When I first heard about Memphis singer/songwriter Valerie June she was a member of the roots collective The Wandering. She was part of a roster including Luther Dickinson, Shannon McNally, Amy LaVere, and Sharde Thomas. June singing and banjo allowed her to stand out deliriously talented bunch.
On the track “Twined and Twisted,” (hear it below) Valerie’s soaring vocals, serenaded by delicate acoustic guitar, reminds me a bit Nina Simone, a bit Buffy Sainte Marie. And yet she is wholly her own.
June’s debut album “Pushin’ Against A Stone” is co-produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach with Kevin Augunas. It’s due out 8/13 on Concord Records.
Country music legend Alan Jackson might have spent the 90’s in the shadow of Garth Corp. But he’s done far more in his career to preserve the legacy of great country music.
On September 24 Jackson will release the album he’s hinted at for years. Alan Jackson will release his first bluegrass album – appropriately titled The Bluegrass Album. Jackson wrote eight songs for the album, which also includes other originals and a couple of well-known standards of the genre – include The Dillards’ “There Is A Time,†John Anderson’s “Wild and Blue†and a ¾-time version of Bill Monroe’s seminal “Blue Moon of Kentucky.â€
The Bluegrass Album will be released on ACR (Alan’s Country Records)/EMI Records Nashville and is produced by Keith Stegall and Jackson’s nephew, Adam Wright.
The album featured some of the best players and singers in bluegrass, Scott Coney (acoustic guitar), Sammy Shelor (banjo), Adam Steffey (mandolin), Tim Crouch (fiddle), Tim Dishman (bass), Rob Ickes (dobro) and Ronnie Bowman and Don Rigsby (vocals). The performers came together, emerging in a matter of days with the completed acoustic album.
The Bluegrass Album track listing:
1.) Long Hard Road – Alan Jackson
2.) Mary – Alan Jackson
3.) Appalachian Mountain Girl – Alan Jackson
4.) Tie Me Down – Alan Jackson
5.) Way Beyond The Blue – Mark D. Sanders/Randy Albright/Lisa Silver
6.) Ain’t Got Trouble Now – Adam Wright
7.) Blue Ridge Mountain Song – Alan Jackson
8.) Blacktop – Alan Jackson
9.) Blue Side of Heaven – Alan Jackson
10.) There Is A Time – Rodney Dillard/Mitch Jayne
11.) Wild and Blue – John Scott Sherrill
12.) Knew All Along – Adam Wright/Shannon Wright
13.) Let’s Get Back to Me and You – Alan Jackson
14.) Blue Moon of Kentucky – Bill Monroe
Hayes Carll sits down with Austin’s Public Radio KUTX to perform “The Magic Kid.†The song was co-written with the legendary singer/songwriter Darrell Scott. Carll wrote “The Magic Kid†for his nine-year-old son Elijah.
In his signature laid-back style Carll, picks his acoustic while delivering his touching tribute that uses dime-store macic to tell a story of actual wonder in his life. Any parent will understand the beauty of this song and Carll works the emotion with subtle briliance. Carll is being backed by the excellent Warren Hood Band.
Building on the already excellent initial lineup announcement the Nashville-based Americana Music Association has released has released the full roster of artists performing during the event.
Some of the additions that stand out to me are roots-rockers Shooter Jennings and Austin Lucas, alt.country stalwarts Bottle Rockets and Ashley Monroe who apparently has no problem working both the Americana and Music Row sides of the fence (good!) One performer I’m bummed to see missing from the roster is Jason Isbell (Though his talented better half, Amanda Shires, is on the list.) There might be scheduling conflicts with his current tour supporting the excellent “Southeastern.”
The vagueness of Americana’s boundaries allows a richness and diversity within a shared source and vision. it’s what legend, and scheduled performer, Darrell Scott describes positively as a “hard-to-define place.”
the selections show a broad range of diversity and excellence the of the genre. Great to see many Casa Twang favorites represented as well.
