tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230002142024-03-07T02:51:25.593-06:00Postmodern Sounds in Country and Western MusicAn Audioblog Featuring Indie Country and Roots MusicJoel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-57854873463661060052008-09-12T10:00:00.007-05:002008-09-12T21:35:07.563-05:00Johnny Cash Remixed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_5t0y9hqq2MLWQuyp6EnTavUbdplN3sZARordOW02vk7XDfJXk89Hp-j0QguaOXVh-S51YkxJ_2FedgvGrUycgLO5cQb4XINq-MRug2eI1qL45GhPzXncf1CMNVy3ZaTzaLt/s1600-h/Johnny+Cash+Remixed+cover+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9vEv2X1jsdN_quasolHvxtb_fDT5a7sWRzBJGITMVKO3R0Ctea5x4gZ3EXXOsAWnHachnyC7CJrHObYYy0vVEbIVWMSKIaHfQsqt3ixyUU07_ZUkObQOVLj6E6abDCJCp9bh/s320-r/Johnny+Cash+Remixed+cover+art.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">I read an academic paper once that argued that hip-hop sampling was just a natural technological continuation of the practice of quotation in jazz and the blues.* The implicit corollary was that jazz, the blues, and other primarily African American musical forms were natural and inherently appropriate sources for quotation by sampling. </span><a href="http://www.johnnycashremixed.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Johnny Cash Remixed</span></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> seeks to see how well country music, a music usually considered outside the African American vernacular music tradition, fares when quoted and reinterpreted in the hip hop vernacular.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There’s a fair amount of <a href="http://georgegraham.com/reviews/tangleye.html">general skepticism</a> in country and roots music circles about the potential of this sort of remixing and of this records <a href="http://www.songsillinois.net/2008/08/insta-poll-johnny-cash-remixed-yea-or-nea/">in</a> <a href="http://www.hickorywind.org/001804.php">particular</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It would be hard to call this record a success, in spite of a few stand out tracks, but I think its failures can show us some of the dangers that must be dealt with when remixing music history.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The most mediocre tracks on the album, such as <a href="http://www.myspace.com/countdemoney">Count De Money</a>’s “Big River,” suffer from a lack of imagination; they merely add a beefed up, somewhat-electrified rhythmic base or filter the original vocal or instrumental track through echo or distortion digital effects. These tracks fail by being too faithful to the original, refusing to add anything interesting out of fear of overshadowing it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the other end of the spectrum, “I Walk the Line,” remixed by QDT Musik featuring Snoop Dogg, has a jarring disjoint between the tenor of the source material and the added sounds. I actually kind of like QDT’s beats here, but Johnny’s vocals, old analogue monaural recordings that they are, sound thin next to the dynamically richer synthesizer and new vocal recordings, and the original is never adequately integrated into the mix or into the song. I’m torn as to whether this is a failure of intention, not respecting the source material, or a failure of execution; it’s probably partially both. Overall, I’d say this collection suffers from a general disjointedness between the largely acoustic and analog source material and the very electronic-sounding new material.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Interestingly, the two tracks that undeniably succeed succeed for different reasons. The <a href="http://www.midnightjuggernauts.com/">Midnight Juggernauts</a>’ “Port of Lonely Hearts” is largely just a reworking of the music behind Johnny's vocals, but unlike “Big River,” in which the added rhythm tracks imitate and fight with the original instrumentation, here the sparse original accompaniment is largely jettisoned in favor of an equally sparse, ethereal and electronic sound into which Johnny’s vocals and a remnant of the original guitar are deftly integrated.<a href="http://www.alabama3.co.uk/"></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.alabama3.co.uk/">Alabama 3</a> has perhaps the best track on the album, unsurprising, as this sort of postmodern mixture has been their thing for quite some time. It is obvious that they respect their source material, yet they are unafraid of totally dismantling it to create something new. While the central author of all of the other tracks remains Johnny Cash, Alabama 3 essentially creates their own new song, which just happens to share a chorus with and include samples from Johnny Cash’s “Leave that Junk Alone.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Listen:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/static/qi2hc207ox.mp3">Johnny Cash - Leave that Junk Alone [Alabama 3 Remix]</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">From </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Cash-Remixed/dp/B001F1150C/">Amazon</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">* Andrew Bartlett, “Airshafts, Loudspeakers, and the Hip Hop Sample: Contexts and African American Musical Aesthetics,” </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">African American Review </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">28 (1994):639–652.</span>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-5124884157396417212008-07-02T10:00:00.003-05:002008-08-19T01:45:08.393-05:00Chris Scruggs - Tennessee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQozG3irB7Fi6KKvlAwwrQSlDIQG3xQjx2AxYnmFI0jSGgZoGi_HAyS5yDRtQmG-thYiRsEdvm0O5De1-kUKbb_dXckJkK7IEBD9kKmKBBzxAftc0S1IRbV8wUKkjwZ0VAAf3/s1600-h/Chris+Scruggs+-+Tennessee+cover+art.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQozG3irB7Fi6KKvlAwwrQSlDIQG3xQjx2AxYnmFI0jSGgZoGi_HAyS5yDRtQmG-thYiRsEdvm0O5De1-kUKbb_dXckJkK7IEBD9kKmKBBzxAftc0S1IRbV8wUKkjwZ0VAAf3/s200/Chris+Scruggs+-+Tennessee+cover+art.