Review - 2/31 - Taproot Radio | Taproot Radio

Review: Who Was That Man by Tokyo Rosenthal

May 112011

It would be a mistake and a shame to saddle Tokyo “Toke” Rosenthall with the label”singer/songwriter.” Better to call him one of the most entertaining story tellers working today. His latest CD, Who Was That Man?, unfolds like the opening credits of an epic western movie, complete with dramatic mariachi horns. There are elements of “Country and Western” music woven throughout the CD, but he’s not riding off into cliche’ territory. He’s just setting expectations for a set of songs that are borderline mythic ballads. Highlights for me are “Maybe I’ve Been Where I’m Goin’,” “San Antone,” and the bizarre and catchy tune, “The Librarian.”

Tokyo Rosenthal on iTunes

Review: Wounded Electric Youth by Adam Klein

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Feb 242011

Adam Klein’s CD, Wounded Electric Youth, reminds me of the early days of Whiskeytown. There’s a high lonesome sound in the fiddles and a hint of Gram Parsons in the electric guitars. The songs have an easy-going tempo that feels quietly content. Likewise Klein’s songwriting reminds me of Ryan Adams. Stripped of the faux-country window dressing that plagues so much of roots music these days, Klein’s lyrics have a here-and-now feel to them. The highlight tracks for me are “Driftin’” and “Wayward Son.”

Review: Okra and Ecclesiastes by Grant Peeples

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Feb 072011

Grant Peeple’s third CD, Okra And Ecclesiastes wins my reward for best original CD title in, oh, well, a long time. Some how that title builds an image of Deep Woods Gothic that permeates the whole CD and Grant follows through with Ray Wylie Hubbard class lyrics and gritty, grindy, guitars. Highlights for me are “Power Lines,” “Down Here In The Country,” and “My People Come From Dirt.”

Review: To Drink The Rain by Malcolm Holcombe

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Jan 162011

On this eighth CD from Malcolm Holcombe, you get the sense that the long period of working out some personal things and getting stuff put behind him has finally come to an end. Don’t get me wrong, these past CDs have been phenomenal works full of a strength and vision that is all to often lacking in the music world. But those CDs were dark. On his latest CD, To Drink The Rain, Malcolm Holcombe has produced, well not exactly happy upbeat songs, and no one would ever accuse him of being chipper, but at set of songs that has a positive vibe to them. The gravely voice, the driven almost speaking in tongue lyrics and delivery are still there. The Appalachian soul is still there in every note.

The supporting band and producer Jared Tyler follow his lead and let holcombe’s music be holcombe’s music. You can tell they know that they are in the presence of genius.. Johnny Cash’s fomer bass player, Dave Roe was quoted as saying “Malcolm is the only artist that I would fight to be on his recording.”

For me the highlights are “One Leg At A Time,” “Down In The Woods,” “Becky’s Blessed,” “A Mighty City,” and “To Drink The Rain.”

Review: Blaze Foley’s 113th Wet Dream by Gurf Morlix

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Jan 112011

Long before he became legendary in the Americana / Roots music scene by producing CDs for the likes of Lucinda Williams, Robert Early Keen, and Ray Wylie Hubbard, and long before he became on of the leading instrumentalists in the genre, Gurf Morlix hung out in Austin with a singer songwriter by the name of Blaze Foley, In Gurf’s own words:

“A few years ago, Gurf wrote: “Blaze Foley – soulful, passionate singer songwriter. Champion of the downtrodden. Friend of the working Girl. Truth seeker. Atmospheric disturbance. Tender caring person with a big ol’ bag of deep-rooted troubles stuffed down into one of his pockets. Blaze could cut right through the bullshit, or he could be the cause of it. The funniest person I ever met, and also the most tragic”.

This collection of Blaze Foley’s songs is being released in conjunction with a documentary about his life. The CD shows both the light and the dark sides of Blaze Foley, from songs with happy-go-lucky lyrics to sad tear jerkers. Highlights for me include, “Baby Can I Crawl Back To You,” “Clay Pigeons,” and “Cold, Cold, World.”

Georgia Warhorse by JJ Grey and Mofro

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Oct 072010

JJ Grey’s latest CD, Warhorse, is true to his past CD’s even down to the usual graphic design motifs likewise the CD delivers just what you’d expect, powerful, swamp rock and deep soulful lyrics. The one thing I can say is different about Georgia Warhorse is that the songs are more down-tempo, giving JJ grey’s lyrics a chance to come center stage. Highlights for me include “Gotta Go,” “Slow Hot and Sweaty,” and “Diyo Dayo.”

You Are Not Alone by Mavis Staples

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Sep 222010

Put your hands on your radio and feel the power! (or speakers, or ear buds). Sweet Jesus! Mavis Staples gives you the good news as only she can on her latest CD, You Are Not Alone. She knows exactly how to phrase each line of the song for maximum impact and it’s enough the convert even the coldest secular heart, or at least get them to tap their toes. But seriously, you don’t have to be into Gospel music or even a Christian to appreciate and enjoy this CD. It’s chock full of guest appearances from the likes of Jeff Tweedy who gives the songs an edge with his grindy guitar work. Mavis also sings songs written my some guest artists, including a Randy Newman song called “Losing You” which is turns out to be a perfect show case for Staples’ voice. Other highlights for me are “Don’t Knock,” “You Are Not Alone,” and “Downward Road.”

Well After Awhile by shinyribs

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Sep 152010

Kevin Russell has always been the good ol’ boy counter point to Jimmy Smith’s out in the weeds songwriting. So I was afraid when I heard that Kevin Russel’s shinyribs persona was releasing an album I didn’t have high hopes. But I have to say “Well, After Awhile,” despite the uber-generic title, has some of the best damn songwriting I’ve heard. The highlights for me are “East Tx Rust,” “Country Cool,” “Poor People’s Store,” and “Fisherman’s Friend.”

Western Country by Caleb Klauder

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Aug 272010

Caleb Klauder told me in an interview that he’s not very prolific. His backing band is called, “The Caleb Klauder Band.” His latest CD is simply called Western Country. Sometimes musicians don’t distinguish themselves by being super-clever. The distinguish themselves by producing a pure, simple sound that digs straight into your brain. Caleb Klauder is one of those musicians. Western Country has a few original tunes and several covers from the earliest days of country music including a cover of the classic country tune “Satisfied Mind.” But here’s the thing. Unless you are a historian of early country music, you’d never be able to tell the difference between Klauder’s originals and the covers. His mastery of that country sound is dead on perfect. The Caleb Klauder band is not a tribute band. They are making music in the hear and now. Singing about things that are as relevant today as they ever have been. This is a testament both to the early days of country music and a testament to Caleb Klauder as a musician. The highlights for me are “Worn Out Shoes,” “Pieces On The Floor,” and the Bill Reid cover, “In My Heart I Love You Yet.”

Sole Kitchen by The Water Tower Bucket Boys

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Aug 042010

keep moving…..

The Water Tower Bucket Boys share a hidden hollow of the roots music landscape with the likes of The Avett Brothers, Split Lip Rayfield, and The Felice Brothers. Yes, it’s bluegrass and string band music. But it’s churned out by guys you’d like to go get in trouble with, not some old fogies pining about the golden age of yesteryear. Their latest CD, Sole Kitchen, is full screechy, pounding newgrass that will turn over your brain like a freshly plowed field. The highlights of Sole Kitchen for me are “Bread” and “Crooked Road.”

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