ROUTES & BRANCHES
featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music
March 1, 2014
Scott Foley

One-half of Denver's Paper Bird is certainly better than no Paper Bird.  Thanks to Caleb, Sarah and Genevieve for their visit on this week's R&B Episode.  On Saturday, March 8, be sure to tune in for a chat and some live music from iconic bluesman Otis Taylor.  Then, on our 3/15 show we'll welcome Oklahoma's John Moreland.  Oh, then on Thursday, March 27, I'll be spending a full hour Charlie Parr for Live@Lunch. 

Among the many artists who probably won't be joining me in the studios is Carlene Carter.  Her career began as part of the Carter Sisters with her mother, June Carter Cash.  A series of rather successful solo records established her reputation in the world of mainstream country.  A series of unsuccessful marriages, unflattering media moments and stabs at new musical directions assured a difficult second act.  After close to fifteen years of downtime, Carter released 2008's Stronger, which confirmed that she had lose none of her songwriter chops, visible even through some thick production and vocal correction.  Which brings us to Carter Girl.  Produced by Don Was, Carlene Carter's new record strikes a graceful balance between all aspects of her career, blending takes on her family's legendary classics with originals, duets with family friends Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson with a collaboration with Elizabeth Cook and a stellar backing band throughout.  Don Was gives even the traditional songs a contemporary relevance, without overproducing or adding too much studio sheen.  Carter's vocals speak of her experience, worn here and there, but as genuine and sweet as those of her mother (who she greatly resembles). 

Um ... incidentally, I also had the opportunity to chat this week with John Carter Cash, Carlene's half brother and producer for Johnny Cash's forthcoming Out Among the Stars.  We'll air that chat a bit closer to the record's release date, at the request of the label. 



*  Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, "Folsom Prison Blues"  Johnny's Blues  (Northern Blues, 03)
*  Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, "No Honky-Tonks"  New Old Story  (Randm, 14)
*  Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash, "Baby Ride Easy"  Out Among the Stars  (Columbia, 14)
*  Paper Bird, "As I Am"  Rooms  (Self, 13)  C
*  Paper Bird, "Blood & Bones"  Rooms  (Self, 13)  C
*  Paper Bird, "Hold It Down"  Rooms  (Self, 13)  C
*  Jolie Holland, "Waiting For the Sun"  Wine Dark Sea  (Anti, 14)  D
*  Drive-by Truckers, "Natural Light"  English Oceans  (ATO, 14)
*  Hayes Carll, "Love Like You"  Trouble In Mind  (Lost Hwy, 08)
*  Jon Langford, "Mars"  Here There Be Monsters  (Bloodshot, 14)  D
*  Girls Guns & Glory, "All the Way Up To Heaven"  Good Luck  (Lonesome Day, 14)
*  Mavericks, "There Goes My Heart"  What a Cryin' Shame  (MCA, 94)
*  Laura Cantrell, "Starry Skies"  No Way There From Here  (Thrift Shop, 14)
*  Denver Broncos UK, "Top Yourself"  Rockin' Legends Pay Tribute to Jack White  (Cleopatra, 13)  D
*  Rod Picott, "65 Falcon"  Hang Your Hopes on a Crooked Nail  (Welding Rod, 14)
*  Scott H Biram, "Jack of Diamonds"  Nothin' But Blood  (Bloodshot, 14)
*  Kelly Hogan, "Haunted"  I Like To Keep Myself In Pain  (Anti, 12)
*  Chuck Ragan, "Non Typical"  Till Midnight  (SideOneDummy, 14)
*  Walt Wilkins & the Mystiqueros, "If I Had a Little Truck"  Wildcat Pie & the Great Walapateya  (Self, 13)  D
*  Chuck Mead, "Evil Wind"  Free State Serenade  (Plowboy, 14)
*  Eric Church, "Man Who Was Gonna Die Young"  Outsiders  (EMI, 14)  D
*  Charlie Parr, "Cheap Wine (live)"  I Dreamed I Saw Paul Bunyan Last Night  (Chaperone, 13)
^  Carlene Carter, "Little Black Train"  Carter Girl  (Rounder, 14)
*  Robert Ellis, "Pride"  Lights From the Chemical Plant  (New West, 14)
*  Reverend Horton Heat, "My Hat"  REV  (Victory, 14)