Record Store Day Black Friday 2019 Releases – Roots & Americana Picks

Luckily for vinyl fans, Record Store Day is now two separate events. The original big daddy event in April and it’s smaller Black Friday.

The latter happens on 11/29, just in time for some early Christmas shopping for your own stocking. Below find some choice selections from the list that roots and Americana fans feen need a place on their turntable.

Descriptions are from RSD.com. See the full release list here.

Patsy Cline – Sweet Dreams: The Complete Decca Masters 1960-1963 – more details on this release
An amazing 3xLP set including all of Patsy Cline’s Decca Studio master. This collection has never been released on vinyl and for Record Store Day Black Friday it’s available on pink, purple and yellow pastel vinyl in a tri-gatefold sleeve.

(1000 available)

Dr. John – “Babylon”
When Dr. John hit the studio in 1968 to record Babylon, America was in a very turbulent period. On top of that, Dr. John was being pursued by various Los Angeles authorities for a handful of criminal offenses. It was, in his own words: “a heavy time for me.”

This set the stage for Babylon being a reflection of the chaotic and tumultuous time that he was living in. He and his band dove deeper into the voodoo-inflected psychedelic rock and the R&B of Gris-Gris, while touching upon elements of free jazz and Captain Beefheart-style avant-garde. Babylon stands out as a psychedelic swamp of apocalyptic lyrical content, drunk, disorienting experimentation, and fascinating entry into Dr. John’s catalog well-worthy of his expansive legacy.

Out of print on vinyl for 40 years, Get On Down is all too eager to reissue this unique recording for RSD Black Friday. In keeping with the album’s hallucinogenic sound, it is presented on trippy never to be repeated splatter-colored vinyl and housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket.

A1. “Babylon” A2. “Glowin’” A3. “Black Window Spider” A4. “Barefoot Lady”
B1. “Twilight Zone” B2. “The Patriotic Flag-Waver” B3. “The Lonesome Guitar Strangler”

(2500 available)

Blind Willie Johnson – “Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground/It’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine”

Blind Willie Johnson was the greatest and most popular guitar evangelist and influenced generations of musicians. His unique, intense, emotional and haunting gruff voice—coupled with some of the finest slide-guitar of any of his peers—firmly established Johnson’s status as one of the premier gospel-blues artists of all time.

Between 1927 and 1930, Johnson recorded 30 powerful, timeless, landmark songs for Columbia Records in five sessions in Dallas, New Orleans, and Atlanta, generating strong sales and national fame.

On December 3, 1927, in a temporary studio in the Deep Ellum district of Dallas, Johnson recorded six groundbreaking songs, including the iconic slide guitar classic, “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground.” Johnson’s haunting response to Christ’s crucifixion remains one of the masterpieces of American music. Ry Cooder described it as “the most soulful, transcendent piece in all American Music.”Jack White called it “the greatest example of slide guitar ever recorded.”

For RSD Black Friday 2019 Traffic Entertainment presents two of Johnson’s most iconic sides as a 78 RPM microgroove record housed in a glorious reproduction of the Columbia sleeve wrapped in a full color OBI with detailed liner notes.

(1500 available)

The Marshall Tucker Band – “New Year’s in New Orleans – Roll Up ’78 and Light Up ’79”

“Let’s show the people coast to coast that we here in New Orleans can party! Are you ready to roll ’78 and light up 79?!” announces the boisterous (and probably slightly buzzed) emcee introducing The Marshall Tucker Band to the tight-knit community of joint-passing, beer-cheersing rock ‘n’ rolling regulars at The Warehouse, New Orleans’ legendary 1970s music hall. Not only would the audience of 2,000+ longhairs enjoy the New Year’s Eve concert that night, but so would a huge audience of radio listeners rockin’ in simulcast nationwide. The emcee claimed that this was the largest radio audience ever to hear a broadcast and at the time, it probably was. The band elevated themselves to the occasion and delivered an absolutely smokin’ performance of what were already their most memorable and cherished hits.
• Sourced from the original 24-track tapes
• Mixed in Macon, Georgia in 2019 by Paul Hornsby, the original Capricorn Records producer who recorded and produced their first six gold and platinum albums.
• Featuring never before published photos by The Warehouse’s photographer, Sidney Smith, plus images of archival documents form the recording engineers.
• Double LP, gatefold

Side A: A1 “Fly Like An Eagle” A2 “Long Hard Ride” A3 “Fire On The Mountain” A4 “Heard It In A Love Song” A5 “Blue Ridge Mountain Skies”
Side B: B1 “Can’t You See” B2 “Ramblin’” B3 “This Ol’ Cowboy”
Side C: C1 “Desert Skies” C2 “24 Hours At A Time”
Side D: D1 “New Year’s Countdown/Auld Lang Syne” D2 “Searchin’ For A Rainbow” D3 “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”

(1500 available)

JD McPherson – “Red Bows For A Blue Girl” / “Holly, Carol, Candy and Joy”

This is a new 7″ of two Christmas songs. “Red Bows for A Blue Girl” is a brand new original record specifically for RSD Black Friday. “Holly, Carol, Candy and Joy” is a b-side from the album SOCKs which was released in November of 2018.

