This site will be abolished soon… The new Americana Boogie website can now be found at http://www.americanaboogie.com/
Here’s what’s new in the way of Americana and roots-type music for the week of May 31st, 2011. 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 Freight Train Boogie podcast playlists with players and iTunes links are now posted at FTBpodcasts.com.
THE BLASTERS – Live 1986 (S’More)
Phil & Dave Alvin and the original Blasters could rock harder than any band on earth. From what I’ve heard this was one of those good nights. Recorded after their Hard Line album, which one of their best. Four tracks from that CD are featured here along with a couple of obscure covers. Dave Alvin has a new one called Eleven Eleven due June 21st and he called on some Blasters including his brother Phil, with whom he duets for the first time ever on record.
FRANK FAIRFIELD – Out on the Open West (Tompkins Square)
Frank Fairfield may have an old folk sound, but he’s just 24, and he hails from California’s central valley — not Appalachia. He plays banjo and fiddle music, and has opened for acts such as Fleet Foxes. With his Brylcreem-parted hair and high-waisted pants, he brings an old-time aesthetic to his old-time music. Fairfield says he thinks the banjo’s reputation has suffered as of late, but argues that it can be a sweet and warm instrument. He adds that playing American folk music was a natural place to start for him. “I’m just picking up where [music] left off and just keep playing and see what happens from there,” he says.
THE SWEETBACK SISTERS - Looking for a Fight (Signature Sounds)
The rollicking country swing of the Sweetback Sisters is as infectious as it is heartbreaking. Like their pseudo-sister role models, the Davis Sisters, Emily Miler & Zara Bode sing country songs in close harmony and signature matching dresses. Their repertoire combines several of the Sisters’ passions, country music from before they were born and new interpretations of those traditions, to create a fresh take on what it means to be country. They combine choice covers with some truly fine originals all wrapped in a tasteful package. Highly recommended! (edited from their website)
Also new this week…
RICK DANKO – Live at The Tin Angel (double CD, recorded in 1999)
FRANK FAIRFIELD – Out on the Open West (Tompkins Square)
MY MORNING JACKET – Circuital (ATO)
JOHN REISHMAN & THE JAYBIRDS – Vintage & Unique (Corvus)
J.D. SOUTHER – Natural History (Entertainment One)
Coming soon… JOE ELY, ROD PICOTT, JOE ELY, THE FAREWELL DRIFTERS, GENE WATSON & RHONDA VINCENT, BLACKIE AND THE RODEO KINGS, JONOTHAN EDWARDS, THE GREENCARDS, … more new releases
Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association Americana Airplay Chart
Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie
