Live Music Week is launched at Federation Square on December 13th. More info at www.pbsfm.org.au
On my show December 15th will be Skipping Girl Vinegar. Tune in at around 1.30pm to hear them play.
Also, Matt Joe Gow will be on the show this Monday to play a couple of tunes. Matt is one of the main artists playing at Fed Square.
This podcast is a spin off of the radio program I present on 106.7 PBS-FM Monday afternoons from 1.00pm AEST.
With this podcast I aim to highlight the great alt-country talent we have here in Australia.
There are a couple of ways you can listen to the podcast.
1.You can download this episode via itunes HERE.
2.Visit the 5 Feet High and Rising page on mypodcast.com HERE.
3. You can download the podcast as an mp3 file. Right click HERE.
In this podcast I will be featuring an interview I recorded at PBS with Andre Hooke from Khancoban. Andre has a chat about the bands debut full length album and plays a couple of tunes from it for us.
I will also be playing some music from a great bunch of artists primarily based here in Melbourne. They have all recently released or are about to release new material and most have helped out on each others recordings. They are a great example of the vibrant alt-country and Americana scene here in this city.
Sean McMahon - Welcome to Gippsland
On my first podcast I played a song from the Downhill’s Home album called Minor Birds. Now Sean McMahon the singer and songwriter from the band has released a solo album called Welcome to Gippsland. 
Sean has called the whole project a “Story Book Album” It’s a collection of fictional narratives from the perspectives of four characters. Sean takes the lead role and the rest of the cast is made up of special guests including Matt Walker in the role of a “friend of Jim’s”, Liz Stringer as Mary and Laura Jean as Case. Together with Sean they have created an album of sparse country licks and somber blues.
Liz Stringer also makes an appearance on a couple of the other songs featured on this podcast plus I will play a song from her own album later as well. Welcome to Gippsland is out now through Major Label Records.
Van Walker - Celestial Railroad and other Stories
Van Walker was born in Tasmania in 1978. He moved to Melbourne with his brother Cal in 2000. They formed a rock band called the Swedish Magazines and played around with the more country stuff on the side. Taking a break from the Swedes, Van has just released his debut solo album called Celestial Railroad and other stories. It’s filled with songs about paranoid spies and love-sick rabbits, urban bandits and tram-hopping misadventures. The album is released through Croxton Records. Other than Van and Cal the band consists of Zane Lynd on bass and Chris Altmann on drums. Other performances come from Jeb Cardwell and Liz Stringer.
Khancoban - Limbs may fall
Khancoban was formed back in 2004 by Andre Hooke with his partner Jemima Hooke as a two piece. Andrew Bonnici on Lap Steel & banjo and Pete Cohen formerly of Sodastream on bass have since joined the band. Prior to their Debut album Limbs may fall they released a self titled ep in 2006.
The band takes its name from a small town nestled in the Snowy Mountains in NSW close to the Victorian border. They are signed to the Sydney based label Half a Cow. These two facts alone have lead to a misconception that the band is from NSW. But they are actually Melbourne based.
Andre came into the PBS studio recently to talk about the band’s first album and he played a couple of tunes as well.
Fireside Bellows - No Time To Die
On my first podcast I played a couple of demos from the then forthcoming album by the Fireside Bellows. The album is due out on November 15th through Vitamin Distribution. The album is called No Time to Die and it’s a beauty.
Recorded live over 9 days at Spicerack Studios in Brunswick, Melbourne, No Time To Die is a remarkable debut album from the alt. country harmony collaboration of local acclaimed Melbourne Song-smith Jordie Lane and Canadian singer-songwriter Tracy McNeil. The two met on line a while back and Tracy came to Melbourne unannounced and found Jordie quickly by hanging out in local Melbourne music venues. Within a year they had formed the band, co-written and now released this stunning debut.
Country and bluegrass influenced the album celebrates a shared love of American roots music, No Time To Die also displays this duo's unique connection in the art of co-writing and harmony singing.
The album features many guest appearances including Liz Stringer, Andy Baylor and the brilliant pedal steel work of Garrett Costigan.
Liz Stringer - Pendulum
We’ve heard a lot of work so far from some great artists made with some contribution from Liz Stringer. It’s now time to play something from her new album called Pendulum. Distributed by One Little Indian Enterprises many of artists that Liz helped out return the favor on Pendulum. Jordie Lane, Matt Walker, Jen Anderson, Michael Hubbard from Downhill’s Home plus a few others all make a contribution.
Skipping Girl Vinegar - Sift the Noise
Taking their name from the iconic Melbourne neon sign of Audrey the ‘Skipping Girl' in Richmond, Skipping Girl Vinegar is Chris Helm (drums), Mark Lang (Lead Vox, Guitar), Amanthi Lynch (Keys) & Sare Lang (Bass).
