Best of 2007

**UPDATED 8-1-2007**
Due to a Blogger glich 16 items got deleted when I posted. This is the corrected list. However, the list still only includes releases through July 14th.
This is My updated Best of 2007. Wilco is still #1. The highest debuts are Kelly Willis at #4, Jason Isbell at #6 and Ryan Adams at #10. I expanded the list to 40 this time and dropped 5 from the previous list. My apologies to anyone offended the list was getting to big. Also, as usual, I did some rearranging based on further reflection. Reviews are coming for Kelly Willis and Elliot Randall who debuted at #14. Another notable debut is Spoon at #25. 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) Wrinkle Neck Mules - "Wicks Have Met"
6) Jason Isbell - "Sirens of the Ditch"
7) Assembly of Dust - "Recollection"
8) Hackensaw Boys - "Look Out"
9) The Shins - "Wincing the Night Away"
10) Ryan Adams - "Easy Tiger"
11) John Doe - "A year in the Wilderness"
12) Son Volt - "The Search"
13) The Broken West - "I Can't Go on I'll Go on"
14) Elliot Randall - "Take the Fall"
15) The Basement - "Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs"
16) Paul McCartney - " Memory Almost Full"
17) Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles - "Diamonds in the Dark"
18) Kim Richey - "Chinese Boxes"
19) King Wilkie - "Low Country Suite"
20) Modest Mouse - "We Were Dead Before he Ship Ever Sank"
21) Feist - "The Reminder"
22) Olav Larsen and the Alabama Rodeo Stars - "Loves' Com to Town"
23) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"
24) Willy Mason - "If the Ocean Gets Rough"
25) Dale Watson - "From the Cradle to the Grave"
26) Spoon - "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"
27) The National - "Boxer"
28) Charlie Louvin - "Charlie Louvin"
29) Infamous Stringdusters - "Fork in the Road"
30) Nathan - "Key Principles"
31) Adam Hood - "Different Groove"
32) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"
33) Rocky Votolato - "The Brag and Cuss"
34) Pela - "Anytown Graffiti"
35) Joe Ely - "Happy Song from Rattlesnake Gulch"
36) Cadillac Sky - "Blind Man Walking"
37) Martin Sexton - "Seeds"
38) Two Cow Garage - "Three"
39) The Gourds - "Noble Creatures"
40) Hoots & Hellmouth- "Hoots & Hellmouth"

Under the Radar: Elliot Randall

Elliot Randall is gaining notoriety on the West Coast and is becoming a popular act in the San Francisco Bay area. He is also getting love from the California press. Recently, he was featured on legendary Bay area radio station KFOG’s local scene and is going to be appearing at the station’s local scene kickoff party on August 3rd. The national exposure has not come yet. However, he was recently featured on an AmericanaRoots podcast, which is an AWT favorite. Hopefully more exposure like this will come for Randall. He certainly deserves it. Based on my correspondence with Elliot he seems like a heck of a nice guy and I am certainly rooting for him.

Though he lives in the Bay Area, he is originally from Charleston, South Carolina and told me he spent most of his time growing up in the Carolinas. His Southern roots really show as he mixes Roots Rock with a more Classic Rock and Roll sound. He is an excellent songwriter whose musical style has the ability to appeal to a wide audience. On his new album Take the Fall Randall plays mid-tempo songs like “How to Grow Old” as well as full out rockers like “Second Time Around.” Both musically and lyrically Randall’s music is very accessible to the listener. All of the songs on the album show the various influences he has. Whether the listener’s preferences lean more toward Rock or Roots or Singer-Songwriter, this album will satisfy.

