Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott - We're Usually A Lot Better Than This

Early on Tim O'Brien (I believe) quips "we're usually a lot better than this".  Well if that is the case I'd love to hear a good day because the playing and singing on this live disc recorded in 2005 and 2006 and released in October is clinic on how acoustic music should be performed.  Just check out the acapella version of Hank William's House of Gold to whet your appetite for the rest of the record.  Townes Van Zant's "White Freightliner Blues" positively smokes with some killer guitar-mandolin exchanges.  Darrell Scott's "Long Time Gone" is far more bluegrass than the Dixie Chicks version and is far superior (in my opinion).  There is a ton of great playing, singing and songs to be found on this great live record.  Well worth your time if you are even a casual bluegrass or Americana fan.

Usually a lot better than this...hard to believe.

Marley's Ghost - Jubilee

Marley's Ghost is celebrating 25 years of making music this year...and I had no idea about how good a group of musicians they are!  The opening one-punch of Rollin' and Wake Up Mama get things off to a nice country music start (real country sounding not Jason Aldean sounding) with very strong playing (there is not enough steel guitar in 2012) and some really good vocals courtesy of Dan Wheetman.

The album is all over the country map (in a very good way) from the western swing of South for A Change to very strong cuts featuring guests such as John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Old Crow Medicine Show and Marty Stuart.  All of the guests make great turns but this remains Marley's Ghost's show and the results are fantastic.  Another great example of the how ReviewShine can turn people on to sounds that you otherwise would have missed.


Here's a nice version of Levon Helm's Growin' Trade
New York shows please! Bobby Womcack's I Used To Lover Her

Melody Walker - Gold Rush Goddess

It's been a while since I have gone through my ReviewShine downloads and actually gave 'em a listen.  This has been a crazy year and I just haven't seemed to find the time.  Over the past couple of weeks I have been listening to a lot of new stuff while sitting around in the Superstorm Sandy aftermath.  We've been fine at the OldRockr homestead...just short on gasoline!

Melody Walker is a singer-songwriter out of the Bay Area and I have to tell you that I love this record.  I've been playing it quite a bit and continually find something new to like.  Great vocals, strong bluegrass-Americana playing and great songs.  "Gold Rush Goddess" is a little sultry, "Family Band" is a great tune that features The Buck Walters (Humboldt County, CA).  Jacob Groopman is all over the record with some very strong playing but the highlight here is Ms. Walker's vocals. 

A nice California twist on the Americana sound.  You can grab it on her website as a pay what you want release.  Pay something folks 'cause this is a good one.  It's gets the OldRockr1 Seal of Approval for sure.

Shurman - Inspiration

This album is exactly why I love ReviewShine.  I saw this listed and somewhere in the back of my mind I recognized the name.  I downloaded and listened to it.  And then I listened to it again.  And again.  At a time when rock music is pretty much on the back burner I needed to hear a record like this one.  The boys from Shurman are based in Austin, Tx and that sound is somewhere in the mix.  Not a Red Dirt band but that is there a bit.  Shurman exists at the intersection of Rock, Soul and Country music.  Think the Black Crowes with a little Texas twang.  I don't know if this is the intended single, but I loved it and it kind of makes my point.




Let me tell you folks...Aaron Beavers can flat out sing and the rest of the band rocks like a mutha.  Tracks like Novocaine Heart, Hometown Judgement Day and the title track should be blasting out of open car windows all summer long.  The crime is that most people will never get a chance to hear this fine slice of Rock & Roll.  I for one plan on grabbing a copy of the vinyl here and blasting it all summer long.  I'm gonna do my part to spread the news...now it's up to you.

Willie Nile - The Innocent Ones

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.

The Steel Wheels - Live at Goose Creek

Here's a band I would love to see on the Grey Fox lineup in 2012.  The Steel Wheels are a 4 piece acoustic act out of Virginia.  They have a strong sense of how acoustic music should be made...great playing and strong singing.  It's a little bluegrass, a little jamgrass, some folk tinges, all mixed up into great American music.  This set was recorded live in an old barn that have been converted into a concert venue and the sound achieved is spectacular.

