AOL Gives Country "The Boot"

The folks ivolved with AOL Music have launched The Boot, a Country Music blog. The success of Spinner gives me hope that it will be successful and do good things for the Genre. Obviously it will have a mainsteam focus but it will also give Americana its' due. Plus they have AWT and Twangville on the Blogroll.

Anyway, check it out! It is on my blogroll also.

Hayes Carll the Heir Apparent

There have been a lot of reviews written already about the new Hayes Carll album, Trouble in Mind. It is no doubt an album that fully establishes him as an artist. Exactly what it establishes him as is what I would like to address. A lot of the Texas Troubadours are getting older. Some like Townes Van Zandt and Doug Sahm are no longer with us. When you consider artists like Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely, Ray Wilie Hubbard and many more I could name if time allowed, it begs one question. Who is leading the next generation?

It is an interesting question and definitely open for debate. In any case Hayes Carll is in the discussion. In fact, I feel he is the leader of the pack. His body of work is three albums deep now and shows that he has all of the elements to carry the torch of the aforementioned legends. What are these elements? What does Hayes Carll have in common with these legends? What he possesses is more that just geography. In fact, the Texas Music scene has developed to the point that you no longer need to be from Texas. Refugees are now accepted as long as they have talent. Take a guy like Adam Hood. He is a fellow Alabamian who has been adopted by the Red Dirt Scene.

First and foremost Carll can dish out the requisite humor. Why is humor so important? To answer that go to a Guy Clark show and see how many fans request “Texas Cookin.’” The scene will be repeated at other shows by other artists. The humorous lighthearted songs get requested most. There is nothing more important than bringing laughter into the lives of fans. No doubt part of the reason people love music is escape. Humor helps relieve stress better than anything. Another quality Carll has in common with the great troubadours, is that he doesn’t need a full band. His songs stand on there own. An acoustic guitar and maybe a microphone, depending on the venue, is all that is needed. Sure a band helps but is not required.

Hayes Carll is also a great storyteller. The characters in his songs are often as important as the music. This brings to mind Clark, Townes, Ely etc. Moreover, just like his influences and idols, his lyrics and stories reflect perspective on life as it is lived by real people. Some of his characters may be extreme but everyone can relate to them. No esoteric lyrics, cryptic meanings or elitist intellectualism. Just real life as it is lived by real people with real struggles.

There are certainly a lot of good young song-writers out there, but Hayes Carll seems to be carrying the torch for the next generation of the Texas /Americana Troubadours.

Jeb Loy Nichols - Days are Mighty

On his new album Days are Mighty, Jeb Loy Nichols occupies a territory somewhere between the Soul influenced folk of Martin Sexton and a more acoustic singer-songwriter sound. The album starts out with the more soul/R&B leanings of "My Kind" and the title track "Days are Mighty." The title track is a comforting hopeful song. The message seems to be that, even when life's obstacles are daunting, time goes on and heals. Lyrically the song "25 Years Too Late" views time in another way. When you try to heal wounds in relationships time will only result in regret. All of us can relate to this concept based on the scar tissue of our life.

Relationships are touched on in a very real way in this album. No idealistic love can be found on Days. Indeed Nichols says of the way music portrays relationships that "popular music has a lot to answer for - song after song about something that is at best, painfully hard work." That was his motivating principle in writing "Let's Not Fall." The song has a lighthearted beat that covers up its' cynicism. It may be cynical message but the veracity of his sentiments are not to be denied.

Overall Jeb Loy Nichols has given us a group of songs on Days are Mighty that provide an impactful musical and emotional milieu. It will release this Tuesday, May 6th.

Sample at Compass Records

This review also appears on Twangville

Hold Steady Street Date

Paste Magazine reports that The Hold Steady will release their new album Stay Positive on July 15th.

"Written on the road and recorded in New York and New Jersey, the 11 new tracks feature "more dynamics, different instrumentation, more complex arrangements, and not always hiding behind raw volume," lead singer Craig Finn said in a statement. That "different instrumentation" includes doses of banjo, talk box and harpsichord, undoubtedly in addition to the band’s long-beloved sonic combination of accordion, guitars and beer."

Upcoming Release Highlights - May

May 6th:

Jeb Loy Nichols - Days are Mighty. I will have a full post on this the next few days.

