Showing posts with label Dallas Moore Band. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dallas Moore Band. Show all posts

Jan 2, 2014

Jeremy's Top Albums and Top Song of 2013






16. Kacey Musgraves "Same Trailer Different Park"
       Wonderful writing with a beautiful voice and a great mix of traditional soul along with some modern sound. Hopefully this album serves as a template for female country singers for years to come. Hell, most the guys could learn something from this as well.


15. The Wild Feathers "The Wild Feathers"
       This songs are so catchy you'll find yourself humming them so much you'll drive yourself nuts. Not quite rock and well beyond pop in my opinion, but I could care less. I listen to good music and don't pay attention to genres and this is definitely good music.


14. John Moreland "In The Throes"
       Probably higher on every other list you'll read (unless they never got to listen to it) but this is my opinion only, so this is where it is. Very few albums this year will be able to top the songwriting you'll find on these ten tracks and John's voice is one that can't be forgotten.


13. Alan Jackson "The Bluegrass Album"
       The same process that went into naming the album seems to have made its way into the musical content as well. Keep it simple and honest, and that's what you'll find here for sure. I'm just glad Alan was able to finally do this the way he wanted.


12. Eastbound Jesus "Northern Rock"
       I can't believe I have to rank this album this low. I guess that's just the ultimate proof of what a year for music it has been. It's very easy to get lost in the great story contained within every song and the wonderful music that accompanies them.


11. Holly Williams "The Highway"
       Some of the strongest and most emotion filled songs I've heard are on this album, unfortunately it also contains a few average songs and a couple that are rather weak. "Drinkin'" and "Waiting On June" are enough to stop anyone with a heart dead in their tracks and show how great of a songwriter Holly is.


10. Clutch "Earth Rocker"
       Rock isn't dead, you're just looking in the wrong place. From the in your face rhythm of "Cyborg Bette" to the slow bluesy ballad "Gone Cold" there is something for everyone on this one. Certainly shows that Clutch has not lost it over the years.


 9. Dallas Moore Band "Blessed Be The Bad Ones"
      100% honky-tonk goodness that takes you for a ride of both the good and the bad times and everywhere in between. I was lucky enough to review this album earlier in the year and still listen to it often and may even enjoy it more now than then.


 8. Sturgill Simpson "High Top Mountain"
      This could be the album that many country traditionalist have been waiting for over the past few years and anything you've heard about it is true. (unless it was bad, then that person is an idiot) Not a weak song to be heard on this one.


 7. Last False Hope "Dig Nails Deep"
      One of the most original and unique albums you'll ever hear. So unique, it's actually hard to put into words a description that does any justice to what you'll find on the debut, full-length album by Last False Hope, or to say anything I didn't already cover before.


 6. Shooter Jennings "The Other Life"
      Talk about a guy with a full schedule, on top of coming up with a fine album himself, Shooter also produced two other albums on this list, went on a nationwide tour and made a short film with Judd Films featuring songs from this very album. One of the strongest albums Shooter has ever released and featuring a sound and attitude that many fans have been asking for.


 5. Band of Heathens "Sunday Morning Records"
      I'm still amazed by the amount of people that haven't listened to anything by this group. This album is spot on with beautiful harmonies and wonderful instrumentation that just makes you feel good and holds you until the end while featuring some of the most original arrangements to come out this year.


 4. Statesboro Review "Ramble on Privilege Creek"
      One word to describe this album: pleasant. Yeah, that'll work because that's exactly what it is. So easy to just listen to you won't even notice how long you've been just laying there in a trance. Hell, it took me three days to type that line while listening on my computer.


 3. Fifth On The Floor "Ashes & Angels"
      While Fifth On The Floor has never put out a bad album, this is a large step forward as a whole in both writing and subject matter. This one has a bit of everything, southern rock, straight up rock and roll and some classic country to keep everyone happy.


 2. Jason Isbell "Southeastern"
      Are you tired of everyone kissing this guy's butt and calling him the greatest thing going? Me neither, especially since it's all true. A masterful songwriter is an understatement as Jason continues to grow and travel to new heights with every release. "Southeastern" is no different and continues this upward trend and give hope that a clear-headed Jason Isbell may be the one to knock down the barriers that are keeping so many quality artist hidden from the mainstream.


