Americana Releases for July 7th, 2009

The week after 4th of July weekend here in the States… and things are meager yet major… That is, only a few releases, best-of’s and all, but from some definitive alt.country bands. Here’s some of the new releases for the  week of July 7th, 2009.  The artist’s names link to their websites or MySpace pages and the CD title links go to either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering.

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – Live From Austin Texas (New West)
Part of the Live From Austin City Limits series. Only Available In A Specially Priced CD/DVD Combo

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS – The Fine Print (A Collection of Oddities and Rarities (New West)
Pretty self explanatory… DBT have been making music together for 13 years resulting in 7 critically acclaimed studio albums. They recently dug into the New West Records vaults and put finishing touches on a selection of songs that were never quite completed.

THE JAYHAWKS – Music from the North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology (Sony Legacy)
Under the guidance of Gary Louris, the first compilation ever released on the Jayhawks is a career-spanning assemblage of 20 signature singles and album tracks. The 20-song career overview will be released separately as a single CD on its own, and as the cornerstone of a deluxe three-disc set.

SON VOLT – American Central Dust (Rounder)
Amazon sez: “The new album exhilaratingly carries on the tradition of the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Little Feat circa Sailin’ Shoes, the Rolling Stones of Exile on Main Street and early R.E.M. Rarely does a musical work so powerfully capture the zeitgeist of its historical moment while also honoring the traditions of rock & roll with such rawboned grace.

…coming soon: GREG BROWN, BRYAN SUTTON, RICK SHEA …  more new releases.

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association’s Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

New Americana Releases for June 30th, 2009

Closing out June and headed for the Independence Day weekend here in the States… Here’s some of the new releases for the  week of June 30th, 2009.  The artist’s names link to their websites or MySpace pages and the CD title links go to either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering.

LEVON HELM – Electric Dirt (Dirt Farmer Music/Vanguard)
Electric Dirt is the 2nd album in the last two years from The Band’s drummer and vocalist, following his near miraculous recovery from throat cancer. Electric Dirt has gospel, blues and vintage country with originals and cover songs like the rousing opener “Tennessee Jed.” Producer  Larry Campbell says, “Our objective here was to take the honesty, innocence and purity of the Dirt Farmer record which represents a true element of what Levon is all about, but also expand on that and explore deeper the goldmine of Levon’s musical artistry”. The Amazon link has a video. Recommended!

STILLHOUSE HOLLOW – Dakota (Me And The Machine)
From the band’s press kit… “When asked about the origins of the band and the songs chosen for their debut, Nathan Griffin, singer and guitarist for Stillhouse Hollow puts it quite simply: “The well was deeper than we first thought….” So too was the band’s beginning”. Nice acoustic stuff.

When asked about the origins of the band and the songs chosen

for their debut, Nathan Griffin, singer and guitarist for Stillhouse Hollow puts it quite simply: “The

well was deeper than we first thought….” So too was the band’s beginning.

TANYA TUCKER – My Turn (Saguaro Road)
Ms. Tanya  takes on some great classic country songs from greats like George Jones, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty and Eddy Arnold and does them splendidly. They brought Pete Anderson (Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked), to produce and play lead guitar.The Amazon link has a video. Good stuff!

WILCO – Wilco (The Album) (Nonesuch)
Wilco’s seventh disc, Wilco (the album), took shape quickly in January ‘09 after the band traveled to Auckland, New Zealand to participate in an Oxfam International benefit project. It features strong melodies and gorgeous, often unabashedly pop (and sometimes borrowed) arrangements. From someone who’s lost interest in the band’s recent efforts, this CD sounds pretty sweet.

…coming soon: SON VOLT, THE JAYHAWKS, GREG BROWN …  more new releases.

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association’s Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Freight Train Boogie Podcast #31

Show #31  features Alright Dynamite, the 2nd CD from KENDALL CARSON. Also new songs from PATTERSON HOOD and THE KIERAN RIDGE BAND. The full playlist is posted below.  Here’s the iTunes link to subscribe or download the show and here’s the link to the direct download link to listen right now on your computer. Check the artist’s websites and order their CD’s or downloads and tell ‘em you heard the songs on the FTB podcast.Please email me with any questions, comments or suggestions for the podcasts.

