THURSDAY MORNING MIX

July 28, 2011

Scott Foley

Next Thursday marks my final Episode of TMM as we've known it. Beginning Thursday, August 11, listeners will hear a new, "Triple A Hybrid" sound throughout the day on KRFC. With shiny new equipment and a wider approach to our music, I'm looking forward to the evolution. As mentioned last week, I'm especially eager to debut my new/old Saturday program on KRFC, Routes & Branches. Because KRFC will be broadcasting the New West Fest on Saturday the 13th, the inaugural, return Episode for R&B will happen on August 20th. Beginning then, this blog will post playlists for my Saturday show, as opposed to my Thursday program (for which playlists will be posted on the station's website krfcfm.org).

On today's Episode, one of my favorite tunes of the year comes from Duke & the King's forthcoming release, with a sax solo and the classy, "C'mon and shake that country ass" refrain ... Roadside Graves' new album is sounding quite promising, as is the first glimpse at John Doe's Keeper. This week's Best Thing Ever nod is directed at Oh Susanna, whose Soon the Birds marks a strong step forward for the artist.

* Mickey Newbury, "Good Morning Dear (Alternate Version)" American Trilogy (Drag City, 11)

* Hickman Dalton Gang, "Elizabeth" Hickman Dalton Gang Vol 2 (Self, 11)

* Dawes, "If I Wanted Someone" Nothing Is Wrong (ATO, 11)

* Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside, "Thirteen Years Old" Dirty Radio (Partisan, 11)

* John Howie Jr & Rosewood Bluff, "Handful of Heartaches" Leavin' Yesterday (Hands Up, 11)

* Slaid Cleaves, "Horseshoe Lounge (live)" Sorrow & Smoke (Music Road, 11)

* Tin Horn Prayer, "Better Living" Get Busy Dying (Suburban Home, 10)

* Kasey Chambers, "Love Like a Hurricane" Little Bird (Essence, 11)

* Billy Bragg & Wilco, "California Stars" Mermaid Avenue (Elektra, 98)

* Yarn, "Heartache For So Long" Leftovers Vol 1 (Ardsley, 11)

* Roadside Graves, "Love Me More" We Can Take Care Of Ourselves (Autumn Tone, 11)

* Guy Clark, "If I Needed You (live)" Songs & Stories (Dualtone, 11)

* Leftover Salmon, "Just Before the Evening (live)" Celebrating 20 Years (Self, 09)

* Jolie Holland, "Gold & Yellow" Pint of Blood (Merge, 11)

* Jayhawks, "Guilder Annie" Mockingbird Time (Rounder, 11)

* Drive-by Truckers, "Outfit" Decoration Day (New West, 03)

* Angela Easterling, "Married Man" Beguiler (De l'est, 11)

* Richard Buckner, "Collusion" Our Blood (Merge, 11)

* Ana Egge, "There Won't Be Anymore" Bad Blood (Ammal, 11)

* John Hiatt, "Hold On For Your Love" Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns (New West, 11)

* Duke & the King, "Shaky" Long Live the Duke & the King (Loose, 11)

* Patti Fiasco, "Nobody's Girl" Patti Fiasco (Self, 11)

* Pokey LaFarge, "Ain't the Same" Middle of Everywhere (Free Dirt, 11)

* Stephen Simmons, "C'mon World" Big Show (Locke Green, 11)

* John Doe, "Giant Step Backward" Keeper (Yep Roc, 11)

* Eilen Jewel, "Queen of the Minor Key" Queen of the Minor Key (Signature Sounds, 11)

^ Oh Susanna, "Drunk As a Sailor" Soon the Birds (Outside, 11)

* Dave Alvin, "Manzanita" Eleven Eleven (Yep Roc, 11)

* Jeff Bridges, "What a Little Bit of Love Can Do" Jeff Bridges (Blue Note, 11)

THURSDAY MORNING MIX

July 21, 2011

Scott Foley

The Earle-Moorer household has befriended fellow Brooklynite Ana Egge on her excellent new CD, Bad Blood. Produced by Steve Earle and featuring Allison Moorer, it marks Egge's rootsiest album to date. The songwriter's lazy, honeyed voice has previously served her well on more jazz, folk and pop leaning releases, and it fits perfectly here. Also welcome are Moorer's lovely backing vocals and frequently fine fiddle by Eleanor Whitmore. Egge's sixth release is a great step forward, and one of 2011's finest efforts to date.

