Ryan Bingham - Junky Star

The new release from Ryan Bingham, "Junky Star" came out this past Tuesday.  I've played it a couple of times and damn if it don't sound like Ryan Bingham.  His voice sounds so much more road worn than his age.  I mean that in a really good way.

A few years back he released the excellent Mescalito which featured the track "Southside of Heaven" which is a killer and had me hooked from the get go.



Last year Ryan wrote and performed the Oscar winning song "The Weary Kind". I had originally lumped him in with a bunch of other alt-country, Texas type artists but his work on the soundtrack for Crazy Heart signaled much more depth. I began to think he might be in it for the long haul



Now comes Junky Star. I may need to really play it a few more times but initial thoughts are most definitely positive. The record has a nice, comfortable acoustic sound, but the lyrics bite. Depression is a great example of how far he has come as a songwriter. This tackles some tough territory and his raspy vocals sound like they carry the dirt straight out of the dust bowl.



Hallelujah is an ominous murder ballad from the point of view of the victim. This is not breezy pop music folks. Death and pain make more than a few appearance on the album.



Ryan Bingham continues to grow and refine his songwriting. He keeps getting better and has one of the most emotional (to me) vocals out there. Check our Junky Stary, you won't be disappointed.

Chris Robinson Speaks the Truth

From Nightwatcher's House of Rock...

Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson had harsh words for Taylor Swift in an interview with Nylon Guys magazine.

Robinson, said of Swift's music: "I find it embarrassing that adults are like, 'Taylor Swift is very talented.' She's not. She might be cute, but she's horrible," he told the magazine.

He then ranted about packaged artists.

'They have stylists who dress them, they make records with producers who play a chord into the computer and it all comes out the same...When you have computers doing it all for you...there's no individuality. Singing isn't always about being on key; it's about emotionality.'

The Black Crowes brand new double album 'Croweology' was released August 3rd via Megaforce Records.

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I agree...

Chris Robinson speaks the truth.  I wish more people would listen.  Taylor Swift is emblamatic of the problems that exist with the music industry.  Cute is not sufficient.  I scratch my head and wonder how adults can think this crap is good.  Little girls singing for little girls.  She's no different than Justin Bieber or the Jonas Brothers.  I have friends who claim to be grown-ups who like this shit.  For the life of me I can't figure it out.

Here's some real music from the Black Crowes. Real music played by real musicians.  No Autotune here folks.

Cuff the Duke - Way Down Here

Cuff the Duke, out of Toronto, are a band that brings back that sound of Laurel Canyon back in the 70's but with an indie update.  Sure they are influenced by the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Tom Petty and others but they bring an updated sensibility that makes the music very much of the here and now.

The opening track, You Were Right, definitely brings to mind After the Gold Rush era Neil Young.  It's all delicate acoustic guitars and harmonies.  Rocking Chair sets that nice little vibe with a little pedal steel weaving its way through the melody.  Like the Morning is not all that different from anything the National has recorded. 

You play this one a few times and it grows on you.  It's a shame that bands like this don't get more attention.  We could use a lot more of this and a whole lot less of what is being dished out by the major labels.  Good stuff.  You can download it at Amazon.

OK, The Allman Brothers Band

Ok, the Allman Brothers Band.... from Brett Underhill on Vimeo.

This is pretty cool.  I love the Brothers and wish Gregg all the best as he recovers, but with the exception of the 40th anniversary Beacon shows I think they have gotten "tired".  It might be time to pack in in with the live shows.  The current state of the live shows does nothing however to diminish the talent and influence that they have had over all these year..

Heart - Acoustic Set in TriBeCa

Heart stopped by the PC Richard Theater in TriBeCa last night to promote their new CD Red Velvet Car. Actually Ann & Nancy Wilson did along with their guitar player. Jim Kerr, morning man on Q104.3, hosted a brief Q&A and then they did a short 6 song acoustic set.

Barracuda

Dog & Butterfly

Hey You

WTF

Crazy on You

Dreamboat Annie

I'm not a big fan, casual yes huge fan no, but I do have to say it was an enjoyable although brief set. Ann Wilson still belts it out even with some throat issues bothering her. Nancy is still, well Nancy. If you've seen them before you know. There are still not that many female guitar players out there who are front & center and while she is not "great" she is more than capable. The crowd ate it up as the 200 in attendance were truly the devoted. I myself was a +1.

The PC Richard Theater is more like a studio that Clearchannel uses to record things for their outlets including iheartradio.com that features streams and audio. Check out a bit from last night here.