5 Feet High And Rising

Unpaved presents #1

2012-01-26T13:48:00.000+11:00

Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three

2011-09-04T23:09:00.006+10:00

I have played some songs recently by Pokey LaFarge and the South City Free from their great new album called "Middle Of Everywhere". LaFarge is keeping the traditions of REAL American music alive. He combines country, blues, swing and old time jazz into a heady mix of "old-time" Americana.

Check out the clip for the tune "So Long Honey Bee"

So Long Honeybee, Goodbye - Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three (Official Music Video) from bill streeter on Vimeo.

New Time Slot

2010-07-20T14:20:00.003+10:00

5 Feet High and Rising is Moving!

Starting August 2010 5 Feet High and Rising moves to it's new time slot on Saturday mornings from 6-9 A.M (previously Mondays 1-3 P.M.) First show will be on August 7th.

Whilst the sound will generally sound the same you can expect to hear some more acoustic stuff, singer-songwriters plus the usual Americana and Alt-Country.

Not usually awake at 6.00 A.M? You can listen via PBS-FM's radio on demand any time.
Go to www.pbsfm.org.au to register (it's free).
All other changes to the PBS-FM grid for August can also be viewed on the website.

Best Albums of 2009 Week 2

2010-01-03T21:47:00.006+11:00

It started as a top twenty, expanded to forty and then to a top fifty albums of 2009. A very scientific approach was adopted. I spread the albums out on the floor and then put them into piles. Some were eliminated, some moved from one pile to the other. With the top twenty-five the order was shuffled many times and my number one changed a few times, until I settled on this line up.

Finally here they are. The order doesn't really matter but it was fun to go through the process.

Week Two (1-25)

todd snider	shock	1	excitement plan
jordie lane	vitamin	2	sleeping patterns
justin townes earle	bloodshot	3	midnight at the movies
phosphorescent	dead oceans	4	to willie
black crowes	silver arrow	5	before the frost
son volt	rounder	6	american central dust
wagons	croxton	7	rise and fall of goodtown
the duke and the king	shock	8	nothing gold can stay
bonnie prince billy	spunk	9	beware
steve earle	new west	10	townes
downhills home	self released	11	the wolves in the woods
corb lund	new west	12	losin lately gambler
wilco	nonesuch	13	wilco (the album)
buddy and julie miller	new west	14	written in chalk
dave rawlings machine	acony	15	a friend of a friend
wrinkle neck mules	lower 40	16	let the lead fly
eilen jewell	signature sounds	17	sea of tears
great lake swimmers	nettwerk	18	lost channels
cave singers	matador	19	welcome joy
mark olson & gary louris	new west	20	ready for the flood
richmond fontaine	non zero	21	we used to think the freeway sounded like a river
jason isbell & the 400 Unit	lightning rod	22	jason isbell & the 400 Unit
m ward	spunk	23	hold time
john doe and the sadies	yep roc	24	country club
monsters of folk	spunk	25	monsters of folk

Best Albums of 2009

2009-12-27T21:13:00.004+11:00

Week One 50 - 26

It started as a top twenty, expanded to forty and then to a top fifty albums of 2009. A very scientific approach was adopted. I spread the albums out on the floor and then put them into piles. Some were eliminated, some moved from one pile to the other.

Finally here they are. The order doesn't really matter but it was fun to go through the process. You'll have to wait until next week to see the top twenty-five.

magnolia electric co	secretly canadian	26	josephine
felice brothers	spunk	27	yonder is the clock
neko case	anti	28	middle cyclone
ben kweller	ato	29	changing horses
avett brothers	american	30	I and love and you
bill callahan	drag city	31	sometimes I wish we were an eagle
van walker	croxton	32	the last record store
dave alvin & the guilty women	yep roc	33	dave alvin & the guilty women
slaid cleaves	music road	34	everything you love will be taken away
patterson hood	ruth st	35	murdering oscar (and other love songs)
a.a. bondy	fat possum	36	when the devil's loose
reverend horton heat	bloodshot	37	laughin & cryin
conor oberst & the mystic valley band	merge	38	outer south
jeffrey foucault	signature sounds	39	shoot the moon right between the eyes
andrew bird	spunk	40	nobel beast
drive-by truckers	new west	41	the fine print
the weight	tee pee	42	are men
gourds	yep roc	43	haymaker!
maplewood	tapete	44	yeti boombox
ben nicholls	rebel group	45	the last pale light in the west
wayne hancock	bloodshot	46	viper of melody
low anthem	nonesuch	47	oh my god, charlie darwin
exene cervenka	bloodshot	48	somewhere gone
paul burch	ramseaur	49	still your man
devon sproule	tin angel	50	don't hurry for heaven

Monthly Feature Albums 2009

2009-12-10T22:40:00.020+11:00

On this weeks show (December 14th) I will be looking back at the ten albums I featured each month February to November. I'll be playing a couple of tracks from each. The ten albums are featured below.

In the coming weeks on the show will be my annual Christmas Special on December 21st and then two weeks looking back on 2009. I will be counting down my favorite Top Twenty Albums of 2009. Numbers 20-11 on December 28th and 10-1 on January 4th.

Hope you can tune in!

February: Chuckanut Drive - Fidelity Grange

Chuckanut Drive is an alt country band from Bellingham, Washington spearheaded by Texas born singer/songwriter Stephen Ray Leslie. The band has released 3 full-length albums in the past five years and sold copies in over 10 countries.

Over the years, the cast of characters in this raucous alt county collective has changed several times, but anchored by Leslie’s songwriting and raw emotive voice one thing remains the same, great songs that bypass pretension and go straight for the gut.

March: Phosphorescent - To Willie

In 1975 Willie Nelson recorded the album To Lefty From Willie, 10 songs in which Nelson pays homage to Lefty Frizell, reinterpreting his favorites from the Frizzell catalog and stamping them with his own unique voice, reshaping them into his own new classics.

Now Phosphorescent has done the same for Willie Nelson by bringing us To Willie. Here, Matthew Houck has selected 11 of his favorite Willie Nelson songs and does much more than just simply cover them. He has not selected the greatest hits, but rather digs deep, offering renditions of hidden Nelson gems and lost classics. The songs collected here seem cracked from Phosphorescent's proprietary mold with Matthew Houck's unmistakable voice leading the way. They feel lived in, they feel weathered and they feel just like Phosphorescent.

April: Downhills Home - Wolves in the Woods

Downhills Home are a 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. The Wolves in the Woods is there second full length album.

Recorded over a week at Guruland Studios, The Wolves In The Woods was tracked mostly live to tape with additional guitar and keyboard overdubs providing the songs with rich and varied textures. This is highlighted from the very start with the opening track Travelling Light. Building from a basic introduction of guitar, bass, keyboards and drums, the song moves into a long descending chorus line orchestrated with violin, viola and mellotron opening up the vast sonic field in which the rest of the songs on the album are brought to life.

May: Old Californio - Westering Again

Recorded in their old chicken coop garage turned recording studio in Pasadena, CA, Old Californio set out to mix a gritty soup of bucolic rock and roll influenced as much by Moby Grape, Crazy Horse and The Grateful Dead as by the chaparral canyons and ungovernable San Gabriel mountains themselves. Songwriter Rich Dembowski sings with a heartfelt voice that might remind some of the Band's Richard Manuel. His lyrics on the 10 song Westering Again evoke winsome images of riparian vistas and wine stained front porches, of places forgotten and out of the way. The album feeds from bright guitar-driven melodies with complicated and earthy arrangements, mixed in with a little down-home country twang and dovetailing instrumental jams that venture to the psychedelic/ philosophic.

June: Jordie Lane - Sleeping Patterns

Co-produced by Jeff Lang and Tim Hall, Sleeping Patterns had been brewing in the subconscious of Jordie’s mind for nearly four years, and eventually came to fruition in the winter of 2008. Recorded in little more than five days, in the open warehouse space called Adelphia in Melbourne the album is storytelling at its rawest, gutsiest, and most fragile.

Featuring guest performances by prominent roots artists Ashley Davies, Jeff Lang, Laura Jean, Liz Stringer, Garrett Costogan and Stevie Hesketh, Sleeping Patterns moves between finger pickin’ ballads, western tunes, rockin’ blues and even the odd sea shanty.

July - Magnolia Electric Co.

With the 2007 death of long time bassist Evan Farrel, Josephine is no doubt the strongest set of songs Molina has written since the inception of Magnolia Electric Co. Molina has approached the universal loneliness before, but never in such a focused, directed manner as found on Josephine. Molina, Magnolia Electric Co. and legendary recording engineer Steve Albini have put it all to heart and on record. The album is also an experiment in Molina's songcraft, introducing some real lessons in brevity as he whittles a handful of tracks into well-under three minutes. There are cues taken from great songwriters like Willie Nelson and Warren Zevon.

August: Drive-By Truckers - Live From Austin Texas

The Drive By Truckers' performance on Austin City Limits was an instant classic. Recorded during their Brighter Tham Creation's Dark tour, the band line-up featured is Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley, Shonna Tucker, John Neff, Brad Morgan and Jay Gonzalez. Formed in 1996, these Southern Rockers are known for their three-guitar attack. The 13 songs recorded for Austin City Limits feature a mix of new songs from Brighter Than Creation's Dark alongside DBT classics 'Let There Be Rock', '18 Wheels Of Love' and 'Marry Me'.

September: Richmond Fontaine - We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like a River

“We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River” follows on from the band’s landmark seventh album “Thirteen Cities” (2007), the sparse, stripped down, “The Fitzgerald” (2005) and the alt country classic “Post To Wire” (2004), which was named 4th best album of the year by Uncut (behind Brian Wilson, Wilco, & Loretta Lynn). The new album, seen as the band’s most accessible yet, was produced once again by JD Foster (Calexico, Richard Buckner, Laura Cantrell), who was at the helm for the last three albums. Multi-instrumentalist Paul Brainard steps in with pedal steel, trumpet and piano and the core line up of Willy Vlautin (guitars, vocals), Sean Oldham (drums, vocals), Dave Harding (Bass) and Dan Eccles (guitars) remains.

October: Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk

Fans of the individuals that make up Monsters of Folk will be pleased to hear an equal dose of Yames, Ward, and Oberst throughout, each taking on an even amount of lead singing duties. And there are magical moments for each. Oberst delivers an absolute gem with “Ahead of the Curve” (surprisingly Oz’s early favorite), M. Ward particularly shines on “Sandman, the Brakeman and Me” and Yames delivers his finest on “Losin Yo Head” (and a heckuva spiritual on “His Master’s Voice”). They also tickle the eardrums by passing the microphone around on numbers like “Say Please” and “Baby Boomer.” But Monsters of Folk are at their best when they share the microphone at once. On songs like “The Right Place” and “Magic Marker,” the three voices blend together at times to form a sort of bionic voice with superhuman powers.

November: The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

I and Love and You is The Avett Brothers' major label debut, produced by Grammy-award winning producer Rick Rubin. The album tracks are diverse and unique, ranging from striking ballads to energetic romps. With over 195k independently released albums scanned, and the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Emotionalism, I & Love & You is sure to be embraced as a new favorite by longtime and newfound fans alike. The Avett Brothers have built up an impressive and loyal fan base with constant touring. This prolific band is renowned for their high-energy live shows and incredible mix of eclectic musical styles. The Avett Brothers' fan base continues to grow in markets all around the country, capturing the hearts of all who are lucky enough to experience their music live.

Americana Music Association Award Winners

2009-09-20T20:49:00.005+10:00

The Americana Music Association announced it's award winners at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Thursday 16th September.

Buddy Miller almost scooped the pool, winning Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Duo of the Year (with his wife Julie) and Song of the Year (written by Julie and performed by Buddy and Patty Griffin). Gurf Morlix won Instrumentalist of the Year (and prevented a Buddy Miller scoop of all the categories he was nominated in). Justin Townes Earle (son of Steve) won the award for New and Emerging Artist. Justin will be in Melbourne at the start of October.

The awards cap off an amazing and difficult year for Buddy. He suffered a heart attached in February and underwent triple bypass surgery soon after. Now fully recovered he has had one of his best years as a musical career to date.

Nominees and Winners (in bold)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Real Animal, by Alejandro Escovedo

Written in Chalk, by Buddy & Julie Miller

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

Midnight At The Movies, by Justin Townes Earle

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Alejandro Escovedo

Buddy Miller

Justin Townes Earle

Raul Malo

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR

Buddy Miller

Gurf Morlix

Jerry Douglas

Sam Bush

NEW & EMERGING ARTIST

Band of Heathens

Belleville Outfit

Justin Townes Earle

Sarah Borges

SONG OF THE YEAR

“Chalk,” written by Julie Miller, performed by Buddy Miller & Patty Griffin

“Country Love” by the Gourds

“Homeland Refugee,” by Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock, performed by the Flatlanders

“Rattlin’ Bones” by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, performed by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

“Sex And Gasoline,” by Rodney Crowell, performed by Rodney Crowell

DUO GROUP OF THE YEAR

Buddy & Julie Miller

Flatlanders

Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Reckless Kelly

Tune into the show this week to here some songs from the artists listed above.

Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions - Through the Devil Softly

2009-09-20T15:54:00.004+10:00

Eight years since her last album (Bavarian Fruit Bread) and thirteen years since Mazzy Star's last album (Among My Swan), Hope Sandoval return with a new album - Through the Devil Softly.

The album was recorded with members of the Dublin band Dirt Blue Gene and will also back Sandoval on tour. Her main partner in the Warm Inventions, however, is drummer Colm Ó CíosÓig, better known as a member with My Bloody Valentine. He was also involved in the previous album.

If you are a fan of the previous work of Sandoval then you will enjoy this new album as it sort of continues on from where she left off. The familiar sultry vocals are back. And if you thought you'd never hear from Mazzy Star again, you will be surprised to hear that Sandoval has been working on material with Mazzy Star guitarist David Roback and new material could emerge some time in 2010.

Pavement to Reform!

2009-09-20T15:39:00.004+10:00

Amazing news from Matador. Pavement are set to reform next year for a series of shows in New York and a World Tour (hopefully this includes Australia). As mentioned in the press release below, it may not be a permanent thing and no new material is planned. But who knows?

The band split in 1999 but have remained friends ever since.

"Ever since that fateful night in late 1999 when Pavement left the public eye with a final show at London’s Brixton Academy, we’ve often fantasized about the day when we could finally tell the world “yes, Brooklyn Vegan scooped us, Pavement are back.”

After years of speculation, the most important American band of the 1990’s is returning to the stage, with the lineup of Mark Ibold, Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg, Stephen Malkmus, Bob Nastanovich and Steve West reuniting for dates around the world in 2010. Please be advised this tour is not a prelude to additional jaunts and/or a permanent reunion". Matador Records

CLASSIC ALBUMS - Richard Buckner: Devotion + Doubt

2009-09-18T13:39:00.006+10:00

Introducing a new segment - CLASSIC ALBUMS.
Focusing on classic albums in the Alt-Country/Americana genre.

In the first of an occasional series, on this weeks show (21/9/2009) I'll be focusing on Richard Buckner's 1997 release Devotion + Doubt.

Released by MCA it is currently out of print, although of course many second hand copies exist and downloads are available.

This was Buckner's second album following his debut, Bloomed, released in 1994. The songs on Devotion + Doubt deal with the painful subject of Buckner's divorce which he went through at the time and the feelings of sadness, loss and lonliness that followed. Hence they are somewhat introspective, low key and maudlin as a result. The album contains two of my favourite all time Buckner songs, "A Goodbye Rye" and "Lil Wallet Picture" and I'll be giving these two songs a spin during the show.

The album was produced by J.D. Foster, a producer of note who has worked with many artists including another show favorite, Richmond Fontaine. It was recorded in the famous Wavelab Studio in Tuscon Arizona by Craig Schumacher and Nick Luca. Future Calexico members Joey Burns and John Convertino, then in Giant Sand acted as the backing band with Howe Gelb and Marc Ribot. The wonderful pedal steel is provided by Lloyd Maines.

Buckner recorded another album, Since, in 1998 for MCA before being dropped by the label. Now days he is signed to Merge and they released his most recent studio album Meadow in 2006. A new album is expected in 2010.

Buckner's Website
(He is obviously not a fan of illegal downloads! But who is?

Drive-By Truckers - The Fine Print

2009-09-10T23:44:00.004+10:00

Drive By Truckers (DBT) have been making music together for 13 years resulting in seven critically acclaimed studio albums which could not contain all of the songs written by the band. DBT recently dug into the New West Records vaults and put finishing touches on a selection of songs that were never quite completed. The result of the collaboration is The Fine Print (A Collection Of Oddities and Rarities 2003-2008), a 12 track album of previously unreleased and rare songs. The Fine Print features songs written by band members past and present, including Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley and Jason Isbell. Seven of the songs come from the Dirty South era, a highly creative time for DBT. The record also contains four covers including 'Rebels' (Tom Petty).

Track Listing:

1. George Jones Talkin’ Cell Phone Blues
2. Rebels
3. Uncle Frank (alternate version)
4. TVA
5. Goode’s Field Road (alternate version)
6. The Great Car Dealer War
7. Mama Bake A Pie (Daddy Kill A Chicken)
8. When The Well Runs Dry
9. Mrs. Claus’ Kimono
10. Play It All Night Long
11. Little Pony And The Great Big Horse
12. Like A Rolling Stone

Black Crowes - Before the Frost ... Until The Freeze

2009-09-10T23:25:00.003+10:00

Before the Frost....features 11 new Black Crowes' studio songs. A second album, titled ...Until The Freeze, will be given away for free exclusively through a unique download code included in Before The Frost... CD as a thank you to their fans for two decades of support. The free album ...Until The Freeze has eight new original Black Crowes' studio songs plus a cover version of the Stephen Stills classic "So Many Times." Before the Frost...Until The Freeze, were recorded over a series of five nights at Levon Helm Studios. Although both are studio albums, all the new material was performed and recorded in front of an intimate audience of the band's fans.

Track Listing as follows

Before The Frost… (CD Track Listing)
Good Morning Captain
Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)
Appaloosa
A Train Still Makes A Lonely Sound
I Ain’t Hiding
Kept My Soul
What Is Home
Houston Don’t Dream About Me
Make Glad
And The Band Played On
Last Place That Love Lives

…Until The Freeze (Free Download Album Track Listing)
Aimless Peacock
Shady Grove
Garden Gate
Greenhorn
Shine Along
Roll Old Jeremiah
Lady Of Avenue A
So Many Times
Fork In The River

Band of Heathens - One Foot in the Ether

2009-09-10T22:52:00.005+10:00

The new album is available September 15th. Two tracks are available to download free of charge from their website Band of Heathens

Track Listing is as follows

Track Listing
1. L.A. County Blues (free download on website)
2. Say
3. Shine A Light
4. Golden Calf
5. What's This World
6. You're Gonna Miss Me (free download on website)
7. Right Here With Me
8. Let Your Heart Not Be Troubled
9. Somebody Tell the Truth
10. Look at Miss Ohio
11. Talking Out Loud
12. Hey Rider

A.A. Bondy - When The Devil's Loose

2009-09-06T23:54:00.004+10:00

A.A. Bondy, (the initials stand for Augeste Arthur) is otherwise known as Scott Bondy and he started out his musical in a rock band called Verbena. Drawing comparisons to bands like Nirvana they eventually came to the attention of David Grohl and he produced their major label debut "Into the Pink" for Capitol Records in 1999. Verbena spilt in 2003. Bondy emerged again in 2007 from his home in upstate New York with a new name, a new folk sound and his debut solo album "American Hearts". Originally on the label Supersonic it was re-released by Fat Possum in 2008 to wide acclaim.

The new album "When The Devil's Loose" was released in late August once again on Fat Possum (Spunk/EMI in Australia) and received even wider acclaim than his debut.

A.A. Bondy on Myspace

The Duke and The King

2009-08-13T23:15:00.007+10:00

The Duke and The King are Simone Felice (The Duke) and Robert "Chicken" Burke (The King). They get their band name from two characters in the Mark Twain novel Huckleberry Finn. Simone was the drummer with his siblings in the Felice Brothers. He has apparently now left the band to concentrate on this new enterprise.

The Duke and The King have released their debut album "Nothing Gold Can Stay". They are playing at the East Brunswick Club on October 22nd. This will be the first visit to Australia by any of the Felice Brothers.

The Duke and The King on Myspace
Ramseurr Records

New Richmond Fontaine Video

2009-07-21T23:09:00.004+10:00

Richmond Fontaine's Record Company El Cortez has posted the video for the new song "You can move back here" on youtube. It's from the forthcoming album "We used to think the freeway sounded like a river" due out 17th August.

Forthcoming!

2009-07-17T23:35:00.006+10:00

Looking forward to the following.

Bottle Rockets - Lean Forward 11/8/09
Richmond Fontaine - We used to think the freeway sounded like a river 17/8/09
Drive By Truckers - The Fine Print - 1/9/09
Wrinkle Neck Blues - Let the Lead Fly - 22/9/09

Further information of The Drive-By Truckers plans. The Fine Print is a 12-track album of previously unreleased and rare songs. As with their most recent stuff it will be on New West Records. They will also release a CD / DVD combination of their entire Austin City Limits performance from September 2008 which is available now.

The Fine Print Track List:
1. George Jones Talkin’ Cell Phone Blues
2. Rebels
3. Uncle Frank (alternate version)
4. TVA
5. Goode’s Field Road (alternate version)
6. The Great Car Dealer War
7. Mama Bake A Pie (Daddy Kill A Chicken)
8. When The Well Runs Dry
9. Mrs. Claus’ Kimono
10. Play It All Night Long
11. Little Pony And The Great Big Horse
12. Like A Rolling Stone

Live from Austin City Limits Track List:
1. Perfect Timing
2. Heathens
3. A Ghost To Most
4. The Righteous Path
5. I’m Sorry Huston
6. 3 Dimes Down
7. Puttin’ People On The Moon
8. Space City
9. The Living Bubba
10. Zip City
11. 18 Wheels Of Love
12. Let There Be Rock
13. Marry Me

Son Volt - American Central Dust

2009-07-17T22:56:00.003+10:00

The new album is out now in the States. I got my copy this week and you can expect to hear about three tracks on the show this Monday.

After reforming the band with a new line up about four years ago, Jay Farrar returns with the third album for Son Volt 2.0. He also returns to what he does best, the new album has echoes of his finest work on albums like Trace.As with the last two albums the line up is Dave Bryson on drums; Andrew Duplantis on bass and backing vocals; Chris Masterson on lead guitar; and Mark Spencer on keyboards and steel guitar.

The first two albums for Son Volt 2.0 (Okemah and the Melody of Riot and The Search) were both well received by critics and loyal fans but they failed to connect with a larger audience. As a result the band left Sony/Legacy and this new album is released by Rounder - a label well known for its country based releases. About Rounder Farrar has been quoted as saying "Rounder has shown a long term commitment to music forms, like folk and blues, that I have a lot of respect for," said Farrar. "Going with Rounder has been a kind of a full circle continuum -- the first Rounder person I met with was instrumental in booking Uncle Tupelo gigs years ago."

I'll be playing three tracks from the album, "Down to the Wire, "Roll on" and "Dust of Daylight". I've got to say that I was impressed on first listen and it has grown on me since. I love the return to the more simpler sounds (gone as the weird sounds of Farrar's solo albums) and a more alt-country sound as well which of course appeals enormously. I'd love to hear what you think.

No release date here in Australia that I know of but it should be in your favourite Indie Record Store or buy it from Amazon.

Wilco - Wilco (The Album)

2009-07-09T20:10:00.006+10:00

Got my copy of Wilco's seventh studio album during the week and it's growing on me by the day. After a couple of listens I can already safely say that I am enjoying it more that their previous two albums Sky Blue Sky and A Ghost is Born. It is certainly a more mellow sound but also more assured (or should I say comfortable). That is, Tweedy and the band know exactly what they want and how to achieve it. They have probably reached that magic moment in their careers when they no longer care too much about what other people want (or expect) and are happy making music for themselves.

Wilco fans fall into two categories. Those that followed on from the demise of Uncle Tupelo and those who jumped on board after the success of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I fall into the former category and I still yearn for the more country sounds that appeared here and there on albums like A.M. and Being There(My favourite Wilco album) but each album since has always had something I really like that keeps me coming back. This new album seems to have more of those moments and therefore, for me, the album works. Songs like Solitaire, I'll Fight and the duet with Fiest, You and I are particular favorites, all mellow for sure but still with that magic Wilco spark. Through constant evolution the band has had a hard time pleasing both category of fans and they will never please them all (see above) but on this new album they will make more happy than not.

Tweedy has surrounded himself with some top notch musicians (Nels Cline, Mikael Jorgensen, Glenn Kotche, Pat Sansone and John Stirratt) who are all fantastic in their own right. Together they gel as probably the best makers of contemporary popular music in the world right now.

Tweedy and I are roughly the same age and I feel that we have been on a journey together all these years. I am happy to continue along for the ride.

Wilco's Website

Patterson Hood - Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs)

2009-06-30T23:02:00.005+10:00

Patterson Hood, lead man of the Drive By Truckers has released his second solo album (Killer and Stars was released in 2004). It's released here in Australia by Rubber Records & distributed by Shock (Shock's website has finally been upgraded and is worth a visit).

Hood says that this album has been fifteen years in the making and it includes songs written as far back as 1994 up to 2005. Recording began back in 2005 around the time Hood and his wife were expecting a baby. Commitments to the Truckers and the baby's birth meant that the release date was pushed back four years. Hood resisted the urge to re-work or re-make the album while it sat on the shelf but he did add one new song, “Pride Of The Yankees”, that he wrote in 2006 whilst on tour with the DBT supporting the Black Crowes. More on the story around the making of the album is on Hood's website.

The album was produced by Hood and long-time DBT producer David Barbe (Sugar). Most of his DBT band mates join him on the album as well as Don Chambers, Will Johnson and Scott Danbom from Centro-matic/South San Gabriel. This is also the first time Hood’s father David Hood, famed Muscle Shoals bass player, joins him on a record.

Hood on Myspace
Hood's Website

Download from Amazon

STRINGER LAKE

2009-06-27T18:16:00.003+10:00

Stringer Lake come from a place called Stouffville in Ontario Canada. Led by Allan Reesor-McDowell and Aidan Boyd, Stringer Lake create a sound that is similar in sound to maybe Belle and Sebastian but with more Americana - or should that be Canadiana! Pedal steel, dobro, lap steel, electric, and twelve-string guitars are used to create their sound which is pleasant, relaxed and very good. The only complaint is that the album is not long enough!

Listen out on the show on 29/6/09 for the tracks "Reap What you Sow" and "Time (Is all I need)"

Stringer Lake on myspace.

Download the album from Amazon.

AMA MUSIC AWARDS

2009-06-26T12:52:00.010+10:00

The American Music Association has announced the nominees for the forthcoming award ceremony to take place at the Ryman Auditorium on September 17th. The night will be hosted by Jim Lauderdale and featuring a band led by Buddy Miller.

The nominees are as follows:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Real Animal, by Alejandro Escovedo

Written in Chalk, by Buddy & Julie Miller

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

Midnight At The Movies, by Justin Townes Earle

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Alejandro Escovedo

Buddy Miller

Justin Townes Earle

Raul Malo

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR

Buddy Miller

Gurf Morlix

Jerry Douglas

Sam Bush

NEW & EMERGING ARTIST

Band of Heathens

Belleville Outfit

Justin Townes Earle

Sarah Borges

SONG OF THE YEAR

“Chalk,” written by Julie Miller, performed by Buddy Miller & Patty Griffin

“Country Love” by the Gourds

“Homeland Refugee,” by Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock, performed by the Flatlanders

“Rattlin’ Bones” by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, performed by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

“Sex And Gasoline,” by Rodney Crowell, performed by Rodney Crowell

DUO GROUP OF THE YEAR

Buddy & Julie Miller

Flatlanders

Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson

Reckless Kelly

Tune into the show this week to here some songs from the artists listed above.

NEW SON VOLT ALBUM DUE 7/7/09

2009-06-18T23:58:00.005+10:00

Very exciting news about the new album from Jay Farrar's Son Volt. The album is called "American Central Dust" and is due 7/7/09 on Rounder Records.

I haven't heard any of it yet, here is the blub from Rounder

"After spearheading the alternative country movement with his band Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar pursued his vision with Son Volt, who recorded three landmark albums in the '90s before the groundbreaking artist put the band on extended hiatus and cut three solo records. Now back with his third Son Volt album of the decade, Jay Farrar has delivered what may be his finest work yet, American Central Dust. The new album exhilarating carries on the tradition of the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Little Feat circa Sailin' Shoes, the Rolling Stones of Exile on Main Street and early R.E.M., with standouts like the exceptional "Down to the Wire," "Dynamite" and "No Turning Back." An epic lament for the heartland, American Central Dust is populated with readily recognizable characters, the most hopeful of them searching for love against a backdrop of rusted road signs and abandoned factories. Rarely does a musical work so powerfully capture the zeitgeist of its historical moment while also honoring the traditions of rock & roll with such rawboned grace."

Track Listing:

1 Dynamite
2 Down to the Wire
3 Roll On
4 Cocaine and Ashes
5 Dust of Daylight
6 When the Wheels Don't Move
7 No Turning Back
8 Pushed Too Far
9 Exiles
10 Sultana
11 Strength and Doubt
12 Jukebox of Steel

You can listen to Track 2 "Down to the Wire" via Son Volt's Myspace page. You can read more about the album at the Son Volt Website

ALELA DIANE - TO BE STILL

2009-06-14T16:44:00.002+10:00

Originally from California, singer-songwriter now calls Portland Oregon home. Now signed to Rough Trade, "To be Still" is the follow up to her debut album from 2006 called "The Pirate’s Gospel". Diane has been likened to Sandy Denny and Karen Dalton, both being valid comparisons. She has toured with The Decemberists, Iron & Wine, Akron/Family and Vashti Bunyan and has a big following in Europe, especially France.

myspace
Rough Trade

TODD SNIDER - THE EXCITMENT PLAN

2009-06-13T22:47:00.006+10:00

Regular listeners to the show would know that Todd Snider is one of my particular favourites. He has made a habit of releasing albums on a regular basis and his latest "The Excitement Plan" is out now on Yep Roc. Once again it a beauty! Made with the help of legendary producer Don Was it's a more personal album than last years "Peace Queer". Snider's greatest gift is his talent for words and once again each song has you listening intently for words of wisdom. For me, Snider has the ability to articulate the way I feel and think about things better than I ever could and I think that's why I love his work so much. The album also contains a duet "Don't Tempt me" with Loretta Lynn.

As always it best to leave it up to Snider himself to tell us what it's all about;
"Initially The Excitement Plan (June 9th on Yep Roc Records) wasn't supposed to be about anything. I was just trying to come up with the best... most open hearted ... well-thought-out lyrics I could come up with. I wanted every song to be sad and funny at the same time, vulnerable and entertaining at the same time, personal and universal at the same time. I wanted every song to be as uniquely written as possible and then I wanted to perform them in a studio loose and rugged and hopefully as uniquely as I could. My hope is to be hard to describe and/or new…I'm not saying I am. I'm just saying that's the hope."

