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| Photo from Country Music Tattletale |
May 20, 2012
May 18, 2012
YouTube Gems: Lucero Family Picnic
This weekend, I'm ridiculously excited to be attending the Lucero Family Picnic in Batesville, AR featuring Lucero, Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires, Shooter Jennings, Austin Lucas, Glossary, John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives and Guy Venable. Here are some select videos from the artists.
May 17, 2012
The Pastures of Madison County
I was able to make it back to this year's incarnation of Pickin' in the Pasture, a family and friends event in Madison County, MS starring Fireman John's BBQ, Drew Kennedy's beard and usually Josh Grider and/or Matt Skinner, after I missed 2011. I won't do a big write-up like I did in 2010, but it was another great show. Our three heroes, along with Josh Grider's lovely wife, a lovely bassist named Chris and a lovely drummer named (___?) played a full band/four singer concert for the family, friends, dogs and a blogger. They took turns trading solo tunes (Drew Kennedy did "Vapor Trails" among others), cover songs (Josh Grider and his wife did a great version of Johnny and June's "Jackson") and co-writes (Matt Skinner did both an electric and an acoustic version of the haunting Corb Lund co-write "One Left in the Chamber"). It was a fun time and here are the pictures to prove it!
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| Matt Skinner, Josh Grider and Drew Kennedy tuning up pre-show. |
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| Josh Grider accompanies his wife on guitar. |
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| Drew Kennedy has a wallet chain. Remind you of anybody?? |
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| The band in reverse. |
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| Matt Skinner tearing it up on guitar. |
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| The tall and handsome Josh Grider is now a Nashville songwriter. Please don't write about trucks, Josh! |
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| Josh Grider with two future bluegrass or country superstars. Seriously, they were great! Sidenote: Josh has gotten really good on the guitar. |
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| Electric show-closing barn-burner "Ain't Livin' Long Like This" |
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| The beginning of the late-night acoustic jam. |
Annnnd, this isn't from Pickin' in the Pasture, but here's a video of Matt Skinner performing the awesome tune "One Left in the Chamber."
May 16, 2012
Lee Bains III and The Glory Fires - There is a Bomb in Gilead
For having such an indie, obtuse sounding title, There is a Bomb in Gilead is far more straight-forward a rock and soul album than anything so difficult to grasp as the latest Pitchfork darling. The forthright Lee Bains III and The Glory Fires emerges onto the scene already a full-fledged force to be reckoned with on this fantastic debut.
Mixing garage rock, country soul and southern swagger into an effortlessly authentic blend, Lee and the boys give a spirited go at every style across 11 spotless tracks. From the driving exploration of faith on album opener "Ain't No Stranger," through the sin, searching and nostalgia of the middle to the hymn-inspired closing title track, there isn't a weak point on the album. In fact, I've listened nearly 30 times and have yet to tire of it.
Lee Bains sings like Jason Isbell with a snarl, high and soulful at times, cranky and quick at others. He's a perfect outlet for these tales of desperation and longing.
And though the band claims not to be a southern rock band, there's really no question about it to those of us who aren't wearing their boots. Bains drawls every line and the riffs are right there in the pocket of some of the legends who came before. And the settings - Magic City (Birmingham), Opelika, the Roebuck Parkway, Centreville - if it's not southern rock, it's at least rock music set squarely in the heart of Dixie.
While every song is a strong showcase of the band's skills, I do have some favorites, mostly right in the heart of the album. "Everything You Took," is a hooky take on the days just following a break-up where the material items kept by the girlfriend don't matter nearly as much to him as the memories she left him.
"Righteous, Ragged Songs" is a motto for the band, if anything is. "I ain't figured out how to pack out a room just yet" speaks to the group's small beginnings, while the chorus proves them mature beyond their years. The song also mentions the profitable opportunities Bain's passed on to go with his heart. Let's be thankful he did.
