| |
| EEF
BARZELAY Bitter
Honey Bitter
Honey by Eef Barzelay is a solo acoustic record by the singer/song-writer of Clem
Snide. Anyone familiar with Snide's previous 5 records and live shows has come
to expect Barzelay's occasional invitation to cuddle in a cold unfurnished room.
This two part LP is the first devoted entirely to those moments. Part One opens
with "The Ballad of Bitter Honey", a song that initially sounds like
an ironic take on the life of a hip-hop video vixen. But the only irony is that
it's bespectacled Barzelay singing it. As in many of Barzelay's songs the sniggers
are quickly undercut with tenderness and self examination. The next four songs
lead us from cruelty to empathy and all the crippled places in-between. Part Two,
called "Let Us Be Naked", begins with "Little Red Dot", a
one minute eight second valentine. It later abandons itself to a rousing not-drunken
sing-along, and closes with possibly the most heartbreaking version of "Joy
to the World" ever done. With just his voice, his words, and an acoustic
guitar Barzelay further confirms the rumor that he is one of the most uniquely
talented songwriters around. (Spin Art) More
Info + Sound Clips CD $11.49 |
| RAY
DAVIES Other People's Lives
The
new and long-awaited LP is Ray's first official solo album and is a veritable
masterclass in songwriting. Written, produced and arranged by Ray, the LP features
13 stunning new songs recorded in Konk Studios, London. "The first words
on the album are 'Things are gonna change, this is the morning after.' This indicates
that I'm going to do things differently from now on," says Ray. Much of the
inspiration for the album comes from Ray's experiences of living in New Orleans,
where he found both emotional and physical sanctuary. "I found I fitted in
somewhere for the first time since I left Muswell Hill," he comments. Combining
Ray's distinctive vocals with astutely observed lyrics, the new album brims effervescently
with Ray's heady, unmistakable style and talent. Each song is a gem both lyrically
and musically and tells the influence, journey and direction of Ray's creative
process. (v2) More
Info + Sound Clips CD $16.49 |
TONY
GILKYSON Goodbye Guitar Tony
Gilkyson's history is unquestionably strewn with markers and sign posts of having
been there, done that and played it. He's recorded with an amazing list of talent
spanning two generations of Los Angeles Americana artist including X, Dave Alvin,
Lone Justice, Mike Stinson, Eleni Mandell, Randy Weeks and Kip Boardman. Curiously,
Goodbye Guitar is merely his second solo record, half a decade on down the line
since his 2000 release, Sparko. Plenty of hot guitar work throughout, there is
no shortage of great songs here either. Sandwiched between the desert-skiffle
leadoff track, "Mojave High", and the Tin Pan Ally waltz-ballad "Man
About Town" is "Wilton Bridge", a honky-tonk gem that sounds like
a lost track from Robert Altman's Nashville. And before you've made it to the
boot scootin' swing of track 4, Woody Guthrie's "Old Cracked Looking Glass",
you'll find you've had quite a lesson in Americana. And this diversity caries
you through all 11 tracks on this strong disc. The supporting player list is nothing
to sneeze at either and includes, among others, Don Heffington, Charlie McGovern,
Randy Weeks, Kip Boardman, Amy Correia, Mike Murphy, Pete Hicks, Josh Grange,
Eliza Gilkyson, Danny McGough, David Faragher, Greg Vincent and Van Dyke Parks.
Mike Stinson drops in a vocal on the title track and also offers up his tune "Worthless"
for the album. -- Robinson, Miles Of Music (Rolling Sea Records) Review
+ Sound Clips CD $13.99 |
| DEADSTRING
BROTHERS Starving Winter Report
"[Full
of] emotional weight and sonic power...no one has combined the Stones' bluster
and energy with St Gram's cracked, world-weary heartbreak quite as well as the
DSB...There's no best song here; the whole album is great. It's loud, loose, ragged
and not far removed from a stomping, beer-swilling masterpiece." - Andy Whitman,
Paste (Bloodshot) More
Info +Sound Clips CD $11.49 |
| WILLIE
NILE Streets Of New York Too
long in the making, but totally worth the wait, Streets Of New York is Willie
Nile's first release since 1999's Beautiful Wreck Of The World. The record kicks
of with the catchy and clever "Welcome To My Head" which introduces
you to a variety of characters (Busby Berkeley, Frankenstein, The Dali Llama,
John Paul Sartre) attending the party in his mind. If some artists save their
catchiest song for the opening track, Nile got this one right for sure. But as
the album progresses you discover he could have started a dozen records with all
the gems that make up this 14-track disc. His Ian Hunter-meets-Paul Westerberg
vocal is most commanding, full of sly 'n' wry wit and soulful conviction. Not
to mention a compelling marriage of both well-read and street-wise prose where
lyrics are concerned. Throw this down over punchy pop and roots influenced rock,
or the occasional "Jersey-style" ballad, and you've got music that sounds
compelling. With nods to Dylan ("Back Home") and The Clash ("When
One Stands", "Police On My Back"), Nile exhibits a respectable
span of influence that, along with a kick-ass band, defies sounding dated. The
streets of New York have a voice in Willie Nile. -- Robinson, Miles Of Music (00:02:59)
Review
+ Sound Clips CD $15.49 |
| IT'S
A CRACKER! BRAY VISTA Sing
My Darling "Home",
a big revival bluegrass choogler full of banjo, Dobro, harmonica, acoustic guitars
and sweet harmonies all playing off of each other, rolls out the musical carpet
of this charmingly rural affair. But just as you start thinking that "home"
for these folk must be the Appalachian region, you notice that the liner notes
place this 9-piece outfit closer to Dublin, Ireland. Recorded and produced by
Karl Odlum (Gemma Hayes), Sing My Darling captures the band - whose songs were
written primarily by guitarist/vocalist Neil Tobin - as they journey from Bunker
Hill to Bakersfield with a Let's Go Americana guide in hand. Yet they've managed
to evoke the spirit as well as any native while keeping things just on the quirky
side of reverently traditional. The most drastic example is "Heavenly Penicillin",
a tongue-in-cheek gospel number praising the titular remedy for whatever ailments
might occur from sinful doins. A couple other rollicking numbers ("Keep On
Keepin' On" and "Slim Pickings") put a little 'lectric twang in
the mix and balance out the traditional roots of the band quite nicely. But it's
a wonder that so many people from the same Irish town, Bray of course, could find
equal footing between the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and old Merle Haggard. -- Robinson,
Miles Of Music (Sombrero Recordings) Review
+Sound Clips CD $10.49 |
| MARLEYS
GHOST Spooked Since
forming 20 years ago, Marley's Ghost has built a singular reputation among discerning
roots-music lovers for its ultra-tight four-part harmonies, instrumental virtuosity
and animated live performances. On Spooked, the band's eighth album, yet its first
to receive a full-fledged national release, Marley's Ghost creates a musically
sophisticated, thematically rich piece of work that serves as a belated coming-out
party for a band that deserves to be more widely heard. The album bears the stamp
of two legendary figures whose idiosyncratic skills match up beautifully with
the band's own - composer/arranger/player Van Dyke Parks, who jumped at the chance
to produce, and cartoonist R. Crumb, who illustrated the package. (Sage Arts)
More
Info + Sound Clips CD $14.99 |
| IT'S
A CRACKER! ROUGH SHOP Far Past the Outskirts
The
full-length debut from the St. Louis sextet Rough Shop plays not unlike the collage
that graces its cover...with different faces, different colors, different moments
- both still and in motion - all captured in time, yet all part of the same work.
Given the varying musical styles from the two main songwriters and the three and
four different voices that interpret them, it's no wonder this record has so many
facets. The core band is comprised of the songwriters and rhythm section of One
Fell Swoop, a band whose acoustic-based Americana made its mark at the turn of
the millennium. Added now are vocalist and guitarist Anne Tkach (Hazeldine, Nadine,
Magnolia Summer) and keyboardist Nate Dahm, whose swirling Hammond tones and slick
piano work recall both Garth Hudson and Nicky Hopkins. Far Past The Outskirts
is more than just a little country, a little rock, a little bluegrass, a little
R&B and a little pop all seamlessly blended together. It's like finding a
great little indie alt. country station that comes and goes in the night. -- Robinson,
Miles Of Music (Perdition Records) Review
+Sound Clips CD $11.99 |
| IT'S
A CRACKER! LEAVING, TX 100 Miles To Sunday
Formed
in late 2004 by songwriter Chris Patterson, Leaving, TX has rapidly come to life
in the Washington, DC music scene. The band has somewhat of an international flair
as Patterson is joined by bassist Garry Cecil (Edinburgh, Scotland), drummer Thor
Smith (Halden, Norway), and guitarist Andrew Buhler (Miami, FL). With 100 Miles
To Sunday this original alt. country outfit delivers a clever blend of twang-rock
with a healthy dose of classic country. The album is driven by Patterson's rugged,
in your face vocal style, ripping Telecasters, and sweet pedal-steel. Anchored
by a tight, driving rhythm section, this powerful group of musicians allow Patterson's
songs to shine. Americana-uk.com exclaims "It's Hard not to like the record...Throughout
fiddles, guitars, pedal-steel, and Patterson's voice add up to an excellent (disc)."