 1. Buffalo Gospel "We Can Be Horses"
      Who? Don't feel bad, that's exactly what I said before I had my first listen to this album. Just a few songs in I knew I had come across something special and after a full listen I had a feeling early on that this masterpiece of oddly named tracks would not head south and would be able to be claim this top spot by the end of the year. The only hard thing about this collection of high quality tunes is picking a favorite song as all are at a high level and deserve multiple listens.



     Song of the year
     Holly Williams (feat. Gwyneth Paltrow) "Waiting On June"
     I'm not sure what's gonna kill the slight bit of credibility I have more, picking a song of the year that features Gwyneth Paltrow or explaining why I did. Every time I hear this song I start thinking about my own life and my beautiful wife Amy. As I listen I usually start associating our lives with the characters in the song and by the time I've reached the final moments, I'm crying like a twelve year old girl in the front row of a Justin Bieber show. Mainly, this connection along with superb songwriting is why I feel this song is my top pick this year even though Pepper Potts is tagging along. Justin Bieber still is a thing isn't he?


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-Jeremy Harris

Dec 27, 2013

Jeremy's Top Live Shows of 2013



#7
Dallas Moore Band at The Newport Motorcycle Rally in Newport, KY
and The Backyard Bar and Grill in Loveland, OH:
This was the first time had been able to catch Dallas and the boys live and lucky for me it was a double header.  The first show which was taking place outside was Dallas with his full band making their way through several songs from their latest release Blessed Be The Bad Ones, as well as some great cover songs. After catching the first show (which started in the summer sun and ended under the fireworks from Great American Ballpark which is located just across the Ohio River from the Newport Levee where the event is held once a year) it was time to head to the after party show which featured Dallas and the late Wayne Mills playing an acoustic set together. It was great to see two friends trade the lead role back and forth as they played a good mix of their own songs as well as some favorites from legends of the past.


Dallas and Wayne Mills

#6
T Junior at Shamrock Tattoo in Portsmouth, OH:
Any time you find a show that is cheap to get into and is BYOB you're off to a great start. Add in a gracious crowd and great music that was taking place in a historical side room with great acoustics and it's a show I'll never forget. T Junior rolled through his set and made several new fans that night through his high energy and great song writing. The only downfall of this show was that it happened on a Sunday night and I felt obligated to drink all the beer I had brought.

#5
Filthy Still at Tootle's Pumpkin Inn in Circleville, OH:
Tootle's is a favorite for many acts that have had the opportunity to play there and for good reason. While it's not the biggest or the coolest bar you'll ever see it has one major advantage over your average bar venue and that's the people. The patrons just get the music and this night was no exception as the crowd danced into a drunken frenzy to every song. For some reason there was even a guy dressed as The Mad Hatter. A barefooted, dancing Mad Hatter at that. Welcome to Ohio.

#4
Shooter Jennings at Doughboyz Pizza Pub in Ashville, OH:
I know what you're thinking, Shooter at a pizza shop, what the hell? While technically this is a rather small pizza shop/bar with a large field outback, it easily is transformed into an outdoor concert venue with good food in small town central Ohio that attracts fans from around the state. This night began with a great job of opening the show by The Phillip Fox band and continued as Shooter took the stage shortly after. Shooter and his band were spot on all night as they kept the crowd rocking trough the entire set list and left no one disappointed.


Shooter Jennings

#3
Unknown Hinson at The V Club in Huntington, WV:
I had previously missed two opportunities to catch an Unknown show and thought I'd never get another chance due his retirement announcement. Luckily for me and fans nationwide he decided to embark on at least one more round. For this particular show he brought along Justin Wells of Fifth On The Floor performing solo as his opener and also chose my favorite venue to catch any show. Justin worked great as the opener and played to the crowd perfectly by playing several of his bands high energy songs and a few great rock and country covers. Unknown Hinson walked onto the stage to a huge response and thrilled the crowd with his fun lyrics and masterful guitar playing. After the show both acts hung around to meet every person in the building and sign autographs for hours.


Unknown Hinson

#2
Fifth on the Floor "Ashes and Angels" album release show at Buster's in Lexington, KY:
A Fifth On The Floor show in their hometown has a different energy to it than any other show you'll ever experience. Throw in Rachel Brooke, Whitey Morgan and special guest Shooter Jennings and you can't go wrong. The night ended with members of each band coming together to pay tribute to Levon Helm with a very memorable version of "The Weight."