"The Red, Red Dirt of Home" isn't about Texas - Alabama has red dirt too- it's about the foundations built by where they grew up and the tribulations they've been through. "Got my mama and daddy on speed dial in my phone"… that's some country cred right there that doesn't need a line about "I'm so country in my truck" to drive it home.
Lee Bains III and The Glory Fires have skipped right over the formative section of their career and stepped with both feet right into their potential. There is a Bomb in Gilead is an ass-kicking, heart-pumping, soul-reflecting chunk of rock n' roll goodness that another ten years on the road couldn't make any more honest or cohesive. This album is a statement of purpose.
If you're a Drive-by Truckers fan who isn't happy with the lifeless melancholy of their recent output, this is where to get back in the groove. If you want to like Lucero, but can't get past Ben Nichols' gruffness, Lee Bains is a smooth alternative. If you're a southern rock fan looking for new blood, look no further.
To put a finer point on it, There is a Bomb in Gilead is my frontrunner for best album of 2012. It's that damn good.
Here's a free track from the album: "Opelika"
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May 15, 2012
YouTube Junk: I Wanna Ride the Bull!
It's hard to believe this even exists. Since it does, let's celebrate the absolute ridiculousness of the song and video together! And three cheers for simmering sexual innuendo! Thanks(?) to @wadesapp for alerting me to this train wreck.
OMG Reviews: Gloriana - (Kissed You) Good Night
by Brittany Fant, 14-year-old music fan and aspiring reviewer
I. Love. This. Song!!! Such a swweeeettttt romantic song about a goodnite kiss! OMG, I can't wait till my daddy says I'm old enough 2 date!!!!! I mean, I've kissed a few times. Not with my new BF yet though, well just lips. He's got a learner's permit, but my dad won't let me ride with him. My mom's just like "whatever." She watches The Bachelor too much. She was just shaking her head and saying "an egg?" when I tried to ask about going 2 see Battleship this weekend. Anyway, this song…. such a good harmony or whatever you call it. They sound so good together. And the boys are cute too, so that's a BIG PLUS! I think they used to have another girl but they kicked her out or something. Maybe they'll kick the other one out so it's just 2 hotties! But don't be jealous Hunter Hayes, I'm saving myself for our marriage day!!!! Maybe we can play this song at our reception! Well, that wdnt rly make sense but still.. it's that SWEET! I'm not sure the band could still b called Gloriana if it was just two boys tho. That sounds a little too gay, but don't take that wrong! I totally support gay marriage! I bet gay guys like this song too!!!! Who wouldn't??????? I LOVE YOU HUNTER HAYES IF YOU SEE THIS, COMMENT ON THE REVIEW AND LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!
5 Heart Hands!
May 14, 2012
Kelcy Reviews: Turnpike Troubadours - Goodbye Normal Street
This is one joyful goodbye
by Kelcy Salisbury
I've been a Turnpike Troubadours fan since Jason Boland introduced me to their music back about the time their debut album, Bossier City came out. The album was raw in places, sometimes loose, a little sloppy, but there was an honesty and a joy in the playing and a gripping, photographic quality to the lyrics that made me sit up and pay attention. I remember thinking to myself that this was a young band with incredible promise that could really blow up if they could only make it through the trials and pitfalls of being a young band on the road.
Time went by and the Troubadours released one of the great sophomore albums of the past decade (at least), with Diamonds and Gasoline. It was a Mike McClure produced gem of an album. Everything was an improvement, the playing was stronger, the songwriting began to stand out from the crowd with its evocative pictures of everything from vivid dreams of MLK (1968, I challenge you to find a more uniquely themed song anywhere in country music in the past 5 years), and the haunting title song.