MP3 Links Below:

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/5/29/1124526/01%20How%20To%20Get%20Old.m4a

http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/5/29/1124526/03%20Second%20Time%20Around.m4a

This review also appears on: http://twangville.com

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

This is a 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 July 16th
1) Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
2) Kelly Willis - Translated from Love
3) Marty Stuart - Anthology of Duets
4) Jimmy Lafave - Cimmaron Manifesto
5) Adrienne Young - Room to Grow
6) Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles - Diamonds in the Dark
7) Amy Lavere - Anchors and Anvils
8) Son Volt - The Search
9) Gurf Morlix - Diamonds to Dust
10) Doug Spatz - The One Who's Leaving
Debuts
35) Jason Isbell - Sirens of the Ditch
37) Terri Hendrix - The Spiritual Kind
40) Walt Wilkins & the Mystiqueros - Diamonds in the Sun

XM Ch.12 Cross Country - Cross Checking week of July 16th
1) Gurf Morlix - Diamond to Dust
2) Jed and Kelley - Song to Take Home
3) Various Artists - Anchored in Love
4) The Basement - Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs
5) Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers - No More Beautiful World
6) Jimmy Lafave - Cimmaron Manifesto
7) Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadors - Trailercana
8) Swampdawamp - Swampdawamp
9) Pete Berwick - Aint No Train Outta Nashville
10) Jason Isbell - Sirens of the Ditch
Debuts
None

FMQB AAA Non-Commercial - Airplay Week of July 16th
1) Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
2) Suzanne Vega - Beauty and Crime
3) Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
4) Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
5) Crowded House - Time on Earth
6) White Stripes - Icky Thump
7) Feist - The Reminder
8) Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
9) Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles - Diamonds in the Dark
10) R.Thompson - Sweet Warrior
Debuts
25)Interpol - Our Love to Admire
26) Polyphonic Spree- The Fragile Army
29) Lori McKenna - Unglamorous
30) Kelly Willis - Translated from Love

Kelly Willis - Translated from Love

After taking a few years off to devote to her children, Kelly Willis has returned. With the help of her Producer and friend Chuck Prophet and of course her husband, the accomplished singer-songwriter Bruce Robison. This was not business as usual for Willis. In fact, this is a Rock and Roll album with a little bit of Country roots. Kelly Willis wrote or co-wrote 6 songs on on the album. Co-writing with Bruce and Chuck Prophet. However the choice of Chuck Prophet came about, he was the perfect producer. With his history in music and his friendship with Willis and Robison, he understands the roots of where she comes from and where she wants to go. It is obvious from the first listen to Translated from Love that all parties were on the same page.

The first song on the album is a cover of Damon Bramblett's "Nobody Wants to Go to the Moon Anymore." She follows it up with "Sweet Little One" which feature a country vocal style. However, Prophet uses subtle keyboards to give the song a rich texture that hints at what they are trying to accomplish on the album. "Teddy Boys" is a rocker that is a little bit raunchy and definitely shows the influence of Prophet. Willis did not totally walk away from Country Music. For example, "Losing You" is a solid Country Song. Although, listening to a Pop song like "The More That I'm Around You" it is apparent that Kelly Willis' voice could fit just as easily in Rock or Jazz as country. In the end, what Chuck Prophet accomplished with his production was to show the diversity of Willis' voice more than any other album in her under-rated career.

Sample her music on:
http://www.kellywillis.com/flash/

http://www.myspace.com/kellywillismusic

The Gourds - Noble Creatures

By now we know what to expect from The Gourds. Noble Creatures fortunately delivers The Gourds full package, quirky hook laden roots music that mixes tradition with foot stompin' contemporary jams. Of course this is all delivered with the requisite humor. After all, this is the band that managed to fuse Compton and Appalachia when it covered Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice."

There are a few things that are added on the album, like the Hammond B3 background on "Kicks in the Sun." Overall the album has a little bit more of Grateful Dead influence than normal but it is still a typical Gourds album. That is a good thing when you do what you do as well as the Gourds. The Cajun stomp of "Cranky Mulatto" is familiar territory for the band. Their Texas Red Dirt Roots are highlighted on "Moon Gone Down." I expect "All in the Pack" to be the live hit that will get the fans dancing on the tables, which where they belong at a Gourds show. Hopefully we can all be dancing at their live shows for many years to come.

