The Amazing Bielanko Brothers – Marah
I first discovered Marah through a Steve Earle interview I read where he mentioned that “Let’s Cut the Crap and Hook Up Later Tonight”, their 1998 debut album, was one of his favorite albums of the year. He went on to sign them to his label, and they released 2000’s ‘Kids in Philly’. They are a fresh, no BS, bare bones rock n’ roll band, full of such innovative and imaginative lyrics, and on top of that, they rock out with a banjo. Dave and Serge Bielanko of Philadelphia are the masterminds behind Marah. They released ‘20,000 Streets under the Sky’ last year, another great release.
If you EVER get the chance to see these guys live, please do. I saw them twice in 2000: once opening for Steve Earle at House of Blues in Hollywood, and a few days later in a small sweat-soaked bar (Long Wong’s) in my then hometown of Tempe, AZ. It was about 200 friggin’ degrees in there, and I was drinking Hefe Weizen like it was lemonade, sitting 5 feet from the band. Certainly one of the most incredible live show experiences of my life. Some kind soul recorded the show and shared it with me so I can always go back and listen to my “WOOO!”s. They have a large following in Europe and tour extensively there, so keep your eyes open overseas as well. You won’t be disappointed.
So this is my favorite song from their debut. Listen, enjoy, and check out more of their music…
Listen: Marah – “Formula, Cola, Dollar Draft”
Buy: ‘Let’s Cut the Crap and Hook Up Later Tonight’ on Amazon
Site: Marah-USA.comPhoto credit: Pete – taken at Long Wong’s in Tempe, AZ (8-12-2000)
The Hellecasters – Orange Blossom Special
If you listen to tunes when you run or exercise, one of the greatest motivators is the old standard, “Orange Blossom Special”, as done by the Hellecasters. It was released on their 1993 debut, ‘The Return of the Hellecasters’.
As you can probably guess, the Fender Telecaster plays a big role in the group. All three members of the Hellecasters are respected Telecaster players in their own right: Jerry Donahue from Fairport Convention, John Jorgenson from the Desert Rose Band, and session man Will Ray.
These fellas ride the “Orange Blossom Special” at blistering speeds. It’s 7 minutes of supercharged instrumental hillbilly rock n’ roll.
Official Web Site.Rich Man’s War
Here’s the video of Steve Earle‘s “Rich Man’s War,” a song from his latest album ‘The Revolution Starts Now”. It was directed by Jonathan Demme.
Steve on Amazon.
[2024 – Link no longer available, and I can’t find the video any where!]
Love and Mercy to you and your friends tonight
If you saw the tsunami celebrity extravaganza the other night, you may have seen Brian Wilson performing “Love & Mercy”, a simple and poignant tune from his 1988 solo debut. Before I ever found out that the tune was Brian’s, I heard the tune coming from Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, which I guess was in pre-Wilco times (maybe while he was in Uncle Tupelo). He was part of a side project called Golden Smog, which also contained members of Soul Asylum, the Replacements, the Jayhawks, and more. Sort of a supergroup that got together in the Minneapolis area in the late 80’s – early 90’s.
Well, I was quite taken by the song for it’s simplicity, beauty, and important message. Take a listen.
{Amazon}There’s a ghost that haunts this town – Steve Earle
Steve Earle. Still a hidden gem. He’s managed to fly just enough below the radar that when I’m asked who I listen to, and one of my replies is Steve Earle, it always elicits a “hmm, haven’t heard of him”, or “what kind of music does he play?”. I can’t say country. I can’t say alt-country. Roots rocker? Singer songwriter? No, too tame. Blues, rock, country, bluegrass, just plain old American is Mr. Earle. All wrapped up tight into one opinionated, fiery sonuvabitch.
Well, after a brief prison vacation in the early 90’s, Steve has released some of the best albums I will ever own. ‘I Feel Alright’, ‘Train a Comin’, ‘El Corazon’, ‘Jerusalem’, ‘Transcendental Blues’, last year’s ‘The Revolution Starts Now’. He keeps churnin’ em out.
Anyhow, I came across this acoustic live version of “Halo ‘Round the Moon” a few years ago. It’s probably my most frequently played tune in my Steve Earle collection. It’s short, sweet, intense, sad, and beautiful. I remember seeing somewhere that this was recorded live in Sweden, but I’m not sure. If anyone knows, please let me know. He starts out with an intro about Galway Bay, the River Carrib , and the Wolfe Tone Bridge. The studio version appears on ‘Transcendental Blues’, which Steve wrote during a months-long stay in Galway. I hope someone out there enjoys it as much as I do (and the guy at the 2:06 mark who lets out a primal “EAAGGH”.
See Steve’s Official Web Site
Steve Earle Original Unofficial Site
Check out Steve’s albums on Amazon
Find out more about Steve on All Music Guide.From the Swamps of N’awlins
Our next quality tune comes to you from Chris Whitley’s debut album, “Living with the Law”, released back in 1991 (where the $^#& does the time go?! crap, I’m getting old). This tune is one of the shining moments on the album. This album was produced by Malcolm Burn in Daniel Lanois’ New Orleans mansion.
Mr. Burn has put his stamp on several projects through the years: the Neville Brothers’ “Yellow Moon” album, Midnight Oil, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris’ “Red Dirt Girl”, John Mellencamp’s “Human Wheels”, not to mention a photography credit on Bruce Cockburn’s “Charity of Night” album. So for some swampy, dirty, rootsy blues-rock, here’s a killer tune from Mr. Whitley:
