Americana Roots

Defining Americana Music...

Americana Rock Mix: Episode 117 - Americana Femme Fatale Mix

In this episode, I feature a large amount of music by some of the best female independent Americana artists out there. And I ramble about my recent frustrations with the homeless people in my neighborhood.

Download the episode HERE

Music in this weeks episode:

- I Can Tell AND Stay Away From Me by Jo Wymer
(from Living With Scars)
www.JoWymer.com

- Sunshine Serenade AND Wasting Time by Sarah Blackwood
(from Wasting Time)
www.Myspace.com/SarahBlackwood

- Superman (Things Ain't Quite the Same) AND Legend by Forgotten By Friday
(from Believe)
www.ForgottenByFriday.com

- Burn AND All Her Ghosts by Star Anna & the Laughing Dogs
(from The Only Thing That Matters)
www.StarAnna.com

- I Was Happy by 13Ghosts
(from Liar's Melody)
www.13GhostsMusic.com

- Torn at the Seams by Lauderdale
(from Moving On)
www.Myspace.com/LauderdaleMusic

- Every Which Way by Musikanto
(from Sky Of Dresses)
www.MusikantoMusic.com

- Still Right Here AND This Time of the Year by Melissa Ferrick
(from Still Right Here)
www.MelissaFerrick.com

- Happy Lessons AND The Day You Died by Vespers
(from Tell Your Mama)
www.TheVespersBand.com

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E-Mail: Von@AmericanaRoots.com

Voice Mail: 813-458-5270

Listen twice a week! 10AM Wednesdays and 5PM Sundays on the Eclectic Heaven channel on LifeJive Radio at LifeJive.com

Website: www.AmericanaRockMix.com
Skype: ARockMix
Twitter:www.Twitter.com/ARockMix

Wilco, Live In Concert: NPR

From NPR's Website:
After releasing two back-to-basics albums of more traditional roots- and folk-rock tunes, Wilco is about to release its most sonically adventurous record in a decade. The Whole Love, which you can hear on NPR Music's First Listen series, is full of strange textures and unexpected twists, mixed with candy-flavored pop tunes, meditative acoustic cuts and noise-rock jams. From the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., Wilco highlighted the new record in a full concert, webcast live on NPR Music You can hear the entire performance.


http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=140669742&m=140801582

Americana Rock Mix: Live Archive - Hoots And Hellmouth Pt 2

Hoots & Hellmouth
January 28, 2010
Thunderbird Cafe
Pittsburrgh, PA

Download this episode HERE

Set list:

- Antebellum Tree
- West Of Where The Sun Goes Down (West Philadelphia)
- This Hand Is A Mighty Hand
- Rattle These Bones
- Asleep On The Couch
- The Good I Know You Know
- Roll, Brandywine, Roll
- What Good Are Plowshares If We Use Them Like Swords?
Encore
- Home For Supper

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E-Mail: Von@AmericanaRoots.com

Voice Mail: 813-458-5270

Listen twice a week! 10AM Wednesdays and 5PM Sundays on the Eclectic Heaven channel on LifeJive Radio at LifeJive.com

Blogsite: www.AmericanaRoots.com
Skype: ARockMix
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ARockMix

Americana Rock Mix: Episode 116 - It's Not Racist

Another straight forward show this time. Not a lot of talk, just really good music.

Download this episode HERE

Music in this episode:

- Heart Full Of Wanna AND Keep It Coming by Glossary
(from Long Live All Of Us)
www.Glossary.us

- Six Pack AND White Plain by Prison Book Club
(from Prison Book Club)
www.Facebook.com/PrisonBookClub

- Run Away With Me AND Tell Me What's on Your Mind by Three Bad Jacks
(from Pictures And Memories From Home)
www.ThreeBadJacks.com

- Nomad by Fate AND Meet You in the Middle by Chuck Ragan
(from Covering Ground)
www.ChuckRaganMusic.com

- Strike The Motion AND Into The Un by Mike Doughty
(from Yes And Also Yes)
www.MikeDoughty.com

- How Could I Lie AND Ophelia by Luke Temple
(from Don't Act Like You Don't Care)
www.Facebook.com/pages/LukeTemple/6152200673

- Behold The Hurricane AND Black Betty & the Moon by The Horrible Crowes
(from Elsie)
www.TheHorribleCrowes.com

- Hate, Rain On Me AND American Tune by Andrew Jackson Jihad
(from Knife Man)
www.AndrewJacksonJihad.com

 

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E-Mail: Von@AmericanaRoots.com

Voice Mail: 813-458-5270

Listen twice a week! 10AM Wednesdays and 5PM Sundays on the Eclectic Heaven channel on LifeJive Radio at LifeJive.com

Website: www.AmericanaRockMix.com
Skype: ARockMix
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ARockMix

Cheyenne Medders - Window Magic Volume 1



Cheyenne Medders
Window Magic Volume 1
Release Date: November 2, 2010
Submitted by: Rusty Hogan