Stream the full album:
http://www.yeproc.com/artist_info.php?artistId=957

This review also appears on: http://twangville.com/

Settin' the Wodds on Fire: This Weeks Charts

This is a 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 July 9th
1) Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
2) Kelly Willis - Translated from Love
3) Marty Stuart - Anthology of Duets
4) Jimmy Lafave - Cimmaron Manifesto
5) Adrienne Young - Room to Grow
6) Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles - Diamonds in the Dark
7) Amy Lavere - Anchors and Anvils
8) Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
9) Gurf Morlix - Diamonds to Dust
10) Kendel Carson - Rearview Mirror Tears
Debuts
21) Subdudes - Street Symphony
30) Chris Knight - The Trailer Tapes
33) Max Stalling - Topaz City
37) Tab Benoit - Power of the Ponchatrain
40) King Wilkie - Low Country Suite

XM Ch.12 Cross Country - Cross Checking week of July 9th
1) Kendel Carson - Rearview Mirror Tears
2) Robbie Fulks - Revenge
3) Gurf Morlix - Diamond to Dust
4) Jed and Kelley - Song to Take Home
5) Various Artists - Anchored in Love
6) Jimmy Lafave - Cimmaron Manifesto
7) Red Dirt Rangers - Ranger Motel
8) Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadors - Trailercana
9) Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
6) Dale Watson - From The Cradle To The Grave
10) David Olney - One Tough Town
Debuts
46) Hackensaw Boys - Look Out!
47) Tab Bemoit - Power of the Ponchatrain

FMQB AAA Non-Commercial - Airplay Week of July 9th
1) RYAN ADAMS - Easy Tiger
2) SPOON - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
3) WILCO - Sky Blue Sky
4) PAUL MCCARTNEY - Memory Almost Full
5) SUZANNE VEGA - Beauty and Crime
6) FEIST - The Reminder
7) Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles - Diamonds in the Dark
8) R.THOMPSON - Sweet Warrior
9) GRACE POTTER - This is Somewhere
10) WHITE STRIPES - Icky Thump
Debuts
11) Subdudes - Street Symphony
27) Van Morrison - Best of ... Vol. 3

Jason Isbell Review on Twang Nation

Twang Nation has an excellent review of former Drive-By-Trucker Jason Isbell's new album. Keep an eye on him I think good things are in his future.

http://www.twangnation.com/2007/07/17/jason-isbell-sirens-of-the-ditch-new-west-review/

Check Out His MySpace Page:

http://www.myspace.com/jasonisbellmusic

Kim Richey and Adam Hood - Live on Reg's Coffeehouse

Check out this link to Kim Richey performing live on Reg's Coffee house

http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/pages/Entertainment/Detail?contentId=3778881&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=7.3.1

Also Adam Hood performed on the Coffeehouse. I talked to him for a while at City Stages this year. He is a super nice guy and one of my favorites. See my previous review here on AWT and check out this video. He is a really good songwriter.

http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/pages/Entertainment/Detail?contentId=3778857&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=7.3.1

King Wilkie vs. The Avett Brothers

The new King Wilkie album Low Country Suite has the band adding other influences to their traditional Bluegrass with excellent results. Compared to the Avett Brothers, who made a similar move with Emotionalisdm, I feel the King Wilkie album is far superior. I admit that I am on an island when it comes to the Avett Brothers new effort. Every magazine website and blog I have seen gushed with praise for Emotionalism. I seem to be the lone dissenter. However, I feel the Avett Brothers lost their edge on the album. The edgy Bluegrass they played became pop with no attitude on emotionalism. The album sounded like a knock off of early Beatles records. I expected them to break out in a "Love Me Do" cover at anytime.

How could the Avetts have expanded their music and made it work? Listen to King Wilkie's Low Country Suite and you have your answer. A likewise edgy bluegrass band, they went in some new direction without losing their identity. Somehow they have managed to cross the American songwriting landscape in a way that was honest but doesn't try to deny where they started. It is not an easy thing to do. But King Wilkie succeeded where the Avetts did not.

