A+F: Music

(Slightly) Twisted Christmas Set List?

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:47:14 +0000

OK, here's the deal. My blues/Celtic/Americana trio, The Coolerheads, has an actual contract on actual paper to provide actual "wholesome family entertainment" for a local Christmas-themed event.

I love me some traditional Christmas carols, but they ain't going to work with this particular band of misfits unless you do something to them. Here's what I have so far for a set list:

Chesterton's Carol (G.K. Chesterton/me ... I love co-writing with dead people)
Desdichado (Dorothy Sayers/me ... see above ... really more of a Second Advent song than an Advent song, but who cares?)
*Of the Father's Love Begotten (Divinum Mysterium) (J.M. Neale/Michael Praetorius, arr. me, with a bit of Scottish fiddle-tune/Tchaikovsky piano-concerto kick to it)
Cry of a Tiny Babe (Bruce Cockburn)
Everybody Ought to Treat a Stranger Right (Blind Willie Johnson meets The Meters)
The Rebel Jesus (Jackson Browne/Chieftains)
I Saw Three Ships (trad, arr. me and Sebastian ... my 4-year-old composed a killer bridge for this tune)
It Came upon the Midnight Clear (arr. Sam Phillips)
Nothing but a Child (Steve Earle)
Sing Angel Choirs (VOL)
*I Wonder as I Wander (trad, J.J. Niles, bluesy)

* on the bubble about these

Entertainment? Yes. Wholesome family? Well, who doesn't enjoy stretching the definition of those terms now and then?

Need a couple more songs. I have decided against Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Christmas Eve Blues" because it's not really a Christmas song, just an ordinary miss-my-baby blues set on Christmas Eve. Too bad.

Any suggestions?

Hans Chew

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:53:22 +0000

You probably wouldn't guess it from his name, but Hans Chew is an American roots musician; his origins are in Tennessee, and he is perhaps most famous as a member of the late Jack Rose's band. He has just released his first solo album-- fittingly titled Tennessee and Other Stories-- which is, somewhat sadly, not available on CD, but is available on vinyl and as an iTunes download. You can preview the whole album and order your copy from Thrill Jockey's web site, something that I highly suggest you do. This might well prove to be my favorite Americana release of 2010.

There's a definite classic rock vibe to it; sonically, it sounds as though it could have been recorded in some basement studio anytime between 1970 and the present. There's a bit of a Gram Parsons sound to it, and a bit more of The Band; the biggest touchstone, though, is Elton John at his most rustic-- think of Tumbleweed Connection, minus the orchestra. But there are also heavy traces of smooth piano pop and rollicking boogie-woogie-- Dr. John and Allen Toussaint, for instance, with a little Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard thrown in for good measure.

There's also a cover of "Long Time Man," a rock chestnut once covered by Nick Cave, and Chew's version is very much in the same country/gothic camp; the rest of the album, though, is an easy-going and amiable affair, an album that swings with its own gait and momentum and is thoroughly enjoyable even when the lyrics become dark, which they do rather often. There are a lot of songs about death, both literal and metaphorical, and the album's general theme seems to be the story of a country boy who left Tennessee with dreams of striking it rich, sold his soul in the process, and now wants nothing more than to return home. I don't know how autobiographical it is but it certainly sounds authentic. This is a wonderful album, and I hope it finds the cult following it so richly deserves.

Robert Plant, Buddy Miller, Patty Griffin, Oh My

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:56:57 +0000

ROBERT PLANT TO RELEASE BAND OF JOY ON SEPTEMBER 14

Burlington, MA - Rounder Records is pleased to announce that Robert Plant is back with Band of Joy, his first album since 2007's six time Grammy® Award winning Raising Sand (Rounder). Band of Joy was recorded in Nashville with a stellar cast of musicians and will be released on September 14.

A timeless plunge into authentic Americana, the album was co-produced by Plant and Nashville legend and guitarist Buddy Miller. "Buddy's integral to this album, you can hear his taste all over the instrumentation," enthuses Plant. "Buddy's zone is beautiful, with a lot of reflections going back into mid-Fifties rockabilly, the singing fishermen and all the great country stuff, along with the soul and R&B from Memphis."

As well as Miller, the Band of Joy is made up of multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott, who provides the mandolin, guitar, accordion, pedal, lap steel and banjo lines, country singer-songwriter Patty Griffin who adds the main vocal foils to Plant's lead parts, while Byron House plays bass and percussion comes from Marco Giovino.

Band of Joy features intriguing new interpretations of songs from a wide range of sources. Opening with a throbbing rendition of Los Lobos's 'Angel Dance', the album encompasses the glittering drone-rock of Low's 'Silver Rider' and 'Monkey', the Fifties-style country-gospel harmonies which transform The Kelly Brothers' Sixties soul classic 'Falling In Love Again', the desolate banjo-driven interpretation of 'Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down', the transplanted English/Appalachian folk ballad 'Cindy I'll Marry You Some Day', and jangling blues imagery of 'Central Two-O-Nine'.

Plant's most eclectic work so far, in a career that has constantly embraced the unexpected, it's an album which takes in continents of influence and oceans of emotional depth. Plant seems to have an unquenchable thirst for music that moves him - whether it is to be found in Northern Africa or deepest Appalachia - Band of Joy takes us to all these places and more.

Robert Plant and the Band of Joy will be touring the U.S. in July in support of Band of Joy, with more dates to be announced. For a complete list of dates go to www.rounder.com.

Band of Joy Track Listing:

1. Angel Dance
2. House of Cards
3. Central Two-O-Nine
4. Silver Rider
5. You Can't Buy My Love
6. I'm Falling In Love Again
7. The Only Sound That Matters
8. Monkey
9. Cindy I'll Marry You Someday
10. Harm's Swift Way
11. Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down
12. Even This Shall Pass Away

The Bad Plus - Never Stop

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:51:50 +0000

This one's a 180: The last Bad Plus album was heavy on covers, and featured a guest vocalist on the bulk of the material. This one's all instrumental, and, for the first time, it's all original. It's also really terrific; it emphasizes the group's eclecticism, but also their energy-- it swings more than any of their previous releases, and it's got a kinetic energy to it that comes from its live-on-the-floor recording. It's another wonderful Bad Plus album... maybe their best yet.

Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:01:45 +0000

It's already been acknowledged in the thread for All Delighted People, but here's a thread for Sufjan's upcoming full-length album The Age of Adz.
http://asthmatickitty.com/images/releases/covers/AKR077_AoA_350.jpg

Southeast Engine - Canary

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:56:29 +0000

A visit to Canaanville, Ohio might leave you baffled. There is no town to speak of; just a few run-down shacks and trailers, a clearing in the woods five miles east of Athens that suggests that maybe, once upon a time, human beings lived and worked here.

This is coal mining country, or at least it used to be. The coal seam gave out decades ago. Timber country, too, and the white oaks and poplars used to supply a bustling sawmill. Now it’s all gone.

Canary, the new album from Athens troubadours Southeast Engine, tells the story of Canaanville. The canary of the title refers to the primitive early warning system used in the mines. If the canary stopped singing, there was a strong likelihood that carbon monoxide or methane was present in the mine. A dead canary meant there was precious little time for the miners to escape. The smallest delay could result in death. And it’s a metaphor for this batch of old-time Americana songs that resonate with prescient and prophetic intensity today.

The songs are set in 1933, the bleakest year of the Great Depression. There are references to listening to FDR on that newfangled invention the radio, to the hardscrabble lives of the miners and lumbermen, and, most miraculously, to the town itself, little Canaanville, never more than the tiniest blip on the map, but home to the characters who populate these songs. Money is hard to come by, as is food, but the townfolk go to church, and fall in love, and spend their hard-earned nickels when the fair comes to town, and ride the Ferris wheel and gaze out, wide-eyed, at the panoply of a whole new world spread before them when they reach the apex of the ride.

These are striking images, lovely and sad, and lead singer and songwriter Adam Remnant puts them across with admirable conviction, his raw, soulful tenor breaking and cracking in all the right places. There are fiddles here, and clawhammer banjo, but Southeast Engine do again what they normally do; defy convention and easy categorization, mixing the down-home elements with spiky circus calliope, and electric guitar, and what sounds like a piano from the last saloon in Texas.

It’s a tale as old as the ancient, worn-down mountains they sing about, and as fresh and contemporary as the latest jobs report. It’s also a terrific album, literate Americana music composed of equal parts sad resignation and indomitable hope. You ought to buy it when it comes out later this year.

Jamey Johnson -- Black, White, or Otherwise

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:33:21 +0000

Jamey Johnson has a new, as yet untitled, album, or maybe albums, coming out soon. And it's all quite confusing.