Here is Cheyenne's Official Bio:

 
Cheyenne Medders was raised on a secluded square mile of Civil War battlefield north of Resaca, Georgia and has lived in Searcy, Arkansas and Nashville, Tennessee. He has been a songwriter from an early age, and is steadily building a music career as a producer, recording engineer and musician. He lives and sings for love, peace, joy and understanding. He is married to a lovely artist and collaborator named Priscilla. They travel and perform together often, and Cheyenne leads the band The Medders alongside his brothers Carson and Will. The Medders, in the style of The Band or Crazy Horse, often back other artists such as (their father) Jule Medders and Annie Williams. Cheyenne also performs and records with various artists and bands including The Kernal, The Nobility and The Non Commissioned Officers.

Recorded during the month of October 2010 on a Tascam 488 with a tape that had only 2.5 minutes of recording time, Window Magic Volume 1 is more or less a three song EP that if listened from beginning to end flows like one continuous love song. Early proceeds from the sale of the album were used to help pay for Cheyenne and his wife Priscilla's honeymoon. The format of this record is simple, just Cheyenne and a borrowed Gibson J-50. With limited tape available, each song had to be crafted and arranged to fit into the 'window' allowed, and what Cheyenne produced is simply 'magic,' and a joy to listen to.


http://cheyennemedders.bandcamp.com/album/window-magic-volume-1-a-triple 


141217071-1

(download)

Slaid Cleaves - Sorrow & Smoke (LIVE 2CD)

I have long been a fan of singer/songwriters who write and sing their songs with passion. Those that can captivate you with a single lyric from their song, and keep you listening on the edge of your seat for that next nugget you got to have. Addicted to their genius…envious of their abilities…drawn like a moth to a light…these artists create feelings within that we need to feel…and while listening time seems to almost stop just for you so you can enjoy it in all its splendor.

Slaid Cleaves is one of these artists with the ability to stimulate your intellect and charm your inner soul all at the same time. His latest release Sorrow & Smoke is a live 2CD release recorded from the Horseshoe Lounge in Austin,Texas. While it is true that some live CD’s in the past have failed to capture the energy of the artist, that is certainly not the case here. The sound quality is exceptional, mixed in with the live bar noise, you are sitting front and center listening to a true musical master.

Included on the 2 CD’s are 21 songs that each add to a very enjoyable experience. This is mostly acoustic, Slaid alone with his guitar, at times accompanied by friends Michael O’Connor playing acoustic or harmony vocals, or Oliver Steck on accordion, harmonica, trumpet (which adds great depth), and harmony vocals. The inclusion of crowd banter or having fun with his band mates here adds to the relaxed atmosphere.

Slaid plays most of his best songs, so his fans will be very pleased. The first disc is stocked fully from the opening song Hard to Believe, to other favorites such as Drinkin’ Days, No Angel Knows, Below, Sinners Prayer, Broke Down, Wishbones, and closing with New Years Day. Time slips by quickly as you ease through each amazing song.

As if that were not enough, Slaid opens the second disc with yet another fan favorite, Cry. After a couple more songs including Green Mountains and Me and Horses, Slaid puts on his yodeling boots and amazes you with his vocal control on a couple songs written by master yodeler Don Walser. On Texas Top Hand, which was co-written by Ray Benson, Slaid gets his vocals warmed up for the classic Walser song Rolling Stone From Texas. If you have never tried to control your vocals and yodel, do it just once. The vocal control required to do it well is a special talent, and Slaid does it exceptionally.

Slaid closes out this double live record set with a new song that is truly brilliant. Go For The Gold is a poignant and very touching song. The lyrics are simple yet captivating. A great uplifting song that needs to be heard in order to appreciate fully.

Slaid was asked once to write his biography. He simply stated “Slaid Cleaves. Grew up in Maine, moved to Texas, writes songs, travels around, and tries to be good.”

Just like the music he writes and performs, his biography is simple yet profound. This record is a must for any pure music lover. If you are not familiar with Slaid, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. You will be glad you did.

 

Reviewed by John Walker

 

(download)
Slaid_cleaves_live

Americana Rock Mix: Live Archive - Hoots & Hellmouth Pt. 1

Hoots & Hellmouth
January 28, 2010
Thunderbird Cafe
Pittsburrgh, PA

Download this episode HERE

Set list:

- Dishpan Hands
- Forks & Knives
- If You Want It I Don't Mind
- Abattoir Altar Boy And Girl
- You And All Of Us
- Candy Man
- Home in a Boxcar
- Oh Sadie
- Family Band
- Known for Possession

NOW BUY MERCHANDISE. Shirts, stickers, mugs, etc. CHECK IT OUT HERE!

E-Mail: Von@AmericanaRoots.com

Voice Mail: 813-458-5270

Listen twice a week! 10AM Wednesdays and 5PM Sundays on the Eclectic Heaven channel on LifeJive Radio at LifeJive.com

Website: www.AmericanaRockMix.com
Skype: ARockMix
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ARockMix

Robert Earl Keen - Ready For Confetti

Reviewed by John Walker

 

Robert Earl Keen is a Texas classic. He has his own loyal fan following, and those that have long praised his music. To be honest, I have not been one of those in the past. While it was easy to see and hear the talent which flowed from him, his music never struck home with me for some reason. That has now changed with his new release “Ready For Confetti” which just hit the streets.

 

I believe I always had the misconception that his music was more of a fun gimmick, not including songs which spoke to you or hit you firmly in the chest. It seemed more tongue in cheek than anything. While I enjoy that type of music at times, I normally like more meat and depth mixed in with my music as well. With this new CD, Keen has proven himself to me. He is the real deal, and I was completely wrong in my former perceptions.

 

While the title cut has its moments, it quite honestly is one of the few low points, leaning more toward my previous conceptions of fun with no depth. Musically, however, it is a fun crowd sing along song which will have the dance floor hopping at his appealing live shows.

 

As you listen to this CD, make sure you gather yourself as you hit songs #3 through #5, they are the true meat of this record. “I Gotta Go” immediately grabs you from the beginning with its older classic rhythm, and the chorus will stick in your head from the first time you hear it. It is easy to see the roots of this one, create a catchy tag line and chorus, wrap it with some clever story, and you have all the ingredients of a good song.

 

Keen displays his ability to create in this manner once again with “Lay Down My Brother”. A touching song which shows Keen certainly has the ability to hit you in the heart and give it a firm tug.

 

The next one is perhaps my favorite due to its unique story. “The Road Goes On and On” is a great song which could be about any current so called country artist, hitting the description perfectly with his lyrics. This one, however, was pointed directly at none other than Toby Keith. Lets allow REK to tell his story from an interview done recently by John T. Davis with the Austin Statesman:

 

“It's been some stuff that has happened over the years, but the last thing was that single off his last record ("Bullets in the Gun"). I never pay any attention, but my phone exploded with e-mails and texts about the song; People were saying, how come he took your song and why didn't he come up with his own song?

Melodically, it's not dead on top of it, but cadence-wise and story-wise, it's taken out of (Keen's song) "The Road Goes On Forever."

I had a choice to hit back with some kind of lawsuit. But my mother was a lawyer, and I watched people waste their lives in lawsuits. God bless all the lawyers in the world, but I think lawsuits are a waste of life.

So, since I wasn't about to sue him, so I thought I'd answer in kind. I just wanted to say, stop with the nonsense. So I wrote him a song. It's no different than Kitty Wells or Hank Thompson singing "(It Wasn't God Who Made) Honky-Tonk Angels" or classic literary characters like Alexander Pope or Jonathan Swift answering people. You answer them in the way you know how to best answer. There's a precedent in literature and music for doing that, so that's what I did.”

 

Here is an example of the lyrics…skipping the second verse….but you get the idea. It is OUTSTANDING and must be heard to appreciate: 

 

I don't care what you say, I  never liked you anyway

Wouldn't give you the time of day if I had time to spend

You're malicious and downright cruel, superstitious and so uncool

Best wishes you loudmouth fool, I hope I never see you again

 

And you're a regular jack-in-the-box in your clown suit and goldie locks

The original liar's paradox, you'll have to Google that!

How in the hell do you think you'll make it when the real test comes and you just can't fake it

Your syncophants say, they can't take it and leave you lying flat

 

Skip the second verse…

 

Now ya only rant and rave, piss and moan, and misbehave

You lost your grip on that flag you wave, but you wave it right or wrong

There's still time to make amends maybe win back some of your old friends

Real cowboys say the party never ends and the road goes on and on.

 

Got to love it! I respect him so much after reading his interview and hearing his song. Cudos!

 

After a couple of so so songs which never really grabbed me, Keen throws in a cover….and it floored me when I first heard it. As the song started with the harmonica wailing along, I was thinking “This sounds very familiar”. Then, as soon as he began singing I shouted “I’ll be damned, he is covering a Todd Snider song. Todd is going to LOVE this.” “Play A Train Song” is one of my favorite TS songs. Keen did it justice, and his willingness to include it on his own record again made me appreciate the man even more, because I have interviewed Todd in the past, and know how much he admires REK.

 

Closing out the record are three more songs which are enjoyable standouts as well. The upbeat old blues feeling “Who Do Man” is a crowd pleaser, and will have everyone moving. REK brings back his own classic “Paint The Town Beige”, and closes with an inspirational song “Soul of Man”, which has some great harmonies, displaying REK’s underrated singing ability.

 

Produced by fellow Texan legend Lloyd Maines, this one certainly struck a chord with me. It is very enjoyable throughout, and if you are like me and never gave REK a chance, I plead with you…here is your chance to make amends….give it a listen and you will be won over. Mr. Keen, you have earned my respect and another fan to your gathering. Thank you!

 

 

Rek

Posterous theme by Cory Watilo