Click here to take a listen:
http://kingwilkie.com/flash/

Check out this YouTube clip of Wrecking Ball:

The Basement - Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs

The Basement generated a lot of hype among the UK press before they released their first album. Early singles hinted at something special and they generated quite a following among fans. For some reason the buzz has been a little slower to build in the US, but they have released their first US CD on Zealous Records, Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs. A recent article in No Depression should help also. The album is an instant classic mixing Americana influenced Roots Rock with British influenced Pop. The songs by the Irish born Liverpool based quartet are infectious. The album bridges a gap between their British and Irish upbringing and Americana Twang. It is evocative of the way Gram Parsons tried to fuse rock and country in his day. In fact you could alter Gram’s description of his own music slightly and call it “Cosmic British-American Music.”

The album starts out with the Alt-Country of “Do You Think Your Moving On.” Other songs like “Summertimes” have more of a Pop style. The Basement is influenced by Old 97s as can be heard on 2 tracks in particular, “When Tomorrow Comes” sounds like Satellite Rides Pop, while “Just a Dream” is redolent of earlier Old 97s. One of the band’s key attributes is the ability to sound upbeat even when using melancholy lyrics.

Check out some of their music:
http://www.zealousrecords.com/thebasementplayer/index.html

This review also appears on: http://twangville.com

Settin' the Woods on Fire- This Weeks Charts

This is a 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 July 2nd
1) Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger
2) Kelly Willis - Translated from Love
3) Marty Stuart - Anthology of Duets
4) Jimmy Lafave - Cimmaron Manifesto
5) Adrienne Young - Room to Grow
6) Gurf Morlix - Diamonds to Dust
7) Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles - Diamonds in the Dark
8) Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
9) Son Volt - The Search
10) Elizabeth Cook - Balls
Debuts
20) Antsy McLain and The Trailer Park Troubadors - Trailercana
26) Gourds - Noble Creatures
31) Hackensaw Boys - Look out!
37) Steve Forbert - Strange Names and New Sensations
40) Nick Lowe - At My Age

XM Ch.12 Cross Country - Cross Checking week of July 2nd
1) Kendel Carson - Rearview Mirror Tears
2) Robbie Fulks - Revenge
3) Gurf Morlix - Diamond to Dust
4) Elizabeth Cook - Balls
5) Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
6) Dale Watson - From The Cradle To The Grave
7) Jimmy Lafave - Cimmaron Manifesto
8) Jed and Kelley - Song to Take Home
9) David Holt and The Lightning Bolts - Self-Titled
10) Todd Snider - Peace, Love and Anarchy
Debuts
47) Max Stalling - Topaz City
48) Jason Isbell - Sirens of the Ditch
49) Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger

FMQB AAA Non-Commercial - Airplay Week of July 2nd
1) WILCO - Sky Blue Sky
2) RYAN ADAMS - Easy Tiger
3) SPOON - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
4) PAUL MCCARTNEY - Memory Almost Full
5) SUZANNE VEGA - Beauty and Crime
6) WHITE STRIPES - Icky Thump
7) FEIST - The Reminder
8) R.THOMPSON - Sweet Warrior
9) TORI AMOS - American Doll Posse
10) Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles - Diamonds in the Dark
Debuts
NONE

Kelly Willis live @ Zydeco in Birmingham, AL

Boy am I sorry I missed this one.

Check out the this video for Kelly Willis live at Zydeco July 6th. Thanks to TC for pointing this out to me.

http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/pages/Entertainment/Detail?contentId=3709509&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=7.3.1

AWT on Vacation

A little R&R with the Fam somewhere my cellphone won't even work. I'll be back on Monday. Happy 4th of July fellow Twangers.

Under The Radar: The Wells

When Tom at Twangville gave me The Wells Outcasts Will Make a Strong Nation cd for review, he told me I would like it because it reminded him of X and John Doe and he knows what a big fan I am. He was absolutely right. The harder songs especially have the stripped down punk with a little twang style of X. When using female backing vocals you can definitely visualize John Doe and Exene singing together. Other songs are more roots influenced but still have rock undertones. Lyrically, the album is full of dark and haunting folk tales of people gone astray not unlike characters that have haunted John Doe’s songs over the years.

