Corinne West web site

I mentioned Corinne West's new CD the other day; visit her website at: www.corrinewest.com to get a full picture of her music and shows, and links.

info about Barbara Lamb's new album "Twisty Girl"

Hey there,
This is Brigid from Totem Pole PR. Last week I sent you an email about Barbara Lamb's newest album "Twisty Girl." I know you probably get hundreds of music submissions a week but I think Tuck's Music Journal readers will be interested in this. Here's all the info again:

Go ahead and download two mp3s from Barbara Lamb's newest album "Twisty Girl" here:

"Frying Pan" - www.mediafire.com/download.php?ut4nzvjlxkn
"I Was Wondering" - www.mediafire.com/download.php?cmmmenzttgg

...and check out the video for "I Was Wondering" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6NMA92fO9E

If need be, I can send along a physical copy or a direct download link for the entire album.

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Please go ahead and post this stuff if you feel like it.

Barbara Lamb's newest album "Twisty Girl" incorporates elements of Americana, bluegrass, traditional folk, live looping and electronic beats. A fiddler by trade, Barbara gathered inspiration from her transition to electronic looping and from tales about her friends, relationships and her dog. Produced by Barbara herself, "Twisty Girl" is a hodgepodge of genres and stories and a landmark in her career.

Barbara started the expertly run NashCamp in Nashville in 1996 and is a producer, composer and a teacher. She's been featured on albums with Peter Rowan, John Cowan, Asleep At The Wheel, Laura Love, Peter Rowan, Tony Trischka, Riders in the Sky and many more.


Like I said, please post any of this and let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for supporting independent music!

review of new CD by David Grier

David Grier's newest album "Evocative" was released in back in June and it's being called "daring, innovative and, at the same time, as satisfying and comfortable as favorite shoes." With guests ranging from Stuart Duncan, Noam Pikelny and Victor Wooten to Jeff Taylor, John Gardner and Paul Franklin, "Evocative" is a creative and emotional exposure of acoustic music. Each song is different in its own right, from the apprehensiveness of "Meditate" to the rambling and steady state of "Four Dogs Jogging." David hasn't left his bluegrass roots behind on "Evocative" though he has expanded his musical view and style in a way listeners haven't heard before.

For the past several years, David has been voted by the members of the International Bluegrass Music Association as Best Guitar Player of the Year. He has appeared on two Grammy- winning recordings: "True Life Blues-A Tribute to Bill Monroe" and "The Great Dobro Sessions." David is also included in the book, "1,000 Great Guitarists." His inspiration to learn guitar came from exposure to Bill Monroe while his father, Lamar Grier, played banjo for the Blue Grass Boys in the middle 1960s.

In addition to touring solo, David also appears as the guitarist for Psychograss.


Like I said, please post any of this and let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for supporting independent music!

Corinne West's new CD The Promise

I received a copy of Corinne West's new CD from a promoter, being an enthusiastic fan of her previous CD Second Sight (2008). Having heard about her from connection with Aaron Phillips out there in California, I follow her music pretty avidly.
You put together a review analysis: voice, songwriting, instrument arrangement, overall impression- this is a fun and exciting total in this case- I can't do better describing than some of the good reviews already coming out for the CD. She has a strong voice, unique (not wanting to compare to others) and yet familiar. The songwriting continues as previous work and grows on; mysterious and mystical and yet also down to earth pictures and visions. The music has some great instrumentation and works throughout; obvious great talent amassed and committed to the project. This CD is getting lots of listens to become familiar and embedded.