They released their album Sift the Noise recently on the label Popboomerang Label. The album was recorded in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and studios across Melbourne, as well as ‘The Lookout’, a beach shack in Aireys Inlet on the Great Ocean Road. Testament to the band’s obsession with melody, pop-hooks, and the search to stretch their song craft, the result is a dark, warm, organic record that reflects the environments and journey of the band throughout the writing and recording of the album.
The album packaging itself is a sight to behold. Made to look like a library book, it opens gatefold style and includes two booklets, one with the song lyrics and the other with photos of the band. If you buy the album at gigs it also comes with a small calico library bag.
Fireside Bellows - No Time to Die
It's a pleasure to feature my first Australian album as "Album of the Month".
The album "No Time to Die" by Fireside Bellows is a wonderful album of high quality Americana harmony singing by Jordie Lane and Tracy McNeil in the style of Gillian Welch & David Rawlings or Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell.
Recorded live over 9 days at Spicerack Studios in Brunswick, Melbourne, No Time To Die is a remarkable debut album from the alt. country harmony collaboration of local acclaimed Melbourne Song-smith Jordie Lane and Canadian singer-songwriter Tracy McNeil. The two met on line a while back and Tracy came to Melbourne unannounced and found Jordie quickly by hanging out in local Melbourne music venues. Within a year they had formed the band, co-written and now released this stunning debut.
Country and bluegrass influenced the album celebrates a shared love of American roots music, No Time To Die also displays this duo's unique connection in the art of co-writing and harmony singing.
The album features many guest appearances including Liz Stringer, Andy Baylor and the brilliant pedal steel work of Garrett Costigan.
Fireside Bellows launch the album at an afternoon show at the Northcote Social Club on November 23rd. The album is released on November 15th on Vitamin Records.
Fireside Bellows on Myspace
I recently spoke to Andre Hooke from Khancoban on the program. The band has recently released their first full length album called "Limbs May Fall" on the Sydney based label Half A Cow.
The band takes its name from a small town in the Snowy Mountains causing some confusion that they are from that part of the world. They are actually Melbourne based and material for the album was composed in two places, a Warehouse in inner Melbourne and in the bands own studio located in the more rural surrounds of Kallista. The album was recorded at Headgap Studios in Preston.
You can listen to the whole interview with Andre via the Five Feet High and Rising Podcast. Andre also played two songs which are also included. 
Khancoban are:
Andre Hooke
Jemima Hooke
Andrew Bonnici
Pete Cohen
www.halfacow.com/khancoban
www.myspace.com.khancoban
You can download the songs Andre played here.
By The Lights
I can only afford to win
The long awaited debut album from the Fireside Bellows (Jordie Lane & Tracey McNeil)is called "No Time to Die" and will be launched on November 23rd at the Northcote Social Club.
Jordie has sent through the following details. A must see event!
After forming a duo less than a year ago, It is with great pleasure that we, Jordie Lane & Tracy McNeil, can announce that our debut album entitled "No Time To Die", will be released nationally next month, in stores Saturday 15th November, through vitamin distribution.
And to celebrate we will be having a very special Album Launch the following
Sunday 23rd November at The Northcote Social Club (ARVO SHOW).
The launch will feature some of Melbourne's finest players who appeared on the record: Garrett Costigan-pedal steel, Liz Stringer-Banjo, Andy Baylor-Fiddle, Stevie Hesketh-Keys, and many more. We are delighted that Suzannah Espie, and Red Fish Bluegrass will be opening the show, and the arvo will be hosted by comedian Denise Scott.
Doors open at the very civilized hour of 2:30pm, show kicks off at 3pm. So you can be home for your Sunday Roast by 7pm.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE, as of Mon 13th Oct, so what are you waiting for, hurry? click the link or call the number below to pre-book.
Fireside Bellows Album Launch
Sunday 23rd November
Northcote Social Club
$12 +booking fee or $15 at the door if still available
Tickets on sale at the NSC box office (301 High St, Northcote), Ph: 94861677 and online via www.northcotesocialclub.com
www.myspace.com/firesidebellows
Downhills Home have announced plans relating to their forthcoming album & news about upcoming tours. The first song to be lifted from the new album is called "Pluto's Blues" & it will be available to download October 28th via their website.
www.downhillshome.com
www.myspace.com/downhillshome
From the band:
Although it's been a quiet winter for Melbourne five piece Downhills Home, it's been by no means uneventful. While singer Sean McMahon has finished his album 'Welcome to Gippsland', (out now through MGM) the band has been working on the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut album of last year, 'Minor Birds'. The new material sees the band progress from their alt-country roots to a heavier 60's inspired rock'n'roll sound. Now, ready and rested, and with a heap of new material, Downhills Home are set to hit the stage again.
They will embark on not one but two East Coast tours simultaneously supporting Epicure and the internationally acclaimed Dandy Warhols after being hand picked by the band themselves.
Following that, Downhills Home will host their own show to launch their new single, 'Pluto's Blues', a teaser from the bands highly anticipated second album.
