Thanks for all the comments. I saw them play Friday night opening for than
acting as the backup band for Radney.
They were good at the latter. As for their own set, my impression can be
summed up as: "gee, just what the world needs another Bared Naked Ladies."
No wonder their close to signing a
Joe writes: There is also a great show on Sunday nights right after "Live
Set" by my old compadre Larry Monroe that features Texas artists.
Yeah this is great if you never wanna know what artists and songs he plays.
What's the point of playing 50 minutes straight of music and then back
From today's New York Times:
Kelly Willis: Refugee From the Nashville
Factory Finds Her Own Audience
By BEN RATLIFF
Country music often prides itself on how much it can say and still be
taken at face value, but there was a lot of subtext coursing through
Kelly Willis's show on Friday night
Any of the Nashville folks have an opinion on a band called Joe, Marc's
Brother?
I'm pretty sure that it's been mentioned here, but what's the general
opinion on the new Fountains of Wayne CD? I though there were a couple of
pretty good tunes in the Cheap Trick/Cars pop/rock vein.
Two tidbits of
The New American Roots Music Show is heard Fridays from 9 to 10 AM on KOOP,
Austin, Texas 91.7FM. It focuses on new releases and recent re-issues in
country, bluegrass,folk, blues, cajun, zydeco and whatever else fits. Lots
of bad alt.country, bad bluegrass, out of tune f*lk and simply awful
Jon asks: Is that the one with Darius "Mr. Bluegrass" Rucker guesting on
it?
Yup. Also Emmylou and Abra Moore. If anyone has any questions for Radney,
let me know. I'm interviewing him tomorrow afternoon before he plays La
Zona Rosa tomorrow night.
Not that I don't have enough questions of my
I wonder if Jon could provide a list of records that have made the country
music charts, singles, albums, whatever, that have not come from Nashville
based labels in the past, let's say 5 years.
Just looking for evidence that the "Nashville machine" doesn't exist. g
Jim
Jon is obviously confused. The main reason you aren't hearing Mandy Barnett
on your local country radio station is because it is on a label that is not
based in Nashville. His unwillingness to provide hard data proves my point.
It has NOTHING to do with the music. It all depends on who is paying
Don writes: I think Jon's main point is that the powers-that-be that
control country radio
(the folks who own the stations and the consultants who help program
them)are primarily responsible for what you hear on country radio. That
seems pretty obvious to me.
Sure, the Nashville-based major
why didn't the singles off The Key do better?
Cos like Mandy Barnett, they were "too country."
Jim, smilin'
Like most conspiracy theories, Jim's may be attractive for those who
like simple explanations for the complicated doings of the real world, but
that doesn't make it right.
Well, I don't want to prolong the agony of this too much longer, but I just
wanted to point out that I know it's a LOT more
Tiffany says: But Americana does embrace these artists, we just have to
make the format grow and Jessie Scott is one step in the right direction in
making that happen.
Oh please. You've been saying the same thing (Insert Chris or Rob for
Jessie at will) for too long now. Americana ain't
The New American Roots Music Show is heard Fridays from 9 to 10 AM on KOOP,
Austin, Texas 91.7FM. It focuses on new releases and recent re-issues in
country, bluegrass,folk, blues, cajun, zydeco and whatever else fits. Any
questions, contact me off list.
Jim
Artist/Song/Album
Bill
MPB Dave writes: For the weasels with advance copies is the new record any
better
than the last (which was terrible)?
Dave, Dave, Dave, The last record wasn't terrible (although I'm curious why
you think so), it made my Top Ten for that year if I remember correctly.
The new record is just as
Don writes: who thinks that anyone who considers songs like "Time Bomb,"
"Salome," and "Niteclub" to be mediocrities should have to sit in a corner
at Off-Broadway with a duncecap on their head during Twangfest.
I think we talk Marie into arranging this, no problem.
Jim, smilin'
Matt "Bon Jovi?" Benz asks: Did they have more than one hit?
Whitburn lists three hits. The Rains Came was on the chart for five weeks
in early 1966 and reached #31. Mendocino was the other hit in 1969.