Here's what I know: I've heard these 25 songs, spread across two CDs, and they're superb. Johnson, subject of a previous thread right here, looks like a Hells Angels biker and sings like a Redneck Angel, equal parts Waylon Jennings and George Jones. He has a voice for the Heavenly Honky Tonk. Set 'em up, Jesus, and give me a double shot of redemption and grace. Better yet, his songwriting invests the most cliched country music subjects with freshness and authenticity. He's been to hell and back, and he'll tell you about it, but he does so more as a confessional singer/songwriter than as a Stetson-hatted hack. His 2008 album That Lonesome Song was about as good as country music gets, as far as I'm concerned.

So ... there are two albums here, one called Black and one called White, both possibly part of a larger concept album called The Guitar Song. Apparently it's still up in the air. Black is a song cycle of drinkin', druggin', cheatin' and generally pissin' life away, while White seems to offer some glimmers of hope. Take 'em together and they tell a story of redemption. Take 'em separately and there are about a dozen tunes here that deserve to be huge hits, and would considerably improve the fare heard over the radio.

I dearly love this guy. I'm fairly certain that anybody who loves George, Waylon, or Merle would love him, too.

Best first lines of music reviews

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:48:55 +0000

Numerous examples may lack, but I've found mine!

This from Andy Kellman on AMG, reviewing the first Interpol album:

"One might go into a review like this one wondering how many words will pass before Joy Division is brought up. In this case, the answer is 16."

The Decemberists - Hazards of Love

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:04:15 +0000

What do you get when you combine psychedelic folk, British stoner metal, and synth noodling? Why, a new Decemberists album, of course. Colin Meloy talks about the new album, aiming for an April release, at Paste.

Fistful of Mercy

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:58:53 +0000

Ben Harper. Dhani Harrison. Joseph Arthur.

How's THAT for a supergroup?

And did I mention that Jim Keltner's on drums?

Weezer-- Hurley

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:24:53 +0000

Here is the cover of Weezer's new album, Hurley, which releases September 14.

http://cdn.pitchfork.com/media/hurley452.jpg

Seriously.

Though Weezer is now on Epitaph and this record is supposed to be "raw and unpolished," I think it's safe to assume this isn't the "return to Pinkerton" that we all dream about.

Dungen

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:11:28 +0000

Has anyone else heard of this Swedish outfit? I've only got one song that a friend put on a year-end mix, and I can't stop listening to it today. It starts off as an uber-catchy acoustic rock number, before suddenly launching into the stratosphere Sigur Ros-style complete with soaring vocals and these gorgeous piano arrangements. I did a little research and found the band's official website and as it turns out, it's the project of one guy, a multi-instrumentalist named Gustav Ejstes. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any sound samples - the site for the band's label seems to be down.

BTW, Pitchfork gave the album a 9.3.

Justin Townes Earle - Harlem River Blues

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:50:39 +0000

Steve's son moves from the ranks of "promising young artist" to country/Americana all-star with this one-- for my money, both a huge step forward for him and one of the year's best American roots albums. It's not a major departure form his first two, but everything about it-- songwriting, performance, production-- is on another level. There are some folk songs that recall Dylan, some country weepers that recall Hank, some rockabilly numbers that capture the old Sun vibe just as well as the new John Mellencamp, and, on the title track, an ode to suicide that somehow sounds like an old spiritual. The album is all about trying to get by in trying times-- making it perfectly timely. This one's a major winner; it's out September 14.

Live At Electrical Audio

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:00:54 +0000

This has just been released. Looks and sounds good from the three tracks streaming on the site page. He remains as relevant as ever.

David Bazan | Live At Electrical Audio CD/LP
Pre-order date: February 18, 2010
Record Label: Self-released
Format: CD / LP / MP3

Recorded live in the studio at Electrical Audio in Chicago, IL on October 28, 2009.

During their first tour together, Bazan and his band spent a day in Studio A at Electrical Audio in Chicago. The band set-up and played live with no overdubs over the next 12 hours. The tracks were sent to Bazan’s long time collaborator and former Pedro The Lion bandmate, TW Walsh for mixing and mastering.

“Bazan: Live at Electrical Audio” features 10 new versions of songs that have previously appeared on Pedro The Lion, Headphones and Bazan solo albums.

