Re: Kiss Kiss Hug Hug
Sez Purcell Kentucky is much prettier than England this time of year, pally. Sez Neal I'm not concerned about my status of "cool" when the arbiter is some guy in living across the river from Cincy, Ohio, of all places. Brother, if you ain't been there, you don't know. Kelly
Re: Blue Mountain (Chicago show??)
Blue Mountain has rescheduled their Hideout gig for June - I don't recall the exact date, but I'll pass it along shortly. Wasn't able to alert the intrepid Ms. Ray prior to her most recent Chicago calendar. Kelly
Re: Kiss Kiss Hug Hug
Sez Neal- Oh shit, that whiny note was s'pozed to be offlist to Barry, I think. Damn. Like you all wanted to read all that stuff. Quitcher apologizing, Neal. It sounded like a country song to me. Kelly
Chicago: Honky Tonk Living Room
Tomorrow night, April 8, is gonna be great. We've got Chris Mills and Red Meat at the Hideout for the Honky Tonk Living Room. In case you're not familiar with these characters, here's a little background: On Red Meat:http://www.chireader.com/music/spotcheck.htmlRed Meat is California's premiere honky-tonk band combining music stylesof Americana, country-swing, bluegrass, old style country, and gospelharmonies set off by the unique sounds of pedal steel, fiddle, andmandolin. Composed chiefly of expatriate Midwesterners, this crew hascountry roots that run pretty darned deep. Red Meat's 13, which reached #18 on the Gavin Reports' Americana Chart,was produced by legendary L.A. guitarist/songwriter Dave Alvin (foundingmember of the Blasters/solo artist on Hightone Records). Red Meat chart hopper Broken Up and Blue is currently #1 and One Woman Man peaked at #5 and on the Independent Country Singles* in these United States. And as for Chris Mills: http://www.sugarfreerecords.com/chrismills.htmlOn his sophmore Sugar Free release, Every Night Fight For Your Life,Chris Mills has assembled an impressive cast of friends and musicians. With help from themembers of Paul K and The Weathermen, Red Red Meat, Lambchop, Pinetop 7,as well as Drag City chanteuse Edith Frost, Mills returns once again tothemes of love, loss and desperation with a stark sense of honesty andemotion. Already known for the two fisted honesty of his previous work, Mills nowbrings musical muscle to the table. From the incendiary guitar work ofFire For You to the aching piano strains of Pontiac, Mills andfriends wrap brutal lyrical truth in striking sounds and textures.(I spoke to Chris today, and he tells me he'll be doing a sexy acoustic set with Deanna Varagona lending harmonies.) This'll be a good'n - come on down if you can. 9P.M., 1354 W. Wabansia, $6.
Re: Bringing music to town
Hi, Diane- Sounds like a great idea to me. Three things off the top of my head: 1.) Look for a tie-in with public radio. Seems like Madison had 2 or three such stations. If somebody's broadcasting this kind of music, more folks will find out about it and come. If there aren't any shows like that on the air, recruit one of your friends to host a show. Or broadcast from your venue. 2.) Hook up with other regional clubs. I'm booking a bi-weekly series here in Chicago at the Hideout, and I know the owners (who are great, BTW) are actively seeking out clubs in Milwaukee, Madison, Champaign, Mpls, etc. to encourage musicians to book their tours in this direction. 3.) Be sure to book some acts the youngsters like - most likely, they're the ones that will keep you afloat. Good luck! Kelly
Re: Chrissie Hynde in Salon
Sez Mr. Purcell: My former future wife... This would make a great song. (Am I slow on the uptake? Is it already a great song and I don't even know about it?) Kelly
Berlin/ Amsterdam query
I'm headed to Berlin April 21-24, and to Amsterdam April 25-28. Anyone know of twang things going on in those towns? I'm interested in clubs and concerts, but I'd also love to hook up with some pickers and check out the scene in general. (That is, when I'm not swilling God's own beer, disremembering my college art history, and listening to free jazz.) Any pointers will be very much appreciated. Kelly
Re: suckage: Re: Waco Brothers
Sez Will Miner: If we consider that Shania's records are ... majorly backed by big money because they are the perfect room spray that can disinfect millions of homes ... This is hilarious. Kelly
Scud Mountain Boys info needed
Are the SMB's alive and kicking? If so, does anyone know how to contact them? One of Chicago's more respectable venues (in other words, nobody I'm affiliated with) wants to know. Thanks, Kelly