Not so incidentally, this is a time of great change at KRFC, and our fine Morning Mix program will bear the banner in large part. Beginning in August, you'll begin to hear a new spirit to KRFC, with a more accessible sound and a wider but more consistent range of music during the daytime hours. You might think of it as an "adult contemporary roots hybrid," or you might just think of it as much more of a much better thing. As for my part, I will still be anchoring Thursday mornings, and many of the Morning Mix personalities will still be around to enjoy this transition with you.

Better yet, consider this the herald of the return of Routes & Branches as a stand-alone program! Launching Saturday, August 20, most likely from 4-6pm, Routes & Branches will be the new home for "the best of americana, alt.country and roots music" on KRFC. If you like what you've been hearing on the Thursday Morning Mix, stick around. I have a feeling you'll like what we've done with the place. And by all means, tune into the return of Routes & Branches on 8/20, and please spread the word to your friends. I really do believe it's the best show of its kind. Period.

* Pine Hill Haints, "Whiskey Broke My Fall" Cold Cold Heart (Arkam, 10)

* Haunted Windchimes, "Wanderin' Heart" Live At the Western Jubilee (Blank Tape, 11)

* Old 97s, "Perfume" Grand Theatre Vol 2 (New West, 11)

* G Love, "The Road" Fixin' To Die (Brushfire, 11)

* Railroad Earth, "Good Life" Good Life (Sugar Hill, 04)

* Robert Earl Keen, "I Gotta Go" Ready For Confetti (New West, 11)

* Kasey Chambers, "Little Bird" Little Bird (Sugar Hill, 11)

* Frank Turner, "If Ever I Stray" England Keep My Bones (Epitaph, 11)

* Jayhawks, "Closer To Your Side" Mockingbird Time (Rounder, 11)

* Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Jubilee" Stones In the Road (Columbia, 94)

* Vetiver, "Ride Ride Ride" Errant Charm (Sub Pop, 11)

* Great American Taxi, "Blair Mountain" Blair Mountain (Self, 11)

* Yarn, "Honeybear" Leftovers Vol 1 (Ardsley, 11)

* Pokey LaFarge, "Drinkin' Whiskey Tonight" Middle of Everywhere (Free Dirt, 11)

* Gillian Welch, "Scarlet Town" Harrow & the Harvest (Acony, 11)

* Imelda May, "Pulling the Rug" Mayhem (Decca, 11)

* Will Hoge, "When I Get My Wings" Number Seven (Ryko, 11)

* Lyle Lovett, "You've Been So Good To Me Up To Now" Joshua Judges Ruth (MCA, 92)

* Gourds, "I Want It So Bad" Old Mad Joy (Vanguard, 11)

* Star Anna, "Shine" Alone In This Together (Local 638, 11)

* Patti Fiasco, "Bottle Of Wine" Patti Fiasco (Self, 11)

* Kirsten Jones, "I Don't Want To Live Like This" Mad Mile (Factor, 11)

* Steel Wheels, "Walk This Way For Awhile" Live At Goose Creek (Goose Creek, 11)

* Ryan Adams, "Pearls On a String" Easy Tiger (Lost Hwy, 07)

* Blitzen Trapper, "American Goldwing" American Goldwing (Sub Pop, 11)

* JD Malone & the Experts, "Silver From" Avalon (It's About Music, 11)

* William Elliott Whitmore, "Bury Your Burdens In the Ground" Field Songs (Anti, 11)

> Ana Egge, "Hole In Your Halo" Bad Blood (Ammal, 11)

* Roadside Graves, "Double Feature" We Can Take Care of Ourselves (Autumn Tone, 11)

THURSDAY MORNING MIX

July 14, 2011

Scott Foley

Most artists prefer to perform safe atop a bed of accompaniment: Drums, bass, keys, et al. For William Elliott Whitmore, there's typically just a banjo and a voice. On WEW's wonderful new Field Songs, he adds birds and crickets like you might hear ... well, out in a field. And the music never comes across as lacking. The singer-songwriter gives one song a booming bass drum, and he plugs in his electric guitar for the final one.

Certainly another of the year's best comes from Eilen Jewell, who delivers the album of her career (so far). Also on this Episode, a new direction for Amy LaVere, and Dead Man Winter features a member of Trampled By Turtles.

