THURSDAY MORNING MIX

February 24, 2011

Scott Foley

Seems like so long ago that this fine Episode aired ... Finally have time to post it, now that I am under the weather and chained to my bedside desk.

File under "Neck Beard": The entity known as Middle Brother initially coined themselves MG&V, like the ELP for the indie alt.country scene. Now with the much more palatable moniker, McCauley, Goldsmith and Vasquez take a break from their respective day bands (Deer Tick, Dawes and Delta Spirit) with remarkably coherent results. While the three tend to trade off songwriting and vocal duties, the true surprise occurs when they harmonize. Of the trio, Taylor Goldsmith wields the most traditionally tuneful voice. Matt Vasquez's is a capable instrument, albeit pitched higher than most. I tend to gravitate more towards Deer Tick's John J McCauley, despite and/or because it sounds like a mosquito attempting Tuvan throat singing ... Who knew that as a whole they would blend together so well, like (to put into play three more important letters) a contemporary CS&N.

* Lawn Chair Kings, "Back Again" II (Self, 11)
* Jay Farrar, "Damn Shame (Memphis Mix)" Thirdshiftgrottoslack (Artemis, 02)
* Amos Lee, "El Camino" Mission Bell (Blue Note, 11)
* Low Anthem, "Apothecary Love" Smart Flesh (Nonesuch, 11)
* Lori McKenna, "American Revolver" Lorraine (UMPG Nashville, 11)
* Gregg Allman, "Just Another Rider" Low Country Blues (Rounder, 11)
* Mountain Standard Time, "Fork" Mountain Standard Time (MST, 11)
* Graham Wilkinson, "Two Days Today" Best of Times: TX Artists Performing the Music of Sara Hickman (Sleeveless, 11)
* Todd Snider, "Looking For a Job (live)" Live: the Storyteller (Thirty Tigers, 11)
* Rachel Harrington, "Here in My Bed" Celilo Falls (Skinny Dennis, 11)
* Drive-by Truckers, "I Do Believe" Go-Go Boots (ATO, 11)
* G Love, "The Road" Fixin' to Die (Brushfire, 11)
* Hayes Carll, "KMAG YOYO" KMAG YOYO (and other American stories) (Lost Hwy, 11)
* Wailin' Jennys, "Last Goodbye" Bright Morning Stars (Red House, 11)
* Tin Horn Prayer, "Call a Priest" internet single (Self, 11)
> Middle Brother, "Me Me Me" Middle Brother (Partisan, 11)
* Buddy Miller, "God's Wing'ed Horse" Majestic Silver Strings (New West, 11)
* Gurf Morlix, "Cold Cold World" Blaze Foley's 113th Wet Dream (Rootball, 10)
* Pieta Brown, "In My Mind I Was Talkin' to Loretta" Remember the Sun (One Little Indian, 07)
* Bonnie & the Clydes, "Snake Mountain Blues" Bonnie & the Clydes (Self, 11)
* Susan James, "Airstream Girl" Highways Ghosts Hearts & Home (Self, 10)
* Eddie Spaghetti, "If You Fall in Love" Sundowner (Bloodshot, 11)
* Raul Malo, "San Antonio Baby" Sinners & Saints (UMG, 10)
* Lucinda Williams, "Sweet Love" Blessed (Lost Hwy, 11)
* Grant Peeples, "My People Come From the Dirt" Okra and Ecclesiastes (Gatorbone, 11)
* Flying Burrito Brothers, "Lazy Days" Authorized Bootleg: Live at the Fillmore East (A&M, 11)