Peter Case and Anne McCue at Fur Peace Ranch last night

Peter Case and Anne McCue performed last night at Fur Peace Ranch in Darwin Ohio. A beautiful evening, an appreciative crowd, good hospitality, and two great performances. Both, in their own way, played some dazzling guitar, and had a diverse song selection to keep things hopping and intriguing. Anne, is from Australia, now in Nashville, and played (at least) four different guitars to display her talents- she gave some pleasant banter between songs, and has a strong voice, and storytelling style in her lyrics and singing. She engaged the audience, particularly the "upfront" student section.
Peter Case was who I had come to see, hearing about his musical career, from his leaving Buffalo at 18 in 1973, to head to San Francisco, to play music on the streets, through some bands, connected with a huge array of great musicians over the years, eventually gravitating to Nashville; writing great songs, performing versatilely, popping up on songtracks, TV show soundtracks, tribute collaborations, and all over the place. A great storyteller, relaxed with the audience, diverse in his delivery of songs, adept at the various guitar styles, poignant in his song stories.
He read from a book (memoir) he wrote; it fleshed out a picture of his start in the music world. Sang a Mississippi John Hurt song; Memphis Minnie, too. He can wail and sing a gentle song back to back. Look him up and see all the great connections.

Steve Earle's show last night at Stuart's

A very enjoyable show by Steve Earle last night at Stuart's in Nelsonville. He has been touring this summer in support of his new CD Townes (15 songs by Townes Van Zandt). He told many heartfelt stories about Townes; sang a diverse set list from his own body of work. Acknowledging that the CD is getting good word (and said its hard for a songwriter to get such good accolades for a CD of covers!!!!) This was a solo acoustic version of Steve- and he had two duets tucked in the middle there with Allison Moorer (his wife, and the opening act). He played a couple of songs on a mandolin, and another similar "European" type instrument (a larger looking mandolin type). He interspersed some "political" observations about the current scene, right up to the minute!!!
He sang Christmas in Washington and Jerusalem; keeping those in his repetroire despite the changing current events world.
Did Copperhead Road as an encore.
Touching to hear lots of "gentle" singing along from the diverse audience (not that kind of disruptive singing along that sometimes goes on with a revered performer!!!
I came away very contented with the show, and Steve's body of work, and life's message!!!
I think I was a "come-lately" Steve Earle acquaintance; probably picking him up about "Dead Man Walking"- (the soundtrack) and hearing about his death penalty advocacy. Then the Land Mines benefits; a few things along in there.

Pictures from Nick Barry and the Weedhawks show in July

Steve Earle at Stuart's Thursday evening

Tickets were closing up fast for the Steve Earle show at Stuart's Opera House today, so I picked one up for the balcony. He is touring behind his new CD Townes, along with Alison Moorer (his wife) as opening act.

review of Steve Earle's touring shows promoting his Townes record

The cult of Townes Van Zandt has only grown since his death in the early morning hours of New Year's Day, 1997. The official cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia, brought on by many years of substance abuse. Tales of his reckless and hilarious exploits are legion, and sometimes it seems as if his young followers have taken the wrong lesson from his passing: His glory wasn't in his excess, but that he managed to create for a while before that excess caught up with him.

It's a lesson that runs bone-deep with Steve Earle. He met Van Zandt in 1972 at The Old Quarter in Houston and adopted him as a friend, mentor and role model. The teenage Texan was impressed by Van Zandt's zeal for uncompromising artistry. As Earle told me in an interview several years ago, "It was very obvious to me that I was seeing someone who wasn't making a single, solitary decision based on, 'Will this sell?' "

So we have Van Zandt at least in part to thank that Earle also appears to have never made a single, solitary decision based on, "Will this sell?" After years sweating it out in the Nashville rhinestone mines in the late 1970s and early '80s, he found himself a sudden major-label star with the success of his Guitar Town album in 1986. Most young country artists in the first blush of fame, with a couple of solid hits like "Guitar Town" and "Goodbye's All We've Got Left," would attempt to repeat the formula as precisely and often as possible. Instead, Earle toughened up his sound and expanded his palette, eschewing even the nominal sheen of Guitar Town for a darker and more raucous sound on albums like Copperhead Road and The Hard Way. He never had any more mainstream country hits, but he did build the foundation for a long career.

Unfortunately, Ph.D.-level songwriting craftsmanship wasn't the only habit Earle and Van Zandt shared. Earle's own drug abuse led him to isolation, despair and finally a stint in prison that thankfully prompted him to clean up his act. Since 1995, he has made up for that lost time with a string of top-shelf albums as diverse as they are consistent. His most recent album of original songs, 2007's folky Washington Square Serenade, movingly chronicles the changes in his life since marrying fellow singer-songwriter Allison Moorer and moving from Nashville to New York City.

