Friday, April 28, 2006

Grayson Capps - If You Knew My Mind

I have to admit that I don't really know much about Grayson Capps. He played in KC last week, but I couldn't go. I think I first heard about him from Roots Rock Radio or from one of the americanaroots podcasts.

I had noticed this album at Love Garden, and then when I heard about him a couple of times on podcasts, I bought it. It was in the alt.country section, but I would say it is more of a blues type album. If you like recent Rodney Crowell or Buddy Miller, then this is probably up your alley. The backing is a bit more blues-rock informed, almost in the vein of the Black Crowes, but the songwriting is much more predominant, since he is, at the core, a singer-songwriter rather than the frontman of a band.

Listen:
Grayson Capps - Graveyard.mp3

Buy:
From Hyena Records
From Amazon

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Rex Hobart - Your Favorite Fool

Rex Hobart and the Misery Boys are probably the premier honky-tonk country band in the greater KC area. This is their third record, which was produced by Pete Anderson, longtime Dwight Yoakam sideman. I bought it the first time I ever saw them play; it was the newest album at the time.

I particularly like track six, "I Don't Feel It Anymore," and the duet with Kelly Hogan of the Jones/Wynette classic "Golden Ring."

Rex just recently moved back into town after living away for a few years. (I guess sometimes "real life" gets in the way of a great music scene.) They've been doing regular shows at the Record Bar in Westport. "Rex Hobart's Chuck Wagon Dinner Show" is every Tuesday night at 7.

Listen:
Rex Hobart and the Misery Boys - I Don't Feel It Anymore.mp3

Buy:
From Bloodshot
From Amazon

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Marty Stuart - The Pilgrim

Marty Stuart is one of a handful of country musicians who have managed to find success in both the pop country and alt.country circles. Coming up in the music business as a bluegrass sideman, then forging out on his own as one of the "new traditionalist" pop country stars of the late '80s/early '90s, then, as pop country passed him by, recording one of the best no-adjective country albums of the '90s instead of becoming a "parody of [him]self in a themepark."

He's commented that "Hobo's Prayer" is his favorite song off The Pilgrim. It's mine also.

Listen:
Marty Stuart - Hobo's Prayer.mp3

Buy:
From Amazon

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Truckstop Honeymoon

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, my local music scene found itself blessed with the seemingly permanent addition of former Ninth Ward residents Mike West and Katie Euliss, aka Truckstop Honeymoon, to our local scene. I've only been able to catch them once in the almost six months since, but I'm hoping to catch them soon, maybe outside at the Gaslight, like the show I just missed Monday.

Truckstop Honeymoon is a hard and raucous bluegrass/country/blues-holler married duo. They take their name from their wedding night stay at the Tiger Truck Stop in rural Louisiana. Their music is loud and fast and slow and soft and also includes some very humourous and sometimes macabre lyrics. I've included two tracks to show their range.

PS: They're playing this Friday night, 14 April, at the Uptown Theatre in KCMO with Drakkar Sauna, The Wilders, and others to benefit Kirk Rundstrom, singer/guitarist of Splitlip Rayfield, who is battling cancer. You should go.

Listen:
Truckstop Honeymoon - Weary Blues From Waitin.mp3
Truckstop Honeymoon - No Beer On Sunday.mp3

Buy:
From Mike West

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Making Singles Drinking Doubles

My local used records store, Love Garden, is very country, bluegrass, roots, etc. friendly (I suppose a mandolin playing owner doesn't hurt) and just about every time I go in I find some treasure waiting in the bins to be bought by me.

Not too long ago, I was fortunate enough to find Making Singles Drinking Doubles, the 2002 Bloodshot Records compilation commemorating their 100th release. The disc includes the usual suspects at Bloodshot, the Waco Brothers, The Meat Purveyors, Rex Hobart, and Moonshine Willy, but also includes two tracks featuring a pre-national fame Jack White backing soul legend Andre Williams.

Listen:
Andre Williams & 2 Star Tabernacle - Lily White Mama & Jet Black Daddy.mp3

Buy:
From Bloodshot
From Amazon