(Lucky Range) More
Info +Sound Clips CD $11.99 |
| DAVID
CHILDERS & THE MODERN DON JUANS Jailhouse Religion
David
Childers & The Modern Don Juans are a Charlotte, North Carolina-based quartet
featuring Childers on vocals/guitar, Randy Saxon on lead guitar, bassist Mark
Lynch, and Robert Childers on drums. This is guitar-driven, hard edged Americana/rock
that will appeal to fans of Drive By Truckers, Jason & The Scorchers, Johnny
Cash and Billy Joe Shaver. Known for their blazing live shows, The Modern Don
Juans have developed a loyal following throughout the Southeast. Jailhouse Religion
marks the 7th release for Childers, who has a knack for spoutin' both fire and
brimstone all for the sake of preachin' tough love. (Modern Don Juans Records)
More
Info + Sound Clips CD $13.99 |
| LEVON
HELM BAND Midnight Ramble Music Sessions V1 (w/DVD) The
Levon Helm Band is making more than music in Woodstock, NY nestled in the heart
of the Catskill Mountains, they are orchestrating a musical carnival known as
The Midnight Ramble. The idea is to recreate, inside Levon Helm Studios, the traveling
shows (like F.S. Walcotts Rabbit Foot Minstrel show) that played in the South
where Levon grew up as a boy, embracing the merging musical traditions of the
time; blues, gospel, country, rock and roll, bluegrass, rockabilly, soul and jazz.
Levon Helm (The Band, R.C.O All-Stars) made a career on stage and screen as a
singer, drummer, band leader, writer and actor. He has assembled some of the premiere
musicians on the East Coast to take part in the carnival. The room is a unique
studio, all wooden (no nails only wooden pegs holding the barn's towering hemlock
beams together) with locally quarried bluestone and the ambiance of a church hall.
Guests include: Jonnie Johnson (Chuck Berry), Dr. John, Little Sammy Davis (Earl
Hooker, Ike Turner), Jon Smith (The White Trash Horn Section, Edgar and Jonnie
Winters), Jimmy Vivino (Max Weinberg Seven, Al Kooper), Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan),
Mike Merritt (Max Weinberg Seven), Eric Lawrence, Steven Bernstein, Amy Helm,
Glen Patscha, Fiona McBain, Byron Isaacs, Tony Leone, Sean Costello, Andrew Shober,
Fred Scribner. The music is soulful and bluesy, layered with rich vocal accompaniment
and slick musical arrangements, and grounded by the roots this music grew from.
Volume one features the harmonica legend and blues singer Little Sammy Davis at
the top of his game. (Levon Helm Studios) More
Info CD $31.99
LEVON HELM BAND The Midnight
Ramble Music Sessions Volume 2 (w/DVD)
Levon
Helm makes his first vocal debut in over ten years on The Midnight Ramble Music
Sessions Volume 2! The Levon Helm Band is making more than music in Woodstock,
NY nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, they are orchestrating a musical
carnival known as The Midnight Ramble. The idea is to recreate, inside Levon Helm
Studios, the traveling shows (like F.S. Walcotts Rabbit Foot Minstrel show) that
played in the South where Levon grew up as a boy, embracing the merging musical
traditions of the time; blues, gospel, country, rock and roll, bluegrass, rockabilly,
soul and jazz. Helm (The Band, R.C.O All-Stars) made a career on stage and screen
as a singer, drummer, band leader, writer and actor. He has assembled some of
the premiere musicians on the East Coast to take part in the carnival. The room
is a unique studio, all wooden (no nails only wooden pegs holding the barn's towering
hemlock beams together) with locally quarried bluestone and the ambiance of a
church hall. Guests include: Jonnie Johnson (Chuck Berry), Dr. John, Little Sammy
Davis (Earl Hooker, Ike Turner), Jon Smith (The White Trash Horn Section, Edgar
and Jonnie Winters), Jimmy Vivino (Max Weinberg Seven, Al Kooper), Larry Campbell
(Bob Dylan), Mike Merritt (Max Weinberg Seven), Eric Lawrence, Steven Bernstein,
Amy Helm, Glen Patscha, Fiona McBain, Byron Isaacs, Tony Leone, Sean Costello,
Andrew Shober, Fred Scribner. The music is soulful and bluesy, layered with rich
vocal accompaniment and slick musical arrangements, and grounded by the roots
this music grew from. Volume one features the harmonica legend and blues singer
Little Sammy Davis at the top of his game. (Levon Helm Studios) More
Info CD $31.99 |
| TALES
FROM THE TAVERN Various Artists Tales
From The Tavern Vol. 1 is an outstanding compilation CD that features live performances
by Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen (who perform as a duo and also with David
Crosby on "Turn Turn Turn"), Chris Smither, Dave Alvin, Peter Case,
Steve Forbert, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Michael Smith, Michael On
Fire, Jon Dee Graham, Jesse DeNatale and Dave Stamey. This first volume contains
performances from the first three years (2003-05) of the highly acclaimed concert
series which the Santa Barbara News Press described as, "part consciousness-raising,
part adult education, part U.S. music history ... and one of the best small concert
venues on the West Coast." Track Listing: Jesse DeNatale - Shangri-La West/Chris
Smither - Train Home/Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen - Wait A Minute/Jon Dee
Graham - Faithless/Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion - In Lieu Of Flowers/Peter
Case - On The Way Downtown/Dave Stamey - The Skies Of Lincoln County/Dave Alvin
- King Of California/Michael On Fire - Mission Hall/Michael Smith - Zippy/Steve
Forbert - It's Been A Long Time/Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen & David Crosby
- Turn Turn Turn (Tales From The Tavern) More
Info + Sound Clips CD $13.99 |
| AMELIA
WHITE Black Doves While
considered a hard drinkin, indie-country, alty folk-rocker at
heart, Amelia White has managed to prove, over the course of one full-length release
(Blue Souvenirs) and an EP (Candy Heart), that she can push the pop envelope from
these roots as well. Black Doves, her Funzalo Records debut sounds assuredly like
the one that will elevate her into the league of those with whom shes been
compared. Her sound is instantly pleasing because it, both music and voice, strikes
a familiar chord, with elements of Amy Rigby, Lucinda Williams, Paula Frazier
and Aimee Mann all rolled into one. But her natural delivery seems from such a
personal place and the songs so well written that ultimately White quickly proves
to be an artist of distinction. Great hooks, great grooves, and great songs from
start to finish. It doesnt hurt when your record features plenty of guitar
and vocal assistance from its co-producer Neilson Hubbard as well as some additional
vocals by Mack Starks. Among the White originals, which fill the musical landscape
like a topographical map of the heart, is the albums sole cover, the Hubbard
and Starks penned roots-popper Dig Me Out. This one has it
for sure. - Robinson, Miles Of Music (Funzalo Records) More
Info + Sound Clips CD $14.98 |
| TWO
GALLANTS What The Toll Tells no-frills
instrumentation that alternately boils with visceral fervor and mourns with plaintive
restraint. The youthful duo play a strain of rock that falls somewhere between
folk, punk, and old-time blues and the resulting sound is much more than the sum
of its parts. Two Gallants draw on Old West images and themes of revenge, redemption,
and shifty morality to create wide-swinging moods trafficking in brash ferocity,
repentant regret, and freewheelin' Americana. (Saddle Creek Records) More
Info + Sound Clips CD $12.49
TWO GALLANTS What
The Toll Tells LP More
Info + Sound Clips LP $18.98 |
| ROBINELLA Solace
For The Lonely Solace
for the Lonely was produced by Doug Lancio and recorded at The Revolution in Nashville.
The album contains 12 new original songs written or co-written by RobinElla, and
a cover of Melanies classic, Brand New Key. She is joined on
the album by her band, featuring Cruz Conteras (mandolin), Billy Conteras (fiddle),
Hans Holzen (guitar), David Peeples (bass) and Daryl Johnson (drums). Christian
Bordal from NPR exclaims "RobinElla has a sweet, sophisticated approach that
never pushes or strains, just glides Billie Holiday-like
(Dualtone)
More
Info + Sound Clips CD $13.99 |
| ELLS Eels
With Strings: Live At Town Hall Live
At Town Hall is an album from the kings of maudlin Americana, The Eels. Combining
whimsy and harsh reality in equal measure, Mark Oliver Everett ("E")
and his band have been connecting with and engaging audiences all over the world
with their stunning live show. E has notoriously presented he group with an unpredictable,
ever-changing back line of musicians. This time around his 7-piece band finds
four of its number in a string quartet; two violins, a viola and a cello. Two
multi-instrumentalists juggling lap steel, guitar, upright bass, mandolin, musical
saw, melodica, celeste, pump organ, piano, a trash can and a suitcase percussion
set cover whatever E can't urge from his own guitar. The CD version of Live At
Town Hall includes four songs from the evening's performance that are not included
in the concert film DVD. Track Listing: Blinking Lights (For Me)/Bride Of Theme
From Blinking Lights/Bus Stop Boxer/Dirty Girl/Trouble With Dreams/The Only Thing
I Care About/My Beloved Monster/Pretty Ballerina/It's A Motherfucker/Flyswatter/Novocaine
For The Soul/Girl From The North Country/Railroad Man/I Like Birds/If You See
Natalie/Poor Side Of Town/Spunky/I'm Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn't Break
Your Heart/Suicide Life/Losing Streak/Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)/Things
The Grandchildren Should Know (Vagrant) More
Info CD $15.49 |
| COWBOY
MOUTH Voodoo Shoppe For
more than a decade, Cowboy Mouth has traveled the country, playing to more than
8 million fans and selling more than a half million records. Cake Magazine says,
"On a bad night, they'll tear the roof off the joint, and on a good night,
they'll save your soul." Now, New Orleans' favorite rock band is back on
the scene with Voodoo Shoppe, Cowboy Mouth's first studio release in three years.