"Red Wing" is a great example of what the Steel Wheels are about.  The music is firmly routed in the sounds of Apalachia but without the sometimes excessive twang that some of these acts have.  I love all kinds of roots music but on occasion some of the more traditional outfits stick too close to the old timers.  I much more prefer a little update of the sound and the Steel Wheels achieve that on this live set.  Traditional but with just the right updating of the genre.



Check out "Walk This Way For a While" for another fine example of the Steel Wheel's sound.



I'm going to be playing this one for a while. You should too 'cause this one gets the Oldrockr1 Seal of approval.

Blame Sally - Speeding Ticket and a Valentine

Blame Sally is an Americana act that features four ladies from San Francisco.  I hate to categorize acts under a banner like Americana, but that seems to be where I would file this one.  The music is primarily acoustic with some very, very strong harmonies.  Modern folk perhaps?  Doesn't really matter because this is a very good listen.  There are several standout tracks such as the opener "Bird in Hand" and the pop inflected "Living Without You".  Styles and influences flow and merge from song to song making for a varied but most enjoyable listening experience.

The band has commented that this album has a retro feel to it and I agree with that, but there is also something very much more to this album.  It has the feel of something that is at once familiar and new at the same time.  "Parajos Sin Alas" is a genre spanning cut that combines a Latin influence with folk harmonies to create a song that is more than the sum of its parts.

Check Blame Sally...they are worth your time.

The Black Lillies - 100 Miles of Wreckage

Cruz Contreras (formerly of Robinella and the CCstringband) formed the Black Lillies along with Tom Pryor (pedal steel), Jamie Cook (drums), Robert Richards (bass) and Trisha Gene Brady (vocals) back in 2008 and they released their debut album, Whiskey Angel, in 2009.  In April they released their sophomore effort 100 Miles of Wreckage.  The new album is everything that their fine debut was and more.  There is no doubt that this one gets the Oldrockr1 Seal of Approval for 2011 and I expect it to be on my best of at the end of the year.

Americana is a big tent for music in 2011 and the Black Lillies most definitely belong there.  Touches of country and bluegrass abound.  There is also some very fine pedal steel playing courtesy of Mr. Pryor.  I love the mournful sound it gives The Arrow.  There is a bit of a melancholy feeling to the record which was recorded by Sparklehorse drummer Scott Minor that may be the result of the suicide of Sparklehorse founder Mark Linkous during the recording.  The record is not, I repeat not, a downer; rather there is a sense of loss that pervades the album.

Styles merge and flow throughout the disc.  One surprise for me was the track Tall Trees which  starts out as a lovely acoustic track and it turns slowly into a country jam track with some good old fashioned gospel along the way.  That's at least how I would describe it.  Doesn't much matter what it is, what matters is how good it sounds.

2011 is shaping up to be another excellent year for music from off the beaten path.  The Black Lillies have released a standout for this or any other year.

Greg Smith and the Broken English - The Losing Hand

There has been a pretty good pile of releases in my ReviewShine inbox lately.  Greg Smith and the Broken English's newest e.p. "The Losing Hand" is a really good example of what is so great about music today.  So many artists now have the ability to get their music out with being beholden to a major.  Leave the pop music to the masses.  This is intelligent music that is both well written and performed.  Intelligent music for intelligent people.

Greg Smith is a singer-songwriter currently based in Brooklyn who writes songs of struggle and pain that could hardly be described as upbeat, but The Broken English move many of these songs along with strong playing that at times departs from the typical folk singer approach.

The title track is a stand out as is Spare Me Eliza.  Good stuff here.

Robyn Ludwick - Out of These Blues

This record is one of the reasons I so enjoy being on the ReviewShine website.  I get tons of new music submitted to me...some of it good, some of it not so good, but every once in a while there is a gem that appears in my inbox.  Robyn Ludwick's Out of These Blues is one of those gems.  This is simply a fantastic listen from beginning to end. 

