In The Spotlight: "I'm With Her"

Okay, this was my political status once, but this post is not about politics. It's about a new band that I just found and I have to share it with you. You know that finding new music is one of my greatest joys in life. I'm thrilled to have stumbled across this trio today. Actually, I'm a little surprised they weren't already on my radar; they have apparently been making music together since 2014. 

Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O'donovan 

I've been a fan of Nickle Creek for many years; back when Sara Watkins was just a young girl. And I first heard of Sarah Jarosz back in 2010. Her first album was so amazing and I was blown away; it was great, original music, and she was so young. I think she was 18 or 19 at the time. She took a break to go to school before releasing her next album. I was less familiar with Aoife O'donovan and Crooked Still, but plan to remedy that.  The three of them together add up to an Americana supergroup. Each of these Grammy and Americana Award winners brings her own flavor and personality to the mix, but when they blend, it's as if their voices become one instrument. 

The three first performed together as an impromptu collaboration at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2014. In 2015 they began to play together more and more at music festivals, and then they began writing together.  They recently announced their first album, titled "See You Around," is due out in February, and they are starting a world tour. I've been listening to songs from the album, plus some covers they have performed, and I am loving them. With Sara playing fiddle, Sarah on mandolin and Aoife playing guitar or even piano, and their voices blending and complimenting each other perfectly... they are a joy to the ears. I do plan to add this to my music files next month, but in the meantime, enjoy these videos. They are not only nice on the ears, they aren't too hard on the eyes either. Their beauty, youth and love of the music they are creating are a pleasure.

Very nice cover of John Hiatt's "Crossing Muddy Water."



Another cover, a Utah Phillips tune this time. Just lovely...



And one more, covering Adele. I love these girls!


Stay tuned for more from I'm With Her.

What do you think of this new trio?

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977)

On this day in music history, Elvis left the building for the last time.

What a voice. Wow.

I was ten years old when Elvis died, and even at that age, I knew something special had been lost from the world. 




What's your favorite Elvis song?

New Lizzie Cook - Finally

It's about time!  Y'all know what a big Elizabeth Cook fan I am, so you know that I'm thrilled she has finally released a new album, "Exodus of Venus."  And, you know what?  It was well worth the wait!  This is some kick ass music.  Wow.

When I met her a few years ago in Chattanooga, I told her that I liked all of her stuff, but was partial to "Welder."  She replied that "Welder" was the closest she had been able to get (so far) to the music she wanted to make.  Her first hit "Balls" was total Big Nashville exploitation of a pretty blonde with a twangy accent.  Who can blame her for making the music she was being paid to make, all the while writing her own sound and waiting patiently.

I'll say again, it was worth the wait.  I'm just on my first listen as I write this.  I had heard "Evacuation" a few days ago, and was blown away.  This is not "Booty"... this is real music.  A little bit gritty, which I like.  A little bit sad, which I like.  A whole lot of great lyrics and a rocking band, which I love.  Just a great album.


Now, I'm going to listen to it again!








Let me know what you think about Lizzie's new sound!

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Featured Artist/Album: Little Country Giants "Dead Reckoning"

My goodness.  I am loving this album.  Give it a listen.  I'm trying to pick a favorite, but having a hard time.  I like the harmony and trade off's on  "Alright To Be Wrong."  "Spark In The Dark" kinda broke my heart.  Good stuff!

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What do you think?

RIP David Bowie

January 8, 1947 - January 10, 2016

David Robert Jones, known professionally as David Bowie, was an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, arranger, painter and actor.  He was a figure in popular music for over four decades, and was known as an innovator.  His influence on pop music is unique; he reinvented his own image multiple times and constantly challenged the core belief of rock music of every decade since the 60's.

I personally knew and loved the song "Space Oddity" as long as I can really remember.  And "Changes" represented the angst of my teen years.  But, sometime during the year I turned 18, one of our famous "midnight movie road trips to Atlanta" put me in the theater watching the movie "Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars Farewell Tour."  I'm only kinda joking when I say that it changed my life.  Maybe you could say I grew up a bit sheltered, but there was something about seeing this amazingly beautiful and talented man just doing and being whatever he wanted, and doing it so well, that I found very liberating.

My younger brother bought me the cassette tape of that farewell concert, and I literally wore it out.  It played in my car constantly throughout my late teens and early 20's.  To this day, I can quote and sing pretty much the entire show.