So it was with great anticipation that I looked forward to May 8th when I learned that was the release date for Goodbye Normal Street, the Troubadours third album. Back in late September last year I finally saw the Troubadours life at a small festival in Morrilton,AR with Matt Stell & Jason Boland & The Stragglers. I heard about 5 of the new songs that night and learned at least three things about the band: they are a prodigiously talented bunch of players with every instrument on the stage, even better live than recorded. Second, Evan Felker lacks the motor skills to open a non twist off beer bottle without an opener. Finally, Felker bears a pretty strong resemblance to a non sexually ambiguous Daniel Tosh (although he did not show any videos of puking while on stage). Anyway, the experience certainly whet my appetite for the new album and it absolutely does not disappoint.
The lead single, Gin, Smoke, Lies kicks off the album with fiery fiddle and a poundingly addictive drum track. The subject matter may be dark and sad, but as with the majority of the album, its presented with such infectiously upbeat musicianship and a lyrical delivery that veers toward tongue in cheek at times, the whole album sounds to me like a wonderful slice of Celtic influenced country that leans on a certain cynical, dark humor to set it apart from anything else I've heard in a while.
This feeling comes across strongest in Before The Devil Knows We're Dead, a story song that draws directly on Irish traditions for both the catchy chorus and the fiery fiddle playing (Felker credits The Pogues as a major influence on this song.)
Southeastern Son & Blue Star tell stories of a young man joining the National Guard and a slightly older family member adjusting to life after a career in the military.
Call A Spade A Spade features Jamie Wilson sharing vocal duties with Felker on a song that feels like a sequel to Down On Washington from Diamonds and Gasoline.
Morgan Street is the classic tale of a group of misfits and past-their-prime party animals that could have easily come off as a retread of a number of other songs in the Texas/Red Dirt catalog, but the heartfelt treatment it gets from the entire band saves it from being the only possible weak link in the album. Truth be told I like the song a lot, even if one line always reminds me of Small Town Saturday night (give it a listen, you'll hear it too I'm sure). Perhaps the "Liquor on his breath, trouble on his mind" is an intentional homage to Hal Ketchum's mid 90s hit, perhaps not, but either way it's still an endearing number.
It doesn't hurt that Morgan Street segues into two of the finest tracks on the album, Gone Gone Gone, a classic theme and story that sounds amazingly fresh thanks to incredibly strong and unique lyrics and Good God Lorrie, a song that I particularly love because of its spot-on references to the people and places of my native Arkansas.
Things continue to stay on the right track with Empty As A Drum, probably the best take on the same basic story as Vern Gosdin's (RIP) Alone. Any time you can make a song that evokes positive comparisons to one of Gosdin's greatest songs, that's a huge compliment in my book.
From there we move right into Wrecked, another dark song with the tiniest sliver of a certain dark humor in it. The clever lyrics may make this my favorite tune on the album, but anytime an album is this strong I could easily say the same of 7 or so other songs.
Goodbye Normal Street closes with another song packed full of wry dark humor, Quit While I'm Ahead. It's obvious the frustrations and trials of the road on a young musician heavily influenced the song, and yet once again the Turnpike Troubadours bring just enough levity to the performance to give the song, like the entire album a vibe that can't help but put a smile on your face.
It was a difficult feat to equal the quality of Diamonds and Gasoline, but with Goodbye Normal Street the Troubadours have not only made their strongest album to date but may have actually made an album that will transcend their current circles and push them past the barriers faced by independent musicians and into mainstream consciousness. The Turnpike Troubadours may soon be saying goodbye to their current state of normal and hello to a huge splash into the mainstream. I hope to see it happen, but even if it never does they will always be able to know that they have made about as perfect an album as anyone is likely to hear in this or any other year.
Finally, if you want to catch the best country music show on the road keep an eye out for one of the frequent Turnpike Troubadours/Jason Boland & The Stragglers concerts. I've personally never seen a better one-two punch than these two since Willie & Waylon live, and I am completely serious about that.
5 stars for sure.
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Turnpike Troubadours - Goodbye Normal Street is available at Amazon, Lone Star Music, iTunes and all the other usual outlets.
May 13, 2012
May 11, 2012
YouTube Gems: Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis
From their forthcoming duets album (hopefully), here are Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis with "Border Radio."
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