Ms. Ludwick is the sister of Bruce and Charlie Robison so she is part of the Texas music scence, but Out of These Blues is not cut from the same Red Dirt.  Comparisons to Lucinda Williams are inevitable, but miss the mark.  Robyn Ludwick sounds at once familiar and at the same time strikingly different.  For whatever reason I tend to not gravitate towards female artists that often, but when I do I am usually hooked and that is the case with this album.

From the opening duo Hollywood and the title track Out of These Blues, straight through to the last this is a great album full of emotion and wonderful songwriting.  There is a great mix of styles here; one song is reflective singer-songwriter, the next is pure county bliss.  This is not only the best record I have heard on ReviewShine this year, it is one of my favorites so far.  For sure this gets the OldRockr1 Seal of Approval.

Truckstop Darlin'

Here's one for you folks that love the Drive-By Truckers.  Well, maybe that's not fair but I can hear the influence on this one for sure.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I have to say I really like this one.  it's kind of sleazy, alt-country inspired, kickin' rock & roll actually.

Truckstop Darlin' is out of the Pacific Northwest and they have all the prerequisites you would expect in this genre.  Gritty vocals, some pedal steel, a little bit of jangly guitars.  You've heard it before but it really works for them.  I found myself digging this one pretty fast.  The album starts out with a killer 1-2 punch of Tired Old Prom Queens and Bluegrass State and keeps barreling on from there.  These guys must be great live.  Makes you just wanna drink some beer and raise a little bit of hell.

Good stuff here that comes highly recommended for fans of the Drive-By Truckers, Lucero, Slobberbone, etc.  Go on out and grab this one, crack a beer and give 'em a chance.  You won't be disappointed.  You can download the mp3's at CDBaby.



Tired Old Prom Queens


Bluegrass State

Mountain Heart - That Just Happened

Mountain Heart is a bluegrass outfit out of Nashville.  Their newest, That Just Happened, dropped on October 19th and is a 7 song e.p.  I kind of like the idea of releasing e.p.'s and extended singles with songs that are ready for prime time.  All killer, no filler seems like a good idea to me.

There's something here for both country and bluegrass fans.  I really like their bluegrass leanings and the tracks Little Sadie and Same Old Heartache are particularly good.  I hear a little bit of the SteelDrivers in the soulful vocals which is a good thing in my book.  They really step out on a cover of the Allman Brothers Whipping Post which stretches out solidly into Jamgrass territory.  The only track that really didn't grab me was Even if it Breaks which was a bit too slick but my wife really dug it so what do I know.

If you are digging the contemporary bluegrass scene give this one a listen, I think you might just find something you like.

Little Sadie


Same Old Heartache

Dirt Road Gypsies - Jump on the Wagon

I like country music.  Pretty much all types from Nashville to Texas to Bakersfield.  What I don't like is this recent saturation of pop music that pretends to be country.  Sorry Idol losers, you ain't cuttin' it.  Taylor Swift?  Time to go back to class.  Rascal Flatts?  Hair gel and spiky hair are so out.  Time to make some real country music. 

The Dirt Road Gypsies out of Dallas, Texas have made themselves a good 'ol country record.  If I lived down there with y'all I be out in some Honky Tonk looking to hear these guys live.  This record is as good as anything I've heard lately out of Nashville.  Just check out the first single with Deryl Dodd "I'm So Out Of Style".  Boots are gonna be out on the dance floor for this one folks.  Good time country music that goes down smooth.  Makes me want a Shiner Bock (which I can't get in NY)!

There's a bunch of cuts that are great.  Some rockers, some slow ones, even a little bit of King George sound.  This is good stuff my friends so turn off CMT and grab this one along with a beer.  Even better, dance your significant other once around the house.  Good times for sure.

