Merle Haggard - The Bluegrass Sessions

It seems a lot of artists are jumping on the acoustic bandwagon and putting out Bluegrass albums these days. So it would be real easy for such an album to get lost in the shuffle. Not so when the artist is Merle Haggard. In fact, you have no choice but to listen. Recorded at Ricky Skaggs place in Hendersonville, Tennessee; The Bluegrass Sessions features an all-star lineup:

Marty Stuart - Mandolin
Carl Jackson - Guitar
Rob Ickes - Dobro
Charlie Cushman - Banjo
Aubrey Haynie - Fiddle
Alison Krauss - Voclas on "Mama's Hungry Eyes"

In recent years Haggard has experienced a renaissance and has released some albums that could rank up there with his classics. Too bad the Nashville brass has failed to notice. Unfortunately that is the current reality of mainstream country radio. Legends like Merle Haggard don't get airplay. His songwriting has been served well by the years and lyrically he is writing introspective songs characterized by depth and honesty. For example, on "Learning to Live with Myself" he sings, "I learned to live with my darlin' God took my darlin' away. Down through the years he took all my peers and left me here in the clay ... Til he gives me the call the hardest of all will be learning to live with myself." Or consider the words from "Pray", "Get your eyes off yourself. Think of somebody else. Imagine how hard life could be. Count your blessings again. Kiss the lips of your friend and pray, pray, pray. Not that Haggard leaves the honky tonk behind, as evidenced by "Runaway Momma," but I think this introspective journey is one we will all take before the end of our lives. After all he has come through in his life, it is good to see Haagard look back and realized he enjoyed the journey.

Watch this in Studio video of "Holding Things Together:



This review also appears on: Twangville

The Wagonmaster Passes On

Country legend Porter Wagoner died at 8:25 on October 28th. The 9513 has a good post about it.

Steve Earle Sings City of Immigrants on Letterman

Settin' the Woods on Fire- This Week's Charts

This is a bi-weekly feature in which I post on AWT the top albums and debuts in the airplay charts from Americana Music Assoc., XM Cross Country and FMQB Non-Commercial Adult Alternative chart. Links to all of these charts are found to the right in the AWT favorite links list.

Americana Music Association - Airplay Week of October 15th
1) Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade
2) John Fogerty - Revival
3) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
4) Lyle Lovet and His Large Band - It's Not Big It's Large
5) Kane Welch Kaplin - Kane Welch Kaplin
6) Dwight Yoakam - Dwight Sings Buck
7) Bruce Springsteen - Magic
8) Kelly Willis - Translated from Love
9) Various - Goin' Home a Tribute to Fats Domino
10) Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger

Debuts
29) Duncan Earl Walters - Guardian
34) Gougers - A long day for the Weathervane
36) Doyle Branhall - Is it News
39) Chuck Prophet - Soap and Water

XM Ch.12 Cross Country - Cross Checking week of Oct. 15th
1) Various Artists - Song of America
2) Various Artists - Wounded Heart of America Songs of Tom Russell
3) Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros - Diamonds in the Sun
4) Shawn Camp & Billy Burnette - The Bluegrass Elvises
5) Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade
6) The Derailers - Under the Influence of Buck
7) Kane Welch Kaplin - Kane Welch Kaplin
8) Terri Hendrix - The Spiritual Kind
9) Lyle Lovet and His Large Band - It's Not Big It's Large
10) Lee Rocker - Black Cat Bone

Debuts
48) Gougers - A long day for the Weathervane
49) Billy Joe Shaver - Everybody's Brother
50) The Sadies - New Seasons

FMQB AAA Non-Commercial - Airplay Week of Oct. 15th
1) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
2) Ben Harper - Lifetime
3) Bruce Springsteen - Magic
4) Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade
5) John Fogerty - Revival
6) Mark Knopfler - Kill to Get Crimson
7) Iron & Wine - The Shepherds' Dog
8) Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquest
9) Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight
10) Jose Gonzales - In our Nature

Debuts:
30) Radiohead - In Rainbows

Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time - Took Down and Put Up

Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time have recently released an excellent Bluegrass album Took Down and Put Up on Lonesome Day records. The album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts and will certainly move toward the top before it is through.

Most widely known as a songwriter, rural Kentucky native Larry Cordle has had songs recorded by Ricky Skaggs, Garth Brooks, Alison Krauss, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Rhonda Vincent and Trish Yearwood among others. Founded in 1990, Lonesome Standard Time was formed by long-time friends Larry Cordle and Glen Duncan. Success came quickly for the band, yielding a Grammy nomination for the group’s debut album. However, in 1995 they took a hiatus because Cordle's songwriting skills were needed in Nashville and Duncan devoted more time to studio work. Larry Cordle put Lonesome Standard Time back together in 2000.