(1500 available)

Willie Nelson – “Sometimes Even I Can Get Too High” b/w “It’s All Going To Pot” (w/ Merle Haggard)

It’s said that legends aren’t born—they’re grown. Willie Nelson, an enduring American icon and tireless supporter of marijuana legalization, offers the latest hit from his stash, a humorous ode to the sweetest of leaves as only Willie can do it. “Sometimes Even I Can Get Too High,” a new song from the sessions for Willie’s latest album, Ride Me Back Home Is backed with “It’s All Going To Pot,” another 420 favorite from Django and Jimmie, Willie and Merle Haggard’s 2015 album.

(4000 available)

New Riders of the Purple Sage – “Thanksgiving in New York City (Live)”

Captured at the late show from November 23, 1972, at the Academy of Music, Thanksgiving In New York City features the band in the midst of an energetic and highly regarded tour. Along with Dawson classics like “Henry,” “Portland Woman,” and “Last Lonely Eagle,” lead guitarist David Nelson and bassist Dave Torbert also bring some Bluegrass (“She’s No Angel”) and R&B (“I Don’t Need No Doctor,” “Willie And The Hand Jive”) to the mix.

SIDE ONE: 1.“Leaving On Her Mind” 2. “Portland Woman” 3. “Hello Mary Lou” 4. “Sutter’s Mill” 5. “She’s No Angel”
SIDE TWO: 6. “Henry” 7. “Contract” 8. “Linda” 9. “Take A Letter Maria”
SIDE THREE: 10.” All I Ever Wanted” 11. “Groupie” 12. “Whiskey” 13. “Long Black Veil”
SIDE FOUR: 14. “Lochinvar” 15. “Truck Drivin’ Man” 16. “Rainbow” 17. “I Don’t Need No Doctor
SIDE FIVE: 18. “Louisiana Lady” 19. “Honky Tonk Women” 20. “Last Lonely Eagle”
SIDE SIX: 21. “Willie & The Hand Jive”

(1800 available)

J.S. Ondara – “Tales of America B Sides”

Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, J.S. Ondara fell in love with Bob Dylan and moved to Minneapolis when he was 20 to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter. His debut album, Tales of America, is an examination of the American Dream, but from the perspective of the outsider, the immigrant, the social commentator. This album made J.S. an NPR Slingshot Artist, a Rolling Stone Artist You Need To Know, and earned him a Best Emerging Act nomination from the Americana Music Association in 2019.

Tales of America: B Sides is a five-track LP packaged exclusively for Record Store Day, and features a previously unreleased track, a demo, a remix, and two cover songs.

“Milk + Honey” – previously unreleased
“Analog Man” – previously unreleased
“Jesus For President” – previously unreleased
“Torch Song” (Echo Park)
“Heart of Gold” (Neil Young cover)

(2000 available)

Elvis Presley – “American Sound 1969”
1969 was a pivotal year for Elvis Presley. Fresh from the success of the ’68 Comeback Special, a revitalized Elvis headed to American Sound Studios with producer Chips Moman and a crack group of local session musicians. From these sessions came From Elvis In Memphis, one of the most beloved LPs of his career, plus the seminal hits “Suspicious Minds” (his 18th and final No. 1 hit) and “In The Ghetto.” American Sound Sessions 1969, available for the first time on vinyl, features rare and unreleased outtakes from these legendary sessions.

Side A: 1. “Long Black Limousine (Take 6)” 2. “Wearin’ That Loved On Look (Takes 12, 13 & 14)” 3. “You’ll Think Of Me (Take 16)” 4. “I’m Movin’ On (Take 2 – with vocal replacements and steel guitar overdub)” 5. “A Little Bit Of Green (Take 1)”
Side B: 1. “In The Ghetto (Take 1)” 2. “From A Jack To A King (Takes 1-3)” 3. “Without Love (There Is Nothing)(Take 1” 4. “I’ll Be There (Takes 1-3)” 5. “Suspicious Minds (Take 8)(undubbed master)”
Side C: 1. “Stranger In My Hometown – Jam (undubbed)” 2. “It’s My Way/This Time/I Can’t Stop Loving You – Jam” 3. “True Love Travels On A Gravel Road (Take 2)” 4. “Power Of My Love (Take 1)” 5. “After Loving You (Take 2)”
Side D: 1. “Do You Know Who I Am? (Take 4)” 2. “Kentucky Rain (Take 8)” 3. “Only The Strong Survive (Take 29)” 4. “It Keeps Right On A Hurtin’ (Takes 1 & 2)” 5. “Any Day Now (Takes 1 & 2)”

