Topsoil Playlist for April
April. That's Merlefest month. I'm looking forward to one of my favorite festivals of the year. I look forward to this like I looked forward to Christmas when I was young. There were no house concerts in April, but on May 8th Topsoil is presenting another sold out show. This time I'm having Tom Sauber, Brad Leftwich and Alice Gerrard. June 18 will be Fred Eaglesmith.. Tickets for that will go on sale at the beginning of June probably. Email me to get on my mailing list. Here's the playlist for April. Remember to listen to Topsoil live every Sunday from noon-3pm at 88.7FM (or on the internet at www.wxdu.duke.edu). Cheers. Steve Gardner [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net === WXDU-Fm 88.7 Durham, NC Steve Gardner, "Topsoil" E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] April Roots Report 1. Terry Allen - Salivation - Sugar Hill [Nobody is more alternative country than Terry Allen. In fact, Terry is an alternative to just about anything! Contained in this CD is nearly an hour of the best songs that Terry has written and performed since 1979's "Lubbock on Everything."] 2. Kelly Willis - What I Deserve - Rykodisc [Kelly still hasn't made an album that really shows how incredible she really is. This one comes close, but I still think she has a better one in her. With that said, though, this is still one of the best CDs of the year. I expect to see this on many topten lists at the end of '99.] 3. Grayson and Whitter - The Songs of Grayson and Whitter 1928 to 1930 - County [Here's a great reissue from a duo that heavily influences country and folk music even to this day. I'm sure you've heard some of these songs: Handsome Molly, Rose Conley, Train 45, Tom Dooley. A great companion to this CD would be Ralph Stanley's recent tribute to Grayson and Whitter called "Short Life of Trouble."] 4. Lilly Brothers and Don Stover - Have a Feast Here Tonight - Prestige Folklore [This is a very nice reissue package of bluegrass done straight up. What you get here is 23 songs by this brother duet (Everett and Bea Lilly) along with Don Stover on banjo. This is actually a one CD compilation of two old Lilly Brothers CDs "Bluegrass Breakdown" and "Country Songs."] 5. Tara Nevins - Mule to Ride - Sugar Hill [Tara was in a band called the Heartbeats and is currently in a rock band called Donna the Buffalo. On "Mule to Ride" she flies solo (but with a *lot* of helpers) and produces a great album of new oldtime music. One of my favorite parts about this CD is that we get to hear a lot of singing from her husband, Jim Miller, who has been a favorite of mine ever since I heard him on the albums by the Wandering Ramblers and Dirk Powell's solo album. Other guests include Ralph Stanley, Don Rigsby, Paul Brown and many others.] 6. Tom, Brad and Alice - Been There Still - Copper Creek [Wow, the triple threat! Brad is one of my top 3 living oldtime fiddlers today and Alice, of course is a great singing. I really love Tom's banjo playing (and fiddling) too which I was introduced to through a tape he made with Dirk Powell. Don't be fooled into thinking this is a CD of oldtime instrumentals, though. There are a few, but the real theme of this album is singing...and it's GOOD singing! One of my favorite cuts is an oldtime take on the Stanley Brothers favorite "Little Glass of Wine." Highly recommended. They'll be doing a house concert for me on May 8.] 7. Dirk Powell, Tim O'Brien John Herrmann - Songs From the Mountain - Howdy Skies [This is the best CD of new fangled old-time music I've heard in a few years. Together, these three musicians have succeeded in putting a soundtrack to the book Cold Mountain, written by local author Charles Frazier. This CD is only sold as a companion to the paperback version of the book. Check major retailers such as Borders and Amazon.com if you have problems finding it. Both the book and the CD are well worth the search.] 8. Steve Earle and Del McCoury - The Mountain - E Squared [I wasn't so sure Steve Earle had the voice to pull off a good bluegrass album...well, boy was I wrong! This CD not only kicks butt, but it is one of the best bluegrass CDs I've heard in at least a year. This is a top-notch bunch of original songs with a crack band and it deserves to be heard by many.] 9. Charlie Poole - Legend of Charlie Poole Vol 3 - County [Another great reissue of Charlie Poole's oldtime stringband music. I'm especially excited to hear an old version of the song "Goodbye Booze" which I only heard recently from a recording by the Blue Ridge Mountain Minstrels.] 10. Jimmy Murphy - Electricity - Sugar Hill [I can't imagine anything beating this album out for reissue of the year. I had no clue who Jimmy Murphy was, but upon hearing this I realised that I (and many others) have been missing one of the greatest country songwriters and singers. "I Get a Lo
bluegrass whatever
I hate to be all hippie, but isn't music supposed to be unifying and all that? What the hell is with all this snide divisive shit? Let damn Darius Rucker play the mandolin fer chrissakes. It's an instrument, not the holy grail. AMEN! There is a constant battle that always goes on between the traditionalist and the people who like to experiment in music such as bluegrass (or oldtime, and I would assume other styles). It even goes down to non-musical things such as album covers (I've heard a few people get bent out of shape because Ricky Skaggs' new album "doesn't look like a bluegrass album" i.e. no people on the cover.) Bluegrass music may seem like a genre that is based on rules, but in reality it was originally based upon innovation. I have nothing against either the traditionalists or those pushing the definition of bluegrass. I think we need both. What we don't need is the ongoing battle between the two camps. By the way, the same argument gets thrown around even more in oldtime music. The funny part is that often the traditionalists seem to forget that the origin of oldtime music wasn't in the 1920s. That's just the origin of *recorded* oldtime music. I have a record from an old fiddler who was recorded in the 40s and was born in 1864. His name was Emmett Lundy. He was from Grayson County Virginia and said that his dad wouldn't play any of those "new" fiddle tunes that Emmett played. Those tunes he speaks of are some that many oldtime fiddlers would consider some of the oldest in the southern appalachian repetoire. -- ========== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Subliminal messages?
This bounced because I used the word "get" to start my message. Let's see if it goes through this time. Get a load of this I just got the new Hick'ry Hawkins CD in the mail. It smells like diapers. Not dirty diapers (thank god) but clean diapers. I'm sure of this because I'm *very* familiar with the smell. So, what exactly should I read into this? Are they dipping their raw CDs in some diaper smelling agent? Is this some sort of subliminal message? And what about those other CDs that smell like Maple Syrup? Anyone noticed that? Are they supposed to exude a wholesome family feel? Asking the hard-hitting questions, just like TV... steve -- ====== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net == -- ========== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
re: v-roys/bare jr.
Chad said that he was reminded that the V-Roys were the best live band in America. I agree. He also said: Bare Jr. on the other hand made me feel old...even though I am not fairly young compared to the demographics of this list. They were pretty good, but they were SOOO LOUD and repetitive. I am still having a hard time really getting into the album cause so much of it sounds the same. I had the same problem with their live show. Bare Jr. makes me feel young. I absolutely love their album, and their live show (the first time they've played here) lived up to all my expectations. They were rocking hard on the very first song. It's nice to see a band give 1000% even when the gig is 75% empty. A friend of mine noticed how polarizing Bare Jr is, though, specifically with my friends here who often agree on music. Half of my friends LOVE them and half HATE them. I love 'em. Deaar postcarders, the guitarist was wearing pajamas, but they didn't have bunnys on them. Should I hate him? Please advise. :^) See ya. Steve -- == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Re: house concert
Dave said: I don't know who any of these people are. They must be losers. If you ever book someone kewl like the Goo Goo Dolls (they ROCK!!) or Megadeth it would be cooler than these old fogeys. Let me know when this happens. I'm trying to get in on that newly announced tour with Ted Nugent, Slaughter, Quiet Riot and Night Ranger. I'm also going to try to coax a Damn Yankees reunion into that show. What a bonus that'd be. YOU AM I is better than Oasis AND Men at Work! steve -- == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Tom Brad and Alice show sold out.
