“My dream came true. I saw America changed through music.” As a Grammy Awards audience acknowledged his genius, a frail Harry Smith, months before his death, basked in the recognition that had eluded him for a half century. The importance of his landmark Anthology of American Folk Music cannot be overstated: it is often credited […]
J.J. Cale with Eric Clapton & More, Album Previews
THIS WEEK’S ELITE: J.J. Cale & Eric Clapton, The Road to Escondido (Reprise) J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton offer a nice surprise to an otherwise ho hum week for releases. roots WORTH MENTION: Foo Fighters, Skin and Bones (RCA) Dave Matthews Band, The Best of What’s Around (Disc 1) (RCA) Dave Matthews Band, The Best […]
Loomer – Songs of the Wild West Island
When asked about remaking his favorite songs, Scott Loomer remarked, “You don’t cover ‘Crazy’ unless you’re Patsy Cline, which we’re not.” That’s a taste of the wit and wisdom that makes Loomer (the band) so appealing. No flash, no pretense, Songs from the Wild West Island is just a solid batch of songs that pierce […]
San Saba County’s “Its Not the Fall that Hurts”, At a Glance
SXSW darlings, San Saba County, take us on an around-the-world bar hop from the saloon to the cantina then back to the saloon with their latest album, Its Not the Fall That Hurts. The beechwood-aged twangers’ second full-length album is thematically heavy on heartbreak and audibly represents a diversity of Texicano influences giving it a […]
Michelle Malone’s “Tighten Up the Springs”, a Download
From Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Michelle Malone’s latest release, Sugarfoot. “Tighten Up the Springs” (MP3) [audio:http://www.valley-entertainment.com/real_audio/15208_TRK1.mp3] Sugarfoot is the first release for the Georgia born Malone in three years. It’s a high-spirited stripped down blend of rootsy acoustic slide, gritty electric blues and explosive vocals – rock with just enough blues edge to get the medicine down. […]