Jim, smilin'
BTW the All Music Guide lists a "25 Greatest Hits" from Ricky, that was
released on EMI on March 2 of 1999. Anybody seen this?
Jim, smilin'
Paul Franklin, Brent Mason, Stuart Duncan and maybe Rob Hajacos
Aren't these the guys responsible for almost every record that comes out of
Nashville?
Jim, smilin'
Sorry the disk came without a cover and I don't have it with me right now,
so I can't give you the track listing. I can get them later if you want.
What's up with that lame New West web site?
Jim
31 Acts Announced for Woodstock
99
By DAVID BAUDER Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- Limp Bizkit? Korn? Rage Against the Machine? Its not your
fathers Woodstock.
Thats precisely the point. Woodstock 99 promoters announced a 31-act
lineup Thursday geared to teens and
Richard writes: Jon Dee Graham, Kevn Kinney and Terri Hendrix live at an
Irish pub in the French Quarter during last year's LMNOP Conference in New
Orleans and found myself strangely unmoved by all three
Can't speak about Kinney, but Graham and Hendrix are Austinites that I'm
familiar with. Jon
such deserving acts as the Nasvhille Bluegrass Band, Lonesome
River Band, Blue Highway, IIIrd Tyme Out, New Tradition...
I'm sure they meant to include Split Lip Rayfield, the Meat Purveyors and
the Bad Livers in this list. g
Jim, smilin'
his Wings album, where you'll not only find the song mentioned above, but
lots of other
hardcore honkytonkers. Hell, Smilin'
Jim might even like it.g
Doubtful. Everytime I hear his voice, I think of his little chipmunk face
and cringe. g
Jim, smilin'
Don't know if it's been mentioned here or not but Razor Tie is releasing
3 separate CD's (this week, I think) of swing and country music all
recorded in California from the 40's through the 60's, called Swing West.
Vol 1 is Bakersfield, Vol 2 is Guitar Slingers and Vol 3 is Western Swing.
Some
Don writes: I was thinkin' that he seems to bear more than a passing
resemblance to you.
I want some of what you've been smokin', bub. You forget, there are a few
people on this list that know what I look like. g I've heard many
comparisons, but never to ol' chipmunk cheeks. sheesh.
Jim, smilin'
Sad to see ya go, Phil. :-(
Y'all come back now, ya hear?
I'm probably jumping into this late (sue me, I've been in bed with a fever
of 103 the past three days) but Richard Lloyd is indeed a guitar god. The
closest I ever got to seeing his fingers fly was a tour that the Heath
Happiness Show did with Butch Hancock in 1995. Lloyd was playing with HH,
The Diva wrote: I PROPOSE IT SHOULD BE A PUNISHABLE OFFENSE TO COMPILE A
TEN BEST LIST IN
APRIL!
Go outside! Get some sun! Kiss a girl
xojns
Are ballots still open for POST OF THE YEAR!?
Damn, I spilled beer all over my computer.
Jim, laughin out loud
Thanks for posting that Marie. Here's a clip from the Bottlerockets
interview that ties in with some of what's been discussed here lately, I
think. g
Jim
WM: You don't like roots rock I take it.
BH: Oh, I love roots rock, it
John writes: Oh, man . . . check out the alt.country "family tree" on this
site. I'm not
going to comment . . . but some of the amateur historians out there might
find
it amusing . . . Steve Earle makes it because he has "jammed onstage
w/Bottle
Rockets and Uncle Tupelo."
Cool. g I especially
From Billboard online:
Guinness Fleadh Sets Lineup
Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Lucinda Williams, and Hootie the Blowfish
are among the scheduled performers for some or all of the dates for the
1999 Guinness Fleadh. The four day-long fests, which emphasize Ireland
s
contributions to
My mom this, my mom that. Sheesh yer making me feel old. g I saw Joe with
Count Basie and his Orchestra in 1973. Man, they rocked.
Jim, smilin' and swingin' ahead of his time
...are the best new band in Austin this week. And, hell, they're from
England.