Show #31

KENDAL CARSON - Belt Buckle Alright Dynamite
ADAM HOOD – Different Groove Different Groove
BUCKTOWN KICKBACK - Country Party Rock Fiction Pickin’
THE BELIEVERS – Ring, Ring, Ring Lucky You
(mic break)
PATTERSON HOOD – Granddaddy Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs)
ADAM CARROLL – Black Flag Blues Old Town Rock n Roll
ISRAEL NASH GRIPKA – You Were Right New York Town
KENDAL CARSON - Seven Shadows on My Golden Roses Alright Dynamite
(mic break)
THE KIERAN RIDGE BAND – Life Is Hard & Love’s Unfair Already Gone
THE REFUGEES – Unbound Unbound
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY – Cherokee Fiddle Buckaroo Blue Grass
THE LOOSE ACOUSTIC TRIO – New Seeds Sorrow Be Gone
(mic break)
KENDAL CARSON - Oh Baby Lie Down Alright Dynamite

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Americana Releases for June 23rd, 2009

Here’s some of the new releases for the  week of June 23rd, 2009.  The artist’s names link to their websites or MySpace pages and the CD title links go to either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering.

KENDAL CARSON - Alright Dynamite (Train Wreck)
2nd solo album from this young fiddle player, and the second woman who Chip Taylor has taken “under his wing”. He produced the album and wrote most of the songs.

SHAWN COLVIN - Live (Nonesuch)
Along with original songs from five studio albums, Colvin performs covers of Robbie Robertson’s ‘Twilight’ and Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy.’ She ends on a sweeter, more hopefully romantic note with a version of Talking Heads’ ‘This Must Be the Place.’

PATTERSON HOOD - Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs) (Ruth St.)
Sophomore solo album from the leader of the Drive-By Truckers… who are still together.

JIM LAUDERDALE - Planet of Love (American Beat)
Lauderdale’s 1992 debut was a landmark album in the then-emerging ‘Americana’ and ‘New Country’ movements that took country back to its roots. Featuring “The King of Broken Hearts”. Produced by John Leventhal and Rodney Crowell.

TIFT MERRITT - Buckingham Solo (Fantasy)
Tift’s  first live album is a solo concert that was recorded in November, 2008 at the Radcliffe Centre in Buckingham, England.

CHARLIE ROBISON - Beautiful Day (Dualtone)
It’s challenging not to call this his “divorce album”, so I won’t. But the fact of the matter is Charlie was married to Dixie Chick and it didn’t work out. This is his first release in almost 5 years and it’s great to hear him again.

LEON RUSSELL - Best Of Hank Wilson (R.E.D.)
Leon Russell recorded 4 albums  of classic country covers using the name Hank Wilson, includes three newly recorded bonus tracks. Fun stuff!

…coming soon: LEVON HELM, WILCO, TANYA TUCKER, SON VOLT, THE JAYHAWKS …  more new releases.

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association’s Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Freight Train Boogie Podcast #30

Show #30  features For A Second Time, the new CD from DADDY, featuring Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack. Also new songs from TAYLOR MARTIN and CATHERINE MacLELLAN. The full playlist is posted below.  Here’s the iTunes link to subscribe or download the show and here’s the link to the direct download link to listen right now on your computer. Check the artist’s websites and order their CD’s or downloads and tell ‘em you heard the songs on the FTB podcast.Please email me with any questions, comments or suggestions for the podcasts.

Show #30

DADDY - Nobody From Nowhere For A Second Time
CHUCK MEAD -I Wish It Was Friday Journeyman’s Wager
CATHERINE MacLELLAN – Take A Break Water In The Ground
BOZ SCAGGS – Midnight Dream The Man of Somebody’s Dreams- A Tribute to the Songs of Chris Gaffney
(mic break)
TAYLOR MARTIN – Country? Engine
JENNY REYNOLDS – Whiskey & Pie Next to You
BEN MALLOTT – Midnight and Broke Look Good, Feel Good
DADDY - He Ain’t Right For A Second Time
(mic break)
PHILIP MASORTI – Father’s Eyes Father’s Eyes
ANDY FRIEDMAN & THE OTHER FAILURES – Weary Apology Weary Things
AMY SPEACE – Better The Killer In Me (due June 30th)
DADDY – Love in a Bottle For A Second Time
(mic break)
DADDY – Redemption is the Mother’s Only Son For A Second Time

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Americana Music Releases for June 16th, 2009

Here’s some of the new releases for the  week of June 16th, 2009.  The artist’s names link to their websites or MySpace pages and the CD title links go to either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering.

DADDY – For A Second Time (Cedar Creek)
Featuring Tommy Womack and Will Kimbrough, who share songs and play guitars… with John Deaderick, Paul Griffith, and Dave Jacques. Good Roots Rock with heavy doses of blues and twang… Recommended.