(4000 available)

Leon Redbone – “Strings And Jokes, Live in Bremen 1977”

Wanderer between the worlds. No other words can describe the musical work of Leon Redborne. His first official stage appearance took place in 1971 at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia, Ontario, and soon after he began performing in local clubs where he became famous with his unique style. His trademarks were a perfect suit (white jacket, black trousers), dark sunglasses, a mustache, and a white fedora. Best known for his interpretations of music from the Depression Era–Blues, Ragtime, Folk and Tin Pan Alley—laying on top his remarkable singing style. Influenced by the music of Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Jimmy Rodgers or Irving Berlin, his interpretations are legendary.

Both concerts on this RSD Black Friday release took place in Bremen, Northern Germany, in 1977 and show two different sides of Leon Redbone. At the first concert, at the “Glocke”, he was accompanied by tuba player Jonathan Dorn, and the second, at the “Post-Aula” was a solo concert, pure and simple. Both are electrifying because of his unique performance and the combination of Blues and influences from Folk-Jazz. He sings, yodels, murmurs, and hums and knows to fascinate his fans with his warm and outstanding voice. A must-have for every fan of traditional and not commonplace music.

(300 available)

Steep Canyon Rangers – “North Carolina Songbook”

GRAMMY-Award winning bluegrass outfit Steep Canyon Rangers brought a special surprise to attendees of their performance at Merlefest 2019. To honor their home state, the Rangers performed a selection of songs from the artists of North Carolina. Featuring unsung Carolinian heroes like Ola Belle Reed and Elizabeth Cotten to world-renowned performers like Thelonious Monk, Doc Watson, James Taylor and Ben E. King, the Rangers’ live North Carolina Songbook performance shows why the Tar Heel State continues to celebrate their legacy of musical excellence and influence that dates back over a century.

1. “Stand By Me [Ben E King]” 2. “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down [Earl Scruggs/Charlie Poole]” 3. “Blue Monk [Thelonious Monk]” 4. “Jack of Diamonds [Tommy Jerrell]” 5. “Shake Sugaree [Elizabeth Cotten]” 6. “Sweet Baby James [James Taylor]” 7. “I’ve Endured [Ola Belle Reed]” 8. “Your Lone Journey [Doc Watson]”

(1500 available)

Richard Thompson – “The Cold Blue: Original Motion Picture Score”
The Cold Blue is a 2019 documentary that focuses on footage shot directly from bomber planes during WWII with narration from surviving members of the 8th infantry. Richard Thompson wrote and arranged the score to the movie, and its released on vinyl for the first time everas a double blue 180g vinyl set, with a worldwide pressing of 1500.

1. “The Cold Blue” 2. “The Cold Blue Part 2” 3. “No Tomorrow” 4. “Fresh Eggs” 5. “A Sudden Boom” 6. “Family” 7. “Tremendous Workers” 8. “Beautiful Sight” 9. “Beautiful Ship” 10. “Cold Air” 11. “Over There” 12. “Big Thunderstorm” 13. “Superstitious” 14. “Kill a Human” 15. “Red Flare” 16. “Just Germans” 17. “I’ll Be Seeing You” 18. “Family (Guitar Version)” 19. “The Cold Blue (Guitar Version)”

(1250 available)

Desperado: The Soundtrack

Like his buddy and occasional collaborator Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez is one of those film directors whose movies always come with incredible soundtracks. But it’s tough to top the array of music he assembled for his gun ‘n’ guitar-slinging western Desperado, the 1995 sequel to his breakthrough debut El Mariachi. Not only was the Desperado score composed and performed by the L.A. bands Los Lobos (whose performance of “Mariachi Suite” won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance) and Tito and Tarantula (memorably seen the following year as the house band at the Titty Twister in Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn), but it also boasted contributions from Dire Straits, Link Wray, Carlos Santana, and the Latin Playboys among other artists. A blend of ranchera, Chicano, and garage rock, it’s the perfect accompaniment for the blood-soaked imagery of the film…and for this, the first vinyl release of the soundtrack, we at Real Gone Music have created the perfect visual accompaniment as well. For the gatefold jacket housing our 2 X LP set, we commissioned Illustrator Matt Ryan Tobin to create one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-reprinted illustrated artwork, a lyrical yet lurid tableau that was approved not just by Robert Rodriguez but also by all four actors depicted (Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi, and Joaquim de Almeida). Inside the gatefold, we designed two 4-color inner sleeves offering production stills from the film and pressed up 2500 copies in sultry “Blood & Gunpowder” vinyl. This pressing is exclusive for RSD Black Friday, and, again, both the jacket and the colored vinyl will never be reprinted…this might be the most collectible release we have ever created!

