2011: A Year in Music
06 Dec 2011 7 Comments
in Music Tags: Amanda Shires, B.J. Christy, Black Friday, Blake Clayton, Bloodshot Records, Bob Wayne, Caitlin Rose, Caleb Klauder, Chris Miler, Cracker Swamp Productions, Down in the Barnyard, El Santo Grial: La Pistola Piadosa, Facedown in the Dirt, Farmageddon Records, Foghorn Trio, Friend of the People, Hank 3, Hank Williams III, Hillgrass Bluebilly, Husky Burnette, IBWIP, It Burns When I Pee, James Hunnicutt, Jashie P., Jay-Z, Jayke Orvis, JB Beverley, Kanye West, Leroy Virgil, Lil Kilm, Little Lisa Dixie, Lone Wolf, Lucinda Williams, Lupe Black, Lupe Fiasco, Muddy Roots, Olds Sleeper, Outlaw Carnie, Outlaw Radio Chicago, Own Side Now, Plainspoken, Rachel Brooke, Rev. Nix, Rusty Knuckles, Seven Devils, Slackeye Slim, Soda, South Congress Sessions, Sud De La Louisiane, The Boomswagglers, The Dad Horse Experience, The Goddamn Gallows, Tim Pop, Triggerman, Willie Tea Taylor
What an amazing year for my underground favorites! Hank 3 became free, Muddy Roots was the festival of all festivals, the podcasting world became my CNN, and record labels turned out greatness like it’s their job.
As for hip-hop, I don’t have anything that gives off fireworks. ‘Lil Kim’s single “Black Friday” was an awesome dis war against Nicki Minaj but then face-planted with the ill planned release of her mixtape. The uber spectacle of Jay-Z and Kanye’s “Watch the Throne” just didn’t do it for me (though I kinda love the fun factor of the Otis video). There’s a new mixtape out by Lupe Fiasco called “Friend of the People” that’s been floating around. The final product is supposedly cancelled and what I’ve heard is very political and just what I’ve missed about hip-hop, but I’ll wait until the release to review it because I’m unsure if my copy’s legit.
A L B U M S :
Bob Wayne: Outlaw Carnie – As much as I think Bob Wayne walks on songwriting water, this cd is just too clean and polished for me. I’m too loyal to the previous releases of most of the songs. That said, I’m on the edge of my seat for his next release which will have the song I saw him write at Muddy Roots!
Caitlin Rose: Own Side Now – Thanks to Triggerman’s review, I bought this cd and it’s always somewhere in my rotation. The songs are well done and I look forward to listening to her future projects. (see video below)
Caleb Klauder’s Foghorn Trio: Sud De La Louisiane – I went to a house party where they played and was instantly captivated by their talent. I got a bit on YouTube and recommend this to anyone whose interested in the country French sounds of the Louisiana bayou. (see video below)
The Goddamn Gallows: Seven Devils – How I love this band! They are so talented and just about nothing beats their live shows. They reminds us why we love punk and what punk should be. More
The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams: My Review
20 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Music Tags: Alan Jackson, Hank 3, Hank Sr., Hank Williams, Hank Williams III, Hank3, Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, Picasso, The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams
This project is controversial to say the least. It’s as if someone found some rough Picasso sketches and asked you to finish them. How could you possibly even pick up a brush? I think Hank Sr. is the best songwriter in American history. There is not one flawed lyric in his entire collection. He was gifted. So a part of me thinks it’s blasphemy to even add your own assumed lyrics to his masterpieces. But then I came across Lucinda Williams’s “I’m So Happy I Found You” on youtube and every single time I hear it, I tear up. I heard she didn’t add any lyrics, just her simple guitar. It’s wonderful. And because of that I can’t stand on a soapbox and yell and scream about how wrong this whole thing is. So I’m going to give this a chance. I would greatly appreciate a PDF attachment of liner notes detailing who added what lyrics. I would have also greatly appreciated the input of his grandson, Hank 3. I don’t think he would have touched it with a ten foot pole, but I now have a wish to see him on stage sing with Lucinda. I think that might beautifully tear my heart right out. –my Amazon.com review
I’ve since listened to it and I think the top 3 songs are: “You’ve Been Lonesome, Too” by Alan Jackson, “How Many Times Have You Broken My Heart” by Norah Jones, and (obviously) “I’m So Happy I Found You” by Lucinda Williams.
Hank 3
17 Jul 2011 4 Comments
in Gigs I'm Going to See, Music Tags: Alan King, Attention Deficit Disorder, Cattle Callin, Dave Sherman, Ghost to a Ghost, Guttertown, Hank 3, Hank Williams III, Hellstomper, Les Claypool, Muddy Roots, Primus, The Masquerade, Tom Waits, Troy Medlin
The recent news that’s come out about Hank 3 is a flood of amazing. First of all, on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, he is releasing FOUR new post-Curb era CDs. He wants to come out of the gate strong and his creativity has apparently been a flowing. The first is a double-disc set of his country that we all know and love called Ghost to a Ghost / Guttertown. Guest appearances include the mythical Tom Waits on the haunted “Fadin Moon” from Guttertown and on the Ghost to a Ghost title track, Alan King of Hellstomper, Les Claypool of Primus fame and beyond, Dave Sherman, Troy Medlin and Hank3′s dog, Trooper. Also is the much anticipated release of his ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) album and a release called Cattle Callin, a mix of speed metal woven in and around actual cattle auctioneering. More