The new album features guest appearances from friends like legendary bassist George
Porter and was produced by Russ T. Cobb (Avril Lavigne, Butch Walker) with additional
tracks produced by Mitch Allen (SR-71), Mark Bryan (Hootie & the Blowfish)
and Louisiana's Mike Mayeaux. The twelve new songs, including two written after
Hurricane Katrina devastated the band's hometown, showcase Cowboy Mouth's powerful,
heartfelt songwriting. To assist fellow gulf-coast citizens displaced by flooding,
the band is allocating a portion of proceeds from each CD to the Cowboy Mouth
Hurricane Relief Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization the band established in Katrina's
aftermath. (Eleven Thirty) More
Info + Sound Clips CD $15.99 |
| MEREDITH
BRAGG AND THE TERMINALS The
Departures EP The
Departures EP is the highly anticipated follow up to this summer's critically
acclaimed debut full length, Volume 1, by Meredith Bragg and The Terminals. Bragg
continues to wield his astounding songwriting skills and innate grasp of atmospherics
on this limited edition EP. The EP was recorded in the spring of 2005 by Chad
Clark and T.J. Lipple (Dismemberment Plan, Aloha, Minus Story, Beauty Pill) at
Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia. Meredith is regularly backed up by his
band The Terminals, consisting of Brian Minter on piano/keyboards, Jon Roth on
drums, and Elizabeth Olson on cello. (The Kora Records) More
Info CD $9.99 |
| NICK
CAVE & WARREN ELLIS The
Proposition: Original Soundtrack A
powerful western drama set in the savage Eden of 1880s Australia, The Proposition
is an elemental story of family conflict and primal violence, destructive love
and divided loyalties. Featuring an international superstar cast including Guy
Pearce, Ray Winstone, Emily Watson and Danny Huston, it is directed by John Hillcoat
from a specially commissioned script by the globally acclaimed singer-songwriter
Nick Cave. Cave has also composed the film's soundtrack in conjunction with Warren
Ellis, his longtime Bad Seeds collaborator and multi-instrumentalist frontman
of The Dirty Three. Incorporating soft chamber pieces, ghostly moodscapes and
whispered laments, these 16 tracks are as starkly beautiful as the landscape of
the film. (Mute US) More
Info CD $16.49 |
| ARCTIC
MONKEYS Whatever
People Say I Am, Thats What I'm Not Musically,
there are bits of The Stone Roses, What's The Story Morning Glory, and Nevermind.
As catchy as those reference points are, it's the songwriting that has won the
band a fiercely dedicated following; a mix of the observational storytelling of
Davies and Weller crossed with the harsher documentary eye of Mike Skinner of
The Streets and "Ghost Town" era Specials. (Domino) More
Info CD $13.99 |
| HEAD
LIKE A KITE Random
Portraits Of The Home Movie Produced
by Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Secret Machines, Iron & Wine) at Chicago's Engine
Studios, Random Portraits Of The Home Movie draws from the subtractive musical
canvas of trip hop and krautrock to paint a brighter, more organic musical collage
using a palette of mellotron, koto, cello, guitar, electronic bleeps and blips
and the occasional keyboard wired into an arsenal of old, analog guitar effects.
This infectious debut from Sushirobo guitarist Dave Einmo, melds sunny bliptropic
beats with lush indie soundscapes inspired by sounds from his family's Super 8
home movies. Includes guest appearances by members of Smoosh, Kinski, The Posies,
Crooked Fingers, Preston School of Industry and others from Einmo's native Seattle
music scene. (Pattern 25) More
Info CD $12.99 |
| AUSTIN
CITY LIMITS ALERT! The Live From Austin, Texas series
takes the classic performances from the award winning Austin City Limits TV show
and makes them available to consumers with improved audio quality and bonus songs
that were cut from the original broadcast. This latest set includes performances
from some of country music's Outlaws; the trailblazers who didn't follow the trends
and refused to play by the rules set by Music Row
MERLE
HAGGARD Live From Austin, TX (1985) Merle
Haggard is in fine form here with his October 1985 performance from the Austin
City Limits studios. Track Listing: Okie From Muskogee's Comin'/Home/There's A
Pair Of Blue Eyes Down In Texas/Thank You For Keeping My House/What Am I Gonna
Do (With The Rest Of My Life)/Mama Tried/Misery/Take Me Back To Tulsa/I Knew The
Moment I Lost You/Silver Wings/Misery And Gin/Ida Red/Place To Fall Apart/I Wish
Things Were Simple Again/Amber Waves Of Grain/I Think I'll Just Stay Here And
Drink (New West) More
Info CD $15.99
MERLE
HAGGARD - Live
From Austin, TX (1985)
DVD INFO DVD
$17.99
WAYLON JENNINGS Live
From Austin, TX (1989) This
release is taken from Waylon's April 1989 visit to the Austin City Limits stages.