Tour Dates:
23 oct. the Annandale Hotel, Sydney, NSW,supporting Epicure
24 oct. Baroque, Katoomba, NSW, supporting Epicure
25 oct. Manly Fisho's, Manly, NSW, supporting Epicure
26 oct. Brass Monkey, Cronulla, NSW, supporting Epicure
30 oct. the Pub, Bendigo, VIC , supporting Epicure
31 oct. the Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW, supporting the Dandy Warhols
1 nov. the Corner Hotel, Melbourne, Vic, supporting Epicure
2 nov. the Westernport Hotel, San Remo, Vic, supporting Epicure
3 nov. the Barwon Heads Hotel, Geelong, Vic , supporting Epicure
5 nov. the Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane, QLD , supporting the Dandy Warhols
6 nov. the Palace Theatre, Melbourne, Vic, supporting the Dandy Warhols
7 nov. the Palace Theatre , Melbourne, Vic, supporting the Dandy Warhols
28 nov. the Evelyn, Fitzroy, Vic. PLUTO's BLUES SINGLE LAUNCH with Pony Face and Hello Morning
Todd Snider has made his new album "Peace Queer" available to download for free from today (October 11th) until the end of the month.
Go to his website www.toddsnider.net for the download. The actual CD is released on October 14th.
From Todd's Myspace page:
The overtly political 'Peace Queer' takes a bit of a left turn for the outspoken Snider, beginning with the cover photo, which depicts Snider being held at gunpoint by a shirtless hippie. "Clearly, anyone who looks at the photograph can tell that I had been abducted by an international league of peace queers and forced to write protest music. You know, for their cause," says Snider.
The eight tracks on 'Peace Queer' include a Civil War sea shanty, a plaintive cover of the classic "Fortunate Son," a spoken-word number, a rocket-fueled meditation on contemporary culture ("Stuck On The Corner"), and a Fred Sanford-ish funeral dirge. The emotional centerpiece of the album is the wistful "Ponce Of The Flaming Peace Queer."
"'Peace Queer' is a six-song cycle, starting with a song called 'Mission Accomplished,'" Snider explains. "In six sentences, the record goes like this: Here's the kid being told everything's going to be great. Here's the reality of that. Here's that kid when he comes home a sad and banged-up and angry 'winner.' Here's the breakdown of why I think that's happening. Here's the guy in our culture that I think is causing that to happen, and it's not a president. And then here's what I think is going to happen to that guy. And then we roll credits."
On 'Peace Queer', those credits include Patty Griffin, Kevin Kinney, Don Heron, Doug Lancio, Will Kimbrough and other luminaries.
"Things happen in this album besides you being told that war is wrong, with a beat," Snider says. "I don't know that war is wrong. I just know that I'm a peace queer, and I'm totally into it when people aren't fighting, in my home, at the bar where I hang out, or in a field a million miles away."
Buy from Amazon
Justin Townes Earle is coming to Australia in November.
Tour dates as follows:
23 Nov Troubadour QLD
25 Nov Annandale Hotel NSW
26 Nov Grace Emily Hotel SA
28 Nov The Palais - Hepburn Springs VIC
29 Nov Meeniyan Hall VIC
30 Nov The Toff in Town VIC
Justin is of course the son of Steve Earle, who himself will complete a tour of Australia just weeks before his son.
A modern-day troubadour, Earle blends genres seamlessly, framing his songs in warm musical settings and creating tunes that could easily be mistaken for classics. His album "The Good Life" was released earlier this year to widespread acclaim.
Buy CD from Amazon
Download album from Amazon
www.myspace/justintownesearle
Tickets
Jolie Holland - The Living and the Dead
The Living and the Dead, Jolie Holland’s new ANTI- album, is quite simply a breakthrough, the album her adoring fans have been waiting for. With a vocal style hailed by the Village Voice as “sultry and sweet, despairing and lonely,” Jolie has experimented in the past with various settings for her unique, jazz-inflected voice; this time, working with collaborators like M. Ward and Marc Ribot, Ms. Holland has embraced both the rocking side of her roots heritage, and the compositional possibilities of the recording studio, multi-tracking her voice extensively for the first time.
Track Listing:
1. Mexico City
2. Corrido Por Buddy
3. Palmyra
4. You Painted Yourself In
5. Fox In Its Hole
6. Your Big Hands
7. Sweet Loving Man
8. Love Henry
9. The Future
10. Enjoy Yourself
YouTube Clip:
Buy from Amazon
Links:
www.jolieholland.com
www.myspace.com/joliholland
www.anti.com
Band of Heathens - Self Titled
Formed back in 2006 by three singer-songwriters, the Band of Heathens (BOH) released their debut studio album in May.
Colin Brooks, Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist started playing together at a club in Austin Texas called Momo's. At first sharing the bill the trio started to help out on each others stuff & the band was born. In 2007 drummer John Chipman joined to round out the band.
The first two releases from BOH were both live albums (Live at Antones & Live at Momo's), and the band was duly recognised as the new band to watch. In fact at the SXSW conference in 2007 the band won the award for "Best New Band". They were also nominated for many others.