Earle is 54 now, and with every day that passes he gets a little bit older than his idol ever got to be. It's a time of life when a man stops wondering who he is and starts figuring out how he got to be that way—what were the parts with which this machine built itself? Whether it's that impulse or just the logistical reality of a momentary break in his songwriting output (he's been finishing work on a novel), earlier this year he released Townes, an album of songs written by his late comrade.

His current tour finds Earle performing solo, just the way he first heard the Van Zandt tunes that take the place of his own for about a third of the set list. (Moorer, well worth your attention in her own right, is a special guest.) It's an evening of marvelous songs sung by a man who rightly absorbed the wisdom they carried instead of the self-destructiveness that laid their creator in his grave. As the man sang, "To live's to fly, low and high." Here's to living.

Email music@nashvillescene.com.

A long awaited/ hoped for Holiday benefit with the Greens is in the works

Nate is communicating with me about plans for a December 19th music benefit show here in Parkersburg, featuring the Greens, and perhaps some other bands. Details will be passed along as they develop. The Greens venture down to Asheville NC this weekend; for a show at a spot we stopped in when seeing John Prine in Asheville earlier in the year. I think that's the last of this summer's big road trips; before the Greens settle into some fall weekend shows. You should hear the talk about a long road trip next summer out west!!!!

Greens

I spent some time this weekend in DC, and got a first hand account of some of the Greens shows in that vicinity this summer- Wonderland Ballroom, Firehouse in Fairfax, etc. My sister and brother-in-law hosted the Greens and attended some of the shows, as well as "pre-viewing" the venues among some of their co-workers. They are big Greens boosters, and great to have "on board" in that area. Andy was able to talk about some of the challenges and tribulations at getting bookings out of the familiar stomping grounds. The Greens will be cutting back to weekend shows now that school year routines are getting re-established- after one more flurry with the trip down to Asheville NC this weekend.
I have been communicating with Nathan about a concept show for December 19th here in the Parkersburg area- so hopefully there will be some more news on that shortly.

Travelin' Music

I drove to Wash DC and back by myself as part of a long weekend family reunion, giving me a good run of time to listen to music. This is not in exact order, as the miles blur together, but I listened to:
Randy Newman (the Best of)(A Rhino Records release from 2001)
Don Baker (Play me a song) - a local Belpre OH singer songwriter, new release- produced and assisted on music by Todd Burge
Tommy Womack (There I Said it!)
Adam Carroll (Old Town Rock N Roll) (passed through town in July for a house concert at John Radcliff's)
Lucinda Williams (Little Honey)
Fred Eaglesmith (Tinderbox)
Stacey Earle and mark Stuart (Town Square)
Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women
Owen Temple (Dollars and Dimes)
John Hiatt (Same Old Man)
Will Kimbrough (Home Away)
Todd Snider (The Excitement Plan)

This was a fantastic listen all the way from P-burg to DC - around town, and back to P-burg. Much of it was early listens; a number were mid-range in my collection; and all satisfied my craving for great singer songwriters plying their craft. I'll try to re-visit some of these for commenting later, but wanted to get the whole list out before I got too caught back up in work.

Music spinning in my head just a touch away

I have Adam Carroll in the car CD player (he did a house concert in town at the beginning of July at John Radcliff's house- along with Owen Temple. I heard a Mountain Stage taped in Boston Mass over the weekend, with Todd Snider, Judy Collins, Mavis Staples. I re-read some great old classic No Depressions over the weekend, while sweltering / suffering from the heat and humidity (it killed the snowman, ya know). I hope to get some music listening in with some road trips over the next several days. I am being sent some downloads to listen to, to review for the Tuck's Music Journal these days. Stay tuned for what I can do with them, after I take a listen.

review of DADDY

BY REV. KEITH A. GORDON



Back when you kiddies were still watching Saturday morning cartoons in your spidey PJs and eating chocolate-frosted sugar bombs by the boxful, two nice young men from Kentucky, and another from Alabama, were playing in a critically-acclaimed rock 'n' roll band called the bis-quits. Although these three gents had spun a wonderful collection of intelligent garage-pop with blues-rock overtones and a soupcon of country twang, they were soon forgotten, lost in the enormous commercial shadow of a bunch o' guys from Seattle named Kurt, Eddie, Chris and their, well, kinda grungy, flannel-clad friends.



Fast forward 16 years, and you'll find Daddy, which is, really, mathematically two-thirds of the bis-quits playing with some (talented) pals. Over the past decade-and-a-half or so, the three nice young men - Will Kimbrough, Tommy Womack, and Mike "Grimey" Grimes - have pursued various fates in and out of the music biz. Grimes played for a while with alt-country cut-ups Bare Jr. before escaping the industry's clutches only to open his much-lauded record store in Nashville (Grimey's Music on Eighth - tell 'em the Reverend sent ya!).



Kimbrough has toyed around with a critically-acclaimed solo career that has yielded four solid albums (and an EP), but his real bread-and-butter has been touring and recording as a guitar-for-hire for folks like Jimmy Buffett, Rodney Crowell, Todd Snider, and others. Womack, on the other hand, has put his experience with the bis-quits and, previously, the much beloved Kentucky cult band Govt. Cheese, to good use as a whipsmart, slightly neurotic, constantly embattled solo troubadour, also with four acclaimed studio albums (and a live disc) under his belt.



Daddy began as a one-off between friends and former bandmates, their live 2005 album At the Woman's Club documenting two nights' shows in Frankfort, Kentucky. As these things are wont to do, demand for Daddy and the band's growing popularity has resulted in For a Second Time, the official and righteous Daddy studio debut. A ten-song collection of various Kimbrough and Womack originals and a handful of collaborations between the two (and one excellent total band effort), For A Second Time may well be the best collection of pure music-making that you'll hear come out of Nashville this year.



As they say in Nashville, it all begins with a song - something forgotten long ago by the industry's Music Row - and Kimbrough and Womack are two of the best wordsmiths ever snubbed by the biz. Both songwriters have been around the block a time or three and suffered through the indignities and ignorance of men in suits with corporate smiles, and their experience shines through their songs. The semi-biographical "Nobody From Nowhere," for instance, sounds like a John Hiatt outtake circa Slow Turning, but with Kimbrough's slinky fretwork and great harmony singing between Kimbrough and Womack. The song perfectly sums up the isolation of growing up in the rural South, where everything is miles away from anything else, and dreams of the big-time are tempered by simple pleasures.



Much of the rest of For A Second Time follows a similar tack, Kimbrough and Womack swapping lead vocals on songs that are built around the former's tempered optimism and the latter's wry sense of humor and joyful cynicism. "Early To Bed, Early To Rise" is Womack's advice to a younger generation, an only-slightly-tongue-in-cheek warning about the rat race from a man that has lived it firsthand. The New Orleans-tinged "Wash & Fold" possesses all the funky soul of the Meters, Kimbrough mouthing a sly come-on to a young lovely that is equal parts Ray Davies and Aaron Neville.



Of course, the Daddy guys also recognize a good song when they hear it, and their loving cover of '60s-era folkie Mike Millius' "The Ballad of Martin Luther King" provides the sort of intricate wordplay that Womack excels at spitting out. The ode to the African-American hero is especially ironic provided the band's deep-rooted Dixie sound, but these boys have always embraced equality in all things - especially music - and the song's folkie origins are amped up with squalls of harmonica, bluesy guitarwork, and more than a little introspection.



The full band collaboration "I Went To Heaven In A Dream Last Night" is a syncopated, almost stream-of-consciousness tale of Womack's brush with the almighty that evinces a dark sense of humor, manic vocals, and more great throwaway lines and imagery than we can recount here (although "a funny thing happened on my way to the grave, I didn't burn out and I didn't fade away, my heart kept beating until the end of the ride" is a pretty damn funny line). The band - which additionally includes Paul Griffith on drums, Dave Jacques on bass and John Deaderick on keys - backs it up with a funky-cool, twang-jazz soundtrack with lighter-than-feather cymbal brushing, scraps of honky-tonky piano, and Kimbrough's piercing six-string notes. "He Ain't Right" is another semi-autobiographical look back at childhood and what it's like to be smalltown different, the lyrics pounded home above a muscular rhythm, bee-sting fretwork, and potent, gospel-tinged keyboards.



Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack bring the best out of each other, creatively, and with nearly two decades of friendship and shared musical history to work off of, it should come as no surprise that they're able to come up with gem after gem. The three background guys in Daddy are no slouch, either, but rather talented pros able to cut loose from their day jobs and spin some fun, complex, and satisfying music behind their charismatic frontmen. Altogether, For a Second Time adds up to more than the sum of the individual band member's talents; Daddy the best band that you've never heard (yet).

Vinyl Record Sale tomorrow here at 1739 St. Mary's Ave

I am having one of my "several times a year" vinyl record sales tomorrow here at our offices on St. mary's Ave. in Parkersburg. I almost had to "will" myself to schedule one, its a little crammed into a busy stretch, but thought I better keep the dream alive. The records I will bring over from Latrobe St. are going to only be a tip of the iceberg, but if someone stops by with above average interest, i will offer to take them over there. Its a little damp over there, which is a neglectful problem I have created for myself. I will probably (if I am not being too over ambitious) have another sale in the fall. There is a lot of potential there still, but.... just burning the candle at too many ends. The kids in our summer neighborhood program have learned the fine art of junk art work with old vinyl records; making some clocks and popcorn bowls. We still haven't organized our skeet shooting/ paint gun idea for vinyl records yet however. Stay tuned for a report after tomorrow!

wrapped up an unbelievable week of music!!!!

I feel very blessed to have had such a great week of music- from Tuesday through Sunday of this past week. Mark Stuart and Stacey Earle right here in our own humble little coffee house Tuesday to entertain us; Wednesday, watching the Townes Van Zandt movie, Be Here to Love Me; the Weedhawks and Nick Barry Thursday night at 6 Pence, The Greens Friday night at the Marietta Brewing Company for great summer listening and great fan-togetherness; Will Kimbrough Saturday night at Pomeroy, during their Blues Festival, and Mountain Stage in Ashland KY on Sunday, with Todd Snider. This is a week of music nearly unsurpassed with pleasure and inspiration. Thanks to all these fine musicians and entertainers for giving me great elation.

the rest of Mountain Stage on Sunday

I reported earlier on Todd Snider's performance at Mountain Stage in Ashland KY on Sunday evening. The rest of the lineup was: Nanci Griffith, a long time favorite, with such a fantastic voice and story to tell. She works in some great social conscience into the music she chooses and performs- this includes her current release: The Loving Kind. She had a crackerjack band backing her, and even had Todd Snider come up and sing some harmony on one song!!! The other highlight was the Green Cards; a sort of bluegrass group, with lots of high energy and fresh approach. Two Australians and a British fiddler (with a backing "American" guitar player for this show!!) They have some spirited instrumental work, and obviously put the energy into their performance which wins over an audience. The other two acts were Ashleigh Flynn, a Kentucky-born singer songwriter, and Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey from North Carolina, who have performed in, been involved with, a number of bands and musical configurations. A solid show throughout, and nice to see the show in a change of pace venue occasionally. Todd was, of course the highlight. It was mentioned this was his 10th appearance on Mountain Stage. Larry Groce obviously gets a kick out of Todd- quoting from one of Todd's new songs (something to the effect- its hard not to break the ten commandments, and sometimes I'm harder to follow than the ten commandments)- Larry sorta knows what Todd's talking about.

Mountain Stage last night in Ashland KY

We made the trek to Ashland KY to take in a Mountain Stage "on the road" show. The nice Paramount Arts Center was the venue, and it is a nice place, and seems to have a solid group of volunteers manning the place. Larry Groce and the crew seem comfortable there, in another "home away from home," theater for the show. Well, of course we primarily went to see Todd Snider, and we were excited to see him, and performing songs off the new CD, The Excitement Plan. Todd was in great form, smiled a lot- played 5 songs off the new CD- Greencastle Blues, America's Favorite Pastime, Doll Face, Bring 'em Home, and Good Fortune. I will write more later, but have to shift gears quickly here. Todd also sang on one song with Nanci Griffith, during her set!!!!

