• Americana

    Blessed [new from Lucinda Williams]

    March 1st is not only day one of my favorite month (I’m in Arizona, so that means Spring Training games, a beer festival, and ideal weather), but it’s also release day for Blessed, the great new album from Lucinda Williams.

    Lucinda’s 10th studio album has many folks likening it to a return to form of her stellar ’98 album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. I’ve had a few runs through it, and – as always, it seems – I’ve gravitated to the more slow burning, wistful tracks. “I Don’t Know How You’re Living”, “Born to be Loved”, “Convince Me”…

    But the true stunner of a tune that stops me in my tracks is the album finale: “Kiss Like Your Kiss”. This love’s done and gone, Jack, and nothing will ever be the same…

    There’ll never be a spring so perfect again
    We’ll never see a yellow so rich
    The grass will never be quite as green
    And there’ll never be a kiss like your kiss

    That’s only the first verse. It’s a thing of beauty, and may be one of the best songs I’ve ever heard Lucinda sing (right there with “Blue” for me). This song alone is worth the price of admission.

    A version of the song actually appears on an episode of True Blood, and includes Elvis Costello on vocals. You can find this version on True Blood: Music From The HBO® Original Series Volume 2

    The Blessed version doesn’t include Costello’s co-vocals, and as much as I admire and respect Elvis, the song rises even higher without him. This is Lucinda’s moment, and Costello only dilutes the exquisiteness of it, in my opinion. Just wait till you hear the Blessed version, that’s all I gotta say.

    Blessed is another strong collection from a tried and true original still at the top of her game. Top to bottom, it can’t top Car Wheels, but moments like “Kiss Like Your Kiss” elevate it to a level that’s damn close.

  • Americana

    Justin Townes Earle sings “Harlem River Blues” on Letterman

    In my recent Best of 2010 post, I crowned “Harlem River Blues” by Justin Townes Earle as my song of the year. Last night, Justin made his network television debut on Letterman. With Jason Isbell on guitar, and Paul Shaffer providing the organ riffs, Justin blazed through this great song in his one-of-a-kind fashion. He has some kind of style doesn’t he? Dressed like a Depression-era accountant or college professor, Justin stands straight & stoic as he sings, pivoting from one direction to another. Truly a unique guy, and so different from the performing style, look and feel of his old man, Steve Earle…

    If you haven’t heard the album of the same name, I recommend picking it up. Harlem River Blues is available on Amazon for just $5.

  • Americana

    Video: Dave Rawlings Machine at Amoeba Records

    Another killer live in-store video from Ameoba Records.  Dave Rawlings Machine stopped by for a few songs. In this case, DRM consists of Dave Rawlings, Gillian Welch, and a few friends from the great Old Crow Medicine Show.

    You wanna go back to basics for some stripped down vintage American music? Look no further.

    If you like what you hear, I recommend his record, A Friend Of A Friend

    Enjoy…

  • Americana

    dave rawlings machine

    I heard this on Sirius-XM’s The Loft today. There was something familiar about it. Something earthy and 70’s, Eagles and country-tinged Stones (it would make a great Keef tune), maybe some Gram Parsons… the harmonies seemed familiar too.

    It was the Dave Rawlings Machine. The song was “Ruby”. And by the end I was singing along to the great harmonies. Looking DRM up tonight, I found that Dave Rawlins has worked extensively with Gillian Welch and Old Crow Medicine Show. In fact, that’s why the harmonies sounded familiar – it’s OCMS providing them.

    Check it out.

    Dave Rawlings Machine: Ruby (mp3)

    Buy A Friend of a Friend

    Visit DRM’s Site.

  • Americana,  Bluegrass,  Indie

    Review: Works Progress Administration, “WPA”

    https://ickmusic.com/pics/WPALP.jpg

    Glen Phillips’ brand of Southern California folk-rock has always flirted on the edge of its bluegrass and country and western roots. In the years since Toad the Wet Sprocket closed up shop, his songwriting has danced closer and closer to those roots, and with 2000’s Mutual Admiration Society – pairing Phillips with members of Nickel Creek – it seemed to come to the forefront. Taking that collaborative spirit to the next level, Works Progress Administration consists of Phillips and his MAS cohorts Sean and Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek, Fiction Family) with Luke Bulla (Jerry Douglas Band, Lyle Lovett), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Bill Frisell), Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello and the Imposters).

    The group’s debut record, WPA, is a slice of modern Americana with strong pop sensibilities. Recorded over the course of five days, the recording itself feels very alive and immediate thanks to the production of Jim Scott (Wilco, Tom Petty). There is a dynamic that showcases the collective beautifully and shines a light on the real star of the show: the 12 well crafted songs that make up the album.

    ”Always Have My Love” is easily one of the strongest tunes that Phillips has written in the past 10 years. It’s followed by the equally stellar “Good as Ever”, with Sara Watkins providing her angelic voice to bolster Glen’s vocal. Sara takes the lead for the gut-wrenching cover of Ray Davies’ “I Go to Sleep”.  As strong as these songs are, “I Could End This Now” (mp3) is easily my favorite track of the bunch. It manages to take the bluegrass mélange and adds just a touch of soul resulting in a stormy mid-tempo ballad.