More when I'm sober. g
Jim, smilin'
Ok now that I can see straight g, here's what I saw last night. The
Wranglers opened for the Damnations at the Continental and completely won
over a pretty tough crowd. If I had to draw comparisons, I'd say they were
the UK's answer to the Damnations, with a little bit of rockabilly and
honkytonk
The New American Roots Music Show is heard Fridays from 9 to 10 AM on KOOP,
Austin, Texas 91.7FM. It focuses on new releases and recent re-issues in
country, bluegrass,folk, blues, cajun, zydeco and whatever else fits.
First, thanks to Hillbilly Idol, Kate Jacobs and Dave Schramm for appearing
on
Tom writes: Last Summer when I was in St. Louis for Twangfest I heard a CD
compilation in a local record store that included Kelly Willis
and Robbie Fulks. Could anyone tell me the title of this?
Uprooted on Shanachie.
JC
Here's my report or most of what I remember:
Best sets: Jim Roll backed by the Silos on Wedneday, Fred Eaglesmith
Saturday afternoon at the Continental, the Schramms at Yarddog, Beaver
Nelson in my living room Tuesday
MVP: Walter Salas-Humara (who stole the award from Jonboy) for playing with
at
Junior writes:A single from the album, "Full Western Dress," will be out
in June.
Apparently this single memorializes Mark Wyatt's pointy boots.
Hey I didn't even know Brian knew Mark. Besides those platform shoes don't
count as Western, unless yer talkin', um L.A. g
Thanks for the info.
Jim,
William F. Silvers wrote:
Saw B.O.C. twice back in the day, (opened for the Dolls in 1974,
headlined in 1977) and my hearing's never fully recovered.
Quality metal, yeah boy.
Saw a dream show on Long Island in the mid-70's Foghat opened,
the original Black Sabbath in the middle and BOC (honetown
the chart in question is a sales chart, and the absence of a
promoted-to-radio single is utterly irrelevant.
Why is this true? It doesn't sound unreasonable that a single being
promoted to country radio would have an impact on sales. Yes it is a sales
only charts, but a single promoted to radio
Hey in case ya missed it the first time--there's a pre-SXSW party tomorrow
night (Tuesday) at my house that starts around 6. Performing in my living
room will be Jim Roll, Ana Egge, Slim Chance and Beaver Nelson. There'll be
plenty of food and beer and a couple of surprises are in store as well.
You probably knew this was coming. g
I got my hands on a copy of the new Gourds and it's in the CD player right
now. Despite everyone's raving, I still don't get it. Can someone PLEASE
tell me what distingushes this band from the ton of other bands that are
working the same territory? I find the
Mighty grumpy today, ain't ya, Slim?
Keep it up and you'll be taking my title away. g
Jim, smilin' and decidely not grumpy
From yesterday's Austin Chronicle:
If you've sprung for a wristband (currently still available at all Star
Tickets outlets, albeit at the increased price of
$95), you're most likely interested in the latest on which acts are playing
SXSW proper, like say for instance Tom
Waits (!!), who has
For Jenni: g
Well, that was a short retirement.
After announcing his intention to do just that late last year, gonzo
guitarist and former radio personality Ted Nugent has
decided to trash his AARP card in favor of a full workload that will give
him a greater presence on the road and in record
Stuart asks: Who is Damon Bramblett?
He's an Austin based singer/songwriter. Good friends with Kelly and Bruce.
He's supposedly got a record in the can that was supposed to come out on
Watermelon (ha!). I've seen him play a couple of times and he's pretty
entertaining.
Jim, smilin'
Jon wrote: Re: Country.com encyclopedia: Walser's in there, and so are
Dale Watson,
Kelly Willis, Townes Van Zandt, BR5-49, Julie Buddy Miller, the
Flatlanders and Foster Lloyd, to take a few randomly-chosen (ha)
instances.
I have the disk with me today. Jon you need to be more careful
how long has this been on?
Just celebrated 3 years running.
Jim, smilin'
Jon writes re the Kenny/Ann-1979, G*rth/Shania-1999 comparison:
It's not a bad comparison, especially if you look forward a little bit -
1979 was a low point, followed shortly by the Neo-Trads (Skaggs, early
McEntire, et.al.) - but it has its limits; "rules" is a pretty slippery
term. Murray and
Hey folks,
I'm hosting a party on Tuesday March 16th for all the folks that are in
town early for SXSW, this year. I'll be two making two types of chili and
there will also be some live music provided by Beaver Nelson, Ana Egge and
Jim Roll. If you're gonna be in town and can make please let me
Maybe Smilin' Jim can tell us which of these acts are going to be
solving
their labels' problems.
Maybe Jon can explain how playing in a vintage clothes store during SXSW is
like playing ar CRS in front of a few hundred radio programmers.
Jim,yawnin'
Maybe Jim can explain blah blah blah CSRF blah CRS blah blah woof woof.
May be I can, may be I can't may be I just don't care, today.
Cheryl writes: Our second question is:
Where can I find Merle Haggard's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers?
I almost spit coffee through my nose on this one line. LOL!
Ya know this name thing has really got me bugged, especially cause I need
to name something centered around this"Big Tent" type of music
half the time I either laugh out loud at the cliches or think, "cripes it
sounds like lawrence welk!!".
Lots of people have been doing that for as long as I've been listening to
country music.
On a totally different tangent, I have been listening to the upcoming Spade
Cooley record that
Lowell writes: Anyway - I saw this record called Sugar Coated Love -
copyeight 1999 so
it is very new. It's a very poorly recorded selection of songs from 1977
with her band called Rockola, but the second half has Stevie Ray Vaughan
playing lead - early in his career I reckon.
What label is this
From this week's Nashville Scene:
Soft Bomb
Singer gets pleasant surprise
On Feb. 9, as Allison Moorer returned home from breakfast with her
husband and
songwriting partner, Butch Primm, her cellular phone rang. On the
other end of the line was
Bruce Hinton, chairman
Jon writes: the New Faces Show:
Allison Moorer
Trini Triggs
Jon Randall
Mark Nesler
Chad Brock
Shane Stockton
Gil Grand
Monty Holmes
Keith Harling
The Great Divide
zzz.
What makes Randall, Stockton, Harling and the Divide "new faces"? Seems
they've been around a while. Or is iyt that
zzz.
What makes Randall, Stockton, Harling and the Divide "new faces"? Seems
they've been around a while. Or is iyt that because radio doesn't pay
attention that they are still "new"?
All of them except Randall are on their first albums, or at least first
major-label releases. Kind of
Ho boy...
If the labels think any of those "new faces" are gonna cause their
problems
to
go away, they are more delusional then I thought.
Why would you think that they think that, and why would you think I care
about whether the labels think their problems are going to be solved
anyway?
This
Slonedog writes:I think too many of the others are flat-out boring. They
sort of
sound like the Indigo Girls with inferior songs and a banjo.
Whoa! I don't hear any of the Girls whitebread folkiness or unbridled (read
over the top), er, enthusiasm on the Damnations record. If you've never
seen
From today's NY TImes:
David Johansen: A Man of Two Names
By JON PARELES
David Johansen
s career has traveled back through time: from the 1970s
protopunk of the New
York Dolls to the straightforward rock of his solo albums, and then, as
Buster Poindexter, in
rediscoveries of old
Has anyone heard of any of these bands? What kind of music do they play?
This is supposedly a lineup for a Jazz festival that someone is questioning
me on and I don't think I recognize any of them.
Anybody? Thanks,
Jim, still smilin'
Gin
Draga
Hall St. Honkers
Jean Kittrell
Wooden Nickel
Buck
Who is Ginger Mackenzie??
The next Jewel. I kid you not.
JC
From today's Wall of Sound:
Last December, Bruce Springsteen
s management released a statement
confirming the singer would mount a 1999world tour with his longtime backup
group the E Street Band, the first such tour between the Boss and the boys
since 1988. The short note said more details of
Hey I'm listening to Life Is Messy, Rodney Crowell's record from 1992 and
IMO one of the best of the decade. g
Anyway, haven't heard from him in a while, have we? anybody know what's up
with him? I know he's been producing some lately but I was wondering about
his recording career.