Sierra Hull - Closer. I've written about her before. This 16 year old virtuoso will release her Rounder debut. A Bluegrass who's who guests on the album and Ron Block (Alison Krauss & Union Station) produces.

Liste on MySpace

May 13th:

Old 97s - Blame it on Gravity. Nothing else will matter to me on that day.

Stubbs BBQ SXSW 2008:
MySpace


May 20th:

Cory Morrow - Vagrants & Kings You can listen to He Carries Me and Pre-Order on his website.

Sonny Landreth - From the Reach Sonny’s new album is an album of duets. It will feature guest appearances by Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Vince Gill, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, Dr. John and Jimmy Buffett.

Live at Crossroads Music Fest with Clapton:

Sonny Landreth: 'Hell At Home'

May 27th:

John Hiatt - Same Old Man. Another day where nothing else matters.
MySpace

South Austin Jug Band - Strange Invitation

South Austin Jug Band has found itself. They have always been talented and creative song-writers. However, they were stuck somewhere between traditional and contemporary acoustic music. They were too much on the fence. With Strange Invitation they have created self-described "progressive - acoustic" music. Maybe this clear break was due to the fact that the band holed up in First Church of Folk, The Chelsea Hotel in NYC to write the songs. Whatever, they have established themselves as premier avant-garde acoustic musicians. The problem is their name now belies their sound. No jugs here. In fact there are even some electric instruments and a cool cover of Beck's "Jackass", from which the title comes.

The album has a smooth flowing vibe that the listener can ride from beginning to end. The smooth melodies are the glue that holds everything together. The creative song-writing is the same as on past records even though the music is fully contemporary. The go to tracks are "Come to Me," "Fall So Fast" and "Po' Boys in a Glovebox." This is the breakout album for SAJB but it is far from the end of their journey.

Check out Jackass


This review also appears on Twangville

There is No Such Thing as Bad Publicity

Miranda Lambert Accused of Assault

Read about it on The 9513

This can only enhance the image of the bad girl. Also her friend and AWT fave Adam Hood gets ancillary publicity. Good for Adam.

The Weepies are infectious

This is not mormally my cup of tea, but the Weepies brand of infectious pop is hard to deny. At first listen it is a bit too Pop sounding. That being said it is absolutely addictive. It released yesterday so pick it up. I think I will.

Listen to Hideaway

Twangville Review of Griffin House

I promise you Griffin House's album Flying Upside Down will be in my next Top 5. Every song on this CD is a standout song. House is destined to become one of the great songwriters of our time if he keeps this ip

Check out the Twangville review

Listen on his Website

He was also recently featured on NPR's World Cafe.

Meet Ashton Shepherd

For those of you who haven't heard her you need to. Bill Anderson said of Ashton Shepherd when she first played the Opry last year, "She's so country she makes Loretta Lynn sound like she's from Liverpool." She is from a town of less than 500 people in L.A. (That's Lower Alabama for you less traveled readers.) Trust me the county she is from in Alabama has mroe trees than people. She was discovered by accident and is literally an overnight success story. She also wrote 10 of the 11 songs on her album. As I mentioned in an earlier post, she is a sign of light in mainstream Nashville.

See the Video:


Meet Ashton:

Jim Lauderdale - Honey Songs

Jim Lauderdale has been alternating between Country and Bluegrass projects for the last several years. As far as Jim Lauderdale’s country albums go, my favorite is The Other Sessions from 2001. The song “What’s on My Mind” is in fact one of my favorite country songs period. His new project Honey Songs is on par with Sessions. The new recording is billed as Jim Lauderdale and the Dream Players. It is an apt description as Lauderdale has assembled his version of an Americana “Dream Team.” The Dream Players include Al Perkins on pedal Steel (Flying Burrito Brothers), legendary guitarist Jim Burton (Elvis Presley), Glen Hardin (both Elvises Presley and Costello) on piano, also Gary Tallent (E-Street Band) on Bass. Backing vocals are provided by the pipes of Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Kelly Hogan and Buddy Miller. All of their talents shine through.

The album gets started with the great guitar licks of “Honeysuckle Honey Pie,” then goes straight into the Bakersfield sound of “I Hope You’re Happy.” The wistful piano on the ballad “Finally Sinking In” creates the perfect atmosphere for a country “love gone wrong” song. Lauderdale may be the first artist since Gram Parsons that can combine lyrics that could easily fit Psychedelic Rock with Traditional Country music as demonstrated by “Daughter of Majestic Sage.” “Stingray” is also another stand out track on the album.