    WPA is not without its faults. The rave-up of “Paralyzed” and the hoedown of “Wedding or a Wake” seem awkward by comparison to the rest of the material. The record’s lowest moments come at the plodding “Who’s Gonna Cry for You” and “Remember Well”. Despite these small missteps, this record is a must for fans of the group’s respective origins.

    Buy WPA: Amazon

    Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace | on Facebook | on Twitter

  • Americana,  Bluegrass

    On Tour: Works Progress Administration

    https://ickmusic.com/pics/WPA.jpg

    The music collective known as Works Progress Administration is heading out on tour to support their self-titled debut, which is to be released on September 15th.

    At the core of Works Progress Administration (or WPA, for short) is the trio of ‘Founding Directors’ Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek, Fiction Family) and Luke Bulla (Jerry Douglas Band, Lyle Lovett). In addition to the base is the group of ‘Executive Board Members’ consisting of Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Greg Leisz (Joni Mitchell, Bill Frizell), Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher (Elvis Costello and the Imposters). The collective explains the origin of their name…

    Works Progress Administration takes its name from FDR’s 1939 New Deal initiative, which put millions to work making buildings, bridges, theater, art and music. The original WPA was rooted in the values of community and creativity, and helped to keep the fire of human dignity burning through the darkest years of the Great Imposters.

    Eschewing the usual “supergroup” clichés, WPA appears to be a truly community driven project with collaboration at every level. Vocal duties are shared across the board with each core member contributing lead vocals. The lead-off track “Always Have My Love” is an catchy uptempo number featuring Phillips lead vocals and layers upon layers of fiddles and pedal steel that give the track a depth that can sometimes be lacking in modern Bluegrass / Alt-Country recordings.

    You can download “Always Have My Love” at the groups official site for the price of an email address (link)

    Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace | on Facebook | on Twitter

    Click through for the groups tour dates…

  • Americana

    Video: Old Californio – “Chilao”

    I stumbled upon Old Californio’s YouTube page tonight, and they just uploaded a bunch of sweet video action from a recent in-studio performance at SoCal’s KPFK.

    If you don’t have their Westering Again album, which came out earlier this year, youse a fool baby. Buy It.

    Here’s a kickass tune called “Chilao” which isn’t on the album but I sure wish it was! It sums up everything I love about these guys: the earthy Southwest vibe, the unique arrangements and instrumentation… Gah! I love ’em!

  • Americana,  Ick's Pick

    Ick’s Pick: Gina Villalobos

    Okay, as the story goes around here, it’s not too often that I gravitate toward female singers – but I do have my favorites: the Patty Griffins and the Lucindas, and some good finds the last few years with artists like Mary Gauthier and Girl in a Coma (badass ladies)… and God bless her, despite all her troubles, Amy Winehouse is such an amazing talent.

    We can tack another one to the list – another female singer-songwriter who will receive a permanent spot in my iTunes library: her name is Gina Villalobos.

    A California native, Gina’s well known in CA’s folk / alt-country / Americana set – and she just released her 4th CD this week: Days On Their Side. Gina’s got a killer voice. She’s got the sweet tone of a Sheryl Crow, but with a sandy, relaxed disposition like Lucinda Williams. Laid back, and really pleasant to the ears.

    I’m finding the album surprisingly strong – great hooks, strong, talented players, and the showcase: Gina’s sweet n’ scratchy vocals.

    Standout tracks: “String It Out”, “Take a Beating”, “Crazy”, and…

    Listen: Sun In My Eyes (mp3)

    Buy: Days On Their Side

    Visit: Official Site | MySpace | Facebook | Twitter

  • Americana,  Bluegrass

    Good things from Old Crow Medicine Show

    You can count Old Crow Medicine Show among those bands that I like more and more each time I hear them. They may have the “old timey” label affixed to them, but it’s only one facet. The guys  play quintessential American music – folk, rock, bluegrass – and they have a hell of a lot of fun doing it.

    On August 18th, OCMS will release their first live DVD, Live at the Orange Peel and Tennessee Theatre. I’ll soon have a copy to give away to one of you fine folks. In the meantime, see this excellent clip from the DVD. Talk about a loose band having a good time together. This is live music…

    This one’s called “Down Home Girl”..

    You can catch up with the guys at their Official Site.

    And get this, they’re launching the Big Surprise Tour on August 4th, along with The Felice Brothers, Justin Townes Earle, and the Dave Rawlings Machine (feat. Gillian Welch). Now that’s a traveling show. These are the dates so far. Hopefully they’ll creep their way west…

    AUGUST 2009

    04 – Hampton Beach, NH @ Casino Ballroom
    05 – Boston, MA @ House Of Blues
    06 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
    07 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
    09 – Charlottesville, VA @ Charlottesville Pavilion
    10 – Cary, NC @ Koka Booth Amphitheatre
    12 – Louisville, KY @ Waterfront Park
    13 – Nashville, TN @ Riverfront Park
    14 – Knoxville, TN @ World’s Fair Park

    You can also catch them later this month opening for the Dave Matthews Band along the Eastern seaboard.