For years I had a cursory awareness of Willie Nile. He made some records in the 80's that I remembered hearing but I was never "a fan" in that I kept up with him as time passed. Every 10 years or so you would see a review of an album or show but the output was never what you would call consistent. For me things changed with the release of 2005's "Streets of New York". Essentially a love letter to NYC, this album captured the city in a way no other had. Frankly it was absolutely brilliant.
2010 saw the "release" of "The Innocent Ones" in Europe. The album will see its domestic release on November 22nd here in the US. "The Innocent Ones" is another dose of superior songwriting that is somewhere between Bob Dylan and The Clash. Often times deceiving in its folk approach, the topics and delivery are more often CBGB's than The Bitter End.
There is some really great rock music on this album. Willie Nile tackles some of the realities of the past couple of years and there isn't always a happy ending.
“This album,” he says, “includes a number of songs dedicated to the downtrodden, the forgotten, the outcasts, the hopeless — the innocent ones. It deals with some heavy issues here and there, but at the same time I think it’s an upbeat, feel-good record. I wanted it to be light on its feet and fun to listen to, and it’s all that.”
"Singin' Bell", "The Innocent Ones" and "Rich and Broken" are among his best. Folks this is a true believer in the power of rock & roll. Check this one out and grab Streets of New York while you are at it. You won't be disappointed. No question this gets the OldRockr1 Seal of Approval.
If you've seen Johnny Winter live over the past decade you probably had the same feeling I did...this is not someone in great health. Thankfully he seems to have gotten stronger over the past couple of years in spite of a ridiculous touring schedule that sees him out on the road for much of the year. If the recent release "Roots" is any indication things are going pretty well for him at the moment.
"Roots" will not be a revelation to anyone who has listened to any of his records over the past 40 years. Johnny is paying tribute to his influences here and it comes off as exactly that. This is what Johnny Winter has been doing his whole career...bringing blues to the masses. His vocals and playing are stronger than at any time in recent memory. In particular the duet with Susan Teseschi finds them both in excellent form.
Track listing and special guests joining Mr. Winter on Roots:
T-Bone Shuffle (featuring Sonny Landreth slide guitar)
Further On Up the Road (featuring Jimmy Vivino guitar)
Done Somebody Wrong (featuring Warren Haynes slide guitar)
Got My Mojo Workin'
Last Night (featuring John Popper on harp)
Maybellene (featuring Vince Gill on guitar)
Bright Lights, Big City (featuring Susan Tedeschi on lead guitar/vocals)
Honky Tonk (featuring Edgar Winter on sax)
Dust My Broom (featuring Derek Truckson slide guitar)
Short Fat Fannie (featuring Paul Nelson on guitar)
Come Back Baby (featuring John Medeski on organ)
Lots of guests to be sure and all fill their roles well. I'd prefer a little more Johnny Winter and a little less guests but that is just me. Lots of good playing on an enjoyable, if a bit predictable, blues album. Is it groundbreaking? Nope. But it still gets the OldRockr1 Seal of Approval. Oh Yeah, there is some stellar guitar playing on this one...but you probably already knew that.
Here's a pair of classic Dead shows for your listening pleasure. If you haven't grabbed them before, now is the time. First up is the Veneta, OR show from August 27, 1972. This is one of my favorites and the sound is stellar for the era.
Grateful Dead
08/27/72
Old Renaissance Faire Grounds
Veneta, OR
SBD Recording
Set I
Promised Land
Sugaree
Me & My Uncle
Deal
Black Throated Wind
China Cat Sunflower->
I Know You Rider
Mexicali Blues
Bertha
Set II
Playin’ In The Band
He’s Gone
Jack Straw
Bird Song
Greatest Story Ever Told
Set III
Dark Star->
El Paso
Sing Me Back Home
Sugar Magnolia
Casey Jones
One More Saturday Night
Next I have perhaps the most famous Dead show ever...Cornell 77. Some say it is overrated, which may be true, but this version of Scarlet>Fire is worth the download alone. I guess it holds up so well for so many because it was one of the first pristine soundboards that circulated back in the day.
Grateful Dead
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall
Cornell University
Set I
1. Minglewood Blues -> (AUD splice provides beginning of track)
2. Loser
3. El Paso
4. They Love Each Other
5. Jack Straw
6. Deal
7. Lazy Lightning -> Supplication (Aud Splice during transition)
8. Brown Eyed Women
9. Mama Tried
10. Row Jimmy
11. Dancin' In The Streets
Set II
12. Take A Step Back/Tuning
13. Scarlet Begonias-> Fire On The Mountain
14. Estimated Prophet
15. Tuning/Dead Air
16. Saint Stephen->
17. Not Fade Away->
18. Saint Stephen->
19. Morning Dew
20. Encore: Saturday Night
Keep checking back. Many more shows to come over the coming days, weeks and months. I have collected a lot over the years and it's time to give back. As always...thanks to the tapers wherever you are.
Gotta say up front...I Love This Band! I was a little worried when Chris Stapleton left and Gary Nichols took over on guitar and vocals but those fears have long since subsided. The SteelDrivers performed two sets at Grey Fox this year (dance tent and main stage) and both were killers. I have found a copy of the main stage set that you can find here. I am still looking for the other if anyone comes across it.
A couple of years back I was not a big time bluegrass fan, you might say I was a fringe fan. Some newgrass and some jamgrass but that was about it. Sam Bush and Railroad Earth. I saw the SteelDrivers on the Opry and was hooked.
The Steeldrivers
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival
Walsh Farm
Oak Hill,New York
7-15-2011
Setlist:
1.Introduction
2.Two Angels>
3.Peacemaker
4.Good Corn Liquor
5.Where Do You Go When You Don't Come Home
6.Can You Run
7.You Put The Hurt On Me
8.Drinking Dark Whiskey
9.Heaven Sent
10.To Be With You Again
11.Midnight Tears
12.Guitars,Whiskey,Guns And Knives
13.Sticks That Make Thunder
14.If It Hadn't Been For Love
15.Band Introductions
16.Ghosts Of Mississippi
17.Blue Side Of The Mountain
18.Encore Break
Encore:
19.Where Rainbows Never Die
20.outro
Tammy Rogers-Fiddle,Vocals
Mike Henderson-Mandolin,Vocals
Mike Fleming-Bass,Vocals
Gary Nichols-Guitar,Vocals
Ricahrd Bailey-Banjo
This may not be Bill Monroe bluegrass, but the sound is just fantastic. How about we call it "Soul Grass"? I for one can't wait for the next album and hope they'll be back on the bill next summer. Just another great set among many at this year's festival.
I am kind of a little bored with some new releases. They sounded good on paper, but on record...not so much. The first one I am not thrilled with is the new release from Beth Hard and Joe Bonamassa "Don't Explain". She can flat out sing and he is a great guitarist and singer as well but for me this is, well just dull.
It does everything right. Perhaps what's woring is it is too perfect sounding. Soul music with very little soul. You want to have a blast check out the JJ Grey & Mofro live album "Brighter Days". A shout bam-a-lama greasy southern soul stomper.
Another couple of artists I try to dig time after time are Derek Trucks and his Mrs. Susan Tedeschi. Both have gobs of talent but frankly bore the hell out of me. The new album "Revelator" is no exception. Well played, good vocals and still not worth my time. I tried to like it. Played it a bunch of times which makes listening to music work instead of a joyful experience.
Both releases prove that the sum is not always greater than the parts. And don't get me started about the Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton collaboration...BORING!!!
I know I am in the minority on these releases, but music is so personal and it's really what I am feeling. Nothing here sucks, but for me none of these warrants another listen.