The Tom Brad and Alice house concert is sold out. If you sent me an email I'll be replying to you within the next 24 hrs to let you know if you made it in in time to hold a reservation. As always, if you missed out you can be put on the waiting list. Cheers. Steve -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
Alice Gerrard, Brad Leftwich and Tom Sauber House Concert
Hi everyone, The reservations for the Tom, Brad and Alice house concert go on sale at 8am on Tuesday the 20th (that's today for most of you getting this email in the morning). These shows have been selling out in less than *two* hours, so if you want to go you'll need to respond as soon after 8am as you can. Please do not email me before 8am, or your reservation will not count. Here's the info if you missed it the first time: Who: Tom, Brad and Alice When: 5/8/99 8pm Where: Pine Hill Farm (see http://www.topsoil.net/pinehill.htm for directions) How much: $10 each I'll email you letting you know where you got a space on the reservation list or not. You must have an advanced reservation to attend. more info: Alice Gerrard, Brad Leftwich and Tom Sauber - Oldtime Music Trio at Pine Hill Farm. Reservations on Sale 4/20 at 8am for $10 each. Here I have three of my favorite artists who play oldtime music. They have a CD out now on Copper Creek which I've been playing on my show since last summer. Check out the second half of this webpage http://milesofmusic.com/bluegrass3.html from Miles of Music to find out more about this group. If you don't know, or don't remember how these things work, let me refresh your memory. I ask a band to play in a friend's living room. The room holds about 70 people. There is no sound system and so the band plays acoustic. We do two sets, with an intermission where you can meet the artist, or just get something to eat or drink. The shows start at 8pm and end by 11pm. There's no smoking, everyone hoots and hollers, and everyone (including the artist(s)) go home happy. See www.topsoil.net for even more info. Listen to Topsoil to hear more from these and other twangy artists. Cheers. Steve -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
Criminally Underappreciated Albums
Well, seeing as the Jimmy Murphy "Electricity" reissue on our label soundscanned 5 its first week out I'd have to say that he wins the prize. :^) -- ====== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Terry Allen's response
Hey, I sent that thread about Terry being crazy and not worthy of babysitting to Terry. He sent me back one of his trademark faxes. Here's what he said: STEVE - TELL THIS GUY I DON'T BABYSIT. I DON'T EVEN SIT (EVEN WHEN I AM) ALL SIT NEEDS IS A "H" IN IT. T. I'm sure that clears everything up. :^) Steve -- ====== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Re: Sparklehorse/Varnaline in Philly 4/18
Anyone going to see Sparklehorse and Varnaline at the TLA Sunday night in Philly? Mail me offlist if you are. I encourage everyone within driving distance to see this show. It's been my favorite of the year, so far. -- == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
television / roir
Dave wrote: I hear this new old live record is really really great. A friend of mine has it from its original release on a ROIR cassette. ROIR isn't still around, is it? I looked for it on the net the other day and came up empty. I think they are. I read an interview in Billboard about two months ago and the head guy said that he was now releasing CDs (ooh!). So, I assume they are still around. -- == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Jesse Winchester
Someone asked about Jesse Winchester (sorry, I'm slow, I'm on digest). I can't tell you too much about the upcoming CD yet since we won't get advances until May. I have heard the rough mixes, though, and I think fans of Jesse should like it. The songs are great, but of course the mixes are, well, rough. Jerry Douglas is producing it and he does wonders with the final mix. I had someone say that they'd crawl naked across a field of broken glass in the pouring rain to see Jesse. Other fans of his that I've talked to seem to be just as...um...rabid. -- == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Goo Goo Dolls/The No No's
Dave, That's okay if you don't like the GGD old stuff. It's not surprising. I like it a lot, but they certainly weren't breaking down barriers and changing the world, or nothing. I always saw them a Replacements ripoff. However, I have nothing wrong with Replacement ripoffs. If you are going to steal, ya might as well steal from the best. Innovation is great, but not necessary to be on my fave list. For instance, I heard a great song on the radio today from a band called the No No's. They reminded me of local heroes Superchunk but on (even more) helium (girl singer). I'm a sucker for loud guitars and catchy melodies. -- == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Ace Ventura....huh?
Check this out. We were digging through some shit here at the office and someone found two CDs. One is something lame, but the other is the Ace Ventura soundtrack. Don't laugh! It's actually kinda neat. No, it isn't worth plunking $15 down on, but it *is* worth a listen. Why? Well let me tell you. Why am I talking like this? I don't know! The Reverend Horton Heat does a version of Guadalcanal Diary's "Watusi Rodeo." Holy moly! It's great! Also, Blues Traveler does a version of "Secret Agent Man." Sure they suck, but that's one of my favorite songs and even they couldn't ruin it. The song prevails! (note: the best version of the song EVER done was by the Plugz on the Repo Man soundtrack. "El Hombre Secreto" I think was the name of it. All sung in Spanish) (also note: the song is 2:16 long...the shortest blues traveler song ever???) There's also a reggae version of "Spirits in the Material World" by Pato Banton. Lame. If it were *ME* I would update the song a little by singing it to the theme of Madonna's "Material Girl." THEN and only then would the soundtrack be worth buying at full price! One more thing. The Goo Goo Dolls do a cover of the only good INXS song ever"Don't Change." I like it a lot. This is from when the Goo Goo Dolls were doing the cool Replacements thing and not the thirtysomething acoustic open tuned power ballads on VH-1. Welp, back to work. Steve -- ====== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Television
I never saw 'em, but "See No Evil" and "Marquee Moon" are two of the best rock songs ever made. They should be playing in the lobby at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I hear this new old live record is really really great. A friend of mine has it from its original release on a ROIR cassette. -- ========== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Topsoil March Playlist
The March house concert with Greg Trooper was super. It's looking like this spring and summer are going to be chock full of good house concerts and small venue shows. Remember to sign up for my house concert mailing list to hear about these first. The Greg Trooper show sold out in two hours and it doesn't seem as if any of the future shows will be any different. Upcoming shows are listed on my website. Here's my playlist for March as reported to Crossroads magazine. Lots of new stuff! Cheers. Steve Gardner [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net === WXDU-Fm 88.7 Durham, NC Steve Gardner, "Topsoil" E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] March Roots Report 1. Dirk Powell, Tim O'Brien John Herrmann - Songs From the Mountain - Howdy Skies [This is the best CD of new fangled old-time music I've heard in a few years. Together, these three musicians have succeeded in putting a soundtrack to the book Cold Mountain, written by local author Charles Frazier. This CD is only sold as a companion to the paperback version of the book. Check major retailers such as Borders and Amazon.com if you have problems finding it. Both the book and the CD are well worth the search.] 2. Steve Earle and Del McCoury - The Mountain - E Squared [I wasn't so sure Steve Earle had the voice to pull off a good bluegrass album...well, boy was I wrong! This CD not only kicks butt, but it is one of the best bluegrass CDs I've heard in at least a year. This is a top-notch bunch of original songs with a crack band and it deserves to be heard by many.] 3. Terry Allen - Salivation - Sugar Hill [Nobody is more alternative country than Terry Allen. In fact, Terry is an alternative to just about anything! Contained in this CD is nearly an hour of the best songs that Terry has written and performed since 1979's "Lubbock on Everything."] 4. Kelly Willis - What I Deserve - Rykodisc [Kelly still hasn't made an album that really shows how incredible she really is. This one comes close, but I still think she has a better one in her. With that said, though, this is still one of the best CDs of the year. I expect to see this on many topten lists at the end of '99.] 5. Jimmy Murphy - Electricity - Sugar Hill [I can't imagine anything beating this album out for reissue of the year. I had no clue who Jimmy Murphy was, but upon hearing this I realised that I (and many others) have been missing one of the greatest country songwriters and singers. "I Get a Longing to Hear Hank Sing the Blues" should be the new national anthem.] 6. Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder - Ancient Tones - Skaggs Family [Another great CD of mostly traditional bluegrass. One of my favorite songs on the album is one that you probably won't hear on other stations much. It's an 8 minute version of "Little Bessie" that is a capella for the first half of the song. It's 8 minutes of bliss if you ask me. One song really stinks on this album, but the rest are tops.] 7. Various Artists - Kentucky Old-Time Banjo - Rounder [A great one CD compilation featuring various styles of oldtime banjo music from Kentucky.] 8. Rosie Flores - Dance Hall Dreams - Rounder [Another good CD from Rosie. It's not perfect, but I certainly enjoy listening to it and playing it on Topsoil. It's nice to hear a live album because I think that is where Rosie is at her best.] 9. Del McCoury - The Family - Ceili [Ceili Records debuts with the latest release from one of the hottest bluegrass bands in the country, the Del McCoury Band. If this is any sign of what the label has to come (and it is, sneaking a peak at the upcoming releases shows a recording by the amazing Gibson Brothers!) then we will be kneedeep in good bluegrass for a while.] 10. Biller and Wakefield - Hot Guitars of Biller and Wakefield - HMG [Steel and Electric guitar instrumentals. Three songs have vocal performances by either Big Sandy or Dave and Deke. Fans of Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West take note.] 11. Jeremy Wallace - My Lucky Day - Palmetto [Someone hold methis CD is so good it makes me dizzy. I've never heard of Jeremy but dangit if this isn't one of the best CDs of the 1998. It is one of those CDs that is impossible to describe without hyphens. If you like your music of the Louisiana-ragtime-blues-dixieland-country-screamin'-folky-twang on Tin Pan Alley type then this is for you.] 12. John Wesley Harding - Trad Arr Jones - Zero Hour [If only more folk music was like that of Nic Jones. Nic was severely injured in a car accident many years ago and it ended his performing career. He was an English folk artist who re-arranged English traditional folk songs. JWH pays tribute to Nic here with an album of "covers." Even if you like this CD you still need to hear Nic. His guitar arrangements were just as nice and not even JWH can attempt to capture those. Unfortunately most of Nic's music is out of print.] 13. C
Re: Better Live?
I agree with Jeff. Often the live recording captures a bands excitement more than a studio record. I know some people who hate live albums and I just can't figure out why. If I am going to try out a group, and they have tons of CDs in their section, I'll always choose the live album. As much as I love Del McCoury and his new band, I don't think he has ever captured the sheer brilliance and energy of their live set on record. I pray for a live album. The band I see each year at Merlefest is way superior to the one I hear on "The Family" or "Cold Hard Facts." Bands where their best album is the live one: Backsliders, IIIrd Tyme Out, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Who, Guy Clark, Graham Parker, and from bootlegs Richard Thompson, Gillian Welch, Loudon Wainwright III, V-Roys etc (which intersects with the other thread about the (im)morality of bootlegs. For some bands I couldn't live without them.) Perhaps this difference also has to do with the fact that most studio recordings you hear are actually of a song that was never actually played. Unless the band recorded live with no overdubs the version you hear of a song on a studio album never actually happened. You'd have to be a pretty damn good band to record that way and have the same, or more, energy than a live performance. I'd rather have an occasional flub, or a sour note, and have it be real. ========== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Re: Better Live?
