The deadline has come and gone, and the winner of our Hayes Carll giveaway is:
Jason Brooks
Jason, I will be contacting you soon to find out where you want your KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories) vinyl sent for your ogling, cuddling and playing pleasure. Thanks to all who entered.
By the way, Jason’s choice for “favorite odd couple” pairing was David Frizzell and Shelly West doing “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma”.
Take a little art punk, a little rockabilly, a heapin’ helpin’ of ’70s garage rock and a whole lotta blues. Shake. Dust liberally with cocksure swagger.
Now translate it into Spanish.
This is the music of Guadalupe Plata, and if you’ve been following this blog for very long, you know this is the kind of loud, ballsy, dirty-in-all-kinds-of-ways music I love (Indeed, sometimes their sound so closely resembles that of the Soledad Brothers that I’ve been unsure of which band I was listening to when Guadalupe Plata have come up in shuffle mode). The lead single, “Pollo PodrÃo”, gives a punch of rockabilly, but the album grooves in a few different directions, and even goes a bit Maggot Brain-y at the end.
Perico de Dios (guitar and vocals), Carlos Jimena (drums) and Paco Luis Martos (washtub bass) hail from Ubeda, Spain, and this is their second album (this and their first, a six-song EP, are both self-titled… because that’s not going to get confusing at all). They’re offering it up on Bandcamp in a name-your-price deal, and throughout the summer, all proceeds will go to help fund the Muddy Roots Music Festival Official Film Project. Now that is a good deal.
That’s right: we haven’t even closed the Hayes Carll contest, and we already have another great giveaway. I’m pretty tickled by this one. Scott Miller, of V-Roys fame, is releasing a new solo album. Check out the charming video for the first single, “Lo Siento, Spanishburg, WVa — A Story of the Real Americana”.
How can you not love that closing chorus?
Now, the goodies. We have two prize packs to give away, one men’s and one women’s, that contains Scott’s CD, a T-shirt and a FREAKING KAZOO. A kazoo, y’all! How great is that? Each winner will get to choose the shirt style and size of his/her choice from Scott’s nifty shop.
All you have to do is drop a comment below with your favorite of the 50 United States of America – and your preference for men’s or women’s shirt. One man-style and one woman-style winner will be chosen at random. We’ll give y’all until August 3, 2011 at 5 PM EST to enter. Winners will be announced on August 4.
I have been thinking about this post for a couple of months now, never sure how to start it and never sure what I had to contribute aside from “It’s really good. You should buy it.” There is some Cajun blood down my mother’s family line, but it’s not a culture I was ever directly exposed to. I have always enjoyed the friendly, happy, highly danceable vibe of Cajun music whenever I’ve heard it, but, until this album, I never had it around for listening on a regular basis. I haven’t studied Cajun music. So, in considering this post, I have felt wholly adrift. But as Joel Savoy’s brother Wilson said in an NPR post about the current crop of Cajun string bands, talking about the audiences the Cajun musicians find when they play outside of lower Louisiana and southeast Texas, “Even if they didn’t grow up in that culture, they can tell if the music is real or fake.”
If the aforementioned NPR piece is correct about a coming surge in popularity for Cajun music, there’s going to be a rise in the fake (I’ve heard a bit of it coming out already, and it’s a sad experience). But even if you’ve never heard of multi-award winning accordionist Jesse Lége or his frequent collaborator Joel Savoy, you know from the first note that this is real. Savoy’s parents, Marc and Ann, are famed Cajun musicians in their own right. And Lége grew up in a one-room house in southwest Louisiana, where his family had no electricity and spoke Cajun French.
For this album, The Right Combination, Lége and Savoy threw a little twist in the mix by teaming up with Pacific Northwest musicians, the Caleb Klauder Country Band. Given the overlapping histories of Cajun and country music, the pairing of the two styles is seamless and results in a lively and varied album. As a starting point, think of Hank Williams playing “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”, amp the fiddles way up, throw in lots of button accordion and place the unique Cajun shout-singing style alongside Williams’ Alabama drawl.
‘tit monde by Jesse Lége, Joel Savoy, and the Cajun Country Revival
Courville’s Fetish by Jesse Lége, Joel Savoy, and the Cajun Country Revival
The Right Combination can be downloaded via Bandcamp or purchased from Savoy’s label, Valcour Records.
Jesse Lége, Joel Savoy & the Cajun Country Revival @ Bandcamp
A couple of weeks ago, James Leg posted this video to Facebook as a “guilty pleasure”:
I’ve always liked this song, too, and hearing the soulful groove of it again reminded me of the early ’80s when I often listened to 93.1 WZAK. They had a late-night, slow-jam show called “For Lovers Only”. This was the theme song:
I was a big admirer of Jeffrey Osborne at the time, and though I don’t specifically remember hearing this song on “For Lovers Only”, I’d be willing to bet it turned up in the playlist at least once.