1. Los Lobos with Antonio Banderas “Canción Del Mariachi (Morena De Mi Corazón” 2. Dire Straits “Six Blade Knife” 3. Link Wray & His Ray “Jack the Ripper” 4. Latin Playboys “Manifold De Amour” 5. Latin Playboys “Forever Night Shade Mary” 6. Roger & The Gypsies “Pass the Hatchet” 7. Los Lobos “Bar Fight” 8. Tito & Tarantula “Strange Face of Love” 9. Los Lobos “Bucho’s Gracias/Navajas Attacks” 10. Los Lobos “Bulletproof” 11. Carlos Santana “Bella” 12. Salma Hayek “Quédate Aqui” 13. Los Lobos “Rooftop Action” 14. Los Lobos “Phone Call” 15. Tito & Tarantula “White Train (Showdown)” 16. Tito & Tarantula “Back to the House That Love Built” 17. Los Lobos “Let Love Reign” 18. Los Lobos “Mariachi Suite”

(1800 available)

Joni 75 A Joni Mitchell Birthday Celebration

On Joni’s 75th birthday, last November 7, a star-studded roster of musicians gathered to pay tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter. The evening was recorded and this vinyl release features performances by Brandi Carlile, Glen Hansard, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Chaka Khan, Diana Krall, Kris Kristofferson, Los Lobos with La Marisoul, Cesar Castro & Xochi Flores, Graham Nash, James Taylor, Seal, Rufus Wainwright and more.

1. “Dreamland” –Performed by Los Lobos with La Marisoul, Xochi Flores & Cesar Castro
2. “Help Me” –Performed by Chaka Khan
3. “Amelia” –Performed by Diana Krall
4. “All I Want” –Performed by Rufus Wainwright
5. “Coyote” –Performed by Glen Hansard
6. “River” –Performed by James Taylor
7. “Both Sides Now” –Performed by Seal
8. “Our House” –Performed by Graham Nash
9. “A Case Of You” –Performed by Kris Kristofferson & Brandi Carlile
10. “Down to You” –Performed by Brandi Carlile
11. “Blue” –Performed by Rufus Wainwright
12. “Court And Spark” –Performed by Norah Jones
13. “Nothing Can Be Done” –Performed by Los Loboswith La Marisoul, Xochi Flores &Cesar Castro
14. “The Magdalene Laundries” –Performed by Emmylou Harris
15. “Woodstock” –Performed by James Taylor
16. “Big Yellow Taxi” –Performed by La Marisoul, James Taylor, Chaka Khan, and Brandi Carlile

(3000 available)

Tony Joe White – “That On The Road Look “Live”

The only live album recorded at Tony Joe White’s peak…and it’s never been available at retail before. Recorded in the fall of 1971 while TJW was opening for Creedence Clearwater Revival, this show became the proverbial “legendary lost live album,” and for good reason: Warner Bros. recorded the concert on multitrack tape, fully intending it to be released. But for some reason lost to the mists of time, the album never came out until Rhino Handmade released it on CD in 2010 via their website. Which means it never went to regular retail at all in any format, and that’s a real shame, because you could make a good argument that it’s the best Tony Joe White album of ’em all, with a set list to die for, a great band (featuring Duck Dunn on bass), pristine fidelity, and plenty of Swamp Fox attitude. This exclusive RSD Black Friday white vinyl pressing comes inside a gatefold jacket featuring a front cover cut-out displaying the art on one of two inner sleeves, with great liner notes by Ben Vaughn.

1. “Roosevelt and Ira Lee” 2.” A Night in the Life of a Swamp Fox” 3. “Rainy Night in Georgia” 4. “Mississippi River” 5. “Lustful Earl and the Married Woman” 6. “Willie and Laura Mae Jones” 7. “Back to the Country” 8. “Band Introduction” 9. “Traveling Bone” 10. “Stormy Monday” 11. “My Kind of Woman” 12. “Polk Salad Annie” 13. “That on the Road Look”

(1000 available)

Hank Williams – “The 1940 Recordings”

The songs featured on this RSD Black Friday 45 RPM 7” single catch Williams at age 18 on homemade recordings. Coupled with last year’s 7” release The First Recordings 1938, these two 7’s represent the earliest known recordings of Hank Williams. Newly restored and remastered by the Grammy-Award winning Hank Williams team!