Track Listing: I'm A Ramblin' Man/Rainy Day Woman/America/I May Be Used (But Baby
I Ain't Used Up)/Amanda/Me And Bobby McGee/Trouble Man/Mammas Don't Let Your Babies
Grow Up To Be Cowboys/Good Ol' Boys (Theme From The Dukes Of Hazzard)/You Asked
Me To'Couple More Years/Bob Wills Is Still King/Are You Sure Hank Done It This
Way/Suspicious Minds/Honky Tonk Angeles/Good Hearted Woman/I've Always Been Crazy/Luckenbach,
Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love)/I Ain't Living Long Like This (New West)
More
Info CD $15.99
WAYLON JENNINGS Live
From Austin, TX (1989) DVD INFO DVD
$17.99
TONY JOE WHITE Live From
Austin, TX (1989) This
release is taken from Waylon's April 1989 visit to the Austin City Limits stages.
Track Listing: I'm A Ramblin' Man/Rainy Day Woman/America/I May Be Used (But Baby
I Ain't Used Up)/Amanda/Me And Bobby McGee/Trouble Man/Mammas Don't Let Your Babies
Grow Up To Be Cowboys/Good Ol' Boys (Theme From The Dukes Of Hazzard)/You Asked
Me To'Couple More Years/Bob Wills Is Still King/Are You Sure Hank Done It This
Way/Suspicious Minds/Honky Tonk Angeles/Good Hearted Woman/I've Always Been Crazy/Luckenbach,
Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love)/I Ain't Living Long Like This (New West)
More
Info CD $15.99
TONY JOE WHITE Live From Austin,
TX (1989) DVD INFO DVD
$17.99
|
| BILLY
BRAGG ALERT!
BILLY
BRAGG Brewing
Up With Billy Bragg (w/Bonus Tracks) More
Info CD $17.99
BILLY
BRAGG The
Internationale/Live & Dubious More
Info CD $17.99
BILLY
BRAGG Life's
a Riot with Spy vs. Spy (w/Bonus Tracks) More
Info CD $17.99
BILLY
BRAGG Talking
With The Taxman About Poetry (w/Bonus Tracks) More
Info CD $17.99 |
| MERLE
HAGGARD ALERT!
MERLE
HAGGARD - Hag/Someday We'll Look Back (2-on-1) (w/Bonus Tracks) INFO CD
$18.49
MERLE
HAGGARD - I'm A Lonesome Fugitive/Branded Man (2-on-1) (w/Bonus Tracks) INFO CD
$18.49
MERLE
HAGGARD - Mama Tried/Pride In What I Am (2-on-1) (w/Bonus Tracks) INFO CD
$18.49
MERLE
HAGGARD - Sing Me Back Home/The Legend Of Bonnie & Clyde (2-on-1) (w/Bonus
Tracks) INFO CD
$18.49 MERLE
HAGGARD - Strangers/Swinging Doors & The Bottle Let Me Down (2-on-1)
(w/Bonus Tracks) INFO CD
$18.49 |
| OTHER
NEW CD RELEASES
A-BONES
- I
Was A Teenage Mummy: O.S.T. INFO CD
$16.99
ACID
MOTHERS TEMPLE - Starlight & Bible Black Sabbath INFO CD
$13.98
ANOTHER
GREAT TOMATO BLUES SAMPLER -
Various INFO CD
$15.49 MICHAEL
BLOOMFIELD
- It's Not Killing Me (1969) INFO CD
$18.99 GAMBLE
BROTHERS BAND
- Continuator INFO CD
$14.49
GREAT
LOST ELEKTRA SINGLES 1
- Various INFO CD
$10.98 JESSE
HARRIS
- Mineral INFO CD
$11.98 JANIS
IAN - Folk
Is The New Black INFO CD
$16.99 KAREN
MATHESON
- Downriver INFO CD
$14.99
TWO HIGH STRING BAND Moonshine Boogie INFO CD
$13.49
NORMA WATERSON The Definitive Collection INFO CD
$11.49
|
| BACK
IN STOCK
IT'S
A CRACKER! CREOSOTE
Blacksmoke
The straight-forward, gritty Americana of Tucson's Creosote is all of boozy, bitter
and sweet. Featuring the rough-hewn vocals of songwriter Jason Steed, Blacksmoke
plays out like a collection of inebriated conversations between a broken man and
whoever might be listening. In the spirit of bands like The Drive-By Truckers,
Slobberbone and Uncle Tupelo, Creosote's underlying rock-driven honky-tonk and
folk sound evokes broken tales of the Southwest where the guitars are as sunbaked
as the singer. Joey Burns, of Calexico fame, plays standup bass on much of the
record, Tim Gallagher (a.k.a. Hank Topless) of Topless Opry plays pedal-steel
and Dobro alongside a host of other great Tucson players. Originally recorded
back in 2001, Blacksmoke has now been remixed, re-sequenced and expanded bringing
the full potency of the band to light. -- Robinson, Miles Of Music (Now Publishing
Now) Review
+Sound Clips CD $12.99
COLLIN
HERRING
IT'S
A CRACKER! THE
MEADOWS The Meadows
The Meadows are Todd Herfindal and Kevin Houlihan, a breezy rock duo whose cinematic
passion-pop shimmers along with great tunefulness. Sharing the lead vocals, which
more often blend together in striking harmony, the two also split the bulk of
guitar, bass, keyboard and songwriting responsibilities on this pleasing self-titled
debut. Drummer Tommy Richard, of Herfindal's prior group, Single, handles the
bulk of the drumming, with Fraser Lunney, also of Single, adding bass to several
numbers. Other assorted guests help fill out the sound throughout, with special
note going to Tracy Spuehler (backing vocals, strings) and Rich McCulley (electric
guitar, lap-steel) who each also claim co-writing credits on a few tracks as well.
