I realized recently that I think maybe a duo is the optimum configuration for a “band”. I’m sure some psychologist could explain it, but it just seems the shared sound comes through more purely. Bands tend to have a leader and it’s generally obvious who that it is. With a duo, everything just seems more […]
Sarah Siskind – Modern Appalachia
With most of us home full-time now, it’s fortuitous that Sarah Siskind is releasing a musical tale of discovery of her home this week. Entitled Modern Appalachia, it weaves together lyrical musings of her recent mountainous lifestyle and fusion jazz instrumental influences. All of it gels into an autological definition of modern Appalachia. Several songs […]
In Memoriam – John Prine
For me, it was Bruised Orange. The album had come out about the time I’d started a stint as a radio DJ, and everyone at the station had their favorite cut (mine was Fish And Whistle). As music fans did back then, we dug into the liner notes, and soon discovered an entire new world […]
Western Centuries – Call the Captain
You could probably write a book about how bands are formed. Some are born as school friends playing in a forgiving parent’s garage. Other have a process-based beginning, with formal recruitment and auditions. I think I’d take a bet that many of the most successful started with a mutual love of something that became foundational […]
Jesse Daniel – Rollin’ On
It’s like the beer bottle you never saw coming. One moment, everything’s fine. The next, you’re looking up to the underside of the table. Jesse Daniel, on his latest record, Rollin’ On, wields a Bakersfield bucket of sound like a drunk with a longneck, intent on righting a mighty load of wrongs. The album blasts […]
Saints Eleven Premiere – The Crown
Saints Eleven is garnering a lot of attention in the Texas country music scene, especially since they won the Texas Country Music Association’s Band of the Year award last year. Their last record, Coming Back Around, really showcased the band’s red dirt, almost rock and roll, but country in the end, sound. They have a […]
Trout Steak Revival – The Light We Bring
For me, a certain style of bluegrass instantly brings back random memories of sunny, summer days outside listening to music. Many call that style front-range, or Colorado bluegrass. I suppose that all makes sense since, aside from John Hartford, much of my early bluegrass influence came from Hot Rize and New Grass Revival. That, in […]
Pi Jacobs – Two Truths And A Lie
“Divorce…whiskey…legal problems…cheaters…lies. I’m a pro at what not to do.” Whatever story comes next, it’s going to be a good one. That line comes from Broken Cup, the opening cut on Pi Jacobs’ latest release, and what comes next is indeed good. Two Truths And A Lie is collage of stories about female characters that […]
Glenn Jones – Ready For the Good Times
Some songwriters have a sort of osmosis whereby they can synthesize wonderful stories from the lives of people they meet, or sometimes just read about. Others are destined to write about the life they live and live the life they write about. Glenn Jones seems to be cut from the cloth of the latter. He […]
Nick Pagliari – Midway
You can picture it, the big old Impala cruising slowly down the street, spring humidity from the nearby river making late spring feel like mid-summer, the music from the radio originating from the nearby Stax Studio. Memphis in the late 60’s gave rise to a soulful line of rock, resplendent with horns and electric organ. […]