Crazy's All They Got


I'm So Out Of Style

Medicine Bluff

Medicine Bluff is a trio out of Oklahoma playing what can best be described as an updated take on Southern Rock.  They may be part of the current Red Dirt Scene, but this music is firmly grounded in that 70's big guitar south of the Mason-Dixon line sound.  I hear a bit of Blackfoot and even some Molly Hatchet sound in here.  It is most definitely rock music with touch of country all mixed up into a very listenable sound.  Like those hard charging guitar solos?  Check this one out.  In particular I really liked the opening and closing tracks "In My Arms Again" and "Outlaw".  "200 Miles" is another great track with some very tasty guitar.

This one really brought back another time for me.  It may be too country for rock fans and too rock for country fans, but for those who grew up back in the day it sure as hell can fire you up.  I think I need a beer and another listen.  Cranking Les Paul's anyone?

In My Arms Again



Outlaw

Poor Man's Poison

Poor Man's Poison are a group of musical friends from California.  They play acoustic music on traditional bluegrass instruments but this is far from traditional sounding.  You get all kinds of influences from folk to reggae in their style.  Think of perhaps Jack Johnson having grown up in Appalachia instead of Hawaii.  I mean this in a really good way.  There is a sweet, laid-back vibe to this record.  Tight harmonies and great playing infuse the songs with such a good feeling.

You can hear their influences throughout the album, proudly worn on their sleeves.  Walkin' owes more than a small debt to Bob Marley, go figure that reggae-bluegrass works and works well.  The lead track At The Winds Will is a standout that pretty much sums up the many talents of this band:  good songs with great harmonies played extremely well.  Slow Down is another track I really liked.  The advice of the band to stop and smell the roses is driven home by a tune that just gets you to downshift a little and catch your breath.  Greedy Man switches things up and is an indictment of our less than charitable sides.  The only miss for me was Christmas Beers which must come off great live but sees to me to be a bit of a throw away.

As the summer ends and we all head back to work or school you would do yourself a solid if you grab this one.  I have a feeling I will be playing it quite a bit.  You can grab this one here.  I suggest that you do.

At The Winds Will


Slow Down


Greedy Man

The Rubber Knife Gang - Drivin' On

I've recently been added to the ReviewShine roster of bloggers and I had no idea what to expect.  ReviewShine connects artists and bloggers so that the music can get from point A to point B with as little effort as possible for all involved.  It works great and I have already had several titles submitted for me to review.  What I didn't expect was how good the music would be.  I am an NY guy with a love of all things Americana:  country, roots, bluegrass...it all goes down so smooth for me.  I am thinking that this is going to be a very interesting ride with ReviewShine.  I will try to write about as many records as I can but I want to make sure each gets its fair share of listens.  So here I go with the first one to catch my ear.

The Rubber Knife Gang is a bluegrass outfit out of southwestern Ohio.  Their second effort, Drivin' On, is an upbeat little affair that has put a smile on my face all day.  "Little Affair" isn't really a great description.  This album has all the feel of a comfortable day out on the porch, kicking back with an ice-cold beverage.  It's all kinds of good. 

Henry Becker (guitar), John Oaks (upright bass and banjo) and Todd Wilson (mandolin) have put together a great example of what modern bluegrass can be.  I have to let you know that I am no purist.  I come to bluegrass via Jerry Garcia and David Grisman and my hippy loving roots.  I have been slowly expanding over the years and I absolutely love groups like the Infamous Stringdusters, the SteelDrivers, Greensky Bluegrass and so many others.  Time to now add the Rubber Knife Gang to the list.  I really do like this album quite a bit.

The album kicks off with the very upbeat title track.  Great pickin' by Henry and Todd with the guitar and mandolin playing off each other and some great harmony vocals.  "She's My Only One" starts off with some nice banjo courtesy of John.  Travelin' Prayer sounded so familiar but I couldn't quite put my finger on where I heard it before...Billy Joel!?!  A surprise and another really good track.  Some bluegrass, some rootsy acoustic numbers, influenced by many but beholden to no one "sound". 

The Rubber Knife Gang has it's heart in bluegrass but the approach firmly rooted in the contemporary Americana sound.  If you like any of the artists I mentioned or if you just like some fine picking check out The Rubber Knife Gang...you won't be disappointed.

Drivin' On