The feature song on Took Down and Put Up is "Rough Around the Edges" with Travis Tritt on lead vocals. On this song he shows he is not politically correct or ashamed of who he is. The style of the album is primarily traditional Bluegrass with excellent musicianship accompanying superb songwriting. Cordle's songs give us everything we could want from a Bluegrass or Country album. We get Cheatin,' Lyin,' revenge and women who leave. We have a train robbery and a muscle car. He even mentions mama a few times so all of the ingredients are in place to make David Allan Coe proud.

Listen to The First Train Robbery

This revie also appears on Twangville

Deadstring Brothers - Silver Mountain

The Deadstring Brothers Have expanded their sound and released the best pure Rock and Roll album of the year. The new Bloodshot records release is entitled Silver Mountain. Sounding like The Rolling Stones and Black Crowes at a Honky Tonk bar fight, this album kicks ass! Starving Winter Report their previous release was excellent and difficult to top, but they did it by bringing in some fresh guns. Namely Spencer Cullum, on Pedal steel, Lap steel and Dobro; and Pat Kenneally, on Piano and B3 Organ. They hooked up with these new musicians at the Heavy Load nightclub in England. The Heavy Load is apparently a hipster club in England that features classic and progressive American Rock of the 60's and early 70's. It is also inspiration for the albums anthem, "Heavy Load."

The album comes out of the gate at full speed with the rave up "Ain't No Hidin' Love," then it move straight into the aforementioned "Heavy Load." "If You Want Me To" channels the Rolling Stones Circa 1968-69 when they cut Let it Bleed then headed to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to begin work on Sticky Fingers. In fact, much of the album seems to have been influenced by the Stones of the late 60's. However, they also go country on "You Look Like the Devil." The song "Rolin' Blues" sounds right out of the Delta especially with Cullum tearing up his Dobro on the solo. Of course they also showcase a little Southern Rock on "Queen of the Scene." The album comes with a Suregeon General's warning. Listening might be habit forming.

Listen to "Heavy Load"

Or Watch the Video:


This review also appears on: Twangville

Ryan Bingham Video

Take a few minutes to get to know Ryan Bingham then go get the Album. You won't regret it! His new album Mescalito was released recently by Lost Highway Records:

John Fogerty on Letterman

Best of 2007

This is My updated Best of 2007. Wilco is still #1. The debuts are Lyle Lovett at #5, Oakley Hall at #16, Josh Ritter at #20, Iron & Wine at #30, Mary Gauthier at #33, Bettye Lavette at #38, Slider Pines at #40, Alberta Cross at #41 and finally Steve Earle at #45. Also, as usual, I did some rearranging based on further reflection.

Since I vowed last month to stop at 50, some albums had to come off. My apologies to the following artists, Hoots & Hellmouth, Eillen Jewell, Pieta Brown, 2 Cow Garage, Willy Mason, Pela, Brandi Carlisle, Martin Sexton, Okkervil River and The Derailers. For a year in which you hear so much negative press about the music industry, 2007 is a banner year. The major labels may have committed Pop suicide but the indie world is as or even more prolific as ever. Enjoy the list and feel free to tell me how you agree or disagree. Also, make no hesitation to trash me or my intelligence in any way you see fit. I'm used to it.

1) Wilco - "Sky Blue Sky"
2) Patty Griffin - "Children Running Through"
3) White Stripes - "Icky Thump"
4) Kelly Willis - "Translated From Love"
5) Lyle Lovett - "It's Not Big It's Large"
6) Wrinkle Neck Mules - "Wicks Have Met"
7) Jason Isbell - "Sirens of the Ditch"
8) Assembly of Dust - "Recollection"
9) Kane, Welch, Kaplin - Kane Welch Kaplin
10) Hackensaw Boys - "Look Out"
11) The Shins - "Wincing the Night Away"
12) Ryan Adams - "Easy Tiger"
13) John Doe - "A year in the Wilderness"
14) Son Volt - "The Search"
15) Peter Case - "Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John"
16) Oakley Hall - "I'll Follow You"
17) The Broken West - "I Can't Go on I'll Go on"
18) Elliot Randall - "Take the Fall"
19) The Basement - "Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs"
20) Josh Ritter - "The Historical Conquests of"
21) Paul McCartney - " Memory Almost Full"
22) Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles - "Diamonds in the Dark"
23) Kim Richey - "Chinese Boxes"
24) Joe Henry - "Civilians"
25) King Wilkie - "Low Country Suite"
26) Modest Mouse - "We Were Dead Before he Ship Ever Sank"
27) Giant Bear - "Giant Bear"
28) Josh Rouse - "Country Mouse, City house"
29) Feist - "The Reminder"
30) Iron & Wine - "The Shepherds Dog"
31) Olav Larsen and the Alabama Rodeo Stars - "Loves' Com to Town"
32) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"
33) Mary Gauthier - Between Daylight and Dark"
34) Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - "This is Somewhere"
35) Dale Watson - "From the Cradle to the Grave"
36) Spoon - "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
37) The Gourds - "Noble Creatures"
38) Bettye Lavette - "The Scene o the Crime"
39) The National - "Boxer"
40) Slider Pines - "Road, Avenue, Railroad"
41) Alberta Cross - "The Thief and the Heartbreaker"
42) Charlie Louvin - "Charlie Louvin"
43) Infamous Stringdusters - "Fork in the Road"
44) Nathan - "Key Principles"
45) Adam Hood - "Different Groove"
46) Steep Canyon Rangers - "Lovin' Pretty Women"
47) Rocky Votolato - "The Brag and Cuss"
48) Steve Earle - "Washington Square Serenade"
49) Joe Ely - "Happy Song from Rattlesnake Gulch"
50) Cadillac Sky - "Blind Man Walking"