On this debut studio album the band called on Ray Wylie Hubbard to produce it. He also makes a musical contribution as do other special guests Patty Griffin, Gurf Morlix and Stephen Burton. The sound achieved can be best described as Americana with a touch of Blues and Roots Rock for good measure. The bands strength lies in the sharing of the songwriting, singing & guitar playing of the three main members, all of whom take turns from song to song. This keeps the sound fresh, varied and interesting. 2008 is sure to bring more accolades.
The album is released on the bands own label BOH Records. There is no local Australian distribution as yet but the album is available on itunes and via the link below from Amazon.
Links
website
myspace
Youtube clips
This podcast is a spin off of the radio program I present on 106.7 PBS-FM Monday afternoons from 1.00pm AEST.
There are a couple of ways you can listen to the podcast.
1.You can download this episode via itunes HERE.
2.Visit the 5 Feet High and Rising page on mypodcast.com HERE.
3. You can download the podcast as an mp3 file. Right click HERE.
With this podcast I aim to highlight the great alt-country talent we have here in Australia.
All artists have given their express permission for their songs to be used on this podcast. 
Feautred first is a song from the Melbourne based duo Jordie Lane & Tracy McNeil who together are know as the Fireside Bellows. Jordie is a born & bred Melbournian but Tracy comes from Toronto in Canada. Having made contact firstly via the internet, the two finally meet face to face at the start of 2007. It quickly became clear that they could sing together like they’d been doing so for centuries. With a shared love of old-time country music and bluegrass, Fireside Bellows skillfully pay homage to these traditions through their two part harmonies and classic songs from days gone by. They also maintain a sense of their own roots, crafting songs from stories from personal experiences in this modern day existence.
If you are in Melbourne you can catch one of the regular the Fire side Bellows gigs. Jordie also performs solo on a regular basis. Check their myspace pages for further details www.myspcace.com/firsidebellows
& www.myspace.com/jordielanemusic
The Fireside Bellows have been working on their debut album which should be out soon. In the meantime, Jordie sent me a couple of songs recorded in his home studio located in the backyard shed.
Matt Joe Gow, who was born in NZ, spent three years travelling the world writing & playing music & developing a sound of his own. While in Canada he formed the band Tearlighter and released an EP called The Truth This Winter. Relocating to England in August 2005 he recorded his debut solo EP called Bullet, a collection of 5 songs reflecting his time overseas.
Now calling Melbourne home, Matt has spent the last year or so writing and recording songs for a new self-titled album, which is out now.
The songs have been recorded at the Woodstock Studios here in Melbourne with Matt’s band The Dead Leaves, an eight piece studio band featuring two members of Augie March (Ed Ammendola & David Williams). The Dead Leaves also include notable local musicians Chris Elliott, Brendan Mitchell & Greg Whitehead.
Matt says he has been influenced by the likes of Whiskeytown & Grant Lee Buffalo as well as fellow Kiwi's Neil Finn & Dave Dobbyn. His new songs are infused with country flavours that can be attributed to these influences. Here is a song from his new 8 track album called At the Seams. The album is available to buy from www.blastmymusic.com. Visit Matt at his myspace page www.myspace/mattjoegowmusic
Downhills Home are another Melbourne based band. The band is made up of Sean McMahon (guitar, vocals), Michael Hubbard (guitar, vocals), Brendan McMahon (keyboard and piano), Josh Duiker (drums) and Tim McCormack (bass).
They deliver a sound that is raw and pure, with a late- 60’s country quality, inspired by The Byrds, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, The Band and early Wilco. Also, to my ears the vocal sounds of vocalist Sean McMahon remind me of Jim James from My Morning Jacket. Their debut album Minor Birds was released last year to widespread acclaim. The album was recorded live with few overdubs. Guest appearances on the album include Matt Walker, Jen Cloher and Laura Jean.
Further details can be found on their page at myspace. www.myspace.com/downhillshome
Next is the Sydney based out fit Jeremy Edwards and the Dust Radio Band.
On the bands myspace website they described their music this way ‘Dirty twang to swampy gospel and southern rock n’ roll from the heart’.
Led by Jeremy the band also features the vocals of Julieanne Henry and this vocal pairing is at the core of the band sound. The other essential ingredient is the pedal steel guitar playing of Roy Payne. Counterpoint to the guitar work is the pulse of one of the country’s finest rhythm sections. From hot swing to grinding R n’ B and fierce boogie, drummer George Brugmans and upright/electric bassist Ben Edwards lay down a passionate, melodic groove.
The band’s album Stay Hungry was released last year and is available from Waterfront Records and all good records stores. Visit them on myspace at www.myspace.com/jeremyedwardsandthedustradioband
Finally on the program is a song from Abbie Cardwell from her album By Hook or By Crook. 
Originally from Adelaide, Abbie has travelled the world with her music. For her latest album, Abbie secured the services of her golden fingered, six-stringing older brother Jeb, double bass work of Andy Albanis, tub thumping of acclaimed drummer Ashley Davies and special guest Bedge from Bernard Fanning’s band. A regular on the Australian Festival circuit Abbie has impressed many during 2007 and look set for bigger things in 2008.
