• Roots Rock

    New Son Volt: The Search

    Son Volt

    So a lot of us know the story… Uncle Tupelo was one of the bands that ushered in the alt-country / “no depression” era – music that fused country roots with rock and punk sensibilities. The latter term, “No Depression”, actually came from the name of Uncle Tupelo’s 1990 debut album. Two alt-country icons emerged from the ashes of Uncle Tupelo. Jeff Tweedy went on to form Wilco, and Jay Farrar started Son Volt.

    uncle tupelo
    Uncle Tupelo

    While Wilco – which started much in the same vein as Uncle Tupelo with albums like A.M. and Being There – have gone on to morph into a whole ‘nother beast… psychedelic, indie, experimental, even Beatles-esque at times. It’s a great ride being a Wilco fan.

    Son Volt, on the other hand, has managed to stay more true to the country-based stylings of Uncle Tupelo. Not to put that in a negative light. Jay Farrar’s voice belongs in that realm.

    With their most recent album, The Search, the band stays in that same framework, but does manage to stretch beyond it at times. One of the tunes streaming below, “The Picture”, reminds me a little of a Van Morrison tune, complete with the horns. “Action” has an Eastern vibe that would make George Harrison proud. My favorite right now is “Adrenaline and Heresy”, a slower piano tune that has Farrar lamenting “She said I still love you / I don’t know if I want to spend the rest of my time with you.” At that point the drums kick in and he ends the song singing repeatedly: “High on adrenaline / It’s a new day.” Nice tune. I’d play it for you, but I’ll stick to these three streaming tracks that were sent my way.

    Go check out the album on iTunes though, or buy it here…

    Son Volt – streaming tunes from their new album The Search:

    The Picture (asx – will launch in your mp3 player)

    Circadian Rhythm (asx)

    The Search (asx)

    Son Volt
    The lads in Son Volt

  • Jazz,  Roots Rock

    Love & War

    Michael Franti Yell Fire

    It’s easy for me to measure how low long I’ve been married, or how long the war in Iraq has been going on. They both started in the same week. My wife and I just celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary last week (the 14th). And today, of course, marks the fourth anniversary of the wonderful decision to invade Iraq (we were in Jamaica at the time, makin’ love, not war – t.m.i.? sorry).

    3,220 American soldiers dead. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis dead. “There’s been good progress”, our president said today… the same tired rhetoric we always hear from him.

    But I’ll jump off the soap box, and let the music do the talking….

    Bill EvansPeace Piece (mp3) – A sparse, beautiful piece by legendary jazz pianist Evans. Appears on several albums, like Everybody Digs Bill Evans.

    Michael Franti & SpearheadLight Up Ya Lighter (mp3) – Franti speaks (sings) his mind on this anti-war track from Yell Fire!.

    If you love this land of the free, bring ’em home, bring ’em home. – Pete Seeger

    The Sandbox

    THE SANDBOX: Garry Trudeau, creator of the cartoon Doonesbury, has a great site set up called the Sandbox. He created it as a place for military personnel stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan to share their experiences. It’s a military blog, aka a Milblog.

    It’s easy to get sucked in and just read and read. It will make you appreciate these brave souls all the more. Check it out: http://gocomics.typepad.com/the_sandbox

    Now can we please figure out a way to get these men and women HOME??

  • Bluegrass,  Roots Rock

    New Greencards: Viridian

    Greencards

    Lost in the shuffle (to me) this week was the release of the Greencards‘ new album. Rank Carol Young’s voice right up there with my favorite female singers (e.g. Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin). Her singing is effortless and sweet to the ears.

    The new album, Viridian, is a great mix of pure American music as performed by the trio – two Aussies and a Brit – who live in Austin, Texas. The trio lay it down with a mandolin, a fiddle, and an electric bass. Yeah, bluegrass instruments, but the Greencards can’t be nailed down as a bluegrass band. They veer into a rootsy territory too. Probably a lot to do with their hometown of Austin.

    The album opener shows what the Greencards are all about. A laid back feel, great vocals / harmonies, and talented musicianship. Dig it!

    The Greencards: Waiting on the Night (mp3)

    Buy:

    Check out the Greencards’ Official Site | MySpace

    Related: A previous Greencards post with links to a full live show in Telluride.

  • Folk,  Roots Rock

    A Referral for Matt the Electrician

    Matt the Electrician

    I’ve been spending a good amount of time with Matt the Electrician. No, my marriage is not in jeopardy. Matt the Electrician is Matt Sever, a singer / guitarist / songwriter from one of America’s music hubs, Austin, Texas. Matt has been playing his gigs and building his fan base since the late 90’s. His latest CD, One Thing Right, is a clever, melodic ride through the neo-folk alt-country landscape. His bio likens his voice to “a young Paul Simon wrapped around a Tom Waits heart.” I dig his voice. It has a nice light sandpapery feel, sort of Jakob Dylan-ish in my opinion. Quite pleasing to these old ears.

    It’s a good sign that it was difficult for me to select one song off the album. There are several I really enjoy: “Held Together”, “On the Radar”, “My Dog”… but this one takes top billing at this space in time.

    Matt is launching a west coast tour soon (including an April 5 stop at the Rhythm Room here in Phoenix). He’ll also be popping up around town at SXSW, which starts in a few days.

    Matt the Electrician: In the Waves (mp3)

    Buy One Thing Right (also available on iTunes).

    One thing right

    Matt the Electrician’s Tour Dates | Official Site | MySpace

  • Roots Rock

    Steve Earle at Tradewinds, Part Deux

    Steve Earle

    “They’ll let anybody in here!” – Steve Earle, as The Boss joins him on stage

    Well who do you think was lurking in the crowd that fateful New Jersey night? The Boss joined Steve and the Dukes for the last six songs of the evening. That’s gotta be one of the greatest things about being a Springsteen fan in New Jersey. You never know when he’ll materialize.

    Well materialize he did this night in 1998. It’s another spirited set by Steve and the Dukes, and when the Boss joins, they rip into a Carl Perkins classic, a couple of Stones tunes, and a few Steve tunes. Bruce pretty much sticks to his rule of not stealing the spotlight, but he does take a verse of “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby”, and how cool is it to hear him sing background on “I Ain’t Ever Satisfied” and the Stones tunes? Right. Very cool.

    Steve Earle & the Dukes
    February 6, 1998
    Sea Bright, NJ

    Part Two [ZIP]

    The Other Side Of Town
    Somewhere Out There
    Billy Austin
    The Devil’s Right Hand
    Nothin’ But You
    All My Tears (w/ Julie Miller)
    Goodbye
    Johnny Too Bad (Slickers cover)
    N.Y.C.
    The Unrepentant
    Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby (Carl Perkins cover w/ Bruce Springsteen)
    Sweet Virginia (Rolling Stones cover w/ Bruce Springsteen)
    Guitar Town (w/ Bruce Springsteen)
    I Ain’t Never Satisfied (w/ Bruce Springsteen)
    Dead Flowers (Rolling Stones w/ Bruce Springsteen)
    Johnny Come Lately (w/ Bruce Springsteen)

    One interesting omission from the night was Bruce’s “State Trooper”, which Steve plays quite a bit in his shows. “New Jersey turnpike, riding on a wet night…” would’ve fit right in.

  • Roots Rock

    Steve Earle at Tradewinds, Part 1

    Steve Earle

    I haven’t posted about my favorite left-wing Tennessee via Mexico via East Texas outlaw in a while. Steve Earle hasn’t been quiet lately though. He’s a modern-day renaissance man: musician, poet, protester, playwright, you name it. He jokes that he has to keep himself that busy to keep him sober. He wasn’t doing so good there for a while (in the late 80’s and early 90’s). Well, since he got sober, and inspiration took over, Steve has been hitting us hard with some great albums: I Feel Alright, Train a Comin’, El Corazon, Jerusalem, among others. In ’98, Steve was on tour supporting one of my personal favorites, El Corazon (a tour that didn’t bring him to Phoenix, so I flew my butt to Montrose, Colorado to see him – well, actually my brother flew me).

    This is a special show, folks. The locale is Tradewinds in Sea Bright, New Jersey. It’s February 6, 1998, and a certain someone is lurking in the audience watching this great show. I’ll give you part one here. In part two later this week, this certain someone hits the stage with Mr. Earle to fully complete roof tearage off the sucker.