The AMA has created a Spotify playlist of the performers on the 2013 bill.
The 14th annual event will take place in Nashville, Sept. 18-22. I’ll be there. hope you are too!
Americana Music Festival & Conference Showcase Performing Artistt
Alanna Royale
Amanda Shires
American Aquarium
Amy Speace
Andrew Combs
Andrew Leahey & the Homestead
Aoife O’Donovan
Ashley Monroe
Austin Lucas
Band of Heathens
Bear’s Den
Ben Miller Band
Bhi Bhiman
Billy Bragg
Black Prairie
Bobby Rush
Bottle Rockets
Brian Wright
Chelsea Crowell
Claire Lynch
Daniel Romano
Darrell Scott & Tim O’Brien
Dash Rip Rock
David Bromberg
Delbert McClinton
Della Mae
Donna the Buffalo
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors
DUGAS
Elephant Revival
Farewell Drifters
Field Report
Frank Fairfield
Hillbilly Killers
Holly Williams
Houndmouth
Howe Gelb
Howlin’ Brothers
Hurray for the Riff Raff
Infamous Stringdusters
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
JD McPherson
Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons
Joe Nolan
John Fullbright
Jonny Fritz
Josh Rouse
Joy Kills Sorrow
Judah & the Lion
Justin Townes Earle
Kim Richey
Kruger Brothers
Laura Cantrell
Lera Lynn
Levi Lowrey
Lindi Ortega
Lisa Marie Presley
Luella & the Sun
Mandolin Orange
Matt Mays
Max Gomez
McCrary Sisters
Melody Pool
Mustered Courage
My Darling Clementine
Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers
Nikki Lane
Noah Gunderson
Nora Jane Struthers
North Mississippi Allstars
NQ Arbuckle
Old Man Luedecke
Over The Rhine
Parker Millsap
Patrick Sweany
Paul Kelly
Peter Bruntnell
Phil Madeira
Pokey LaFarge
Randall Bramlett
Rayland Baxter
Richard Thompson
Rosanne Cash
Rose Cousins
Sam Doores, Riley Downing & the Tumbleweeds
Samantha Crain
Shakey Graves
Shannon McNally
Shel
Shooter Jennings
Sons of Fathers
Spirit Family Reunion
St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Steelism
Steep Canyon Rangers
Stewart Mann & the Statesboro Revue
Sturgill Simpson
Susan Cowsill
The Bushwackers
The Del-Lords
The Devil Makes Three
The Greencards
The Lone Bellow
The Lost Brothers
The Stray Birds
The Westbound Rangers
The White Buffalo
Tim Easton
Tommy Malone
Treetop Flyers
Two Man Gentleman Band
Uncle Lucius
Water Liars
Wheeler Brothers
Willie Sugarcaps
Willy Mason
Wood Brothers
This would have been a great video for a 4th of July post. Alas I’ve just become aware it.
Scenes of beaches, bike rides, sparklers and sudden rainstorms sets a leisurely-paced mood of this song of heating romance. O’Donovan’s skills as a songwriter of subtle beauty shines here as guitar, organ and peddle steel echo the flowing river referred to in the lyrics.
Aoife O’Donovan has been on the bluegrass and Americana scene for some time as lead singer for the progressive bluegrass/string band, Crooked Still, and a member of the female folk-noir trio, Sometymes Why. She has also performed and recorded with Ollabelle, Karan Casey and Seamus Egan, Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale, Darol Anger, Sarah Jarosz, Sara Watkins, Christina Courtin, Chris Thile , Noam Pikelny , Edgar Meyer, Stuart Duncan and Yo-Yo Ma (Goat Rodeo Sessions.)
“Red & White & Blue & Gold” is from O’Donovan’s excellent new release ‘Fossils.”
