Hey everyone, I thought I would chuck this info over the wall from digest land. I'm listening right now to the final mixes of the upcoming Backsliders album (due in April, I think, on Mammoth). Linda passed on a tape a few months ago which was kinda the first incarnation of this album, called "Hicktopia" at the time. Since then a lot has been re-recorded and remixed. The title of the album even changed to "Lines" and then now to "Southern Lines." This CD got put on my desk this morning, and since I had Hicktopia in here yesterday and then brought it home, I can't compare them side by side. In other words, my memory sucks for such things. But this new album is GREAT! I liked Throwin' Rocks quite a bit but always felt it didn't really represent the band we see live here in NC. This one comes much closer. It's gritty enough and not as slick as the other. Julia (here at work) said that the vocals that were rerecorded sound noticeably different than the old ones (Hicktopia era) because Chip quite smoking and his voice has improved (well, she said he quit...and now smokes less). The new tracklist is of 11 songs (50 minutes). Hicktopia had 16 songs. I don't remember which ones got left off because, as I said, my copy of Hicktopia is at home. Here are the songs: 1 Abe Lincoln 2 Never Be Your Darling 3 Don't Ask Me Why 4 It Rained on Monday 5 Burning Bed 6 Two Candles 7 Angelita 8 Cross Your Heart 9 Lonely One 10 Forever Came Today 11 Psychic Friend There are SO MANY great songs on this CD. "Abe Lincoln" and "Angelita" are better than anything the Backsliders have ever done. I'm probably going to try to put together a house concert with Chip and Friends (whoever he wants, whether it be the rest of the Backsliders or someone else) in one half of the show, and Tift Merritt (of the Carbines...the best new band in Chapel Hill) in the second half. If it works out I'm gonna be happier than Matt at a Gourds show...or Jon at a JD Crowe show...or Chad at an Emmylou show...or Jerry Curry at a Journey show. I'm told the Backsliders are going on an extensive tour near the release of the album (April). I didn't get paid to send this email. I just love it. Cheers. Steve NP: Backsliders "Southern Lines" p.s. Did I mention I like this CD? ====================================================== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com ---------------------------------------------------- WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ======================================================
