Here are some of the better new Americana music releases for the week of October 20th, 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.
DANNY BARNES – Pizza Box (ATO)
From the Bad Livers, “banjo player and much more” Barnes got big help from Dave Matthews who not only sings on a few songs but also put out the album on his own label. This is the most developed and realized stuff he’s ever released.
SAM BUSH – Circles Around Me (Sugar Hill)
Sam is a monster mandolinist and he defined “newgrass” over 20 years ago, influencing 100’s of acoustic jam bands. This 14-song set includes appearances by Del McCoury, Edgar Meyer, Jerry Douglas and, thanks to the discovery of an old demo, New Grass Revival co-founder Courtney Johnson (posthumously).
LYLE LOVETT – Natural Forces (Curb)
Lyle is one of the most consistent and quirkiest Americana artists. Always performing with a talented group of musicians. Natural Forces showcases his songwriting alongside songs from such Texas writers as Eric Taylor, David Ball, Vince Bell, Robert Earl Keen, and the legendary Townes Van Zandt. He’s always tasty!
KEB’ MO’ – Live & Mo’ (Yolabelle International)
This a live release on his own label. Four new studio tracks are also included with a nice song called “A Brand New America.”
TIMOTHY B. SCHMIDT – Expando (Lost Highway)
The bass player from the Eagles and Poco hasn’t put out a new release in many years. Joined by guests like The Blind Boys of Alabama, Graham Nash, Dwight Yoakam, Kid Rock, Keb’ `Mo, Van Dyke Parks, and Greg Leisz. It’s mix of nice ballads, over-produced pop and few really nice tracks.
…coming soon: CHIP TAYLOR, THE DEL McCOURY BAND, CHUCK PROPHET … more new releases.
Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association’s Americana Airplay Chart
Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie
I came over the hill that overlooks Speedway Meadow, where the Banjo Stage is, and it caught my breath for a moment. The huge stage and the really huge crowd… It was that magical time again, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has arisen in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The weather was quite warm, a light breeze from the coast felt good. Last year’s Friday afternoon show featured ROBERT PLANT and ALISON KRAUSS was a big draw, but this crowd looked at least a third larger. If it wasn’t before, the word is definitely out about Warren Hellman’s little free festival. The weekend crowds should be immense with more warm weather expected.
After a half-hour break LYLE LOVETT AND HIS LARGE BAND took the stage. His band is a little less large these days without a horn section and back-up singer FRANCINE REED, but they still sounded great and the sound mix was excellent. Playing many of his popular numbers like ” Here I Am” and “If I Had A Boat.” He played some new songs from his upcoming CD, including the title song “Natural Forces” which he said he wrote while watching a football game. Another new tune, seemingly entitled “Keep It In The Pantry” was full of comical sexual innuendo as only Lyle often can. It was getting pretty dark and cold by 7:15 when he returned for an encore of “Church.”
After getting back to the car I headed to the Velo Rouge Cafe, just northeast of the park, to catch a showcase of local country and folk musicians. The tiny place was packed, (probably half full of musicians), and it was a great party. The Bay Area twang music community is hip and friendly. I ran into many more people that I knew than I expected. Planting myself in the back near the kitchen, I ordered some food and was feeling quite comfortable. Over 20 acts each did just two songs each and then they squeezed through the crowd to let the next group on. With this kind of show cover songs are always a good choice. One band did Lambert, Hendrick & Ross’ “Twisted” complete with tap dancing. The COWLICKS with JAMES NASH from THE WAYBACKS took on David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” (Major Tom) with much encouragement from the crowd. I realized that to try to get across town to Market Street to try to find parking anywhere near Market Street’s Cafe du Nord was a silly idea. A good lesson for a whole weekend full of great music choices: stay where you’re happy and having a good time. Saturday’s going to be a full day.