You left out the greatest of all: The Allman Brothers (Live at the Fillmore East). What do I look like to you? Some damn hippie? :^) -- == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Re: Better Live?
While I have some sympathy for Steve's POV, I'd like to add that there are fine songs out there that simply sound superior in-studio. I didn't say every live recording is better than every studio recording. Steve Earle's, for instance, is far inferior to everything he's done since. I just think that on average, I like live recordings better. If I'm gonna buy a CD blind, it's gonna be the live one. Another great thing about a live album as a first purchase is that it also serves as kind of a best of. You mentioned Richard Thompson. While he has many great songs, the best "album" I've ever heard form him was a solo acoustic show that was bootlegged. (and no, I can't make copies.g sorry) -- ====== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Re: Better Live?
I'm sorry now that I didn't combine these posts into one email. Slogging through digest are kinda cumbersome... - Elena Skye P.S. I also happen to adore "Deeper Shade Of Blue." I think it's a stellar studio album for Del. That is a great album...but it still doesn't even come close to Del and the boys live. IMHO of course. -- ====== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
House Concert clarification
I realise from the number of emails I got today that I wasn't clear on my last email announcing the house concerts. Sorry. Let me try again. I was just letting you know about some shows that will be coming up at Pine Hill Farm. The tickets are *not yet* on sale. In the email I told you the days the tickets would be on sale. Perhaps, I buried it in too much other information. So, to get tickets email me on that day, not now. If you emailed me and asked to reserve a ticket, please email again with the shows go on sale. I'm going to disregard those emails. Sorry about all that. Cheers. Steve -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
Terry Allen, not just the music
I read a lot of interviews...and a lot of Terry Allen interviews...but I
think this is one of the best I've read. It's from rolling stone
online. Make sure you read the part about the brands.
Steve
Southern Discomfort
Renaissance artist Terry Allen's
savage, frothy hymn for the end
of the world
When Terry Allen sings about
Jesus, as he is wont to do, he is
not one to mince words or tiptoe.
He worries little about such petty
distinctions as sacred vs. sacrilege
or piety vs. profanity, unless of
course such conventions can be
twisted around into a complex knot
of wicked wordplay. When the "Big
Boy" comes into an Allen song,
literally anything can happen: He
can save the world, raise hell,
share your beer or even carjack
you with a mischievous twinkle in his flea-market painting baby
blues. It's a stark frankness that simultaneously suggests a
detached but curiously amused agnostic, the Lord's old college
roommate or maybe the devil himself.
Ask Allen to lay his religious convictions on the Mexican restaurant
table before him, however, and he adjusts his shades, cocks his
head slightly to the side and smiles darkly. "I always say that what I
believe in is between me and the midnight hour."
It makes perfect sense, of course, that Allen should prove elusive on
so direct a point; any more clarity would fly directly in the face of
his
enigmatic esthetic. His catalog, reaching back to 1975's Juarez, has
been uniformly eccentric and uncompromising, savage and beautiful,
literate and guttural. His latest outing, Salivation, is a bitterly
ironic,
piano and steel guitar-driven soundtrack to the apocalypse, rife with
bloodshed ("Ain't No Top 40 Song"), heavenly wrath ("The Show,"
"Southern Comfort"), and -- smack dab in the middle -- a loving,
uplifting tribute to his late father ("Red Leg Boy"). Throw in a
nine-minute suite about a tragically heroic pedal steel player ("Billy
the Boy"), and you've got an album that could only be held together
so seamlessly -- and make sense -- on Allen's own terms.
"I wanted it to be fairly relentless," says Allen over a plate of tacos
in Austin. "'Salivation' obviously comes from 'salvation,' and with the
I, me, or you put in it, it becomes a little frothier a word. It seemed
to be a nice kind of parallel for that kind of rabid nature that I was
interested in dealing with in some of these songs." And despite the
many songs tackling Jesus and the end of the world, he points to
the atypically positive "Red Leg Boy" as the album's centerpiece. "I
think that idea of having a sense of who you are, and following that
to whatever conclusion it is, is kind of the salvation in the
salivation."
Though he was born in Kansas and now resides in Santa Fe, N.M.,
Allen was raised in West Texas and is regarded as a central figure in
the "Lubbock Mafia," a close-knit family of idiosyncratic musicians
that includes Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock. When
the "atomic bomb of rock roll" hit sleepy Lubbock in the mid-Fifties,
Allen had a rare in: his father, a retired baseball player who was
near sixty at the time of Allen's birth, turned an old gospel church
into a dance hall and brought in touring rock acts of the day like
Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley.
"It was a time of record burnings, but ironically, my dad didn't get
much heat for bringing in these bands, because he was a sports
hero, he was a local boy, and people just somehow let that slide
by," Allen laughs. "It was the devil that was causing this, not my
dad."
Although music would remain an important facet of his life, it has
never been Allen's sole pursuit. An accomplished visual artist, Allen's
latest creation is a 3,600 square foot installation in the Houston
airport, scheduled for completion this May. "It's right in the center of
a terminal under a big dome," explains Allen. "The floor's like a
skewed map of the world, and Houston's the center of the world
with all of the continents aimed at it. And rising right out of the
center of Houston is this thirty-foot oak tree that I had cast in
bronze, and over each continent there's a speaker that's going to
play an instrument indigenous to that part of the world." The music
for the project, titled "Countree," was written and recorded by Allen
with friends Joe Ely and David Byrne.
Next up for Allen? Customized cattle brands. "I've got one that just
has the word 'irony,'" he beams. "And I've got another one that's,
'All artists trying to be God will burn in hell.' It's kind of a spiral
brand. And I've been thinking of doing one that's K2Y Jelly, or
something like that. Eventually, I want to have a whole bank of
them, and do a show with them. Kind of like, 'Have brand, will
travel.' For a flat fee I'll come and brand your wall or I'll brand your
car or I'll brand your carpet. I did my first brand out at Ely's house -
we branded half his house with irony. (Laughs) Highly appropriate.
We nearly burned down his studio door, because the paint caught
on fire -- but
Pine Hill Farm House Concert Announcements
Hi everyone! Here is a list of the upcoming shows to Pine Hill Farm and the dates that you can start reserving spots. Remember that these shows have been selling out in about two hours, and I'm suspecting that these two will go even faster (judging from the amount of email I've received about them.) So, once again, please don't try to reserve tickets before the date and time listed. And in order to hear about these things immediately send me and email and get on my mailing list. If you aren't on my list I won't be able to notify you if there are any last minute changes. Oh, and thanks for coming to these and making them such a success! My website has more indepth information about these shows if you are curious. See www.topsoil.net. Upcoming Pine Hill Farm House Concerts: *5/8/99 - Alice Gerrard, Brad Leftwich and Tom Sauber - Oldtime Music Trio at Pine Hill Farm. Tickets on Sale 4/13 at 8am for $10 each. Here I have three of my favorite artists who play oldtime music. They have a CD out now on Copper Creek which I've been playing on my show since last summer. Check out the second half of this webpage http://milesofmusic.com/bluegrass3.html from Miles of Music to find out more about this group. *6/18/99 - Fred Eaglesmith at Pine Hill Farm (alt.country). Tickets on sale 6/2 at 8am for $10 each. Just so ya know, Fred will be bringing his band. Don't miss this opportunity to see one of Americana's best artists. Check out this homepage for information on Fred: http://www.panix.com/~tneff/eaglesmith/ If you don't know, or don't remember how these things work, let me refresh your memory. I ask a band to play in a friend's living room. The room holds about 70 people. There is no sound system and so the band plays acoustic. We do two sets, with an intermission where you can meet the artist, or just get something to eat or drink. The shows start at 8pm and end by 11pm. There's no smoking, everyone hoots and hollers, and everyone (including the artist(s)) go home happy. Email me to get on my mailing list. When I announce the show, email me back (quickly!) and I'll put your name on a list that will be at the door. No physical tickets are mailed. I'll tell you more about the money part when I email you the confirmation that you got in. Listen to Topsoil to hear more from these and other twangy artists. Cheers. Steve -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
Guadalcanal Diary
Hey, someone just told me Guadalcanal Diary has reformed. Is this true? Has anyone heard them? Tell me! Tell me! -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
Re: majordomo/listproc change in P2?
arted going into my inbox instead of the correct folder for that list... I split based on the contents of the Sender field, which just changed from POSTCARD2-owner@ to owner-postcard2@.. And the digest is now an email with an attachment for each seperate email in the digest. In other words 52 attachments for today. Not so bad considering this was a slow P2 day. The thought of a digest with upwards of 150 attachments scares me, though. steve NP: The Postpunk Chronicles (Rhino) --this is kinda fun. it's music from when I started college radiothe "golden years of college radio" as the liner notes say.