But, David Bowie was so much more than Ziggy Stardust.  Throughout every incarnation of his iconic career, he continued to challenge what was expected; to break ground with new and different sounds and styles.  From his "plastic soul" sound, the Thin White Duke, to 'Scary Monsters,' 'Tin Machine,' collaborations with other super stars like Queen, Mick Jagger and more.  He was also an accomplished actor.  One of my favorite memories will always be the Goblin King from "Labyrinth."

"You remind me of the babe."
"What babe?"
"The babe with the power."
"What power?"
"The power of voodoo."
"Who do?"
"You do."
"Do what?"
"Remind me of the babe."








In a strange turn of events, this iconic star released his 25th and now final album on his 69th birthday, January 8...  just 2 days before his death.




It is reported that David Bowie had been fighting cancer for the last 18 months.  I saw a rumor saying it was liver cancer, but his family has not confirmed.
Fuck Cancer.  It has taken another life from the world far too soon.


"Not only is it the last show of the tour...it's the last show that we'll ever do."



What is your favorite David Bowie song?

Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem

I saw this interview with one of my favorite bands on No Depression this week and thought I would share.  It's an interesting read.

Playful and profound: Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem

http://nodepression.com/interview/playful-and-profound-rani-arbo-and-daisy-mayhem

Playful and profound are perfect words to describe Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem.

I was first introduced to them right at 5 years ago.  I remember listening to them one evening and then being haunted by them for days afterwards.  If memory serves, I immediately downloaded 2 of their cd's and played them over and over.

Some songs are playful to the point of silly...my favorite being their version of "Singing in the Bathtub."

But then they hit you in the gut with something like "Heart With No Companion."  

A couple more of my favorites...

On This Day In Music History...

On this day in 1962, two Jazz greats went into Rudy Van Gelder's Hackensack studio to record their album, simply titled "Duke Ellington & John Coltrane". 

The 63-year-old Ellington was a legend, and Coltrane, at a mere 36, was becoming one of the biggest and brightest young stars in the Jazz world.

In the LP's notes, Coltrane wrote that he was honored to have the opportunity to work with Duke, musing that Ellington "has set standards I haven’t caught up with yet."

Here's a video clip of the two performing "In A Sentimental Mood".

What are you listening to today?

In The Spotlight: Grace Potter

This month we find the lovely and talented Grace Potter in the spotlight.

Born in Vermont in 1983, Grace Potter grew up in music.  She learned to play piano from her mother, and sang in school choir, later performing in regional theater, festivals and productions.  While attending St. Lawrence University, she met drummer Matt Burr at an open mic night.  The two started dating, and formed the band, the Nocturnals, in 2002.  (Potter and Burr were married a few years ago.)

The band began as an Indie band, self-producing their albums and touring extensively.  The music has certainly gotten attention.  With five albums under their belt, the multi-talented front woman and amazing band have definitely earned their place in the spotlight.  Grace's new album, "Midnight", is her first solo project and is being met with mixed reviews.  Many claim it is too "pop" and not up to the soulful standard of her previous offerings.

But, with her combination of good looks and talent, Grace has made her mark on the pop and Americana music scene.  She's even known in the country music circles thanks to her collaborations with Kenny Chesney.  She plays keyboards and guitar, writes and sings, and brings an enormous amount of energy to everything she does.

Listen to more of Grace's music:

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Buy Grace's muisic:



Who would you like to see in the spotlight?

New Jason Isbell Album Released Today

Today is something of a holiday for Americana music lovers!  Jason Isbell's long awaited new album, "Something More Than Free" released today.  I'm listening as we speak, and it does not disappoint.

One song, "24 Frames" had been released for early listening weeks ago, so I already knew we were in for a treat.  It's pretty typical Isbell...thought-provoking lyrics about real life, the working man and trying to make the best of the life you're given while all the while knowing there should be more.  His writing just gets better and better.  The arrangements are simple for the most part.  Wife Amanda Shires can be heard on many of the songs, on violin and vocals.

Every song is good.  On first listen, I think "Children of Children," "Speed Trap Town" and "To A Band That I Loved" are my favorites.  But, as the last song ends, I'm hitting repeat for another go 'round.  Will most likely do that a couple more times before this day is done.  There aren't too many things better than listening to such great music for the first time.  Happy day!