1. I Do
2. How I Remember
3. When We Fell
4. Magazine
5. Never Wanted You
6. Cold Beer & Cigarettes
7. Heavy Breath
8. Keep Swinging
9. Fewer Broken Pieces
10. In Stitches

David Bazan: bass, vocals
Blake Wescott: guitar, vocals
Andy Fitts: guitar, keyboards, percussion, vocals
Eric Elbogen: guitar, keyboards, vocals
Casey Foubert: drums, percussion

Recorded by Matthew Barnhart
Mixed and Mastered by TW Walsh
Photos by Bob Andrews and Caleb Palma

Discographies on Twitter

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:58:58 +0000

Has anyone else stumpled upon this relatively new twitter account, @Discographies?

This anonymous person (who has already been interviewed by Paste and apparently has some connection to the music world) summarizes an artist's complete discography (studio albums only) in 140 characters or less. The results are always creative and often hilarious. Even at their most bizarre-- like describing Elvis Costello's discography using Woody Allen film titles and phases-- they still seem pretty accurate.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Quote

Weezer: 1 "Remember that nerdy guy from high school?" 2 "The one who couldn't talk to girls?" 3-7 "Why are you still hanging out with him?"

Quote

Elvis Costello: 1-11 "the early funny ones"; 12,13,15,17,24,29 Shadows & Fog; 16,21-23,30 Crimes & Misdemeanors; 14,18-20,25-28 Zelig.

Quote

Pavement: 1 the idea of "a band"; 2 the idea of "an album"; 3 the idea of "songs"; 4 the reality of "a career"; 5 the idea of "going solo."

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The Replacements: 1-4 "A ragtag band of lovable drunken misfits..."; 5-6 "...takes on a big corporate record label..."; 7-8 "...and loses."

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Bob Dylan: 1 Woody; 2, 3 ambition; 4 pot; 5-7 speed; 8-9 pot; 10-11 AJ Weberman; 12-16 booze; 17-19 Jesus; 20-27 pot; 28 death; 29-32 pot.

Quote

Prince: 1-3 foreplay; 4-5 penetration; 6-9 ecstasy; 10-13 afterglow; 14-18 walk of shame; 19-35 occasional late-night booty calls.

The rest I'll leave for your own perusal.

Superchunk

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:31:32 +0000

Beloved rock singers-turned-Americana artists, R&B legends, buzz blog darlings — lots of big releases are coming out this month. Lots of good albums, too. But the one that's scorching my facial hair off is Superchunk's newest, Majesty Shredding; it's their first new full length in almost a decade. The title is apt. It's loud and melodic, and a wonderfully high-energy. It has the nice guitar pop hooks from their turn of the century set of albums meshed with the amp-blowing tempos of their earlier stuff.

NPR's First Listen is streaming it 'til next week.

I don't think it's flawless or anything, but it's an incredibly strong batch of tunes from a great band.

Mavis Staples 2010 album

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:57:24 +0000

Pitchfork has an intriguing report:

Quote

According to Billboard, Tweedy and Staples are working together at Wilco's Chicago studio, the Wilco Loft. And they've recruited a couple of other high-wattage singers to join the sessions: Nora O'Connor and Kelly Hogan, who have worked with Neko Case. The album should come out on Anti- this year.

Heart - Red Velvet Car

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:27:56 +0000

Just stopping by to say that I heard this yesterday and I'm not ashamed to say I enjoyed it.

It's great to hear Ann and Nancy singing together again. They still sound strong. Great to hear them just doing what they do without any attempts to make themselves sound younger, without any attempts to reinvent themselves. It's refreshing when artists allow themselves to age gracefully and stick to their strengths. Anne's been a big fan for decades, so if it weren't for her I might never have given this a chance.

So, if you've ever liked Heart, you can proceed without fear.

Arcade Fire-- The Suburbs

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:19:28 +0000

Billboard reports on the new Arcade Fire album, which is produced by Markus Dravs (who appeared on Neon Bible and who has also worked with Coldplay, Bjork, Peter Gabriel, Joseph Arthur, Brian Eno, James, Depeche Mode, etc.)

[Lame side note: I always get Markus Dravs confused with Marius De Vries, who has also worked with Bjork as well as U2, Annie Lennox, Rufus Wainwright, etc.]

Elvis Costello - National Ransom

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:22:19 +0000

Costello's new one, out in November, is produced by T-Bone Burnett, and has guest spots from Buddy Miller, Marc Ribot, and Vince Gill. Here's hoping it holds together better than Sweet/Profane/Sugarcane did.

