Showing posts with label Some Dark Holler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Some Dark Holler. Show all posts

Mar 10, 2015

Full Album Stream: Porter - This Red Mountain


I've been listening to This Red Mountain for a few weeks now and it's by far my favorite work of Chris Porter's (Some Dark Holler, The Back Row Baptists, Chris Porter & The Pollies) busy career thus far. It has an all-star supporting cast and an alt-country legend at the producer's helm in Will Johnson. I hope to write a review of the album at some point, but for now, they're letting FTM give you guys a full album stream! This Red Mountain is out today and is available through Porter's website and at Amazon. A write-up/bio for the unaffiliated follows the album stream. RIYL: Bonnie Whitmore, Drive-by Truckers, The Pollies,  Sixteen Horsepower.



Porter - This Red Mountain
release date: March 10, 2015
"Heres to the myth of a man’s redemption, for every other time that he stood there wishing, that she would do the leaving, so he could put it in a song." - Porter, This Red Mountain
Porter spent his formative years sharing songwriting and lead vocal duties in his previous projects, The Back Row Baptists and Some Dark Holler. Upon making the decision to leave the comfort of shared pressure, it took Porter over a year to conceptualize, write and record his debut solo release, This Red Mountain. He considers it the most sincere work of his career, and every aspect of its creation reflects this sentiment. Weaving in and out of lives filled with heartbreak, loss, redemption and joy, the songs of This Red Mountain reveal the story of a man’s lowest lows and the difficult journey back to peace and perspective while living his life on his own terms. “I reckon,” Porter says, that guy is a lot like me.”
Family
Porter’s move from Birmingham to Austin was not a career choice. Years of constant touring, recording and writing led to nearly all of the cliched, spirit-breaking tolls that the life of a career songwriter can manifest. His new relationship with musical co-conspirator Bonnie Whitmore (who also lends her talents to This Red Mountain) was a source of hope, and—with her encouragement and support—Porter relocated to the Live Music Capitol of the World. This period of his life is what every track on This Red Mountain is about—the good and the bad. Each musician on the album was instrumental in helping him turn this corner of his life and career. These people are not just studio musicians; Porter considers them family.
Will Johnson (producer, This Red Mountain) - Will has consistently pushed the boundaries of music with his bands Centro-Matic & South San Gabriel and his countless other solo efforts and collaborations with artists such as Jim James, M. Ward, Conor Oberst, Vic Chestnutt, Jay Farrar and the late Jason Molina. Porter wanted to make This Red Mountain stand out among its peers, past and present; Will was crucial from the album's conception in achieving this goal. All tracking was done live at Ramble Creek Studios in Austin, Texas, with Britton Biesenherz turning the knobs.
The Players
Chris Masterson (guitars, pedal steel, mandolin, baritone, organ, vocals) - Chris is one of Porter’s closest friends and is regarded as a consummate musician. He is currently the lead guitar player for Steve Earle & the Dukes, a former member of Son Volt, and has shared the stage and studio with numerous influential artists. His work with his band The Mastersons is particularly important to Porter as an example of pushing the boundaries of "Americana." (Chris appears courtesy of New West Records)
Eleanor Whitmore (guitars, fiddle, baritone fiddle, tenor guitar, mandolin, vocals) - Eleanor has shared stages and studios with Regina Spektor, Bruce Robinson, Kelly Willis, Diana Ross and Will Hoge. She is also currently a member of Steve Earle & the Dukes, and one half of The Mastersons. Her fiddle playing and vocals on This Red Mountain are heartbreakingly gorgeous.
Falcon Valdez (drums) - Falcon was instrumental in the "Zero Genericana" standard Porter and Will set from the beginning. Will, Falcon and Porter worked closely together to develop the pulse of This Red Mountain. Falcon has worked with The Happen-Ins, The Mastersons, Craig Finn, Corb Lund, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Carrie Rodriguez, Todd Snider and more.
Bonnie Whitmore (bass, vocals) - Bonnie deserves an endless amount of credit for bringing This Red Mountain into the light of day. Her bass playing and vocal presence provide the foundation for its most haunting moments, and her vocals on "Don't Let Me Go" are a high point. Bonnie has played with a number of notable artists including Hayes Carll, Justin Townes Earle, Mando Saenz, Drew Womack and Jon Dee Graham.
Jon Dee Graham (lap steel, good advice) -  Jon Dee gave Porter his first gigs in Austin and has been a constant source of guidance in every aspect of Porter’s musical development and career. He is an absolute legend. Porter considers it an honor to have him perform on This Red Mountain. He even did the album art.

Jan 2, 2013

FTM Top 75 Albums of 2012: 51-75


First of all, 2012 was an utterly amazing year
in (mostly) non-radio music. 
That being said, placing on FTM's Top 75 of 2012 meant an album was very strong and worthy of much acclaim and multiple listenings. In fact, I was upset to have to place some of these so "low." 
A few rules: No live albums, no albums including a majority of previously released songs, no EPs.

Without further adieu, here's the FTM Top 75 Albums of 2012: 51-75:


52. Bonnie Raitt - Slipstream


54. Kasey Anderson and the Honkies - Let the Bloody Moon Rise

55. Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson - Wreck and Ruin


57. Lincoln Durham - The Shovel vs The Howling Bones


59. The Lumineers - s/t

60. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - The Lion The Beast The Beat



63. The Shins - Port of Morrow


65. Ty Segall Band - Slaughterhouse

66. The Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania

67. Green Day - Uno


69. The White Buffalo - Once Upon a Time in the West


71. Old Crow Medicine Show - Carry Me Home


73. Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball

74. Chris Robinson Brotherhood - Big Moon Ritual

Dec 27, 2012

Top 10 Songs of 2012


No commentary on these. I'll just let the music speak for itself.

1. The Gaslight Anthem - Here Comes My Man
from Handwritten

2. Lee Bains III and The Glory Fires - Righteous, Ragged Songs
from There is a Bomb in Gilead

3. Arliss Nancy - 40's
from Simple Machines
(Track hosted for streaming purposes only. No claim is made to copyright. 
Song is not downloadable despite language in the graphic which suggests otherwise.)


4. Chris Knight - Nothin' On Me
from Little Victories

5. The Trishas - Over Forgiving You
from High, Wide and Handsome

6. Jason Eady - AM Country Heaven
from AM Country Heaven

7. Turnpike Troubadours - Good Lord Lorrie
from Goodbye Normal Street

8. Killer Mike - Big Beast
from R.A.P. Music

9. The Mavericks - Come Unto Me
from Suited Up and Ready EP

10. Some Dark Holler - Chords Are Always the Same
from Hollow Chest

A few more honorable mentions: 
John D. Hale Band - Desperate People
Hayes Carll - Love Don't Let Me Down (feat. Caitlin Rose)
The Dirty Guv'nahs - Dear Alice

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