Album Review: Runaway Dorothy - The Wait

I shouldn't be surprised anymore how many Old Time String or Americana bands keep pooping out of Brooklyn, but I still am. The latest is Runaway Dorothy, a quartet fronted by Dave Parnell (vocals, guitar, harmonica), and including his younger brother Brett “Bert” Parnell (electric guitar), Sam “The Reverend” Gallo (bass), and Evan Mitchell (drums). Interestingly, the band formed a cohesive unit by performing live on NYC subway platforms. That cohesion is on display in their latest release, The Wait. Just listen to Ballad Of A Dead Man or Blue Kentucky Rain. A pretty tight unit. Caroline is another good one as is Come Down. If you are in the DC area, the band is playing this Friday night at Hill Country BBQ. Pair with Brooklyn's Sixpoint Brewery. Cheers.

Progressive Rock Comes Alive with Druckfarben

Are you fans of the classic rock band Yes? That's what I was thinking about while listening to Second Sound, the sophomore album from the Canadian rock band Druckfarben.  And that's before I read their bio and learned that all the members participated in a recreation of the Yes albums Close to the Edge and The Yes Album. Pretty cool. In this release, Progressive Rock is still kicking - and pretty cool to listen to these original songs that seem straight from the 70's. The harmonies are tight, elements of classical music are present, and there's one extremely long finale - the 19 minute title track. Liberated Dream is my favorite delivering a little psychedelic funk to the picture, with An Answer Dreaming close behind. Pair with Toronto's Black Creek Historic Brewery. Cheers.

Standing Room Only for Ray Wylie Hubbard at the Bamboo Room

My Spring Break and Ray Wylie Hubbard tour scheduled collided in Lake Worth Florida at the Bamboo Room - one of my favorite south Florida music venues. Unfortunately for me and four other fans, the show sold out just prior to our arrival. After moping for a few minutes our fortunes changed as a fellow walked out with exactly five tickets from a group no-show. Hallelujah. We entered just minutes before Hubbard walked onstage - accompanied by his son Luke and percussionist Kyle Snider.

This was my first live viewing of Hubbard and there were no disappointments. He was engaging, humorous, insightful, and just plain enjoyable. He played popular and not as popular, covered Choctaw Bingo, and his songs covered by others. You get a strong sense of his commitment to country and Chicago blues with many references to Lightning Hopkins and Holwling Wolf.  Of course there was Mother Hubbard's Blues and Snake Farm and a couple from his latest The Grifters Hymnal. I could see why he's proud of his son Luke, the boy can play the electric guitar and Snider kept the trio in check.  A pretty awesome evening. Paired with locally brewed  Due South Brewing Company Category 3 IPA. Cheers. 

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.

25 years with Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys - What A Dream It’s Been

Can't believe Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys have been performing for 25 years, but it's true. And to celebrate their Silver anniversary they released What A Dream It’s Been, an all acoustic, newly re-arranged, sample of their favorite releases.  Thus fans will hear some of their favorite roots, swing, rockabilly, and traditional country music - for me, Parts Unknown is the one.  However, the entire collection is a winner; love the acoustic picking in Nothing to Lose and This Ain't a Good Time, the duet in the title track, the country tone in Glad When I'm Gone, and of course the tardy wisdom in If I Knew Now (What I Knew Then). Pair with Southern California's Stone Brewing Company. Cheers.

Jeff Black's "Folklore" Released Today April 1st

Jeff Black continues his roots music tradition by releasing his 10th CD, Folklore. I'm not sure what part I enjoy more, Black's clear vocals and powerful and vivid songwriting or the "bare bones" musical notes from the 5 string banjo, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars and harmonica. The title tack is my favorite song, with Break the Ground and Flatcar close behind - but all of Folklore is acoustic poetry. The cover photograph is also pretty cool and reflects the roots tradition of this release. The photo was taken by Black's paternal grandmother, Lotos Nile Black in 1930. Jeff Black writes in his liner notes: “I think it’s the picture of my Dad looking into the camera, into the future, that inspires me, and the fade of my Uncle into the unknown that keeps me searching.”  Recorded at Black’s Arcana Studios and mixed by Dave Sinko (Chris Thile & the Punch Brothers, Sam Bush Band, Don Williams), the CD comes highly recommended. Pair with Nashville's Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery rootsy pre-prohibition brand Belle Meade Bourbon.

Jon Langford Going Solo with Here Be Monsters

I hadn't followed Jon Langford since The Waco Brothers released the awesome Great Chicago Fire; but on April 1st, he releases his newest solo project: Here Be Monsters. I was able to listen to a couple tracks that are included in hos Mars EP available on Noisetrade. I mean where else can you find country folk tinged with edgy punk. Looking forward to the release as well as the artwork; "the album will also feature a unique piece of artwork, painted by Langford himself, specific to each track on the album". Pair with Chicago's 5 Rabbit Cerveceria.

Nickle Creek Returns with A Dotted Line

Photo by Brantley Gutierrez

I was completely surprised last week to learn that Nickle Creek has regrouped to release a new CD - A Dotted Line. I've enjoyed following the careers of Sara Watkins, Sean Watkins, and Chris Thile since the "tragic" disbandment - when was that, early 2007?  Each have proven that the prodigy label was no fluke, by continuing their solo careers and successfully fronting other bands.  Now they are back with a release that accentuates each performer's strengths - gliding between each of their instruments and then punctuated with stellar harmonies. The songs oscillates between traditional and non-traditional so this isn't the bluegrass you were accustomed from hearing from the 2000's era Nickle Creek. Just check out the punkish Hayloft or the gospel-ish 21st of May where Sean Watkins' guitar sounds a bit like Larry Keel. The album grabbed my attention with Destination, which has it all - Sara Watkins wonderful voice, tight harmonies, and catchy picking. They nail the two instrumentals (Elsie & Elephant in the Corn) and Thile fronts a couple sure winners in Love of Mine and You Don't Know What's Going On. The trio are touring all Spring in support of A Dotted Line so get your tickets soon as some venues have already sold out - like the Nightclub 9:30. Pair with Carlsbad California's Witch Creek Winery.

Album Review: Greg Trooper - Incident On Willow Street

Recently I was sent the SoundCloud link for Greg Trooper's Incident On Willow Street and it's been making me wonder why I hadn't been following this singer songwriter earlier.  There's nothing to really fault about this release. The songwriting makes you pay attention to learn how his distraught or luckless characters fare in the end; there's no laid back mindless listening here. The musicianship is first rate (check out Good Luck Heart) and why not with multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell on hand. Sadly, makes me miss Levon Helm even more. Also appearing on the album are Kenneth Blevins, Texan Jack Saunders, Oli Rockberger, and harmony vocals from Lucy Wainwright Roche. Not bad. Other favorites are Steel Deck Bridge and One Honest Man. Pair with Trooper's hometown brew: Brooklyn Brewery.

Album Review: The Blushin' Roulettes - Old Mill Sessions

Anybody else ever heard of The Blushin' Roulettes? I came across their latest release - Old Mill Sessions - from Hearth Music and I strongly encourage you to seek out this act. Their tag line is "The Blushin’ Roulettes deliver old-time tunes with a modern twist"; and they are true to form. Modern twist - yea, check out Coffee Black Night or the exquisite Sadness Thief. Whereas Angie Heimann (guitar) leads most songs, and has a beautiful voice, the best comes when Cas Sochacki (dobro) adds his baritone voice to the duet in Let It Roll. Heimann's solo in Jillian is another favorite accompanied by fine instrumentals from Buddy Stubbs (lead guitar). One sad note is that drummer Jubal Stedman passed away suddenly right before their mid-February release. God bless.

Album Review: The Howlin' Brothers - Trouble

It seems like The Howlin' Brothers keep popping up on our radar; first with their debut CD Howl, then their Sun Sessions and now a new CD, Trouble. This album is due to be released April 29th, but I received an early link and have been enjoying their old style Americana. And point blank, I love this release. Why? Well I love blues and there's plenty of that in Night and Day. I love zydeco, and there's a little of that in Monroe and Louisiana. Gospel - you bet: Yes I Am!; Old time country roots - World Spinning Round. They round the bases, nailing each genre and delivering a powerful, powerful release. This is how music should be performed - at least in my world. Pair with home town Ithaca Beer Company. Cheers.

Album Review: Katie Glassman and Snapshot - Dream a Little Dream

Thanks to McGuckin Publicity, I've been following fiddler champion Katie Glassman for a couple years now. That interest was solidified when she named grand champion at the 2014 Colorado Fiddle Championships in February of this year. This on the heals of winning fiddle competitions at Rockygrass and Walnut Valley Festival in 2013. Obviously, she can play.

Then came along word that her latest album, Dream a Little Dream, was released March 4th. Glassman's new band, Snapshot, includes Eric Moon on piano and accordion, Greg Schochet on guitar, and Charlie Mertens on bass as well as guest appearances by Tim O'Brien and John Macy (pedal steel). Nice supporting cast. The music is a combo of old-time western swine augmented with some early 20th century jazz; a sound which is far from surprising since Glassman is also a trained jazz violinist. The result is a new style of music that melds these influences together into an enjoyable sound from the first track to the last. I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine, Little Dream of Mine, and Jubilee Stomp are two of the clearest examples of this blending of styles.  Glassman's songwriting and vocals shine in Sweet Lies, one of those powerful songs that linger long after the last note; Good Times Gone By is another favorite track. Cheers to fiddle music.

Album Review: Matt Andersen - Weightless

The first think anyone notices when listening to Matt Andersen is his deep, powerful, soulful blues voice. For those unfamiliar with Anderson, he's quite popular in his native Canada as in Europe where he received the the 2013 Euro Blues Award for Best Solo /Acoustic Act. He's making his U.S. debut as his latest album, Weightless, will become available to the U.S. market April 1 via True North Records. Fortunately I received a streaming copy which I've been listening to all week.  The title track rocks - plenty of harp, but check out his vocals in My Last Day - unbelievable. He can also play the blues guitar - check out The Fight or slowed down in Between The Lines. This Spring Andersen will be touring the U.S. in support of the album, with some dates opening for Jonny Lang and Los Lonely Boys. I plan on attending his May 15th solo show at IOTA Club. Pair with New Brunswick's Pump House Brewery. Cheers.

Album Review: Robert Sarazin Blake

I noticed that Blue Ridge Outdoors had included Robert Sarazin Blake song Dingle To Tralee in their March Trail Mix and I had forgotten that I had received the self titled album in which this song is the opening track. This is definitely an appropriate song to include in the compilation since its my favorite track - as the remainder of the CD is hit or miss. At times Blake uses the spoken tradition of folk, and these seemed to incorporate most of the misses. Yet throughout, he delivers intricate guitar and it's obvious each song is written and performed from the heart. Jefferson Hamer, Eamon O’Leary, Jacob Silver, and Rob MacMillan provide the msuical support, but don't miss Anaïs Mitchell's harmonies in Our Winter in New York. Pair with Bellingham Washington's Boundary Bay Brewery beer and live music provider. Cheers. 

Album Review: Lost & Nameless - Empty Spaces

Lost & Nameless - basically that was my expression when I first received their Empty Spaces CD. Who are these guys and gal? Well, they are Patrick Conway, Chris Peterson, Nathan Quiring, and Kimberly Zielnicki and they play an interesting style of folk rock bordering on Pop and Americana. Interesting also describes their musical pairings - organ, fiddle, guitars, lap steel, mandolin, accordion, banjo, bass - basically you never know what you will get in any one song.  Little Tornado is a good representation of their sound as is the next track, Proud. They also prove that they can slow it down in Aiden's Lullaby which showcases Zielnicki's vocals and then Coffee/Lime Rock showcases her fiddle. This probably isn't a release that I would seek out; but I'm glad that it landed on my doorstep because it's entertaining - and my son really enjoys it. I'd guess their shows are quite entertaining as well. Here's how you can get to know the band a little more before the March 18th release date. Cheers.