* Dex Romweber Duo, "Redemption" Is That You In the Blue (Bloodshot, 11)

* Patti Fiasco, "Wyoming Is For Lovers" Patti Fiasco (Self, 11)

* John Hiatt, "Adios To California" Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns (New West, 11)

* David Mayfield, "I Just Might Pray" Parade (9th Grade, 11)

* Eilen Jewell, "Santa Fe" Queen of the Minor Key (Signature Sounds, 11)

* Madeleine Peyroux, "I Threw It All Away" Standing On the Rooftop (Rounder, 11)

* Bottle Rockets, "Hard Times" Lean Forward (Bloodshot, 09)

* Jeff Bridges, "What a Little Bit of Love Can Do" Jeff Bridges (Blue Note, 11)

* Hickman Dalton Gang, "Elizabeth" Hickman Dalton Gang Vol 2 (Self, 11)

* Jolie Holland, "Little Birds" Pint of Blood (Anti, 11)

* Hadden Sayers, "All I Want Is You" Hard Dollar (Blue Corn, 11)

* JD Malone & the Experts, "Just Like New" Avalon (It's About Music, 11)

^ William Elliott Whitmore, "Let's Do Something Impossible" Field Songs (Anti, 11)

* Patty Griffin, "Long Ride Home" 1000 Kisses (ATO, 02)

* Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, "Heart a Mine" Kings & Queens (File Under Music, 11)

* Paper Bird, "Sounds Like Rain" Carry On (Long Spoon, 11)

* Felice Brothers, "Best I Ever Had" Celebration Florida (Fat Possum, 11)

* Jimmie Dale Gilmore & the Wronglers, "I'm Thinking Tonite of My Blue Eyes" Heirloom Music (Neanderthal, 11)

* Dead Man Winter, "Golden" Bright Lights (Banjodad, 11)

* Dylan LeBlanc, "If the Creek Don't Rise" Pauper's Field (Rough Trade, 10)

* Laura Cantrell, "Poison In Your Heart" Kitty Wells Dresses (Diesel Only, 11)

* Lucinda Williams, "Get Right With God" Essence (Lost Hwy, 01)

* Bonnie & the Beard, "Lonely Hills" Bonnie & the Beard (Self, 11)

* Amy LaVere, "Great Divide" Stranger Me (Archer, 11)

* Robert Ellis, "Comin' Home" Photographs (New West, 11)

* Pokey LaFarge, "So Long Honeybee Goodbye" Middle of Everywhere (Free Dirt, 11)

* Those Darlins, "Screws Get Loose" Screws Get Loose (Oh Wow Dang, 11)

* Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons, "Born Again" Death Won't Send a Letter (RCA, 09)

THURSDAY MORNING MIX

July 7, 2011

Scott Foley

The last couple weeks have gifted us with a handful of strong Colorado releases in a year that could use a couple more. New stuff on this Episode from The Patti Fiasco, Paper Bird, Hickman-Dalton Gang and Bonnie & the Beard.

Appropriately, there is nobody named "Bonnie" in that group, and only one member sports a beard of any note. What the trio does have is an original sound that mixes gritty blues, indie rock and a certain gypsy/circus spirit.

In the midst of their respective busy careers, Johnny Hickman and Jim Dalton has managed to issue Vol 2 of their recorded collaboration. Dalton presently serves as guitarist for Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, and is still a cardholding Railbender, while Hickman is most notably a founder of Cracker, along with several solo and side-projects. Vol 2 demonstrates a more rowdy, upbeat spirit in comparison with their debut recording. Especially classy (and representative) is "Let's Toke the Whole Day Off".

Paper Bird's new album is a concert recording of a song cycle written for a Colorado Ballet Company. To their credit, the music stands alone without the presence of the dancers, expanding the band's influences from folk to world and classical music. Paper Bird has always been driven by the group's original multi-layered vocal mix, but their new effort is equally impressive as an instrumental statement.

Finally, the Patti Fiasco's self-titled full-length arrives as one of the strongest Colorado albums of 2011 for our kind of music. Alysia Kraft is a stellar frontperson, and has established herself as a terrific alt.country songsmith. Like this Episode's other recordings, it's not simply good Colorado music, it's good music, period.


* Ryan Bingham, "Bread & Water" Mescalito (Lost Hwy, 07)
* Gary Nicholson, "Fallin' & Flyin'" Texas Songbook (Bismeaux, 11)
* Robert Ellis, "Friends Like These" Photographs (New West, 11)
^ Patti Fiasco, "Nobody's Girl" Patti Fiasco (Self, 11)
* Chuck Ragan, "For Goodness Sake" Gold Country (Side One Dummy, 09)
* Jolie Holland, "All Those Girls" Pinto of Blood (Anti, 11)
* Rod Picott, "Sheetrock Hanger" Welding Burns (Welding Rod, 11)
* Eilen Jewell, "Queen of the Minor Key" Queen of the Minor Key (Signature Sounds, 11)
* Paper Bird, "Dear Friend" Carry On (Long Spoon, 11)
* Old 97s, "Brown Haired Daughter" Grand Theatre Vol 2 (New West, 11)
* Matt Bauer, "Morning Stars" Jessamine County Book of the Living (Crossbill, 11)
* John Hiatt, "Train To Birmingham" Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns (New West, 11)
* Amanda Shires, "Kudzu" Carrying Lightning (Self, 11)
* Catherine MacLellan, "Old tin Can" Silhouette (True North, 11)
* Hadden Sayers, "Take Me Back To Texas" Hard Dollar (Blue Corn, 11)
* Cody Canada & the Departed, "If You're Ever In Oklahoma" This Is Indian Land (30 Tigers, 11)
* Hickman Dalton Gang, "(Come Back To) Stockton" Hickman Dalton Gang Vol 2 (Self, 11)
* Kasey Chambers, "Sweetest Waste of Time" Rattlin' Bones (Sugar Hill, 08)
* JD Malone & the Experts, "Silver From" Avalon (It's About Music, 11)
* JD McPherson, "Scratching Circles" Signs & Signifiers (Self, 11)
* Dave Alvin, "What's Up With Your Brother" Eleven Eleven (Yep Roc, 11)
* John Howie Jr & Rosewood Bluff, "Trying Not To Think" Leavin' Yesterday (Hands Up, 11)
* Frank Turner, "Peggy Sang the Blues" England Keep My Bones (Epitaph, 11)
* Bonnie & the Beard, "Lonely Hills" Bonnie & the Beard (Self, 11)
* John Doe & the Sadies, "I Still Miss Someone" Country Club (Yep Roc, 09)
* Jackrabbit, "Falling Is Mine" Jackrabbit (Self, 11)
* Matt the Electrician, "Pioneer Bride" Accidental Thief (Self, 11)
* Angela Easterling, "Fish & the Bird" Beguiled (De l'Est, 11)
* Dawes, "Million Dollar Bill" Nothing Is Wrong (ATO, 11)

THURSDAY MORNING MIX

June 30, 2011

Scott Foley

* Robert Earl Keen, "Flyin' Shoes" Rose Hotel (Lost Hwy, 09)
* Lindi Ortega, "Blue Bird" Little Red Boots (Last Gang, 11)
* Kim Richey, "Leaving 49" Wreck Your Wheels (Thirty Tigers, 10)
* Bob Dylan, "Someday Baby" Modern Times (Columbia, 06)
* Hickman Dalton Gang, "Mr Wrong" Hickman Dalton Gang Vol 2 (Self, 11)
* Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, "Codeine" Here We Rest (Lightning Rod, 11)
* Robyn Ludwick, "Out of These Blues" Out of These Blues (Late Show, 11)
* Jolie Holland, "Devil's Sake" Pint of Blood (Anti, 11)
* Paper Bird, "Dear Friend" Carry On (Self, 11)
* Gillian Welch, "Scarlet Town" Harrow & the Harvest (Acony, 11)
* Trampled By Turtles, "Wait So Long" Palomino (Banjodad, 10)
* Amos Lee, "Windows Are Rolled Down" Mission Bell (Blue Note, 11)
* Tom Russell, "Mesabi" Mesabi (Shout Factory, 11)
* Jayhawks, "She Walk In So Many Ways" Mockingbird Time (Rounder, 11)
* Greg Brown, "Where Are You Going When You're Gone" Freak Flag (Yep Roc, 11)
* Star Anna, "Wolves In Disguise" Alone In This Together (Local 638, 11)
* Jon Snodgrass, "Campaign Song 93" Tri-State Record (Paper & Plastick, 11)
* Jill Andrews, "Sinking Ship" Mirror (Liam, 11)
* Grayson Capps, "Highway 42" Lost Cause Minstrels (Royal Potato Family, 11)
* Patti Fiasco, "Bottle Of Wine" Patti Fiasco (Self, 11)
* Vetiver, "Wonder Why" Errant Charm (Sub Pop, 11)
* Howe Gelb, "Uneven Light of Day" Alegrias (Fire, 11)
* Eilen Jewell, "Santa Fe" Queen of the Minor Key (Signature Sounds, 11)
^ John Howie Jr & Rosewood Bluff, "Watch Me Fall" Leavin' Yesterday (Hands Up, 11)
* The O's, "In Numbers We Survive" Between the Two (Idol, 11)
* Justin Townes Earle, "Harlem River Blues" Harlem River Blues (Bloodshot, 10)
* Laura Cantrell, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" Kitty Wells Dresses (Diesel Only, 11)