Their warm, radio-ready sound combines the epic sweep of The Verve with the rootsier
qualities of The Gin Blossoms and never sags nor sours. -- Robinson, Miles Of
Music (Single Recordings) Review
+Sound Clips CD $10.99
JON
NOLAN
OLD
NO 8
RICHMOND
FONTAINE
SODAJERK |
| NEW
ON VINYL
TWO GALLANTS What The Toll
Tells LP no-frills
instrumentation that alternately boils with visceral fervor and mourns with plaintive
restraint. The youthful duo play a strain of rock that falls somewhere between
folk, punk, and old-time blues and the resulting sound is much more than the sum
of its parts. Two Gallants draw on Old West images and themes of revenge, redemption,
and shifty morality to create wide-swinging moods trafficking in brash ferocity,
repentant regret, and freewheelin' Americana. (Saddle Creek Records) More
Info + Sound Clips LP $18.98
ARCTIC MONKEYS Whatever
People Say I Am, Thats What I'm Not Musically,
there are bits of The Stone Roses, What's The Story Morning Glory, and Nevermind.
As catchy as those reference points are, it's the songwriting that has won the
band a fiercely dedicated following; a mix of the observational storytelling of
Davies and Weller crossed with the harsher documentary eye of Mike Skinner of
The Streets and "Ghost Town" era Specials. (Domino) More
Info LP $13.99 |
| NEW
ON DVD
THE EELS The Eels With
Strings: Live At Town Hall (DVD)
The
Eels With Strings: Live At Town Hall is a video document from the kings of maudlin
Americana. Combining whimsy and harsh reality in equal measure, Mark Oliver Everett
("E") and his band have been connecting with and engaging audiences
all over the world with their stunning live show. E has notoriously presented
he group with an unpredictable, ever-changing back line of musicians. This time
around his 7-piece band finds four of its number as a string quartet; two violins,
a viola and a cello. Two multi-instrumentalists juggling lap steel, guitar, upright
bass, mandolin, musical saw, melodica, celeste, pump organ, piano, a trash can
and a suitcase percussion set cover whatever E can't urge from his own guitar.
This DVD boasts eight songs that are not included on the CD version. Plus several
behind-the-scenes documentary segments, as well as videos for "Hey Man (Now
You're Really Living)", "Trouble With Dreams" and a bonus documentary
segments not used in the concert film. Track Listing: Going To Your Funeral Part
2/Dust Of Ages/In The Yard, Behind The Church/Bride Of Theme From Blinking Lights/A
Magic World/Son Of A Bitch/Blinking Lights (For Me)/Dirty Girl/My Beloved Monster/The
Only Thing I Care About/Bus Stop Boxer/Pretty Ballerina/I Like Birds/Girl From
The North Country/Railroad Man/Trouble With Dreams/If You See Natalie/I'm Going
To Stop Pretending That I/Didn't Break Your Heart/Dead Of Winter/Flyswatter/Novocaine
For The Soul/Losing Streak/The Stars Shine In The Sky Tonight/Souljacker Part
2/Hey Man (Now You're Really Living)/Things The Grandchildren Should Know/Dog
Faced Boy/Mr. E's Beautiful Blues (Image Entertainment) INFO DVD
$19.49
MERLE HAGGARD Live From Austin, TX (1985) (DVD)
Merle
is in fine form here in his October 1985 performance from Austin City Limits studios.
Track Listing: Okie From Muskogee's Comin' Home/There's A Pair Of Blue Eyes Down
In Texas/Thank You For Keeping My House/What Am I Gonna Do (With The Rest Of My
Life)/Mama Tried/Misery/Take Me Back To Tulsa/I Knew The Moment I Lost You/Silver
Wings/Misery And Gin/Ida Red/Place To Fall Apart/I Wish Things Were Simple Again/Amber
Waves Of Grain/I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink (New West) INFO DVD
$17.99
THE JAM Ultimate Review (DVD)
During
the late seventies and early eighties The Jam were the biggest band in Britain
with an unforgettable string of hit singles. This is the long awaited critical
review of The Jam which draws upon rare footage of the band, previously unavailable
on DVD, live at the Reading Festival, in performance in Germany and from British
TV appearances from Top of the Pops and The Tube, to produce the first comprehensive,
independent critical review of the work of this iconic band. Features highlights
from Town Called Malice, In The City, All Around The World, The Modern World,
A Bomb In Wardour Street, David Watts, Down The Tube Station At Midnight, Eton
Rifles, and more. (Classic Rock Legends) INFO DVD
$19.49
WAYLON JENNINGS Live From Austin, TX
(1989) (DVD)
This
release is taken from Waylon's April 1989 visit to the Austin City Limits stages.
