Music Fog

Chuck Prophet - ¡Let Freedom Ring!

Chuck Prophet's new CD ¡Let Freedom Ring! is out today. It was recorded earlier this year in Mexico City in the midst of the swine flu outbreak, with surgical masks as de rigueur daily wear. Leaving the country afforded Prophet a perspective, to make as he states, "a political album for non-political people." It is rich with hauntingly familiar sonics, and pro-biotic lyrics. For a bit more insight into Chuck's epicenter, check out his just posted list of favorite films, and why, on the Indie Ear Blog at IFC.com. While you are reading, take a listen to these tunes from ¡Let Freedom Ring!

-Jessie

1. Sonny Liston's Blues - tight, dark, dirty
3. Where The Hell Is Henry? - wailing guitars, wielded like machine guns
4. ¡Let Freedom Ring! - can you say Exile On Main Street?
5. You And Me Baby (Holding On) - sweet yet sorrowful
8. Hot Talk - drivin'...insistent
9. Love Won't Keep Us Apart - a country infused pondering
11. Leave The Window Open - man in love philosophic observation

Robert Earl Keen - The Rose Hotel

I owe a debt of gratitude to Robert Earl Keen. No, it's not what you think; his fearless leadership in the Texas Music movement by walking the path, showing the way. Nor is it for introducing me to Reckless Kelly when I was at Gavin and countless other artists. Robert is an inspired voice for the common good. But it is not that either. It is for branding his radio show The Texas Uprising, and bringing it to us at X Country...REK graciously allowing us an insight into the camraderie of his world. The Rose Hotel is the latest incarnation. Produced by Lloyd Maines, with an endearing and massively talented cast of characters, Robert Earl makes it look easy. Here are some highlight tracks.

-Jessie

1. The Rose Hotel - breezy, vintage REK

2. Flyin' Shoes - lovingly, faithfully delivered Townes tune

3. Throwin' Rocks - got yer bad ass blues right heah

4. 10,000 Chinese Walk Into A Bar - take a joke line, turn it into a kaleidoscope of visuals

5. Something I Do - reggae tinged resignation

6. The Man Behind The Drums - sweet homage to Mr. Helm

11. Wireless In Heaven - old school vibe meets cutting edge clever

 Robert Earl Keen - The Rose Hotel

The 4th Annual Red Dirt Roundup

Saturday dawned bright and hot, and after a four hour drive north, we were at the fabled Ft. Worth Stockyards, yes, the very place from which we aired Willie's 4th of July Picnics. I had wanted to broadcast the Red Dirt Roundup since its inception, but September is such a busy event month, we (X Country) were never able to make it happen. Heck, I could never even get to attend it, so this was my first time!

Great to see the Smith Music Group people and just super to partake of an amazing lineup handpicked by CCR. Missed the folks at the beginning of the day: Bart Crow Band, Brandon Jenkins, Johnny Cooper, and Stephanie Briggs,  We got there at the end of the Seth James set. He has a smokin' new CD out, That Kind Of Man, a break-out for him.

Cross Canadian Ragweed - Happiness And All The Other Things

Jessi is intrepid! There are deer that roam free all over the place here, and she perks up her ears and looks as if she will stalk them. She weighs all of three pounds. We are dogsittin' for Jessi (named after Jessi Colter) and she is the little love of Shannon and Cody Canada.

After all, it is release week, and there is much to do. And much to listen to on this wonderful CD ! First off, Cross Canadian Ragweed is celebrating their 15th Anniversary, and they also are dedicating Happiness And All The Other Things to the memory of long-time Willie stage manager Poodie Locke. Now let me tell you that I love Ragweed….and this album, well!!! There is a maturation to this collection, and they have never sounded better. It totally steps it up, and that's saying something. Here's my favs:
Cut 1: "51 Pieces" - drivin', haunting, hook-y as hell
Cut 3: "Burn Like The Sun" - guitars scorching, great harmonies
Cut 4: "To Find My Love" - Jeremy Plato at the mic, tight, tuneful, tasty
Cut 5: "Drag" - sweet swagger and 'tude
Cut 7: "Overtable" - balls to the wall rocker
Cut 9: "Pretty Lady" - restrained yet jubilant, in the pocket sonic layers
Cut 10: "Tomorrow" - instantly memorable
Cut 12: "My Chances" - just beautiful: lyrics, production, everything!

And there are not to miss live bonus tracks…heck…collect them all!

- Jessie -

Elliot Randall "Take The Fall" - Here's Jessie

As we await a brand new release and the tour getting started, we are revisiting the album that turned us on to Elliot Randall at X Country, Take The Fall. San Franciscan Randall has a sweet voice, a keen eye, a deft hand with lyrics, and a great command of production dynamics. By the way, a couple of bonus tracks have been added since the original release! What a good album this is! We can hardly wait for the third one! My recommended tracks for you POD-ing pleasure:

 

Cut 1 "How To Get Old" -  great hook as country meets rock meets pop

Cut 3 "Second Time Around" - a modern classic

Cut 4 "Take The Fall" - Luscious, brooding

Cut 5 "Everything Reminds Me of You" -  countrified singer songwriter fare

Cut 6 "Don't Give Up On Me" - tuneful, sentimental, and driving

Cut 9: "We Don't Talk Like We Used To" - gentle, aching

Cut 10: "Leaving This Town" - pure fun- hands in the air

Cut 11 "Red Velvet Curtains" - new bonus track - cogent, relatable, rockin'