It's available from YepRoc and eMusic or in all good record stores.

Website
Myspace

FROG HOLLER - BELIEVE IT OR NOT

2009-06-13T21:57:00.003+10:00

"Believe it or not" is the sixth full length album by the Berks County, Pennsylvania based band. Still fiercely independent, the band put the album out on ZoBird Records earlier this year. Originally a bluegrass outfit they have evolved over the years but still maintain that original element in their music.

The band convenes every Tuesday night at the house of one of the band members to play music and share a meal. They have a rehearsal space and a recording studio at the house and the album was put together in these comfortable surrounds. Frog Holler sings songs about hope for the future in uncertain times and that the lessons learnt from the past will be remembered.The album is available from eMusic or CdBaby

Band Website
MySpace

LEO RONDEAU - DOWN AT THE END OF THE BAR

2009-06-13T17:56:00.004+10:00

Originally from North Dakota, Leo Rondeau’s now lives Austin, Texas. His 2007 debut, "Bangs, Bullets and the Turtle Mountains", mixes traditional country and bluegrass and is mostly about stories of his younger days in ND. His latest album is called "Down at the End of the Bar" and it continues on from where his debut left off. And as with the first CD, it is self-released via cdbaby or iTunes.

Rondeau possess that classic gravel-based country voice that sounds as old as time itself and much like other new kids on the block, Ryan Bingham and Hayes Caryl, he is sure to keep gaining new fans.

myspace

THE LOW ANTHEM - ON MY GOD, CHARLIE DARWIN

2009-06-13T00:17:00.004+10:00

The Low Anthem hail from Rhode Island USA. It's probably the first time I've played a song from a band from there. The band are Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky and Jocie Adams. The album "Oh My God, Charlie Darwin" was originally released in 2008 in a limited run of only about 2000 copies with cover art hand painted by the band. Nonesuch have re-released the album in the USA this month. No news on a local release but the album is available from itunes, eMusic and Amazon.

All three members of the band are multi-instrumentalists and they shared around different instruments while making the album. Described as chamber folk and compared to the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Sam Beam and even Nick Drake the album is a gem. Recommended also for those who enjoyed the likes of Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver last year.

Low Anthem Website
Myspace
Nonsuch

John Doe and The Sadies - Country Club

2009-05-07T23:47:00.006+10:00

John Doe and the Sadies have delivered a great album with "Country Club". The result of a drunken promise made a while back when The Sadies were playing with Doe's band The Knitters. It really is a corker.

They pay homage to their country music heroes by covering songs by Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and late-night ballads by Tammy Wynette and Roger Miller. They also provide four originals, three of them by The Sadies (two are instrumentals) and one by Doe with his long time musical partner (X and The Knitters) Exene Cervenka.

John Doe has made the country album he has always threatened to make and it's a fine tribute to the Bakersfield and Countrypolitain Nashville sounds of days gone by.

More at Yep Roc

Jim White and John Doe live 9th March

2009-03-04T22:33:00.003+11:00

The Easey Street Sessions: Jim White and John Doe (9th March 2009)

Tune into 5ft High and Rising with Myles O'Neil-Shaw at 1pm on Monday 9th March to hear Jim White and John Doe live!

Jim White was born in 1957 in Pensacola, Florida to a Pentecostal family, and was influenced in his childhood by gospel music. According to various sources, he has been a comedian, a fashion model, a boxer, a preacher, a professional surfer, and a New York cab driver. Before embarking on a music career, White attended film school at New York University, and entered a self-described “deep hole of sickness and depression and poverty”. However, during a party organized by film school friends, White began to perform, and began writing material for an album soon afterward.

John Doe was born John Nommensen Duchac in 1954 in Decatur, Illinois. He is singer, songwriter, actor, poet and bass player who was the founder of the legendary and massively influential LA punk band X. His musical compositions and performances also include country and folk music. He is also a film and television actor, appearing in such films as Roadside Prophets, Salvador, Boogie Nights, and music videos for The Doors’ “LA Woman” and The Ramones “Something to Believe In”.

These two alt country legeds are coming together for the Golden Plains Festival.

As Heard on 5 Feet High and Rising

2009-02-21T17:49:00.007+11:00

Here is some information of some of the new music heard on 5 Feet High and Rising recently. Come back often as I hope to make posts here more frequent:-)

Strand of Oaks - Leave Ruin

Following on the heels of the success of Justin Veron and his band Bon Iver we have another quirky folk album by another relatively unknown artist called Timothy Showalter. He records under the name Strand of Oaks. Showalter spent some time in the highlands of Northern Pennsylvania recording “Leave Ruin”, his debut album. Showalter wrote the songs for this album after he lost his house in a fire. Using borrowed instruments he wrote the songs in hotel room and on park benches. His style has been compared to Will Oldham and like Oldham you can hear the longing and desperation in his voice. All told a great debut from an artist to watch in 2009.

Doug Paisley - Doug Paisley

Not to be confused with his namesake Brad, Doug Paisley is a Canadian artist with a fondness for his countrymen Neil Young and The Band, Levon Helm in particular (yeah I know Helm was a yank) and enjoys writing and singing low key quieter songs. . Paisley also has a similarity to Bonnie Prince Billy (Will Oldham) whom he toured with recently. Pedal steel and piano fill the tracks as does harmony vocal from Simone Schmidt. It’s all done with just enough of a country feel to keep us interested.

Phosphorescent - To Willie

Matthew Houck, who records under the name Phosphorescent has made an album length tribute to Willie Nelson, simply called “To Willie” – a play on one of Willie’s own albums released in 1975 called To Lefty from Willie, a tribute to Lefty Frisell. Sounding even more laid back than Nelson (if that’s possible) Houck and a revolving cast of collaborators has produced a loving and respectful tribute to one of the greats. Houck has trawled through the extensive Nelson catalogue and has resisted the urge to cover Nelson’s better known tunes. Instead he has chosen some lesser known gems, the results of which are stunning and well worth a listen – or two.

PBS Live Music Week

2008-12-04T23:48:00.005+11:00

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.

5 Feet High And Rising Podcast Episode Two

2008-11-14T13:04:00.013+11:00

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.

Album of the Month - November

2008-11-14T12:42:00.004+11:00

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

Khancoban Interview

2008-10-24T12:11:00.010+11:00

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

Fireside Bellows Debut Album

2008-10-14T23:53:00.003+11:00

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

News from Downhills Home

2008-10-14T23:35:00.004+11:00

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 Makes New Album Free To Download

2008-10-11T23:12:00.004+11:00

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 Tour

2008-10-11T21:38:00.004+11:00

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

Album of the Month - October

2008-10-10T22:43:00.004+11:00

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

Album of the Month - September

2008-09-17T22:47:00.007+10:00

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

5 Feet High And Rising Podcast Episode One

2008-08-22T20:17:00.013+10:00

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.

Album of the Month - August

2008-08-09T22:33:00.003+10:00

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

Let's all help cowboys sing the blues (Weekly Show 7/4/08)

2008-04-08T22:52:00.004+10:00

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).

Letters from sinners & strangers (Weekly Show 24/3/08)

2008-03-24T21:29:00.004+11:00

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

Too Crowded on the Losing End (Weekly Show 17/03/08)

2008-03-18T23:03:00.005+11:00

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

Whiskey in My Whiskey (Weekly Show 10/3/08)

2008-03-10T23:32:00.002+11:00

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

No Depression - No More (Weekly Show 3/3/08)

2008-03-08T22:45:00.005+11:00

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.

Andre Camilleri & The Broken Hearts - One Fine Day

2007-10-11T22:27:00.000+10:00

Andre arrived from Malta in 2006. In Melbourne he fell in with some like minded musicians who make up the Broken Hearts. They are Chris Birnie on bass, James Stewart (T-Bones, Overnight Jones, The Warner Brothers) on lead guitar, Brendan Mitchell (Dead Livers) on pedal steel and Mauro Del Citto (The Rhumbats, April Seven) on drums.

Andre is influenced by the likes of Robert Johnson, Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Bo Diddley, George Jones, Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, Townes van Zandt, Roky Erikson and Jay Farrar. He writes & sings songs about the heart broken & down trodden & together with the band he produces a unique take on real country music with an authentic Australian flavour (with a touch of extra spice from Malta).

Their first album CD ‘One fine day and other songs’ is released by Ramblin’ Man Records, distributed by Sound Vault Records. It is out now.

Andre Camilleri & The Broken Hearts are playing at The Famous Spiegeltent as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, dates as follows:

19 Oct 2007 8:00 PM The Famous Spiegeltent Melbourne, Victoria
20 Oct 2007 8:00 PM The Famous Spiegeltent Melbourne, Victoria

Also, they will be playing live to air on 5 Feet High & Rising during the annual PBS Live Music Week in December - more details to follow.

www.andrecamilleri.com
www.soundvault.com.au
www.myspace.com/theandrecamilleriband

Matt Joe Gow & The Dead Leaves

2007-10-11T20:52:00.000+10:00

Matt Joe Gow, who was born in NZ, spent three years travelling the world writing & playing music & developing a sound of his own. Relocating to Melbourne Matt has been recording songs for a new album, his debut which is due out soon.

The songs have been recorded at the Woodstock Studios with the Dead Leaves, an eight piece studio band featuring members of Augie March (Ed Ammendola & David Williams). Other members of the Dead Leaves are Chris Elliott, Brendan Mitchell & Greg Whitehead.

Matt 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.

Links:
www.mattjoegow.net
www.myspace.com/mattjoegowmusic

Clinkerfield - New EP

2007-09-08T23:36:00.000+10:00

Clinkerfield have sent in an ep containing two new songs from their forthcoming album called "A Hand Full of Rain & a Heart Full of Puddles" which is due in early 2008. It will be their debut album.

The band spent a week in a "lonely" farmhouse called "Carrigmore" in Central Victoria in February this year recording the album with Aaron Cupples. Two tracks from those sessions have surfaced on this ep, "Hello Dreary" & "Someday we'll get married". Both are excellent & no doubt familiar to those who have seen the band live. The band themselves say (tongue in cheek I assume) that "the rest of the songs on the album are all much better". The EP also contains 4 live tracks recorded at several live show around town this year.

Lead singer Jimmy Stewart is off to Europe to play some solos shows & the band plan to tour with their new album in October & November after Jimmy returns.

Ep track listing
1.Hello Dreary
2.Someday we'll get married
3.Wine Whinge (live)
4.Cast Off Naked (live)
5.Travellers Heart (live)
6.Someday we'll get married (live)

Links:
www.clinkerfield.com

Richard Hawley - Lady's Bridge

2007-09-08T23:16:00.000+10:00

Richard Hawley comes from Sheffield in the UK. His previous album "Coles Corner" was a finalist in the 2006 UK Mercury Music Prize (it lost out to the Artic Monkeys). His new album is called "Lady's Bridge" & is out now on the Mute Records Label. Th etitle comes from the name of the oldest bridge in Sheffield that goes over the river Don.

The album was recorded at Yellow Arch Studio in Neepsend, Sheffield in the dilapidated building that Hawley had helped out with the restoration of almost four years ago. Yellow Arch gives Hawley what he calls "that Sun Studio red light factor" and the pressure of turning up with the bones of an idea and leaving with a masterpiece.

From the Mute Website

"I didn’t want to re-invent the wheel or anything,” he explains. “I write songs and I play guitar, that’s it. There isn’t any mystery to it. I’m just constantly in search of something beautiful, melodies that just hit. That’s kind of what I do, I find it difficult to explain because its so simple.”

It's an intensely personal record for many reasons but mainly because during its recording Richard lost his father Dave Hawley, after a three-year battle with cancer, in February 2007. Hawley Snr was a man who not only inspired his son to pick up a guitar but who gave him his work ethic (he was part of a generation of musicians who’d work in the steel industry all day then play gigs at night) and his sense of humour. Here, in Richard's words was “a first wave teddy boy who lived life to the full” and “could make a cat laugh”.

“It was very difficult to not let the events that were happening affect the record,” he says “I tried to keep balanced and keep my eye on the ball. The last thing my dad would say to me every night at the hospice would be, 'Now then bastard, keep your eye on ball' and then just as I was leaving he'd say: '... and don't forget my ale and fags'.”

Links:
www.mute.com
www.richardhawley.co.uk

The Sadies to release new album

2007-08-02T21:06:00.000+10:00

Canadian band The Sadies are set to release their first studio album in over three years on October 2nd. It's called "New Seasons" & will be on the Yep Roc label. Gary Louris (Jayhawks, Golden Smog) & Howe Gelb (Giant Sand) make guest appearances.

This from the Yep Roc site.

TORONTO, ON: Toronto's cosmic cowboys The Sadies, consisting of brothers Dallas and Travis Good, drummer Mike Belitsky and upright bassist Sean Dean, return with their fifth studio album, New Seasons, October 2 on Yep Roc Records. Featuring the brotherly harmonies and dazzling guitar interplay of Dallas and Travis Good, New Seasons is the band's most confident studio album to date. The Sadies' inspired amalgam of psychedelic country rock, surf, bluegrass and Ennio Morricone-esque inspired instrumentals has made them the preeminent torchbearers of cosmic American music.

Although 2006 saw two Sadies' releases, their star-studded double live album, In Concert: Volume 1 and an instrumental soundtrack for the Ed "Big Daddy" Roth documentary Tales of the Rat Fink, this is the band's first studio release since 2004's Favourite Colours. New Seasons' 13 all-original tracks show a greater emphasis on lyrics and narratives, and these tales often are filled with foreboding and of lessons learned the hard way.

Recorded both at Paco Loco in Spain and at the Woodshed in Toronto with friend and collaborator Gary Louris (Jayhawks, Golden Smog), New Seasons' gorgeously layered harmonies prove that The Sadies have the vocal tracks to equal the mastery of their instrumentals. While the album features appearances by Louris and Giant Sand's Howe Gelb contributes piano on a number, New Seasons is pure Sadies. But, as with all Sadies' albums, it's also a family affair: Dallas and Travis' father and uncles, aka Canadian Country Hall of Famers The Good Brothers, as well as their mother, Margaret Good, also contribute.

Links
www.thesadies.net
www.yeproc.com/thesadies

Jason Isbell - Sirens of the Ditch

2007-07-28T17:00:00.000+10:00

Accomplished guitarist and songwriter Jason Isbell, formerly of Drive By Truckers (DBT), releases his debut solo album Sirens Of The Ditch. Isbell appears to have left the band on friendly terms as members of the DBT help out on the album & Patterson Hood co-produced most of the songs.

It was always going to be hard to fit the three pronged songwriting & singing talents of Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley, and Jason Isbell into the one band. Isbell has made song contributions to all DBT albums but only got a couple onto their last, A Blessing & a Curse. It makes sense for him to go it alone with the full backing of his former bandmates.

The album rocks with 11 tracks all written by Isbell kicking off with "Brand New Kind Of Actress", followed by the rocker "Down In A Hole", a swampy number featuring Muscle Shoals natives Spooner Oldham and David Hood. Isbell s songwriting skills shine especially on "Dress Blues" a pensive ballad about a high-school classmate who lost his life fighting in Iraq and "Chicago Promenade" a tribute to his late Grandfather.

Listeners caught glimpses of Isbell s skills on Drive-By Truckers records with tracks like "Danko/Manuel" and "Outfit".