    Steve Earle & the Dukes
    February 6, 1998
    Sea Bright, NJ

    Part One [ZIP]  ♦ [Part two here]

    Christmas In Washington
    Here I Am
    Taneytown
    Hardcore Troubador
    My Old Friend The Blues
    Someday
    If You Fall
    Mystery Train Part II
    You Know The Rest
    Windfall (Son Volt cover)
    Copperhead Road
    Telephone Road
    More Than I Can Do
    Now She’s Gone
    Ft. Worth Blues
    I Feel Alright
    Poison Lovers

    In recent Steve Earle news, he signed with New West Records recently. I’m looking forward to good things in ’07 from ol’ Steve.

  • Laid Back,  Roots Rock

    Listen to Lanois

    lanois

    I finally picked up my first Daniel Lanois solo album. Every time I’ve heard his solo stuff I’ve been drawn to it: spare, atmospheric, and rich. Lanois, of course, is the producer extraordinaire behind U2, Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan, and scores of other artists. From 1988 to 2001, he set up shop in Kingsway Studios on Esplanade Avenue in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

    Here’s a taste from Shine, his 2003 release. Bono joins him on this one. It was written during the All You Can’t Leave Behind sessions.

    Daniel Lanois: Falling At Your Feet (mp3)

    Daniel Lanois’ Official Site.

    Buy Shine…….
    Shine

  • Roots Rock

    Giant Sand

    Giant Sand

    Well I’ve been lax in my posting output lately and it’s not for lack of things to post about, because lordy knows I have all sorts of cool stuff on tap for you people. It’s just that this day job / family thing sometimes takes up a lot of my time and – well – leaves me pretty pooped by the end of a working day. Blah blah bluh-blobbly-blah. On with the music.

    A friend at work – I’ll call him Jeff, because that’s what his name is – loaned me this CD a few months ago. Yes, a few months ago. It’s a 1993 benefit CD for Victoria Williams, called Sweet Relief – A Benefit for Victoria Williams. She’s one of those artists I’ve heard of, but never heard. Well I finally popped in the CD, and quite liked a lot of the tracks: Soul Asylum’s version of “Summer of Drugs”, Michael Penn’s “Weeds”, “Lights” by the Jayhawks, and especially the track I have for you tonight, courtesy of Giant Sand. The vibe seemed familiar as I was listening, and my questions were answered when I discovered that John Convertino and Joey Burns were with this band before they went off and formed Calexico.

    Tucson, Arizona based Giant Sand’s frontman is Howe Gelb, who also has side projects like Arizona Amp And Alternator and The Band of Blacky Ranchette. Coming through Giant Sand at one time or another has been Juliana Hatfield, PJ Harvey, Neko Case, and yes, Victoria Williams too.

    The benefit CD was put together due to Victoria’s battle with MS. She is still going strong today. She has two projects: Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers with her ex-husband Mark Olson (former Jayhawk), and the Thiftstore Allstars.

    This tune instantly connected with me. Give me a good intro into a cool driving rhythm, with unique lyrics (“three frogs by the side of the road: smart, smarter and smartest…”), and you’ve fished me in.

    Giant Sand: Big Fish (mp3) – from Sweet Relief: A Benefit for Victoria Williams

    THIS I GOTTA HEAR: Christina Aguilera joined the Rolling Stones to sing “Live with Me” at their Beacon Theater gigs a couple weeks back. If anyone can help me track it down, I would really like to hear it.

  • Rock n' Folk,  Roots Rock

    New Matthew Ryan: From a Late Night High Rise

    Many who check in here from time to time most likely share a lot of my tastes in music. A time or two, I’ve passed along a few of my favorites from Matthew Ryan, both as a solo artist, and as a member of the short lived but very impressive Strays Don’t Sleep.

    I’ve devoured everything Matthew has released like that Japanese guy at the Nathan’s 4th of July hot dog eating contest at Coney Island (yeah, I need to work on my analogies). You know who I’m talking about, right?

    His name is Takeru Kobayashi. I looked it up. The fella knows how to eat hot dogs.

    Shifting gears…

    Matt is poised to release his next album on December 5th, the introspective From a Late Night High Rise.

    There’s a cool timeline page on Matt’s web site, where he takes you through his career, year by year. His 2006 entry says this about the album:

    In early 2006 I completed a new record of solo songs called From A Late Night High-Rise. It’s a collection of songs inspired by the death of a dear friend and the sentencing of my brother to 30 years in prison. Between 2004 and 2006 there were a lot of “life in the teeth” things happening. I felt like I had to make From A Late Night High-Rise so I could find some peace with everything. Trouble and sorrow are not unique experiences. But when we’re in their weather, we can feel isolated, burdened, alone. From A Late Night High-Rise is the most beautiful collection of songs I’ve made yet. It looks and sounds like traffic from 52 floors above- ambient, warm and human.

    Yes, the man has a way with words, and putting them to music. Take a listen to the great first single off the album. Then mark December 5th on your calendars and pick up a copy of From a Late Night High Rise (don’t worry, I’ll remind you). If you’re in the eastern half of the U.S., check out the tour dates below, and go check him out live. If you’re in the western half, don’t lose hope, because dates out west are being booked as we speak for early next year, including right here in Phoenix. I’ll finally get to see ol’ Matt live.

    Matthew Ryan: Never Look Back (mp3) – from the forthcoming release, From a Late Night High Rise, out December 5th.

    www.matthewryanonline.com
    Available @ i-Tunes on December 5th, 2006

    Other MR Albums you should check out:
    May Day
    East Autumn Grin
    Concussion
    Regret Over the Wires
    Strays Don’t Sleep

    Fall Tour Dates

    11/01/06 Atlanta, GA The Melting Point
    11/02/06 Charlotte, NC Evening Muse
    11/03/06 Decatur, GA Eddies Attic
    11/04/06 Knoxville, TN Corner Lounge
    11/05/06 Raleigh, NC The Pour House
    11/06/06 Arlington, VA Iota Club and Cafe
    11/07/06 Philadelphia, PA World Cafe
    11/10/06 New York, NY The Living Room
    11/11/06 New York, NY The Living Room
    11/12/06 Boston, MA Paradise Lounge
    11/13/06 Northampton, MA Iron Horse Music Hall
    11/14/06 Syracuse, NY Mezzanotte Cafe
    11/15/06 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
    11/16/06 Lexington, KY The Dame
    11/17/06 Chicago, IL Schubas
    11/18/06 Springfield, IL Underground City Tavern

    Watch Matt perform “Return to Me”:

  • Blues,  Country Rock,  Roots Rock

    Joe Ely with the Boss in Dublin

    ely and springsteen

    This would make a great St. Patrick’s day post, but it’s only September, and I’m way too impatient to sit on this show for too long. The date is St. Patty’s Day 1996. The location is Dublin, Ireland. Joe Ely and Bruce Springsteen both find themselves overseas on their latest tours (Joe for Letter to Laredo, Bruce for The Ghost of Tom Joad).

    It was the last night of Joe’s tour, playing in front of a raucous Dublin crowd. And lo and behold, who’s in the house but his friend Bruce, who comes on stage to join Joe for a handful of the last few songs of the evening. I’d call this a pretty decent way to celebrate a St. Patty’s Day…

    By the way, I’m curious, does any Bruce / Ely aficionado out there know how far back Springsteen and Ely go, where / how they met, etc.?

    Joe Ely
    March 17, 1996
    Dublin, Ireland
    w/ special guest Bruce Springsteen

    Gallo Del Cielo
    Ranches & Rivers
    Spanish Love Scene
    Rode Goes On Forever
    Boxcars
    Saint Valentine
    I Saw It In You
    Run Preciosa (fades out)
    Bluebird
    Letter To Laredo
    Gangster Of Love (Sung by lead guitarist Jesse Taylor, RIP 1950-2006)
    Me & Billy The Kid
    Road Hog
    BBQ & Foam
    All Just To Get To You *
    Oh Boy *
    Settle For Love *
    1000 Miles From Home
    My Eyes Got Lucky
    Fingernails Medley *
    Blowin’ Down The Road *

    * with Bruce Springsteen