Wednesday, November 07, 2012

ROUTES & BRANCHES
November 3, 2012
Scott Foley

Sometimes we forget that rock is a possible part of the americana equation, especially in the case of R&B.  When I draw my imaginary tree of influences (roots and branches), rock acts like Alejandro Escovedo, Old 97s and Bottle Rockets live on a pretty substantial branch.  Minneapolis songwriter Kevin Bowe has worked with a number of folks who live on the rock branch of the americana tree:  Paul Westerberg, Nels Cline, Chuck Prophet just to cite a couple who repay the favor on his fantastic new Natchez Trace album.  On the other side of age 50, Bowe has spent far more time writing for others than recording his own material.  Other than a couple curious covers (Lennon, Spirit) these are all Bowe originals, evocative tunes which betray a lifelong career in pairing great lyrics and music.

Also on this Episode, Cody Canada and his Departed rock harder on their second album, Adventus, than almost any other worthy americana act this year.  From Alabama, Janet Simpson and Delicate Cutters take a great musical step forward with Ring, and Jimbo Mathus finally sends me an album so that I no longer have to beg. 

Stay tuned in a day or two for a Delicate Cutters-themed installment of Departures!


*  Casey James Prestwood, "Kansas City Star"  Jukebox Is Busted  (Self, 11)
*  Hiss Golden Messenger, "Drummer Down"  Poor Moon  (Tompkins Square, 12)
*  Whitehorse, "Radiator Blues"  Fate Of the World Depends  (Six Shooter, 12)
*  David Wax Museum, "Dog In This Fight"  Knock Knock Get Up  (Self, 12)
*  Robert Plant, "Harm's Swift Way"  Band Of Joy  (Rounder, 10)
*  Lilly Hiatt & Dropped Ponys, "Championship Fighter"  Let Down  (Normaltown, 12)
*  Hollyfelds, "18 Years"  Title Stealers  (Self, 12)  D
*  AJ Downing, "American Junkie"  Good Day  (Charkansas, 12)
*  Lori McKenna, "Heart Shaped Bullet Hole"  Heart Shaped Bullet Hole  (Self, 12)  D
*  Graham Weber, "Sweet Virginia Brown"  Women  (Self, 12)
*  Hayes Carll, "Grand Parade"  KMAG YOYO  (Lost Highway, 11)
*  Jason Isbell, "Heart On a String (live)"  Live From Alabama  (Lightning Rod, 12)
*  Hickman Dalton Gang, "Old Border Town"  Vol 1  (Self, 07)
*  Delicate Cutters, "Where the Cottonmouths Hung"  Ring  (Skybucket, 12)  D
*  Ronnie Fauss, "I Don't See You"  I Am the Man You Know I'm Not  (Normaltown, 12)
*  Departed, "Burden"  Adventus  (Underground, 12)
*  Dave Gleason, "Rusty Halo"  Just Fall To Pieces  (Well Worn, 07)
*  Chris McGarry, "Bare Bright Halos"  Bare Bright Halos  (Self, 12)
*  Tift Merritt, "Sweet Spot"  Traveling Alone  (Yep Roc, 12)
^  Kevin Bowe, "Never Don't Stay"  Natchez Trace  (Okemah Prophets, 12)  D
*  Kathleen Edwards, "Summerlong"  Back to Me  (Zoe, 05)
*  Jim Byrnes, "I'm Movin' On"  I Hear the Wind In the Wires  (Black Hen, 12)  D
*  Elephant Revival, "To and From"  It's Alive  (Self, 12)
*  Trapper Schoepp & the Shades, "Tracks"  Run Engine Run  (SideOneDummy, 12)
*  Mando Saenz, "Pocket of Red"  Bucket  (Carnival, 08)
*  Trishas, "Strangers"  High Wide & Handsome  (Self, 12)
*  Jimbo Mathus, "In the Garden"  White Buffalo  (Fat Possum, 12)  D
*  Greater Pacific, "And You All Remain With Me"  Incandescent  (Yer Bird, 12)

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