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Posts Tagged ‘Jason-Isbell’

Levon Helm in ‘Final Stages’ of Battle With Cancer.

17 Apr

I was tipped off to the bad news of Levon Helms’ (71) turn for the worse by a tweet from Jason Isbell that read “I don’t know what to say.” and then had a link to levonhelm.com. I knew that the drummer of The Band and successful solo artist and man behind the “Ramble” had been battling throat cancer a few years back and it took him a lonh while to recover his voice, so I feared the worst. The message on his site confirmed my fears;

“Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.

Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration… he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage…

We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy”

Hope and prayers are given from this fan to this rock/Americana music legend and fine man. I hope he finds comfort in this difficult time.

 
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Posted in alt.country, Americana, From where I sit, GRAMMYS, Legends

 

Jason Isbell Accuses Dierks Bentley of Plagiarism

07 Jan

Yesterday evening I was hanging around on the twitter machine (I’m a wild man on a Friday night!) I was watching the usual silliness pass along on the distinguished group of folks that I follow there and then I saw a post from singer/songwriter Jason Isbell that caught my attention:

“Dierks” has officially ripped off my song “In A Razor Town.” Dierks is a douchebag.”

“In A Razor Town” is a cut off Jason Isbell’s first solo release ‘Sirens in the Ditch.”

There aren’t many Dierks that I’m aware of in music so my assumption was that he was accusing Nashville Capitol Records recording artist Dierks Bentley. That assumption was confirmed with subsequent tweets as Isbell called Bentley out by his full name and named the title of the allegedly “ripped off” song.

The accused song is “Home,” the title song off Bentley’s 10/10/11 release. Wikipedia states that  “The song was inspired by the Tucson, Arizona shooting that killed six people and critically injured U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords in January 2011.”

Isbell also accuses Bentley of possibly bringing an idea of his song to co-writer of Home Dan Wilson.

“I bet Dierks brought that idea to the table and Dan ran with it.”

Bentley took to his twitter account to address the accusation:

“@Jasonisbel “I bet Dierks brought that idea to the table and @Danwilsonmusic ran with it.” -HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! that is some funny shit!”

These things are tricky, and I was terrible at spotting copyright infringements in my copyright law class at NYU, but after listening to both songs (below) it’s a pretty amazing coincidence. If Bentley had heard Isbell’s song, and mistakenly brought it to the writers table as his own idea, he needs to listen objectively, fess up and cut Isbell in on the songwriting credits.  That’s what Miranda Lambert did when it was brought to her attention that the title song to her album “Kerosene” was strikingly similar to Steve Earle’s  “I Feel Alright.” Miranda will always be aces in my book for that.

ON EDIT: Ernie over at El Trash has a post striking similarities between Dierks Bentley song “Up on the Ridge” and Matt King’s songs “Hard Luck Road” and “Shanty Town.” there appears to be a pattern forming here.

Jason Isbell – In A Razor Town

Dierks Bentley – Home

 

 

Dierks Bentley

 
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Posted in alt.country, Americana, Country Music, From where I sit, Music Bidness, News Round Up, Video

 

Twang Nation Top Picks of 2011

15 Dec
Tis’ the season for “Best of…” “Top picks…”Depending on your point of view it’s either as welcome as a gift under the tree on Christmas morning or fruit cake. This subjective separation of musical wheat from chafe, truth be told, it’s my least favorite part of doing this blog. I prefer visit each work on an individual basis. And though I do bring a wider view of music, only in rare instances would weigh a work in contrast to something I heard just the week before. This 12-month capsule is constraining, bit with constraints come opportunity to focus the mind.

First- ground rules. No albums of cover songs. So, no Gurf Morlix or Carrie Rodriguez. But ya’ll should still buy the excellent Blaze Foley’s 113th Wet Dream and We Still Love Our Country respectively. No albums where an artist revisits earlier work, or live albums of already recorded work. Sorry Levon Helm, Ramble At The Ryman might get you that Grammy for Americana Album of the Year but you won’t make the TN 2011 list.