A1) “Freight Train Blues” A2) “New San Antonio Rose”
B1)” St. Louis Blues” B2) “Greenback Dollar”

(2500 available)

Third Man Records To Release Patsy Cline’s “Sweet Dreams: The Complete Decca Studio Masters “

Patsy Cline – Sweet Dreams: The Complete Decca Studio Masters 1960-1963

Jack White’s Third Man Records continues to mine treasures from country music history, meticulously package/re-package them and offer them up to us lucky fans.

This time around especiallt for Record Store Day’s Black Friday the work getting this sweet, sweet vinyl love is Patsy Cline’s Sweet Dreams: The Complete Decca Studio Masters 1960-1963. This is the first time the compilation has been released to vinyl (it was originally released on CD on the Hip-O label, April 20, 2010.) The set will be limited to 1000 units of 3xLPs with full-color photos printed on the interior of the gatefold jacket available in yellow, purple and red vinyl variants.

The 51 tracks Cline were recorded with Owen Bradley, who helped shape her signature big-band pop sound.

The three years reflected in this collection include many of her top hits like the classic “I Fall To Pieces,” Cline’s first Country #1 chart hit.

Record Store Day's Black Friday

Record Store Day’s Black Friday celebration on November 29th. Record Store Day’s Black Friday is an offshoot of Record Store Day, an annual event to “celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store”.

TN will publish a list of Record Store Day’s Black Friday Americana and roots music list one the full list is released.

Track Listing:

1. I Fall to Pieces
2. Shoes
3. Lovin’in Vain
4. True Love
5. San Antonio Rose
6. The Wayward Wind
7. A Poor Man’s Roses (Or a Rich Man’s Gold)
8. Crazy
9. Who Can I Count on
10. Seven Lonely Days
11. Love You So Much It Hurts
12. Foolin’around
13. Have You Ever Been Lonely (Have You Ever Been Blue)
14. South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)
15. Walkin’ After Midnight
16. Strange
17. You’re Stronger Than Me
18. She’s Got You
19. You Made Me Love You(I Didn’t Want to Do It)
20. You Belong to Me
21. Heartaches
22. Your Cheatin’heart
23. That’s My Desire
24. Half As Much
25. Lonely Street
26. Anytime
27. You Were Only Fooling (While I Was Falling in Love)
28. I Can’t Help It (If I’m Falling in Love with You)
29. You’re Stronger Than Me
30. When I Get Thru with You (You’ll Love Me Too)
31. Imagine That
32. So Wrong
33. Why Can’t He Be You
34. Your Kinda Love
35. When You Need a Laugh
36. Leavin’ on Your Mind
37. Back in Baby’s Arms
38. Tra Le la Le la Triangle
39. That’s How Heartache Begins
40. Faded Love
41. Someday (You’ll Want Me to Want You)
42. Love Letters in the Sand
43. Blue Moon of Kentucky
44. Sweet Dreams (Of You)
45. Always
46. Does Your Heart Beat for Me
47. Bill Bailey Won’t You Please Come Home
48. He Called Me Baby
49. Crazy Arms
50. You Took Him Off My Hands
51. I’ll Sail My Ship Alone

George Jones, Jamey Johnson and Blackberry Smoke – “Yesterday’s Wine ” [VIDEO]

While indulging my frequent music video ADHD I followed a YouTube  trajectory to a  series of videos of Jamey Johnson doing classic cover of Waylon Jennings and Patsy Cline and the like . One really caught my eye, it was Johnson not only covering, but joining with none other than country  music legend George Jones on Willie Nelson classic “Yesterday’s Wine.”  And it had only 751 views!! What a find!

“Yesterday’s Wine”  is the title cut from Willie’s 1971 album and, in 1982, Merle Haggard and Jones recorded a duet of “Yesterday’s Wine” which became a number one single on the country chart. Not everyone can fill The Hag’s boots but Johnson and Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr do a fine job.  And, ladies and gentlemen , if that went enough the great Atlanta-based Southern Rock band Blackberry Smoke is backing them up. As one twitter follower responded when i posted it “Dayum!”

I was puzzled where the track came from and discovered, through the power of the google machine , that it’s included as a bonus track on Blackberry Smoke’s  “Little Piece of Dixie” (2010.) I guess i should have payed more attention that that fine album!

Behold the greatness!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyRLTzdEv_k&feature=youtu.be

Jamey Johnson’s Tribute to Country Music Legend Hank Cochran – Oct. 16

No current performer has straddled the music Row and Americana divide as deftly as Jamey Johnson.

