THURSDAY MORNING MIX
November 5, 2009
Scott Foley

A recent email from a publicist proclaimed, "I've seen the future of Americana, and it's ..." I won't mention the artist here, but the post brought me to thinking about what exactly americana music could look like in, say, five years.

Truth is, our genre isn't exactly an evolving entity. Seven years ago, as a matter of fact, the Americana Music Association's Album of the Year recognition went to ... Buddy & Julie Miller for their self-titled release. Buddy & Julie were seen most recently cleaning up at September's 2009 Awards. I would argue that Band of Heathens might represent the Ghost of Americana Present. Of course, AMA is what passes for the genre's mainstream. By definition, the genesis of an evolution can be found as the exception, rather than the rule; musically, the future of americana might be glimpsed on the genre's fringes.

While artists like the Millers, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, et al. will continue to be feted as the superheroes of our metropolis, more recent artists such as the Avett Brothers (AMA Emerging Artist of 2007), Joe Pug, Alela Diane, Felice Brothers or Elliott BROOD might be laboring to determine the direction of our evolution. I'm also hopeful for the community of artists behind the Revival Tours of '08 and '09: Chuck Ragan, Austin Lucas, Ben Nichols, the boys from Drag the River. While I can guarantee these artists will never replace Buddy & Julie as the face of the Americana mainstream, isn't some form of evolution necessary for the survival of the genre?

* Chad Price, "Going Away" Smile Sweet Face (Suburban Home, 09)
* Nanci Griffith, "You Asked Me To" Lonesome On'ry and Mean (Dualtone, 03)
* Elliott BROOD, "Valley Town" Mountain Meadows (Six Shooter, 09)
* A. A. Bondy, "Oh the Vampyre" When the Devil's Loose (Fat Possum, 09)
* Supersuckers, "One Cigarette Away (live)" Whole Foods Live (Self, 07)
* Tom Russell, "Criminology" Blood and Candle Smoke (Shout Fact, 09)
* Tom Waits, "Falling Down (live)" Glitter and Doom Live (Anti, 09)
* Brandi Carlile, "Touching the Ground" Give Up the Ghost (Columbia, 09)
* Pete Anderson, "Prophet for Profit" Even Things Up (Little Dog, 09)
* Doug Moreland, "Marfa Lights" Barnstormer (Big Hat, 09)
* Joe Ely, "Gulf Coast Blues" Twistin' in the Wind (UMG, 98)
* Los Cenzontles, "Best of Me" American Horizon (Self, 09)
* Rosie Flores, "Halfway Home" Girl of the Century (Bloodshot, 09)
* Auld Lang Syne, "Rusty Prayer" Midnight Folly (Viper Bite, 09)
* Eliza Gilkyson, "Borderline" Paradise Hotel (Red House, 05)
* Marah, "Put 'em In the Graveyard" Put 'em In the Graveyard (single) (Valley Farm, 09)
* Madison Violet, "Lauralee" No Fool For Trying (True North, 09)
* Chris Scruggs, "Troubled Times" Anthem (Cogent, 09)
* Southern Culture on the Skids, "Doublewide" Mojo Box (Yep Roc, 04)
* Jay Farrar & Ben Gibbard, "Sea Engines" One Fast Move Or I'm Gone (Atlantic, 09)
* Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, "My Heart Would Be There" Death Won't Send a Letter (Black Seal, 09)
* Audra Mae, "The River" Haunt (Side One Dummy, 09)
* Califone, "Ape-Like" All My Friends Are Funeral Singers (Dead Oceans, 09)
* I See Hawks In LA, "California Country" California Country (Western Seeds, 06)
* Jill Andrews, "Sweetest In the Morning" Jill Andrews EP (Self, 09)
* Ox, "Burnout" Burnout (Weewerk, 09)
* Greg Trooper, "Catherine Don't Slip" Williamsburg Affair (52 Shakes, 09)