Thanks,
Jim,
The next time you see him scream for his dead-on version of Wings' "Jet." I
kid u not.
Jim, smilin'
The New American Roots Music Show is heard Fridays from 9 to 10 AM on KOOP,
Austin, Texas 91.7FM. It focuses on new releases and recent re-issues in
country, bluegrass,folk, blues, cajun, zydeco and whatever else fits. Way
to much new stuff this week to fit into an hour. The Biller Wakefield is
Dina writes: Now, surely Terry doesn't mean to eradicate the Texas
Playboys.
or the Texas Tornados for that matter.
Jim, smilin'
Two words: Bob Seger.
Tar hutt Jeff writes: Jim, try to seek out some ofhis stuff before he
became BOB SEGER and I think you might agree.
Bleach. Are you referring to Turn The Page? hee hee. To me Seger was an
eary day Michael Bolton. Gimme ZZ Top any day.
Jim, smilin'
Ya know I can't understand the bile set on the Dead today and the love for
Seger. Maybe I'm on the wrong list. g
I woulda voted for Journey, but a couple of those guys played with Santana
and I think that's worth something, not sure what though.
Jim, smilin'
Not to beat a dead horse, but could someone who saw Shania's performance
tonight, puh-leeze explain to me what she's got to do with country music?
Oh it must be the twin fiddles in the band. g
Jim, smilin'
Yep they're part of the CRSF.
Jim, smilin' and smilin'
from today's Austin Chronicle:
"After producers of the upcoming film version of Nick Hornby's High
Fidelity (shooting in either Austin or Chicago) solicited every Hickman,
McKay, McKenzie and Crowley in town to send their press pack, it was
revealed that every Amos, Loeb, Love and Phair were also
I wonder if maybe his version of Chesnutt's comment was, er, edited (f'r
instance, "I recorded it because I'm tired of doing cry-in-your-beer songs
that go nowhere on the charts").
Man I'm having a great day. Even Jon's getting me to laugh. g No, really
Jon, this is classic.
Jim, smilin'
Kip writes: Melissa Etheridge, Best Female Blues guitarist.There's a
rich giggle.
Not as funny as: -- Deana Carter, best female country guitarist.
Does she play with her feet? g
Jim, smilin'
I agree with Dina, although I've heard a lot more than she has. It seems
like standard rock-crit snobbery (is that a word? g) that most of the
general public just ignores. I would have put a Steve Earle or Dave Alvin
record in there, instead of Jimmie Gilmore (which I don't think holds up
too
David writes: If what most of the general public ignores is how we
determine rock crit
snobbery, then it seems to me that the Jimmie Dale pick would be more
populist, less elitist, than the Alvin you propose, since I'm betting that
Gilmore has outsold him by a long shot. The same may be true of
The New American Roots Music Show is heard Fridays from 9 to 10 AM on KOOP,
Austin, Texas 91.7FM. It focuses on new releases and recent re-issues in
country, bluegrass,folk, blues, cajun, zydeco and whatever else fits. Way
to much new stuff this week to fit into an hour. The Doyle Lawson
Junior writes: We just want to cross our Ts, dot our Is, and let our world
famous spokesmodel Mr. Mark Wyatt step up to the plate when everything's in
order.
Ooo, does Mark get to wear that slinky black dress when he makes the big
announcement? I think it would be fabulous with those goofy
snip EDtv directed by Ron Howard (attending), starring Matthew
McConaughey (attending), JennaElfman, Woody Harrelson and Jon Bon Jovi
(attending); world premiere
Abilene directed by Joe Camp III, starring Ernest Borgnine (attending)
Wow I don't think this town will ever be the same after being
Kip writes: But I suspect if you're in the Joe Blow Band from Scranton, PA
and you try to convince a rep from Hightone to make your set, it's probably
not gonna happen.
Why not? Isn't the Joe Blow Band any good? Why are they making music then?