His throwback sound, Alabama growl and biker looks appeals to those (like myself) that pine for the days of Waylon and Willie and the boys while his ear for a melody was able to grab the attention of the mainstream country radio and fans with his top 10 hit “In Color.”

Johnson is an unapologetic neo-traditional disciple of country music’s greats. He’s opened for Willie and done George Jones songs in the presence of the man himself. His next effort is to a man that influnced those giants.

On October 16th Johnson will be joined by Willie and many others on his new album, Buddy Cannon-produced Livin’ For a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran. (vinyl beginning Sept. 25.)

Cochran, who died at age 74 in 2010, is considered one of the greatest songwriters in the history of country music. He helped evolve the perfect country template established by Hank Williams a generation earlier. 
 
“If I had to dream up somebody like Hank to influence songwriters, I couldn’t have done a better job,” Johnson says. “That’s what he was– not just for me, but for Willie and for a lot of people–just a helpful friend. If he knew you needed help with something, he could help you. He was there. And that’s what I want to be for the people in my life, same as Hank. He influenced me, not only as an artist and songwriter, but also as a person.”

Cochran’s songs transcended the country genre to become American standards (a practice closely studied by Willie) his catalog includes “I Fall to Pieces,” “She’s Got You,” “Make the World Go Away,” “The Chair,’ “Set ‘Em Up Joe” which Johnson covered on 1010’s The Guitar Song. His songs have been recorded by artists including Eddy  Arnold, Patsy Cline, George Jones, George Strait, Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello, Ray Price, Ronnie Milsap, Jim Reeves and many others. 

Recording a collection of Hank Cochran tunes in a pop-country saturated industry takes guts, and truly reflects the original Outlaw spirit the hat acts on the radio brag having.  When it came time to take the next step in his recording career, he listened to his heart and decided to embark on a labor of love. In a daring career move that is consistent with Johnson’s penchant for bucking conventional industry wisdom to create a unique path, he decided to devote his time and creative efforts to honoring his late friend and celebrate traditional country music.

Besides having a professional affinity to Cochran he also has a personal one. “Shortly after he first met Jamey, Hank was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,” says his widow, Suzi Cochran. “So for the two years he lived after that, Jamey would get off the road and pull his bus right up to the hospital, run up and see Hank and raise Hank’s spirits. The last time Jamey saw Hank was the night before Hank died.” Johnson joined Buddy Cannon and Billy Ray Cyrus at Cochran’s bedside as they handed the guitar back and forth while singing Cochran’s songs. Cochran died about six hours later.

“Hank adored Jamey,” Suzi Cochran says. “Hank loved Jamey. Jamey was a constant in the last chapter of Hank’s life.
 
“This is incredible,” she says of the tribute album. “I wish Hank had been here to see it. He wouldn’t believe it. He would have cried. He’d be happy. It’s exactly like Hank would have done it.”

I am really looking forward to hearing this release and look forward to hearing classic from it live when Johnson joins Willie Nelson and The Band of Horses on the Railroad Revival Tour 2012.

Track listing:
 
1. “Make the World Go Away” – Jamey Johnson and Alison Krauss
2. “I Fall to Pieces” – Jamey Johnson and Merle Haggard
3. “A Way to Survive” – Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill and Leon Russell
4. “Don’t Touch Me” – Jamey Johnson and Emmylou Harris
5. “You Wouldn’t Know Love” – Jamey Johnson and Ray Price
6. “I Don’t Do Windows” – Jamey Johnson and Asleep at the Wheel
7. “She’ll Be Back” – Jamey Johnson and Elvis Costello
8. “Would These Arms Be in Your Way” – Jamey Johnson
9. “The Eagle” – Jamey Johnson and George Strait
10. “A-11” – Jamey Johnson and Ronnie Dunn
11. “I’d Fight the World” – Jamey Johnson and Bobby Bare
12. “Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me” – Jamey Johnson and Willie Nelson
13. “This Ain’t My First Rodeo” – Jamey Johnson and Lee Ann Womack
14. “Love Makes a Fool of Us All” – Jamey Johnson and Kris Kristofferson
15. “Everything But You” – Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson and Leon Russell
16. “Livin’ for a Song” – Jamey Johnson, Hank Cochran, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson

Album Review: Amy Francis – Balladacious [Independent Release]

Bodacious is a Southern/Southwestern portmanteau of bold and audacious. It’s meaning is remarkable, courageous, audacious, spirited and unmistakable.
Corpus Christi TX native Amy Francis uses this linguistic fusion and forms the title of her new release , Balladacious. Just as she reinterprets words Francis also uses this skill to give her own take on some of  country music’s best-known classics.
The album opens with Francis beautiful voice powerfully breaking the silence with a vulnerable delivery of the Hank Cochran barroom lament Don’t Touch Me. Francis brings the longing and apprehension contained in the song to a palatable level and disarms you of all cynicism. A staple of country music is it’s unabashed sentiment and Francis’ heart is emblazoned boldly on this first song.