SARAH JAROSZ – Song Up In Her Head (Sugar Hill)
This 18-year old just graduated from high school and released her debut CD with guests like Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, Chris Thile… and she plays everything from mandolin to piano to clawhammer banjo… and she writes and sings great… This girl will not need college! Recommended.

MAURA O’CONNELL – Naked with Friends (Sugar Hill)
Naked With Friends features the Irish singer both alone and alongside an array of other artists. Among the guest singers are Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Kate Rusby, Paul Brady, Mary Black, Jerry Douglas, Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott. “On this album,” O’Connell says, “I just wanted to capture the feeling of joy that comes from people singing together.”

RHONDA VINCENT – Destination Life (Rounder)
The seven time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year returns with a stellar lineup of new, original and classic bluegrass songs.

HANK WILLIAMS JR. – 127 Rose Avenue (Curb)
From Amazon… “Though he was the son of a Country Music legend, Hank Jr. has managed to carve out his own career in the same genre as his father while remaining unique and independent.” Although somewhat repetitive…

HOLLY WILLIAMS – Here With Me (Mercury Nashville)
Granddaughter of the real Hank, daughter of Hank Jr. The Amazon link has a video. She’s pretty good and would be better with less pop/country production.

…coming soon:  CHARLIE ROBISON, PATTERSON HOOD, TIFT MERRITT, KENDAL CARSON …  more new releases.

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association’s Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Freight Train Boogie Podcast #29

Show #29  features the new CD by DAVE ALVIN AND THE GUILTY WOMEN, featuring Christy McWilson, Cindy Cashdollar, Nina Gerber, Laurie Lewis, Amy Farris, Sarah Brown and Lisa Pankratz. Also new songs from WEINLAND, OWEN TEMPLE and LIL’ MO AND THE MONICATS. The full playlist is posted below.  Here’s the iTunes link to subscribe or download the show and here’s the link to the direct download link to listen right now on your computer. Check the artist’s websites and order their CD’s or downloads and tell ‘em you heard the songs on the FTB podcast.Please email me with any questions, comments or suggestions for the podcasts.

Show #29

DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN – California’s Burning Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women
OWEN TEMPLE – Broken Heart Land Dollars and Dimes
THE DERAILERS - Bad, Bad Girl Guaranteed to Satisfy
LIL’ MO AND THE MONICATS – I Could Get Used To This On The Moon
(mic break)
DAVID LUTES - Love In The Hard Times Big Top: Volumes 1 & 2
THE GREENCARDS - Outskirts of Blue Fascination
DAVID GRISSOM – True Love Don’t Work That Way 10,000 Feet
DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN - Marie, Maire Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women
(mic break)
DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN- Potter’s Field Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women
BUDDY & JULIE MILLER – Ellis County Written In Chalk
GRANT LANGSTON – 30 Days Stand Up Man
WEINLAND – Hardly Worth Saving Breaks in the Sun
(mic break)
DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN - These Times We’re Living In Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Americana Releases for June 9th, 2009

Here’s some of the new releases for the  week of June 9th, 2009.  The artist’s names link to their websites or MySpace pages and the CD title links go to either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering.

NANCI GRIFFITH - The Loving Kind (Rounder)
This is Griffith’s first studio album of original and  cover songs since 2005’s Hearts In Mind. Her classic sound – folk/country melodies built around stories that tackle big subjects – returns in full bloom on the album, her most politically outspoken release in years.

PETER HOLSAPPLE & CHRIS STAMEY - Here And Now (Bar None)
“hERE aND nOw” is the first new collaboration in almost two decades by Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, the acclaimed songwriters of the dB’s. Peter and Chris grew up together in Winston-Salem, NC, and started playing music together in middle school—and have really never stopped. Tasty melodic pop music… recommended.

RHETT MILLER - Rhett Miller (Shout! Factory)
Miller is the lead singer with The Old 97’s and so this pretty much sounds like an Old 97’s album with a little less twang…

TODD SNIDER - The Excitement Plan (Yep Roc)
One of the best and goofiest singer-songwriters out there today. He went to LA for this one to record with producer Don Was and Greg Leitz and Jim Keltner. Snider says  ”This music is sorta JJ Cale meets Jerry Jeff Walker sounding with words that would hopefully impress Shel Silverstein, Bobby Bare, Chuck Berry, Kris Kristofferson or Randy Newman.”  Pretty much a slam dunk for fans of this music!

OWEN TEMPLE – Dollars and Dimes (El Paisano)
the fifth studio record from Austin, Texas-based songwriter Owen Temple, is a collection of eleven songs about people making their way through hard times in the different regions of North America. He’s good.