Merlefest lodging
If anyone out there has a reservation for Merlefest at a hotel that they are going to cancel can you write me first? I need one. Back to your regularly scheduled programming steve [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Inflammable Material on WXDU Playlist
Mark said: "And I should add that your show was pretty damn phee-nominal, too, Steve. Although I think I would have played "My Baby Does Good Sculptures" from that Rezillos album... Good move getting the first Dead Boys record this time around, too. Makes that second LP sound like an aural turd, don't it?" We played "My Baby Does Good Sculptures" last time and so decided to play the head kicked in song this time. As a matter of fact, the only song that we repeated on this shift was "Suspect Device" by the SLF but since that's the theme song it makes sense. I gotta say I still like the second Dead Boys LP, but you are right, the first one rocks. And "Sonic Reducer" is one powerful song. Cheers. Steve
Re: V-Roys (muddy water)
Yep, it's the Seldom Scene's song. Sheesh, sure is nice to sit next to 21 years worth of recorded music. :^) I never would have guessed that it was a Seldom Scene song. When you hear the V-Roys sing (scream) it, ya don't exactly think midtempo acoustic ballad. Thanks. I can sleep now. Steve == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Inflammable Material on WXDU Playlist
Since we've been talking about Iggy and stuffhere's a show I did with a friend a few days ago. Inflammable Material hosted by Two Geeks Named Steve 3/16/99 5-8pm on WXDU-Durham Classic Punk Rock Inflammable Material is a show of classic punk that is aired on WXDU every now and then during break weeks. The hosts the first time were Steve Kelley, Eric Labow and Steve Gardner. Eric didnt make this one, though, because he was playing tennis (how punk!). We didnt have a year cutoff or anything, yet most of the stuff we played could be considered classic or proto-punk. Heres the setlist. The setlist from the last show we did can be found on my website under the special shows and lists section. (www.topsoil.net) I was amazed at the number of phone calls and requests we got. Hopefully well be doing this again sometime soon. Cheers. Steve Gardner Band/Song/Album [comments] = Stiff Little Fingers/Suspect Device/All the Best [theme song] Buzzcocks/Noise Annoys/Product Noise Annoys/Noise Annoys/Violence Inherent in the System [Classic styled punk rock from Germany. The label (NKVD) owner is named Steve Gardner...but its not me. Its another Steve Gardner.] Minor Threat/In My Eyes/Complete Discography [Request] Volcano Suns/Jak/The Bright Orange Years [For Jack Kelley, Steve Kelleys nephew] Husker Du/Whatever/Zen Arcade Black Flag/Jealous Again/Wasted...Again Fear/Lets Have a War/The Record Big Black/Kerosene/Atomizer Toy Dolls/Ill Get Even with Steven (Steve is Tender)/High Spirits [Request for Diedres a Slag from the Toy Dolls. We didnt have that one with us, so we played this very a propos tune.] Radio Birdman/Aloha Steve and Dano/Radios Appear [Thanks to Sophie Best for mailing this from Australia.] Saints/No Time/Im Stranded Clash/Jail Guitar Doors/Clash [Per a request for something by the Clash. This is one of my favorite songs theyve ever done.] 101ers/Letsagetabitarockin/Elgin Avenue Breakdown [The 101ers were Joe Strummers band before he joined the Clash. Brag mode on: I got this album for a quarter in a used bin!] X/Hothouse/More Fun in the New World [For Mimi Komos, Steves wife...whom he loves.] Joe Jackson/One More Time/Look Sharp [This started a three song set by the angry young men.] Elvis Costello and the Attractions/No Action/This Years Model Graham Parker and the Rumour/Mercury Poisoning/It Dont Mean a Thing If You Aint Got That Swing [Graham was originally on Mercury records, hence the title of the song.] XTC/Science Friction/Waxworks Raincoats/Off Duty Trip/Totally Wired [By request] Mission of Burma/Thats When I Reach For My Revolver/Signals. Calls and Marches [One of Steve Kelleys favorite songs ever.] X-Ray Spex/Identity/Germ Free Adolescents [By request] Social Distortion/the Creeps/Mommys Little Monster Descendents/Kabuki Girl/Milo Goes to College [The Descendents were probably the first punk band that I *really* got into.] The Stooges/I Wanna Be Your Dog/The Stooges MC5/American Ruse/Back in the USA Flamin Groovies/Slow Death/Groovies Greatest Grooves New York Dolls/Bad Girl/New York Dolls Suicide/Ghost Rider/Suicide [Punk without guitars.] Youth Brigade/Sink With California/Sound Fury Agent Orange/Breakdown/Bitchin Summer TSOL/Sounds of Laughter/Dance With Me Adolescents/Wrecking Crew/Adolescents Damned/Melody Lee/Machine Gun Etiquette Buzzcocks/Boredom/Spiral Scratch [For Steve Kelley's brother Barry. And thanks to Shaun Belcher from England for providing me with this recording!] Soft Boys/Yodelling Hoover/Wading Through a Ventilator Rezillos/Somebodys Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight/Cant Stand the Rezillos Stiff Little Fingers/Barbed Wire Love/Inflammable Material [Complete with the doo-wop interlude.] Stranglers/Hanging Around/IV Rattus Norvegicus Jam/Happy Together/The Gift [One of the greatest and catchiest pop songs ever. This was in reponse to a request for the Jam.] Wire/Lowdown/Pink Flag Dead Boys/Sonic Reducer/Young, Loud and Snotty Richard Hell and the Voidoids/Blank Generation/Blank Generation Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers/Do You Love Me/DTK LAMF [This was from the LAMF portion of the CD...the portion that is Live (As a MF).] Soul Asylum/Voodoo Doll/Say What You Will [Before they sucked] Patti Smith/Free Money/Horses [By request] Pogues/Waxies Dargle/Red Roses For Me [The following day was St. Patricks Day.] == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Re: V-Roys
Hey, who wrote that song that the V-Roys always cover live about muddy water? It's angry and I love it. I think that the V-Roys are always at their best when Scott Miller taps into his angry side (which is pretty damn often). So, who wrote it? I really want to see Scott Miller solo. If anyone knows him tell him that there is a house concert, some BBQ and a wad of money waiting for him in Durham. steve == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
V-Roys
Lust for lifenever thought of that one. The one that gets me is "Hey Mary" which is basically the same as Cash's "Hey Porter" musically. In case anyone was wondering, the V-Roys are *still* the best live band in America. Cheers. Steve ========== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
re: Rufus Wainwright
Had I been consulted, I'd have recommended he downplay the gay thing - which he emphasises to excess, all the time, and interminably - and just deliver the music. ?!? Are you serious? I mean, you must be joking right? I can't even imagine calling up an artist, who put out an album as great as Rufus' and actually tell him to "downplay the gay thing"? And if I did have the nerve (and the brash stupidity) I wouldn't be surprised at all if he told me to fuck off. In fact, if he *didn't* tell me to fuck off I'd be worried about the guy. I could go on and explain why I think this is incredibly lame, but instead I'll just let a recent bumper sticker I saw say it all nice and concise: =I don't mind straight people, =as long as the act gay. steve
iggy pop
The Iggy Pop documentary on VH-1 last night was awesome. It really made me want to see him live. I'm sure he's not as crazy as he once was...but some of the footage showed him as still being pretty damn wild on stage. I taped it if anyone missed it. I missed the first 5 minutes, but caught the rest. steve
Comas/Varnaline/Sparklehorse
Not that you asked... Sparklehorse came to town last Friday night and brought Varnaline along with them. Local band, the Comas opened. I absolutely am ga ga over Varnaline so whether or not I would go to this show was a no-brainer. However, I was really interested in seeing Sparklehorse since so many people on here are crazy about them. I went with Rick Cornell and saw him taking notes so I assume a full show review will appear in some magazine somewhere (nodep perhaps), but I still wanted to give me informal slant on the whole thing. The Comas started the show and I thought they were very very good. I immediately recognized the fiddler as Margaret from the Carbines...but don't think of this as a twangy venture. The lead singer played guitar and kinda sounded like Mac from Superchunk at times. The full band had an interesting sound that utilized all sorts of instruments (turntables, analog synths, etc). It ended up that all three of the bands this night reminded me of the Flaming Lips at one time to another; not the actual songs, but just the experimentation and the attention paid to the mixing of old and new sounds. The Comas are just another fine local band from the area. They don't have any recordings out right now, but I hear they are working on one. I'll buy it. Varnaline was next. If I redid my topten from last year "Sweet Life" would probably end up somewhere around #3 (just under Gerald Collier and Bare Jr). I was so looking forward to seeing them again that I felt like it was 1983 and Billy Squier was coming to the Cow Palace in San Francisco again - I could barely sleep at night. They played all sorts of songs, new and old, from their albums and all sounded great. The crowd seemed into it, too. They ended their set with the title track from their latest album and it was very very amazing. When the drummer kicked in after the long trancelike intro I thought the local dead would rise. All in all, they made me really really happy. Sparklehorse I had never seen before and I had only heard smattering of songs here and there. They started with an extremely slow and quiet number that caught the crowd attention. Have you ever noticed that sometimes the only way to catch an audience's attention in a loud rock show is to play quietly? Hmmm. Anyways, immediately I felt like the lead singer reminded me of someone. Near the end of the show I finally figured it out. Blasphemous as it may seem (to some people, not me) he reminded me of Roger Waters of Pink Floyd. Roger often sings in a way that is so quiet that it is almost a whisper (but they mix him real high so you can hear him) and he also uses weird electronic thingies to modify the sound of his voice. Mr. Sparklehorse (don't know his name) did the same, to great effect. A friend next to me said it was boring, but I liked it. Then again, I think "The Final Cut" by Pink Floyd is one of the greatest albums ever made...so obviously I'm whacked. :^) On the show went and Sparklehorse transformed many times, and I enjoyed all the different sides. The show was one of the best I've seen in a club in a long time. I was completely blown away. I've also started listening to all my Varnaline CDs over again. I need to get some Sparklehorse, though. The connection to alt.country was pretty darn slight. But it certainly was there, beneath the wash of noise and notes. Cheers. Steve ========== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
earle vs billboard
jon said: 2) the chart in question is a sales chart, and the absence of a promoted-to-radio single is utterly irrelevant and 3) Bluegrass Rules! was in a similar position (artist absent from country chart for a long time, no single), and it appeared on the same chart discussed here last year, no problem. #2 - Yes, it does matter. It is relevant. Maybe it shouldn't be, but the facts are that it is relevant. #3 - Yes, Skaggs had a single. It was "Little Maggie" steve
Old punk on XDU
For all of you who saw the Iggy Pop bio on VH-1 last night and are craving some old punk rock, tune into "Inflammable Material" on WXDU Tuesday 3/16 from 5-8pm when the Three Geeks will be bringing you three more hours of old classic punk. Expect to hear stuff from the Stooges, Stiff Little Fingers, the Dead Boys, the Damned, Richard Hell, Wire, Radio Birdman, and others. Call in requests too, because we like 'em. 919-684-8870 For you out-of-towners remember that WXDU is live on the web 24 hours a day at www.wxdu.duke.edu. From there click on the real audio link. See ya. Steve (a geek) -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
other country terms?