Sirens Of The Ditch's mystical quality can be partially attributed to the FAME recording studio (Aretha Franklin, Duane Allman, Otis Redding) in Isbell s hometown of Muscle Shoals, AL where the album was recorded. A lot of old soul musicians came through here in the late 60s and 70s and helped define the Muscle Shoals sound, the lifelong Alabamian explains, so that influence was always in my environment, but on this record I really tried to capture that.

Co-produced by Isbell and Patterson Hood (DBT), Sirens Of The Ditch features Isbell singing lead vocals and playing guitar throughout, joined by Shonna Tucker (DBT) on Bass and Brad Morgan (DBT) on drums. Several musicians pop in for cameos including Spooner Oldham and David Hood (Patterson s father) on "Down In A Hole", John Neff (DBT) on "Dress Blues" and Patterson himself guests on "Shotgun Wedding".

Links:
www.newwestrecords.com
www.myspace.com/jasonisbellmusic
www.jasonisbell.com
Buy CD

Felice Brothers - Tonight At The Arizona

2007-07-28T15:28:00.000+10:00

Released in June this year by the UK based label Loose The Felice Brothers hail from the Hudson Valley in the USA (upstate New York), the same part of the world that Bob Dylan & The Band sometimes called home & recorded. Fair enough to say that the Felice Brothers owe a debt to these great artists, which is fine as they do not try to hide the obvious influences.

The Felice Brothers actually contain some brothers plus some drifters who have latched on them. The band are, Simone, Ian and James Felice, a runaway dice-thrower called Christmas, The Searcher and Farley. They call themselves unschooled illegal street/subway musicians & from the start, their distinct brand of songwriting and the lawless sound they've forged has earned them comparisons to Woodie Guthrie, Neil Young, Walt Whitman & the aforementioned Bob Dylan.

Probably the best on-line review comes from Drowned in Sound.

Fresh of face but haggard of voice, The Felice Brothers have weathered a few storms, quite literally. Composed by the (unschooled) eldest three boys from a carpenter’s family seven children strong, along with their runaway friend called Christmas, Tonight At The Arizona documents the reality of happy endings not being one of life’s guarantees. From teenage pregnancies and the study of your firearm as you contemplate suicide, to being arrested for the drugs you were dealing to pay for your mother’s medical bills, the gritty contents are delivered with a wavery-voiced nod to all-time greats Dylan and Guthrie, backed by wailed group choruses liberated from hick bars and films set in the Deep South.

Links:
myspace.com/thefelicebrothers
www.loosemusic.com/thefelicebrothers
www.thefelicebrothers.com

Frank Smith - Heavy Handed Peace & Love

2007-07-25T23:37:00.000+10:00

My New Favourite Band - Frank Smith

I've recently fluked upon this band by accident while browsing around here & there on the net. Didn't know much about them except that they are now signed to Juliana Hatfield's label Ye Olde Records & have a new CD called Heavy Handed Peace & Love. They are also her backing band on the latest from Juliana called Sittin in a tree. For a reference think Drive By Truckers, Uncle Tupelo or early My Morning Jacket.

The Ye Olde Records website has the following about the band.

Frank Smith is a band, not a man. Formed in Boston and recently relocated to frontman Aaron Sinclair’s home state of Texas, the band has a sound as vast as America. Like the country they come from, Frank Smith reconcile countless would-be opposites, as songs from the back porch are driven straight into the noise of the city, simple folk tunes are given the most intricately complex arrangements, and the freedom of the music is constantly pulled back by the authority of the beat. “Heavy Handed Peace And Love” is the band’s first release since moving from Boston to Austin, and their first release on Ye Olde Records.

Links:
www.yeolderecords.com
www.franksmithmusic.com
www.myspace.com/franksmith

Wash Winters Willies Away with Whiskey

2007-07-24T23:55:00.000+10:00

Sunday 29th July, Tote Hotel
(71 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC, Ph 03 9419 5320)

The Third Annual “Wash Winter’s Willies Away With Whiskey” mini-festival.

Clinkerfield host their third grog-worshipping big day out in the pub.

A day-long celebration of great Australian music, inspired & impaired by the bottle. For the past two years this event has showcased some of the best of Melbourne and Australia's independent, underground scene... underground mostly for the fact they never seem to be able to get themselves off the ground due to being too pissed. And that, my friends, is why they're here in glorious display!

With: The Great Apes, The Gin Club (QLD), Silver City Highway, Jordie Lane, Maurice Frawley, Kim Volkmann, The Violent Mood Swings, The Idle Hoes, Gareth Eunson & The Graveyard Sons, Van & Cal Walker & Clinkerfield.

A compilation CD featuring one song from each of the acts will be available on the day and is free to the first 50 payers with $12 entry. Otherwise, you can score the CD and entry for $20, plus there’s a BBQ!

Links:
www.thetotehotel.com
www.clinkerfield.com

Downhills Home - Minor Birds

2007-07-22T00:20:00.000+10:00

Downhills Home - Minor Birds

Minor Birds is the fantastic debut for the Melbourne based Downhills Home.

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 McMahon remind me of Jim James from My Morning Jacket. The album was basically recorded live with few overdubs.

The band consists of Sean McMahon (guitar, vocals), Michael Hubbard (guitar, vocals), Brendan McMahon (keyboard and piano), Josh Duiker (drums) and Tim McCormack (bass). Guest appearances on the album include Matt Walker, Jen Cloher and Laura Jean.

Links:
www.downhillshome.com
www.myspace.com/downhillshome
Buy CD from CD Online

Neko Case - She is not a Canadian

2007-01-28T16:40:00.000+11:00

Neko Case is often referred to as a Canadian. She was actually born in Alexandria, Virginia in September 1970 and she grew up in Tacoma, Washington, a place she still refers to as her home town. She did however get her start in the music business while she was living in Vancouver, British Columbia, from 1994 until 1998.

Her involvement in country music started with the release of her album The Virginian in 1997. She began her assoication with the Tucson Arizona crowd when she recorded the album Blacklisted in 2003. Noted Tucson artists such as Joey Burns & John Convertino (Calexico) & Howe Gelb (Giant Sand) worked on the album as did Dallas Good (Sadies)and notable Bloodshot artists such as Kelly Hogan (Vocals) & Jon Rauhouse (Pedal Steel).She has continued her association with these artists on her later albums & has made regular guest appearances of her own. Moving to Chicago in 2000, she has fallen in with the alt-country crowd via the Bloodshot Records label, home of many US alt-country artists such as the Waco Brothers, Sadies, Paul Burch, Bobby Bare Jr and Wayne Hancock.

In 2006 Case released Fox Confessor Brings the Flood this time on the Anti Records label. Once again the members of Calexico (Joey Burns & John Convertino), the Sadies (Dallas & Travis Good), Kelly Hogan, Howe Gelb, Jon Rauhouse and Garth Hudson from The Band all make siginificant contributions. The album was well received making several Best of 2006 lists, most notably No.2 on the No Depression Best of 2006.

In February 2007 Neko Case returns to Australia (She was here just last November with the New Pornographers). She has two gigs in Melbourne the first at the Spanish Club with Emily Ulman & the sold out gig at the Prince Bandroom with support from Jon Langford.

Links:
Bloodshot Records
anti records
Neko Case
myspace/nekocase

Download from emusic

Neko Case

Jon Langford Tours Australia

2007-01-26T12:35:00.000+11:00

Best known as the front man for the Mekons, Jon Langford was one of the most resilient pop-punk bandleaders to emerge from Britain in the 1970s. Now a resident in Chicago, Langford has since become a leading force in alt-country music with the Waco Brothers, the Pine Valley Cosmonauts, and on his own solo releases. He has also worked with the likes of the Sadies, Old 97's, Kelly Hogan, Alejandro Escovedo and long time sparing partner Sally Timmns.

