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