Lauderdale is a ubiquitous presence in Americana Music. He is a fixture at Merlefest hosting the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. He has also hosted the American Music Awards for the last three years. I really can’t figure out why he is ignored by Country Radio. Maybe it is his quirky lyrics or maybe it is because Ryan Seacrest never crowned him the new American Idol. After all it ain’t country unless Ryan Seacrest says it is. This project may change things a little as he has played Leno and generally gotten a lot of other good press.

Listen to Honeysuckle Honey Pie

Enjoy some
Tai Chi with Jim Lauderdale on CMT.

BEST OF 2008 SO FAR

This is my first list of the year. As was the case lase year, I will probably rearrange it a few times. I'll add to it each month, but eventually I will cap it. How big will the list get? I have no idea but probably not over 60. The list includes releases through March. Early April releases will be in the next list. As you can see the Truckers are number one and it will take a great album to knock them off the pedestal. Anyway as always leave comments and tell me what an idiot or genius I am. I've been called a lot worse. One criticism I expect to here is the omission of the Kathleen Edwards album. Well I must confess a bias, I went to see her right after Failer came out, and I thought she was a bitch. So I swore never to buy anything of hers again. Well, here it goes:

1) Drive By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
2) Tift Merrit - Another Country
3) The Waybacks - Loaded
4) Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
5) Shawn Mullins - Honeydew
6) The Whigs - Mission Control
7) Justin Townes Earle - The Good Life
8) Gary Louris - Vagabonds
9) The Steeldrivers - The Steeldrivers
10) Allison Moorer - Mockingbird
11) The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
12) Jim Lauderdale - Honey Songs
13) Stephen Malkmus - Real Emotional Trash
14) Ashton Shepherd - Sounds so Good
15) Mando Saenz - Bucket
16) Shelby Lynne - Just a Little Lovin'
17) Carlene Carter - Stronger
18) Widespread Panic - Free Somehow
19) Black Crowes - Warpaint
20) American Gun - The Mean and the Machine
21) North Mississippi All-Stars - Hernando
22) Twilight Hotel - Highway Prayer
23) Black Mountain - In the Future
24) Paul Thorn - Long Way from Tupelo
25) Rhonda Vincent - Good Thing Goin'
26) Willie Nelson - Moment of Forever
27) The Hollyfelds - Saratoga
28) Malcom Holcombe - Gamblin' House
29) Jason Collett - Here's to Being There
30) Marah - Angels of Destruction

George Strait - Troubador

You know I have to admit a prejudice against mainstream Country. I tend to dismiss anything on a major country label. In the 80's country was awful until the rise of the neo-traditionalists, such as Dwight Yoakam, in the the late 80's and early 90's. Then along came Garth and Faith, and in came soccer mom easy listening schlock. However, I need to be objective and and give credit when major labels embrace legitimate country stars. Artists like Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Ashton Shepherd are legitimate and signs of light. Although there will always be a tug of war between pop country and traditional country in the marketplace, perhaps the pendulum is swinging. Getting off the soapbox, I say all of this to point out that in the midst of this is George Strait. He has been nothing but himself throughout, doing it honest. His new album Troubador pretty much sums him up. As he puts it on the title cut, "I was a young troubador when I rode in on a song and I'll be an old troubador when I'm gone."

The album has songs for the traditionalists and even a couple for the soccer moms. In fact, the most mainstream song "I saw God Today" predictably is the first single and debuted in the Billboard Top 20 immediately. Not surprising for a guy who has over 50 number one songs. It is amazing that he can still do this when Nashville has discarded many of the contemporaries with which he began his career. The secret is his voice, which is simply the perfect male Country voice. Strait respects the roots and influences of the genre. The best example of this is the duet "House of Cash" which memorializes the burning down of Johnny Cash's estate. Accompanying him in this tribute is Patty Loveless. Their are many other highlights on the album. So if you are prejudiced against big label Nashville as I am, put aside your presumption and give it a listen.

Listen to River of Love:


This review also appears on Twangville

Early Award Candidates

I would like to point out a couple of releases I recently purchased:

Surprise of the Year Candidate: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Real Emotional Trash No doubt Malkmus is an icon of the indie rock world. From Pavement and his solo work since the break up of the group. However, while I respected his music, I was never as big of a fan as many others have been. All of this changed when I heard this album. The psychadelic jams and guitar riffs are arranged brilliantly. His quirky lyrics draw you into each song. However, I have no idea what a Jick is.