Find her myspace page here. www.myspace.com/abbiecardwell
Don’t forget who can listen to the show I present on community radio 106.7 PBS-FM here in Melbourne Mondays from 1.00pm. You can also listen live or on demand via the website at www.pbsfm.org.au.
Stay tuned for Episode two coming soon.
Power of County - See You in Rock & Roll Heaven
Label - Union Records
This month we feature Power Of County's latest album "See you in Rock & Roll Heaven". Our own Mr Doo-Wop, Peter Merritt, who also doubles as Music Manager at PBS was more than impressed with the album. So much so that he provided the band with a quote to use on their website. Here it is again:
"This is an exceptional in ya face take no prisoners Country album full of the licks and kicks that most contemporary Country music lacks. It is absolutely ornery with tobacco spitting arrangements with great tempo changes that call out for the listener to keep up. How could you not like this album, it calls out for a party, so pass the bottle of whiskey and lets dance! You have won us over with this cd, yes definitely impressed us all." Peter Merritt, PBS Australia.
This is Power of County's (P.O.C.) third album. The band members are Matthew Stark: Vocals, Guitar & Banjo. D Rives Curtright: Vocals & Guitar. Mike D: Bass. Andy Bacon: Drums. Dan Baldwin: Percussion. Erik Clampitt: Pedal Steel & Harmonica. Sean Buck: Mandolin & Fiddle. The band come from Portland Oregon & started in 2002 when Cutwright & Stark took off for an extended tour of the US West Coast. Growing to the full band not long after they released Dream Destroyer in 2006 and followed this with Dirt Western in 2007.
"Cowpunk as a movement married a punk sensibility with a love and knowledge of classic country and good ole rock ‘n’ roll"
This quote perfectly describes P.O.C sound as they continue the good work stared by the like of Jason & the Scorchers et al. I will be playing three tracks per show throughtout August.
Links:
Myspace
Union Records
Offical Site
You Tube Clip
The show this week featured some new music from a new project from M Ward called "She and Him", a song from Chuck Prophet's tribute to Waylon Jennings called "Dreaming Waylon's Dreams" and a couple of tracks from the fantastic new album by Justin Townes Earle called "The Good Life"
Local music came from new albums by Clinkerfield, Silver City Highway & Kasey Chambers with her husband Shane Nicholson from their forthcoming album "Rattlin Bones".
To view the full playlist click here.
Firstly, Justin Townes Earle.
Justin is Steve Earle's son. If that wasn't enough to raise expectations Justin has the added burden of carrying the name of one his Dad's heroes Townes Van Zandt. His debut album, out on Bloodshot Records is called "The Good Life". At 25 Earle has already packed alot into his short life. A veteran of a few bluegrass combos he also playing in his fathers touring band until Earle senior kicked him out due to various bad "habits".
Justin has since cleaned up his act to release this great album.
The Good Life is produced by RS Field (Billy Joe Shaver, Sonny Landreth) and Steve Poulton. The album was recorded (with the exception of “Ain’t Glad I’m Leaving”) at House of David studios, the legendary room that has hosted sessions with George Jones, Elvis Presley, Neil Young and countless others. Joining Earle in the studio are a cast of all-star players including longtime cohort Cory Younts (Bobby Bare, Jr) on banjo and mandolin, pedal steel player master Pete Finney (Dixie Chicks, Patty Loveless), bassist Bryn Davies (Patty Griffin, Guy Clark), drummer Bryan Owings (Buddy Miller, Shelby Lynne), keyboardist Skylar Wilson and fiddle player Josh Hedley. - Bloodshot Records
She and Him - Volume One
She and Him are Zooey Deschanel & M Ward. M Ward I know of course but if you heard the show you would know that I had no idea who Zooey was. I admit it OK. After a bit of research I know who she is now - an actor as well as a singer. She was on Weeds - one of my favourite shows amongst other things.
The She & Him story begins when in 2006 , renowned one man band M. Ward, recorded a duet with a girl named Zooey Deschanel. A delightful recording session, the experience lead to a dialogue between the two about collaborating further. This, in turn, led to Deschanel admitting to secretly making dozens and dozens of home demos and hoarding them like acorns for the winter. Sick and tired of being stingy and secretive about music, Deschanel realized that if songs were acorns then this was indeed her wintertime: she sent the recordings to Ward and these demos became the basis for their first record, entitled Volume One.
