Far From Enough

This is a pretty ironic title considering all the threads this album is going open on this here blog. Kind of exciting, in fact, at least for me. So to get right to it: this is a fantastic album that came out a few years ago. It is Victor Krauss' first solo album and he is Alison Krauss's brother. Victor has been a supporting a number of musicians before this project; too many for me to mention here besides a note that he is Lyle Lovett's bassist for a while (maybe still is).

I was reminded of this album from all the talk of the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss duets album that has come out recently. I guess I wasn't as skeptical as most on hearing about this collaboration. This is due to the Robert Plant cover that Alison sings on this album. I really like it and Alison's voice has always just slayed me. There will definitely be more posts with her involved in the future.

Big Log

But this album is so much more than that. I can't just leave you with that sample. Bill Frisell on guitar and Jerry Douglas on dobro really shine here. Any project with either of these guys will get me psyched. Bill adds so much texture to a project and songs take such great twists and turns when he is on board. Jerry Douglas is just a phenomenal talent and has played in a multitude of projects. Check out this fun little song:

Here To Be Me

We still haven't hit what this album is totally about and without posting the whole album I never will. Victor is so good at creating mood and context. There will definitely be more nuggets from all four of these artists in the future.

For A Good Time

Joy Kills Sorrow

This is a really cool band out of the Boston area. They have recently changed lead singers but this band is incredibly talented. As a buddy mandolin player, I especially enjoy the work of Joe Walsh. He does some terrific rhythm work and has very tasteful precise solos. Adam, on banjo, is extremely skilled and keeps the whole thing on track. And Matt, on guitar, has just won the National Flatpicking Championships recently I believe. There are accolades for whole band that a simple web search will reveal.

I have a bunch of their tunes and they are all so good and inspiring (at least for me). I have been listening to this a lot lately on the commute. Incredible vocals on all. I am putting up two older ones to start. I have more that I might post later. One tune has some great bass bowing on it. Check out the sedate but accurate chop of Joe, too.

Oh, I do need to add that both tracks are not a great recording. They start to break up at the very high reaches of the vocals; but I still think they are very listenable.


Barbara Ellen

Handsome Molly

The Rosewood Thieves

This album, I should say EP, came out last year but the beauty of being a new blog is that I have a ton of things to revisit. The Rosewood Thieves have just issued their second EP and thus the post. I wouldn't characterize this as Americana so much but it is very reminiscent of 60 folk -rock . I see Bob Dylan ( though he is kind a in everything), Beatles, ... i don't know , a few others; i guess it has all been said before. Every track on the EP is good. So here is a taste.

Back Home To Harlem

The Word

I read elsewhere that The Word have a couple of shows coming up and I had to dig out that CD. This is a really cool band or spin off, whatever you want to call it. John Medeski of MMW, the North Mississippi All-Stars, and Robert Randolph all cooked up together delivering a gospel album. There are some super cool jams on here. Medeski keeps the mood going and I am surprised he doesn't get more solos. The real fireworks are the dueling slide guitars of Robert Randolph and Luther Dickinson. This is great stuff.

At the Cross

Waiting On My Wings

Dem Boys Pt. 4

The show is Sunday and the rate I am going this will be the last post till then. I frickin' love the Gourds. They have a great laid back vibe. There lyrics are very creative and enjoyable. They can rock it out and slow it down. You think they are just a rowdy sloppy bar band from Texas and then you really listen and they are totally in control and professional. They have two strong personalities as song writers. All these mixes come together in a ying yang; sweet and sour thing and it is just fantastic.

Pickles

High Highs and Low Lows

Need To Be Fair

I need to get a couple of these up that have been simmering (while I have the time). I go hot and cold on Rhonda Vincent. Sometimes I really like her (and her band) and sometimes I like her band. Her voice is something special and she is a competent mandolin player. I am going to throw out there two tracks. The first is a great mandolin and fiddle duet (something I would love to hear more of) with Hunter Berry on fiddle and Josh Williams on mandolin. This is great stuff but again really her band and not Rhonda.

Son Drop In

Now to be fair I have to post something by Rhonda. This is a great tune with good harmony. This was not written by Rhonda and Josh Williams is still on mandolin (Rhonda on guitar).

I've Forgotten You

Harder than I Thought

Getting entries up for this blog is harder than I thought. I guess not harder but more time consuming and time is one thing I do not have a lot of. I am still new to the whole Uncle Tupelo thing which includes all the off shoots, etc. I guess I had my head in Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors at the time. But going back to their catalog has been rewarding. I haven't touched Son Volt and Wilco yet, but with NPR in fund raising this Uncle Tupelo CD has been playing in my car. This is a good song (that even my band should cover).

Still Be Around

Dem Boys Pt. 3

I really should have gotten this up yesterday; but alas, it is todays post. How 'bout I double up the tunes. The Gourds first album is still fantastic and really the best (or second best) way to get to know the flavor of this band. Kevin's mandolin playing' is what I enjoy best (or Max's). But just the energy and groove is tip-top.

Caledonia

Ringing Dark and True

Midnight Moonlight

This is a classic tune penned by Peter Rowan. He has a new version out performed by a quartet with Tony Rice on guitar, Sharon Gilchrist on mandolin , and Bryn Davies on bass. This is a fantastic recording and some incredibly tasteful solos. Tony Trishka wrote the liner notes and I'll let him take it away: "Peter weaves a lovely, chord based guitar break, egged on by Tony. Sharon's mellifluous turn is a study in tonal beauty. Then Tony burns the studio down with a musical statement that will be the talk of acoustic circles for years to come. If I counted correctly, he takes nineteen passes through the progression, spinning off one ear-popping fusillade after another." 'nough said; check it.

Midnight Moonlight

Dem Boys pt. 2

The continued excitement is palpable. I have decided to add a Gourds track everyday this week till the show. This way the uninitiated can be baptized and the old hat can be recharged. This track is hands down, my favorite from the Stadium Blitzer album. The jam is great, classic Gourds. Catchy lyrics and a super cool groove at about the 3:30 mark. Enjoy

Lament

"the train lit up the sandstone like a thousand pardons"

This is a great tune. I remember hearing this for the first time live in Colorado with Patty performing solo and I was blown away by the energy of it. This take here is from the album Stranger's World. Two extra bonuses, and the reason I am posting it is the mandolin parts from John Leventhal and that the supporting vocals from Bruce Cockburn.

Me and That Train

Dem Boys are coming....

Dem Boys are coming to Vermont for the first time as far as I know and I am starting to get really excited. This is going to be a fantastic show. It is a little interesting that the Dropkick Murphys are playing the same night in the same building but that just means there will be a lot of drunk people having a lot of good times.

It's interesting the Gourds do not get talked about more. They have the groove like no one else and they are all excellent magicians (!), no I mean musicians. Great lyrics and personalities. I could just go on and on. This tune off of their newest album is really cool. Normally, I am a Kevin guy but Noble Creatures is really a Jimmy album. He is freakin en fuego on this LP. Hopefully, I can get some more tunes up before next weekend.

All in the Pack

Keeping the drive alive

I do not have any back story on this one, but this is a great band from Canada called Nathan. I have enjoyed tracks from them before and now that I have bought their album, I am posting this up too. Cool song and great voices/harmonies. Some fun slide guitar work. Enjoy.

Let Them Look