Americana Music Releases for the week of Nov. 23th, 2009

Here are some of the better Americana music releases for the week of November 24th, 2009.   Things are starting to slow down… this week is mostly imports, but good stuff.  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.

BLUE RODEO – The Things We Left Behind (Phantom Sound & Vision)
This is a 2-CD Canadian import from Canada’a best “Americana” band,  they’ll release a US version in January.

LITTLE KASEY CHAMBERS & THE LOST MUSIC – Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill And The Little Hillbillies
Deluxe Australian CD + book release from the chart-topper and mother of two.  An album of family friendly songs recorded with father Bill Chambers (Poppa Bill) and the Little Hillbillies plus a gorgeous children’s book entitled ‘Little Kasey Chambers and The Lost Music’.  Contains 16 family-friendly songs in a full color hard cover CD sized book plus a bonus CD featuring an audio reading of the book by Kasey.

HEAD, HANDS AND FEET – Tracks (Import)
Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this 1971 album from the British band led by Albert Lee before he replaced James Burton in Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band.

THE TENNESSEE BOLTSMOKERS – Vintage All American Dream (Madjack)
Third release from this  left of center bluegrass band.   “The idea for the record really started with the title track, which I wrote after spending a day at a flea market thumbing through old vinyl collections and browsing a few thrift shops for some snap shirts and jeans.”

Various Artists – Dim Lights, Thick Smoke & Hillbilly Music: Country & Western Hit Parade 1951 (Bear Family)
This is one of 5 single disc releases on the famous and pricey German label.

TOM WAITS – Glitter and Doom Live (Anti-)
From 2008’s southern US tour,  17 performances hand picked by Waits from along the tour.  Nice deluxe packaging with photo booklet and a 2 CD called “Tom’s Tales” which is his between song banter and stories.  Amazon has a great price…

…coming soon: JIMMY BUFFETT, NEIL YOUNG, (both coming out Dec. 8th)… more new releases.

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

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Freight Train Boogie Podcast #47

Show #47 features the new CD by DAVE RAWLINGS MACHINE called A Friend of a Friend.  Also new releases from  CORRINNE WEST and STEVEN CASPER & COWBOY ANGST. The full playlist is posted below.  Here’s the iTunes link to subscribe or download the show and here’s 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 #47

DAVE RAWLINGS MACHINE - How’s About You A Friend of a Friend
DOUG & TELISHA WILLIAMS -  Kitchen Light Ghost of the Knoxville Girl
GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS – Still Lost Channels
CHRIS SMITHER – I Told You So Time Stands Still
(mic break)
CORRINNE WEST – Lily Ann The Promise
JOHNSON’S CROSSROAD – Those Lonesome Blues Blood in Black and White
MATT URMY – Renaissance Rodeo New Season Comin’ (East Nashville, Volume 3)
DAVE RAWLINGS MACHINE - Sweet Tooth A Friend of a Friend
(mic break)
STONE RIVER BOYS – Bluebonnet Blue (EP)
BETTY SOO – Get Clean Heat Sin Water Skin
THE COALMEN – Houston Memory Kids With Songs
STEVEN CASPER & COWBOY ANGST – Takes Me Back Topanga Ranch Motel
(mic break)
DAVE RAWLINGS MACHINE - Bells Of Harlem A Friend of a Friend

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Americana Music Releases for the week of Nov. 17th, 2009

Here are some of the better Americana music releases for the week of November 17th, 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.

NORAH JONES – The Fall (Blue Note)
Norah has taken a new direction, experimenting with different sounds and a new set of collaborators, including producer Jacquire King,  several songwriting collaborators, including Ryan Adams and Okkervil River’s Will Sheff, as well as her frequent partners Jesse Harris & Richard Julian. Musicians include drummers Joey Waronker  and James Gadson, keyboardist James Poyser, and cool guitarists Marc Ribot  and Smokey Hormel.  Norah even plays some guitar herself.  The 2 songs I’ve heard so far sounded really good!

BETH McKEE – I’m That Way: A Salute to Bobby Charles (Solo2/Burnside)
Beth McKee is a deeply moving Southern singer who loves the music of songwriter Bobby Charles so much she has recorded a whole album of his originals, which just happen to be some of the best songs ever written.  Ranging from “See You Later Alligator” to classics like “But I Do” and “Walkin’ to New Orleans,” right through “Tennessee Blues” and “Last Train to Memphis.”  The center of this music comes from southern Louisiana, great songs, well sung.