Ward’s unique arrangements and virtuostic guitar playing paired with Deschanel’s affinity for vocal harmony give Volume One its characteristic sound . Ward and Deschanel share a mutual affection for the songs they grew up hearing on Los Angeles radio stations - and keep in their hearts the records that most DJ’s aren’t playing anymore: Les Paul and Mary Ford, The Ronettes, Nina Simone, Chet Atkins, Linda Ronstadt, the Carter Family and about a hundred others. Aiming to achieve the warmth and charm of pop and country records from the early and mid part of the twentieth century, Ward, who also produced the record, and Deschanel, who wrote most of the music, called upon the help of a number of extraordinary musicians including: Rachel Blumberg, Adam Selzer, Mike Coykendall, Tom Hagerman, Peter Broderick, Mike Mogis, and Paul Brainerd. Without whom this record would just be two people with no drums, bass, strings or pedal steel. - Spunk Records
See. She was in Weeds!
Chuck Prophet - Dreaming Waylon's Dreams
Chuck Prophet was a member of Green on Red. He has issued a very rare tribute to Waylon Jennings "Dreaming my Dreams" called "Dreaming Waylon's Dreams". It is a track by track tribute featuring Max Butler, Stephanie Finch, John Murry, JJ Wiesler, Mark Pistel and others.. Only 1000 copies have been made. Some may be available to order here otherwise you can download it from emusic
Local music this week came from Kasey Chambers & husband Shane Nicholson. Also we heard a couple of tracks from the new albums by Clinkerfield & Silver City Highway.
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson release their first collaboration together later this month. It's called "Rattlin Bones". Here is the video.
Clinkerfield launched their album "A Head Full Of Rain & A Heart Full Of Puddles" last week at the Corner in Melbourne with the Idle Hoes. The album is out through Green Media/MGM Distribution on their own Waste Management label.
Silver City Highway are launching their new album on April 26th at the Tote. The album's called "Everything Is Breaking” through Green Media/MGM Distribution. Playing with them at the launch will be Abbie Cardwell and band, The Ukeladies, Van and Cal Walker, and The Family Hour (featuring Henry Wagons).
This weeks show featured interviews with Henry Wagons from The Wagons & with Dave Miles from the Hard Way plus Pete from the Skinners. Music was also provided by Wilco, Whiskeytown, Todd Snider, Old Crow Medicine Show, Felice Brothers & a whole lot more! To view the full playlist click here
HENRY WAGONS
Henry Wagons came in & played a couple of tunes. One, "Never been to Spain" is a song made famous by Elvis & a tune that Henry says he enjoys playing at gigs. Henry also played "Pamela May" from the latest Wagons album, "Curse of the Lightning". You can here Henry's performance by logging onto the PBS website & follow the links to the listen live section.
Henry is supporting John Hiatt at the following shows:
Thu March 27: Henry Wagons w/- John Hiatt @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Fri March 28: Henry Wagons w/- John Hiatt @ National Theatre, Melbourne
Following on from this the Wagons embark on their Lightning Strikes Twice Tour:
Sun March 30: The Retreat, Melbourne
Wed April 2: Electric Light Hotel, Adelaide
Thu April 3: Edinburgh Castle, Adelaide
Fri April 4: The Pub, Bendigo
Sat April 5: National Hotel, Geelong
Wed April 9: Oxford Tavern, Wollongong
Thu April 10: Brass Monkey, Cronulla
Fri April 11: Woodport Inn, Erina
Sat April 12: Hopetoun Hotel, Sydney
Sun April 13: Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
Thu April 17: Shark Bar, Miami Tavern, Gold Coast
Fri April 18: Bon Amici's, Toowoomba
Sat April 19: Sol Bar, Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast
Henry recommends getting along to the Bendigo & Geelongs shows for an extra special "good" time!
Wagons latest video from Youtube for the song "Snake Bite"
www.myspace.com/wagonsmusic
DAVE MILES & THE HARD WAY
Dave Miles is a Melbourne based singer & songwriter with an iron in a couple of fires. One of his outfits, The Hard Way have just released their debut full length album called "These Blue Miles". It is available at their gigs or from their myspace page.
They are playing at the Old Colonial here in Melbourne on April the 5th & 11th with the Skinners. A admission price of $10.00 will also get you a six track ep with three songs each from Dave Miles & the Hard Way and The Skinners.
Dave Miles & the Hard Way on youtube
www.myspace.com/hardwayband
WILCO
Wilco are coming to town this week playing at the Palace in Bourke street (the old Metro with a new name).
Here is a couple of interesting performances
The first features Jeff Tweedy & the Bottle Rockets performing Passenger Side recently. Lead singer with the Bottle Rockets is Brian Hennmann. He was a guitar tech with Wilco in the early days & played a bit of guitar on the first Wilco album "A.M."
You can log onto the Wilco website & request songs for them to play (no guarantees that they will though). I played two songs as kind of request for the upcoming show, Far Far Away from Being There & Too Far Apart from A.M. If I had a bit more time I also would have played Via Chicago from Summerteeth & Dash 7 from A.M. (maybe next week).
Wilco - Dash 7
Some other clips from band featured this week.
Eilen Jewel - Drop down daddy
Old Crow Medicine Show - I hear them all
Todd Snider - Conservative Christian, Right-Wing Republican, Straight, White American Males
The show this week featured some previously unheard songs from Whiskeytown from the deluxe edition of Strangers Almanac.
