CLAY vs. LEVI: Round 2 at Jammin Java

The other night I attended the Clay vs Levi Round 2 featuring Levi Lowrey and Clay Cook at Jammin Java and with only a few shows left, I highly recommend seeing if they are preforming in your area. Rock, paper scissors determines who starts the show and afterwards they alternate songs. And while one leads, the other accompanies. They two have great chemistry - seems very natural - which makes this "contest" work. Some of the songs Lowrey played came from his latest self-titled CD (also highly recommended) although my favorite was All American - perhaps an updated version of Uneasy Rider. Lowrey plays either the fiddle or acoustic guitar, while Clay comes prepared with the pedal steel and acoustic and electric guitars.Cook is also pedaling a new release, North Star, which I hope to have reviewed soon. Go out and see these two fight it out. Cheers.

Free Songs from Dean Fields - Any Minute Now

Recently I signed up on Dean Fields newsletter and received a link for free songs from his latest release Any Minute Now.  These are honest songs some with soothing backing vocals; others with a soothing string orchestra. This is simply an enjoyable collection of songs.Check out Fields tour schedule because in the next few weeks he is scheduled to appear with Levi Lowrey, Ari Hest, and Matthew Mayfield.

Levi Lowrey & Friends Fire Up an Awesome CD

Levi Lowrey first crossed our radar a few years back, when he replaced Bryan Simpson for a short stint with Cadillac Sky. Yes, that period was short, but Lowrey says it was not only beneficial to his career, "but it was even better for my personal life. I made lifelong friends during that time." Once Cadillac Sky diss-banded, Lowrey returned to songwriting -- at times collaborating with Zac Brown and Clay Cook.

With all this material, he recently spent two weeks at the Southern Ground Studios in Nashville recording and collaborating with a stellar set of musicians including Cook, fiddler Ross Holmes (Mumford & Sons/Cadillac Sky), Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers), and the acclaimed Mac McAnally. Even former Cadillac Sky members Matt Menefe and Bryan Simpson joined the party. Add in Zac Brown acting as the executive producer along with co-producers Matt Mangano and Cook and that's a nice pedigree for a final product.  The self titled album official release date is February 25th but I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy. 

I've been listening for a couple weeks now and one of the beauties of this album is how diverse each song sounds. Lowrey responds that "Every song has a different personality. I don't like to get in the way. My band and I like to let the songs go where they want to go." The diversity is not only the songwriting but the style - rock, country, blues, gospel, bluegrass - bits and pieces of each genre are well represented.  And there's power and purpose to the music - it makes ya think.

The opening track, Picket Fences (makes a solid defense when you just want to go back home), is a rhythmic rockn' song with jammin' guitar solos. The rest of the album is Lowrey laying out his soul. Everyone who's had a bad year - or two - can relate to December Thirty-One (It's been a long year) and as a parent of a boy - Trying Not To Die - hits home. That Is All is a rootsy blues number with a powerful finish, sandwiched between two ballads that feature Lowrey's steady vocals. Want some alternative gospel? I've Held The Devil's Hand. The most powerful song is Urge for Leaving - a biographical tale on the hurdles of having basically three parents - just listen.  And keep listening to the end as the album finishes with a wonderful ballad in What She Don't Know, my new anthem, Barely Getting By, and some flying fiddles and guitar in Flywheel and more rock n' roll in War Pigs. This is a awesome album period, and for someone like me that enjoys all genres of music - much appreciated.

Lowrey has a several tours scheduled this year in support of the album, starting with a stint opening for the Zac Brown Band and a CD release party at one of his favorite venues the Red Clay Theatre in Duluth, GA on the 25th. Then in April his calendar has aligned with Clay's for a CLAY vs. LEVI: ROUND 2 tour where "We will both walk out on that stage. But only one of us will walk out with the title. You know what I'm talkin' about, Mean Gene!!?". Yes I do Hulk Hogan and I'm looking forward to the match on April 9th at Jammin Java. And while listening, Lowrey recommends pairing with Nashville's Yazoo Brewing Company, in particular, their Gerst Amber Ale -"At least, it was used in the recording process." Cheers.

A Plethora of New Music in the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine's Trail Mix

Last month we stumbled upon Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine's Trail Mix series where they feature musicians tailored for the great outdoors. We have recently reviewed many of these songs or they are waiting in our cue for a later review. (Annie Ford Band, Chase Gassaway - Certain Circles, The Farewell Drifters - Tomorrow Forever, Levi Lowrey, Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, Charlie Parr, The Steel Wheels, and Travis Book) Put them in your cue now - we guarantee you will enjoy it. Click the images to download the entire month's songs or each link for single mp3. Cheers.

1. Odessa – I Will Be There
2. Adrian Krygowski – Roam
3. Cahalen Morrison and Eli West – James is Out
4. Charlie Parr – Clearlake
5. Chase Gassaway – Feeling Good
6. Dirk Powell – Rollin’ Round This Town
7. Drive-By Truckers – Pauline Hawkins
8. Hurray For The Riff Raff – I Know It’s Wrong
9. Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coalition – White Angel
10. Lake Street Dive – Bad Self Portraits
11. Levi Lowrey – Picket Fences
12. Lydia Loveless – To Love Somebody
13. Naomi Wachira – Burn Me
14. Nate Jones – Another Night, Another Town
15. Nicole Atkins – Girl You Look Amazing
16. Peggy Sue – Idle
17. Robert Ellis – Only Lies
18. Scott Biram – When I Die.mp3
19. St. Paul & The Broken Bones – Call Me
20. The Deer Run Drifters – Burn
21. The Far West – On The Road
22. Farewell Drifters – Modern Age

1. Railroad Earth – When the Sun Gets in Your Blood
2. Annie Ford Band – Buick 1966
3. Blackie & The Rodeo Kings – South
4. Elizabeth & The Catapult – Like It Never Happened
5. Iain Matthews – Ghost Changes
6. Leo Welch – Praise His Name
7. Lone Justice – Nothing Can Stop My Loving You
8. Los Lonely Boys – Blame It On Love
9. Mode Moderne – Baby Bunny
10. Sleepy Sun – Galaxy Punk
11. The Blushin’ Roulettes – Purple Clouds
12. The Pixies – Blue Eyed Hexe
13. The Railsplitters – Jackson Town
14. The Sacred Shakers – All Day, All Night
15. The Steel Wheels – Winters Coming
16. Travis Book – 50 Miles of Elbow Room