THURSDAY MORNING MIX

June 23, 2011

Scott Foley

Using both hands, I can see that we're almost exactly halfway thru the year 2011. This prompts the listmaker in me to collect my playlists for each week and subject TMM listeners to my Favorite CDs of 2011 (So Far ( ... and subject to radical change upon a whim)(but by no means in order of favorites (rather, in order of appearance)) ( ... and I'll try to keep it to 20 of 'em)):

. Caitlin Rose, Sinful Wishing Well
. Only Sons, American Stranger
^ Kasey Anderson, Heart of a Dog
. Drive-by Truckers, Go-Go Boots
. Decemberists, King Is Dead
. Hayes Carll, KMAG YOYO
. Kasey Chambers, Little Bird
. Dolorean, Unfazed
. Low Anthem, Smart Flesh
. Middle Brother, Middle Brother
. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Here We Rest
. Israel Nash Gripka, Barn Doors & Concrete Floors
. Amanda Shires, Carrying Lightning
. Emmylou Harris, Hard Bargain
. Michael Fracasso, Saint Monday
. Lindi Ortega, Little Red Boots
. Matt the Electrician, Accidental Thief
. Felice Brothers, Celebration Florida
. Star Anna, Alone In This Together
. Robert Ellis, Photographs

Cohorts have opined both that this is a good year and a bad year for our kind of music. I'd like to propose that it's one of the strongest in recent memory, with worthy offerings from established names and enough debuts to keep folks with a short musical attention span (like me) occupied.

* Madeleine Peyroux, "I Threw It All Away" Standing On the Rooftop (Rounder, 11)
* Boulder Acoustic Society, "Until Then" Punchline (9 Mile, 09)
* Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers, "Come Inside" Starlight Hotel (Signature Sounds, 11)
* Dave Alvin, "Gary Indiana 1959" Eleven Eleven (Yep Roc, 11)
* Neil Young, "Amber Jean (live)" International Harvest (Reprise, 11)
* Justin Townes Earle, "Maybe Baby" Rave On Buddy Holly (Concord, 11)
* Band of Heathens, "Polaroid" Top Hat Crown ... (BoH, 11)
* Haunted Windchimes, "Lordy Lordy" Live at the Western Jubilee (Blank Tape, 11)
* Cody Canada & the Departed, "Long Way To Nowhere" This Is Indian Land (30 Tigers, 11)
* Emmylou Harris, "New Orleans" Hard Bargain (Nonesuch, 11)
* Jayhawks, "She Walks In So Many Ways" Mockingbird Time (Rounder, 11)
* American Gun, "1500 Jessicas" Therapy (Jangly, 11)
* Jessica Lea Mayfield, "Blue Skies Again" Tell Me (Nonesuch, 11)
* Radical Knitting Circle, "Tum" When Bees No Longer Fly ... (Self, 11)
* Michael Fracasso, "Elizabeth Lee" Saint Monday (Self, 11)
* Guy Clark, "LA Freeway" Old #1 (Sugar Hill, 75)
* Robert Ellis, "Comin' Home" Photographs (New West 11)
* Eilen Jewell, "Queen of the Minor Key" Queen of the Minor Key (Signature Sounds, 11)
* Civil Wars, "Poison & Wine" Barton Hollow (Dualtone, 10)
* Catherine MacLellan, "Stealin'" Silhouette (True North, 11)
* Israel Nash Gripka, "Four Winds" Barn Doors & Concrete Floors (Self, 11)
* Richmond Fontaine, "Mechanic's Life" High Country (Self, 11)
* Matt Bauer, "Blacklight Horses" Jessamine County Book of the Living (Crossbill, 11)
* Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside, "Danger" Dirty Radio (Partisan, 11)
* Gillian Welch, "Way It Goes" Harrow & the Harvest (Acony, 11)
* Jill Andrews, "Little Less" Mirror (Liam, 11)
* Matt the Electrician, "All I Know" Accidental Thief (Self, 11)
* Brian Wright, "Rich Man's Blues" House On Fire (Sugar Hill, 11)
* Amy Black, "Whiskey and Wine" One Time (Reuben, 11)

THURSDAY MORNING MIX

June 16, 2011

Scott Foley

Sometimes I listen to music with the impression that what I'm hearing has a "retro" sound that I can't quite put into intelligent words. Such is the case with the debut of Houston artist Robert Ellis. The questionably helpful paperwork accompanying my copy of Photographs quoted the New York Times thusly: "Equally inspired by Jackson Browne and George Jones." I respectfully disagree. What I do hear is an unusually talented young songwriter who knows where Texas music has been. Moreover, Ellis will play a part in where it is going.

This Episode also celebrates the new incarnation of Seattle's Tony Fulghum. Formerly the voice behind North Twin, his new trio, Jackrabbit, trades in a slightly less alt. but no less impressive version of country.