My pick for number one spot came to me in April and I pegged it early as the one to beat. Nobody even came close. Austin Lucas’ New Home In The Old World is a fine mix of country, folk and rock delivered in such a seamless and extraordinary way that ibelieveit advances th genre in it’s existence. Same with To the Wind and On To Heaven by Sunday Valley. The Kentucky band captured my attention early in the year with their brand of high-octane honky-tonk/gospel boogie and seeing them live sealed their spot at #2.

Jason Isbell may not care for end-of-year lists but he made mine by creating his most inspired and solid solo record with Here We Rest. A chance encounter at the Grimey’s Americanarama showcase at the Americana Music Association led me to the #9 quirky duo of Hymn for Her.

Canadian Laura Repo’s debut Get Yourself Home landed in my in-box the week I was putting this list together. Repo’s plaintive voice of simple, timeless themes and and the sparse arrangements reach back to country music’s roots and secured her a slot at number 10.

Last year was a great year for Americana/roots music and I reflected this bumper crop by overindulging and creating a top 25 list. On retrospect, this was excessive. this year I’ve focused on the abloute top 10 that I love to listen to from start to finish.  Here’s no an even better 2012!
  1. Austin Lucas – New Home In The Old World
  2. Sunday Valley – To the Wind and On To Heaven
  3. Jason Isbell – Here We Rest
  4. Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers – Starlight Hotel
  5. Gillian Welch – The Harrow & The Harvest
  6. Hayes Carll – KMAG YO YO
  7. Lindi Ortega – Little Red Boots
  8. Hellbound Glory – Damaged Goods
  9. Hymn for Her – Lucy & Wayne and The Amairican Stream
  10. Laura Repo – Get Yourself Home

 
9 Comments

Posted in alt.country, Americana, From where I sit, Music Releases, New Artists, News Round Up

 

Twang Nation Channel – Cull TV

13 Dec

I’m kicking the tires at a local start-up that reminds me of when MTV used to play music videos.So far it’s easy and coll to put the playlist together. I’ll be interested to hear what other folks think about and and look forward to the maturation of Cull TV as a channel for music social discovery and exploration.

Head over to the Twang Nation Cull TV channel and check it out some my my favorites from The Civil Wars, Jason Isbell, Justin Townes Earle, Conway Twitty and many more.

 
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Posted in alt.country, Americana, Video

 

News Round Up: Shonna Tucker leaves Drive-By Truckers

05 Dec

The band member door revolves once again for the Mighty Drive-By Truckers as long-time bassist/vocalist (and ex-Mrs. Isbell) Shonna Tucker posted on the band’s site that’s she’s parting ways with Drive-by Truckers after eight years with the band. The tone of the note seems to indicate that her recent foray into singing on recent DBT albums might allow her to follow her ex-husband lead into a solo career.

From the band’s site:

Hello friends,

Unfortunately, I come to you all with some sad news.

It’s time for me to move on to the next great thing, whatever that may be.

I want to thank each and everyone of you, with my whole heart for your overwhelming kindness and support over the years. You are the greatest fans in the world! You really do amaze and inspire me. I can’t express how much you all mean to me. Your rock solid encouragement has carried me through, many nights. I have been so lucky to have had the chance to meet and talk with so many of you. Your stories and passion are so incredibly inspirational to me.

I am, without a doubt, not done. I will have a website up and running very soon so that we can keep in touch. I have a whole lot left to say and do, and I can’t wait to hear what all of you are up to. This is very difficult, so I’ll leave you with this… for now…

Thank you all so much!

Safe travels and Happy Holidays to you all!