DAVID RAWLINGS MACHINE – A Friend of a Friend (Acony)
Just when I thought I’ve had my Top Ten CD’s for the year pretty much settled, along comes Rawlings, Gillian Welch partner and collaborator, with a beautiful debut album. Contributors includes bluegrass band Old Crow Medicine Show, Benmont Tench, and of course, Gillian Welch.  I anticipated a rockin’ set but this is mostly filled with nice acoustic songs featuring a 10 minute version of Conor Oberst’s “Method Acting” melding with Neil Young’s “Cortez The Killer.”  Highly recommended!

DAN ZANES AND FRIENDS – 76 Trombones (Festival Five)
Ex-rocker Zane has made an amazing career out of playing children’s music that adults like too, saving a whole generation from more Raffi songs.  Here he takes on Broadway classics like “Hello Dolly!”, “Gary, Indiana”, and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile.”  Happy and ingenious arrangements are what makes his albums work.  Think Christmas present for friends with young children.

…coming soon: BLUE RODEO, KASEY CHAMBERS, TOM WAITS, THE TENNESSEE BOLTSMOKERS …  more new releases.

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

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Freight Train Boogie Podcast #46

Show #46 features the new CD by SHELLEY KING called Welcome Home … and she’s backed by the subdudes.  Also new releases from  REBECCA TURNER, CHUCK PROPHET and LEEANN ATHERTON. The full playlist is posted below.  Here’s the iTunes link to subscribe or download the show and here’s 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 #46

SHELLEY KING - Everything’s All Right Welcome Home
CHUCK PROPHET - What Can A Mother Do Let Freedom Ring!
NORTON BUFFALO – Lovin’ in the Valley of the Moon Lovin’ in the Valley of the Moon
THE DIXIE BEE-LINERS – Heavy – Susanville
(mic break)
LEEANN ATHERTON – Daily Blues Heart Traveled Road
ERNEST TROOST – Real Music Resurrection Blues
DeSOTO RUST – Six Appeals Highway Gothic
SHELLEY KING - How You Make Me Feel Welcome Home
(mic break)
REBECCA TURNER -Listen Slowpokes
ALLEN THOMPSON - All These Years 26 Years
THE ALLENDALES – Drunkard’s Dream of Immortality Low Morals & High Standards
ANGELA EASTERLING – Big Wide World Blacktop Road
(mic break)
SHELLEY KING - Welcome Home Welcome Home

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Americana Music Releases for the week of Nov. 10th, 2009

Here are some of the better Americana music releases for the week of November 10th, 2009.   A surprising amount of female singers are featured, which is always good!   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.

PIETA BROWN – Shimmer (Red House)
Produced by Don Was, who also plays bass, the only other musician on this 7-song EP is Brown’s husband Bo Ramsey, who is playing his trademark sinewy lead guitar .

CAROLINE HERRING – Golden Apples of the Sun (Signature Sounds)
“Pitched at a point equidistant between honeyed and throaty, her warm, measured tones consistently deliver just the right emotional effect whether she’s transforming the songs of others or bringing her own to the table.” – AllMusic Guide

RICKIE LEE JONES – Balm in Gilead (Fantasy)
I’ve been hearing lots of good things about this new one… she’s overdue!  Includes guest artists Allison Krauss, Ben Harper, Victoria Williams, Bill Frisell and Vic Chestnut.

SHELLEY KING – Welcome Home (Lemonade)
Austin folk/blues singer is backed by members of the subdudes, John Magnie, Tim Cook, & Steve Amedee.  King’s strong soothing voice and  songs are at the forefront of this recording supported by layers of effortless “subdudes” harmony & superb musicianship

MICKY & THE MOTORCARS – Live At Billy Bob’s Texas (Smith Music Group)
Hard-twanging Texas group checks in with thier 5th release, obviously live.

CARRIE RODRIGUEZ – Live In Louisville (Luz Music)
A set recorded while Carrie was opening for Lucinda Williams in April 2007, was recorded at The Brown Theater.