Will Kimbrough in Pomeroy OH last night

I traveled down to Pomeroy last evening for Will Kimbrough's set at the Pomeroy Blues Festival on the river. This is a nice festival with a big commitment from the community there and some obvious huge fans and enthusiasts both putting it on and as patrons. Its at the same time each year, right in the thick of some hot Ohio River valley weather, plenty of food and beverage vendors, and several days of (mostly) blues music. Great job by those folks; its clear there are many folks that keep coming back and really enjoy the annual event.
Will Kimbrough was who I came to see! He had a drummer (Paul Griffith, who drums for DADDY) and a bass player, for a solid three piece version of Will's many configurations for his very versatile music repetroire. This was a very enjoyable performance; going in, I was anticipating the kinds of music Will would perform for this (mostly) billed Blues Festival. I came away greatly impressed, by both Will's solid set list, and his winning over folks, who may not have known his music. He put on a dazzling guitar display, his vocals were strong and perfect for the hot summer outdoor setting, his lyrics jumped out at you (not to negatively compared the usual blues genre!!!!) Will is a fantastic songsmith and more and more exposure to his work serves to impress all the more. I am eager to keep following his schedule and seek further opportunities to see him again soon, and hopefully with the DADDY line up. Jackie Welker had to be satisfied with his role in getting Will to our part of the country!!!

Don Baker's new CD

Don Baker came to the coffee house the other night (Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart) and brought me a copy of his new CD. This is a very enjoyable listen- it is fun to be already familiar with some of the songs, from Don's participation in local songwriter nights. And then to hear the good sound he has created on CD with Todd and Billy is very impressive. A nice showcasing of Don's solid vocals, and songwriting, but a great touch on the backing instruments, harmonies, and recording. I hope folks will get themselves a copy when Don is out playing, and you'll be in for many enjoyable listens to this local solid contributor to the music scene here in the Mid OHio Valley. These down to earth songs, good melodies, and steady "familiarity" are very satisfying!

Greens show last night

The Greens (more infrequent) return to the Mid OHio Valley was a spectacularly fantastic show at the Marietta Brewing Company last night. In the midst of the middle of summer, many good old loyal Greens fans got together for a fun filled/ enjoyable evening of great songs and performances, and some high energy dancing- feeding off of, and into the Greens own hard working energy. The Greens had rolled in from Knoxville Tennessee, where they played the previous night (with South Carolina before that). With those two shows, playing before brand new listeners, there had to be something nice about an appreciative and familiar crowd. The song selection was typically excellent and inspiring; working all around the deep Greens song list. Its been a long time since I've heard "In Time," for instance. By the time they were heavy into the dancing requests- they had worked everyone into a fine frenzy of enjoyment. Even TWO incidents of beer being spilled onto Andy's equipment (guitars, cords, pedals, straps, etc. etc.) couldn't break the momentum, or the determination to put on a memorable show for this "re-convened" loyal band of Greens-followers.
I thank Andy for inviting me up for an early "Americana" mini-set, and enjoyed the harmonizing. I know its not what most people are there to hear, but we get enough "shout-outs" and positive comments to think its alright to squeeze that in every now and again. Cripple Creek, Angel from Montgomery, Friend of the Devil and You Ain't Goin' Nowhere, were the songs we did in that little set.
Throughout the night all cylinders were pumping for the power trio. And once the dancing commenced it was ecstatic fun for the rest of the night; until the overhead lights came on signalling the MBC staff were ready to call it a night. Apocalypso was actually just revving up, and had to be gracefully cut short but nobody could say the Greens hadn't given it their all, yet again.
The little forays to the DC area, the Carolinas, and now even a few other directions can't help but be good experience for the Greens, in bringing their exciting unique brand of music and showmanship to wider audiences, and then bringing it all back home to some solid enthusiasts back here in good ol' WV and the Mid Ohio Valley.