John Fogerty - Revival

John Fogerty releases his new album Revival this week. Fogerty's career comes full circle on this release. He connects the present to his past, and in doing so kicks off a party at the roadhouse. In fact, he seems to be having as much fun as ever on Revival. Even his political songs sound more fun than serious. Not that what he is saying isn't serious. It is as if the years have made him wise enough to know that Rock and Roll is first and foremost a good time.

Fogerty embraces his past on songs like "Summer of Love." Although there seems to be some tongue in cheek cynicism when he is referring to the truth everyone was searching for and asks, "Will they find it or just an excuse?" Fogerty also pays another tongue in cheek tribute to his past. In this case he references his own musical history in "Creedence Song." I have to think he had in mind people who come to his solo shows just to hear CCR tunes and are not familiar with his great solo work. After all, he has probably heard people scream, "Play some Creedence" as much as Lynyrd Skynyrd has heard "Freebird." The first single off the album is "Don't You Wish it Was True," which is more of a mid-tempo rocker. As mentioned before there are a few political songs on the album. However, on songs such as "Long Dark Night" and "I Can't Take it No More" Fogerty reminds us that the best protest songs are the ones you can dance to. So listen, enjoy and even dance a little.

Full Album Stream

"Don't You Wish it Was True" Video:

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss to release duet album on October 23rd

Modern day Bluegrass is expanding in directions that would make Bill Monroe Squeamish. I don't know that any Genre of music has seen more creativity, innovation and great musicianship at one time as Bluegrass is experiencing this decade. When I heard the idea of taking Bluegrass' ultimate diva and getting her to record a duet album with Robert Plant it seemed to be pushing the limit too far. Would they work together well? Would their voices be compatible? I have to admit I was skeptical. However, after hearing one cut off the album and listening to the video below on the making of the album, I am sold. Raising Sand is going to be a great ablum.

Prodeuced by T-Bone Burnett and featuring collaborators such as Norman Blake and Greg Leisz, they cover a wide variety of the American songbook. They sing songs from Tom Waits, Gene Clark, Sam Phillips, Townes Van Zandt, The Everly Brothers, and Mel Tillis. The album will release on October 23rd and I would not miss it.

Settin' the Woods on Fire- This Week's Charts

This is now going to be a bi-weekly feature in which I post on AWT the top albums and debuts in the airplay charts from Americana Music Assoc., XM Cross Country and FMQB Non-Commercial Adult Alternative chart. I began to notice there wasn't much of a change week over week. Thus the change in frequency. Links to all of these charts are found to the right in the AWT favorite links list.

Americana Music Association - Airplay Week of Sept. 24th
1) Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade
2) Lyle Lovet and His Large Band - It's Not Big It's Large
3) Subdudes - Street Symphony
4) Kane Welch Kaplin - Kane Welch Kaplin
5) Kelly Willis - Translated from Love
6) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raisning Sand
7) John Fogerty - Revival
8) Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros - Diamonds in the Sun
9) Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
10) Terri Hendrix - The Spiritual Kind

Debuts
15) Emmylou Harris - Songbird
19) Tom Gillam - Never Look Back
20) Red Stick Ramblers - Made in the Shade
29) Mary Gauthier - Between Daylight and Dark
31) Ben Harper - Lifeline
35) Jim Lauderdale - Bluegrass Diaries

XM Ch.12 Cross Country - Cross Checking week of Sept. 24th
1) Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros - Diamonds in the Sun
2) Jason Isbell - Sirens of the Ditch
3) Blackie & the Rodeo Kings - Let's frolic
4) The Derailers - Under the Influence of Buck
5) Terri Hendrix - The Spiritual Kind
6) Tab Benoit - Power of the Ponchatrain
7) Kevin Deal - Roll
8) Various Artists - Wounded Heart of America Songs of Tom Russell
9) Bob Childers - Ride for the Cimaron
10) Eilen Jewell - Letters from Sinners and Strangers

Debuts
50) Red Stick Ramblers - Made in the Shade

FMQB AAA Non-Commercial - Airplay Week of Sept. 24th
1) Ben Harper - Lifetime
2) Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight
3) Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquest
4) Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade
5) K. T. Tunstall - Drastic Fantastic
6) Subdudes - Street Symphony
7) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raisning Sand
8) New Pornographers - Challengers
9) Lyle Lovet and His Large Band - It's Not Big It's Large
10) Ben Lee - Ripe

Debuts
19) Betty Lavette - Scene of the Crime
21) Jose Gonzales - In our Nature