I don't understand why we can't just use "country rock." Sure, the Eagles took that term and rammed it into the dirt, but that's no reason to scrap the name and search for another. Huey Lewis and the News put out a shitty rock album and you don't see that having any effect on bands wanting to use the term "rock" now, do you? And I see no reason to call someone like Wayne Hancock anything but country. Obviously, I'm feeling optimistic today. steve NP: John Wesley Harding "Trad Arr Jones" On Deck: Slobberbone "Barrel Chested" - I like them too ========== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
I LOVE FOLK MUSIC! (it's really cool)
Nic Jones is really cool. Nic Jones' records are really cool, too. It's criminal that they haven't been reissued on CD. John Wesley Harding is really cool. His records are really cool, too. The combination of these two on Wes' latest CD "Trad Arr Jones" is amazing. Wes takes 11 stabs at material from Nic Jones' mostly traditional repetoire. Wes is accompanied by Robert Lloyd only on the recording. The CD is out on Zero Hour which is home of Varnaline. Varnaline is really cool, too. One of the best things about this CD is that although it is terrific, your life still isn't complete until you've heard Nic do these songs himself (and his guitar playing!) So anyways, go get this CD if you like cont.folk, trad.folk, acoustic, english or british folky popsters. The CD is also great if you like storytelling since these old ballads are chock full of good tales. Actually, I've been reading quite a bit lately, possibly more than ever before in my life. Someone start a really interesting book thread again, it's time. Now you can see why I don't write record reviews anymore. :^) Steve p.s. I have nothing to do with this CD, financially, morally or sexually. I just like it. ====== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
CRS (Country vs. AAA)
All this talk about AAA vs. Hot Country is pretty interesting. I have a couple personal observations on the subject. Let me start by letting you all know that radio completely and utterly sucks in the Raleigh area. There are two great college stations (WXDU and WXYC, in that order g), after that it's all pretty wretched. When the two college stations are playing something I don't like I switch first to 96 Rock. They are a new station that probably uses the trade-term "Active Rock." Basically they play everything from old AC/DC and Metallica to Bare Jr and Green Day. At least it is interesting, and I have to admit that when some old AC/DC tune comes on I'm crankin' the stereo up to 11. We don't have a AAA station here, but we have 4 (or more) hot country stations. I listened to them pretty often for about a year and a half. When the stuff started sounding good to me I knew my musical taste was dying. When ya find yourself singing along with Shania's "Still the One" (isn't that a Pepsi song?) you know it's time to rethink your listening activities. Hot Country is definitely *easy* to listen to, but isn't that the point? Interesting though? Hardly, at least not for me. I would be overjoyed if we got a AAA station like WNKU, or even the ultra big KFOG from San Francisco. Sure, they aren't perfect but when compared to the rest of commercial radio you could do much worse. So, everyone quit your bitching. At least you have a few stations that play good music *sometimes*. Oh, and Don said this: I'm not sure what needs explaining. Most AAA radio's a sterile mix of "classic rock" (i.e., overplayed boomer music) and tepid adult pop. That same definition could be used for Hot Countryexcept the overplayed part. Instead of playing old hits, they just continue to manufacture songs that sound like last months hits. $100 CD Player in the car was the best investment I ever made. Cheers. Steve ====== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Topsoil Playlist for February 99 on WXDU Durham
February was busy busy busy. First of all it started with a sold-out Alejandro Escovedo house concert. Joining Alejandro was his quartet (guitar, guitar, cello, violin). Alt.country acoustic chamber punk at its best. Also in that month was a trip to Albuquerque New Mexico for the annual Folk Alliance. It was my first trip to that convention and I really had a good time. I especially liked listening to KANW, the local radio station that played tons of great music from New Mexico. Oh, and if you are keeping score I ate New Mexican food for every single meal except one. You really can't beat a homemade tortilla. Another highlight of Folk Alliance was singing shape note songs with Cordelia's Dad and a host of other hearty voices for nearly three hours. Also featured last month was an hour long interview/performance with local buzz magnet, Tift Merritt. I can't put into words how great she is. Really. I'm speechless. (now *there's* a first!) March will feature yet another Topsoil house concert. This time it will be Greg Trooper. The show sold out in two, yes two, hours and it will be held this Saturday (3/6). As always if you want on my mailing list send me your email address. I'll be announcing a house concert with Alice Gerrard, Tom Sauber and Brad Leftwich soon. The slow months of musical releases this winter are definitely over. Great stuff is pouring in every day. Let's get to the music and on to the February playlist for Topsoil. Cheers. Steve Gardner [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net === WXDU-Fm 88.7 Durham, NC Steve Gardner, "Topsoil" E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] February Roots Report 1. Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder - Ancient Tones - Skaggs Family [Another great CD of mostly traditional bluegrass. One of my favorite songs on the album is one that you probably won't hear on other stations much. It's an 8 minute version of "Little Bessie" that is a capella for the first half of the song. It's 8 minutes of bliss if you ask me.] 2. Kelly Hogan the Mellowcremes/Neko Case the Sadies - The Shortening Sessions: Tribute to Loretta Lynn split 7" - Bloodshot [Yowza. These gals can really sing! I can't think of two who could give Loretta a more fitting tribute. Pray for new albums from these two in the future.] 3. Greg Trooper - Popular Demons - Koch [This is Greg Trooper's 3rd album and it is his best yet. It's produced by Buddy Miller (aka the King Midas of music). Greg has some fine guests on here including Buddy and Julie Miller, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and Duane Jarvis.] 4. Rock n' Roll Summer Camp 98 - Rock n' Roll Summer Camp 98 - Black Dog [Members of Marah, Blue Mountain, the Neckbones and a few others get together for a summer retreat and walk away with an album under their belts. This CD is a ton of fun. It just goes to show what great things can happen when musicians who are friends first get together for fun and music.] 5. Clodhopper - Red's Recovery Room - My Own Planet [Former members of American Music Club and a few others release a great album of roots rock. Great songs and a great sound.] 6. Paul Burch - Wire to Wire - Checkered Past [I've been following Paul for a few years now. I'm not sure if he just got better, or if it just clicked with me (probably the latter) but I really really really like this new CD. I would consider it one of the best country records of the year.] 7. Tom Russell - Man From God Knows Where - Hightone [Tom has always impressed me with his songwriting. This type of album is really where he shines the best. These songs all revolve around the subject of families and his own Scandanavian/Irish lineage and the instrumentation and choice of guests echo that theme. Together it comes across as a great total package. Now, for the negativeI don't really like Tom's voice all that much - never have. However, with guests such as Iris DeMent, Annbjorg Lien, Eoin O'Riabhaigh, and others it really makes whatever personal qualms I have with the album easier to forget.] 8. Buzz Matheson Mac Martin - Echoes of the Past - White Oak [Great traditional sounding bluegrass.] 9. Wade Fruge - Old Style Cajun Music - Arhoolie [Fabulous, really fabulous, oldtime Cajun music.] 10. Steve Earle and Del McCoury - The Mountain - E Squared [I wasn't so sure Steve Earle had the voice to pull off a good bluegrass album...well, boy was I wrong! This CD not only kicks butt, but it is one of the best bluegrass CDs I've heard in at least a year. This is a top notch bunch of original songs with a crack band and it deserves to be heard by many.] 11. Greta Lee - This Ain't Over Yet - Black Creek [Hard country from this indie. Greta is an as-of-yet undiscovered talent along the lines of Heather Myles.] 12. Charlie Poole - Legend of Charlie Poole Vol 3 - County [Another great reissue of Charlie Poole's oldtime stringband music. I'm especially excited to hear a
re: snuff/jerry holland
Neal said: What an interesting list of examples. Might I ask, Steve, since you have included Snuff and Jerry Holland among UT, Varnaline, And GW, that you tell me who the hell they are? I wanna know more. Snuff is one of my favorite hardcore bands. They basically write pop songs, but play them really fast and really loud. My favorite album of their is their debut "Snuffsaid" which if I remember correctly was on Rough Trade. That one is from 1989 or 90. I saw them in London around that time and they did 4 songs, three of which were covers (I Think We're Alone Now, Purple Haze and...and...another one). The "show" was about 10 minutes long, but it was great. They have TONS of energy. Last year they came out with a record called "Tweet Tweet My Lovely" on Fat WreckChords which is great...except for one song that has horns in it that I'm not too hot on. Jerry Holland is my favorite fiddle player from Cape Breton Island in Eastern Canada. He has a CD out on Green Linnet called "The Fiddlesticks Collection" which is amazing. Cape Breton fiddling sounds like Scottish fiddling mixed with the rawer jagged sounds of oldtime. Cape Breton was settled by Scots a long time ago and since it is a small island off the beaten path many of the traditions there have remained. Stepdancing, fiddling and piano are the biggies. I'm don't claim to be an expert on the region or anything, but I am going there on vacation in May and am really looking forward to it. Rock Critics: The main time I hate them is when they are just lazy and/or stupid. This doesn't have much to do with musical taste, but rather when they just say dumb stuff...such as in the recent CMJ three sentence review of the new Del McCoury album where it says Del is joined by his sons Robbie and DON. I mean, how hard is it to read the fucking liner notes? (If Ronnie has been replaced by Don Yates on Mandolin I take it all back.) That is an example of being lazy *and* dumb. See ya. Steve
let's folk
Hey, If any P2ers are gonna go folkin' crazy this weekend at the folkin' Folk Alliance let me folkin' know. I'm headed out to folkin' Albuquerque (yes, that's the way it is folkin' spelled!) and would be interested in meeting up with some folkin' friends. See all you folkin' folks later. Cheers. Steve p.s. If this was an americana conference I would have used the word "buckin'" over and over until our sides ached from laughter. NP: Terry Allen "Salivation" ========== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net == "
Plodding through Postcard2 digest...
were a great decade of music because of those 50 albums he listed then more power to him. If Jon Weisberger says the 90s were a great decade of music and lists 50 bluegrass and hot country albums then that's a-ok too. NP: Rosie Flores "Dance Hall Dreams" == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Shot My Baby Down
You are looking for murder ballads? Here's about 500 that I pulled together before I stopped keeping track. http://mail.iuma.com/~kscu/programming/djpromo/gardner/murder.html Careful, though, the blood can get kinda deep. Also, check out http://www.topsoil.net/moider.htm for some stories to go along with the deaths. There's even Booth Shot Lincoln which would be especially a propos (and sick) because today is Lincoln's Birthday. steve
Various stuff from yesterday's digest.
Various stuff from todays digest: Here's a list of upcoming releases *I'm* gonna want to check out: March 16: Tom Russell The Man from God Knows Where Terry Allen Salivation Actually, that's the 23rd. And don't forget the P2 reissue of the year (for 1999, trust me). Jimmy Murphy "Electricity" which has 4 bonus tracks. Haven't heard of him? It doesn't matter, get it anyways. :^) I'm still digesting Mr. Gardner's [passing comment that they're " a little too bluesy for me to get totally obsessive" That be what makes horse races! I guess it's this early, convincing, tasty country and blues merge, well played and sung and utterly outside of the Frank Hutchinson "stiff" style of singing that precisely GETS me about these guys.(Tho I don't have that Bear box...yet!). True true. But I still don't like them because they are a little too bluesy for me (still.) About 10 years ago I got really excited about all blues music (trad to cont.). About 8 years ago I got really sick of all of it. Now, when I hear these oldtime or country bands that are more bluesy I just can't get into it that much. Notice, though, that I said they were a little too bluesy *for me to get totally obsessive* about them. In other words, I don't hate them or anything. I just don't want to spend my money on the Bear Family box. Bill lists a bunch of great new CDs and includes... Stacey Earle Simple Gearle Um, having seen her live you might want to reconsider that. I remember thinking - these songs would sound good with a band and someone else singing. Whether or not I agree, that's pretty damn funny. OK, I realize I should be publicly flogged for being completely ignorant of ND's "Man o' the Decade," but I saw an AE disc sitting patiently in the used section of a local record store and wondered about it. It was called "13 Songs" or something like that--the one with the "Theme Song." Anyway, I also saw a Buddy Miller disc that had the word "lies" in the title. Well, anyway, you get the picture. These are a couple dudes whose names tend to get dropped every day or three, so all you fans let me know what's up. I think I can safely say that Buddy Miller is my favorite country musician of the 90s. So, get that one. But then get his latest Hightone CD because it is even better. I was talking to someone at the last house concert (with Alejandro) who said that "13 Years" was his favorite Alejandro CD. I don't have that one (I hear it is kinda hard to find) but it sounds like a great one. The songs on it are great, I know that much. So, get both. *Boo-Tay* got an F- in the latest Atlanta *InSite* entertainment rag. AN F-!! Quote: "Jesus Christ, there should be a law against music like this!" That makes me actually want to hear it. That's another record to get. It hardly twangs at all, but who cares. It's great. If you don't like loud rock music, though, don't get it. As documents of old punk rock bands go, Flipper=92s Live: 1983 is more= interesting than most. Part of the reason is because, well, as old punk= rock bands go, Flipper was better than most.=20 That reviewer apparently didn't see the same Flipper show I saw! Let's just say on that night they were "off". :^) I still would like to get that CD, though. Among others, Concrete Blonde, the Melvins,= and Sebadoh have covered Flipper songs, and that=92s a homemade Flipper= T-shirt Kurt Cobain=92s wearing on the liner sleeve of Nirvana=92s In Utero= album. R.E.M. covered =93Sex Bomb=94 for its Christmas fan-only single in= 1994, And the Butthole Surfers did an amazing cover of REM's "The One I Love." Cheers. Steve NP: Bad Livers "Dust on the Bible" == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Fw: [Fwd: Avengers Release and Shows]
For those that are interested, from the Punk77 list. By the way, the Avengers opened for the Sex Pistols last show ever at Winterland in San Francisco. The other opening band was the Nuns (incl. Alejandro Escovedo). There actually was a third band listed on that show, Negative Trend, but Bill Graham turned the house lights on so they wouldn't get to play. steve Penelope Houston and Greg Ingram to Play Avengers Shows in Support of New Avengers Compilation Lookout! Records is very proud to be releasing a new compilation of long unavailable underground legends The Avengers. With the release of The Avengers' .Died For Your Sins on February 23, 1999, Lookout! hopes to bring this quintessential punk rock band to a new generation of fans. The Avengers were one of the most exciting and arresting bands of the original San Francisco punk scene. Led by Penelope Houston on vocals, The Avengers only lasted for two years, 1977 to 1978. Their powerful debut album, which has been out of print for the last ten years, inspired many of today's best punk rock bands. The Avengers' self titled album was a compilation of singles, many of which were produced by Steve Jones, and is now a highly collected classic. Personally compiled by Penelope Houston, the songs on ...Died For Your Sins are live and studio recordings from 1977 1978, as well as three brand new recordings of Avengers songs. The new recordings feature original Avengers guitarist Greg Ingram, Joel Reader (of The Mr. T. Experience) on bass and Danny Panic (of Screeching Weasel the Groovie Ghoulies) on drums and were recorded by Kevin Army. Penelope and former Avengers guitarist Greg Ingram will be performing Avengers songs as the Scavengers at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on February 24. Fellow Lookout! artists Pansy Division and the Hi-Fives will be opening the show. On Friday, February 26, the Scavengers will play at Berkeley's prototypical all-ages club, 924 Gilman St. Opening that show will be The Cuts, a new band putting out their first single on Lookout! on March 23. "Whether anyone outside of San Francisco realized it at the time, The Avengers were a major national musical asset," says the Trouser Press. And indeed, who could be expected to realize it, when this classic group's legacy has been represented on rare, unsanctioned and hard-to-find releases since their untimely demise in 1978. Currently, there are no Avengers releases in production except this release from Lookout! Now everyone will have the chance to understand why The Avengers are one of the most important punk bands of any era. For more information, call Tristin at Lookout! at 510-849-830 ext. 13 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
3/6 Greg Trooper House Concert Now On Sale
WXDU's radio show, Topsoil, is presenting another intimate house concert at Pine Hill Farm in Durham with country singer-songwriter and Koch recording artist, Greg Trooper on Saturday, March 6 at 8pm. These concerts are organized so that we all chip in to pay the artist for the performance. We will be asking for a donation of $10 per person and you can save a spot in advance by writing Steve Gardner at [EMAIL PROTECTED], or by calling 919-304-2693. I will then let you know how to complete the reservation. This concert will probably sell out in a matter of hours, not days. The emails will be time-marked and I will offer the spots on a first-come first-serve basis. Reservations are NOW on sale for this show. == Part One: Who is Greg Trooper? Part Two: What is Pine Hill Farm? Part Three: Where is Pine Hill Farm? Part Four: What is Topsoil? == Part One: Who is Greg Trooper? First a personal note. Greg Trooper's latest CD "Popular Demons" was my #3 CD of the year last year, and that was with very tough competition. The sheer power of this CD, and my love for the songs on it, plus some encouragement from a friend at work, caused me to seek Greg out. Luckily I called just as he was planning a tour through the area. I know this is short notice, but really, you've got to go to this show. I saw Greg recently in Lake Tahoe, CA and he was awesome. If you liked the country singer-songwriters I've had in the past like Slaid Cleaves, Kevin Gordon and Robbie Fulks you'll definitely want to get a spot at this show. And now a short overview taken from the official Greg Trooper website: http://earth.vol.com/~jessi11/index.htm His first three albums, We Won't Dance, Everywhere, and Noises In The Hallway (produced by E-Street Band member Garry Tallent) intrigued such artists as Steve Earle, Vince Gill, and Billy Bragg, all of whom have covered Trooper's songs. Touring extensively with performers such as Joe Ely and Roseanne Cash,Trooper also established a reputation as an exuberant performer whose wit and vigor charmed audiences across the country and throughout Europe. Trooper has built a strong following with fans and other musicians. when it came time to record Popular Demons, Trooper tapped his old friend, alt-country mainstay Buddy Miller to produce. "He's my secret weapon," Trooper says, "not only are his aesthetics in line with mine, he's also a great guy." Trooper mentions Miller's focus, which may explain the overall feel of economy on the record: every guitar riff, every drum fill serves a purpose. Silence is an important part of the aural landscape and each instrument has room to breathe. Recorded at Miller's Dogtown Studio, Popular Demons is a record Greg Trooper always knew he had in him: "the treatment and the elements are something I've always wanted to do, I had no inhibitions - and nobody breathing down my neck asking ,"Who's going to buy this album?" In addition to the core of Trooper's band- guitarist Duane Jarvis, drummer Rick Schell, and bassist Greg Shirley-Popular Demons features appearances by Tammy Rogers on violin, al Perkins on dobro, and Emmylou Harris and Julie Miller on background vocals. Miller contributed lots of guitar work and some backing vocals himself, Steve Earle joins Trooper for a duet on the bonus track, a cover of Dylan's " I'll Keep It With Mine." Part Two: What is Pine Hill Farm? Pine Hill Farm is the name of a ranch house in Durham a few miles north of Chapel Hill. (directions below) I started up these house concerts with one of the members of that household, Bill Tolbert. Together we try to bring the music that we want to see to town. Pine Hill Farm presents shows in a totally acoustic setting, meaning no amplification. The shows are held in the living room and the acoustics are wonderful. There is no better way to see a show. Part Three: Where is Pine Hill Farm? Directions: To get to Pine Hill Farm, take Exit 266 from I-40 onto 86N (a.k.a. Airport Rd). Go right on Mt. Sinai Rd. and after 2.5 miles, take a left onto Murphy School Rd. The house is down the second driveway on the right - park on Murphy School Rd. past the driveway and enjoy. Part Four: What is Topsoil? Topsoil is my radio show on every Sunday from noon to 3pm on WXDU, 88.7FM. I play a century of twang. For more information on the show or my house concerts check out my website, www.topsoil.net. Cheers!! Steve -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
Cold Mountain CD
Jim Nelson said about the Cold Mountain CD that will be packaged with the book: That's a great deal for those of us who've had the book for over a year now... Like I said. You people are crabby. Jim Caliguri said about the CD being sold only with the book (starting in March): Is this right? I received a copy of the record today, but no book. I've heard raves from other sources about it, but has anybody else here read it? Just looking for advice. And while I'm generally not a big Tim O'Brien fan, I think I'm gonna go slip that disc in the player right now. That might be because you are a reviewer or something. The CD is only going to be sold with the book in stores, but you will be able to get it seperately if you see one of those guys in concert (I'm guessin'). I think those of you, like Jim, who aren't big Tim O'Brien fans should really give this CD a listen (when it comes out). If you want an idea of what it sounds like listen to Dirk Powell's CD "If I Should Go 10,000 Miles" on Rounder (specifically, the tracks Tim sings on). Remember too, that this isn't a Tim O'Brien CD. It's a Tim O'Brien, Dirk Powell and John Hermann CD. Those other two shouldn't be overlooked because they kick butt. Disclaimer: This CD has nothing to do with Sugar Hill. I just love it. steve
Ray Price - Roy Acuff
For those of you who like the Ray Price Essentials CD I'd recommend going out and getting the Roy Acuff Essentials CD. They aren't exactly the same, Roy is a little more oldtime and a little less honky tonk when compared to Ray Price. I seem to think though that if you like one, you'll like the other. I, at least, do. steve
Cold Mountain CD
Like I said. You people are crabby. [Matt Benz] Really. They're only doing a cd based on the book because the book is popular. If the book sold in p2 amounts, we sure as well wouldn't see a cd. Remember that piece of literary trash "Bridges of Yoknapatawpha County"? There was a cd for that, too (with the "author" singing. Yikes!) when it became huge. When's the Cold Mountain movie coming out? [Me] Um, you're wrong. First of all, Dirk Powell got the idea of this CD over a year ago before the book was a smash. He read it, liked it, and asked me how to get in touch with Charles, a local author. Secondly, the movie is coming out, but when that happens they can no longer sell the CD grouped with the bookso they aren't just jumping on the gravy train. steve
Greg Trooper House Concert Sold Out
The Greg Trooper house concert sold out in about three hours. Sorry if you didn't get a ticket. If you'd like on or off my mailing list let me know. If I already emailed and said you were "in", ignore this email. If you'd like on my waiting list also let me know. Cheers. Steve -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
Checking in...
Carbines. Bing Crosby: Bing is in my favorite musical. "High Society" with Louie Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and the most beautiful woman ever to walk the planet, Grace Kelly. Damnations TX: Still haven't heard them. Ok, that was kinda long I know. Easier to delete than 50 short ones, though. :^) Cheers. Steve == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Re: Gerald Collier...oh, and Tift Merritt and the Carbines
Hi everyone, I thought I'd delurk from digest to say again how I just love the music of that Gerald Collier. Don Yates, you are a lucky man to see him. I guess I better start searching for his first album. Reading on digest is pretty much impossible. With about 150 posts a day I don't even have the patience to read through the subject headings. However, I did see the subject "Gerald Collier" and I had to chime in. Now, back off to lurkdom. Sorry, I didn't add anything to this at all. What a boring post this was. Oh, hold it. I do have something. Tift Merritt and the Carbines (the buzz of the town) will be playing a show on Valentine's Day at Henry's Bistro in Chapel Hill. Earlier that day she'll be on my shift with a fiddle player (2pm EST, 2/14). Check her out. I saw her with her band last Thursday night and they were totally freaking amazing. Great country vocals. WXDU is live on the internet so anyone (with a computer and a modem) can tune in. www.wxdu.duke.edu Tift and the Carbines have a new seven inch coming out which will triple their commercial output at this point. Redeye will be distributing it. I assume (hope) that Miles of Music will carry it (they should!) She did a duet with John Howie from the $2 Pistols the other night. It was a great Bobby Bare song that I'd never heard before called something like My Husband/My Wife...basically a cheating song where each cheater is already married. Cheers. Steve ====== Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
January '99 Topsoil Playlist Plus House Concert Info
I never sent out a playlist last month due to the holidays, so this one is compiled from the previous two months on Topsoil. If you want off this list, let me know. The sold out Alejandro Escovedo house concert happens this Wednesday (2/3) at 8pm. Stay tuned because I will be putting the tickets for the Saturday March 6 Greg Trooper house concert on sale on Monday 2/8. Please don't email asking for tickets until I send out the announcement that day. After that it will be first come, first serve. These shows have become immensely popular and I'm trying to give everyone a fair shot at tickets. Tickets will be $10, and you can find out more about Greg Trooper at http://earth.vol.com/~jessi11/index.htm. If you'd like on my house concert mailing list, let me know. Now, on to the January playlist for Topsoil. Cheers. Steve Gardner [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net === WXDU-Fm 88.7 Durham, NC Steve Gardner, "Topsoil" E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] January Roots Report 1. Greg Trooper - Popular Demons - Koch [This is Greg Trooper's 3rd album and it is his best yet. It's produced by Buddy Miller (aka the King Midas of music). Greg has some fine guests on here including Buddy and Julie Miller, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and Duane Jarvis.] 2. Paul Burch - Wire to Wire - Checkered Past [I've been following Paul for a few years now. I'm not sure if he just got better, or if it just clicked with me (probably the latter) but I really really really like this new CD. I would consider it one of the best country records of the year.] 3. Gerald Collier - Gerald Collier - Revolution [Probably my second favorite release from '98 although many of the songs don't fit into a show about twangy music. Great pop singing and songwriting from this former lead singer for the Best Kissers in the World. Everyone should have this CD in their collection.] 4. Clodhopper - Red's Recovery Room - ? [Wilco-ish alt.country. Great songs and a great sound.] 5. Hazel Dickens, Carol Elizabeth Jones and Ginny Hawker - Heart of a Singer - Rounder [The female three tenors of bluegrass.] 6. Richard Buckner - Live at Schuba's Tavern - MCA [A promo only live EP with Richard and Eric Heywood.] 7. Various - My Rough and Rowdy Ways - Yazoo [Another fine Yazoo comp. This time they mine music from the 20s and 30s that deals with raising hell.] 8. Marah - Let's Cut the Crap and Hook Up Later On Tonight - Black Dog [Ragged but right. Marah may not be for everyone, but they are certainly someone I can enjoy. The only way I can think to describe this band is by spouting out the general term alt.country. However, this stuff is pretty darn unique. Listen and see if you like it. I sure do.] 9. Pine Valley Cosmonauts - Salute the Majesty of Bob Wills - Bloodshot [This is the best Bloodshot compilation yet. There's lots of good playing and singing on this disc from the likes of Robbie Fulks, Alejandro Escovedo, Kelly Hogan, Neko Case and many others. Get it!] 10. Hank Williams - The Complete Hank Williams Box Set - Mercury [The question I get asked most often with regards to this set is "Isn't 10 CDs a little extreme? Don't you ever get sick of it?" Answer: NO. I love everything on this set which means I love pretty much everything Hank ever did. If the set was 20 CDs and it was all this quality I'd buy it too. Of course, it'd take me twice as long to save up the money. Put this on your Xmas list this year. It's much more fun than a new pair of shoes...and it'll last longer too.] 11. Lyle Lovett - Step Inside This House - Curb/MCA [A magnificent 2 CD set of Lyle's favorite songwriters. Lyle takes the lead vocal duties for Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Steve Fromholz, Willis Alan Ramsey and others. His version of Townes' "Lungs" is probably my favorite cut on the disc, but there are lots of good ones to choose from.] 12. Rock n' Roll Summer Camp 98 - Rock n' Roll Summer Camp 98 - Black Dog [Members of Marah, Blue Mountain, the Neckbones and a few others get together for a summer retreat and walk away with an album under their belts. This CD is a ton of fun. It just goes to show what great things can happen when musicians who are friends first get together for fun and music.] 13. Alejandro Escovedo - More Miles Than Money - Bloodshot [This live record hopped back up the chart due to his appearance at Pine Hill Farm on 2/3. If you still haven't heard this CD you need toit's fabulous.] 14. JD Crowe and the New South - Come On Down to My World - Rounder [Another great bluegrass CD from JD Crowe. Once again he's put together a stellar new band.] 15. Various - Mississippi River of Song - Smithsonian Folkways [Soundtrack to the PBS miniseries documenting music along the Mississippi River.] 16. Howard Armstrong - Louie Bluie Film Soundtrack - Arhoolie [My search of stringband versions of ragtime music led me to Howard Armstron
House Concerts
Hi everyone, Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions on other venues for the bigger house concerts. I'll check into those. Now that tickets are selling MUCH faster than ever before I thought I'd out the upcoming shows on my website as soon as I find out about them. Then you'll be able to have some time to check into the performer listed and see if it is something you are interested in. Then, when an email goes out announcing that tickets are on sale you'll immediately know if you want to go or not. I'll try to update my webpage to give more information about the performers before tickets go on sale. Right now I just lists the date, their names and a one or two word description. I want to thank everyone who came to the Joe Thompson house concert last night. Joe was great and enjoyed himself very much. The bass player said it was the best gig she'd ever done with Joe before. I certainly had a great time. I sure wish history class in college was that fun. So, thanks for supporting these shows so much. I'll let you know if I ever plan on doing anything different. Also, if *YOU* would like to have house concerts at your own house I'd love to teach you what I already know. I sure would love to see these spring up all over. Cheers. Steve -- === Steve Gardner === [EMAIL PROTECTED] === www.topsoil.net Topsoil A Century of Twang Sundays 12-3pm === WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC = ==Broadcasting Live on the internet www.wxdu.duke.edu== ===
Alejandro Escovedo House Concert SOLD OUT
Hi everyone, The Alejandro Escovedo House Concert for 2/3 is sold out. They went extremely fast. Sorry if you didn't get in. Stay tuned for more house concerts in the future. Feel free to check my webpage to see the ones that are coming that aren't on sale yet. And if anyone knows a good venue where I could get more people in, yet maintain the small unamplified setting let me know. Cheers. Steve -- == Steve Gardner * [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net Topsoil - A Century of Country Music - Sundays 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC Upcoming House Concerts: 1/15-Joe Thompson
Re: If you ran into Garth with your car...
Matt Cook said: I'd buy it, too. Start writin' bub! I'm serious. I'll give you free webpage space for the philosphies of Matt Cook, or whatever you want to call it. Email the text to me and I'll post it. I'm not kidding. WRONG! was brilliant. steve
Re: banjo envy...
I think my favorite throwaway review was probably one that showed up in "Musician" when Yes' "Big Generator" came out: "Just say no." I like the (I think) Rolling Stone review for the old guitar band GTR. The review was simply "SHT". I thought the above review you mentioned was simply "No." I could be wrong, though. I never saw it, I just heard all the urban legends. steve
Re: Sugar Hill in '99/Gatemouth Brown
Hey, does he play fiddle on that rerelease? I dont' know much about him but I caught a little of a set of his at Tramps once (I believe it was some kind of benefit concert) and when he played fiddle the hairs on the back of my neck went up. ANd stayed there. His fiddle playing was hot and nasty and all the good things. Gatemouth plays guitar, fiddle, harmonica, viola and electric mandolin on the album. I still haven't even had a chance to hear this one yet, because it isn't back from the manufacturer yet. I'm looking forward to it, though. Cheers. Steve == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Re: If you ran into Garth with a used CD in a dark alley.....
dummy. If his *primary* motivation for selling tons of CDs and concert tickets was to make as much money as possible, he surely wouldn't be sellin' his stuff so cheap. As Jon sez, most likely he's after the fame that goes with the record numbers. If he just wanted the bucks, he could easily be making more than he is now.--don He could be making more money "now", yes. But I think Garth is a little more forward thinking than that. As you say, he ain't no business dummy. He knows that the image of him being a *good guy* and *for the fans* is one that will keep him in favor with audiences despite all the horrible stuff that people (like me g) say about him. And if your fame continues to rise, or at his level at least stays steady, he's still earning a pretty damn good living. Or perhaps maybe Garth does it just because he loves us all so much. Just like he says over and over. I can't believe I got pulled into yet another argument about Garth and hot country? Why do I fall for these things? I'm my own worst enemy. ack. Nie wieder. steve
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO House Concert at Pine Hill Farm on Feb 3
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO HOUSE CONCERT AT PINE HILL FARM ON WEDNESDAY FEB 3 AT 8PM WXDU's country radio show, Topsoil, is presenting another intimate house concert at Pine Hill Farm in Durham with country singer-songwriter and Bloodshot recording artist, Alejandro Escovedo on WEDNESDAY, February 3 at 8pm. Yes, THE Alejandro Escovedo. (If you don't know him, read below.) I'm *very* excited. Alejandro will probably be performing with a small acoustic group of just a fiddle, and possibly another guitar or a cello. That's still up in the air at this point. Tickets are now on sale. Email me quickly if you'd like to reserve a space. I usually don't do house concerts on Wednesday, but this one was just too special to pass up. The show will be out by 11:00pm at the latest, as usual, and will consist of two sets with a brief intermission to meet and greet. These concerts are organized so that we all chip in to pay the artist for the performance. We will be asking for a donation of $10 per person and you can save a spot in advance by writing Steve Gardner at [EMAIL PROTECTED], or by calling 919-304-2693. Note that the last two house concerts have sold out in a matter of a day or two, so you should respond as soon as possible if you'd like a seat. Considering the artist we are dealing with here I believe this show will sell out amazingly fast. I also have a website at http://www.topsoil.net/ that will give you information on my radio show and upcoming house concerts. ** Who is Alejandro Escovedo? Alejandro Escovedo is a lot of things rolled into one. His musical life has spanned from loud punk to a quiet acoustic intensity. Unlike many musicians though, this was not a linear transformation from loud at the beginning of his career to quiet at the end. Rather, Alejandro's strength is that he has always retained the best of any given moment of his life and continued to roll it back into his works, with amazing results. It would not be unusual for him to cover the Stooges classic punk blast of "I Wanna Be Your Dog" in a live show, and then on the next night (or possibly on the same night) play a mournful original song such as his "Last to Know" backed by cello and acoustic guitar. His diversity combined with his amazing writing, performance and energy (whether it be a "loud" song or a "quiet" one) is what made the leading alternative country magazine No Depression bestow upon him the controversial honor of "Artist of the Decade." His show at Pine Hill Farm will concentrate on the acoustic side of his material in the usual non-amplified, smoke free, setting of a living room. It is extremely rare that Alejandro will perform in this fashion for anyone in North Carolina. In fact, it may be his first. I'm happy as a politician in the arms of a page to be able to present this show to the area. Following is Alejandro Escovedo's bio in the All Music Guide at http://allmusic.com. Alejandro Escovedo's family tree includes former Santana percussionist Pete Escovedo and Pete's daughter, Sheila E (also Prince's former drummer and later a pop star). He began his music career with the Nuns, a mid-'70s punk band based in San Francisco. He co-founded the cowpunk band Rank and File in 1979, which moved to Austin, TX, in 1981 after a stint in New York City. The band released Sundown on Slash Records; shortly after, Escovedo left to form the True Believers with brother Javier. The band recorded two albums for EMI (the second was never released, a fact that eventually caused the band to break up in 1988) and toured the country, often as an opening act for Los Lobos. Escovedo released a solo album in 1992 on Watermelon Records, Gravity, uniting his wide variety of styles; the album was produced by Stephen Bruton of Bonnie Raitt's band. After 1996's With These Hands, he also began recording with the group Buick MacKane. -- John Bush, All-Music Guide Note: Since that review was written Alejandro released a record on Bloodshot Records that was a compilation of some of his live material from the mid 90s. This record "More Miles Than Money: Live 1994-1996" made my list of the top 20 records of the year. ** What and where is Pine Hill Farm? Pine Hill Farm is the name of a ranch house in Durham a few miles north of Chapel Hill. (directions below) I started up these house concerts with one of the members of that household, Bill Tolbert. Together we try to bring the music that we want to see to town. Pine Hill Farm presents shows in a totally acoustic setting, meaning no amplification. The shows are held in the living room and the acoustics are wonderful. There is no better way to see a show. Directions: To get to Pine Hill Farm, take Exit 266 from I-40 onto 86N (a.k.a. Airport Rd). Go right on Mt. Sinai Rd. and after 2.5 miles, take a left onto Murphy School Rd. The house is down the second driveway on the right - park on Murphy School Rd. past the driv