I also played a few songs from the fantastic compilation featuring songs played by Bob Dylan on his Theme Time Radio Hour that has just been released by Ace Records (distributed by Shock in Australia)
To view the full playlist click here
Whiskeytown - Strangers Almanac Deluxe Edition (Geffen/Universal)
Released in 1997, when Adams was twenty-two, Almanac was Whiskeytown's major-label debut, and although the group was in upheaval, the record is remarkably polished, coloring Gram Parsons-style country rock with R.E.M.'s vocal drama ("Not Home Anymore") and the Replacements' beer-breath blues ("Yesterday's News"). The album is a minor classic, and this reissue proves Adams was ridiculously prolific even then.
Whiskeytown at the time of Strangers Almanac were:
Ryan Adams (Guitar, Vocals)
Caitlin Cary (Fiddle, Vocals)
Phil Wandscher (Guitar)
Steven Terry (Drums)
Jeff Rice (Bass)
Two original members, Skillet Gilmore (Drums) & Steve Grothmann (Bass) had recently left the band.
The newly expanded version will include previously unreleased Whiskeytown tracks plus several classic covers.
The first disc includes the original album, produced by Jim Scott, plus five live public radio performances recorded in Santa Monica 10/9/1997 on the program Brave New World for KCRW-FM.
The second disc features acoustic demo versions of "16 Days," "Avenues" and "Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart" plus seven previously unreleased Whiskeytown tracks, including "Kiss & Make-Up" and "10 Seconds." Most of these tracks were recorded at the legendary Barn on Fire sessions. Recorded in a loft in Durham for Bloodshot Records the sessions acted as a warm up for the Strangers Almanac sessions to follow.
Steven Terry had just joined &Chris Stamey produced & played bass.
Most of the acoustic tracks on the second CD come from another session called the Baseball Park Sessions which began at the Modern Recording Studios in Chapel Hill by just Adams & Wandscher. Later the full band joined in (the original line up with Gilmore & Grothmann) to record a series of songs, most of which appeared on the bonus released of Faithless Street.
Also on the second disc the band also tackles Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams," Gram Parsons' "Luxury Liner," Johnny Cash's "I Still Miss Someone" and the True Believers' "The Rain Won't Help You When It's Over."
Youtube Clips
Theme Time Radio Hour with Bob Dylan (Ace/Shock)
A 2CD set featuring 50 tracks, representing the 50 shows of the first series of radio shows. For those that are new to the show, each programme lasts an hour and has a different theme each week, for example Drink or Mother. Each track is introduced by Dylan with his dry humour, eclectic interest and vast musical knowledge. His voice does not appear on this CD, just tracks selected from the shows.
A further summary of what the show is all about & where to here it can be found on the wikipedia page here.
Track Listing:
Disc 1
1. Turn Your Radio On - GRANDPA JONES
2. Papa’s On The Housetop - LEROY CARR and SCRAPPER BLACKWELL
3. Shortnin’ Bread - PAUL CHAPLAIN & HIS EMERALDS
4. Seven Nation Army - THE WHITE STRIPES
5. Gun Fever (Blam Blam Fever) - THE VALENTINES
6. Pistol Packin’ Mama - AL DEXTER & HIS TROOPERS
7. Pistol Packin’ Mama - THE HURRICANES
8. Homework - OTIS RUSH
9. He Will Break Your Heart - JERRY BUTLER
10. Take It Away Lucky - EDDIE NOACK
11. Buddy, Stay Off The Wine - BETTY HALL JONES
12. Tears A Go-Go - CHARLIE RICH
13. Rich Woman - LI’L MILLET & HIS CREOLES
14. Laughin’ & Jokin’ - ERNIE CHAFFIN
15. Me And My Chauffeur Blues - MEMPHIS MINNIE accompanied by LITTLE SON JOE
16. If I Lose - THE STANLEY BROTHERS
17. I Sat And Cried - JIMMY NELSON
18. Beatnik’s Wish - PATSY RAYE & THE BEATNIKS
19. Devil In His Heart - THE DONAYS
20. Let’s Invite Them Over - GEORGE JONES & MELBA MONTGOMERY
21. Don’t Take Ev’rybody To Be Your Friend - SISTER ROSETTA THARPE with the Sam Price Trio
22. Good Morning Heartache - BILLIE HOLIDAY
23. Pouring Water On A Drowning Man - JAMES CARR
24. I Drink - MARY GAUTHIER
25. Mother Earth - MEMPHIS SLIM
Disc 2
1. Chain Of Fools - ARETHA FRANKLIN
2. Walk A Mile In My Shoes - JOE SOUTH & THE BELIEVERS
3. Cry Tough - ALTON ELLIS & THE FLAMES
4. Tommy Gun - THE CLASH
5. (Everytime I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone - ROY MONTRELL
6. Those Dj Shows - PATRICE HOLLOWAY
7. I Ain’t Drunk - LONNIE “THE CAT”
8. Eat That Chicken - CHARLES MINGUS
9. Mama, Get Your Hammer - BOBBY PETERSON QUINTET
10. How High The Moon - SLIM GAILLARD
11. Cool Water - THE SONS OF THE PIONEERS
12. Only A Rose - GERAINT WATKINS
13. I Walk In My Sleep - BERNA - DEAN
14. Stars Fell On Alabama - JACK TEAGARDEN’S CHICAGOANS
15. Mama Tried (The Ballad From Killers Three) - MERLE HAGGARD & THE STRANGERS
16. Big Long Slidin’ Thing - DINAH WASHINGTON
17. Black Coffee - BOBBY DARIN
18. I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water - THE CATS AND THE FIDDLE
19. Ain’t Got The Money To Pay For This Drink - GEORGE ZIMMERMAN & THE THRILLS with the Bubber Cyphers
20. Bottle And A Bible - THE YAYHOOS
21. Okie’s In The Pokie - JIMMY PATTON
22. If You’re So Smart, How Come You Ain’t Rich? - LOUIS JORDAN
23. Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio - SANTIAGO JIMENEZ
24. Mona - BO DIDDLEY
25. Roadrunner (Twice) - THE MODERN LOVERS
Finally here aer a couple more clips by a few of the artists I played today.
