ROUTES & BRANCHES 

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

September 27, 2014

Scott Foley

Two of my favorite KRFC guys in studio with me this Episode for our Fall 2014 Membership Drive.  Big Thanks to Andy from Tarnation and Charles from Ajax Diner Book Club (give 'em a listen, won't you) for keeping me company and speaking truth about the value of community radio.  You'll have another chance to make it right next Saturday, by calling 970-221-5075 or pledging online at krfcfm.org.

Just call him "Tom V", if like me  you're uncertain where to put the accent on Vandenavond. Larry & His Flask, that's an easier name to pronounce.  Together, they've released a wonderfully low-key collaboration on Hillgrass Bluebilly Records, Endtimes.  As I've mentioned in the past, despite my overriding allergies to much of the genre, I began my radio existence as a sub for a folk music program.  At the time, the folk airwaves were crowded with what was called "contemporary folk music", a subgenre largely defined by confessional, earnest Boston types with a thing for strummy acoustic guitars.  For my part, I sought to skew the program towards the messier side of folk, the dark side that champions rough hewn edges and playing like one might hear on the new Tom V / Larry set.  This isn't to damn  Endtimes as a folk record, though there is a definite throwback spirit to the sessions, a'la John Prine as backed by the Gourds.  If Tom Vandenavond were a train, I would be bouncing behind the caboose, having discovered his music only last year with his visit to the Choice City Stomp.  Given his last solo record, 2012's Wreck of a Fine Man, I was drawn to some of his deceptively simple lyrics and workmanlike approach to the unadorned music.  On Endtimes, those words are showcased atop the sweet and shambling accompaniment from Portland's Larry & His Flask.  The pairing serves to bring out the best from both parties, perfectly framing Tom V's music and allowing the band's acoustic prowess to shine. 


*  Townes Van Zandt, "Why She's Acting This Way"  Our Mother the Mountain  (Tomato, 69)
*  Shinyribs, "Dollar Bill Blues"  More Townes Van Zandt  (forthesakeofthesong, 10)
*  Lucinda Williams, "Temporary Nature (of any precious thing)"  Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone  (Hwy 20, 14)
*  Lucero, "Breathless Love (live)"  Live From Atlanta  (Liberty + Lament, 14)
*  Drag the River, "Medicine"  Closed  (Upland, 02)  C
*  Luke Winslow-King, "Cadillac Slim"  Everlasting Arms  (Bloodshot, 14)
*  Band of Heathens, "Carry Your Love"  single  (BoH, 14)  D
*  Sons of Bill, "Arms of the Landslide"  Love & Logic  (Thirty Tigers, 14)
*  Maggie Bjorklund w/Kurt Wagner, "Fro Fro Heart"  Shaken  (Bloodshot, 14)  D
*  Steelism, "Landlocked Surfer"  915 to Fame  (Single Lock, 14)
*  Shakey Graves, "Hard Wired"  And the War Came  (Dualtone, 14)
*  Son Volt, "Mystifies Me"  Trace  (Warner, 95)
*  Hiss Golden Messenger, "Lucia"  Lateness of Dancers  (Merge, 14)
*  Lee Ann Womack, "Chances Are"  The Way I'm Livin'  (Sugar Hill, 14)
*  Matt Hillyer, "Home Is Where the Heartache Is"  If These Old Bones Could Talk  (Run Up Tree, 14)
*  Ben Miller Band, "Prettiest Girl"  Any Way Shape or Form  (New West, 14)
*  Tweedy, "Summer Noon"  Sukierae  (dbPm, 14)
*  Patterson Hood, "After It's Gone"  single  (Protect Downtown Athens, 12)
*  Sarah Borges, "Start Again"  Radio Sweetheart  (Lonesome Day, 14)
*  JD McPherson, "I Wish You Would"  single  (Concord, 14)  D
^  Tom Vandenavond w/Larry & His Flask, "Jackrabbit, Arizona"  Endtimes  (Hillgrass Bluebilly, 14)  D
*  Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, "I'm Blue I'm Lonesome"  Saturday Night / Sunday Morning  (Superlatone, 14)