The stories in the songs on Outcasts are literary in nature, which is not surprising since songwriter Robert Loss has an MFA in creative writing and teaches English in their home base of Columbus, OH, home to other alt-country acts like Two Cow Garage. Talk about anti-heroes, we have characters here that Cormac McCarthy would love to create. We have someone, who murders the Steinbeck folk hero Tom Joad for a loaf of bread and parlays it to a successful political career. We also find a nomadic loser sabotaging a Pentecostal tent revival to keep his girl from getting saved. Is nothing sacred? The answer is no. I hope these guys don’t stay under the radar for too long they deserve to be found. A lot of bands are jumping on the Americana band wagon these days but The Wells definitely deserve attention.

Check out their MySpace page:

http://myspace.com/wellsrock

This review was also posted on: http://twangville.com/

Kim Richey - Chinese Boxes

It has been almost five years since Kim Richey released a new album. Clocking in at 33 minutes, Chinese Boxes is worth the wait. The short length of the album is appropriate for the conceptual simplicity of the lyrics. The imagery Richey uses in her lyrics allow her to provide the listener a conceptual framework that doesn't require much narrative. On the title cut of the album she uses "Chinese Boxes" (empty boxes inside of bigger empty boxes) to signify a relationship with someone that seems to be enduring but is really not substantial. This type of imagery is used over and over again on the album often to poignantly describe relationships that aren't what they appear to be.

This lyrical minimalism doesn't apply to the instrumentation which is beautiful, textured and draws the listener to the word pictures she is framing. Richey wrote or co-wrote all the songs on the album, including "Drift" which she penned with Mindy Smith. The earlier songs on the album are slower in tempo setting the atmosphere, while the second half of the album picks up the tempo a bit. No matter the tempo of the song the results are the same. The album will be released July 10th by Vanguard. Don't miss it!

See the link be low to sample 2 songs off of the album.

http://www.vanguardrecords.com/listen.asp?idArtist=45

Justin Trawick: Live 9:30 Club DC

My friend Tom, who runs AWT's favorite blog Twangville, which I write for under the name "CrackerSoul," turned me on to Justin Trawick. Tom and I went to see him at the 9:30 Club friday night, June 29th. It was a great show. The 9:30 Club is also a great venue. Trawick is a real up and comer who has already developed a loyal following in the DC area. Here is a link to the Twangville review and a link to video Tom shot during the show:

http://twangville.com/580/justin-trawick-rocks-the-930-club/

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

This is a 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 June 25th
1) Jimmy Lafave - Cimmaron Manifesto
2) Gurf Morlix - Diamonds to Dust
3) Marty Stuart - Anthology of Duets
4) Son Volt - The Search
5) Adrienne Young - Room to Grow
6) Amy Lavere - Anchors and Anvils
7) Wilco - "Sky Blue Sky"
8) Ryan Adams - "Easy Tiger"
9) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"
10) Kelly Willis - "Translated from Love"
Debuts
36) Pam Tillis - Rhinestoned
37) Marc Olson - Salvation Blues


XM Ch.12 Cross Country - Cross Checking week of June 25th
1) Todd Snider - Peace, Love and Anarchy
2) Elizabeth Cook - Balls
3) Renegade Rail - Ragged
4) Dale Watson - From The Cradle To The Grave
5) Olav Larsen/Alabama Rodeo Stars - Love’s Come to Town
6) Jimmy Lafave - Cimmaron Manifesto
7) Kendel Carson - Rear View Mirror Tears
8) Wrinkle Neck Mules - Wicks Have Met
9) Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
10) Gurf Morlix - Diamond to Dust
Debuts
49) Jeff Finlin - Angel in Disguise
50) Blackie and the Rodeo Kings - Let's Frolic


FMQB AAA Non-Commercial - Airplay Week of June 25th
1) WILCO - Sky Blue Sky
2) PAUL MCCARTNEY - Memory Almost Full
3) FEIST - The Reminder
4) R.THOMPSON - Sweet Warrior
5) RYAN ADAMS - Easy Tiger
6) SUZANNE VEGA - Beauty and Crime
7) TORI AMOS - American Doll Posse
8) SPOON - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
9) GRACE POTTER - This is Somewhere
10) BRIGHT EYES - Casadaga
Debuts
14) WHITE STRIPES - Icky Thump
26) STEVE FORBERT - Strange Names and New Sensations
29) MARC BROUSSARD - SOS: Save Our Souls