Andrew Bird - Noble Beast

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:49:40 +0000

One of my great musical heroes, Andrew Bird, returns with a new studio album, Noble Beast, on January 27, out on Fat Possum. And you can now hear the album's first song, "Oh No," thanks to the good people at Pitchfork/Stereogum.

The tracklisting:

01 Oh No
02 Masterswarm
03 Fitz and the Dizzyspells
04 Effigy
05 Tenuousness
06 Nomenclature
07 Not a Robot, But a Ghost
08 Anonanimal
09 Natural Disaster
10 Confess
11 Souverian
12 On Ho!

Black Dub - 2010 album

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:11:02 +0000

Latest newsletter from Lanois:

Quote

For the last 10 months I’ve been dedicated to my new band, Black Dub. I see this project as an outlet for my most inventive work. The recordings are done and they sound great. We’re looking to have the first Black Dub album released in May, and then to hit the road on tour. I know many of you have seen the films on YouTube, and thank you for your kind comments – many more to come.

The Black Dub films are a fine example of our one camera, one shot philosophy. The camera captures musical magic as seen through the eyes of one individual – Adam Vollick. Through Vollick’s pure form we hope you will feel like a part of the band.

I very much appreciate any help in spreading the gospel of this new work. Encouragement is always welcome. ...

Jenny and Johnny

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:02:59 +0000

The debut album from the Jenny Lewis/Johnathan Rice duo-- called I'm Having Fun Now-- is streaming at NPR.

Personally, I thought Jenny sounded like she was having plenty of fun on Acid Tongue, an album I still play pretty frequently. But yeah, this one's the most carefree, free-spirited thing she's ever been involved with, I think. It's less rooted in folk and classic rock, more in New Wave, Beach Boys harmonies, and 80s pop. It's fun and energetic, the lyrics are typically smart and punny, and she and Johnny have voices that play off of each other nicely. Very much worthwhile.

Welcome to the Welcome Wagon

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:04:32 +0000

I thought this album deserved a thread of it's own. There have been mentions elsewhere like in the Sufjan Stevens and Anathallo threads but this unique take on gospel needs a good shout. Quirkey, spiritual, moving, challenging, musical, a real treat for the spirit, soul and body (only if you are tripartide in belief though). Old gospel songs, covers of Velvet Underground and the Smiths, truly original in its take, and of course produced by that man Sufjan. This deserves a listen and the world will seem full of sunshine once again. And alot more Jesus too. And they are at Greenbelt this year too, cannot wait for the live experience. One of the albums of the year.

Treme season one soundtrack

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:28:50 +0000

This has been quite a year for New Orleans music-- so why quit now? Here's the tracklist:

Quote

1. TREME SONG (MAIN TITLE VERSION) - JOHN BOUTTÉ
2. FEEL LIKE FUNKIN' IT UP (LIVE STREET MIX) - REBIRTH BRASS BAND
3. I HOPE YOU'RE COMIN' BACK TO NEW ORLEANS - THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ VIPERS
4. SKOKIAAN - KERMIT RUFFINS & THE BARBECUE SWINGERS
5. OOH POO PAH DOO - TROMBONE SHORTY & JAMES ANDREWS
6. DRINKA LITTLE POISON (4 U DIE) - SOUL REBELS BRASS BAND & JOHN MOONEY
7. WE MADE IT THROUGH THAT WATER - FREE AGENTS BRASS BAND
8. SHAME SHAME SHAME - STEVE ZAHN & FRIENDS
9. MY INDIAN RED - DR. JOHN
10. AT THE FOOT OF CANAL STREET - JOHN BOUTTE, PAUL SANCHEZ, GLEN DAVID ANDREWS, & NEW BIRTH BRASS BAND
11. BUONA SERA - LOUIS PRIMA
12. NEW ORLEANS BLUES - TOM McDERMOTT & LUCIA MICARELLI
13. I DON'T STAND A GHOST OF A CHANCE WITH YOU -- MICHIEL HUISMAN, LUCIA MICARELLI, & WENDELL PIERCE
14. INDIAN RED (Wild Man Memorial) - MARDI GRAS INDIANS
15. INDIAN RED - DONALD HARRISON
16. TIME IS ON MY SIDE - IRMA THOMAS & ALLEN TOUSSAINT
17. THIS CITY - STEVE EARLE
18. JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE - TREME BRASS BAND
19. MY DARLIN' NEW ORLEANS - LEIGH "LI'L QUEENIE" HARRIS