For your listening pleasure:

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If you aren't familiar with Jason Isbell, do yourself a favor and remedy that situation. Learn more:

 In The Spotlight: Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires




What do you think of the new album?

In The Spotlight: Blaze Foley

I was first turned on to Blaze Foley five years ago, and immediately couldn't help but wonder where he had been all my life.

Born Michael David Fuller in Arkansas, he grew up in Texas where he performed in a gospel band with his family, The Singing Fuller Family.

After leaving home in the early 1970's, he moved to Atlanta where he played and performed, taking on the nickname "Deputy."  It was there he met Sybel Rosen.

The two were in love and it was through her encouragement that Deputy began to write songs.  They lived in a tree house in the north Georgia woods.  One of Deputy's first original songs was "Livin' In The Woods In A Tree."  Rosen has since written a book with the same title, recounting her years with Deputy/Blaze.  She tells of watching him transform from the shy, reticent hippie into the enigmatic and headstrong musician he was to become.


An interesting side story to this Spotlight story is that my first cousin knew Deputy back in the days in Atlanta.  Terry lived in north Georgia back in the '70's.  More precisely, he lived in a tepee in north Georgia; Carrolton, I think.  My cousin has many stories of his own that may or may not make their way into my novel one of these days, but as the "guy that lived in the tepee" he came to know "the guy who lived in a tree house."  He tells me stories of sitting around recording as Deputy would play and sing his original songs, sometimes as he was writing them.  They recorded on EIGHT TRACK TAPES!  And, when the tapes started getting full, they would record over them.  Terry actually thinks there is a slim chance he still has some of the tapes somewhere in a box.

Changing his name to Blaze Foley, Michael Fuller/Deputy did finally record an album, but carried the master tapes around with him in his car from which they were stolen.  Somewhere, somebody has some of these old recordings.

After several years in Georgia, Blaze eventually decided to go searching for fame.  He moved to Chicago, then Houston and finally Austin, TX.

It was in Austin that he met Townes Van Zandt, who probably did more than anyone else to help Blaze's career.

Blaze was well received and began to build a name for himself. But, he would inevitably manage to ruin it with his unusual ways. He was blunt and a very heavy drinker.  Many clubs wouldn't put up with him.

Blaze became known as the Duct Tape Messiah.  It started when he was making fun of the Urban Cowboy look, with the rhinestones and big buckles, and he began to decorate his clothes with duct tape, mocking them. He put silver tips on his boots, and later he even made a suit out of duct tape.  When he died, his coffin was covered in duct tape.

He would go long periods without speaking at all.

But, in spite of his social troubles, he was an incredible song writer.  He has been referred to as the "songwriters song writer."

His song "If I Could Only Fly" is one of the most beautiful songs - ever...in my humble opinion.  Said to have been written for then girlfriend Sybel, it was the song that finally took Blaze up to another level.  His biggest fame came from Merle Haggard recording it.  Merle has said that he loved the song because it said everything he would have said himself.



Merle does a real nice job, but I'm partial to Blaze himself singing it...



In 1989 Blaze Foley was shot and killed.  Townes Van Zandt told a story in which he and his musicians went to Foley's grave to dig up his body because they wanted the pawn ticket that Foley had for Townes' guitar!  Townes wrote the song "Blaze's Blues" about his friend, and reportedly composed "Marie," a song about a homeless couple, on Blaze's guitar after Blaze had died.  Lucinda Williams' song "Drunken Angel" is a tribute to Blaze Foley.

Foley's music is featured prominently in a feature-length documentary film about his life entitled "Blaze Foley: Duct Tape Messiah," released in 2011 by filmmaker Kevin Triplett.
I fully enjoyed this film and highly recommend it.

Watch the documentary here:
Duct Tape Messiah: Blaze Foley
https://vimeo.com/103775158



Listen to more of Blaze Foley's music here:

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Who would you like to see in the spotlight?

Are You Trapped In A Tom Waits Song?

Just a little something fun for today...
Love me some Tom Waits!

Warning Signs That You May Be Trapped

 In A Tom Waits Song

http://www.somethingawful.com/news/tom-waits-characters/

Are you trapped in a Tom Waits song?

New Song From Jason Isbell

RIP Percy Sledge

Famed R&B singer Percy Sledge died this morning in Baton Rouge, LA.  He was 73 years old.

