Hayshaker

I have to admit bias on this one. When a band can have lyrics like, "Second thoughts have occurred. I feel like a gigantic turd. Walking barefoot like a hooker at 3 in the morning," I can't give it a bad review. The truth is these boys from Georgia have unleashed a great album. The band is unsigned and primarily a local phenomenon. I have a feeling that is all about to change. In spite of the lyrics above (from the song "Swamp County") this is no novelty act. Hayshaker is for real. 
They mix a sound that is at times Country, but with a twist. They know how to use power chord licks with abandon. Lead singer CC Rider has a voice that sounds as if it should be singing Indie Rock instead of Roots Rock. Female vocalist Laurie Rider rounds out the bands sound, which is hard to categorize. The best way to describe Hayshaker is "Kick-Ass" Country. The steel guitar haunts the music of the album, which is also a part of their uniqueness. Lyrically the band is at times humorous, but they are more often deep and impactful. They have a talent of mixing sarcasm with truth. It is time to jump on the bandwagon while it still has room. I have a feeling there will be a second deck on the bandwagon before too long.

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Video: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - "Paris"

Darrel Scott In Robert Plant's New Super Group

Acclaimed musician and songwriter Darrell Scott has been tapped to join Robert Plant’s new project, Band of Joy, whose tour begins tomorrow in Memphis, TN. The super group, which includes Plant and Scott alongside Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, Byron House and Marco Giovino, will embark on a series of tour dates this summer. An album featuring this line-up will be released later this year on Rounder Records.


How about that for a lineup. Can't wait for the Album. If you have heard his latest release A crooked Road you know why he is part of this all-star lineup.

Donna Ulisse to be featured on Sirius XM

Bluegrass singer Donna Ulisse is the featured artist this week on the Sirius XM show Track by Track hosted by Kyle Cantrell on the Bluegrass Junction channel. Ulisse will be chatting about her current release “Holy Waters”, a bluegrass gospel collection of thirteen songs of which she wrote or co-wrote twelve. Ulisse has often referred to the recording as her own “soul journey”.


There are two remaining dates to catch her. I am apologetically late on this news.
Sunday, July 25, 2010 /11 :00 a.m. eastern time

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 /midnight eastern time.

Twistable Turnable Man - Shel Silverstein Tribute

I must admit that I am sick of tribute albums. There is noone left it seems that hasn't had a tribute album done in there name. In fact, I am waiting for a tribute album to tribute albums. Better yet, I would love to see a tribute album to a band that hasn't even formed yet. Conceptually, every possible interpretation to pay tribute to an artists's work has been done.

Now that the above sermon is over it is time to be a hypocrite. Conceptually, Twistable Turnable Man is notthing original. However, it was done by Bobby Bare Jr. who knew and loved Silverstein well. More so, the freindhip between his father and Silverstein goes back to the early 60's. It is this generational perspective of Silverstein's songwriting that makes this album work. Both old and new artists contribute to the album. Further, if anyone is deserving of homage it is Shel Silverstein. He was a songwriter, cartoonist and poet for Playboy and paradoxically a noted writer of Children's books.

Who better than icons like Ray Price, Kris Kristofferson and John Prine could be included on this album. In fact, Price has recorded Silverstien's songs a couple of times in his career. Noone collaborated with hime like Bobby Bare, and his version of the "The Living Legend" may be the best song of the entire project.

Now we move from the legendary to the more current younger artists. Bobby Bare Jr. made some good choices for this group. after all a Country record is not a Country record without My Morning Jacket (WTF)!  Actually, they have a heavy roots music influence and their opener "Lullabies, Legends and Lies" competes with Bobby Bare for the best song on the album. However, songs by Andrew Bird, Dr. Dog, Sarah Jarosz and Black Francis provide interpretations that make the songs take on a new life. In between the new and the old are contributions by Lucinda Williams and Nanci Griffith. The campy song "Boy Named Sue" originally recorded by Johnny Cash, could only have been recorded by one contemporary artist. Bare Jr. knew this and chose Todd Snider. Snider does a version of the song that would make the Man in Black himself proud.

For more on Silverstein see the source of all knowledge: Wikipedia