The spirits of Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette and Brenda Lee are conjured with all their romantic weariness giving testament. Not just because Francis covers Sweet Dreams, Apartment #9 and Fool Number One respectively, but because she is a believer. She brings authenticity to these songs because she embodies them wholly not simply mimicking them like many Music City talen dipping a toe in traditionalism.
Her take on Bobbie Gentry’s Ode to Billy Joe reworks this dark song of small-town gossip and makes it swing with an acoustic guitar and strings accompaniment. Her covers of George Jone’s “Picture of Me Without You” and “I’ll Share My World With You” elevates them to the honky-tonk majesty they deserve and Vince Gill’s hit “When I Call Your Name” is covered with barrel-house piano and pedal steel accompaniment and achieves a forlornness that LeAnn Rimes’s cover never came close to.  Ronnie Milsap’s “Stranger Things Have Happened” is given an equal turn with Francis’ voice soaring at heights while singing about the depths. The hope against hope and lessons contained in these testimonials of  despair makes country music some of the greatest forms of contemporary tragedy. Francis approaches each with dignity and grace they deserve and strikingly nimble vocals that breath life into every barroom confession.

I have an ambivalent relationship with Nashville Sound era country music. When Owen Bradley, with Chet Atkins and Bob Ferguson moved hillbilly music from the hollers and honky tonks to the supper clubs, by adding strings, backing vocals and other adornment better suited for crooners of the day, they laid the path toward the enormously lucrative but culturally superficial pop-country industry we’ve inherited. Like the great performers of the Nashville Sound era Francis charms me into putting aside bias by keeping the soul enact while stripping back just enough veneer to let you hear the heart break.

Official Site | Buy


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ssAJ4u7VRA&list=UUCdLHmRYCJy-e9k_rh2Zhgw&feature=plcp

Hank Williams – 15 Covers in Tribute [VIDEO]


“I ain’t gonna worry wrinkles in my brow, cuz nothin’s never gonna be alright nohow. No matter how I struggle and strive, I’ll never get out of this world alive.”
— Hank Williams

Sometime in the early morning hours of January 1st 1953, somewhere on the roads of Kentucky on-route to a News Years Eve show in Canton, Ohio, The King of Country Music,  Hank Williams succumbed to a life of drugs, booze and sorrow in the back seat of his powder blue Cadillac. He was 29.

In his brief professional life Williams forged a sound and lasting legacy that runs throughout country and rock music , and really most all American music, to this day. On this New Years Eve I want to celebrate his life and demonstrate the broadness of his influence with some of the best covers of Hank Williams that I could uncover. Leave your own in the comments and at the stroke of midnight take a moment to remember the greatness of Hank Williams.

Tom Waits – Ramblin’ Man

Wayne Hancock – Lost Highway

Hunter Hayes / Hank Williams Jr. – Jambalaya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57sfRo26fAc

Townes Van Zandt – Alone & Forsaken

Jerry Lee Lewis – Cold Cold Heart

Patsy Cline – Lovesick Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rBtNVmUvPw

Chris Scruggs – I’m A Long Gone Daddy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W6dA67kTJc

Ray Charles – Your Cheatin’ Heart

The The – I Saw The Light
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYVXuauvZLA&feature=related

Neko Case – Alone and Forsaken

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant  -  My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It

Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan – Ramblin Man

Johnny Cash and Nick Cave – I Am So Lonesome I Could Cry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovaGrcOEI-M

Hank Williams III – I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive

Hank Williams Jr and Tammy Wynette – Hank Sr Medley

Hank Cochran Passes On

Hank Cochran, one of country music’s most storied and prolific songwriters who wrote songs for Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Eddy Arnold, Merle Haggard, George Strait an many others passed away yesterday morning. His Wikipedia bio reads like a  Mother lode for source for country gold:

Born during the Great Depression in Isola, Mississippi, he contracted pneumonia, whooping cough, measles and mumps all about the same time at age 2. The doctor didn’t think that he would survive. His parents divorced when he was 9, he moved with his father to Memphis, Tennessee, but then went to an orphanage. He was sent to live with his grandparents, in Waynesboro, Mississippi, after he had run away from the orphanage twice. His uncle Otis Cochran taught him how to play the guitar as the pair hitchhiked  from Mississippi to southeastern New Mexico to work in the oilfields.

and my persoan favorite.

While working at publishing company Pamper Music, he used to spend nights playing at a Nashville bar called Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. While there a new guy showed up and Cochran was amazed, he then encouraged management to sign the young songwriter, Willie Nelson, giving Nelson a raise that was coming to him at the time.