Best of 2007

This is My updated Best of 2007. Wilco is still #1 The artists with the highest debuts are White Stripes and Wrinkle Neck Mules at 3 and 4 respectively. The Hackensaw Boys and JohnDoe also debuted in the top 10. While Paul McCartney and Sarah Borges entered just outside the top 10. This list does not inlcude any albums released on June 26th. So Ryan Adams and Kelly Willis will have to wait until next month. Also, as usual, I did some rearranging based on further reflection. 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) Wrinkle Neck Mules - "Wicks Have Met"
5) Assembly of Dust - "Recollection"
6) Hackensaw Boys - "Look Out"
7) The Broken West - "I Can't Go on I'll Go on"
8) )The Shins - "Wincing the Night Away"
9) Son Volt - "The Search"
10) John Doe - "A year in the Wilderness"
11) Paul McCartney - " Memory Almost Full"
12) Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles - "Diamonds in the Dark"
13) Willy Mason - "If the Ocean Gets Rough"
14) Dale Watson - "From the Cradle to the Grave"
15) Modest Mouse - "We Were Dead Before he Ship Ever Sank"
16) Feist - "The Reminder"
17) Charlie Louvin - "Charlie Louvin"
18) Infamous Stringdusters - "Fork in the Road"
19) Nathan - "Key Principles"
20) Olav Larsen and the Alabama Rodeo Stars - "Loves' Com to Town"
21) Adam Hood - "Different Groove"
22) Elizabeth Cook - "Balls"
23) Rocky Votolato - "The Brag and Cuss"
24) The Basement - "Illicit Hugs and Playground Thugs"
25) The Greencards - "Viridian"
26) Pela - "Anytown Graffiti"
27) Joe Ely - "Happy Song from Rattlesnake Gulch"
28) Cadillac Sky - "Blind Man Walking"
29) Martin Sexton - "Seeds"
30) Two Cow Garage - "Three"
31) Hoots & Hellmouth- "Hoots & Hellmouth
32) Norah Jones - "Not Too Late"
33) Bill Kirchen - "Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods"
34) Adrienne Young - "Room to Gow"
35) The Dexateens - "Hardwire Healing"

Olav Larsen and the Alabama Rodeo Stars

I must admit I heard the song before I heard they were from Norway. My first reaction was "Norway, what part of Alabama is that town located." I couldn't find it on any map. Then I realized that despite a band name referencing Alabama they really are from Norway. It is hard enough for a Southern boy like me to conceive of country music created above the Mason-Dixon line, but Norway. No way! They don't play country music in Norway. In fact, they do. Europe actually has a fairly healthy Americana scene.

Love Comes to Town is a very compelling Americana album. In large part because Olav Larsen learned about country music the best way. He bought records and listened to them. He was not influenced by glitz and cheese of mainstream Nashville. The influences he credits are Jimmie Rodgers, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, The Band and Uncle Tupelo. All of these influences are apparent on this album. They use a mix of instrumentation that sounds both traditional and current. Traditional like on "You Can Call Me Baby" and "Ain't Got Time"; but more edgy on songs like "Give Me Your Love" and "Your the Only One" In the end it is one very satisfyng album.

Check out the link to this video which has been released in Europe:

Traveling Wilburys

Spontaneity is often the key to success. Plan a big party and it will usually disappoint. The best parties start with a few guys buying a keg and calling their friends at the last minute. The same is true for the Traveling Wilburys, formed by accident by George Harrison who needed to cut a B-side for a single. If this had been the brainchild of a major label marketing executive, the total would probably never have equaled the sum of it’s’ parts. But instead we get five friends jamming. OK, five friends who happen to be rock royalty jamming, but friends none the less. Fortunately, these friends put together something special that Rhino records has now reissued.