"Cold Son" MP3

Comback of the Year Candidate:: Carlene Carter - Stronger I can't imagine a bigger and more welcome comeback. Stronger indeed! Her demons are in the past and the lyrics on some the songs reflect that healing. Welcome back. There always needs to be a Carter in country music

Listen to It Takes One to Know Me

Signposts: Along the Information Super Highway

In signpost I try to point out what my blogger friends are writing about:

I wanted to point out an article by Baron at Twang Nation. Responds to the the Moron at Aquarium Drunkard who tried to tie the demise of No Depression and believe it or not the sale of Western Shirts at the Gap to the death of Alt-Country and Roots Rock. When you look at the the young talent and the Genre bending music coming out every week. It is easy to poke holes in the argument. However, Baron does a great job in putting the bozo who wrote the article in his place.

Head over to Twangville and Check Mayer's playlist and video companion. Also Mayer provides a link to help out Chris Gaffney of the Hacienda Brothers as he battles liver cancer.

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

This is a periodic 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 March 17th
1) Tift Merrit - Another Country
2) Paul Thorn - A Long Way From Tupelo
3) Drive-By-Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
4) Willie Nelson - Moment of Forever
5) The Steeldrivers - The Steeldrivers
6) Kathleen Edwards - Asking for Flowers
7) Bodeans - Still
8) James McMurtry - Just Us Kids
9) Mando Saenz - Bucket
10) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand

Debuts
29) Waybacks - Loaded
32) Erci Bibb - Get on Board
37) Tim O'Brien - Chameleon

XM Ch.12 Cross Country - Cross Checking week of March 17th
1) Paul Thorn - A Long Way From Tupelo
2) The Deep Dark Woods - Hang Me Oh Hang Me
3) Drive By Truckers - Brighter than Creation's Dark
4) Webb Wilder - Born to be Wilder
5) The Steeldrivers - The Steeldrivers
6) Band of Heathens - Live at Antone's
7) South Austin Jug Band - Strange Invitation
8) Willie Nelson - Moment of Forever
9) Scotty Moore - The Mighty Handful Vol. 1
10) Malcolm Holcombe - Gamblin' House

Debuts
44) Justin Townes Earle - The Good Life
45) Carlene Carter - Stronger
46) James McMurtry - Just Us Kids

FMQB AAA Non-Commercial - Airplay Week of March 17th
1) Kathleen Edwards - Asking for Flowers
2) Cat Power - Jukebox
3) Jack Johnson - Sleep Through the Static
4) Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
5) Jackie Greene - Giving Up the Ghost
6) Tift Merrit - Another Country
7) Drive By Truckers - Brighter than Creation's Dark
8) Gary Louris - Vagabonds
9) Jim White - Transnormal Skippers
10) R.E.M. - Accelerate

Debuts:
19) Van Morrison - Keep it Simple
24) Billy Bragg - Mr. Love and Justice

Justin Townes Earle and The Raconteurs Release 3-25

It is a blessing and a curse for the progeny of a legend to launch a music Career. However, Justin Townes Earle has what it talkes what I have heard of this album so far is really good. He is original wjile drawing for rootsy influences. He should have no problem eberging from the family shadow.

Check out his
MySpace site to listen

For all of you Jack White/White Stripes/Raconteurs fans if this video doesn't hype you for the new album you have no groove:

Drive-By-Truckers in-studio on Spinner

Check out The Drive-By Truckers in-studio performance on Spinner's The Interface

Signposts: Along the Information Super Highway

From around the Blogosphere here is what my favorite bloggers are writing about:

Over at Twangville Mayer fills us in on the new Matthew Ryan album.

Americana Roots tells us about the new Paul Thorn

The Gobblers Knob talks turkey about the growing phenomenon of Ryan Bingham

9 Bullets agrees with me here at AWT about American Gun

CMT Blog does a nice review of Sarah Borges @ SXSW

Where Have I Been??? The Dude is Back

The answer I would like to give is SXSW but alas that is not where I was.

I have been moving. and had no web connection for several days. However I am bakc in the saddle again. Check out the posts below and look for the regular con tent to start coming again.