#1
Moonrunners Fest at Reggie's Rock Club in Chicago, IL:
I can't add anything to this that I didn't already say in my write up shortly after the event. The main thing is the fact that it's happening again with not only more bands but also an extra day. Already planning my trip for 2014.


Jul 22, 2013

Little Known Facts: July '13


By Jeremy Harris

Recently, Justin Moore was detained for 5 hours at a Chuck E. Cheese's while 
management searched for an adult with a matching hand stamp.

Tasteofcountry.com offers neither taste, nor country as the name would imply it should.

Darius Rucker was originally scheduled to be on the cover of the current Rolling Stone magazine but was removed due to his version of "Wagon Wheel" being so polarizing.

MySpace is being relaunched so there can be one social media site
without a Shooter/Trigger feud.

The part of Stephen in Django Unchained was originally written for Robert Earl Reed.

Taylor Swift's grandmother makes annoying surprised faces when she wins at bingo.

If you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all. Therefore, there will not 
be a Blackjack Billy Little Known Fact this month.

Plans for a Dallas Moore talking doll were scrapped when designers
realized the manufacturing cost would be too high due to the amount of memory required
to hold all of the catchphrases Dallas uses daily.

If Brantley Gilbert could read he would hate this website.

Baby this a fact and it be written by Florida Georgia Line.

Apr 16, 2013

Album Review: Dallas Moore Band - Blessed be the Bad Ones


By Jeremy Harris

My excitement to get a full listen to this album was pretty high and other than an initial problem with the download, (satellite internet stinks) I was not disappointed. The album kicks off with the perfect starter song for a Dallas Moore record which is also the title track "Blessed Be The Bad Ones." From the first line "To the nights I can't remember and the things I won't forget" you know you're in for a modern-day outlaw country trip into the honky-tonk of your mind. This track provides the perfect cadence and subject matter for Dallas's vocals and rolls into the next track "Sometin' Changed" quite nicely.

     Track 3 provides a faster-paced song in "Where You Gonna Be When I'm Gone" that kind of catches you off guard on the first listen, but quickly becomes a tune you'll listen to over and over. Dallas comes in at well above adequate with the rasp in his voice actually dropping to an all time low on this one. The female backing vocals are also spot on. If they would actually play it, FM radio would benefit from this song. "Slippin' and Slidin'" continues with the upbeat pace that rolls you right into "Texas Tornado" for that perfect made for a honky-tonk song that ends up breaking into a bit of a name dropping session, but will be forgiven since it mentions Hillbilly Jim (of WWE and SiriusXM Outlaw Country).

     The classic tale of a good person that stumbles in life rings through in "Condemned Behind The Wall." Dallas provides a fresh approach to something that's been written about multiple times and provides a good sing-along and pleasant listen.

     Coming in next is "Dirty Rotten Filthy." In my opinion, this along with "All of Those Good Times" are the weakest songs on the album. Without strong context they might bring the album down a notch or so, but luckily each is followed by new versions of classic Dallas Moore Band songs. ("Carolina Sunshine" and "Crazy Again," respectively.)

     I'm hoping if you've made it this far into this review, you don't need to know much about "Carolina Sunshine" or "Crazy Again." For those unfortunate souls that aren't familiar with these two songs I'll say this: They're awesome and this may be the best version of "Crazy Again" I've heard. "Carolina Sunshine" is slightly lacking compared to the previous versions I've heard, but is still high in quality for sure.

     The final two tracks "The Ballad of Sweet Marie" and "Last Man Standin'" couldn't be more different from each other, but somehow they perfectly compliment to each other. From down and out, murder, and self realization to on top of the world in 8:22 to wrap up the album the way it should be. In the last track Dallas may provide the one line to describe his style of country music perfectly in the lyric "I was a stone cold stunner and a midnight runner cranked up way past 10."

     In closing, if you're a fan of anything Dallas or The Dallas Moore Band have put out in the past, buy this album. If you're not, it's time to give them a second chance. If you're not familiar with The Dallas Moore Band but perhaps a fan of Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, 70's and 80's Hank Jr or anything Whitey Morgan this album should be on your list to purchase.

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