Chuck Ragan - The Boat

Chuck Ragan was a member of Hot Water Music, a sort of punk band. What I like about this and so many others from this recent crop of singer-sonwriters is that they take the punk attitude from their youth and channel it to make great music now. You can't play punk forever and this group,which also includes Tim Barry and others, really knows their way around a song. Passion and power with acoustic guitars. You don't have to be a kid to like this.

The Revival Tour - Ben Nichols - Last Pale Light in the West

It's always a good time for some Lucero / Ben Nichols. This is from the Revival Tour. If he doesn't self destruct he can be one of the more important songwriters of his generation. I'm just sayin'.

Alejandro Escovedo - Down In The Bowery

Alejandro Escovedo always gets such great press. I feel like I am supposed to love his stuff but it has often left me less than excited. That is until I heard this cut from his excellent new album "Street Songs of Love". For a guy pushing 60, this is one rockin' record. Nothing old sounding or retro here. Just a great album.

The track that caught my attention was "Down in the Bowery" with Ian Hunter (a personal favorite of mine). What a great, great song. He comments that it was written for his son in encouragement to be himself and freaky as he wants. It makes sense. Just give it a listen. You can buy the CD here.

Oh yeah, and this guy named Bruce Springsteen also makes an appearance.

Alejandro Escovedo (with Ian Hunter) - Down in the Bowery

Sons Of Anarchy Season 3 Trailer (Tues Sept 7th)

I know this is not the most politically correct show but...I love it. Looking forward to season 3!

The SteelDrivers - Reckless

One of my favorite records from a few years back was The SteelDrivers self titled debut. It was bluegrass, but it was so much more. Great songs and vocals from Chris Stapleton just drove this one so much further than the rest of the field. They put the blues in bluegrass.

I saw a few months back that Chris was leaving so I kind of lost track of the release date (mid-September). I just snagged a copy and to my surprise Chris is doing all the vocals. Apparently he lift after it was recorded. Home run! We get one more. The new singer is Gary Nichols who doesn't sound bad, he's just different. At least there is one more full album from the original line-up. I'll let you know more when I have played it a few more times, although initial impressions are favorable.