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218223247019419106" border="0" /></a>I saw <a href="http://www.myspace.com/chrisscruggs">Chris Scruggs</a>, former/on-and-off co-front man and steel player with <a href="http://br549.com/">BR549</a>, last April and I picked up the tour-only EP <span style="font-style: italic;">Tennessee</span>. I had liked Chris’s contributions to BR549, notably his song “Honky Tonkin’ Lifestyle,” which first appeared on his independent solo debut of the same title (which I was never able to track down) and was later included on BR549’s <span style="font-style: italic;">Tangled in the Pines</span>. Scruggs also brought a youthfulness and vigor to BR549, making him, if not a good replacement, <span style="font-style: italic;">per se</span>, for <a href="http://www.garybennettmusic.com/">Gary Bennett</a>, at least a good inclusion in the post-Bennett BR549.<br /><br />Scruggs continues the honky-tonkin’ in his solo shows, but with a more stripped down sound and a bit more rock ’n’ roll influence. His EP is a more ethereal, however, including solid, southern gothic–influenced interpretations of ’40s and ’50s country standards.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/static/ptb0lbtq8w.mp3">Chris Scruggs - Wayfaring Stranger</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-68460506305943413062008-02-21T01:11:00.005-06:002008-02-21T02:06:19.084-06:00Reverend Organdrum - Hi-Fi Stereo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1LMuEUKGS_XhDDy7rOCUgXFxkEBICYxBhvAf_mw9i5IUuzj9LMu3GLDEusGulKotioCNeQdnRvfJPEB4nT3Grpr3d7sdzMM6eRDZYVNh_RAkfxWdX-Hn7kqO_ude-lsrnHda/s1600-h/revorgandrum+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1LMuEUKGS_XhDDy7rOCUgXFxkEBICYxBhvAf_mw9i5IUuzj9LMu3GLDEusGulKotioCNeQdnRvfJPEB4nT3Grpr3d7sdzMM6eRDZYVNh_RAkfxWdX-Hn7kqO_ude-lsrnHda/s200/revorgandrum+cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169332133155809650" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://www.reverendhortonheat.com/">Reverend Horton Heat</a> gig I saw last month was the same fast and frenzied postmodern rockabilly that’s been drawing standing-room only crowds for two decades. Front man Jim Heath’s hair might be starting to show his age, but his guitar playing isn’t exactly what you might expects from a many pushing fifty.<br /><br />I knew that <a href="http://www.myspace.com/revorgandrum">Reverend Organdrum</a>, Heath’s side project with Hammond organist Time Alexander and drummer Todd Soesbe, would be different from Rev. Horton Heat, but I wasn’t expecting such a laid-back lounge vibe from this CD. Heath and Alexander interweave the sounds of their respective instruments not in the spirit of showmanship usually seen in rockabilly revivalism, but to effect an atmosphere, the rockabilly after-party chill-out.<br /><br /><br />Listen:<br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/static/520crf2u8g.mp3">Reverend Organdrum - A Shot in the Dark</a><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.reverendorgandrum.com/cd.html">Reverend Organdrum</a><br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hi-Fi-Stereo-Reverend-OrganDrum/dp/B000YNFXUU">Amazon</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-23264996116303381552008-02-16T01:27:00.004-06:002008-02-16T02:16:34.050-06:00The Jones Street Boys - Overcome<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DWXFpcQXGxlL2uc8MO7qP-nbbQ76cTk6kSBK_QMZl1pGXweIrY0U80QcrvXG8xxQkJpsqL27risTW-Rgy7u25h6bw01mD4WX7SHT2_QNArK1C5BPAlaLwGdiOmY1yLYj_RbE/s1600-h/the+jones+street+boys+-+overcome+cover+art.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DWXFpcQXGxlL2uc8MO7qP-nbbQ76cTk6kSBK_QMZl1pGXweIrY0U80QcrvXG8xxQkJpsqL27risTW-Rgy7u25h6bw01mD4WX7SHT2_QNArK1C5BPAlaLwGdiOmY1yLYj_RbE/s200/the+jones+street+boys+-+overcome+cover+art.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167485518669912402" border="0" /></a>I got a song off this album from another blog (<a href="http://www.songsillinois.net/">S:I</a>?) a few months ago and couldn’t stop playing it. That song, “Last Time,” showed <a href="http://www.thejonesstreetboys.com/">the Jones Street Boys</a> as a promising string band willing to incorporate accent instruments such as piano, harmonica, and traps drums. When they sent me their disc last month, I was not disappointed. But their record shows a greater stylistic range than I was expecting. They keep their record centered on the New York-style string-band sound, but they foreground harmonica, piano, organ, and other keyboard instruments on a few tracks. This album comfortably inhabits the uneasy middle ground between string-band revivalism, insurgent country, adult alternative acoustic, and hipster folk. The other stand-out track on the disc is a cover of the Band’s “Twilight.”<br /><br />Listen:<br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/static/o9btlkiyo4.mp3">The Jones Street Boys - Last Time</a><br /><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/static/8ybe0dlsk0.mp3">The Jones Street Boys - Twilight</a><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.insound.com/search/showrelease.jsp?p=INS38892">Insound</a><br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Overcome-Jones-Street-Boys/dp/B000V6I6RM">Amazon</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-69336796455240588332008-01-20T00:50:00.002-06:002008-09-11T22:56:31.518-05:00Corb Lund - Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Uu2PAQJ0sxfmlNJs2VaAlAnpDFHlyf7_NJS8yapx66gVfm2jO7iqSFuOXG7kEIPMPMNezR8EgnJ3kHqV1C_M3Wo6fwHY61ob_imc8OnlKweQzTLXRjvI53dTzPupnpdJHfr_/s1600-h/Corb+Lund+-+soldier_cover_front.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157371735362628290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Uu2PAQJ0sxfmlNJs2VaAlAnpDFHlyf7_NJS8yapx66gVfm2jO7iqSFuOXG7kEIPMPMNezR8EgnJ3kHqV1C_M3Wo6fwHY61ob_imc8OnlKweQzTLXRjvI53dTzPupnpdJHfr_/s200/Corb+Lund+-+soldier_cover_front.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><a href="http://www.corblund.com/">Corb Lund</a> is obsessed with horses. I’m not sure if every song on this album mentions them, but even “Student Visas,” a haunting song about a US soldier’s experience as a CIA aide to the Nicaraguan Contras, calls upon the soldier’s family heritage in the cavalry, connecting his injury in a shot-down helicopter to the helicopter’s replacement of the horse in some US Army cavalry units. But the horse theme, or perhaps more specifically a cavalry theme, runs throughout the disc.<br /><br /><br /><br />I don’t know Corb Lund’s personal history with horses—whether he’s a horseman or not—and I’m not trying to question his “authenticity” if he isn’t. His songwriting shows a longing for the the history and freedom symbolized by the horse that I, as someone who cannot ride and wishes he could, find compelling. “Whenever I see horses, it reminds me of what I ain’t. . . . Whenever I see horses, I see a path I did not take.”<br /><br /><br /><br />Listen:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">Corb Lund - Horse Soldier, Horse Soldier</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Watch:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1V3JW4HeBs">Corb Lund - I Wanna Be In The Cavalry</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Buy:<br /><br />From <a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/corblund5">CD Baby</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-9492129698533486442007-09-07T13:11:00.001-05:002008-09-11T22:55:05.788-05:00White Ghost Shivers - Killing Tradition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0U5itQiWPJ_QOgzK-bfg4GVB4YiH26xk4_BmTzcw00G8AaI0Tc7lj8UzmZQF66KWJSO5N930W9ZMhQCIXyH2f0IyTLc2Dx8Lm2Bux-m4loZs80uVtlXA4brSPWOMrMgJGaWW9/s1600-h/White+Ghost+Shivers+-+Killing+Tradition+cover+art.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107601209999613010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0U5itQiWPJ_QOgzK-bfg4GVB4YiH26xk4_BmTzcw00G8AaI0Tc7lj8UzmZQF66KWJSO5N930W9ZMhQCIXyH2f0IyTLc2Dx8Lm2Bux-m4loZs80uVtlXA4brSPWOMrMgJGaWW9/s200/White+Ghost+Shivers+-+Killing+Tradition+cover+art.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a>Austin-based "hot jazz" ensemble the <a href="http://www.whiteghostshivers.com/">White Ghost Shivers</a> are plugging in tonight at the Replay Lounge in Lawrence, KS, and playing a set of punked up versions of their 1920s-style fare. At their acoustic show last night I picked up a copy of a teaser EP featuring four of their songs redone in this style. Here's the original version of "Strictly Ornamental" from their latest full-length album <span style="font-style: italic;">Everyone's Got 'Em</span> along with their new version.<br /><br /><br /><br />Listen:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">The White Ghost Shivers - Strictly Ornamental (acoustic album version)</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">The White Ghost Shivers - Strictly Ornamental (electric EP version)</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Buy:<br /><br />From <a href="http://www.chickenranchrecords.com/catalog.cfm?type=cd">Chicken Ranch Records</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-88737919916271894332007-08-02T13:52:00.001-05:002008-09-11T22:53:38.770-05:00Jeff Zentner - Hymns to the Darkness<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JZU6vtITQACLVOTyytI90exBYkD7eYkbSjtrUfZdaYUbtEkx3ykc8198lRcbLtF0UUukLZrAttNYqMDbx4rc61SqD1i9vqOUWSIo5c_D1IC7inzqo-ntofcU50ORSNANl7vF/s1600-h/jeff+zentner+-+hymns+to+the+darkness+cover+art.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5093980237248520034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JZU6vtITQACLVOTyytI90exBYkD7eYkbSjtrUfZdaYUbtEkx3ykc8198lRcbLtF0UUukLZrAttNYqMDbx4rc61SqD1i9vqOUWSIo5c_D1IC7inzqo-ntofcU50ORSNANl7vF/s200/jeff+zentner+-+hymns+to+the+darkness+cover+art.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a>A couple months ago <a href="http://postmodernsounds.blogspot.com/2007/04/creech-holler-with-signs-following.html">I posted about</a> "distortion folk" group <a href="http://www.myspace.com/creechholler">Creech Holler</a>. Lead singer <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jeffzentner">Jeff Zentner</a> also sent me his solo CD, <span style="font-style: italic;">Hymns to the Darkness</span>. Unlike Creech Holler, which takes a distorted electric take on largely traditional tunes, Zentner's disc brings a baker's dozen of acoustic originals. Truly a solo album, Zentner plays guitar, dobro, steel, mandolin, and banjo, and provides his own harmony vocals.<br /><br /><br /><br />Listen how the steel guitar hovering over the more "old time" sounding acoustic instruments creates an interesting ethereal Southern Gothic sound.<br /><br /><br /><br />Listen:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">Jeff Zentner - Rusty Town</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Buy:<br /><br />From <a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/zentner">CD Baby</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-11709409423963976482007-07-17T13:38:00.000-05:002008-01-06T22:12:37.434-06:00The Statler Brothers - The Essential Statler Brothers, 1964-1969<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3C62mCFvz7egL4357sz_MrnVpZTi-tyit0TKBAaKodMOUIvF5RVodep9LdaffDRnZqAwLkP1EDKAnABEiixM-NiTQFXCY045YhERkTsQ4_7Nt1M5MGMkYHW2DFwwg7pSCXsH/s1600-h/essential+statler+brothers+cover+art.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3C62mCFvz7egL4357sz_MrnVpZTi-tyit0TKBAaKodMOUIvF5RVodep9LdaffDRnZqAwLkP1EDKAnABEiixM-NiTQFXCY045YhERkTsQ4_7Nt1M5MGMkYHW2DFwwg7pSCXsH/s200/essential+statler+brothers+cover+art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081002327008004914" border="0" /></a>If you're about my age, you probably only know about the Statler Brothers from their cheesy early-'90s TNN variety show and their appearance on the <span style="font-style: italic;">Pulp Fiction</span> soundtrack (and <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=FjzoocTtPos">the scene where Bruce Willis sings along</a>). But before they got old and fully embraced corn pone humor, the Statler Brothers laced their humor with a dark underside and an earnestness that makes one wonder exactly who is supposed to be laughing.