What's the point of making the trip? If the band
I just wanted to say I have no arguments with either of Kip's or Erin's
stance on this. yeah the music biz can suck, but if you go into it with
your eyes WIDE OPEN, it'll suck less. Do the people at these conferences
make a lot of money? A qualified yes. They are running a business,
providing a
A while back there was some talk here of putting together an alt.country
timeline. Did that ever happen? if not does anyone know where I might be
able to find such a thing?
Thanks,
Jim, smilin
JESUS SAVES! But wouldn't it be better if He had invested?
I thought this went: And Gretzsky scores on the rebound!
Despite what y'all say about SXSW or any event like it, I think that when
playing a showcase, or any CSRF like it, it is up to the artist to make the
most of what's available. You *do* have the opportunity to get important
people out to see your band/act if you take the initiative to let people
Jenni Writes:yearning for the return of Bic Rock..
When's the next Superchunk record coming out? g
JIm, smilin'
Sheesh, maybe I outta start a service or something.
Anyone interested contact me off list and I'll add you to my list of people
who wants one. I think there are four or five already.
BTW-I don't think they go on sale for a couple of weeks yet. We've got
plenty of time. Don't expect a response
Babs writes: But I think the majority of readers know the
reviewers' tastes well enough, to have something right there instead of
having to read the whole dang review... if someone gave every record 5
stars, then you'd take it with a grain of salt. Or at least, I think
twang fans are that smart.
IMO-A rating system igenerally useless, since almost everything is
mediocre, everything tends to get three stars and tells you nothing.
Jim, smilin' and wondering what Babs has to smile about
Um, Terry, the Damnations record isn't out til next Tuesday. I have a
couple of harmonicas I can lend you in the meantime, though.
Jim, smilin'
Barry writes:BTW--these girls (and the other person) can sing and play so
well
that I wouldn't rule out Jon liking this one!
The other person is Rob Bernard who is also a member of the vastly
underrated Prescott Curlywolf.
As far as pronunciation, I've heard it's Damnations Tee-X. There was a
Actually, so far "Real" is a contender for me, too.
I'm with Chad on that one; disappointing.
Can't we all just get along?
Here's a version of a review of Real that I wrote. It's in today's Austin
Chronicle.
Jim, smilin'
Various Artists-Real-The Tom T Hall Project (Delmore-Sire) 4 stars
The
Whitburn says it went to Number 5 for Nancy in late 1966. Funny how I don't
remember it since that's my "era". g
Don writes: Yep. Heather's much more of a hard country singer. She's more
comparable
to folks like Conway Twitty, Gene Watson, Mel Street, etc. I'd bet most
of the folks who find her "boring" would most likely say the same about
those guys.
OK, I know we've been over this before, but it hasn't
Glad to see Steve Gardner back. I thought he'd been swallowed whole by the
bluegrass Borg. g
I just got a copy of an oldtime album that will only be sold
with the paperback version of Charles Frazier's "Cold Mountain." If you
haven't read the book, it's awesome. Wait until 3/23 though to buy it
I'm not wanting to play contrarian again, but I have to jump in on this. I
think Heather Myles' problem is that she's only a fair to middlin' singer
with a taste for just ok songs and the good songs she chooses have been
done better by others (I mean Kiss An Angel Good Morning?-puh-leese). I
Now Enrolling Students for the Jerry Curry School of Aggressive
Electicism. You'll love both prog-rock and ragtime, soul bagpipes,
scat electronica.
Hey you forgot barbershop. Alex isn't gonna like this.
Jim, who owns all the Blodwyn Pig catalog, even that live thing that came
out a coupla
Old Tom writes:Good grief! What's the deal on that live one?
I don't have it with me, but i think it's a UK import that I found used for
cheap. Sound quality is fair, but I thought it was an interesting pick up
for the price. A Head Rings Out was definitely one of my faves of the 70's
and not
Just another reason to love P2, other folks who remember the joys of
Blodwyn Pig. g
I kinda think A Head Rings Out came out on CD on some small, re-issue
oriented label in the early part of this decade. Never picked it up though.
I have the the disc in my hot little hands right now though and
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