Sunday, August 26, 2012
What I am listening to.
Jason Isbell - "Alabama Pines"
Jason is from Greenhill, Alabama - near Muscle Shoals. He was a member of the Drive By Truckers from 2001 - 2006 and left to pursue solo career, releasing Sirens of the Ditch in 2007.
John Butler w/ wife Mama Kin - "Losin You"
John Butler is an Australian American singer songwriter and front man for the John Butler Trio. He seems to be an amazing man and we can say without a doubt he is an amazing guitarist.
Keith Whitley - "Miami, My Amy"
Keith Whitley - 7/1/1954 - 5/9/1989. A very short career but is still a major influence for country music and country music singers. Whitley is another great one lost to alcoholism. If interested, read up on him, there are controversies and a trial surrounding his death. Music row was lined with black ribbons the day after he died. Here is his first big hit, you will have to click "Watch on YouTube" after pressing play.
Hayes Carll - "Another Like You"
Hayes is an amazing Texas songwriter. You will need to press "Watch on YouTube" after pressing play but this is a hilarious video, worth watching for sure. Great song, hilarious video.
Hayes is an amazing Texas songwriter. You will need to press "Watch on YouTube" after pressing play but this is a hilarious video, worth watching for sure. Great song, hilarious video.
Will Hoge - "When I Get My Wings"
Will is a great songwriter from Nashville, TN. I have just discovered him, thanks to my boss, and am really enjoying listening to his songs. Still scratching the surface on his stuff really, I really like this one.
Hope you found something you liked.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles, a song I have paid no attention to until now. It took Todd Snider and his new album, Time as We Know IT (The Songs of Jerry Jeff Walker), to open my eyes to it. Mr. Bojangles is about a street performer in New Orleans who Jerry Jeff Walker met while spending 3 days in the parish jail for public intoxication in 1965. He talked about how he would dance for folks in bars and they would, in turn, buy him drinks. As the night wore on he would eventually be picked up and carted off to the drunk tank. The mood and stories were all pretty lively in the cell until he told the story of travels with and the death of his dog.
This song has been done many times and below I want to provide you with a few renditions, hopefully one will be your favorite and will turn you on to the song, and the other songs of Jerry Jeff Walker, as it did for me.
Enjoy and go listen to some Jerry Jeff Walker.
The first version we will here is, of course, JJW and the actual 45 record released in 1968.
Next up, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Can't leave out Sammy Davis Jr. I could not find one that would embed properly so just click watch on youtube, it is worth it.
Wow, Nina's version gets me. I really enjoy this one. I could not find one that would embed properly so just click watch on youtube, it is worth it.
And the one the started it for me, Todd Snider's version.
Hope you enjoyed these.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
She's Back - Iris DeMent
Iris DeMent will release "Sing the Delta" on 10/02/12. This is her first album since her collection of gospel tunes in 2004. Can't wait to she what she has come up with. Why did I not know she was married to Greg Brown until now? I am getting musicated too folks, that is what it is all about. Here is a little sample to get you ready for the album.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Teddy Thompson
Teddy Thompson is the son of musicians Richard and Linda Thompson, born February 19th, 1976 in a London commune. He has big shoes to fill being the son of music royalty. If you have something to say to an ex lover of yours or someone else you do not like, Teddy can help. Teddy Thompson has a way of saying things in his songs that are new, refreshing and at times, downright mean. Songs like "That's Enough of out You", "I Wish It Was Over", "You Finally Said Something Good When You Said Goodbye" and "Separate Ways" are great examples.
The beginning of "I Wish It Was Over" will give you a good idea of the kind of songwriting I am speaking of:
"I wish it was over, I wish we were through,
I wish when my phone rang, it wasn't always you,
I don't even like you, or can't you tell,
Whenever I'm sober, I treat you like hell"
You don't have to have been romantically involved with someone to feel the need to tell them off. "That's Enough Out of You" is the perfect song for that.
"Hey now, that's enough out of you,
I get tired, just watching your jaw move,
People that talk this much have nothing to say
You're so up there, well it brings me down,
I wanna turn your smile, into a frown
Being happy is easy if you're dumb"
Amazing stuff really. If you get interested and need some new tunes, check out the "Separate Ways" and "Upfront and Down Low" albums, you will be happy you did. Here are a few of my favorites.
"A Change of Heart" - I am thinking this one may have been the reason for the other songs.
Teddy on Jools Holland - "Everybody Move It" and "I Wish It Was Over"
"Separate Ways"
Enjoy! Feel free to message me or comment if you need song or album suggestions for Teddy.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
This One's For Him
Lyle Lovett: “I wouldn’t be anywhere if it weren’t for Guy Clark.”
It is time to get back to it and this post is all about a great tribute album I just stumbled on. Guy is one amazing songwriter and some other amazing songwriters came together for Guy's 70th birthday to pay homage to a hero of theirs. What came out of it is a beautiful album showcasing Guy's songwriting. The artists, as Rodney Crowell says to do in the beginning, do in fact "give her a good go". The songs and stories are beautifully sung and told just as Guy does when he sings them. I am sure Guy is proud of this one. I am really happy Guy is still here with us and was present for such an amazing tribute. There are some tributes that just work and accomplish what they set out to do, pay tribute, this is one of those. Add this one to your collection. I am no wordsmith so I don't need to ramble on about it, let's get to the music and let the songs speak for themselves.
Lyle Lovett (w/ Patty Griffin) - "Anyhow, I Love You"
Emmylou Harris and John Prine - "Magnolia Wind"
Shawn Colvin - "All He Wants is You"
James McMurtry - "Cold Dog Soup"
Willie Nelson - Desperados Waiting for a Train
I hope you enjoyed listening to those, there are many more on the CD set. It has been nominated for 2012 Americana Album of the Year, go out and get it.
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