As Dallas Wayne was introducing a song on Outlaw Country, he mentioned the Robert Earl Keen had started out playing bluegrass - an anecdote I had never heard before. Whether true or not, REK is hardcore on bluegrass now having just released Happy Prisoner - The Bluegrass Sessions. I've heard several of the songs on Outlaw Country - principally the opening track "Hot Corn Cold Corn" and "East Virginia Blues". Even with the bluegrass arrangements, REK's unique vocals and demeanor are clearly recognizable. . The song choices also standout with "Vincent Black Lightning" (compare with Del McCoury), "Long Black Veil", "Wayfaring Stranger" (w/ Natalie Maines), and "T For Texas" (w/ Lyle Lovett). And Bluegrass favorite, Peter Rowan, joins in on "Walls of Time". I mean, what's not to like. Looking forward to listening for another 30 years of REK. Pair with College Station's Blackwater Draw Brewing Company or New Republic Brewing. Cheers.
Joog: The term juke, as in Juke Joint or Juke Box, is believed to derive from the Gullah word joog, meaning rowdy or disorderly. This is the blog for MyJoog.com - a listing of live music that anyone can update. Here we will focus on artists, venues, and shows that we experience through our travels. Visit MyJoog.com to find live music in your area. You can contact us at info (at) myjoog.com.
Showing posts with label Lyle Lovett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lyle Lovett. Show all posts
Monday, February 16, 2015
Robert Earl Keen Goes Back to Bluegrass Roots in Happy Prisoner
As Dallas Wayne was introducing a song on Outlaw Country, he mentioned the Robert Earl Keen had started out playing bluegrass - an anecdote I had never heard before. Whether true or not, REK is hardcore on bluegrass now having just released Happy Prisoner - The Bluegrass Sessions. I've heard several of the songs on Outlaw Country - principally the opening track "Hot Corn Cold Corn" and "East Virginia Blues". Even with the bluegrass arrangements, REK's unique vocals and demeanor are clearly recognizable. . The song choices also standout with "Vincent Black Lightning" (compare with Del McCoury), "Long Black Veil", "Wayfaring Stranger" (w/ Natalie Maines), and "T For Texas" (w/ Lyle Lovett). And Bluegrass favorite, Peter Rowan, joins in on "Walls of Time". I mean, what's not to like. Looking forward to listening for another 30 years of REK. Pair with College Station's Blackwater Draw Brewing Company or New Republic Brewing. Cheers.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Guy Clark - My Favorite Picture Of You
This week I finally purchased master songwriter Guy Clark's latest CD, My Favorite Picture Of You, for a mere $5 through Amazon. It had been four years since his last release of new material and that period has been difficult for the 72 year old. Just check out the cover. That's a photo of his late wife, Susanna, after she found her husband drunk with Townes Van Zandt.The love of his life passed away in 2012 and My Favorite Picture Of You displays the heartache Clark must feel: A curse on your lips but all I can see / Is beautiful. All the songs were either written or co-written by Clark, except for Lyle Lovett's "The Waltzing Fool". You will also hear some wonder harmonies supplied by Morgane Stapleton - listen to "Cornmeal Waltz", "Good Advice", and the title track. But don't get distracted by the simple beauty of these songs - they have meaning. For instance maybe that Good Advice isn't your place to give; or how dangerous illegal immigration can be for immigrants in “El Coyote”. My favorite track is the last, the blues infused “I’ll Show Me" co-written with Rodney Crowell. The song showcases Clark's talents as a guitarist in addition to his songwriting abilities -> plus more harmonies from Stapleton. Pair with Big Bend Brewing Co, located not far from Clark's birthplace of Monahans, Texas.
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