Rotation #279, September 26, 2011

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Howdy,

Caught up on a huge backlog of new music this week! First and foremost, The Gourds’ new CD, Old Mad Joy, is going into rotation. They are continuing their evolution from string band to electric country-rock-funk with as much energy and intensity as ever. I’m really liking the Max Johnston contribution, haunted, which sounds a bit like a throw back to the 70’s. Several Jimmy Smith songs stand out for me including “Marginalized” and “Drop What I’m Doing,” and the apparently radio-friendly track is the opener by Kevin Russel, “I Want It So Bad.” The Gourds never fail to deliver ear-catching bar band rock.

Speaking of bar band rock, the V-Roys have a reunion/retrospective/whatever you call it CD out now called Sooner or Later. I recommend this for any band starting out because the tracks from their very early days are, well, kinda painful. But as you get to the later more recent tracks on the CD, wow! What huge evolution in their sound and skill. Unbelieveably good rock and roll from these guys. But I have to say, as good as the originals are, my favorite track is the cover of “How I Got To Memphis”.

Pieta Brown’s new CD is an engaging collection of songs. I tend to favor the tracks that have a little more swing to them. But several of the softer tracks are beautiful. Highlights for me are “I’m Gone,” “I Want It Back,” Blue Rider,” and “Glory To Glory.”

Lastly I want to mention Parker Roads’ CD, Youngblood. He kinda reminds me of Hayes Carll with a little bit of Ryan Bingham thrown in. He’s currently scheduled to be my guest on the podcast in the next couple of weeks.

On episode 53 of the Taproot Podcast, Eric Hisaw talks about his cheap living days, the writers who inspired him, and the challenges and rewards of writing songs about your family.

On episode 54 of the Taproot Podcast, Ward Hayden from Girls, Guns, and Glory talks about the Boston roots music scene, simple wants and needs, the band’s approach to american roots music, and his songwriting collaboration with his father.

I’m pleased to announce that Taproot Radio has a new sponsor, The Night of 100 ELVISes, easily the most elaborate and fun Elvis tribute party you’ll ever get to attend. If you have a roots music event, label, etc that you would like to promote on one of these episodes, drop me a line.

Dig Deep,
Calvin 

Recent Podcast Episodes

Episode 50  - Tokyo Rosenthal talks about the award he won for his song “Black To Blue,” his experience with European “listening rooms,” and where he got those mysterious horn players on his latest CD.

Episode 51 – Bettysoo and Doug Cox talk about their one year anniversary as musical collaborators, their naming challenges, and the sensuous mysteries of the dobro.

Episode 52 – Ray Bonneville talks about whether or not he’s a blues man, his time in New Orleans, and the spaces in his songs.

Episode 53 – Eric Hisaw talks about his cheap living days, the writers who inspired him, and the challenges and rewards of writing songs about your family.

Episode 54 – Ward Hayden from Girls, Guns, and Glory talks about the Boston roots music scene, simple wants and needs, the band’s approach to american roots music, and his songwriting collaboration with his father.



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