Showing posts with label Colter Wall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colter Wall. Show all posts
Jul 6, 2018
Colter Wall Performs "Calgary Round-Up"
Labels:
Colter Wall,
Live performances,
Wilf Carter
Jun 5, 2018
Colter Wall Performs "I Ride An Old Paint"
Labels:
Colter Wall,
Live performances
Mar 27, 2018
Feb 6, 2018
Walker Hayes Makes Me Unhappy
Labels:
Colter Wall,
memes,
Satire,
Walker Hayes
Jan 4, 2018
Kevin's Top 13 Albums of 2017
Kevin's Top 13 Albums of 2017
1. Colter Wall – Colter Wall
Granted, producer Dave Cobb has an inexhaustible Midas touch. But you’d assume in situations like this one – producing the debut album from a star in the making from Canada – he’d largely just stand back. Listen to Wall’s deep, dark baritone and tell me he’s 22 years old; great golly, he is. Here’s the gold standard for folk albums in the twenty-teens, featuring the year’s best murder ballad, “Kate McCannon.” Tyler Childers’ singing harmony vocals on the traditional ballad “Fraulein” is the cherry on top.
2. Chris Stapleton – From a Room, Vol. II
This is the best pure country album for the last two or three years, from the man with hands-down the best voice in the genre. I had this playing in the background at work and a colleague asked, “Is this Waylon?” Well, yeah, pretty much. Take note, Nashville: Stapleton’s topping the charts, no thanks to you.
3. Turnpike Troubadours – A Long Way From Your Heart
As I wrote on its debut, this album is wonderfully more of the same we’ve come to expect from these champions of the Red Dirt universe. Nobody writes a bittersweet broken-heart song better than Evan Felker, as evidenced in “The House Fire.”
4. Tyler Childers – Purgatory
Appalachia has passed the torch to its newest great storyteller; welcome to the big time, Tyler Childers. If anyone has doubts, ask yourself if Sturgill Simpson would produce this guy if he were anything but the genuine article. Childers has set himself an incredibly high bar here; but with a couple listens no one will doubt he’ll raise it higher on the next one. Here is the real deal, and he’ll be around for a long, long time.
5. Jeremy Pinnell - Ties of Blood & Affection
Fine storytelling, great vocals. More from this guy, please.
6. Texas Gentlemen – TX Jelly
A terrific breakout record from some of the finest musicians in the Lone Star State. Recorded over a handful of days in Muscle Shoals, this first group of 11 tracks fits together in a perfect yet random way. These guys are heavy hitters and make it sound easy. Much more to come.
7. JD McPherson – Undivided Heart and Soul
What this country needs is more rockabilly, and this Okie delivers in spades. This is just lots of fun. It’s got a dash of British pub rock, just enough to remind us of Elvis Costello & Nick Lowe. Shake your hips, Daddy-o.
8. Jason Eady – Jason Eady
The album gently grabs your attention with the song “Barabbas” and holds it throughout with some of the best songwriting of the year from a genuine craftsman. This Texan – by way of Mississippi – hits full stride with a fine album produced by the legendary Lloyd Maines and featuring the backing vocals of Vince Gill.
9. Gregg Allman – Southern Blood
I don’t think he ever made a better solo album, and it’s so just bittersweet that we get this one from beyond the grave. His covers of the Grateful Dead’s “Black Muddy River” and Little Feat’s “Willin’” add a sweet touch. Given all Gregg’s givens, let’s be thankful he was here for 69 years. Rest easy, man.
10. Zephaniah OHora – This Highway
This album is an authentic, organic tribute to the golden years of country music, recalling Hank Snow, Marty Robbins and Ray Price. Another hit for the so-called “neo-traditionalists.”
11. The Steel Woods – Straw In The Wind
A perfect balance of country and rock, and with some fine storytelling. Check your mirror, Blackberry Smoke; these guys are on your heels.
12. Son Volt – Notes of Blue
Jay Farrar decided to make a blues record and to the surprise of absolutely no one, it shines. He’s superman. He can do anything. Could we have a bluegrass album next, please?
13. Shinyribs – I Got Your Medicine
Just a fun album, start to finish. Adult-size portions of soul, real (as to what is today called) rhythm & blues, and gospel should keep this record in heavy rotation.
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Kevin Broughton
Dec 27, 2017
Best Songs of '17 Spotlight: Colter Wall "Thirteen Silver Dollars"
Labels:
Best of 2017,
Colter Wall,
Live performances
Dec 22, 2017
Ten Best Songs of 2017: Another Perspective
The Best Songs of 2017
By Kevin Broughton
Trailer’s
list was okay, but just. It demands a response, so here are the ten best
songs of 2017.
Good talk.
Come for the 1½-minute intro of standup bass, brushes &
organ.
Stay for the good-time rock, sassy-ass blues & rockabilly.
Sure, “White House Road” gets all the hype. For straight-up
poignance, though, give me this as the best cut on the smash debut album Purgatory. Well, this one or “Lady May.”
The opening track on what I voted the No. 1 album of the year.
The richness of this full-grown folk singer’s baritone
speaks for itself and nearly defies substantive description. It simply is. PS, he’s 22 years old. I think we’re
done here.