Trailer Bride (Melissa Swingle!)
Jim White - Searching for the wrong eyed Jesus
Happy Easter
This week I played a couple of new songs from the Felice Brothers & Chatham Country Line. Local music was supplied by the Idle Hoes, Jane Dust & Dogsday.
To view the full play list click here.
The Felice Brothers hail from the Catskill Mountains in up state New York & three members of the band actually are brothers. James, Ian & Simon are three of seven children that grew up in the woods around Palenville in the Catskills. They credit this upbringing as a major influence on their music, this & a steady diet of Hank Williams, Blind Willie McTell & Jimmie Rogers. The fourth member of the band is a shady character simply named Christmas who is apparently a published novelist & dice player.
The Felice Brothers new self tilted album, recorded mainly in a chicken coop is out now on Team Love.
Here is a live clip of the song I played "Whiskey in my Whiskey"
The Chatham County Line are a Bluegrass band or as they call it, an acoustic country band who come from North Carolina & were formed back in 1999 by Dave Wilson & Greg Readling. Wilson was in the band Stillhouse & after that band broke up he spent some time with Readling in the backing band for Tift Merritt. Joining with some long time Stillhouse fans, John Teer Chandler Holt, Chatham Country Line was born. The new album IV is out now on Yep Roc & follows on from 2006's Speed of the Whippoorwill.
Here is the video for "Let it Rock" from the new album.
Local music this week.
The Idle Hoes have their debut coming out on Friday March 14th called "Little Victories". Recorded by Craig Pilkington at his Audrey Studios & at Mick Thomas's Two Feet High & Rising studio (both located here in Melbourne). The band are launching the album at the Corner Hotel on Friday April 4th with Clinkerfield (who are also launching a new album on the night).
Jane Dust is Melbourne based singer-songwriter & one time member on the band Muddy Spurs. Her new album is called "A Spray of Red from the Deep" & was recorded by Dave Graney & Claire Moore at their Ponderosa studio. Moore provided some percussion on the album were required, otherwise it is an acoustic affair.
Jane is launching her album on Sunday March 30th at Bar Open (317 Brunswick st Fitzroy) with special guests Kim Salmon, Claire Moore & Leon Stackpole.
Here is a clip of Jane's from Youtube.
Finally I played a song from Dogsday's self titled 5 track ep. After a break of nearly ten years while the band spent time raising kids & paying off the mortgage, they are back! Check local gig guides for details on the EP's launch date sometime in March or April. Here is live cut from the EP
For the full playlist from this weeks show click HERE.
The key element to this weeks show is the news about the pending demise of the No Depression Magazine (follow link to the website for a full transcript from the magazines editors). The main reasons for the demise are stated as falling revenue from advertising & the rising cost of printing. I can also see other factors such as the increased use of the Internet & the use of myspace & youtube by record companies & music fans alike to get the message out there. A bi-monthly magazine such as No Depression is out of date as soon as it hits the stands. They say they will continue on line but we sure will miss the great articles (something the Internet is not good at) & informed reviews.
Anyway this week I paid tribute to the magazine with a few choice cuts from artists most associated with the magazine. When the last one comes out in May, I'll probably devote a whole show!
Here is an Uncle Tupelo clip of the song that started it all
This weeks show also featured three songs from ex-Jayhawks members who all have solo albums out. Tim O'reagan & Mark Olson put theirs out last year & Gary Louris's Vagabonds is just out now.
Vagabonds was co-produced by Black Crows front man Chris Robinson. He also worked with Louris on the forthcoming reunion album with Mark Olson called " Ready fro the Flood". It was actually recorded before Vagabonds but it's release has been held over while the focus it on the solo albums. Ready for the Flood is due in mid 2008.
Here is Gary Louris singing "True Blue" from the new album.
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