ROUTES & BRANCHES

featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music

Scott Foley

Wow.  Last time I had a sub handle R&B was October 1, 2011, back when we were all a bit more innocent.  Back then, it was Greg Krush who took the wheel, and Greg returned this week with more songs about weed, booze and honky tonks.  You can track down his playlist on the station's website. 

In the meantime, there's also the matter of last week's lineup.  And the schedule for the next couple weeks to come.  To address that latter issue first, here's what we're looking at down the road a piece:

*  Sat 12/21  Americana Holiday Show
*  Mon 12/23  Mix Holiday Show  (featuring 2/3 of my "kids")
*  Sat 12/28  Americana Favorites Show
*  Mon 12/30  Mix Favorites Show
*  Mon 1/6  Colorado Favorites Show

I'll post all the above lists on this site as they're broadcast.  I've spent the last couple weeks poking around the 'net and eavesdropping on the list of other bloggers.  I'm amazed by both the consistency and the randomness of it all; how many of the same albums can appear on chart after chart, but with so many exceptions and such a lack of agreement with regards to order.  What earns the top spot on one chart might not even make an appearance on the next. 

One record that will start 2014 on a strong note is the debut by a cadre of vets calling themselves Hard Working Americans.  Fronted by Todd Snider, the group also features Neal Casal, Dave School from Widespread Panic, Duane Trucks, and Chad Staehly of Colorado's Great American Taxi.  Mr Snider produced that band's Paradise Lost record, and even toured with GAT, saying that he wanted to be a part of the band.  I'll always defend Snider as a writer, though recent albums have struck me as a bit lazy and inconsistent.  Joining with the other Hard Working Americans seems to have sparked that fire in him again, simply having a great time with a great band, making great music.  Highlights include a dirty, bluesy take on Frankie Miller's "Blackland Farmer", a sweet run through Kieran Kane's "Mountain Song" and an absurd John Popper harp solo on Hayes Carll's over-the-top "Stomp and Holler". 

*  Tim Easton, "Gallatin Pike Blues"  Not Cool  (Campfire Propaganda, 13)
*  Danny & the Champions of the World, "Other Days"  Stay True  (Loose, 13)
*  Mosey West, "Dear Headlights"  Bermuda  (Self, 13)  C
*  John Moreland, "Your Spell"  In the Throes  (Last Chance, 13)
*  Whiskey Gentry, "Here's Your Song"  Holly Grove  (Self, 13) 
*  Lone Justice, "Nothing Can Stop My Loving You"  Vaught Sessions  (Omnivore, 13)
*  Will Hoge, "Different Man"  Never Give In  (Cumberland, 13)
*  Lawn Chair Kings, "Gettin' Pretty Good (at feelin' pretty bad over you)"  Zombies Wake  (Self, 13)  C, D
*  JD McPherson, "Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights)"  single  (Rounder, 12)
*  Jim Lauderdale, "Ebenezer"  Black Roses  (Sky Crunch, 13)
*  Neko Case, "Bracing For Sunday"  Worse Things Get ...  (Anti, 13)
*  Charlie Parr, "Nowhere ... Fast"  Barnswallow  (Self, 13)
*  Trampled By Turtles, "Codeine (live)"  Live At First Avenue  (Banjodad, 13)
*  Blake Brown & American Dust Choir, "Rise 'n Fight"  American Dust Choir  (Self, 14)  C, D
*  Steve Earle, "Invisible"  Low Highway  (New West, 13)
*  Sour Boy Bitter Girl, "Tradition"  ASBF Christmas Forest Vol 7  (Act So Big Forest, 13)  C, D
*  Elin Ruth, "Oh My Do I Long For You"  Queen of Queens & the Last Man Standing  (Divers Ave, 13)
*  Howe Gelb, "Triangulate" Coincidentalist  (New West, 13)
*  Matt Woods, "Deadman's Blues"  single  (Self, 13)
*  Kacey Musgraves, "Silver Lining"  Same Trailer Different Park  (Mercury Nashville, 13)
*  Rosanne Cash, "Modern Blue"  River & the Thread  (Blue Note, 13)
*  Lincoln Durham, "Rise In the River"  Exodus of the Deemed Unrighteous  (Droog, 13)
*  Glossary, "All Is Well Tonight"  single  (Self, 11)
*  Dead Winter Carpenters, "Long Arm of the Law"  Dirt Nap  (Self, 13)  D
*  Honey Don't, "Playing in the Devil's Electric Band"  Heart Like a Wheel  (2Dolla Reccas, 13)  C
*  Buffalo Clover, "Misery"  Test Your Love  (Self, 13)  D
*  Tony Dekker, "Somewhere Near Thunder Bay"  Prayer of the Woods  (Nettwerk, 13)
*  Have Gun Will Travel, "Take Me Home Alice"  Fiction Fact or Folktale  (This is Amer Music, 13)