The best voice in all of country music.
On an album full of gems from some of the best musicians in
Texas, here’s a real treat: an acoustic version of “Superstition,” featuring
virtuoso pianist Daniel Creamer on vocals. It’s sublime.
Two
years ago these guys had our album of the year, and Trailer in his
autocratic grace declared, rightly, “The Bird Hunters” our top song. Which
makes it so shocking he would put “Pay No Rent” (respectfully, maybe the
third-best cut on FTM’s #2 Album of the Year) so high, to the exclusion of the
clearly superior “The House Fire.” A disturbing lapse in judgment at best; one
hopes there’s not a deeper character flaw in play.
“I heard the judge ask the jury, ‘which one’s the one to
go?’ Then I heard them say my name, and why I’ll never know.” A song of guilt,
forgiveness and redemption, from the point of view of the criminal pardoned while
the Savior bought ours.
Carve out some of that kindling. There’s plenty of wood
around.
Pure, country authenticity. It tastes like honey.
“We could steal some Keystone Beer from an A-rab liquor
store.”
Leroy Virgil, you beautiful man, thanks
for the best interview ever. Regards to Rico, and bring on the bird dogs and
mountain lions, pal.
Dec 21, 2017
Farce the Music's Top 20 Albums of 2017
Our Top 20 Albums of 2017 were voted on by all contributors again this year:
Kelcy Salisbury, Robert Dean, Kevin Broughton, Jeremy Harris, Trailer (me), and Matthew Martin
(with friend Chad as a tiebreaker).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Tyler Childers - Purgatory
Appalachia has passed the torch to its
newest great storyteller; welcome to the big time, Tyler Childers. If
anyone has doubts, ask yourself if Sturgill Simpson would produce
this guy if he were anything but the genuine article. Childers has
set himself an incredibly high bar here; but with a couple listens no
one will doubt he’ll raise it higher on the next one. Here is the
real deal, and he’ll be around for a long, long time. - Kevin Broughton
Childers' voice along with the great production on this album were home-runs. Add in the killer lyrics that have just enough humor to break the darkness in the issues plaguing rural America and you have this incredible album. I had not listened to Tyler Childers prior to this year and now I can't get enough of him. - Matthew Martin
2. Turnpike Troubadours - A Long Way From Your Heart
The best country band in the world delivers yet another classic. The sparkling instrumentation, the master-class songwriting, the mythos, everything is here and it's a joy to behold. - Trailer
As I wrote on its debut, this
album is wonderfully more of the same we’ve come to expect from
these champions of the Red Dirt universe. Nobody writes a bittersweet
broken-heart song better than Evan Felker, as evidenced in “The
House Fire.” - Kevin
3. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - The Nashville Sound
Jason Isbell is the best there is in music right now. I don't think it's even close. The voice, the music, and the songs are all perfect. After Isbell's last couple of quieter, more introspective albums, I was really looking forward to hearing Isbell cut loose a little more. This album was not a disappointment on that front and even threw in a couple of tear-jerkers for good measure. This year I got engaged, and hearing 'When We Were Vampires' is a song that crushes me every time. For the rockers, 'Cumberland Gap' and 'White Man's World' are going to go at the top of the Isbell cannon. After listening to these songs and this album all year, I can't even imagine Isbell's shows without these songs. They are some of Isbell's best. I know Southeastern may be Isbell's high water mark, but this album shows that he's not resting on his laurels. He's going to continue to make incredible, hard-hitting music for years to come. - Matthew
If ‘Vampires’ doesn’t make you cry you may be a zombie. - Jeremy Harris
4. Colter Wall - s/t
Granted, producer Dave Cobb has an
inexhaustible Midas touch. But you’d assume in situations
like this
one – producing the debut album from a star in the making from
Canada – he’d largely
just stand back. Listen to Wall’s deep,
dark baritone and tell me he’s 22 years old; great golly,
he is.
Here’s the gold standard for folk albums in the twenty-teens,
featuring the year’s best
murder ballad, “Kate McCannon.” Tyler
Childers’ singing harmony vocals on the traditional
ballad
“Fraulein” is the cherry on top. - Kevin
5. Chris Stapleton - From A Room, Volume 2
This album was everything I want from Stapleton- it's bluesy, it's rowdy, and it's beautiful.
The man can sing a damn song. He makes you feel what he's singing, the way the best of the
soul-singers of yesteryear could do. This is one of the big-hitters of country music and it's completely, unequivocally deserved. - Matthew
This is the best pure country album for
the last two or three years, from the man with hands-down
the best
voice in the genre. I had this playing in the background at work and
a colleague asked,
“Is this Waylon?” Well, yeah, pretty much.
Take note, Nashville: Stapleton’s topping the charts,
no thanks to
you. - Kevin
6. Gregg Allman - Southern Blood
I don’t think he ever made a better
solo album, and it’s so just bittersweet that we get this
one from
beyond the grave. His covers of the Grateful Dead’s “Black Muddy
River” and
Little Feat’s “Willin’” add a sweet touch. Given
all Gregg’s givens, let’s be thankful he was
here for 69 years.