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>The Statler Brothers - Half a Man</s><br /><s>The Statler Brothers - Jump for Joy</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Statler-Brothers-1964-1969-Flowers/dp/B000002AB4">Amazon</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-92143591478099998672007-07-12T15:03:00.000-05:002007-09-08T02:22:42.382-05:00Forty Twenty - Lowdown and Dirty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtshkb3mE1MEV9dOILgzb-SCNZSpxghHAoetCh49huYyctS1uYB5XVSPUevCR2TZCJ6KSTWXXuIm17pCXvhy_H2SZPdj98E4DhaCWw6Mlkytbh_gOeWRq9No0DRmU6DzyCoAg/s1600-h/FortyTwenty+-+Lowdown+and+Dirty+cover+art.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtshkb3mE1MEV9dOILgzb-SCNZSpxghHAoetCh49huYyctS1uYB5XVSPUevCR2TZCJ6KSTWXXuIm17pCXvhy_H2SZPdj98E4DhaCWw6Mlkytbh_gOeWRq9No0DRmU6DzyCoAg/s200/FortyTwenty+-+Lowdown+and+Dirty+cover+art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079389701687979138" border="0" /></a>I first saw <a href="http://www.fortytwenty.com/">Forty Twenty</a> opening for BR549 in the spring of 2003. In the year that followed, they must have made the trip from Lincoln down to Lawrence or Kansas City another six or seven times, almost all of which I saw. Forty Twenty is a great country bar band, playing as long as three hours with no breaks, with no set list, and including a wide range of originals, classic country standards, and unexpected covers.<br /><br />Forty Twenty regularly started off their shows with a cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" in medley with their original tune "The Wagon." (<a href="http://www.ninebullets.net/">Ninebullets</a>' recent <a href="http://ninebullets.net/archives/war-pigs">post on "War Pigs" covers</a> prompted me to post this.) In concert, they often interpolated standards into their own songs, invigorating the standards/bar band formula.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Forty Twenty - Drink About Her</s><br /><s>Forty Twenty - War Wagon</s> (live medley: War Pigs/The Wagon)<br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.lonestarmusic.com/album.asp?aid=2346">Lone Star Music</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-12130830508964979682007-07-04T13:53:00.002-05:002007-09-08T02:21:49.151-05:00This is America.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.box.net/shared/static/3ojg21ocd6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px;" src="http://www.box.net/shared/static/3ojg21ocd6.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>Listen:<br /><s>Marty Stuart - Hobo's Prayer</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000J8LV/002-6358631-2128863?v=glance&n=5174">Amazon</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-32989708013091417452007-06-29T14:05:00.000-05:002007-09-08T02:21:00.402-05:00Ray Charles - Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMJfC66GjuFOhNo88nV9AwVYm8d9xYeksdEHTamBOoF8V7sw_P_WKJoW07lDs8eH31tD39wlzY65HiKwmnCWEIhWCMyzV6wDpuMwTK93sF4sNMjuSP7AbSFwmMN2AyDa6T0JW/s1600-h/ray+charles+-+modern+times+cover+art.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMJfC66GjuFOhNo88nV9AwVYm8d9xYeksdEHTamBOoF8V7sw_P_WKJoW07lDs8eH31tD39wlzY65HiKwmnCWEIhWCMyzV6wDpuMwTK93sF4sNMjuSP7AbSFwmMN2AyDa6T0JW/s200/ray+charles+-+modern+times+cover+art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081365440723077954" border="0" /></a>I figure that it's about time for me to write about my (near) namesake, <a href="http://www.raycharles.com/">Ray Charles</a>'s 1962 album <span style="font-style: italic;">Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music</span>. Much of what is written about this album sees it as the initial work in the country-soul connection that would become more obvious a decade later with the rise in both genres of the Muscle Shoals sound. But unlike later country-soul, as exemplified by Mavis Staples and Solomon Burke, both of whom truly fused the sounds of the country and soul genres (or explored overlaps, perhaps), this album largely ignores the sounds of country, instead transforming songs originally recorded in a country or western style into soul and light jazz.<br /><br />None of this is meant, however, as criticism of Charles or this album. Rather, I feel that this album points out another important similarity between country and soul: their common relationship to the song. In 1962 rock and roll was on the verge of permanently intertwining the songwriter and the performer, the song and the performance. In rock music, the writing of a song and the interpretation of that song in recording are fused into one action; the song is what's on the record and what's on the record is the song.<br /><br />Imagine rock hits reinterpreted similarly to this album. It's been done of course; Pat Boone's recording of Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" was heard by many as the theme to <span style="font-style: italic;">The Osbourne</span>s, but can only really be regarded as kitsch or a novelty song. The lounge interpretation can perhaps even be seen as violating or betraying the song.<br /><br />The songs on this album are open to radical reinterpretation, however, because they were written with just that in mind. These songs, by and large, weren't written with a performer, genre, or performance style in mind. They were largely written with total disregard to the manner in which any performer would interpret them.