Listen Up: American Babies
Seems like 4 out of every 5 new bands I discover these days are from Brooklyn, NY. Here’s another one: Tom Hamilton’s American Babies. This tune caught my ear recently, I think on Sirius. Influences range from Ryan Adams to…
Review: Friday at the 2008 McDowell Mountain Music Festival
When you show up to at a music festival to pick up your press credentials, and you’re handed a VIP pass with 12 free drinks ready to be punched, at a Sierra Nevada-sponsored festival, well – you just know it’s…
Review: In Tucson with David Hidalgo and Louie Perez
This past Sunday, I jumped on I-10 East and headed down to Tucson for a Dave & Louie show. Dave & Louie being David Hidalgo and Louie Perez, two members (and the main songwriters) of Los Lobos. The atmosphere and…
Hittin’ the Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
As I sit to type this, I’m watching American Idol contestant Kristy Lee Cook absolutely BUTCHER the Beatles song “8 Days a Week”. An uptempo, countrified version. Buhhh-leck. “Dolly Parton on helium,” says Simon. Lucky for me I don’t watch…
The Felice Brothers: Hey Hey Revolver
Talk about a dark and lurid tale. This one could have fit right in on Springsteen’s Nebraska or Ghost of Tom Joad. I can’t find a whole lot about the Felice Brothers online to give you a decent background. There’s…
The Gourds go Gyroscopic – it’s Austin time
I ask you, what’s not to like about a band with a member named Shinyribs Russell? It’s the Gourds out of Austin, Texas. You may have heard a funny bluegrass version of Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice” several years back…
Come Over to Jeb’s Yard, Get Your Heaven Right Here
I heard another older song a few weeks ago that’s brand spanking new to me, courtesy of Sirius (where Steve Earle now has his own radio show on Outlaw Country – yipee!). This one is by Jeb Loy Nichols. Jeb…
Steve Earle News: Washington Square Serenade
Thanks to Jeffro for alerting us that New West Records has announced details of Steve Earle’s first record with the label. Due September 25th, and titled Washington Square Serenade, it will feature the CD and a bonus DVD of Steve…
Los Lobos – Be Still
A majestic Los Lobos tune. One of those songs where I picture the singer (David Hidalgo in this case) standing atop a high hill, tall green meadow grasses all around, looking over the Pacific Ocean sunset. Love the way the…
Calling out to the Old 97’s
Where are the Old 97’s? I know they have some tour dates scheduled, but we haven’t seen any new studio stuff since 2004, when they released their debut on New West Records, Drag It Up. The formerly Dallas-based band has…