Various Artists – Things About Comin’ My Way: A Tribute to Music Of the Mississippi Sheiks (Black Hen Music)

…coming soon:   DAVID RAWLINGS MACHINE, NORAH JONES, KASEY CHAMBERS, DAN ZANES AND FRIENDS …  more new releases.

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

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Freight Train Boogie Podcast #45

The new CD by DANNY BARNES called Pizza Box is featured on Show #45… it’s released with backup vocals and full support of “big star” DAVE MATTHEWS. Also new releases from MATT HARLAN, JO SERRAPERE and ROSIE FLORES. The full playlist is posted below.  Here’s the iTunes link to subscribe or download the show and here’s 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 #45

DANNY BARNES – Caveman Pizza Box
JO SERRAPERE – Gotham Hotel Love Going South
JOHNSMITH - Jay Bird Gravity of Grace
GREG TROOPER – Angel The Williamsburg Affair
(mic break)
ROSIE FLORES & THE PINE VALLEY COSMONAUTS – Halfway Home Girl of the Century
MATT HARLAN – Elizabethtown Tips & Compliments
THE BLUSHIN’ ROULETTES – That Dream I Had Took to the Country
DANNY BARNES – Broken Clock Pizza Box
(mic break)
ERIC ROBERTSON & THE BOSTON BOYS – You and Me Listen
STEVIE COYLE – She Ain’t Got Me Ten in One
PORTERDAVIS - Smack You Back Porterdavis
SUSAN GIBSON -  Perfect World New Dog, Old Tricks
(mic break)
DANNY BARNES - Overdue Pizza Box

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Americana Music Releases for the week of Nov. 3rd, 2009

Here are some of the better new Americana music releases for the week of November 3rd, 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.

THE DIXIE BEE-LINERS – Susanville (Pinecastle)
A  bluegrass concept album chronicles aspects of driving the open road-destinations, journeys, and stops along the way. A strong tour schedule centered around Columbia Artist Management’s American Revival Tour, a 17 date package tour beginning the weekend of release.

THE EAGLES – Long Road Out Of Eden (Eagles Recording Company)
Village Records says “This is the “wide” release of their Wal-Mart only album from a couple of years ago. They stick to their traditional sound and lace the songs with the decadent melancholy that they perfected on their seventies releases. This budget priced two disc set has a few songs that it could do without, but overall the results make for one of the best albums I’ve heard in years. Cut through the perceptions, high ticket prices and the baggage and you’ll find out why you fell in love with this band nearly forty years ago.”

ARTY HILL & THE LONG GONE DADDYS – Montgomery On My Mind (Cow Island)
This release combines five songs made famous by Hank Williams with three Arty Hill originals, including an ode to the Grand Old Opry’s golden era (“Church On Saturday Night”), and the title track, a contemporary love song set in Hank’s hometown of Montgomery, Alabama.

THE STARLINE RHYTHM BOYS – Masquerade For Heartache (Cow Island)
This recording demonstrates, once again, that the Starline Rhythm Boys can hold their own with anyone in delivering a scorching live performance. Honky Tonk, Rockabilly and straight up Country is what they do and they deliver it with a passion and honesty that is surely missing in today’s country music scene.

Various Artists – The Village-A Celebration of the Music of Greenwich Village (Roc-A-Fella)
Various modern day artists look back and pay tribute to the early-60’s folk scene in New York City that included Dylan, Lovin’ Spoonful, Fred Neil and Tim Buckley. A fine group of artists check in with newly recorded songs… Lucinda Williams, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Duhks, Marshall Crenshaw, Los Lobos, Shelby Lynne and others. This link has a fun video to Rickie Lee Jones doing “Subterranean Homesick Blues”

HANK WILLIAMS SR. – Hank Williams:Revealed (Time Life)
At the peak of his career in 1951, Hank Williams recorded 143 songs for the Mother’s Best Flour Company, Hank sang with his regular studio band and recorded his hits as well as songs he never recorded commercially anywhere else. From this amazing legacy, Time Life is proud to release the second 3-disc set Hank Williams: Revealed, another historic 3-CD, 54-track collection drawn from the Mother’s Best recordings.

…coming soon:  MICKY & THE MOTORCARS, CAROLINE HERRING, RICKIE LEE JONES, DAVID RAWLINGS MACHINE, NORAH JONES …  more new releases.

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

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie