Sunday, September 14, 2008


Sunday Drive
traipsing thru the internets

Most mainstream charts, by definition, water things down to their most mediocre. No sharp edges, no surprises, no discoveries. Nevertheless, I did find it fun to browse through Billboard magazine's 50th anniversary lists. Not an americana morsel in the bunch, but still enjoyable for the omnivorous music gourmand to sample bits from the past. If nothing else, it's just fun to see FloRida's "Low" next to "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" by Andy Gibb.


In a year where surprises are few and far between, Samantha Crain stands out as 2008's big musical gift. Her too-short Confiscation EP (thankyou, Ramseur) has been a revelation. You can't go wrong with HearYa's Live Session with Samantha and her Midnight Shivers, tearing through favorites from the EP, as well as a couple of less familiar tracks.


When you think of octogenerian Charlie Louvin, I'm certain that thoughts of the Old 97s and Lambchop aren't far behind. Louvin will release Steps to Heaven (Tompkins Square) next week, produced by Lambchop's Mark Nevers (who produced Louvin's 2007 self-titled release), featuring a collection of gospel tunes as well as a few Louvin Brothers reworkings. October will find Louvin hitting the road for an eleven stop tour with the Old 97s. Then, because time is of the essence, December will bring Charlie Louvin Sings Murder Ballads and Disaster Songs.


Most importantly, Friday, September 26 will mark the onset of KRFC's Fall Membership Drive. While radio is nowhere near the tastemaker it was 15 years ago, there are still stations honoring the great traditions of the medium, playing genres and artists mainstream radio won't touch, and doing it with a passion and knowledge hard to find elsewhere on the dial. In large part, KRFC stands with that brigade. The hosts of shows such as Golden Age of Rock and Roll, Rock and Roll Clubhouse, Steel Guitar Jam, Jazzalicious, Rocky Mountain Breakdown and Colorado Sound (for example) share a passion for their respective corner of the music world, and provide an education as well. The Thursday Morning Mix guy isn't too bad either ... My sole spot at Pledge Drive stardom will happen on Thursday, October 2. Please respond accordingly.


alright then,
Scott


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