I just received an PR email that Country singer Randy Travis has been admitted to a Texas hospital and is listed in critical condition. The email reads “The Grammy winner is suffering from complications of recently acquired viral cardiomyopathy. Travis was admitted into the medical facility yesterday.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, cardiomyopathy is a “disease that weakens and enlarges your heart muscle.” Cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure.
Randy Travis recently released ‘Tonight I’m Playing Possum,’ a tribute song for the late George Jones he recorded with Joe Nichols.
UPDATE 7/10: Publicist Kirt Webster said Wednesday night that the 54-year-old Travis suffered the stroke while he was being treated for congestive heart failure because of a viral illness. It was not clear what kind of stroke Travis suffered.
Webster said Travis was undergoing surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. He remained in critical condition.
“His family and friends here with him at the hospital request your prayers and support,” Webster said in a news release.
The website for the legendary Bluegrass stalwart and banjo innovator Dr. Ralph Stanley has announced the Man Of Constant Sorrow Tour: The Dr.’s Farewell. His final tour beginning in October 2013 to run through run through December 2014. The site states that the event is projected to cover more than 80 shows at festivals, folk clubs and performing arts centers.
Accompanying the multiple Grammy winner and Grand Ole Opry star will be his band, the fabled Clinch Mountain Boys. Various country and bluegrass artists will appear as supporting acts along the way. The start of the tour coincides with Dr. Stanley’s 67th anniversary as a professional performer. He began his career in 1946 with his older brother Carter, touring and recording as the Stanley Brothers. Carter died in 1966, after which Ralph moved to center stage as a solo artist.
From the site ” “What an honor it is to be a part of a musical legend and to work with my all-time hero’s final musical journey,†says Josh Trivett, Stanley’s co-manager. “Dr. Ralph is an American and an international musical icon who has influenced so many modern stars with his trademark mountain sound. Man of Constant Sorrow Tour: The Dr.’s Farewell will be a fantastic celebration of the life of Dr. Ralph, the mountain music he’s made famous and his legacy that will endure through the course of time.†(Photo by Will McIntire)
Over his historic career, Dr. Stanley has won virtually every honor America has to bestow on its master musicians. He has three Grammy awards, one as best male country vocalist, a category in which he competed with Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Lyle Lovett. His was the distinctive sound behind the seven-million-selling O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack album. He was the first performer to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in the 21st Century. Dr. Stanley is a member of the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and a recipient of the National Medal of Arts.”
As a bandleader, Dr. Stanley mentored the careers of Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Larry Sparks and Charlie Sizemore, among others.”
The following dates for the opening weekend of the Man of Constant Sorrow Tour: The Dr.’s Farewell are:
Oct. 18 The Dunn Center – Rocky Mount, NC
Oct. 19 Morehead Center – Morehead, NC
Oct. 20 The Birchmere – Alexandria, VA
Oct. 21 The Arts Center – Carrborro, NC
Davis Letterman continues his support for roots music by inviting Austin’s favorite son , Dale Watson, an his crackerjack band The Lonestars on last night’s show. Dale and the boys performed a cut of his excellent new release “El Rancho Azul.”
On September 10, The White Buffalo (AKA L.A.-based roots artist Jake Smith) will releases his 6th studio release ‘Shadows, Greys, and Evil Ways’ (Unison Music Group). The release appears to be a theme album according to the press release states that “these 14 songs trace the life story of Joey White, a small town outsider who goes to war and returns home only to find more violence as he struggles to readjust to a life away from the front lines and reconcile with the girl he left behind.”
“I look at the whole thing as a love story,†says Smith. “The beginning is their meeting, and because of his need and want to support her, he goes off to war, which starts his downward spiral.â€
Recorded at LA’s Unison Music Studios and produced by the Grammy-nominated team of Bruce Witkin and Ryan Dorn, ‘Shadows, Greys, and Evil Ways’ sees the core trio of Jake Smith, bassist Tom Andrews, and drummer Matt Lynott joined by the likes of drumming legend Jim Keltner on “Don’t You Want It†and ex-Jayhawk Jessy Greene.
