The Sadies to release new album

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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