Scott

THURSDAY MORNING MIX
October 29, 2009
Scott Foley

Today's snow-driven Episode featured the solo debut of Drag the River's Chad Price, Smile Sweet Face on Suburban Home. It makes for an interesting contrast when regarded alongside compatriot Jon Snodgrass' own unaided project from earlier this year, Visitor's Band. Almost seems as though you could develop a mathematical equation to demonstrate how the whole (DtR) really is assembled from the sum of its parts (Price and Snodgrass). Take two-parts Snodgrass' good-humored roots rock, add one part Price's poetic, raw heart-on-your-sleeve balladry, and shake well. Of course, season to taste with your libation of choice. Both artists have hitched their wagons to this year's Revival Tour, along with fellow deep roots artists such as Frank Turner, Austin Lucas, Joey Cape and Chuck Ragan. Regrettably, our unanticipated Fall snow storm has resulted in the cancellation of both last night's Denver show, as well as tonight's planned Utah date. Worse at breaking up than ever, expect the release of a Drag the River collection, Primer, in weeks to come, as well as a split 7" with tourmates Chris Wollard & the Ship Thieves.


Orpheum Bell, "Local Boy" Pearls (Widow's Walk, 09)
Chris Knights, "Love and a .45" Trailer II (Drifter's Church, 09)
Ronnie Fauss, "Another Song" I Can't Make You Happy (Self, 09)
Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, "Mabeline" The Bear (Vanguard, 09)
Gordy Quist, "Judas 'Scariot Blues" Here Comes the Flood (Self, 07)
Flatlanders, "Borderless Love" Hills and Valleys (New West, 09)
Pieta Brown, "Hey Joey" Shimmer (Red House, 09)
Danny Barnes, "Overdue" Pizza Box (ATO, 09)
Richmond Fontaine, "You Can Move Back Here" We Used To Think the Freeway Sounded Like a River (El Cortez, 09)
Blue Rodeo, "I Could Never Be That Man" Tremolo (Sire, 97)
Bap Kennedy, "America" Howl On (Lonely St, 09)
Zoe Muth, "Such True Love" Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers (Self, 09)
Chad Price, "This Cross" Smile Sweet Face (Suburban Home, 09)
Rosie Flores, "Girl of the Century" Girl of the Century (Bloodshot, 09)
Mando Saenz, "Julia" Watertown (Carnival, 05)
Lee Barber, "Way Back (Shoo-be-doo)" Thief and Rescue (Self, 09)
Shelly King, "Falling Fast" Welcome Home (Lemonade, 09)
Wrinkle Neck Mules, "Waters All Run Dry" Let the Lead Fly (Lower 40, 09)
Works Progress Administration, "End This Now" WPA (WPA, 09)
Chris Smither, "Miner's Blues" Time Stands Still (Signature Sounds, 09)
Jay Farrar w/Ben Gibbard, "Low Life Kingdom" One Fast Move Or I'm Gone (Atlantic, 09)
Chuck Prophet, "Leave the Window Open" Let Freedom Ring (Yep Roc, 09)
Jonny Burke, "Ship Come In" Long Haul EP (Self, 09)
Buddy Miller, "Worry Too Much" Universal United House of Prayer (New West, 04)

Scott

THURSDAY MORNING MIX
October 22, 2009
Scott Foley

Story goes that uber-producer Don Was fell in love with the voice of americana-folk songstress Pieta Brown upon hearing her on a CA radio program. He subsequently set to tape an EP of new bare-bones tunes; just Brown, Daddy's guitarist Bo Ramsey, and Was on acoustic bass. If you've enjoyed Pieta to date, you'll love this too-brief glimpse into the grain of her music.


* Blaze Foley, "Clay Pigeons" Live at the Austin Outhouse (Lost Art, 99)
* Grant Langston, "30 Days" Stand Up Man (MSG, 09)
* Ryan Bingham, "Country Roads" Roadhouse Sun (Lost Hwy, 09)
* Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers, "You Only Believe Me When I'm Lying" Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers (Self, 09)
* Drive-by Truckers, "Rebels" The Fine Print (New West, 09)
* Doug Moreland, "Marfa Lights" Barnstormer (Big Hat, 09)
* Carolyn Mark & NQ Arbuckle, "Sunday Morning" Let's Just Stay Here (Mint, 09)
* Pieta Brown, "Lovin' You Still" Shimmer (Red House, 09)
* Will Quinlan & the Diviners, "Plastic Rosary (Winter 1970), reprise" Navasota (Ironweed, 08)
* Dawes, "If You Let Me Be Your Anchor" North Hills (ATO, 09)
* Steve Earle, "More Than I Can Do" I Feel Alright (Warner, 96)
* Corb Lund, "Long Gone To Saskatchewan" Losin' Lately Gambler (New West, 09)
* Takers, "St John's Son" Taker Easy (Suburban Home, 09)
* Chuck Prophet, "Sonny Liston's Blues" Let Freedom Ring n (Yep Roc, 09)
* Justin Rutledge, "San Sebastian" Man Descending (Six Shooter, 08)
* Rosanne Cash, "Sea of Heartbreak" The List (Manhattan, 09)
* Band of Heathens, "Shine a Light" One Foot in the Ether (BOH, 09)
* Ox, "Unknown Legend" Burnout (Weewerk, 09)
* Jayhawks, "Smile" Smile (American, 00)
* Tom Gillam, "Real Thing" Had Enough (Smith, 09)
* Wrinkle Neck Mules, "Cracks and Seams" Let the Lead Fly (Lower 40, 09)
* Caroline Herring, "Little Bit of Mercy" Golden Apples of the Moon (Signature Sounds, 09)
* Meat Purveyors, "Rose-Colored Glasses" Someday Soon Things Will Be Much Worse (Bloodshot, 06)
* Lyle Lovett, "Empty Blue Shoes" Natural Forces (Lost Hwy, 09)
* Honeycutters, "Better Woman" Irene (Buttons Down, 09)

Scott

THURSDAY MORNING MIX
October 15, 2009
Scott Foley

Some americana superstars can coast along by releasing perfectly alright albums every few years; a few pretty good tunes to remind us of the Good Days, and some uninspired filler. This year, artists like Tom Russell and Guy Clark have bucked that trend a bit. Add Lyle Lovett to that short list. Natural Forces paves no new ground, but the originals are very strong, and covers (Eric Taylor, Vince Bell, TVZ, etc) are unexpected and wouldn't be out of place on a 3rd disc of his masterful Step Inside This House. Easy as he makes it appear, Lovett still tries, he still cares, and he still succeeds.


* Califone, "Bunuel" All My Friends Are Funeral Singers (Dead Oceans, 09)
* Simon Joyner, "Roll On" Out Into the Snow (Team Love, 09)
* Townes Van Zandt, "No Place To Fall" Legend (Charly, 03)
* Greg Trooper, "Angel" Williamsburg Affair (52 Shakes, 09)
* Lyle Lovett, "Whooping Crane" Natural Forces (Lost Hwy, 09)
* Brandi Carlile, "Caroline" Give Up the Ghost (Columbia, 09)
* Otis Gibbs, "Caroline" Grandpa Walked a Picketline (Wanamaker, 08)
* Kitty Daisy & Lewis, "Honolulu Rock-a Roll-a" Kitty Daisy & Lewis (DH, 09)
* Reed Foehl, "Sweet Love Of Mine" Once an Ocean (Self, 09)
* Rosie Flores w/the Pine Valley Cosmonauts, "Little Bells" Girl of the Century (Bloodshot, 09)
* Jimmie Dale Gilmore, "Ripple" One Endless Night (Rounder, 00)
* Doug & Telisha Williams, "Ghost of the Knoxville Girl" Ghost of the Knoxville Girl (Self, 09)
* Oh Susanna, "I'll Keep It With Mine" Oh Susanna (Nettwerk, 03)
* Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, "If You Want Me 2" Traveling Show (CIC, 09)
* Tom Gillam, "Had Enough" Had Enough (Smith, 09)
* Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, "Tennessee" Death Won't Send a Letter (RCA, 09)
* Alela Diane, "Bowling Green" Alela Diane featuring Alina Hardin (Rough Trade, 09)
* Robert Earl Keen, "Laughing River" Rose Hotel (Lost Hwy, 09)
* Kim Richey, "I'm Alright" Bitter Sweet (Mercury, 97)
* Carrie Rodriguez, "I Don't Want To Play House" Live In Louisville (Self, 09)
* Grant-Lee Phillips, "It Ain't the Same Old Cold War Harry" Little Moon (Yep Roc, 09)
* Malcolm Holcombe, "Whenever I Pray" For the Mission Baby (Echo Mt, 09)
* Lucero, "Sixes and Sevens" 1372 Overton Park (Universal, 09)
* Vince Bell, "Sun & Moon & Stars" Phoenix (Watermelon, 94)
* Crosby Tyler, "So Out of Place" 10 Songs of America Today (Bohemia, 08)
* Will Hoge, "Highway Wings" The Wreckage (Ryko, 09)
* Rodney Crowell, "Til I Gain Control Again" Essential Rodney Crowell (Columbia, 04)

~ Scott

THURSDAY MORNING MIX
October 8, 2009
Scott Foley

With a good five inches of snow blanketing the grounds of the Greater Longmont Metro Area, the musical mind wanders towards the holidays. Specifically, Tuesday the 13th marks the effective beginning of the spate of Christmas albums for 2009. Of course, Bob Dylan's Christmas in the Heart has received a good amount of attention since its arrival was heralded. Tuesday also marks the release of Jerry Christmas (Jerry Douglas) and Comfort and Joy from John Cowan.

My heart is warmed to see the reissue of Bruce Cockburn's terrific Christmas album (it's called Christmas), altho that enthusiasm is tempered somewhat by the news that Tori Amos and REO Speedwagon are also throwing their Santa hats into the ring. More news on holiday releases as soon as we get a few weeks further away from summer. But honest, there's half a foot of snow on my lawn (which I was making plans to mow just yesterday afternoon, alas). For today's Episode, you'll have to settle for debuts from Greg Trooper (an album with its inception way back in 1995), Lyle Lovett, Exene Cervenka (a kindler, gentler Exene) and more. Meaning more from Lee Barber's understated but excellent Thief and Rescue.

Josh Small	Say Hello	Tall	2007		Suburban Home
Shelby Lynne	Don't Think Twice It's Alright	The Village	2009	10/08/2009	429 Records
Amy Farris	Undecided	Anyway	2004		Yep Roc Records
Greg Trooper	Stronger All the Time	Williamsburg Affair	2009	10/08/2009	52 Shakes
Rickie Lee Jones	Remember Me	Balm in Gilead	2009	10/08/2009	Fantasy
Yayhoos	Roam	Put the Hammer Down	2006		Lakeside Lounge
Works Progress Administration	Always Have My Love	WPA	2009	09/03/2009	WPA
Rosanne Cash	Satisfied Mind	The List	2009	08/27/2009	Manhattan
Tom Russell	Mississippi River Runnin' Backwards	Blood and Candle Smoke	2009	08/20/2009	Shout Factory
James McMurtry	Hurrican Party (live)	Live In Europe	2009	10/08/2009	Lightning Rod
100 Damned Guns	Broken Bottle Blues	Musica de Tormento	2009	10/08/2009	TXMF
Felice Brothers	Penn Station	Yonder Is the Clock	2009	04/16/2009	Team Love
Reckless Kelly	Wild Western Windblown Band (live)	Live at Stubb's	2000		Reckless Records
Lyle Lovett	Natural Forces	Natural Forces	2009	10/08/2009	Lost Highway
Gillian Welch	Paper Wings	Revival	1999		Almo
Langhorne Slim	Back to the Wild	Be Set Free	2009	09/17/2009	Kemado
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers	The Bear	The Bear	2009	10/08/2009	Vanguard
Monsters of Folk	Right Place	Monsters of Folk	2009	07/30/2009	Shangri-La
Brandi Carlile	Dying Day	Give Up the Ghost	2009	10/08/2009	Columbia
Rosie Flores	West Texas Plains	After the Farm	1992		Hightone
Chuck Ragan	Rotterdam	Gold Country	2009	09/03/2009	Side One Dummy
Exene Cervenka	Walk Me Across the Night	Somewhere Gone	2009	10/08/2009	Bloodshot
Danny Barnes	Broken Clock	Pizza Box	2009	09/24/2009	ATO
Matt the Electrician	Got Your Back	Animal Boy	2009	09/17/2009	self
Avett Brothers	Laundry Room	I and Love and You	2009	06/25/2009	American
Dayna Kurtz	It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)	For the Love of Hazel	2009	09/03/2009	Kismet
North Mississsippi Allstars	It's Backfirin' Now	Things About Comin' My Way: Tribute to the Mississippi Sheiks	2009	10/08/2009	Black Hen
Lee Barber	Broken Cup	Thief and Rescue	2009	10/01/2009	Lee Barber

~ Scott

THURSDAY MORNING MIX
October 1, 2009
Scott Foley

Abbreviated show this week, owing to KRFC's 2009 Fall Membership Drive. Which continues, incidentally, at least through Saturday. Meaning, of course, that you still have time to stop down at our website and drop some dollars in honor of TMM.

Had the opportunity to take a first peek into a couple promising new releases on this Episode, including new stuff from Grant-Lee Phillips (stronger than usual), Red Rooster (roots music meets those funny buttons in the studio) and Jay Farrar w/Ben Gibbard (can't wait to hear the rest of this tribute to Kerouac). Also unleashed 52 year-old Lee Barber's debut CD, Thief and Rescue, which makes a strong case for my top-20 year-end list, as well as the teen sibling trio Kitty Daisy & Lewis, who make an ungodly new noise that sounds 40 years-old. Honest. Go track down a video from these guys.

* Radney Foster, "Revival" Revival (Devil's River, 09)
* Cross Canadian Ragweed, "Burn Like the Sun" Happiness and All the Other Things (Universal South, 09)
* Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, "Chalk It Up To the Blues" It's Time (Yep Roc, 03)
* Robert Earl Keen, "Man Behind the Drums" Rose Hotel (Lost Hwy, 09)
* Amanda Shires, "Put Me To Bed" West Cross Timbers (Self, 09)
* Kitty Daisy & Lewis, "I Got My Mojo Working" Kitty Daisy & Lewis (DH Records, 09)
* Two Tons of Steel, "Cryin' Eyes" Not That Lucky (Smith, 09)
* Madison Violet, "Small of My Heart" No Fool For Trying (True North, 09)
* Lucinda Williams, "Sharp Cutting Wings (Song to a Poet)" Happy Woman Blues (Smithsonian, 90)
* Rosanne Cash w/Elvis Costello, "Heartaches By the Number" The List (Manhattan, 09)
* Grant-Lee Phillips, "Good Morning Happiness" Little Moon (Yep Roc, 09)
* Red Rooster, "Bluebird" Walk (Self, 09)
* Everybodyfields, "Aeroplane" Nothing is OK (Ramseur, 07)
* Jay Farrar w/Ben Gibbard, "These Roads Don't Move" One Fast Move or I'm Gone (Atlantic, 09)
* Lucero, "Mom" 1372 Overton Park (Universal, 09)
* Be Good Tanyas, "For the Turnstiles" Hello Love (Nettwerk, 06)
* Danny Barnes, "Overdue" Pizza Box (ATO, 09)
* Lee Barber, "Mosquito" Thief and Rescue (Self, 09)
* Guy Clark, "Maybe I Can Paint Over That" Somedays the Song Writes You (Dualtone, 09)
* Pete Bernhard, "Pray For Rain" Straight Line (Milan, 09)

Scott

THURSDAY MORNING MIX
September 24, 2009
Scott Foley

Comes a time when your peaceful community radio rituals are interrupted. Those same friendly familiars who entertain and educate you are now soliciting you for your money.

Knock knock.

I'm a part of KRFC because I've loved to "play dj" since I was small. With a portable cassette player next to the stereo speakers, my younger brother and I would record our own programs. At the height of this habit, Eric's radio persona was Velvet Jones; mine, the Choklit Beetle. Then, as now, I'm in it for the music.

I'm guessing you are, too. I imagine you tune into KRFC because, flipping around the dial one afternoon, you came across sounds that struck you as different than most other stations. Sure, you'll hear a bit of americana here, maybe some roots music over there, perhaps you'll even pull in some alt.country if you're lucky. But there's nothing like Thursday Morning Mix anywhere else on your radio on the Front Range.

Does that fondness necessarily lead to you pulling money from your wallet (who has a wallet anymore?) and launching it upon the radio waves? Maybe not. But somebody has to. The world is made less rich when we lose one local independent bookstore, restaurant or radio station. I'll be able to go home and set up my cassette recorder, channeling the Choklit Beetle once more. And you'll tune in one day to find that you can no longer indulge your ears in Super Monday Buffet, House Rent Party, Live at Lunch or Thursday Morning Mix.

KRFC's Fall 2009 Membership Drive begins Friday, September 25. I won't blame you if you don't wait until next Thursday to pledge (but please make sure to put in a good word).

* Anne McCue, "From Bakersfield To Saigon" Koala Motel (Messenger, 06)
* Scott Biram, "Draggin' Down the Line" Something's Wrong / Lost Forever (Bloodshot, 09)
* John Fogerty, "Never Ending Song of Love" Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again (Verve, 09)
* Son Volt, "Dust of Daylight" American Central Dust (Rounder, 09)
* Buddy & Julie Miller, "Chalk" Written in Chalk (New West, 09)
* Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, "Good To Be Alive" Speed of Life (Sugar Hill, 09)
* Gurf Morlix, "Music You Mighta Made" Last Exit To Happyland (Self, 09)
* Carolyn Mark, "Edmonton" Party Girl (Mint, 00)
* Rhett Miller, "Caroline" Rhett Miller (Shout, 09)
* Works Progress Administration, "I Got To Sleep" WPA (WPA, 09)
* Danny Barnes, "Caveman" Pizza Box (ATO, 09)
* John Prine, "Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)" Bruised Orange (Oh Boy, 78)
* Patty Loveless, "Busted" Mountain Soul II (Saguaro Rd, 09)
* Band of Heathens, "LA County Blues" One Foot in the Ether (BoH, 09)
* Matt the Electrician, "Animal Boy" Animal Boy (Self, 09)
* Rosanne Cash w/Jeff Tweedy, "Long Black Veil" The List (Manhattan, 09)
* Johnny Cash, "I'm a Drifter" Unearthed (American, 03)
* The Mumlers, "Raise the Blinds" Don't Throw Me Away (Galaxia, 09)
* Avett Bros, "Tin Man" I and Love and You (American, 09)
* Drive-by Truckers, "Like a Rolling Stone" The Fine Print (New West, 09)
* Trucker's Daughter, "One Kiss" Broken Down Love (Self, 09)
* Jonny Burke, "El Paso" Long Haul EP (Self, 09)
* Trampled By Turtles, "Codeine" Blue Sky and the Devil (Self, 05)
* Tom Russell, "Guadalupe" Blood and Candle Smoke (Shout, 09)
* Robert Earl Keen, "Something I Do" Rose Hotel (Lost Highway, 09)
* Carrie Rodriguez, "You Won't Be Satisfied That Way" Live in Louisville (Self, 09)

Scott