Sooo Much More...

I used to go see the Cherry Poppin' Daddies in the early nineties up and down the Northwest coast. These guys are a phenomenal band. It is way too bad that they got labeled a swing band because that was really just part of their shtick. When we used to see them in the small clubs, they were basically a punk band with the sickest horn arrangements. I swear I have never had as sweaty a dance night at a club as I did when these guys were full speed ahead. And with Steve Perry at the wheel, they never had an off night. They could mix punk, ska, rock, funk, swing, anything into a set or even into one song. MC Large Drink was a kamikaze Cab Calloway. Dana on trumpet was just amazing and Dang on bass was ...

Equus

That song is sooo funky. That bassline is so low its dragging through the gutter. The fuzzed up lyrics are classic. Many some good memories. Here is some more versatility from the same album sans swing.

Johanna Of The Spirits

Jimi Thing

This is an often overlooked album in Ricki Lee Jones discography. There are no real hits on it; it is more of an acoustic jazz album. And it is this fact, the reason why I enjoy it. Plus, she has , in my opinion, a great cover of Jimi Hendrix's Up From The Skies. This track has Robben Ford on acoustic Steel String guitar (rhythm), John Leftwich on Bass, and Michael O'Neill on acoustic Nylon String guitar (lead). Check out the guitar runs towards the end of the song. For me, this is a classic.

Up From The Skies

As it is called Pop Pop, I will throw one more gem up. This track has the same bass player, Walfredo Reyes on brushes, and the great Joe Henderson on saxophone. Cool jazz vibe.

Bye Bye Blackbird

Apples and Potatoes

This is a British folk album from one of the queens of British folk voice released in the mid nineties. Not much to say here but I thought I would share this cool medley of gypsy numbers she recorded with an Andy Cutting on Diatonic accordion. Keeps you on your toes.

Apples and Potatoes

the Bluegrass Sessions

It pretty much doesn't get any better than this for a progressive bluegrass lineup. The tunes are great too. Of course, Bela Fleck (banjo) got it all together. He's got Jerry Douglas (dobro), Sam Bush (mandolin), Mark Schatz (bass), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), and Tony Rice (guitar). There are a special guests on all tracks, like John Hartford and Vassar Clemens. This 1999 release has a great recording of solid progressive bluegrass picking.

Spanish Point

Valley Of The Rogue

Dark Circles

Seven Angels On A Bicycle

This is a pretty cool album that I have just recently picked up. I had heard that she plays mandolin as well as her primary instrument fiddle. There is no mandolin on this album but there is a really talented band including: Bill Frisell, Greg Leisz, Viktor Krauss, Kenny Wollesen, and Chip Taylor. The other thing I was bummed about was that none of the tunes were written by her. She co-wrote a few songs and did one cover. This album is kind of like ambient americana, country with atmosphere. It is a very good listen and is hard to single out one song. The title track is strong but I just can't get myself to post just the first track to turn someone on to an album. That said, here is the cover, written by Dirk Powell.

Waterbound

You Can't Resist It

This is a super fun album. It goes from big horn arrangements down to the whisper of a vocalist. The band is impeccable. Victor Krauss on bass, Andrea Zonn on fiddle, Francine Reed on duet vocals. There's horns, string, and backing vocals. I was checking this out last night on my way home and some thing just caught me on this track. Tweaking the arrangement would make it a cool bluegrass tune even. Also check out how low the baritone backup voice can get. So low, it more a bass voice.

You Can't Resist It

Congratulations

I have actually heard of and respect three of the five artists nominated for Best Country Instrumental for the 2008 Grammy. I do not own the other two albums (Andy Statman, Russ Barenburg) but I own this one:
The Greencards are nominated for Mucky the Duck. Written by Kym Warner, their mandolin player. It's a cool little bluegrass type acoustic jam. It has the great Bryon Sutton on guitar.
The tune is off the Viridian album, which in my opinion is alright. I enjoy about half the songs. It is an acoustic affair somewhat like a mature Nickel Creek. Kym Warner is a very good mandolin player. The Greencards are Carol Young on vocals and bass and Eamon McLoughlin on fiddle. On this album they are joined by Bryon on guiotar and Larry Attamanuik on drums (from Jerry Douglas' band, among others).

Mucky The Duck

This tune is more of what the Grreencards sound like:

River of Sand

oh, and I have to credit Lizwalker1975 for the great Mucky Duck photo.

UHF

This is a really great band from Portland, OR. I do have to admit I am a little biased because we are friends with the drummer but they guys are very tight at what they do. And what they do is great Brit psychedelic pop. The two Leff brothers are excellent songwriters and singers; and Matt Johnson on kit and Jeff Nelson on bass. I am not sure who does all their graphics (I am sure Matt has at least a hand in it) but this is top notch, too. I am surprised that these guys are bigger than they are. Here is a taste from their latest; I'll get more up soon.

Disconnected

Recovery.....

Ended up spending the day yesterday with my sick four year old. It was kind of like playing hooky except for the vomiting. Not a whole lot I am going to say 'bout this track except... I really do not enjoy when Dave opens his mouth to talk; he should stick with singin' and playin'. I thought this was some good singin' though.

Save Me

Shoot Out The Lights

Kinda went crazy the last few posts. Tone it down a little. This little ditty is an excellent cover of the great Richard Thompson. It is performed by X with help from David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. I am a big fan of John Doe but don't entirely care for Exene. This is rough cut and raunchy; kind of what this song deserves. For you headphone fanatics out there, Hidalgo is in the right ear and Tony Gilkyson is in the left. This appeared on the Beat the Retreat CD from 1994. Dig.

Shoot Out The Lights