Rest easy, man. - Kevin
7. Jason Eady - s/t
Eady does it again. Another great album. - Jeremy
The album gently grabs your attention
with the song “Barabbas” and holds it throughout with
some of the
best songwriting of the year from a genuine craftsman. This Texan – by way of
Mississippi –
hits full stride with a fine album produced by the legendary Lloyd
Maines and
featuring the backing vocals of Vince Gill. - Kevin
8. John Moreland - Big Bad Luv
From the album cover and title you’d think rap.
From the sound of his voice you’d think awesome. - Jeremy
He writes compelling songs about feelings and situations we are all familiar with.
He's heartbreakingly good and this album is proof that Moreland deserves even more
accolades than he's receiving now. With an incredible voice and lyrics; it's hard to not
feel gut-punched at least 2-3 times per song. - Matthew
9. Shinyribs - I Got Your Medicine
Just a fun album, start to finish.
Adult-size portions of soul, real (as to what is today called)
rhythm & blues, and gospel should keep this record in heavy
rotation. - Kevin
Even a non-dancing, non-fun-having dude like me feels the desire to tap a foot every time I hear this album. It's soulful, funny, real, and my favorite thing Kevin Russell has done since the Gourds.
- Trailer
10. Travis Meadows - First Cigarette
There’s some real sad stuff on this one. If Isbell makes you feel weird and emotional,
Travis Meadows will bring you down even more. - Jeremy
11. The Steel Woods - Straw in the Wind
A perfect balance of country and rock, and with some fine storytelling. Check your mirror,
Blackberry Smoke; these guys are on your heels. - Kevin
I was already impressed by Straw in the Wind. Seeing them live took my appreciation for
this band to a new level. They deserve any and all accolades headed their way. - Trailer
12. JD McPherson - Undivided Heart and Soul
What this country needs is more rockabilly, and this Okie delivers in spades. This is just lots of fun. It’s got a dash of British pub rock, just enough to remind us of Elvis Costello & Nick Lowe. Shake your hips, Daddy-o. - Kevin
13. Chris Stapleton - From A Room, Volume 1
11. The Steel Woods - Straw in the Wind
A perfect balance of country and rock, and with some fine storytelling. Check your mirror,
Blackberry Smoke; these guys are on your heels. - Kevin
I was already impressed by Straw in the Wind. Seeing them live took my appreciation for
this band to a new level. They deserve any and all accolades headed their way. - Trailer
12. JD McPherson - Undivided Heart and Soul
What this country needs is more rockabilly, and this Okie delivers in spades. This is just lots of fun. It’s got a dash of British pub rock, just enough to remind us of Elvis Costello & Nick Lowe. Shake your hips, Daddy-o. - Kevin
13. Chris Stapleton - From A Room, Volume 1
Chris Stapleton continues his career with another solid album of covers and originals. Not quite as good as Volume 2 in my opinion, but worth every bit of accolades it's received. - Matthew
There’s a magic formula that combines the best of 1 and 2 that makes it a much better album.
With this formula 1 tops 2 by a lot. - Jeremy
14. Zephaniah OHora - This Highway
This album is an authentic, organic tribute to the golden years of country music, recalling Hank Snow, Marty Robbins and Ray Price. Another hit for the so-called “neo-traditionalists.” - Kevin
15. Steve Earle - So You Wanna Be An Outlaw
On a scale of 1 to Steve Earle, how do you feel about Trump?
Just kidding, Steve steers clear. - Jeremy
18. Hellbound Glory - Pinball
This may be the best Leroy Virgil or whatever his name is now’s best album yet. - Jeremy
Oct 30, 2017
FTM's Top 10 Murder Ballads
by Robert Dean
If there’s any tradition in American roots music that’s steeped in darkness and just utterly crushing thanks to it’s macabre tonality, it’s the murder ballad. The murder ballad is defined by Wikipedia as:
“Murder ballads are a subgenre of the traditional ballad form dealing with a crime. Their lyrics form a narrative describing the events of a murder, often including the lead-up and/or aftermath. The term refers to the content, and may be applied to traditional ballads, part of oral culture. Broadsheet printed ballads do not use the same formulas or structures, and are rooted in a literate society.”
Some grim shit, but oh so delicious when you’ve had a few drinks and are angry at humankind. If you’re a fan of country, the blues, or just dark rock and roll, there’s a long tradition of the murder ballad anchoring more than one classic record.
In an attempt to keep topics nice and spooky for Halloween, I wanted to rate my top 10 favorite murder ballads. If you’re looking to bum everyone out at your Halloween party, make a playlist. You’ll be in bed by 9:15. Enjoy. *now with an expanded accompanying Spotify Playlist*
8. The Ballad of Hollis Brown – Bob Dylan
7. Delia’s Gone – Johnny Cash
6. Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix/Bob Dylan
5. Kate McCannon – Colter Wall
4. Ohio – Neil Young
3. Stagger Lee – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Sep 29, 2017
Colter Wall Performs "Me and Big Dave" (Brewery Sessions)
Labels:
Colter Wall,
Live performances
Sep 20, 2017
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