* Gourds, "Ragged Roses" Ghosts of Hallelujah (Sugar Hill, 99)
* Jim Lauderdale, "Jack Dempsey's Crown" Reason and Rhyme (Sugar Hill, 11)
* Foster & Lloyd, "Picasso's Mandolin" It's Already Tomorrow (Effin Ell, 11)
* Dead Rock West, "God Moves on the Water" Bright Morning Stars (Red River, 11)
* Mountain Standard Time, "Fork" Mountain Standard Time (Self, 11)
* Grayson Capps, "Jane's Alley Blues" Lost Cause Minstrels (Royal Potato Family, 11)
* Calexico, "Frank's Tavern" Man of Somebody's Dreams (Yep Roc, 09)
* David Wax Museum, "Yes Maria Yes" Everything Is Saved (Self, 11)
* Joe Ely, "You Can Bet I'm Gone" Satisfied At Last (Rack 'Em, 11)
* Matraca Berg, "Your Husband's Cheating On Us" Dreaming Fields (Dualtone, 11)
* Victoria Williams, "Train Song (Demise of the Caboose)" Musings of a Creekdipper (Atlantic, 98)
* Dawes, "Time Spent In Los Angeles" Nothing Is Wrong (ATO, 11)
* Surplus Cheaper Hands, "Restless Heart" It's Your Parade (Self, 11)
* Black Lillies, "Peach Pickin'" 100 Miles of Wreckage (Attack Monkey, 11)
* Star Anna, "Bird Without Wings" Alone In This Together (Local 638, 11)
* Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, "I'm Still Lovin' You" Kings and Queens (File Under: Music, 11)
* Tres Chicas, "Sweetwater" Sweetwater (Yep Roc, 04)
^ Robert Ellis, "Westbound Train" Photographs (New West, 11)
* Old 97s, "No Simple Machine" Grand Theatre Vol 2 (New West, 11)
* Jackrabbit, "Falling is Mine" Jackrabbit (Self, 11)
* Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams, "The Ring" Sinners & Saints (Self, 10)
* Rod Picott, "Still I Want You Bad" Welding Burns (Welding Rod, 11)
* Amanda Shires, "Ghostbird" Carrying Lightning (Self, 11)
* Dave Alvin, "Manzanita" Eleven Eleven (Yep Roc, 11)
* Joe Pug, "Hymn #101" Nation of Heat (Self, 08)
* Old Californio, "Cool Place In the Light" Sundrunk Angels (Californio, 11)

THURSDAY MORNING MIX

June 9, 2011

Scott Foley

Most musical comparisons fall flat for me. Seems every female singer-songwriter must be compared to Joni Mitchell; any male vocalist with a slight rasp is immediately damned "the next Dylan." How many female alt.country artists have been needlessly likened to Lucinda Williams? Is there a law that female artists must necessarily be equated with other women, or vice versa with men? So I try to avoid them whenever possible.

Still, if they're wielded with care, musical comparisons can be helpful for the sake of bearings. Seattle area artist Star Anna, f'rinstance, might be plotted at the intersection of Brandi Carlile and Melissa Etheridge. Nevertheless, this feels like I'm leaving out a significant part of Star Anna's appeal. On her third CD, Alone In This Together, she demonstrates the passionate vocal chops of a Brandi, along with more rock elements a'la early Melissa. Her band, the Laughing Dogs, is a tight bunch, playing a bigger part in the overall sound than their secondary booking might imply, especially guitarist Justin Davis.

Over the span of three albums, Star Anna's musical vision has grown from the country-blues of her debut to the blues-inflected roots rock of this strong new CD. With the right exposure, there's no reason she couldn't become the one to whom everyone else is being compared. In the end, I'd just as soon not have to make any dissatisfying musical comparisons, and have you give Star Anna + the Laughing Dogs a listen.

* Casey James Prestwood, "Cowboy Peyton Place" Falling Apart at the Seams (Self, 11)
* Fleet Foxes, "Bedouin Dress" Helplessness Blues (Sub Pop, 11)
* Tedeschi Trucks Band, "Don't Let It Slide" Revelator (Sony Legacy, 11)
* Jolie Holland, "Gold and Yellow" Pint of Blood (Anti, 11)
* Matt Bauer, "Blacklight Horses" Jessamine County Book of the Living (Crossbill, 11)
* Old Crow Medicine Show, "Tell It To Me" OCMS (Nettwerk, 04)
* Joe Ely, "Highway Is My Home" Satisfied At Last (Rack 'Em, 11)
* Drag the River, "Medicine" Closed (Upland, 02)
* Justin Townes Earle, "Slippin' and Slidin'" Harlem River Blues (Bloodshot, 10)
* Old 97s, "I'm a Trainwreck" Grand Theatre Vol 2 (New West, 11)
* Caitlin Rose, "Spare Me (Fetzer's Blues)" Own Side Now (Theory 8, 11)
* Haunted Windchimes, "Don't Be Afraid" Live At the Western Jubilee (Blank Tape, 11)
* Frank Turner, "If Ever I Stray" England Keep My Bones (Epitaph, 11)
* Possessed By Paul James, "Old Man Souls" Feed the Family (Hillgrass Bluebilly, 10)
* Low Anthem, "Hey All You Hippies" Smart Flesh (Nonesuch, 11)
* Frank Fairfield, "But That's Alright" Out In the Open West (Tompkins Square, 11)
* Jimmie Dale Gilmore + the Wronglers, "In the Pines" Heirloom Music (Neanderthal, 11)
* Jill Andrews, "Sinking Ship" Mirror (Liam, 11)
* Sam Quinn, "Suite Motown" Fake That Sunk a Thousand Ships (Ramseur, 10)
^ Star Anna, "Shine" Alone In This Together (Local 638, 11)
* Von Ehrics, "Last Of the Working Slobs" Two Foot Stomp (Lucky Buck, 11)
* Quiet American, "Carolina" Quiet American Vol 2 (Self, 11)
* Greencards, "Said and Done" Brick Album (Darling St, 11)
* Dawes, "If I Wanted Someone" Nothing Is Wrong (ATO, 11)
* Vetiver, "Wonder Why" Errant Charm (Sub Pop, 11)

THURSDAY MORNING MIX

June 2, 2011

Scott Foley

Beginning this Episode of TMM with a fitting tribute to the late Gil Scott-Heron. Ironically, the tune is not one of his own, but one written by Bill Callahan that Scott-Heron made his own on his final recording. We're also privileged to take an inaugural listen to Star Anna's third CD and the sophomore release from Dawes.

One of the biggest steps forward in Colorado music this year has come from Haunted Windchimes, whose new release shines new light on some older songs, while featuring some unheard tunes as well. The quintet's harmonies are tight, and musically they have worked their way out of the potentially deadly stringband pigoenhole. While I've played tunes from at least two of their previous releases, this bodes well for the possibility of a great studio CD to come.

* Gil Scott-Heron, "I'm New Here" I'm New Here (XL, 10)
* Grant Peeples, "Last Great Buffalo Hunt" Okra & Ecclesiastes (Gatorbone, 11)
* Cody Canada & the Departed, "Make Yourself Home" This is Indian Land (30 Tigers, 11)
* Bonnie & the Clydes, "Pretend I Never Happened" Bonnie & the Clydes (Self, 11)
* Grayson Capps, "Highway 42" Lost Cause Minstrels (Royal Potato Family, 11)
* Crooked Jades, "Waiting City Shining" Unfortunate Rake Vol 1 (Copper Creek, 00)
* Jimmie Dale Gilmore & the Wronglers, "Way Downtown" Heirloom Music (Neanderthal, 11)
* Malcolm Holcombe, "Becky's Blessed" To Drink the Rain (Music Road, 11)
* Drag the River, "Way With Women" Bad at Breaking Up (Suburban Home, 09)
* Dave Alvin, "Manzanita" Eleven Eleven (Yep Roc, 11)
* Levon Helm w/Sheryl Crow, "No Depression in Heaven (live)" Ramble at the Ryman (Vanguard, 11)
* Amy Black, "One Time" One Time (Reuben, 11)
* David Mayfield, "I Just Might Pray" Parade (9th Grade, 11)
^ Haunted Windchimes, "American Dream (live)" Live at the Western Jubilee (Blank Tape, 11)
* Matt the Electrician, "Daydreamer" Accidental Thief (Self, 11)
* Emmylou Harris, "Home Sweet Home" Hard Bargain (Nonesuch, 11)
* Old 97s, "Perfume" Grand Theatre Vol 2 (New West, 11)
* Felice Brothers, "Honda Civic" Celebration Florida (Fat Possum, 11)
* Nathaniel Rateliff, "Shroud" In Memory of Loss (Rounder, 10)
* Jeffrey Foucault, "Idaho" Horse Latitudes (Signature Sounds, 11)
* Dawes, "If I Wanted Someone" Nothing is Wrong (ATO, 11)
* Lindi Ortega, "When All the Stars Align" Little Red Boots (Last Gang, 11)
* Owen Temple, "Prince of Peace" Mountain Home (El Paisano, 11)
* Magnolia Electric Co, "Lonesome Valley" Fading Trails (Secretly Canadian, 06)
* Star Anna, "Bird Without Wings" Alone in This Together (Local 638, 11)
* Those Darlins, "Let You Down" Screws Get Loose (Oh Wow Dang, 11)