Gina Villalobos new CD "Days On Their Side"

It's our first sponsored event! Music Fog is getting ready for the California tour with Elliot Randall and Gina Villalobos, and so we are going to bring you review of Gina's 4th CD, which just came out. She of the reedy voice, and that wonderful tough -yet vulnerable dichotomy. You might recall that legendary BBC announcer Bob Harris heralded her 2005 debut Rock N Roll Pony as "a contender for album of the year." Villalobos music is informed by her California childhood, and the stuff her parents turned her on to from the 70's, Willie and Waylon, Kristofferson, and Ronstadt. Her music resonates with the tunefulness, the attention to craft, plus brings an Alt. sensibility that anchors it firmly in TODAY.

- Jessie -

 
Cut 1 "Take A Beating" - aching lyrics, stop time instrumentation
Cut 3 "String It Out" - a bit of talk-singing, beautiful guitar fills
Cut 4: "Ring Around My Room" - love the melody, pure and true
Cut 5 "Crazy"- the jingle jangle lives here
Cut 8 "Pictures Of Pictures" -dreamy, beautiful
Cut 9 "Falling Away" - alternately quiet and big
Cut 11 "Second Chance" - wound tight lyric, driving chorus

Americana Revolution Review #006: Todd Snider

Todd Snider is aging like fine Kool-Aid, fine-tuning the songwriting to an eminently digestible delivery machine for moods, 'tudes and iconoclasty. The new album The Excitement Plan fits like your favorite faded pair of baggy jeans, the ones you might try to replace, but never quite find that same shape. Produced by the legendary Don Was, nothing screams on this album, it's all just comfy stuff. Pay special attention to:

Greencastle Blues - Introspective, sweet, easy

America's Favorite Pastime - a sure to be classic; the saga of Dock Ellis pitching a no-hitter on LSD, enuf said

Doll Face - in the Tom Waits trad,  a gentle hard time story song

The Last Laugh - immortally relatable in the pocket lyrics

Barefoot Champagne - Dixieland infused, the male/female nexus considered….again

Don't Tempt Me - a rousing co-write, and co-sing with Miss Loretta Lynn, honky tonk piano supplied by the amazing Jen Gunderman

-With love from Jessie Scott

Americana Revolution Review #005: Charlie Robison

Charlie Robison is all the way back. It has been 5 years since there has been an album from him, and Beautiful Day finds him in great form. Some are calling this his divorce album, but for me it's all about rebirth. Cogent lyrics, incredible production, and feel good vibe; forgive me for this, but here goes my favorite tracks...I might just recommend them all...well almost!

Beautiful Day - sweet pop, tasty production

Yellow Blues - recalls a folk rock swagger

Down Again - confessional with Beatlesque flourishes

Nothin' Better To Do - a new anthem, I can see the whole audience singing along with beer hoisted

Feelin' Good - ya got to remember it doesn't take more than intent to be happy

Middle Of The Night - eureka, it's where you find yourself

She's So Fine - this one rocks

Racing In The Streets - Soulful stuff, perfect choice of tunes to cover

-With love from Jessie Scott

Americana Revolution Review #004: Melissa McClelland

At the risk of confusing you with similar names, we bring you a review from Melissa McClelland, she of a voice like a  cool breeze, produced by her husband  Luke Doucet. Her new album "Victoria Day" celebrates all kinds of rootsy Americana flavors: a mélange of country, big band, jazz, with a rock and roll sensibility. And of course, anything we can do to bring more women into the spotlight, we are all about that. She recently took a road trip on Route 66 from Chicago to The Santa Monica Pier, which was chronicled for a documentary called "Pedal To Steel." Her new album is available on her website, as well as iTunes. Check out these tracks.

A Girl Can Dream - stripped down soft shoe blues

Glenrio - take a jaunty walk

God Loves Me - haunting gospel

Victoria Day (April Showers) - yum! my favorite track on the album

Victoria Day (May Flowers) - honky tonky part deux

I Blame You - incongruous influences on this great American songbook style track

Brake - heartbreakingly beautiful in its simplicity

-With love from Jessie Scott

Americana Revolution Review #003: Chuck Mead

Chuck Mead has way too much fun marrying the story songs back to the emphatic and energetic music. And about dang time it is for this long awaited solo album from the BR549 frontman: Journeyman's Wager. What you have here is a full spectrum of flavors. Finger licking good, I might add. Lots of wonderful layering of instruments, thanks to the deft production hand of Ray Kennedy, and stellar sidemen Kenny Vaughn, Audley Freed, Mark Miller, Mark Horn, Dave Roe, Mike Henderson, Pat Sivers and Jen Gunderman.  And Chuck is in fine form, it will make you feel good! Pay special attention to:

Out On The Natchez Trail - pure spunk, oh yeah, it takes you there!

Gun Metal Gray - slow burning blues

I Wish It Was Friday - this one bounces and rolls so easy

After The Last Witness Is Gone - Southern roadhouse swagger

In A Song - stone country, major sweet, sing along

Old Brown Shoe - hypnotic drums and keys, with touches of 60's sensibility, this kicks

--With love from Jessie Scott