Thursday, October 29, 2009


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

Saturday, October 24, 2009


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, October 15, 2009


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

Saturday, October 10, 2009


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 SmallSay HelloTall2007
Suburban Home
Shelby LynneDon't Think Twice It's AlrightThe Village200910/08/2009429 Records
Amy FarrisUndecidedAnyway2004
Yep Roc Records
Greg TrooperStronger All the TimeWilliamsburg Affair200910/08/200952 Shakes
Rickie Lee JonesRemember MeBalm in Gilead200910/08/2009Fantasy
YayhoosRoamPut the Hammer Down2006
Lakeside Lounge
Works Progress AdministrationAlways Have My LoveWPA200909/03/2009WPA
Rosanne CashSatisfied MindThe List200908/27/2009Manhattan
Tom RussellMississippi River Runnin' BackwardsBlood and Candle Smoke200908/20/2009Shout Factory
James McMurtryHurrican Party (live)Live In Europe200910/08/2009Lightning Rod
100 Damned GunsBroken Bottle BluesMusica de Tormento200910/08/2009TXMF
Felice BrothersPenn StationYonder Is the Clock200904/16/2009Team Love
Reckless KellyWild Western Windblown Band (live)Live at Stubb's2000
Reckless Records
Lyle LovettNatural ForcesNatural Forces200910/08/2009Lost Highway
Gillian WelchPaper WingsRevival1999
Almo
Langhorne SlimBack to the WildBe Set Free200909/17/2009Kemado
Stephen Kellogg and the SixersThe BearThe Bear200910/08/2009Vanguard
Monsters of FolkRight PlaceMonsters of Folk200907/30/2009Shangri-La
Brandi CarlileDying DayGive Up the Ghost200910/08/2009Columbia
Rosie FloresWest Texas PlainsAfter the Farm1992
Hightone
Chuck RaganRotterdamGold Country200909/03/2009Side One Dummy
Exene CervenkaWalk Me Across the NightSomewhere Gone200910/08/2009Bloodshot
Danny BarnesBroken ClockPizza Box200909/24/2009ATO
Matt the ElectricianGot Your BackAnimal Boy200909/17/2009self
Avett BrothersLaundry RoomI and Love and You200906/25/2009American
Dayna KurtzIt's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)For the Love of Hazel200909/03/2009Kismet
North Mississsippi AllstarsIt's Backfirin' NowThings About Comin' My Way: Tribute to the Mississippi Sheiks200910/08/2009Black Hen
Lee BarberBroken CupThief and Rescue200910/01/2009Lee Barber

~ Scott

Saturday, October 03, 2009


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