Country Music

[Stickjohn]

Not sure Prairie Home Companion news belongs here but thought this was interesting - first ever guest host fueling speculation about a replacement for Gary K. Sara Watkins is amazing.

Watkins, who grew up in Vista, Calif., is best known for her work with Nickel Creek, the Grammy-winning progressive bluegrass group that is on hiatus. In 2009, she released her self-titled solo debut, produced by John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin fame. She is scheduled to play fiddle with the Decemberists, a popular indie-rock band, on their 2011 tour. Watkins did choose the musical guests for the Jan. 15 "Prairie Home" -- banjo ace Abigail Washburn and singer-songwriter Tom Brousseau -- but Keillor will be writing the show as usual.

Robert Plant, John Paul Jones - I think I'll have to go listen to some of this Led Zeppelin stuff.

[Hannahrain]

I routinely forget how phenomenal Entrance - Wandering Stranger is. Enough of what he re-works (TVZ's Rex's Blues, Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor, etc) fits here to make this a relevant statement.




Edit: Also, tangentially related, didn't know about this cover until now and (surprise) it's enchanting:

[Stickjohn]

I found this when I was trying figure out who or what Entrance is - getting bluesy w/Cat Power.

[Hannahrain]

That whole compilation is great.

Unfortunately, there's not much Entrance on YouTube. He's pretty readily available on assorted Mediafire links, though. The album Prayer of Death is also great.

[york707]

York, this is my post from the Mix Exchange Companion Thread:

I don't think I ever said so, but this was a lovely mix. Well done.

[CuervoPH]

I missed that post originally, but am going to check out the mix now if it's still available. Also, Daxton, did you ever check out Whiskeytown? If you haven't, I recommend "Stranger's Almanac". Like Tom, I'm not a huge fan of recent stuff by Ryan Adams, but I love "Stranger's Almanac".

[daxton]

No, I haven't yet. Thanks for the reminder.

[daxton]

I don't think I ever said so, but this was a lovely mix. Well done.

Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it I struggle with the Avett Bros track on there. I'm pretty sick of them at this point, but they have some material that I can still stomach. I just couldn't see making a modern alt country mix without them.

[daxton]

I'm so excited. I think I'll finally get to see one of those artists on my mix, Ian Thomas. He usually only plays shows in tiny places in TN. He's venturing down to Mississippi and Louisiana soon. Woooo!

[tessalasset]

[TomAz]

A George Thoroughgood cover of an old John Lee Hooker song is hardly 'country'.

but that's amusing anyway

[TomAz]

I missed that post originally, but am going to check out the mix now if it's still available. Also, Daxton, did you ever check out Whiskeytown? If you haven't, I recommend "Stranger's Almanac". Like Tom, I'm not a huge fan of recent stuff by Ryan Adams, but I love "Stranger's Almanac".

Pneumonia is also worthwhile. Ryan Adams, back when he had focus, was really great. I even like Gold. but since then, damn, lost me

[daxton]

Tom, I am finally extracting the files from those 2 mixes you posted in here. Yay new music

[tessalasset]

Just saw a great bluegrass band tonight called Old Man Markley, from the valley.



I bought a ticket on a whim, not really knowing what to expect, and they were super fun. It was their record release at the Echo, so there were a ton of friends and family who almost sold it out, and everyone was dancing and in a great mood. They just started their cross-country tour tonight so I recommend checking em out if they come near you.





They also do a great cover of Blue Moon of Kentucky.

[TomAz]

I wouldn't call that bluegrass -- the percussion puts them in the string band category, I think. But that's nitpicking, they look like a lot of fun.

[Stickjohn]

nitpicking

[tessalasset]

Interesting. I didn't know string band was a category. Or that percussion shuts them out of the bluegrass category. I learned new things today.


I saw them again tonight because my friend was sad she missed them last night, so we drove out to some dive bar in Pomona to see them. They were great once again, but the sound was atrocious. It was in an outdoor patio of the bar, with one thin wooden door swinging back and forth all night long, so the bump untz untz of the DJ inside was very distracting. Add to that the fact that two of the venue's security guards were moonlighting as the sound men. They looked like they had NO idea what they were doing. The banjo and fiddle were way too high for the entire show, you could barely hear the mandolin at all, and the girl backup singer's mic cut out completely halfway through and never got fixed. You could tell the band was so frustrated and we trying not to show it. I felt bad for them. Luckily my friend could look past all that and see they are a very talented band. I hope I can see them again when they finish their tour.

[TomAz]

This picture keeps cracking me up. The guy in the back. "You wanna fuck with me? come on, bring it. I play the fuckin washboard."

[tessalasset]

people were making fun of him on their page, too. he admitted it was a funny pic.

[cradlerobber]

i'm not sure it's entirely appropriate to post here, but i am really looking forward to seeing wanda jackson this week.

she sounds good as ever, too.

[cradlerobber]

i thought this was fantastic, unfortunately the rest of the album is nothing like this



dhani harrison, joseph arthur, ben harper, tom morello

[daxton]

What does the rest sound like?

[cradlerobber]

it's slow and there are no drums

[wstsidela]

Just saw Willie Nelson tonight

[daxton]

And? How was it?

[wstsidela]

And? How was it?

He was really good. Willie has his own meter. He's a real hoot to watch.

[daxton]

I've missed him too many times. I've got to get my shit together and see him next time. Well, actually, last time he toured near me, his tour bus was pulled over and he was arrested for the obvious. And he couldn't play the show. I guess this happened in TX not too long ago too. I wish they'd stop fucking with him.

He's definitely near the top of my list of artists I should see soon in case they die of old age.

[TomAz]

I saw Willie a few years back on a double bill with John Fogerty. I went cuz I was bored and I like CCR. At the time I still had it in my head that Willie was a schlock act from the 70s, but I got there in time for his set out of curiosity more than anything. He totally blew me away, such a quiet composure, it was, um, ethereal? maybe? anyway Fogerty came out and seemed like a Vegas lounge oldies act in comparison.

[jeffp1717]

Are there any Railroad Earth fans in here? Not technically "country", but they combine traditional bluegrass instrumentation with drums to create music from all genres. They have really beautiful lyrical content and jam the fuck out live. If you ever get the chance to see them, chances are you will black out and find yourself spinning around in circles uncontrollably.

[buddy]

late to the party on the jayhawks, but i listened to the reissues of Hollywood Town Hall and Tomorrow The Green Grass recently, and i'm officially a fan. i'm partial to Tomorrow The Green Grass myself, but they're both excellent. the first two tracks on that album get me everytime.