Re: SF Local - Buck Owens/Red Meat
Notes early bird Owen: Wednesday, May 19 at Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco -- Buck Owens and Red Meat. What an honor; I'm really, really excited! Man, a dream show! Congrats! I saw Buck with Dwight a few years back (no, no one needs to write in reminding us what year that was) and it was a thrill. Why not book a second tour with this new lineup, Owen? Kelly
Re: The Blue Chip Radio Report 3/29/99
snip The Blue Chip Song of the Week: "Some Broken Hearts" by Bellamy Brothers. Writer: Wayland Holyfield...The original country hat act, the Bellamys come from left field with this arrangement of the 1977 Don Williams hit (under the title "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend"). This song has a reggae beat, snip [sigh] Pud covers of songs you love by the pud factor: the price you pay for listening to one kind of music for any length of time. Kelly
Re: Clip-Wacos Saturday night
Sez some non-P2 reviewer: At a time when alt.country bands increasingly lean toward tepid vocals, languid playing, and gentle singer-songwriterish sentiments Sez Mr. Purcell: Oh, for fuck's sake, they do not. Good to have your trenchant insights back on the list, Dave. This is beautiful! Kelly
Re: Steve 'n' Del
Sez Chris of the Chicago show: Just Steve - everyone paying rapt attention Steve plus Bluegrass - everyone paying rapt attention Just Bluegrass - feels like intermission Kinda felt sorry for they guy(s). I saw the instore today, and besides enjoying it thoroughly, I came away with new respect for Del's ego. The crowd was totally into the McCourys - no problem there - but he spends a great deal of time hanging around in the back while Steve handles guitar chores and sings songs that could use IMO a little high harmony. Yeah, yeah, I know this is bringing Del's music and *bluegrass as a whole* to new audiences, blah, blah, blah, but the man's a front man, and I respect his equanimity in hanging back and letting the others have the show for a whole tour. Many others would be champing at the bit. For the record: I ain't knocking Mr. Earle. I'm way big on that boy. Just musing, is all. Kelly P.S. Favorite Steve Earle quote: On having trouble keeping his guitar tuned, "This guitar is so new, it still thinks it's a tree."
Re: Help please ! (Tom House Joseph Spence)
When I met Tom House a few years back, it was pre-Bloodshot, and he was a damned interesting poet who preferred digging ditches and writing poems to more respectable occupations. His pal, Kurt Wagner, of Lambchop, is cut from the same cloth- he's busted his butt for years scraping floors so he could paint his paintings and play his songs his way. I seem to remember that Tom's poems have been published - they'd be worth looking for.
Re: African American violin players I worship
I'm with you here, Dan, 100%. 2 Regina Carter: the queen is a monster. Check her out on the String Trio of New York's Octagon and tell me you know a stronger player. She also plays in Quartett Indigo was featured on a Mark dresser Cd and has done some smooth jazz records, but is happily dumping that last habit of late. I saw Regina play a Cassandra Wilson concert (my honey was playing, or I wouldn't have been there) and every time she soloed I just kept saying, "Damn, she's good!" and I kept getting happier and happier. She's that higher level of player. Delightful. And LeRoy Jenkins Billy Bang: more great bearers of the AACM flame. That organization has fostered some of the most original and iconoclastic players I've heard. (It's also fostered some really self-indulgent ninnies, musically speaking, but no need to dwell on that here.) Kelly
Re: dreaded artist of the decade (plus Rushmore)
Jeff: Because after this disc, what can God do to top himself? Well, if it's the righteous arm of Old-Testament-destruction Yahweh, he might start off by ridding the world of Diamond Rio and Blackhawk. The rest can be saved on the Ark of Twang g. --junior Oo, oo, oo, let him get Restless Heart too. Please?
Re: SXSW off festival page updated...
I hereby declare that I am in awe of Stacey's Web prowess, and impressed by her tireless efforts to keep everyone (the world!) up to the minute on what's going on in twangdom. And, hey, Stacey, thanks belatedly for the P2 survey. (I believe you were offline when the results were posted.)
