THE PLAYLIST
I Can’t Do Crazy (Anymore), Willie Nile (from the River House Records release If I Was a River)
Nile has been letting his guitar do the talking for the past several years, throwing down rock records that should be the envy of musicians a fraction of his age. This one is a little different as Nile opts for piano over guitar and recording solo rather than with his band. The sound may surprise some listeners but I expect they’ll quickly get drawn in by the beauty of these performances. The songs have a classic, almost theatrical quality, to them and the emotion in Nile’s voice and playing are enchanting.
Fences, Dina Regine (from the Diva Diva Music release Right On, Alright)
New York City singer-songwriter Regine took a musical trip back in time to the 1960’s and 1970’s to find inspiration for her latest release. The result is something special — a little bit of blues, a little bit of country and a whole lotta gritty soul.
Long Way Down, The Contenders (from the self-released ep Meet the Contenders)
The press release that accompanied the debut ep from Jay Nash and Josh Day described the duo’s first meeting this way: “They both loved the Band and whiskey, so the eventual collaboration was inevitable.” The Band and whiskey? Sign me up! Needless to say, they don’t disappoint. The five songs here flow with a great rootsy feel and magnetic harmonies.
The Best That I Can, Sam Llanas (from the Daystorm / Sam Llanas Music release The Whole Night Thru)
The Bodeans founder is now walking a solo path and it suits him well. He’s got one of the more distinctive voices in rock and roll, full of character and the perfect match for the brawny songs that make up this release.
Sisters, Radical Face (from the Nettwerk Music Group release The Bastards Volume 3)
I didn’t know anything about Radical Face when I stumbled across this release. The title and cover image simply caught my eye so I gave it a spin. The story is intriguing – “The Bastards” collection of eps comprises songs that were recorded for, but didn’t quite fit on, his ambitious Family Tree project (which chronicles a fictitious 19th century family). The bastards, so to speak, stand tall in their own right, vivid and evocative aural portraits.
You can download the entire “The Bastards” series here.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Will the Wolf Survive (live), Los Lobos (from the Warner Brothers Records release How Will the Wolf Survive?)
So the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2015 was recently announced and, much to my dismay, Los Lobos are still not on the list. Maybe next year, or are they just another band from East L.A.?
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.