…coming soon:  RHONDA VINCENT,  HOLLY WILLIAMS, MAURA O’CONNELL, HANK WILLIAMS JR., CHARLIE ROBISON …  more new releases.

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association’s Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Freight Train Boogie Podcast #28

Show #28  features the new CD by the RED STICK RAMBLERS, they’re from Louisiana and play Cajun, country, swing and much more. Also new songs from COLIN LINDEN, WESTERLY and JESSICA STILES. The full playlist is posted below. Please feel free to check the artist’s websites and order their CD’s or downloads and tell ‘em you heard the songs on the FTB podcast. Here’s the iTunes link to subscribe or download the show and here’s the link to the direct download page. Please email me with any questions, comments or suggestions for the podcasts.

Show #28

RED STICK RAMBLERS – Drinkin’ To You My Suitcase Is Always Packed
TOM CATMULL AND THE CLERICS – The New One Glamour Puss
JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT – Streetlights Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
MISSY RAINES & THE NEW HIP - Basket of Singing Birds Inside Out
(mic break)
COLIN LINDEN – From The Water From The Water
THE HOLLYFELDS - Hey 52  Black Heart Blue
WAYNE HANCOCK – Throwin’ Away My Money  Viper Of Melody
RED STICK RAMBLERS – My Suitcase Is Always Packed  My Suitcase Is Always Packed
(mic break)
JESSICA STILES - Carousel EP
RICHARD SHINDELL – State of the Union Not Far Now
WESTERLY – Every Word This Lonesome Town
SON VOLT – Down To The Wire American Central Dust (due July 7th)
(mic break)
RED STICK RAMBLERS – Lay Down in the Grass  My Suitcase Is Always Packed

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Americana Music Releases for June 2nd, 2009

Here’s some of the  new releases for the first week of June, 2009.  The artist’s names link to their websites or MySpace pages and the CD title links go to either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering.

RYAN BINGHAM – Roadhouse Sun (Lost Highway)
Ryan Bingham has spent most of his life on the road, first on the rough-and-tumble rodeo circuit, then moving from town to town on the equally volatile roadhouse musical circuit. Those travels have given him plenty of material to draw from – and plenty of reason to stop for a moment to dig in his heels and take a stand.

ELVIS COSTELLO – Secret, Profane & Sugarcure (Hear Music)
This an all-acoustic album  produced by T BONE BURNETt, who produced his last CD recorded in Nashville, 1986’s  King Of America. Musicians include Jerry Douglas (dobro), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Mike Compton (mandolin), Jeff Taylor (accordion) and Dennis Crouch (double bass). Jim Lauderdale  supplies harmonies and Loretta Lynn and Emmylou Harris sing on a track each. A vinyl edition will contain two additional tracks, an arrangement of Lou Reed’s “Femme Fatale” and Costello’s sequel to the old Appalachian murder ballad, “Omie Wise”, entitled, “What Lewis Did Last”. Recommended!

THE RICHIE FURAY BAND – Alive-The Deluxe Edition (Friday Music)
This is a re-issue 2 CD-set of a previously released live CD. Richie was in Buffalo Springfield and Poco and does many of those songs here.

MELISSA McCLELLAND – Victoria Day (Six Shooter)
Canadian singer delivers her third album, masterfully delivering rebel-rouser guitars in 1950s Hollywood- style infused with a southern-country twang.

NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE – Where I Come From (Woodstock)
Only David Nelson and Buddy Cage remain from the original New Riders… and actually the late Jerry Garcia was the real original steel guitarist on the classic 1971 album. This CD doesn’t exactly knock me out…

NEIL YOUNG – Neil Young Archives, Vol. 1: 1963-1972 (Reprise)
This is the first volume of the Neil Young Archives series of box sets, produced by Neil himself.  Volume I covers the period from his earliest recordings with the Squires in Winnipeg, 1963, through to his classic 1972 album, Harvest and beyond, including studio and live tracks with the  Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Neil Young with Crazy Horse. This CD edition contains 8 discs, each in its own custom sleeve, with a total of 116 tracks, and featuring over 40 previously unreleased songs, versions, mixes, or rare tracks. This edition is housed in a custom disc keeper holding the 8 sleeved discs, a descriptive booklet, and a foldout archives poster. Not a bad  for 70 bucks if you love Mr. Young.

…coming soon:  TODD SNIDER,  NANCI GRIFFITH, RHETT MILLER, PETER HOLSAPPLE & CHRIS STAMEY …  more new releases.

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association’s Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie