Lisa Biales’ release, Just Like Honey, highlights her stellar voice. She is in total control on every song, whether it’s a slow burning blues number, a ragtime jazz song, or a hair raising anthem. Her voice alone would command attention for this CD. But she wrote every song on the CD as well. And every aspect of this CD makes you feel like this CD is a labor of fun. Highlights for me are “Just Like Honey,” “Sugar,” and “Damn Your Eyes.”
Stephen Ineson, Berto Morales, and Lee Kirby join Calvin in the studio to perform acoustic versions of three tracks from their latest release, Chance and Circumstance. Steve tells the story of his Pennsylvania Rose, Berto Morales talks about how he came to be the mandolin player for the band. Lee Kirby impresses everyone with his ability to switch instruments in the middle of a song.
TPR#86 Milagro Saints – Interview and Music (MP3)
North Carolina Hops and Roots Fest
The Milagro Saints are:
SD Ineson: Vocals, Acoustic Rhythm Guitar
Lee Kirby: Hammond Organ, Piano, Harmonica, Melodica
Roberto Morales: Electric guitar/mandolin
Smitty: Lap Steel
Steve Samosky: Bass
Rusty May: Drums/percussion
Joyce Bowden: vocals
Jick wins-Low: vocals, drums, bass, trombone, guitars, fiddle
Stephen, Lee, and Roberto joined Calvin in the studio.
Stephen Ineson and Calvin talk about how the Milagro Saints have been playing “since before the turn the century.” They talk about how Calvin bought the debut Milagro Saints CD about that time because he liked the cover and thought it looked like something Steve Earle would have made.
Stephen Ineson talks about how this collection of songs on the Milagro Saints’ new CD, Chance and Circumstance came together. They’d been writing songs for a couple of years. And a local Carrboro producer Jick wins-Low saw the band perform their songs at the Weaver Street Market music on the lawn series. Jick helped them mix and produce the CD over about a year period.
Stephen Ineson sets up an acoustic cover of “Pennsylvania Rose,” a song he wrote for his wife.
[Stephen Ineson, Lee Kirby, and Roberto Morales of Milagro Saints play “Pennsylvania Rose”]
Stephenson Ineson talks about the songs on the Milagro Saints’ CD has many influences because he’s from England and “sees America from an outside perspective.” Besides, he says, he’s not afraid to through non-genre specific elements into the music. Ineson also talks about the fact that there’s a thriving Americana scene in England.
Lee Kirby talks about growing up in North West Arkansas and getting the chance to see Earl Scruggs live which was his first taste of roots and bluegrass music and he was also influenced by the New Grass music trend.
Roberto says he grew up in Italy without any roots music influences although Ineson is quick to point out that they have mandolins in Italy. Roberto credits Stephen and Lee for making him “see the light” on the roots music scene.
Stephen Ineson sets up “Ghost.”
[Stephen Ineson, Lee Kirby, and Roberto Morales of Milagro Saints play “Ghost.”]
Stephen Ineson talks about the gigs that Milagro Saints play in the area including Sadlacks and Weaver Street Market. They also talk about playing in the open air. And the joys of playing earlier in the day.
Stephen Ineson sets up “These Things About You,” which he describes as a “bit of a rock and roll number.”
The Taproot Radio Podcast is copyright 2011 by Taproot Media. The music and interviews in this episode are used with permission of the artists. The Taproot Theme music is called “Meltdown Man” by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.com. The episode as a whole is copyright 2011 by Taproot Media.
If you have any feedback for this episode or any other episode, please send mail to feedback@taprootradio.com.
[Stephen Ineson, Lee Kirby, and Roberto Morales of Milagro Saints play “These Things About You.”]
Everyone marvels at Lees harp work on that last song and his ability to switch them in mid-song.
Stephen Ineson tells us the short version of the story behind the band name. He talks about “Milagro” means “miracle.” Lee points out that the true story refers to iconography. In Central America where they wear icons of the saints. They are saving the official story of the band name for an upcoming book, or something.
Roberto Morales tells the story of how he was tricked into becoming he band’s mandolin player.
Stephen Ineson sets up “53rd and 9th Street.”
[Stephen Ineson, Lee Kirby, and Roberto Morales of Milagro Saints play “53rd and 9th Street.”]
Stephen Ineson refers people to MilagroSaints.com and also see Milagro Saints on FaceBook.
Stephen Ineson talks about being self-produced.
Dr. John’s latest release, Locked Down, was produced by Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys and it turned out just like you’d expect from such a collaboration: trippy, atmospheric, jazzy, urban, funky, garage, 70′s soundtrack kinda music. This CD could make anyone want to live on the streets of New Orleans. Highlights for me are “You Lie,” “Ice Age,” “Getaway,” and, best of all, the title track, “Locked Down.”
The Taproot Radio show airs live on Monday nights at 9pm Eastern. Local listeners in Chapel Hill can tune in to WCOM at 103.5FM. Everyone else can tune in to the WCOM.webcast stream.
My interview guest is Jon Neufeld from the string band Jackstraw. Come har him talk about the Portland roots music scene and hear tracks from their CD, Sunday Never Comes.
Jezebel Jones / The Cornell Hurd Band / Drop In On My Dream / 2:22
Lucky Tonight / D.L. Marble / Not The One… / 2:38
Ballad of Sis (Didn’t I Love You) / Hobart Brothers w Li’l Sis / At Least We Have Each Other / 4:17
Long Gone Long John / Woody Pines / You Gotta Roll EP / 2:46
*** Interview Guest: Jon Neufeld ***
Blue Country Mystic / Hiss Golden Messenger / Poor Moon / 4:08
Hold On / Alabama Shakes / Boys & Girls / 3:46
Been There Before / Possum Jenkins / Carolinacana / 3:12
I Won’t Cry / Janiva Magness / Stronger For It / 3:51
Crazy / The Parlor Soldiers / When The Dust Settles / 3:00
I’ll Keep Calling / JP Harris and the Tough Choices / I’ll Keep Calling / 3:07
What The Hell Is Goin’ On? / Paul Thorn / What The Hell Is Goin’ On? / 4:02
Outfit / Drive-By Truckers / Decoration Day / 4:05
River Rush / Beth McKee / Next to Nowhere / 3:24
White Freightliner Blues / Lyle Lovett / Release Me / 5:06
Burning House of Love / Knitters / The Modern Sounds of … The Knitters / 3:42
This week we got new music from the Cornell Hurd Band, Paul Thorn, and D.L. Marble. As always, you can listen to each week’s rotation for free on the taprootradio.com current rotation play list on Spotify.
