made even more poignant as his wife, the singer-songwriter Morgan Stapleton, sings harmony on the chorus his eyes locked with hers, where they remain most of the evening.
He payed tribute to Texas by performing songs from two of our state’s greatest performers; George Jones’ “Tennessee Whiskey†( also on “Traveler.”) Stapleton’s version is a slower, more melancholy one showcasing his smooth croon and thrilling soaring vocals across the well-worn terrain of temptation, love and salvation.
A young woman requested from the front of the stage to hear the his version of Waylon Jenning’s “Amanda,” as it was her name as well. He graciously obliged , going off setlist to perform the song. The woman, now smiling and flushed, fanned her face as tears ran down her face.
Between shots of fan-bought whiskey (the sweetest kind) Stapleton also paid tribute to his Grammy-winning stint with the new-grass band The Steeldrivers by performing a revved up, honky-tonk version of “Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey” and the southern soul murder ballad ‘If It Hadn’t Been For Love.’ famously covered by Adel on the UK version of her album album ’21.’
Stapleton’s delivery of that , and all the songs tonight, make it easy to imagine what ran through Adel’s mind when she first heard that song. “That voice!” And she knows a thing or two about vocal range and texture.
The just repaired air conditioning makes it to the stage too late to bring comfort to Stapleton , who by the time he gets to the last song “Outlaw State of Mind,†his black, pearl snap shirt, was drenched through. ‘Outlaw…’ is a perfect sonic bookend to “Nobody to Blame.†It’s slow swampy build, and rebel-theme, build to a full-tilt bombast to send the grinning crowd into warm Texas night.
Set List:
Nobody to Blame
Traveller
Fire Away
Tennessee Whiskey (George Jones cover)
You Don’t Know How It Feels (Tom Petty cover)
Amanda (Waylon Jennings cover)
If It Hadn’t Been for Love
Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey
Whiskey and You
Outlaw State of Mind
Chris Stapleton has worked behind the scenes of Music Row for quite some time. He’s written hits for mainstream artists like Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley. He’s also showed his melodic diversity by penning songs covered by Adele, Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow. He’s also up for Song of the Year at this Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards, for Luke Bryan’s “Drink a Beer.”
The man know his away around the craft to chart and to speak to the heart.
His first foray into the spotlight was as the lead singer and guitarist of the neo-bluegrass band The SteelDrivers from 2008–2010, where he was was nominated for three Grammy Awards as a member.
Chris Stapleton’s next act will be the release of his much anticipated debut “Traveler” (May 5th.) Not only will the album feature Stapleton’s tremendous talent but it will feature some of the best musicians going. If that weren’t enough for your hard earned dollar it’s notable that the album is produced by Dave Cobb, tha man at the boards for two recent stellar roots albums, Sturgill Simpson’s ‘Metamodern Sounds in Country Music’ and Jason Isbell’s ‘Southeastern.’
Last night, the singer-songwriter joined a long and prestigious list of country, Americana and roots musicins that have graced the stage of the Ed Sullivan Theater apperaing as a musical guest for the Late Show with David Letterman.
Stapleton performed the title song, wrapping his big Southern soul beautifully around his wife and collaborator Morgane’s accompaniment. Backed by a steady, smooth cadence by Derek Mixon on drums and JT Cure on bass, and, notably, the whining to and from of Robby Turner on pedal steel (To Letterman likening the the skill to flying a helicopter is probably not far off. )
It’s both sad and startling to hear this much soul and subtle beauty in country music.
Stapleton will open for Eric Church on April 30th in Boston. He will begin his solo tour tonight in Dallas and will perform at Good Records on April 18th for Record Store Day before continuing on tour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YADQ6MhQuuU&feature=youtu.be
Boston-based siblings Ari & Mia began making music when Ari was 8 and Mia was 3. In the ensuiing years the chamber/folk duo have used their beautifully blended sibling harmony and instumentation to create a varirty of Americana that makes you reconsider where the genre’s boundaries.
“Godspeed The Plough,†the latest single off thier upcoming album, Ari (cello/vocal) and Mia (fiddle/vocal) display an intricately delicate latice of sound that aligns on beautiful on the traditional folk tune.
Of the song Ari & Mia say:
“Godspeed the Plough was written by our dear friend, Bennett Konesni of Belfast, ME. The first verse and chorus of the song are taken from an old farmer’s toast that Bennett found written one day on a mug at his grandmother’s house. The song reminds us of summers spent playing music with friends in Maine, and how satisfying a self-sufficient life on the land can be. ”
“Godspeed The Plough†is from The upcoming ‘Out of Stone,’ which is slated for release in July.
Sturgill Simpson continued his meteoric career with a day performance at Indio, California mega-festival, Coachella on Saturday.
Check out the clip below as Stu and his extraordinary band – Guitar slinger Laur “Little Joe†Joamets, Bassist Kevin Black, drummer Miles Miller and keyboardist Jefferson Crowe – organically build and riff on the Osborne Brothers classic ‘Listening To The Rain.’
You need no more proof that this to underscore this is one of the finest touring bands – of whatever genre – in America.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytxnj19Ll14
Once the trailer for HBO’S True Detective Season 2 hit the web people were wondering ” Who’s that smoky singer accompanying it?” (well, I said smoky)
Fiona Apple had been speculated on one site’s post, and then the mystery was solved.
Rosanne Cash took natyrally to twitter, as she’s so great at, to inform the enquiring minds clammering to know.
“Thrilled to write the lyrics to T Bone Burnett and @LeraLynn’s beautiful melody for the new season of @TrueDetective.”
So fitting for the moody feel of the show. The Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated noir crime series returns Sunday, June 21!!
It’s all just a circle….
