Bluegrass in a concrete (er… iron) jungle. What’s not to like about that? Here is a video for song “Down Home Girl” from Old Crow Medicine Show’s August 29, 2006 release Big Iron World. Get this video and more at MySpace.com
Bob Dylan & More, Album Previews
THIS WEEK’S ELITE: Bob Dylan, Modern Times He never ceases to amaze. For many of the songs, the growling vocals are an acquired taste, but the songwriting is as strong as ever and the musicianship with the Never Ending Tour band makes the album unforgettable. Notable Tracks: “Thunder on the Mountain”, “Rollin’ and Tumblin’”, “Someday […]
Todd Snider and The Ginn Sisters, a Podcast by Ray Randall
Because no one delivers Americana podcasts quite like Ray Randall over at AmericanaRoots.com. This week Ray covers recent albums from Nashville-based rabble-rouser Todd Snider (The Devil You Know) and Austin-based harmonic siblings The Ginn Sisters (Blood Oranges). Listen to the podcast: RRR: Todd Snider and The Ginn Sisters [AmericanaRoots.com] [audio:http://www.americanaroots.com/content/CD-Reviews/Randalls-Random-Reviews/RRR-Todd-Snider-and-The-Ginn-Sisters.html]
Gerry Wall’s “Winter Grassâ€, Reviewed
He names the Jayhawks, Wilco, Mark Knopfler, Paul Kelly, J.J. Cale and Blue Rodeo as influences for Winter Grass, the third release from Ottawa’s Gerry Wall. You can almost see, taste and hear the vistas painted in the lyrics of this 10-song release with songs titled “Winter Grass” and “Willow Bluff”. Somehow these southeastern Canadian-born […]
Mid-year in Review, Pt. 3: Best of the Rest
Still catching up. Here’s four more releases that captured my attention in 2006. Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint: The River in Reverse If you have the time, click here for a marvelous read. It’s a list of Elvis Costello’s top 500 recommended albums — an extremely diverse list, which illustrates his willingness to embrace virtually […]
Danielle Howle’s “I’ll Be Blueâ€, a Download
[audio:http://www.valley-entertainment.com/real_audio/15206_TRK2.mp3] Danielle Howle delivers a twangy yet jazzy number called “I’ll Be Blue†off of her April ’06 release Thank You, Mark. Download “I’ll Be Blue” (MP3) Source: NoDepression.net
Mid-year in Review, Pt. 1: The Tributes
Hard to believe the year’s half over. I’m gonna beat the Christmas rush and muse about some notable releases from the first half of ’06. This week: the tribute albums. Sail Away: The Songs of Randy Newman One of the more fascinating releases this year, this tribute pairs Randy Newman’s songs of the South with […]
The Avett Brothers’ ‘Talk on Inodolence’, a Video
Sometimes it takes seeing a band perform live to realize how good they are. I’ve never had the opportunity to see the Avett Brothers in person but this video seems to capture the best of them and their quirky personality. The video includes some coverage from their Merlefest performance. Posted on YouTube by ramseurrecords.
Richard Thompson on Austin City Limits
Richard Thompson released a new DVD this week called 1000 Years of Popular Music. Unrelated to the release but in spirit of enjoying material from the great Richard Thompson, here’s a song captured at Austic City Limits. Posted by rspaceball on YouTube. technorati tags:richardthompson, austincitylimits, videos
Annie Keating’s “Take the Wheel” Reviewed
Somewhere in the dirt and grime of the Big Apple, you’ll find diamond in the rough, Annie Keating. Raised in Boston, now residing in New York, Keating is a city girl with a country heart. Her sound is pure Americana, twang-infused folk storytelling with blissful tooth and grit. She’s been compared to Kathleen Edwards, Gillian […]