Jezebel Jones / The Cornell Hurd Band / Drop In On My Dream / 2:22
What The Hell Is Goin’ On? / Paul Thorn / What The Hell Is Goin’ On? / 4:02
Lucky Tonight / D.L. Marble / Not The One… / 2:38
Long Gone Long John / Woody Pines / You Gotta Roll EP / 2:46
Hold On / Alabama Shakes / Boys & Girls / 3:46
I Won’t Cry / Janiva Magness / Stronger For It / 3:51
I’ll Keep Calling / JP Harris and the Tough Choices / I’ll Keep Calling / 3:07
Gallows / Addam Scott / San Diablo / 4:20
Pennsylvania Rose / Milagro Saints / Chance & Circumstance / 4:42
Ballad of Sis (Didn’t I Love You) / Hobart Brothers w Li’l Sis / At Least We Have Each Other / 4:17
Blue Country Mystic / Hiss Golden Messenger / Poor Moon / 4:08
Annie / YARN / Almost Home / 4:07
Only You / Moot Davis / Man About Town / 2:31
Barton Hollow / The Civil Wars / Barton Hollow / 3:26
Big Bend Boogie / JWW And The Prospectors / It’s High Past Time / 3:07
Been There Before / Possum Jenkins / Carolinacana / 3:12
Crazy / The Parlor Soldiers / When The Dust Settles / 3:00
White Freightliner Blues / Lyle Lovett / Release Me / 5:06
Mother Blues / Ray Wylie Hubbard / The Grifter’s Hymnal / 5:57
River Rush / Beth McKee / Next to Nowhere / 3:24
Get Ready / Tilford Sellers & The Wagon Burners / Heartaches, Lies, and Cheating Songs / 1:59
Maybe I Will / Bap Kennedy / The Sailor’s Revenge / 4:34
Woman On The Wheel / Gretchen Peters / Hello Cruel World / 5:01
Heart With A Hole / J.J. Ford / Performance Jones / 4:14
Lee Harvey / T. Tex Edwards / Intexicated! / 3:16
Darkness in the Delta / Eden Brent / It’s All Connected / 3:21
Movin’ On / Donna The Buffalo / Positive Friction / 2:55
Think / Steve Cropper / Dedicated – A Salute To The 5 Royales / 4:02
Sent By Angels / Arc Angels / KGSR Broadcasts Vol. 17 (Disc 2) / 5:35
If I Were A Bramble And You Were A Rose / The Long Ryders / The Long Ryders Anthology: Looking for Lewis and Clark [Disc 2] / 3:20
We’ll Sweep Out The Ashes In The Morning / Gram Parsons / Under Your Spell Again [Disc II] / 3:43
I Can’t Turn You Loose / Otis Redding / Live On The Sunset Strip / 6:19
Reelin’ & Rockin’ [Live] / George Thorogood & The Destroyers / Greatest Hits: 30 Years of Rock / 5:49
What Are You Willing To Lose / Lucero / 1372 Overton Park / 4:08
Ain’t No Good / Nick Curran And The Lowlifes / Reform School Girl / 2:19
Look At Miss Ohio / The Band Of Heathens / One Foot In The Ether / 5:12
Last Fair Deal Gone Down / Crooked Still / Hop High / 4:29
Turn Here / Eddie & Ernie / The Soul Side Of The Street – The Hadley Murrell Story: 1964-1972 / 1:57
Dancin’ Circles Round the Sun (Epictetus Speaks) / Rodney Crowell / The Outsider / 4:32
Here Tonight / Daryl Hance / Hallowed Ground / 3:10
Sleepin’ on the Job of Love / Robbie Fulks / The Very Best Of Robbie Fulks / 2:10
The Rescue Blues / Ryan Adams / Gold / 3:39
Home Of The Blues / Hacienda Brothers / Music For Ranch & Town / 2:50
You’re Gonna Make Me Cry / O.V. Wright / The Soul Of O.V. Wright / 3:24
Loving Time Of Happiness / J. Shogren / Bird Bones & Muscle / 1:54
Perfect World / Devon Allman’s Honeytribe / Torch / 3:37
Last Night / The Mannish Boys / Shake For Me / 5:04
If You Gotta Go, Go Now / Eric Ambel / Roscoe’s Gang / 3:38
Burning House of Love / Knitters / The Modern Sounds of … The Knitters / 3:42
Songs / Slobberbone / New West Records 1 / 2:47
Outfit / Drive-By Truckers / Decoration Day / 4:05
To Drink The Rain / Malcolm Holcombe / To Drink The Rain / 4:22
Possum Jenkins dropping “Mile Past Broke” from their CD Carolinacana at The Green Burro in downtown Greensboro, NC for the dotmatrix project. Hear Dave Willis from Possum Jenkins talk about Carolinacana and listen to other tracks from the CD on episode 85 of the Taproot Music Show.