Critically, Volume 1 received the better reception. However, Volume 3 (there was no Volume 2) is very good as well. It falls short of the original mostly because of the death of Roy Orbison, whose vocals were so vital in creating the sound of the band on Volume 1. The reissue includes four new tracks, two on each Volume. On Volume 1, “Maxine” has a Tejano feel reminiscent Los Lobos “Saint Behind the Glass” off their Kiko album. “Like a Ship” is a sad love ballad led by Bob Dylan. On Volume 3 “Nobody’s Child” is a heartbreaking country song about orphans worthy of any classic album to come out of Nashville. The cover of “Runaway” is very well done but would have been much better with Orbison’s vocals if recorded during the first album. There is also a DVD, which I have not seen, but has videos and unreleased footage of the making of the albums.

Link to this video trailer:

http://travelingwilburys.com/assets/movies/history_trailer.mov

Settin' the Woods on Fire- This Weeks Charts

This is a new weekly feature in which I will post on AWT the top albums and debuts in the airplay charts from Americana Music Assoc., XM Cross Country

Americana Music Association - Airplay Week of June 18th
1) Jimmy Lafave - Cimmaron Manifesto
2) Son Volt - The Search
3) Gurf Morlix - Diamonds to Dust
4) Marty Stuart - Anthology of Duets
5) Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
6) Elizabeth Cook - Balls
Debuts
15) Kelly Willis - Translated from Love
29) David Olney - One Tough Town
31) Bruse Robison - It Came from San Antonio
39) Porter Wagoner - Wagonmaster

XM Ch.12 Cross Country - Cross Checking week of June 18th
1) Chris Knight - The Trailer Tapes
2) Son Volt - The Search
3) Renegade Rail - Ragged
4 Dale Watson - From The Cradle To The Grave
5 Olav Larsen/Alabama Rodeo Stars - Love’s Come to Town
Debuts
48) King Wilkie - Low Country Sweet
49) Antsy McLain/Trailer Park Troubadours - Trailercana
50) David Olney - One Tough Town
51) Jeffrey Halford/ Healers - Broken Chord
52) Various Artists - Anchored In Love
53) Kelly Willis - Translated From Love
54) Bruce Robison - It Came From San Antonio

FMQB AAA Non-Commercial - Airplay Week of June 18
1) WILCO - Sky Blue Sky
2) R.THOMPSON - Sweet Warrior
3) FEIST - The Reminder
4) PAUL MCCARTNEY - Memory Almost Full
5) TORI AMOS - American Doll Posse
6) RYAN ADAMS - Easy Tiger
Debuts
25) Avett Bros. - Emotionalism
26) John Doe - A year in the Wilderness

Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full

Forty years ago in 1967, on the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club album, Paul McCartney asked this question, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?” Paul McCartney is now 64. Actually, he turned 65 yesterday (6-18-2007). So I would like to answer this for him. Yes, we need anyone who is releasing music this relevant at any age. As for feeding him, the album is already number one on the internet download charts, so I don’t foresee him bouncing any checks at the grocery store. The easiest way to describe the songs by any artist is to refer to their influences, which is very perplexing when it comes to a Paul McCartney. For example, how many album reviews refer to songs as Beatle influenced or use some term like “Beatlesque?” That might apply to certain songs on this album. But can you call a song by an artist Beatlesque if the artist “is’ Beatlesque. Much of the music is very progressive, but Wings was at the very foundation of 70s prog rock. So that term falls short as well.

In a nutshell, Memory Almost Full is completely influenced by the genius living in Paul McCartney’s mind. But not in some tacky attempt to capture old glory, like you see with many older rock stars. McCartney clearly does not believe in going backwards or even standing still. He refers to this in the song “Vintage Clothes” as he says, “Don’t live in the past. Don’t hold on to something that is changing fast. What we are is what we are. And what we wear is vintage clothes.” As for me, I’m looking forward to when he’s 74. Happy birthday Paul.