See you soon somewhere…

All my love,
Shonna

Asked through his twitter account if he would rejoin the band in the wake of Tucker’s departure, Jason Isbell responded “No. I’m a terrible bass player.“

 
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Posted in alt.country, Bands, Legends, News Round Up, Outlaw, Rock and Roll

 

Veterans Day Americana Mix – For Those That Serve

11 Nov

Aesthetics aren’t the only think that separates mainstream Music City country from it’s rustic yet urbane cousin Americana , there are political themes that differentiate as well. Music City doesn’t have a lock on patriotism any more than it does mom and apple pie. Here’s some Americana/classic country greats on this day for remembrance for those that serve.
Jason Isbell – Dress Blues
Johnny Cash – The Ballad Of Ira Hayes
Bruce Robison – Travelin’ Soldier
John Prine – Sam Stone
Tom Russell – Veteran’s Day
Drive-By Truckers – Mama Bake A Pie (Daddy Kill A Chicken)
Jamey Johnson – In Color
Hank Williams – Searching For A Soldier’s Grave
Radney Foster – Angel Flight
Steve Earle – Johnny Come Lately

Listen here on Spotify

 
1 Comment

Posted in alt.country, Americana, Country Music, In memoriam

 

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival – Saturday 10/1 Recommendations

27 Sep

Saturday is where things really take off. On Friday the main Banjo stage would have been a fine place to park your blanket to get the most for your musical enjoyment and Saturday is also the case.   Greensky Bluegrass, Alison Brown, Earl Scruggs, Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings and Steve Earl. The last few years  The Arrow Stage has been the place for Texas performers and this Saturday follows that theme –   featuring The Band of Heathens, Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses, Reckless Kelly and The Flatlanders (Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore & Butch Hancock) The crowning jewel of this day is the legendary Kris Kristofferson & Merle Haggard performing together on the Star Stage at 2:20.
Banjo Stage
11:00am Greensky Bluegrass
12:00pm Alison Brown
2:45pm Earl Scruggs
4:15pm Gillian Welch
5:45pm Steve Earle & the Dukes (& Duchesses) featuring Allison Moorer

Rooster Stage
11:00am The Wronglers with Jimmie Dale Gilmore
1:35pm Guy Clark & Verlon Thompson
2:50pm Patty Griffin
4:15pm Punch Brothers
5:45pm Robert Earl Keen

Star Stage
12:30pm Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
2:20pm Kris Kristofferson & Merle Haggard

Towers Of Gold Stage
11:40am Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

Arrow Stage
12:15pm The Band of Heathens
2:55pm Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses
4:25pm Reckless Kelly
5:45pm The Flatlanders feat. Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore & Butch Hancock

 
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Posted in alt.country, Americana, Bands, Bluegrass, Country Music, Festivals, Legends

 

Six Rounds Spent – El Corazón

11 Feb

Passion, jealousy, betrayal, lying, cheating, drinking, drugging, violence,, reconciliation, repeat…ah love. Here are 6 of my favorites. What are yours?

Ridley Bent – Nine Inch Nails

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU5jxFwEA6U[/youtube]

Ryan Adams – Come Pick Me Up

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRnoh86FD2A&feature=related[/youtube]

Jason Isbell/Drive By Truckers – Goddamn Lonely Love

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEMpKJtbokQ&feature=related[/youtube]

Guy Clark – Dublin Blues

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sx8lqm2Lw0[/youtube]

Blaze Foley – If I Could Only Fly (at a wedding, no less!)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69YCXgVdyR4[/youtube]

Steve Earle – Valentines Day

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVeKSJzezMg[/youtube]

Johnny Cash – I Walk the Line  (BONUS)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEV58ztuihs[/youtube]

 
2 Comments

Posted in alt.country, Americana, Country Music, From where I sit, Legends, Outlaw, Texas, Video

 

Justin Townes Earle to Make Debut on the David Letterman

03 Jan

Set those DVRs! Justin Townes Earle rings in the new years by making his debut on the David Letterman Show this Wednesday, January 5th. Jason Isbell will be a member of his band for the event.

This is a pretty sparse post so I wanted to share a great video I cam across.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLU8C9WeIH8&feature=player_embedded#![/youtube]

 
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Posted in alt.country, Americana, Rock and Roll, Video

 

Happy Veterans Day

11 Nov

To all who have served to create the life we enjoy every day.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJqX0zC00gU[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJb1_EGnapY[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsNp7x_pJJA&feature=related[/youtube]

 
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Posted in alt.country, Americana, In memoriam

 
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