The Waybacks Neo-Traditionalism

"Tradition in Transition" is the title of the cover article in next to last No Depression It focuses on how young bands such as Crooked Still, The Avett Brothers, Uncle Earl and Chris Thile's new project the Punch Brothers are innovatively changing traditional acoustic music. A couple of bands that aren't as young as the subjects of the ND article that also fit the bill are The Steeldrivers and the subject of this post, The Waybacks.

The Waybacks new album Loaded is remarkable. Releasing on Compass Records March 25th it was produced by Byron House and features guest appearances by Sam Bush among others. The album represents a new direction for the band that is largely the influence of touring with Bob Weir and Ratdog. Loaded mixes their frenetic traditional sound with the free form eclectic influences of Weir along with, Honky-Tonk, Irish and Swing. The Band started out as an acoustic side project for San Francisco Bay area electric guitar player James Nash. They used to be a five piece outfit that played as many traditional tunes as originals. Though they were their own versions to say the least, which made them favorites of the Merlefest dance stage for the last few years. They dropped two original members and recently added excellent fiddle player and songwriter Warren Hood. Also, they are no longer just acoustic. Nash shows off his electric chops with great results on this album. The creative overflow on the album is evidenced by the fact that all of the songs on are original. So mark the 25th on your calendar and pick this one up.



This review also appears on
Twangville

Steeldrivers Featured on CMT

The steeldrivers were recently featured on CMT's Unplugged at Studio 330. Check out the link to watch the show.

Cartridge Family - Shine Like a Bottle

"I still remember what you look like, buck naked riding your bike." I am not a songwriter myself and it is hard to pin down exactly what constitutes a good roots rock song. However, I know this; if you write a song that involves someone getting buck naked and riding something, you have succeeded. The Cartridge Family has certainly succeeded on the song "Do You Remember." Their new album Shine Like a Bottle mixes a punk ethos with good ol' Rock n' Roll. The kind of Rock playing right now in some garage near you. Like I said it is good roots rock.

The Cartridge Family hails from Raleigh, North Carolina. They are a nice addition to the thriving North Carolina roots scene. In the era of shoegazing atmospheric indie rock (a lot of which I like), it is nice to do what I'm doing as I write this review, pop a cold one and tap my foot to a good beat. So if that sounds good to you too, hop on the Cartridge Family bus. (David Cassidy and Susan Dey not allowed on this ride.)

Check out their MySpace Site which features some classic Partridge Family audio. "Come On Get Happy"

Old 97's Album out May 13

The Old 97’s will release their latest album Blame It On Gravity May 13 on New West Records. According to Paste, they returned to their roots in Dallas to record the album and are trying to recaoture the feel of their debut album.

Say no more you had me at new album.

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

This is a periodic 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 og February 25th
1) Tift Merrit - Another Countrymu
2) Willie Nelson - Moment of Forever
3) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
4) Drive-By-Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark
5) Paul Thorn - A Long Way From Tupelo
6) Levon Helm - Dirt Farmer
7) Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade
8) Shelby Lynne - Just a Little Lovin'
9) Mando Saenz - Bucket
10)Allison Moorer - Mockingbird

Debuts
18) Jim Lauderdale - Honey Songs
30) South Austin Jug Band - Strange Invitation
31) Belleville Outfit - Wonderin'
33) Waifs - Sundirtwater
35) Big John Mills - That

XM Ch.12 Cross Country - Cross Checking week of Feb. 25th
1) Bleu Edmondson - Lost Boy
2) Matt Powell - New Kind of Something
3) Tift Merrit - Another Country
4) Paul Thorn - A Long Way From Tupelo
5) Blue Rodeo - Small Miracles
6) Russell Smith & the Amazing Rythm Aces - Midnight Communion
7) The Deep Dark Woods - Hang Me Oh Hang Me
8) Javelinas - Seven Sisters
9) Drive By Truckers - Brighter that Creation's Dark
10) Tim Carroll - The Devil is a Busy Man

Debuts
None

FMQB AAA Non-Commercial - Airplay Week of Feb. 25th
1) Cat Power - Jukebox
2) Jack Johnson - Sleep Through the Static
3) Nada Surf - Lucky
4) Tift Merrit - Another Country
5) Joe Jackson - Rain
6) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
7) Sheryl Crow - Detours
8) Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
9) Drive By Truckers - Brighter that Creation's Dark
10) Gary Louris - Vagabonds

Debuts:
26) Counting Crows - Warpaint