Joni’s harmony is almost magical on this great clip from the Johnny Cash show...
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Mark Chesnutt To Release Album Of Outlaw Covers In June
Saguaro Road Records is releasing Mark Chesnutt’s new collection of all-American, all-time favorite, whiskey-soaked standards— Outlaw. From the distinguished specialty label that has brought country music enthusiasts unrivaled recordings from artists such as Patty Loveless, Tanya Tucker and Lonestar, Outlaw follows in the same vein; with grit, spit-polished and shined, and delivered by one of country music’s finest music stylists.Set to be released on June 22, 2010, Outlaw features re-recordings of some of Chesnutt’s personal heroes and life-long friends such as Billy Joe Shaver, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings (for whom Mark’s eldest son is named.) The product of producer Pete Anderson (Dwight Yoakam/Michelle Shocked/Tanya Tucker), Outlaw is a typical true-denim-blue Mark Chesnutt.
“When I was first approached to record this CD, my reaction wasn’t just ‘yes,’ but ‘hell, yeah,’” Chesnutt said. “I cut my teeth on this kind of music and it’s an opportunity [that might not have otherwise presented itself] for me to pay tribute to some of my biggest heroes in country music.”
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Stream The New Mary Chapin Carpenter Album- The Age of Miracles
The Age of Miracles, the new album from world-renowned singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter was released this week on Zoë/Rounder Records. Over the course of a 12-album recording career, Carpenter has won five GRAMMY Awards and sold over 13 million records. The new record follows 2008’s acclaimed Christmas release Come Darkness, Come Light and 2007’s Grammy-nominated album The Calling. In her own words, Carpenter describes the album as, “a personal exploration of regret and resilience but also a larger, more universal expression of wonder at the times that we are living in.”For a limited time, AOL is offering a complimentary listening opportunity where you can stream the entire album and hear it for yourself. Click HERE to listen to the new album.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Jewel Has Two Versions Of Same Album Coming Out In June
Jewel’s second release on Valory Music Co., Sweet And Wild, will be in stores June 8. She is taking a unique approach with the project, offering fans two different versions of the songs on the album—the full studio version, and the alternate acoustic track which showcases the songs in their original state. The acoustic set will be called Sweet And Mild.“These are the tracks I cut at my home studio by myself,” she explains. “And these are the tracks I took to Nashville that Nathan [Chapman] and I created the album around. Here they exist in their most pure state, as they were written. They are blank canvases that can still go any which way…Sometimes we really changed the song when we dressed them up, [while] others stayed very similar to what was already there.”
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
New James Taylor & Carole King CD/DVD Release On May 4th
In November of 1970 James Taylor and Carole King first performed together at the Troubadour on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. Taylor had just released his debut album for the Beatles’ newly formed Apple Records and King was finding her way as a first time solo performer even though by then she was a famous songwriter with a string of hits for other artists. When they returned to the club for a two-week co-headlining run in 1971 their lives were somewhat different. That summer Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” was topping the charts and King’s landmark Tapestry was on its way to making her a music superstar. Thirty-six years later, in November 2007, James Taylor, Carole King and members of their renowned original band “The Section” (featuring guitarist Danny Kortchmar, bassist Leland Sklar and drummer Russell Kunkel) returned to the Troubadour for a three-night, six-show run to celebrate the venue’s 50th anniversary. Those historic shows are documented in Live at the Troubadour, a special 2-disc CD/DVD available May 4th from Hear Music/Concord Music Group. This remarkable recording, culled from these unforgettable shows, features 15 songs and 75 minutes of pristine video and audio including stunning performances of the pair’s most beloved hits such as Carole King’s “So Far Away,” “It’s Too Late,” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” as well as James Taylor’s “Carolina in My Mind,” “Sweet Baby James,” and “Fire and Rain,” to name just a few.
Wynonna Announces New Cracker Barrel Project
Multi-platinum Curb Records recording artist and five-time GRAMMY® Award winner Wynonna Judd has joined Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® in its support of Wounded Warrior Project with the release of Love Heals, a collection of Wynonna’s top singles and three other tracks not available for sale until now. The new CD can be pre-ordered beginning today and will arrive in all Cracker Barrel locations on May 24th.In addition to sharing new music with her fans, Wynonna is honored and humbled to support Wounded Warrior Project and its efforts to assist wounded service men and women and their families. Cracker Barrel will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every Love Heals CD to Wounded Warrior Project. In 2008, Wounded Warrior Project started coordinating retreats for caregivers who help their wounded loved ones facing a range of physical and mental challenges. The retreats provide the caregivers with rest, rejuvenation and a place to connect with other caregivers.
“I am deeply moved by the caregivers who take on the responsibility of caring for our wounded warriors,” said Wynonna. “I appreciate Cracker Barrel for their continued support of Wounded Warrior Project and its mission to honor and empower wounded warriors as they continue life beyond the injury.”
Beginning today, fans can pre-order the Love Heals CD by visiting the Cracker Barrel website (crackerbarrel.com). The exclusive CD features many of Wynonna’s biggest hits (No One Else On Earth, Only Love and She Is His Only Need) along with three tracks that have not been available for sale, including Let Your Light Shine, a new song never before released.
“We’re very excited to provide our guests with this collection of Wynonna’s most popular songs,” said Peter Keiser, Vice President of Marketing at Cracker Barrel. “Wynonna welcomed the idea of producing a project that would benefit our nation’s service men and women. Her appreciation of veterans is very sincere, and we’re honored to have Wynonna by our side as Cracker Barrel continues its support of Wounded Warrior Project.”
During the pre-order process, fans can also register to win A Weekend with Wynonna in Music City Sweepstakes. The grand prize package includes a trip to Nashville to meet Wynonna and see her perform at the Grand Ole Opry. The lucky winner will also get to visit many of Nashville’s top attractions. Other prizes including autographed Wynonna Love Heals CDs and complimentary meals at Cracker Barrel. Pre-order and contest information can be found on the Cracker Barrel website (crackerbarrel.com).
Up & Coming New Nashville- Natasha James (With Exclusive Interview)
Natasha James is known for taking Roots music styles, turning them on their head, combining them, and coming out with tunes that are completely unique but totally familiar at the same time.On her debut album, Bad Judgements, she had the pleasure of working and recording with old friend and monster sax player, Martin Fierro (Thelonius Monk, Jerry Garcia, Zero) and renowned keyboardist Austin Delone, among other stellar talents. That CD launched the hit single, "The Restless Kind," (#10, ACQB), and got her music compared to Van Morrison (Americana Media Guide, Aug 2008) and her voice to Janis Joplin crossed with Joan Baez (Music Connection).
Tequila Time, the latest release from this prolific troubadour from Northern California, finds her once again pushing the edges of the Roots Americana movement, and upping the rock ante. Natasha James once again has some stellar musicians in her line-up. They recorded 17 songs in 4 days, including getting tones, she said on KRCB in an interview and live performance this month (Mindy's Mix, KRCB, 91.1 FM, Rohnert Park, CA). Players include Dave Aguilar (Norton Buffalo), with whom she did a duet that night, Ian Lamson (Elvin Bishop), Steve Evans (Coco Montoya, Elvin Bishop), Herman Eberitzsch (Malo, Lee Oskar), and Woody Vermeire (Commander Cody), all engineered by Ronnie Rivera, who also plays the drums in this stellar line-up.
This band gets people up on their feet from rock, country, bluegrass and blues persuasions, all knocked out by the originality of the tunes and the quality of James' voice; at times like Bonnie Raitt, at times like Janis Joplin and Emmylou Harris (Music Connection). We saw kids as young as 15 outside a club stop and stare in at the windows, swaying to a James' original! While the record is great, the live performance is where this band shines...these guys are players, and it shows.
Tequila Time debuted on the Roots Charts at #20 in the country, #19 in the state and #23 internationally. Not bad for a sophomore record.
Natasha James has just been officially nominated in the "Country Artist of the Year" category for the 20th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards....taking place in November at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, Calif. Natasha won "Country Album of the Year" last year at the 2009 L.A. Music Awards for Tequila Time.
What brought you to music in the first place?
It was all that I wanted to do since I was about 4 years old. I would listen and sing along to old Bessie Smith recordings, Nina Simone, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Lovin Spoonful, Bobbi Gentry, Roger Miller...
Describe your music- what's the mission behind the music?
I think Eric Habadian of MUSIC CONNECTION described it best. He called it "country steeped in blues and tex mex...cinematic vignettes with poetic lyricism". I like that. I don't know if there is a mission behind my music. Music is a catharsis for me, as any creative process is, I think. I write about what is concerning me at the time which has usually turned out to be foreshadowing. Sometimes it is about people and the way they treat each other, the current state of our society, a character driven song; sometimes it is about emotions I am going through, and sometimes it's about a melody or rhythm that just won't let go of me till I get it down.
What might people be surprised to find out about you?
I'm not sure I can answer what would surprise other people. I am always amazed by what shocks other people and also what seems ok to them.
What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod?
I don't have an IPod. When I am in Nevada, I love the Coffeehouse Rock Channel on Charter (TV). I listen to lots of different music depending on my mood, from the Allman Bros to Nancy Griffith, Sonia Dada to Tim & Mollie O'Brien. I like eclectic, intelligent music with lyrical content and melodic interest, and of course a kick ass percussive element!
If you had a crystal ball and looked forward five years, what do you see for yourself?
In the context of? If we are talking music, that is a loaded question. I will always be singing, playing and writing, that is what I do. Hopefully, I will be able to share alot of my work with people and they will get something out of it. June Carter Cash said it so well, "I'm just trying to matter."
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Infamous Stringdusters Release New Album- Offer Free Song Download
The Infamous Stringdusters have unveiled the bluegrass group's much-anticipated third CD, Things That Fly, last week and it's getting high marks.Things That Fly has some surprising covers, unusual arrangements and other departures that make this offering something different while also demonstrating that the IBMA-winning players have augmented their sound in search of stretching their boundaries.
Sugar Hill label is offering a free download of one of the album's tracks, "All The Same," via this link.
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