This from the press release:

Last night, Jamey Johnson, Billy Ray Cyrus and Buddy Cannon dropped by to sing songs with Hank, and this morning the legendary songwriter was surrounded by family and friends when he passed away at his Hendersonville, Tennessee home. A private, family memorial will be held in the near future, and a public service will follow. Details will be forthcoming.

The family asks that you respect their privacy at this time and, in lieu of flowers, request those wishing to honor Hank make donations to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.

Hank was inducted in to the Nashville Songwriters Association International Hall of Fame by unanimous vote in 1974, and was honored by B.M.I. in June 2009 for his six-decade long career of hits, that includes country classics: “I Fall To Pieces,” “Make The World Go Away,” “Ocean Front Property,” “The Chair” and “Don’t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me.”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOl8RdBLTKc&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

News Round Up: New Johnny Cash Recording in February

  • The big for fans of the Man In Black is that Rick Rubin’s American Records will release American VI: Ain’t No Grave, the final volume in the American series that  helped revitalize Johnny Cash’s career beginning in the early 90’s, after he was unceremoniously dropped from Mercury Records. February 26 would have been Cash’s 78th birthday. (New York Times)
  • The economy may be for the dogs but it seems like it’s every week I find out about another ,usic festival cropping up. This time it’s Austin’s Americana focused Old Settler’s Music Festival (April 15-18) who have just released a partial line up list: Joe Ely, Patty Griffin, The Travelin’ McCourys, Fred Eaglesmith, Buddy Miller, Peter Rowan, The Lee Boys, The Gourds, Band of Heathens, Radney Foster, Blue Highway, Mindy Smith, Alison Brown with Joe Craven, The Infamous Stringdusters, Bearfoot, Solas, The Special Consensus, The Wronglers, Elizabeth Cook, Ruby Jane. Sounds like a winner. Grab those tickets, this one will fill up fast.
  • I was lucky enough to catch Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard as they headed out to a brief 4 city tour, the first time they had appeared on stage together.  This legendary dup will appear once more for one show (as far as I can tell) at Ft. Worth’s Bass Performance Hall on February 17. (Pagasus News)
  • If you missed it today on NPR, you can head over to the Fresh Air site and listen to T. Bone Burnett discuss the creation of the Crazy Heart soundtrack.

News Round Up: The Glossary is Giving Their 2007 Album, The Better Angles of Our Nature

  • PopMatters.com has Juli Thanki’s newest Torch & Twang post (Louisiana Woman, Texas Troubadour)  Thanki bypasses the standard view that Loretta Lynn’s best duet partner was Conway Twitty and makes her case for Ernest Tubb.
  • Best Buy is offering an exclusive EP from Miranda Lambert today which  includes her new single “ Dead Flowers” from her upcoming album Revolution. The EP includes three bonus tracks from her prior album, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. The cost of the EP is $1.99, or you can pre-order Revolution and get the EP free. (via My Kind of Country and the 9513.com)
  • Kris Kristofferson, Ray Price, Bobby Bare Jr. and My Morning Jacket are some that will pay tribute to writer, artists , country music songwriter and Playboy mansion resident Shel Silverstein on Turnable, Twistable Man which is produced by Silverstein ‘s friend Bobby Bare.
  • Murfreesboro, Tennessee-based quirky indy Southern rock band the Glossary is giving their new 2007 album, The Better Angles of Our Nature, free from their official site and in different quality formats.  I’ll review it soon, but after a couple of passes on the iPod it’s a great one.
  • Happy birthday Patsy Cline  (Sept 8 1932)
  • Another use for texting? Apparently looking for the country crooner that stopped in your town and might have knocked you up is now on that list.  A certain lady with a Wisconsin phone number is currently looking for this Rodeo Romeo. (via NashvilleScene)

News Round Up: Jerry Lee Lewis Gets Mean with Kris Kristofferson

  • Hey Bay Area twang fans! The San Francisco Weekly features a story on Joe Goldmark and the Seducers and their ongoing Sunday night residency at the Outer Sunset bar Riptide which bills itself as “the Bay Area’s best little honky-tonk.”
  • The Salt Lake Tribune sits down with legendary Texas songer/songwriter Robert Earl Keen.
  • Aquarium Drunkard sits down with Athens, Georgia-based alt.folk legend Vic Chesnutt.
  • Legendary rocker, and label mate of Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis has released his first country single since the 1970s, Mean Old Man (you can get it now at Amazon for free.) The song was written by Kris Kristofferson and will be part of a new CD that will be released soon on Shangri-La Music.

Robert Earl Keen