Guys love their cars and the Brothers Comatose love their van so much it has its own email address on the band site and they paid tribute to it in their latest Album, Respect The Van. The Brothers Comatose play high-energy, traditional sounding string band / roots music in the same vein as the Avette Brothers, and with the same modern sensibility. They aren’t playing for the 1860′s. They are playing for today. Songs about modern temptations and modern decadence. Highlights for me are “Feels Like The Devil,” “Modern Day Sinners,” and “Pie For Breakfast.”
Dave Willis from the Possum Jenkins band talks about how humbling it was to have their latest album Carolinacana fan-funded through a Kickstarter campaign, how they were able to keep the band together for 8 years even while everyone in the band was having lives outside of the band, and playing bards where they have to “keep throwing music at them “til they give up and start dancing.”
TPR#85 Dave Willis from Possum Jenkins (MP3)
North Carolina Hops and Roots Fest
Dave Willis from Possum Jenkins talks about how they started in Boone because they all attended Appalachian State University. But now all but one of the members is based out of the Winston-Salem area. Dave reviews the line up. Jared Church plays bass. Nate Turner is a multi-instrumentalist guitar player, drummer and singer. Brent Buckner is the harmonica player. David Brewer is also a multi-instrumentalist guitar player, drummer, and singer. And of course there’s Dave Willis himself.
Dave Willis talks about looking back on the past 8 years and he says he’s honestly surprised that people can hang out with each other every weekend and multiple times a week for 8 years. He talks about how they thought the band was going to be a short lived project but it survived 8 years even as the members were getting married and having kids etc.
Dave Willis sets up “Know The Way.” It’s a Piedmont blues gospel influenced song. He enjoyed this one because they got Jordan Craig to play trombone, David McCracken from Donna The Buffalo to play organ, and Molly McGinn to sing harmony.
[plays “Know The Way”]
Dave Willis says gospel music is overlooked sometimes but seems to be a building block of just about everything.
Dave Willis says Carolinacana is the first album the feels like they are narrowing down on a sound they can call their own. He says their past albums have been a little scattershot.
Dave Willis sets up “Swinging Door”. This is a song written by Nate and Brent wrote this one. It’s stripped down on the album, but it’s one they play live a lot and it’s evolving.
[plays “Swinging Door”]
Dave Willis talks about the turning point in the band. He says when they first got started they might not have taken it as seriously as they could have. But the turning point for him was the band’s previous release, Collection Of Bad Habits. It was at that point Dave realized they could make a decent album and ever since then he constantly writes and plays and tries to build up a lot of material just because he enjoys doing it.
Dave Willis talks about playing festivals like Shakori Hills, FloydFest, and Rhythm and Roots Fest. They like playing festivals because they get to also see other bands they like. Dave says that he also kinda likes playing bar gigs where sometimes the patrons don’t even want you there and they have to “keep throwing music at them ‘til they give up and start dancing.”
Dave Willis sets up “A Toast.” It was written as a banjo tune but they stripped it down and brought Molly in again to help out on harmonies.
[plays “A Toast”]
Dave Willis talks about how Possum Jenkins got Carolinacana raised the funds to produce the CD through a Kickstarter program. Fans pre-ordered CDs and if people supported with more cash the band would mow lawns or play private parties or whatever. Dave Willis talks about how humbling it was to get that level of support from their fans.
The Taproot Radio Podcast is copyright 2011 by Taproot Media. The music and interviews in this episode are used with permission of the artists. The Taproot Theme music is called “Meltdown Man” by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.com. The episode as a whole is copyright 2011 by Taproot Media.
If you have any feedback for this episode or any other episode, please send mail to feedback@taprootradio.com.
Monday, Feb. 13, 2012. Zoo Bar Recording. BPO. Hear an interview with Mike June about his new band, the Wilson Street Refugees on episode 84 of the Taproot Music Show.
The story of the Making of Exile On Wilson Street. Hear Mike June talk about Exile On Wilson street and hear three tracks from the CD on episode 84 of the Taproot Music Show.