Chicago content: V-Roys, Danny Barnes
Tonight, at the Hideout, The V-Roys w/ the Texas Rubies opening, show starts at 10:00. And Monday, March 20, for those pining for Austin, Danny Barnes sitting, standing or supine (whichever he fancies) at 9 P.M. Also at the Hideout. Kelly K. Whan that Aprill with hir shoures soote the droghte of Marche hath perced to the roote And bathed every veyne in swich licour of which vertu engendred is the flour...
more off-SXSW
The Hideout (the Chicago club that hosts the Honky Tonk Living Room) is having a party Saturday afternoon at Green Mesquite, and all music lovers are invited, no cover charge. Here's the lineup: 2:00 Jon Langford, Kelly Hogan Champ Hood 2:30 Devil In A Woodpile 3:00 The Blacks 3:30 Freakwater 4:00 Anna Fermin and Trigger Gospel 4:30 Casolando 5:00 La Mano 5:30 Mt. Pilot
Stalin WAS: Tweedy quote/alt.country (REAL LONG)
Terry wonders: nr(reading): Robert Harris' "Archangel" about the modern-day discovery of Stalin's secret heir, living like a hermit in the woods near the White Sea. Great novel. So, was J. Stalin worse than Hitler? Stalin said something like, "One murder is a tragedy. One million murders is a statistic." By dint of numbers and time spent in complete control, I'd say Stalin was worse. But once dictators pass a certain threshold of being an abomination, is it possible to quantify these things? Kelly
Re: instrumentally speaking (was Re: Tweedy quote/alt.country (REAL LONG))
Sez Carl: One problem I see with your logic, Jon, is that much of the rock side of alt.country's influences (especially the punk artists), for whatever reason, don't include many instrumentals. Bands influenced by the Clash, the Sex Pistols, and the Velvet Ungerground tend to sing (or shout), because vocals are essential to their music. Sez Jon: That's my point. Even hedged with all kinds of qualifications, I think it's fair to say that in general, where vocals are essential, there's an orientation toward communicating emotions, ideas, etc., and technique and, well, skill - at least instrumental - are more than occasionally seen as, at best, irrelevant to that. See, now, and I thought the whole *point* of punk was to *not* be able to play well. I am not being facetious here. I thought the general punk stance was "F**k this elitist, bourgeois, closed music system. We're gonna play even though we don't know how, and maybe that'll turn the world of music on its ear, and even if it doesn't we'll have a good time with our mates making a whole lot of noise. Being all tied up in technique and knowing how to play is for wankers. Tear up everything." Why have instrumentals if it's important not to be one of those wankers who know how to play? Kelly, ready to have her simplistic understanding of punk adjusted NPIMH "All I Am Is Loving You" by The Teardrop Explodes
Re: Coltrane book?
Hey, Neal, I'm probably past your gift-buying deadline, and I'm not even exactly on-topic, but the jazz gem I've been enjoying lately is "Reading Jazz: A Gathering of Autobiography, Reportage, and Criticism from 1919 to Now" ed. by Robert Gottlieb. It's a chunky monkey, weighing in at 1000+ pages, but the contemporaneous writing and autobiographical material brings the stuff to life by stripping away the intervening years of revisionist hooha. This puppy offers years of reading pleasure. Kelly
Roger Miller/hamster dance
This site - www.hamsterdance.com -is probably too fluffy (or furry) for the fluff site. I laugh just thinking about it. Twang content: I swear to God that's Roger Miller sped up or digitized or midi-ized or something. Can anybody set me straight? Kelly K
Re: Swoop In Europe/New Bassist
Congrats John need a background singer who plays shitty accordion? Congrats, indeed, and have one of those fine fresh Teutonic brews for me. Go, Swoop! Kelly
Re: Dan Mesh Mike Ireland
Dan isn't just strumming behind Mike here, he's a complete partner: Mike Ireland AND Dan Mesh. Great stuff, I thought... --david cantwell I'm really looking forward to this - thanks, David! Kelly K
Re: Matt Cook needs a job in Austin
I would rather not work with food. --Matt Cook We'd rather you didn't work with food, too, Matt.
Learning To Love Country (WAS:The Eradication Game)
Lord help me, I'm about to agree with Jon Weisberger *and * stick up for Billy Ray Cyrus - ain't life goofy? There are a lot of themes in country, and some seem to export more readily to rock and other genres: yer drinking songs, yer cheating songs, yer trucking songs...But there's a solid tradition in country for the song that's so over the top melodramatic it's maudlin and -that's the point-. For me the thing to do with those songs is just go there. If you believe the singer at all, give them the benefit of the doubt and go there with them and see what happens. Sometimes this is easy: George Jones w/ "He Stopped Loving Her Today". Merle with "Always Wanting You". Sometimes you're a little surprised: Lorrie Morgan w/ "A Picture of Me (Without You). Reba McEntire w/ "The Last One To Know". Sometimes you just can't believe you're listening to it and it's working, and here I'd include Billy Ray Cyrus. I'm thinking of "Some Gave All" but I'm sure there are others he's done that hit home. My point here is that those big sappy weepers are a key part of country, a *great* part of country, and there are singers who can surprise you with what they bring to a weeper. Of course, there's the "My Eyes Remained Perfectly Dry As I Reached For The Volume Knob" category of singers (for me, Garth Brooks, Lee Greenwood, Kenny Rogers, the Wilkinsons, dozens more ...) Side note: Dale Watson valiantly sings his weepers here in Chicago even as the audience interest audibly and visibly dips. More power to him - "Ball Chain" tears me up. Kelly K http://www.bcity.com/texasrubies http://www.bcity.com/honkytonk
Dan Mesh Mike Ireland
Who's Dan Mesh? Anybody up on him? He and Mike Ireland are playing the HonkyTonk Living Room 4/15 w/ Deanna Varagona. Kelly K
New Game: Hermetically Sealed
For those of us on this list who lack the basic bloodlust to annihilate, I propose the Hermetically Sealed game, wherein the offending band is not obliterated off the face of the earth but instead rendered incapable of influencing any other artist (this has been hinted at with discussions of Zeppelin the Dead). Coming from the country side (and ducking behind my bulletproof monitor) I submit my first band for hermetic sealing: the Rolling Stones. To quote Mr. Simkins, please, please, PLEASE. Kevlar Kessler
Re: Patti Bell and the Bell Rangers
That's Katie Bell and the Bell Rangers. They're Chicago-based, and hard country by Chicago standards. They share a lot of personnel with Cole Rain, another good local outfit. I like 'em. Linda Ray likes 'em. Anybody else want to chime in here? -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: passenger side [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Friday, February 19, 1999 11:30 AM Subject: Patti Bell and the Bell Rangers Anyone know anything about Patti Bell and the Bell Rangers. Someone called my radio show and said I should check them out, and they also were curious as to any records, etc. I was told that there is a song or two on a NIagra Niagra Soundtrack, but I have not found that.
Re: Time line?
John Magee wonders: Who was the first alt.country artist? Bill Monroe? Bob Wills? Johnny Cash? snip My vote goes to that kamikaze of the acoustic guitar, Riley Puckett.
Re: Chicago content -- Hideout this weekend
Sez THOMAS KRUEGER: I wanted to make sure the Chicago contingent noticed there will be an all-too-rare appearance of our town's old-time string band homiez, the Volo Bogtrotters, at the Hideout this Saturday. In my uninformed yet vehement opinion, there is no better old-time band in the land. I am with Tom here about a million per cent. I moved up here from Kentucky with the snooty conviction that there ain't no way a bunch of Yankees could play old time music worth a damn, and then those Volo boys cured me of that notion and converted me to their Bogtrotting ways. They are always a good time. 'Course we regret the fact that Mr. Jim Nelson left the fold and moved to St. Louis, but we're sure he's doing good things down there. Also on the horizon at the Hideout: tonight, LeRoy Bach, Gina Forsyth, Cow Lily; tomorrow Anna Fermin Trigger Gospel, Lloyd Maines, Terri Hendrix; March 12 the V-Roys; May 9 Blue Mountain. Kelly
Re: Playlist: Tennessee Saturday Night 2/6/9
Stay a Little Longer -- Pine Valley Cosmonauts with Neko Case and Bob Boyd -- Salutes the Majesty of Bob Wills -- Bloodshot I've been meaning to ask, who is this Bob Boyd fella? He's the last active member of Chicago's local legend country band the Sundowners. Dave Hoekstra (Doug Hoekstra's brother) did a loving profile of the band in the last Journal of Country Music. http://www.bcity.com/texasrubies http://www.bcity.com/honkytonk
Re: Darby Tarlton *(was Re: James Hand / Jimmie Tarlton
Darby's got a nephew, Ricky Whitley, who's a multi-instrumentalist and a great songwriter. His "If I Were You, I'd Leave Me" ought to be in the annals of country classics. He's from Alabama, and puts in time up in Nashville, down at the Florabama and I believe over in Muscle Shoals. Catch him if he comes to your town. Kelly K. http://www.bcity.com/texasrubies http://www.bcity.com/honkytonk
feb 18 HTLR
3 LeRoy Bachs been a busy man in the last few years, touring and recording with Wilco and Liz Phair. Hes also been seen around town handling the bass chores for old time stalwarts the Paulina Hollers, as well as the sprawling funk conglomerate Uptighty. Hell be bringing his honkytonkier tendencies to the Hideout Feb. 18. 3 New Orleans favorite Gina Forsyth is a double threat. Shes a first-class Cajun fiddler whos accompanied many of the greats in her home state, and shes an award-winning singer/songwriter. Shes also nationally known for her fiddle work with the Burns Sisters. Shes represented on local label Waterbugs compilation American Impressionist Songwriters. 3 Cow Lily is a new contender on Chicagos alternative country scene. Led by Stephanie Turner, Cow Lily features her sweet, melodic lead vocals as well as strong contributions from Worth Wagers of the Moviegoers.
