Del-Lords update (attn. Dave Purcell)
After the flurry of Del-Lords/Kempner talk yesterday, I asked Ed Petterson ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) for an update: "The Del Lords thing is finally coming out in June on Restless. My credit is on the CD is "Event Catalyst". I kinda' like that. 20 tracks including 3 unreleased songs and stuff from the first two records previously unavailable on CD. The cover of "Folsum Prison Blues" is worth the price of admission." Ed also said his next CDs are a power-pop debut CD from The Strangely's called "Swinging From Chandeliers," which he describes "a big, Power Pop thing with a 60's vibe." He also plans to re-record his solo debut CD "Desperate Times," and retitle it "Guilty, With an Explanation." That is all. Jim Catalano
Re: Mandy Barnett and the sidemen thread
Mandy Barnett is scheduled to be on Letterman tonight (thursday). Set those VCRs!
Country Music mag: the new editor responds
I recently posted my reaction to the new version of Country Music, lamented the loss of Carr and Kienzle and the appearance of beauty-tips articles. I also sent a note to Neil Pond, the new editor in chief. Below is his response: jim catalano (by the way, the new issue does have a nice piece on Mandy Barnett.) Dear Jim: Thank you for your comments. As you know, it's difficult to please everyone all the time. The changes in Country Music magazine were made to broaden its appeal to a wider, more diverse audience---and, frankly, to help it survive. Despite its illustrious, quarter-century history, its readership and ad revenue were both falling off. In December, the magazine's editor, owner, founder and publisher, Russell Bernard, sold it to a new owner, Sussex Publishers in New York. Sussex installed a new editorial team and gave us the mission to bring the magazine to life again. For the next few issues, at least, the magazine will continue to be a work-in-progress as we fine-tune certain areas and hopefully, ultimately, make Country Music an even more exciting, visual and viable magazine. I'm sorry to hear that you don't care for the magazine's new look and editorial feel, but perhaps the next issue will be more to your liking. I humbly invite you to hang with us for a few more issues while we continue to get our footing. Thank you again for taking the time to send us an e-mail. I hope we can win you back as a satisfied reader. Please allow us to try. Sincerely, Neil Pond Editor in Chief Country Music Magazine 7 Music Square West Nashville, TN 37203 (615) 251-0106, ext. 10 Neil Pond [EMAIL PROTECTED]
need digests 1351 and 1352
can someone please email digests 1351 and 1352? for some reason, they didn't show up during the past two days (1353 did, tho). Thanks! jim catalano [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Country Music mag's new format
Has anyone else seen the new version of Country Music magazine? It's now based in Nashville, and is completely unrelated to its previous format except for Hazel Smith's column. Rich Kienzle and Patrick Carr have been replaced by articles such as "Get Martina's Look" and photo spreads on up and coming singers (although one is Monte Warden). It's kind of a cross between New Country and Twang. ugh! jim catalano
SXSW report (long)
My SXSW report Wednesday: Wake up at 3:30 a.m., drive to Syracuse, catch flight to Austin. Arrive at noon, check into Hotel, get badge at Convention Center, and walk down 6th St. Immediately run into Hayseed (hes hard to miss). We had dinner (I had just interviewed him for a feature, now posted on the milesofmusic.com web site). After dinner, leave restaurant, immediately run into Don Yates, in Walser cap (not THE Walser cap, tho) and Johnny Dowd t-shirt, and Deborah Malarek. Head to Liberty Lunch to see Jim Roll (excellent set), then mosey by Austin Music Awards to catch Reckless Kelly, who are best described in two words: Country Hootie. They made guest Joe Ely seem boring, which I thought was an impossibility. (Joe sang two songs, You Aint Going Nowhere and one of his own about Honky Tonkin, but the one from Live Shots). Try to get into Jeff Becks show, get shut out, catch Rubinchiks Orchestyr, who played trad. klezmer. Head home, collapse with exhaustion. Thursday: Lucinda gives keynote address, advising persistance in the music biz. Also reveals one of her early songs appeared on a porn movie soundtrack (All American Girls in Heat, Pt II, for those keeping score), and plays several solo acoustic songs. It was interesting to hear Right In Time in that format. Head to panel discussion on Hank Williams. Most fascinating aspect was contributed by Greil Marcus, who talked about a movie that fancifully described the last show Hank played. Bill Lister also told a funny story about the making of Hank Jr.s Theres a Tear in My Beer. Then to the songwriting panel with Jim Lauderdale, Kelly Willis, Bruce Robison, and Jon Dee Graham. Pretty good, but no revelations. Realize its too late to hit Cherilyns BBQ. Bummer Thursday night, in midst of huge downpour, head to Broken Spoke to see personal fave Monte Warden, who played most of the songs from his new CD out on Asylum. He had a really good band, including guest James Intveld on keyboards. After that, Barry and I headed to Continental Club in hopes of catching Mike Ness. We stood outside in line while it rained and heard Intvelds fine set. We were almost in the door when they stopped letting people in, so we left. We found out later that the fire marshalls had cleared the club of everyone, and only let some people back in. Barry and I head to Jazz Bon Temps, where we dined to the dulcet blues of WC Clark. head upstairs to see Jon Dee Graham, then across the street to see Wanda Jackson. Barry stays in line, I head back to catch Shaver (not a bad alternative). Billy Joe looks like Nick Nolte. I stay for half his set (leaving before those drum set problems) and head back for another try at Wanda. Get in time to hear her and Henhouse do Lets Have a Party. Shes still in great voice! Head home, collapse with exhaustion. Friday: Arrive at Convention Center at noon. Am immediately shanghaighed by Stacey Taylor, who needs someone to serve on the country demo listening panel. Proceed to fill in for no-shows Dale Watson and Broken Spoke owner James White (the latter had plumbing problems at home, the former just didnt show up). Most demos were competent and fell into one of the many existing country radio formats-i.e., power ballad, rocker, etc. Stacey and I tried to say something nice about each one, even though both of us dont really like mainstream country. Head to Bloodshot party at Yard Dog, just in time to miss the Blacks (who I dont really like) and catch Neko Case (who I adore). Leave after Nekos set due to claustrophia induced by the awning over the gallerys back yard. Head to Continental Club for rumored Ronnie Dawson CD release party, which turns out to have been the previous day. Instead, buy live Ronnie Dawson CD recorded and sold only at the club. After that, it was couple more stabs at panel- going, including the Sinatra discussion (Cristgau read his obit that was published in Details last year). Later walk to Waterloo Records to see Monte Wardens instore set. Didnt realize store was so far from convention, but tired of paying cab fares to get everywhere. Price: sore feet and shoulders. Friday night: Head to Liberty Lunch to see Guy Clark, who played an excellent set. My hometown friends Donna the Buffalo was next doing their usual thing, although they were nearly tossed off the stage for not ending their set on time See some of Terry Allens set, then head out to see Kim Lenz and Lou Ann Barton, return to Liberty Lunch just in time to hear Terry Allen had Marcia Ball, David Byrne and Guy Clark join him onstage for Gimme A Ride to Heaven, Boy (which I formerly knew as Jesus Was A Hitchiker, as covered by Joe Ely) Tried to get in Lucinda show, but barred because I had a camera with me. Head back to Liberty Lunch to catch Gatemouth Browns set. After that, my feet finally gave out, causing me to miss the Pumpskully set. I was intrigued that a band would name itself after lascivious act from the X-Files. Saturday
RE: Fulks and the Hollies
Jon Weisberger Kenton County, KY [EMAIL PROTECTED], asked: Which reminds me, who's covered "Carrie Ann?" That's a good song. I don't know who else has covered this song, but the Burns Sisters lifted the melody from its chorus for "Far From My Home" on their last Rounder CD. jim catalano still a friend and fan of the Burns Sisters NP: "Swingin' on the Strings-The Jimmy Bryant Speedy West Collection, Vol. 2," (Razor Tie). Hot stuff, indeed!
Damnations NY
Todd Larson [EMAIL PROTECTED] asked of the Damnations TX: Ah, home..anyone know where in New York they're from? Theyre from Cobleskill, up near Albany, although I had heard they used to live in Binghamton. Jim Catalano Ithaca NY
SXSW
It looks like there are going to be several cool showcases at SXSW this year. I ran into Johnny Dowd last night, and he told me that his band, the Old 97s, the Bottle Rockets and Robbie Fulks are playing at the Liberty Lunch Saturday night (he's also playing a Checkered Past party at the Yarddog, I think on Saturday). Monte Warden is playing Thursday night at the Broken Spoke along with Bruce and Charlie Robison. And New West Records will have a showcase: Stephen Bruton, Jon Dee Graham and Billy Joe Shaver, but I'm not sure when it is. Hopefully, it won't conflict with Right Said Fred's set. jim np: Belle Sebastian, "Boy with the Arab Strap"- Smiths lite
Flat Duo Jets interview
Just wanted to point out that the latest issue of Flipside contains a really good Flat Duo Jets interview. Also in the issue is a hilarious interview with Loverboy singer Mike Reno, in which he reveals the fate of those "cool" red leather pants (I know at least one person on this list had a memorable brush of greatness with the headbanded one back in the 1980s). Judging from recent pictures, he'd have a hard time fitting into those pants today... jim NP:Reggae Cowboys
Richard Bennett question
I read a good review of this CD: Richard Bennett, "Walking Down the Line" (Rebel Records) Is this the same Richard Bennett who used to produce Steve Earle and Marty Stuart? Just wondering, as THAT Richard Bennett is one of my all-time favorite guitarists. jim
RE: Twitty (Re: VCR Alert)
Don't know where Twitty falls in the "country greats" pecking order #3 on Billboard's list of radio hitmeisters since 1944, right between George Jones and Johnny Cash. Deservedly so. "Linda on My Mind" is pretty damn cool... There's an understatement, as far as I'm concerned. "Linda" is a serious contender for any list of the very greatest country songs. But where would you rank "Tight Fittin' Jeans"? g jim
Lucinda interview
There's a Lucinda Williams interview in today's New York Post, at: http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/2216.htm
re: The Fifth Beatle
I can't believe that with all the pop culture geeks on this list that no one's gotten the "Clarence, the Fifth Beatle" reference. It's from an Eddie Murphy Saturday Night Live sketch, where they overdubbed his vocals onto Beatles songs and superimposed his face into band photos. that fact that I do know this probably speaks volumes as to my social life at the time jim catalano
Re: CD reviewing ethics
I'm finding this debate very interesting. One reason that I've never actively pursued playing live music in Ithaca is the fact that I've been the local music writer since 1992. In a small town like this, I've always felt that if I started trying to get gigs for myself or a band, it would more difficult to cover shows at local clubs and write about other bands. And would I be able to write about myself (if I had a legitimate reason) in my weekly column? Probably not... As far as getting close to musicians I write about, I have to say that this has been the best part of my music writing career, both locally and nationally. As someone said, this isn't political journalism, so I don't think there's any real harm in writing about someone you know and like, or liking someone that you write about. That said, I must admit that I avoided talking to Johnny Dowd for several years after I first saw in back in 1991. I didn't want to destroy his what I perceived as his "cool aura" by actually talking to him in person, even though I would constantly see him around Ithaca. Of course, about two and half years ago, I finally got around to interviewing for the cassette release of "Wrong Side of Memphis," and found that he's even cooler now that I actually know him. So did that make it unethical for me to write about him for No Depression, or for that matter, hire his moving company when I bought my new house? I don't think so. Jim Catalano Who's also wondering if it's unethicial to review Bad Religion albums when I play hockey with Greg Graffin...