<br /><br />Soul and country share the same attitude toward the song and toward the value of the performer as interpreter separate from the songwriter. Placing value on interpretation seems radical to those of us thoroughly steeped in the singer/songwriter ideology of rock and roll, but listening to this album shows that its absolutely appropriate to assign authorship for genius interpretation.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Ray Charles - Hey, Good Lookin'</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Sounds-Country-Western-Music/dp/B0000032B4">Amazon</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-62461651113960252062007-06-25T14:01:00.000-05:002007-09-08T02:20:23.883-05:00American Gun - Dark Southern Hearts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4gy07f5goS_2ZMIQOydOEhWvgwQu9MiS_pRGSSefHw4KSH13kVwPO8MBrf8OwmXCDIakChQS77toDndx9xoajuxiU539ryyJWFrCD6_SfpQihO3GZFPeIQOACcn5jV_TT1kv/s1600-h/american+gun+cover+art.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4gy07f5goS_2ZMIQOydOEhWvgwQu9MiS_pRGSSefHw4KSH13kVwPO8MBrf8OwmXCDIakChQS77toDndx9xoajuxiU539ryyJWFrCD6_SfpQihO3GZFPeIQOACcn5jV_TT1kv/s200/american+gun+cover+art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074636173618687058" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.americangun.net/">American Gun</a> is a Columbia, SC-based rock group that wears their love of country music on their sleeve. Ranging from straight-ahead rock and roll (circa early-1970s Stones) to more laid-back roots rock with prominent steel guitar and piano, their debut album <span style="font-style: italic;">Dark Southern Hearts</span> shows a wide range of musical interests while retaining a strong focus on the rock that is at the heart of their style. Unlike some rockers drawing from country sounds, American Gun plays a perfect middle ground in their use of sounds normally associated with country music. They aren't cute or clever with their country allusions, but neither are they reverent. Rather, their calls to country music serve simply to flesh out their rock and roll sound without transforming it into something new. Listen to how the fiddle and banjo in "Drowning Ship," instead of turning the song into a country song, serve the needs of the song as a rock song.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>American Gun - Drowning Ship</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.americangun.net/merch2.htm">American Gun</a><br />From <a href="http://www.emusic.com/album/11004/11004779.html">emusic</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-74277881038982073422007-06-25T02:35:00.000-05:002007-06-25T02:42:42.831-05:00Now on MySpace!I finally got around to setting up a MySpace profile for Postmodern Sounds.<br />Visit it at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/postmodernsounds">www.myspace.com/postmodernsounds</a>.<br />Hopefully it's easier to use day to day than it was to set up.Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-77709915168737261282007-06-06T11:26:00.000-05:002007-09-08T02:19:00.971-05:00Yarn - Yarn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMe3uA8ilu-LBnB-1uVHHigol1eYgTKAxIid1VVGi7-IWrgWKy5aZIeWf9J7uT0aKmcjcZPEH-ShMVjJ4z4lUGMhS33U6IVAO0NZkDcxVLEBPaZcUNxwviipR0EoZz4FoFrrhw/s1600-h/yarn+cover+art.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMe3uA8ilu-LBnB-1uVHHigol1eYgTKAxIid1VVGi7-IWrgWKy5aZIeWf9J7uT0aKmcjcZPEH-ShMVjJ4z4lUGMhS33U6IVAO0NZkDcxVLEBPaZcUNxwviipR0EoZz4FoFrrhw/s200/yarn+cover+art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056121844853842722" border="0" /></a>A couple months ago while vacationing in New York City, I just happened to get an email promoting New York alt-country band <a href="http://www.yarnmusic.net/">Yarn</a>'s debut album the morning of their CD release show as the <a href="http://www.lakesidelounge.com/">Lakeside Lounge</a>, which I had been thinking about attending. I ended up not being able to make the show, even though it was a scant block and a half from <a href="http://www.trinitylowereastside.org/">where I was staying</a>, but I was fortunate enough to have a CD waiting in my mailbox when I made it back to Kansas.<br /><br />Led by local roots-rocker Blake Christiana, of <a href="http://www.blakechristiana.com/">Blake and the Family Dog</a>, Yarn takes a primarily acoustic approach to the Brooklyn Americana sound, focused on songwriting and underlaid with sharp guitar and mandolin work and occasional steel, Dobro, and fiddle/violin.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Yarn - Madeline</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/yarn">CD Baby</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-41088255289995733012007-04-24T15:13:00.000-05:002007-06-10T22:21:42.613-05:00Dressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mn3xxLCLjzmkpWkhtWdhmWB0qEmbozkhhp5kY9BdMPNTNCs4IyHgqQj2SzSV_YbcBtnbz6EHWVjShMx-7HOYm_uggnrz2luW_yXxMqEuvAnXs3JN4nZ4JtOerXnMN_yuR7cV/s1600-h/dressed+in+black+cover+art.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mn3xxLCLjzmkpWkhtWdhmWB0qEmbozkhhp5kY9BdMPNTNCs4IyHgqQj2SzSV_YbcBtnbz6EHWVjShMx-7HOYm_uggnrz2luW_yXxMqEuvAnXs3JN4nZ4JtOerXnMN_yuR7cV/s200/dressed+in+black+cover+art.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055400659715302146" border="0" /></a>The last half decade has seen an explosion of <a href="http://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-4028352-9530434?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=johnny+cash+tribute&amp;amp;Go.x=15&Go.y=8&Go=Go">Johnny Cash tribute albums</a>. Leading the pack in 2002 was this indie-country oriented set produced by <a href="http://www.br549.com/">BR549</a>'s Chuck Mead. This compilation, probably due to its house band of Chuck Mead on guitar and Dave Roe on bass, flows together remarkably well considering the breadth of music included: the psychobilly of <a href="http://www.reverendhortonheat.com/">Rev. Horton Heat</a> and the punk-country of <a href="http://www.hank3.com/">Hank III</a> and J.D. Wilkes of the <a href="http://www.cockadoodledont.com/">Shack*Shakers</a> as well as the <a href="http://www.dalewatson.com/">Dale Watson</a>'s honky tonking and <a href="http://www.brucerobison.com/">Bruce Robison</a> and <a href="http://www.kellywillis.com/">Kelly Willis</a>'s Americana.<br /><br />This album has a general sense of sincerity and comfortableness that isn't exhibited in tributes (such as the Marty Stuart-produced <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindred-Spirits-Tribute-Music-Johnny/dp/B00006GF1O"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kindred Spirits</span></a>) featuring better-known performers some of whom seem as if they are coming to the material for the first time. This album also gives some much needed attention to several people, such as <a href="http://www.earlpooleball.com/">Earl Poole Ball</a>, <a href="http://www.reddvolkaert.net/">Redd Volkaert</a>, and Kenny Vaughan, who are better known as sidemen or backing musicians, allowing them to step up into the spotlight.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis - Pack Up Your Sorrows</s><br /><s>Damon Bramblett - I'm Gonna Sit on the Porch and Pick on My Old Guitar</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.echotunes.com/dualtone/Itemdesc.asp?ic=DT1127">Dualtone</a><br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dressed-Black-Tribute-Johnny-Cash/dp/B00006BN84">Amazon</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-71553221353775017412007-04-19T00:13:00.000-05:002007-06-06T00:22:09.674-05:00The Soul of John Black - The Good Girl Blues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStHj3hMgJxc5W3toMnz22Q4oAHbbKJzuzjs17E2sZUY4g5NBDJm5s4dKW9xiCsuKMEXkffVwdLzdXIFFVzkrMey3i08tBYXwFJYZebwrQq8zdWMdLvusK2S46ASTkQjK0ZIY6/s1600-h/soul+of+john+black+-+good+girl+blues+cover+art.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStHj3hMgJxc5W3toMnz22Q4oAHbbKJzuzjs17E2sZUY4g5NBDJm5s4dKW9xiCsuKMEXkffVwdLzdXIFFVzkrMey3i08tBYXwFJYZebwrQq8zdWMdLvusK2S46ASTkQjK0ZIY6/s200/soul+of+john+black+-+good+girl+blues+cover+art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055012418092612642" border="0" /></a>Sometimes I think a lot of alt-country types think they own the "roots music" idea. I know I'm guilty of this a lot, assuming that the natural and appropriate method of engaging with popular and folk music history lies somewhere on the continuum between Uncle Tupelo and BR549. But sometimes I get CDs that show me I'm an idiot.<br /><br />I got <span style="font-style: italic;">The Good Girl Blues</span> by <a href="http://www.thesoulofjohnblack.com/">The Soul of John Black</a> a couple months ago. Most of the CDs I get sent are by people I haven't heard of, and scanning down the list of names on this disc and recognizing none, I assumed it was just another indie outfit looking for a good word. As I listened to the CD and thought about how I would review it, how I could comment on the tight integration of acoustic and electric, city and country blues with elements of soul, funk, and hip hop, I realized that I didn't have the vocabulary to discuss these latter, more recent developments in African American music. Then I read the press packet and found out that front man John Bigham played with Miles Davis (even writing one of the songs on Davis' last album) and was a member of Fishbone for nearly ten years.<br /><br />I guess my point is that my insular view of "roots" as nearly synonymous with alt-country prevented me from seeing strands of influence that should have been obvious and caused me to overlook playing with Miles Davis and Fishbone as legitimate avenues toward this.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>The Soul of John Black - Fire Blues</s><br /><s>The Soul of John Black - Deez Blues</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/soulofjohnblack2">CD Baby</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-20814618035004004382007-04-05T12:34:00.000-05:002007-06-06T00:21:09.067-05:00Creech Holler - With Signs Following<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9Pr4vxCflDPp8We49T_tu9yBSaE1ywrrZqziTKTn01ccKO98N1wTAgRgD22miZQMowbS5Nm_77w02F5ijSa_8li0HdSM-nkBw1jYlggil5FBKzh4D9wRAi-LXWJnu2Lxfu5S/s1600-h/creechholler+cover+art.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9Pr4vxCflDPp8We49T_tu9yBSaE1ywrrZqziTKTn01ccKO98N1wTAgRgD22miZQMowbS5Nm_77w02F5ijSa_8li0HdSM-nkBw1jYlggil5FBKzh4D9wRAi-LXWJnu2Lxfu5S/s200/creechholler+cover+art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049835886137902834" border="0" /></a>North Carolina singer-songwriter Jeff Zentner recently sent me <span style="font-style: italic;">With Signs Following</span>, the recent album from his trio <a href="http://www.myspace.com/creechholler">Creech Holler</a>. While the broad categorization of alt country is probably okay for Creech Holler, a more appropriate label might be "distortion folk." A full half of the songs on this album are traditional (with another credited to Dock Boggs and four by the band), but these songs are hardly played in a manner that could be called traditional in any way. Relying on heavily over-driven electric guitar and brash rudimental drumming, this CD doesn't risk being mistaken for the work of folk purists. The songs are still very recognizable as traditional folk songs, making for a nicely jarring combination.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Creech Holler - Wild Bill Jones</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/creechholler">CD Baby</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-57194877467305286742007-03-15T01:19:00.000-05:002007-03-15T01:58:13.787-05:00Call for suggestions: Music in New York CityI know I have a few regular readers in and around the New York City area. I'm coming your way next week; I'll be in town from this coming Friday, the 16th through the 24th. I'm looking for any advice about where I might want to go to hear some nice alt-country or roots-oriented music. I'm staying in Alphabet City, and I'm hoping to catch the Doc Marshalls' show at Banjo Jim's. I'm also contemplating some of the shows at the Rodeo Bar. Are any of the band there next week recommended? Any hints or suggestions about other worthy shows this week would be appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks.Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-6966326669582273972007-03-14T11:48:00.000-05:002007-06-06T00:20:16.738-05:007 Shot Screamers at SXSWOne of these years I'm going to make it to South by Southwest. Not this year, though. Perusing the highlights lists, like the <a href="http://twangville.com/category/specials/sxsw/">ones posted by Twangville</a>, I've noticed a whole lot of great roots and alt-country that I'm going to be missing. One band that hasn't been pointed out is the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/7shotscreamers">7 Shot Screamers</a>. SXSW has them listed under the punk genre, which may be why they haven't been noticed by roots music fans. This is a prime example of the limitations of the one-and-one-only genre classification scheme the SXSW index uses.<br /><br />The 7 Shot Screamers' blend of punk and rockabilly should appeal to a wide variety of punk and roots-oriented tastes. I've <a href="http://postmodernsounds.blogspot.com/2006/06/7-shot-screamers-i-was-teenage-7-shot.html">written about</a> their first album. Their most recent album came out last fall on St. Louis-based garage rock label <a href="http://bigmuddyrecords.homestead.com/index.html">Big Muddy</a>. They've also been touring with Exene Cervenka, formerly of X and the Knitters, as the current incarnation of her Original Sinners.<br /><br />They're playing 8:00, Saturday at the Dirty Dog Bar in Austin.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>7 Shot Screamers - Love Always, Charlie</s><br /><s>7 Shot Screamers - War Song</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7343056&BAB=M">CD Universe</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-67854243102088531462007-02-23T00:01:00.000-06:002007-06-06T00:14:36.234-05:00Kirk RundstromI didn't know <a href="http://www.lawrence.com/news/2007/feb/22/kirkrundstrom/">Kirk Rundstrom</a> personally. I wish I had. He had a real presence over the Lawrence music community.<br /><br /><object width="325" height="268"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8u5zHfMWUUc"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8u5zHfMWUUc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="325" height="268"></embed></object><br /><br />This was my first favorite song of theirs years ago.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Split Lip Rayfield - The Day the Train Jumped the Tracks</s><br /><br />Support:<br /><a href="http://www.splitliprayfield.com/">The Kirk Rundstrom Cancer Fund</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-45417557333318605552007-02-19T12:35:00.000-06:002007-08-02T02:14:11.040-05:00Loomer - Songs of the Wild West Island<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYfL0UpOspLSQScUkeKoavTJqBKRJVGPPQQ1McnK5NQrx9xajwqhlaLjo8kEFtzwi3PbryONyqmQkq3ClOos7l2Fxi9N67ia3RSqFhtjT5I1mTtCCmC5gr6Ra_L8VrGevvVjq/s1600-h/Loomer+-+Songs+of+the+Wild+West+Island+cover+art.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYfL0UpOspLSQScUkeKoavTJqBKRJVGPPQQ1McnK5NQrx9xajwqhlaLjo8kEFtzwi3PbryONyqmQkq3ClOos7l2Fxi9N67ia3RSqFhtjT5I1mTtCCmC5gr6Ra_L8VrGevvVjq/s200/Loomer+-+Songs+of+the+Wild+West+Island+cover+art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032331283277931090" border="0" /></a>Canadian indie-rock/alt-country band <a href="http://www.loomeronline.com/">Loomer</a> released their sophomore album last fall. I've been listening to it in my car for a while and I've been quite taken by the way they combine the often disparate sub-genres of country music. Instead of focusing on cross-generic synthesis like some indie-roots bands (the proliferation of country/soul around these days, for example), Loomer creates an intra-generic synthesis of Americana, honky-tonk, Uncle Tupelo-style alt-country, and old time. Featuring sweet pedal steel, baritone guitar, banjo, and a combination of sweet harmonies and rough vocals, this album highlights the best sounds from these often separated strands of country music.<br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Loomer - Endless Holiday</s><br /><s>Loomer - Anastasia (Live BBC Session)</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://store.milesofmusic.com/Compact_Discs/Loomer/40734.html">Miles of Music<br /></a>From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Wild-West-Island-Loomer/dp/B000L42490">Amazon<br /></a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-79085896518641820282007-02-07T00:46:00.000-06:002007-06-06T00:08:38.739-05:00The Highway Sound - What Henry Ford Forgot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6-FpY5XS7JNrvehCo63fMOdwTMEsgut6ssFEX7ypT2DbVYov6ps5iMJE020-F9POztj54EViqDYG1cKMTRm5aQb8F4fNaZ-GlBeSrD0swB3O9Qt2wLq68TwzkxnK6Wm4hq61/s1600-h/highwaysound+-+what+henry+ford+forgot+cover+art.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6-FpY5XS7JNrvehCo63fMOdwTMEsgut6ssFEX7ypT2DbVYov6ps5iMJE020-F9POztj54EViqDYG1cKMTRm5aQb8F4fNaZ-GlBeSrD0swB3O9Qt2wLq68TwzkxnK6Wm4hq61/s320/highwaysound+-+what+henry+ford+forgot+cover+art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028683959246002690" border="0" /></a><a href="http://thehighwaysound.com/">The Highway Sound</a> is a project of Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Jay Zasa. The focus of the album is Zasa's songwriting, which is foregrounded by his distinctive, slightly off pitch but endearing voice that is reminiscent of Michael Stipe of REM. Jay is backed up by an ensemble playing what he calls "big Brooklyn Americana." While they never reach the ethereality of Brooklyn neighbors Hem, preferring a lower-fi aesthetic, the family resemblance is apparent. Listen for the fiddle of Mat Kane (of the Doc Marshalls) and the piano of Andy Bienen (co-screenwriter of <span style="font-style: italic;">Boys Don't Cry</span>).<br /><br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>The Highway Sound - Railroad Bill's Return</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/highwaysound">CD Baby</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-43397077177046913242007-02-01T10:41:00.000-06:002007-03-07T23:38:57.678-06:00Top 10 of 2006, Part 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.americanaroots.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ofi0nd34s414h4WLypmZ0cCEIMvLVeZVTN0j0F2I4o0rzeflOf6aeukqCLJ9a96l1X69tKkRx92t9Q7io6eV4c4mVEzhG30Tt2LrvY97HhqhRMapF4J68Cwu6ltIGk3SjUsD/s320/americaroots+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028694116843657746" border="0" /></a>Today we finish up the sample songs off <a href="http://www.americanaroots.com/content/contributing-writers/2006-top-ten-2.html">my favorite albums of the year</a>. My top two are perhaps the least well-known releases on this list, but don't think that I upped their placement just to have an unconventional top pick. I actually feel that these two albums are the best I've heard this year, surpassing the better-known and more-respected musicians who are below them on the list or not present at all.<br /><br />3. Kris Kristofferson - <span style="font-style: italic;">This Old Road</span><br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Kris Kristofferson - Pilgrim's Progress</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/This-Old-Road-Kris-Kristofferson/dp/B000E6UKD2">Amazon</a><br /><br />2. Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies - <span style="font-style: italic;">Blood to Dust</span><br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies - 27 Years</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.bobwayneandtheoutlawcarnies.com/store.html">Bob Wayne</a><br /><br />1. Scott H. Biram - <span style="font-style: italic;">Graveyard Shift</span><br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Scott H. Biram - Been Down Too Long</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/album/scotthbiram/247">Bloodshot</a><br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Graveyard-Shift-Scott-H-Biram/dp/B000FWGYO4/">Amazon</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-54573608790679773552007-01-30T12:20:00.000-06:002007-03-07T23:37:49.144-06:00Top 10 of 2006, Part 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.americanaroots.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYkVXaVqVy5_QCngHIE39tU2lvp6buHils8n7xKIyFsDcUpnU1-v3d_Gm3tiOQSQ_2TD70gI7DuU9hA7yhUKyqQWIiXkU4it3KjB40MnkRhqfMOF0lVYP0L6usEAjQqq4t-B8/s320/americaroots+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025891356884727618" border="0" /></a>Today we continue the sampling of my <a href="http://www.americanaroots.com/content/contributing-writers/2006-top-ten-2.html">top 10 of 2006</a>. Follow the link for more detailed commentary.<br /><br />7. Old Crow Medicine Show - <span style="font-style: italic;">Big Iron World</span><br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Old Crow Medicine Show - I Hear Them All</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Iron-World-Crow-Medicine-Show/dp/B000FNO1DE/">Amazon</a><br /><br />6. Solomon Burke - <span style="font-style: italic;">Nashville</span><br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Solomon Burke - Valley of Tears</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nashville-Solomon-Burke/dp/B000HEWGQA/">Amazon</a><br /><br />4. Hank Williams III - <span style="font-style: italic;">Straight to Hell</span><br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Hank Williams III - D. Ray White</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Straight-Hell-Hank-Williams-III/dp/B000AGTQGS/">Amazon</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23000214.post-33087798382836902672007-01-25T16:33:00.000-06:002007-03-07T23:36:43.596-06:00Top 10 of 2006, Part 1<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.americanaroots.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvgjUxLk6Jy9M5hdAcgC7qx1C3w3ZyDvz4_qaXfjeQPEQQ29EOR-I250ObrTDm7boaZ0yZbTVxVvucjZY6OgPi3Ib6cEfp1RRGVq6no4_7cV2zjwYFPChNeXFUhmQqFle738h/s320/americaroots+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024103220265482034" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Head over to Americana Roots to see my <a href="http://www.americanaroots.com/content/contributing-writers/2006-top-ten-2.html">top 10 albums of 2006</a>. All ten albums are highly recommended and I've included a brief paragraph of explanation after each choice. Here are my favorite songs from albums 8, 9, and 10. Stay tuned for the rest of the count-down.<br /><br />10. White Ghost Shivers - <span style="font-style: italic;">Everyone's Got 'Em</span><br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>White Ghost Shivers - Little Kisses</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.chickenranchrecords.com/catalog.cfm?type=cd">Chicken Ranch Records</a><br /><br />9. Gary Bennett - <span style="font-style: italic;">Human Condition</span><br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Gary Bennett - Headin' Home</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://garybennettmusic.com/hc-cd.html">Gary</a><br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E3LHL4/002-8436337-7806403?v=glance&n=5174">Amazon</a><br /><br />8. Grayson Capps - <span style="font-style: italic;">Wail and Ride</span><br /><br />Listen:<br /><s>Grayson Capps - Give It To Me</s><br /><br />Buy:<br />From <a href="http://www.hyenarecords.com/graysoncapps_3.htm">Hyena Records</a><br />From <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wail-Ride-Grayson-Capps/dp/B000HIVSGU/">Amazon</a>Joel T. Luberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425059756986844099noreply@blogger.com1