Track Listing: I'm A Ramblin' Man/Rainy Day Woman/America/I May Be Used (But Baby
I Ain't Used Up)/Amanda/Me And Bobby McGee/Trouble Man/Mammas Don't Let Your Babies
Grow Up To Be Cowboys/Good Ol' Boys (Theme From The Dukes Of Hazzard)/You Asked
Me To/Couple More Years/Bob Wills Is Still King/Are You Sure Hank Done It This
Way/Suspicious Minds/Honky Tonk Angeles/Good Hearted Woman/I've Always Been Crazy/Luckenbach,
Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love)/I Ain't Living Long Like This (New West) INFO DVD
$17.99
TONY JOE WHITE Live From Austin, TX (1989)
(DVD)
This
DVD release is a performance taken from Tony Joe White's December 1980 visit to
the Austin City Limits stages. Track Listing: Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow
Up To Be Cowboys/Disco Blues/Red Neck Woman/Rainy Night In Georgia/Even Trolls
Love Rock And Roll/Willie And Laura Mae Jones/Billy/Lustful Earl And The Married
Woman/Swamp Rap/I Came Here To Party/Polk Salad Annie/That's The Way A Cowboy
Rocks And Rolls/300 Pounds Of Hungry/I Get Off On It (New West) INFO DVD
$17.99 |
| WHAT'S
HAPPENING AROUND THE MOM OFFICE
This
week you will read about reading between the lines, the disappointment of no feedback,
office communication, and a quick get well soon. WHAT
DOES IT SAY WHEN a longtime reader tells Your Jester he can tell when I'm having
a bad day just by reading the weekly missive? Your Jester has spent 43 years cultivating
an opaque public persona. I guess I should be more concerned when the longtime
readers think I'm having a good day, because I was not given the sobriquet "King
Cranky Pants" without earning it! Since
this is an election year, Your Jester will start laying out his election platform.
Graft in the form of free CDs, DVDs, collectible vinyl, and cool "swag"
will be readily accepted in exchange for favorable MOM votes. Money, laundered
through my Jester's Always Irresistible Liberty PAC, also know as JAIL, gets you
moved to the front of the line. Yes, I'm for sale. I'm promoting transparency
in government. WHEN
ROBINSON RECHRISTENED TEFKAC AS CHIPPY MONSTER (now occupying the top Google spot
when you search on Chippy Monster), there was at a minimum some passive-aggressive
griping, if not overt complaining. Who wants to be known as a ravenous tortilla-chip
consuming puppet? Last week Robinson tagged Art with the Boomer nickname. Your
Jester wanted to go with Vavoom from Felix The Cat, but it was too obscure; even
Robinson had no idea what I was talking about! "Boomer" has much more
of a proletariat feel which, while at odds with Your Jester's blatant solicitation
of graft, fits in better with the "everyman" feel of MOM. You
would think when your office mates have hung a nickname on you, for better or
worse, and have told the entire customer base (except for those Luddites that
refuse to get a computer) that it might garner a reaction. If not that then (at
the very least) a small comment or a sly smile perhaps? Nothing! No acknowledgement
at all. Denied. But, the nickname thrives even if we don't get the childish satisfaction
of knowing Boomer knows about it. WE
USE IM FOR MOST COMMUNICATION in the office. Your Jester can literally glance
over the top of his computer monitor and see Robinson, yet it is frequently easier
to send an IM. The message travels the globe, passes through the government filters
(hi spies!) and goes to Robinson's computer no more than ten feet away. It is
just easier than talking when music's playing or we're on the phone with customers.
But, it also leads to a certain "casualness" you might not have otherwise. Yesterday
your Jester receives an IM from DJ Jeff, wondering if we have any crazy glue in
the office. Obviously, Your Jester assumes the worst. So, Your Jester frantically
IMs back, "No, we dont have crazy glue. What broke?" DJ Jeff replies,
"Nothing important. I'll take care of it." Cryptic, right? Your Jester
gets his Jabba The Hut sized bottom out of the captain's chair and stroll to the
back to "take a look." It appears DJ Jeff damaged one of his toy tanks
and needed to repair the gun barrel. Simple answer. No need to worry. MOM
WANTS TO SEND OUT A QUICK "GET WELL" TO KEVIN in Coarsegold who is under
the weather. Kevin might be MOM Customer number one. Back when Your Jester worked
all hours and answered the phone whenever it rang, Kevin was one of the very first
callers to our freshly opened mail order company. We hope he feels better soon. The
Queen and Your Jester for DJ
Jeff, Robinson, Boomer & The Chippy Monster (TEFKAC) |
|