Re: feb 18 HTLR
Many apologies for this mispost - it flew seemingly of its own will out of my Drafts folder and onto the Internet, and while I stood screaming at my computer and jabbed furiously at the keys, nothing would bring it back. I try never to send goobers and graphic doodads in my posts; particular apologies for those. Kelly
Re: songs of love and hate (was Re: Hank question)
Personal breakup fave: "Will Your Lawyer Talk To God For You?" - Kitty Wells
Re: Feb 5 6 Opry Performances
Hey, Jon, isn't Jim Jesse's annual Gallatin thang this weekend too?
Query (obscure): New World Records
Something I've been meaning to ask about: I own 2 records from the Anthology of American Music on New World Records that are just incredible. Country Music South and West was produced by Bill Ivey and features songs from the '20's-'40s by Rodgers, the Carters, McMichen, Harry Choates, Ted Daffan, etc. Going Down the Valley has Shortbuckle Roark, the Callahan Bros., Puckett, Macon a bunch more. My query: I remember that I heard several other records in this anthology of diferent genres. I also believe I learned that the entire anthology was available only to libraries and other institutions. Does anyone know the whereabouts of any of these records for purchase or dubbing? Any other info on the anthology? (I kinda think it was a bicentennial thing, as it came out in the late '70s.) Much obliged, Kelly
Johnnie Johnson
Thanks to all for the pointers. Johnson's on my list now. Kelly
Re: She don't impress me much
Sez Hanspeter Eggenberger: But her music is the same fake country as the music of Fart Brooks and Silly Ray Virus. Hey, Hans, man, don't sugarcoat it. Tell us what you really think. Kelly
Re: Buddy Guy (was Re: soul)
Sez Carl Z: Speaking of which, the local PBS station aired a tribute to Muddy Waters this week which featured a number of luminaries guesting with a house band featuring G. E. Smith (ugh), Johnnie Johnson Charlie Musselwhite. The highlight was a very long appareance by Buddy Guy... I saw some of that and what knocked me out flat was Johnnie Johnson's spare and oh-so-tasty foil to Phoebe Snow. Phoebe left me pretty cold. Who can tell me more about Johnnie Johnson?
Re: Columbia House has an Americana section in their new cd mag.
Linda Ray writes: my favorite of those I've seen recently is Sturm Twang. Did you make that up Ms. Kessler? No, ma'am, I just stole it from David "Modern Twang" Goodman. Like I say, he's a great resource. Kelly http://www.bcity.com/texasrubies http://www.bcity.com/honkytonk
Re: 2 queries
Sez bill f-w: but linda, "wild and blue" was a HUGE hit for john anderson, and saying so ain't snooty. and as much as i love the meke's version, it's not irk-worthy, either. rather, it's analagous to pointing out that nirvana, not tori amos, first gave us "smells like teen spirit." bill f-w Working on the timeline, here, I remember hearing Cathy Irwin singing "Wild and Blue" in her pre- and early Freakwater days. Maybe she and Janet BB introduced the tune to the Mekons? And John Anderson's got funky country soul eking out his pores. He's a good'n. I thought I heard from a reputable source that he's got some kind of distant family relations to Merle *and* Lefty. Mighta been hyperbole, but when he sings, I listen. Except for (shudder) "Swingin'". I can't go there. Kelly
NEA (WAS: Forward)
NEA Extravaganza O.K., y'all. I give up. What *is* the NEA, and does Jesse Helms know about it? Kelly
Paycheck update?
Any news on Johnny Paycheck's wellbeing? Also, does anyone happen to know an address that get well wishes might be sent to? Kelly
Re: Musical product vs. music (was: the Garthman, and now is long)
yeah, but Garth is so icky... Elena With this, Elena has said it all, and no more needs to be said on the subject. Kelly
Re: International Country Music Conference
Jim, are you going to this? If so, will you fill in the list about it?