He is also an Artist of growing repute with he work described by his distributor Yard Dog as follows:
"His multi-layered paintings take imagery from old country music publicity photos and sheet music and envelope them in a haze of ironic nostalgia. He describes his painting technique thusly: "Long process of layering, scraping, minute attention to detail. Basically, I create a very unstable surface with acrylics and pastel on top of each other and work on top of that with Sharpies, felt pens, white out, gunk, snot and whatever comes to hand." Langford produced a book (including bonus CD) in 2006 called "Nashville Radio", a book of his paintings distributed in Australia by Verse Chorus Press.

Last here in May 2006 Langford returns in 2007 primarily to perform during the Tamworth Music Festival. He is also showing some of his art in Tamworth at his exhibition called "Buried Treasure" (the name is inspired by Clinton Walkers book of the same name about the forgotten history of Aboriginal Country Music). Jon is also appearing in support of Neko Case in Sydney and Melbourne during her tour in late January, early February as Jon Langford & the Bronte Pool Cosmonauts (The band consists of Nev Anderson, Dave Hastings and Roy Payne of Fat Dusty + Jason Walker from the Last Drinks). The Melbourne gig is at the Prince of Wales St Kilda tickets SOLD OUT. He is also performing at a House Party on Saturday 2nd February (Invitation Only).

Langford will also be dropping in to PBS-FM in Melbourne on Monday 5th February during 5 Feet High & Rising (3-5 pm) with Myles to talk about his art, his music & to perform a few songs live in the studio.

Links:
myspace.com/jdfanglord
Bloodshot Records
Yard Dog
Verse Chorus Press
5 Feet High & Rising

Download from emusic
Jon Langford

The Waco Brothers

The Pine Valley Cosmonauts

"Sneaky" Pete Kleinow Dies

2007-01-22T23:08:00.000+11:00

"Sneaky" Pete Kleinow died on January 6th 2007 in California after complications with Alzheimer's disease. He was 72.

Kleinow is best know for his work on the first two Flying Burrito Albums, Gilded Palace of Sin & Burrito Deluxe. A regular on the live scene in L.A. Kleinow was recruited by Gram Parsons & Chris Hillman to add pedal steel guitar to their sound but with a difference. Kleinow's unique recording methods & ability to extract previously unheard of sounds from his instruments was integral to the Burrito's sound. Parsons himself was to say "I just couldn't understand this guy doing like, eight steel guitar overdubs over himself ... but I liked it" (Gram Parsons "God's Own Singer by Jason Walker page 96 Helter Skelter Publishing).

Kleinow left the Burritos in 1971 & went on to a successful career as a session musician. He worked with many artists including, Jackson Browne, Dillard & Clark, John Lennon, Little Feat, Doug Sahm & Linda Ronstadt just to name a few. Outside music Kleinow also enjoyed a successful career as a special effects artist for the movies & tv programs. He worked on such films as The Empire Strikes Back, Terminator 1 & 2 & Gremlins. Prior to his music career he worked on the Gumby animated kids program & even wrote the theme tune.

Links
sneakypetekleinow.com
wikipedia

Richmond Fontaine - Thirteen Cities

2007-01-16T23:41:00.000+11:00

Richmond Fontaine have scheduled the release of their new album "Thirteen Cities" for February/March 2007. The album was produced once again by JD Foster (Foster also produced the 2005 release "The Fitzgerald"). Foster has worked in the past with the likes of Calexico & Richard Buckner.

The new album is said to be more upbeat than the near acoustic outing of the previous album. Songwriter & vocalist Willie Vlautin describes the new sound as being more "like a soundtrack". The album was recorded at the Wavelab Studio in Tucson Arizona by Foster with the help of studio owner Craig Schumacher.

The line up of the band is the same as "The Fitzgerald" with Vlautin on vocals & guitar plus Sean Oldham (Drums), Dave Harding (Bass), Dan Eccles (Guitar) & Paul Brainard (Pedal Steel & Trumpet). The album also features some contributions from some of Tucson's many music luminaries such Calexico members Joey Burns, Nick Luca and Jacob Valenzuela. Howe Gelb even plays the piano on a track.

Richmond Fontaine are heading to Europe in February for an extensive tour. There is no word yet on another visit to Australia - the bands first tour here was in early 2006. Nonzero, the bands Australian label have not yet listed a date for the local release on "Thirteen Cities"

Links:

There is a great interview with Willy Vlautin on the altcountrytab website
www.richmondfontaine.com
www.myspace.com/richmondfontaine

Download from emusic

Richmond Fontaine

Be Good Tanyas - Hello Love

2006-11-24T00:35:00.000+11:00

Be Good Tanyas – Hello Love
Label: Nettwerk (306162)
Released: 7/10/2006

The Be Good Tanyas are a three-piece outfit based in Vancouver Canada. They are Frazey Ford, Trish Klien & Samantha Parton. They all share a love for folk, blues & country music. Jolie Holland was a founding member but left just prior to the release of their first album. Holland has made contributions on all previous Be Good Tanya albums & does here again.

Hello Love is the third album & follows on from Blue Horse (2001) & Chinatown (2003). Like the others, Hello Love is self produced & recorded strictly (& proudly) in analog. It is blend of old-time blues, bluegrass, country & folk. The album features twelve tracks (plus a 13^th hidden track, Prince’s “When Doves Cry”), with about half written by members of the band individually or in collaboration plus some well-chosen covers & traditional songs. The cover include Neil Young’s “For the Turnstiles”, Scattered Leaves” by Jeremy Lindsey, “Nobody Cares for me” by John Hurt - plus the Prince song. Special guest contributions come from Jolie Holland on “Nobody cares for me” & the Old Crow Medicine Show on “A little blues” & “Crow Waltz” .

What’s in a name?
The Be Good Tanyas take their name from an Obo Martin rebel anthem “Be Good Tanya”

Download
Hello Love
from emusic

Todd Snider - The Devil You Know

2006-11-23T23:54:00.000+11:00

Todd Snider was born October 11th 1966 in Portland Oregon but he grew up in places such as Santa Rosa, Austin, Houston, and Atlanta. Since his debut album in 1994 (Songs for the Daily Planet) that featured “Talkin Seattle Grunge Rock Blues” he has continued to combine bluegrass, blues, folk-rock, and country-rock to forge his own distinctive sound. Multi Instrumentalist Will Kimbrough joined forces with Snider on his 1996 release & the two have been working together ever since

Snider signed with John Prine’s Oh Boy label in 2000 for four albums & has just released his latest on the Universal off shoot New Door. New Door’s assignment is to give artists a second chance at a major label. It seeks out artists once signed to labels it now controls & re-signs them!

The Devil you know is Snider’s eighth album. He writes songs in the great tradition of people that Snider would no doubt count as influences, if not heroes, people like Bob Dylan & Phil Ochs, both of whom he sings about on “Thin Wild Mercury” The song documents a rumoured argument between Dylan & Ochs & the song title takes its name from the description Dylan gave for the sound he was searching for on his album Blonde on Blonde. It goes without saying that Snider takes Ochs sides of the argument.

Snider is not afraid to take a political stance either & the song “You got away with it (A tale of two fraternity brothers)” leaves no doubt on his opinion is regard to the current POTUS. Snider has said that the record started out as a “reaction to living in a country at war” but he eventually steered clear of the more obvious Give Peace a Chance approach or even the in your face position of someone like Steve Earle. Snider has taken a more subtle approach, writing songs of a more personal nature, from the point of view of average person making their way in trouble times as in “Looking for a job”.

He ends the album with a type of sermon (“Happy New Year”) that carries a war-weary despondency coupled with a hope for a positive outcome.

Snider’s album is of the times, for the times.

Welcome

2004-11-04T23:17:00.000+11:00

Hi & Welcome

The purpose of this blog is to provide views, reviews & other info regarding a style of Roots Music - Alternative Country, Americana - call it what you will.

I also present a radio program in Melbourne Radio Station 106.7 PBS-FM called 5 Feet High & Rising (Mondays 1-3 pm) & this blog is a further opportunity for listeners gather info on New Releases, read interview transcripts & to share views & opinions