This review also appears on: http://twangville.com/

"Dance Tonight" Video

John Doe - A Year in the Wilderness

John Doe’s Year in the Wilderness was a worthwhile journey for him and his fans. This album is literally haunted (listen to “Hotel Ghost”) with stories and reflections that offer exceptional depth. For example, on “Unforgiven” Doe says,”You say I'm good for nothing. So nothing's good enough for me. We all get what we deserve . . . unfortunately.” Doe is joined on this project by vocalists Kathleen Edwards, Aimee Mann and Jill Sobule and multi-instrumentalist Greg Leisz among others. The album showcases equal parts of his singer-songwriter brilliance and X era angst, even featuring one song co-written with Exene Cervenka. This is his best work in years.



Listen to "The Golden State"

http://www.yeproc.com/media.php?id=419

Hackensaw Boys - Look Out!

After the first listen to The Hackensaw Boys Look Out!, which is to be released on June 19th by Nettwerk Records, I felt the album could be summed up in one word, Wow!! This is their best album to date. After years of relentless touring with such diverse acts as Modest Mouse, Camper Van Beethoven, The Flaming Lips, The Detroit Cobras, Cake, Charlie Louvin and De La Soul, The Boys show a few new directions on this album. The current Lineup features Jesse Fiske on bass, accordion, harmonica and guitar; Jimmy Stelling on banjo and fiddle; Robert Bullington on mandolin and guitar; Ferd Moyse on fiddle and bass; Ward Harrison on guitar and Justin Neuhardt on charismo, spoon and Saw. (You have to love a musician that plays instruments you can buy at Home Depot.) Also, former Hackensaw Boy and current Modest Mouse Tom Peloso contributed two songs and plays bass on “Hobo.”

The first song “Look Out Dog, Slow Down Train” is front porch stomp reminiscent of previous releases. Also, in keeping with old time tradition the album includes a revenge song, “Oh Girl.” There is also a great rendition of the traditional gospel tune “Gospel Plow” that musically doesn’t sound very gospel at all. A lot of the songs on Look Out! go in new directions but the album doesn’t lose its edge or become too polished as it explores other influences. In fact, the album has a very live feel. In the end the Hackensaw Boys are what they always have been and hopefully always will be. A group of great musicians that have party will travel.

Oh Girl MP3
http://nettwerk.com/media/mp3/HacBo/HacBo_OhGi.mp3

http://www.myspace.com/hackensawboys
This review also appears on: http://twangville.com/

Reluctant City Stages Preview

For readers in Birmingham I am reluctantly doing a City Stages preview. The lineup admittedly is a disappointment this year for City Stages but there are enough notables to mention:

Friday:
Bruce Cockburn- He hasn't been to Birmingham in years. The last time he was at City Stages was absolutely a spiritual experience. Don't miss this if it is the only thing you see at the festival this year.
Willy Mason - See my previous post on him. It is one of my favorite CDs so far this year and one of the few acts that is not a Stages retread or recently performed in Birmingham.
Saturday:
Adam Hood- An Alabama native that is not new to Birmingham but "Different Groove" is a great album. (See my recent review)
Will Kimbrough/Tommy Womack- These two have been around a while. Having them play together was one of the few original ideas the festival organizers had this year.
Matthew Perryman Jones- Heard he stole the show at the Reg's Coffeehouse celebration at the Alabama Theater. I missed the event so I am lookin forward to his set.
Sunday:
Stoll Vaughn- I also missed him at Reg's show but I absolutely love this CD.
Robinella- Probably her third appearance in the city in the last year but she is still fantastic.
Sam Bush- I am glad they signed him this year. His live shows are legendary and he is a virtuoso unrivalled. This is one not to miss. I've seen him many times and never been disappointed.
Ricky Skaggs- Credit to the organizers for the Sunday bluegrass lineup. Sam Bush followed by Ricky Skaggs is hard to beat.

A Sign of the Apocolypse for City Stages:
What no mention of Poison or Ratt headlining the Miller Stage you ask? Of course I am excited about it like an 80's schoolgirl in heat! But I can't bring myself to go. You see my parachute pants are too tight these days and they quit making my favorite hair gel years ago. Goodbye City Stages it has been a nice ride!