The Alabama native, most known for his classic 1966 hit "When a Man Loves a Woman," which reach No. 1 on the charts, died after a long battle with cancer, his agent of 35 years added.

Sledge had been singing for the past 50 years and music was released under his name all the way till 2013 with "The Gospel of Percy Sledge."

According to Sledge's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame bio, his hit "'When a Man Loves a Woman' topped the R&B and pop charts for multiple weeks and raised the bar for soul balladeering for all time. Yet Sledge’s career didn’t end with that momentous first single. Over the years he racked up a dozen hits at Atlantic, including 'Warm and Tender Love,' 'It Tears Me Up,' 'Out of Left Field' and 'Take Time to Know Her.'"

His most-famous song was inspired by real life events. "When a Man Loves a Woman" was about "a girl who left Sledge for another guy," his bio reads.  Sledge "was working as a hospital orderly when he began playing clubs and frat parties," shortly before his big break.

In 1989, Sledge earned the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Career Achievement Award and in 2005, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

Here he is singing his iconic song.  Many people have covered it, but nobody sang it quite like Percy.

What did Percy Sledge and this great song mean to you?

In The Spotlight: Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires

If you know me very well, it’s probably no surprise for you to find Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires in the spotlight.  Each a talented musician in their own right, they are married and recently announced that they are expecting their first baby.  They often tour together, and Jason, who is currently recording a new album, has said that Amanda will be in the studio with him a lot more on this album than the last.  He said when they were recording 'Southeastern,' she was busy planning their wedding!

I discovered Amanda Shires while browsing new music on Amazon about 4 years ago.  She was suggested to me based on other purchases, it was on sale, so I took a chance.  Turned out to be a good find.  I instantly fell in love with a couple of songs, “Angels & Acrobats” and “Days In Blankets.”  I own her first two albums and listen to her frequently.  Her voice is sweet, her songs tend to be light and sometimes downright whimsical.  “Bulletproof” is a fun one.

Tiger Bill gave me a tiger claw from a real Siberian tiger paw and said,
"This'll make you bulletproof."
So I've got this tiger claw from a real Siberian tiger paw, in my front pocket.
And i'm thinkin' now, what if i really could be bulletproof

Jason Isbell was with the Drive By Truckers from 2001-2007.  He recorded and wrote songs on 3 albums with DBT’s before going solo in 2007.  His current band is the 400 Unit, which includes former members of Drivin’ N Cryin’ and Son Volt.  Isbell starting drinking heavily and got into drugs during his time with the DBT’s and continued into his early solo career.  In 2012, his now wife Amanda Shires, with the help of Ryan Adams, managed to get him into rehab.  Now sober, he talks about his days of whiskey and cocaine, says he doesn’t remember much about the good days with the Truckers or his early success, and claims he would probably be dead by now if not for Amanda.  

Currently recording his 5^th album, Isbell has earned his place among Americana royalty.  His lyrics are intelligent and thoughtful, the songs are well written and he is just so damn good.  He is currently my favorite musical artist.  Among my favorite songs are “Cigarettes and Wine,” “Alabama Pines,” and “Cover Me Up.”

So girl leave your boots by the bed, we ain't leavin' this room
Til someone needs medical help or the magnolias bloom
It's cold in this house and I ain't goin' out to chop wood
So cover me up and know you're enough to use me for good

Listen to more of Jason and Amanda's music:

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Who would you like to see in the spotlight?

In The Spotlight: The Black Lillies

The Spotlight is on The Black Lillies, an Americana band from Knoxville Tennessee, founded by Cruz Contreras in early 2009. They have been described as a blend of country, alt-rock, neo-folk and mountain music.  Harmony vocalist Trisha Gene Brady has a strong voice that blends well with Cruz, the band is tight and the songs are well written with thoughtful lyrics.  They have an infectious energy and are known for their fun live shows.  Their song "Two Hearts" won the Independent Music Award for Best Song.  It's probably no big surprise that I'm partial to the ballads, but these guys can rock!

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Who would you like to see in the spotlight?

Happy Birthday Townes Van Zandt

The late great Townes Van Zandt was born on this day in 1944.  He was lost to the world much too soon, passing away on January 1, 1997.  He left behind such a repertoire of amazing songs, many of which have been covered by Steve Earle, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, The Rolling Stones and more.

Here are a few of my faves.