Listen to the new boisterous cut, “Joey White,†below.
The White Buffalo hits the road this summer including shows in NYC (8/4), Philadelphia (8/6), and DC (8/7). More dates to be announced soon.
I first saw the Drive-By Truckers at what some might call their pinnacle. On a chilly New Year’s Day evening, with friends in tow, we headed to New York City’s legendary Bowery Ballroom to catch the band supporting their latest summer release “The Dirty South.”
I wondered how well the band might fair the day after the revelry of New Years Eve, but with the opening chords of Mike Cooley’s “Where The Devil Don’t Stay†all doubts vanished. It remains one of the best show’s I’ve ever attended.
Stage right stood the cherub-faced new kid. Just 26, but with two DBT albums under his belt, he held his own and more with the road veterans Hood and Cooly. Out of the 31 originals performed that night Isbell only had 4 songs slotted – Danko / Manuel , Goddamn Lonely Love, Outfit Decoration Day – but they stood out as some of the best that night.
On April 5, 2007 Isbell left the Truckers in an “amicable†split. He then went on to release three studio albums, one solo and two with his band the 400 Unit , and two live albums. Some of the songs hinted at the former brilliance, but many others seemed middling and stylistically unfocused.
I wondered if the absence of collaborative competition the Drive-By Truckers provided had also removed a mental whetstone that had worked to sharpen Isbell’s work.
Isbell’s new release Southeastern has now put that theory to waste. The album contains 12 cuts that meet anything Isbell has done in the past, and some nearly exceed the mark.
Changes in Isbell’s life – his marriage to singer/songwriter Amanda Shires, his friendship with singer/songwriter Ryan Adams and his overcoming dependency on alcohol – could be the reason for this new-found creativity and focus.
Like Steve Earle’s post-addiction releases there is a fresh spark of bottled-up creativity that emerges in Southeastern. And though the specter of addiction hangs in the background it’s never used as a literary soapbox. No simplistic moralizing or rationalization here.
Songs like Cover me Up – “Put your faith to the test when I tore off your dress in Richmond on high But I sobered up and I swore off that stuff forever, this time.” and Traveling Alone – “Damn near strangled by my appetite In Ybor City on a Friday night Couldn’t even stand upright So high, the street girls wouldn’t take my pay” use his time with alcohol as narrative context and as a new dimension in the his storytelling.
The Drive-By Truckers, Steve Earle, Chris Knight and Malcolm Holcombe all draw from their southern heritage and use artifacts and language tied to local heritage to cast modern work. Isbell uses faith, the road, the bottle and the occasional figurative and literal firearm to similarly build layers not erect stereotypes.
Some stand-outs are Traveling Alone, a moody acoustic ballad that takes hard look at the road and the heart and opens the door to camaraderie and affection while not yielding completely to vulnerability. Elephant is a touching tale of a friend with “Sharecropper eyes, and the hair almost all gone ” dying of cancer. The song eases the crushing sadness of the situation with touches of dark humor.
I’m most drawn to the darkness that runs through Southeastern. Songs like Live Oak, an excellent edition to the lexicon of murder ballads – the self-defeating loathing and loneliness of Songs That She Sang in the Shower and the and youthful moral certainty and vengeance in the chilling Yvette are all beauties.
But It’s not all brooding and menace. Isbell and the band rip it up on Super 8. I was trying to think if an apt description but my buddy and fellow blogger @Truersound said it best when he tweeted that it had a “strong “gimme three steps” vibe …Sent through a Hayes Carll filter.”
As good as the songs are on Southeastern the striking thing is their economy and absence of excess. These songs are lean and driven from the soul of man finding and maintaining footing. They transform the listener as much as the singer , for those that have the patience and courage to listen.
Southeastern is the kind of album that reminds us that music can be more that a backdrop to life, but a reflection of it.