I do, however, very clearly remember hearing this racy number from Kwick on the program (remember, I was about 10 years old at the time):
And you can’t do slow jams without including the late, great Teddy Pendergrass. (And it gives me an excuse to put his handsome face in the feature image.)
Thus ends another edition of Why April is the Way She Is.
First, check out this video:
Freaking adorable, and a great pairing of vocals between Hayes Carll and Cary Ann Hearst. The song, “Another Like You”, is off of Carll’s latest album KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories).
Now here’s the really good part: You could win a copy of KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories) on warm, delicious vinyl. Just drop a comment below with your favorite opposites-attract pairing for a chance to win. Deadline is July 28, 2011 at 5 PM EST. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on July 29.
Thinking about this post and trying to find a way to encapsulate some nine hours of great music and great people leaves me wanting to write “You should have been there” and leave it at that. But that isn’t fair to anyone, especially not the amazing performers who fueled the night.
Each artist who took the stage Saturday brought something special with them, from the endearing charm of Boom Chick (and drummer Moselle Spiller’s brilliant scream) to the explosive energy of Molly Gene to the hypnotic skill of Mississippi Gabe Carter to the dirty magic that occurs when Left Lane Cruiser sits in with Mark Porkchop Holder. Every act was worth keeping an eye on.
Confession: I didn’t keep an eye on every act. In fact, it seems I missed two of the best sets of the night: Ten Foot Polecats and Left Lane Cruiser. Instead, I was carousing in the bar like some sort of scenester. But with an event like DBF, part of the package is meeting and hanging out with great people – the kind of people who don’t roll their eyes or just quietly humor you when you go on and on about blues music (or music in general). The kind of people who love music so much they’ll travel thousands of miles to play it. Or even just to listen to it.
Boom Chick led the way with a big helping of ’50s rock ‘n’ roll mixed in with their blues, most notably on their original tunes like “Sweaty, Sweaty Dress”, “The Ghost of Bo Diddley” (the barnstormer of a tune that closed their set) and a Link Wray/surf music-inspired instrumental. They also pulled up a couple of covers, like Diddley’s “White Horse” and Robert Johnson’s “Me and the Devil”, which was given a fascinating new dimension by Spiller’s drums.
Next up was Old Gray Mule featuring C.W. Ayon who played a sweet little set full of great covers and bad jokes. C.R. Humphrey’s great guitar-playing led the way while Ayon supplied great vocals and drumming on songs by Robert Belfour, T-Model Ford, R.L. Burnside and originals like “Ass Whoopin'” and “Back in the Day”, a song about T-Model Ford.
Now here’s where my notes end as I really began to enjoy myself. Mississippi Gabe Carter played a beautiful set of slow blues, belting out gripping vocals while accompanying himself masterfully on his National Map guitar. Songs included “Black Woman”, “Skinny Woman”… and other titles that don’t have the word “woman” in them. (I mentioned that I stopped taking notes, right?)
Cashman brought some dirty into the mix, along with one of the smilingest drummers I’ve ever seen. Ray Cashman is one of the most intimidating-looking blues musicians since Howlin’ Wolf, but like Wolf, Cashman flashed a ready smile.
For me, the musical highlight of the night was Molly Gene One Whoaman Band. Armed with a guitar, a fantastic foot drum and occasional harmonica, Molly Gene is pure fury, stomping the ever-lovin’ shit out of the beat while howling with a voice so gravel-ridden that your throat starts to feel raw just listening to her. If you took the individual talents of men like John Wesley Myers, Scott H. Biram and Bob Log III, you’d still need to throw in a few mule kicks to match the ferocity of Molly Gene. She played awesome originals like “Bumble Bee” and “I Need Me a Man” and tied the bow in the ribbon of winning my heart forever by cover the Coasters’ “Down in Mexico”.
I was in and out for the Misery Jackals, but the locals had an excited fan base hooting in the audience and boasted the lone bass player of the night.
Then I completely missed the Ten Foot Polecats set, which was a mistake because this happened:
Long and lanky Ted Drozdowski led the Scissormen through an energetic set which saw Drozdowski come down from the stage, climb onto chairs, set his guitar on tables to play it and, at one point, set the guitar in my hands to play it, eventually weaving his way into the back bar for some stool-climbing before coming back to the stage. There’s a reason Drozdowski also played M.C. for the night.
Being a Black Diamond Heavies fan, I was not about to miss Mark Porkchop Holder, who was in the original lineup of the band. Holder did not disappoint, playing smooth slide steel as he sang about folks like Deliah and Stagger Lee. And, as mentioned before, Brenn Beck and Joe Evans of Left Lane Cruiser joined Holder toward the end to put some grit behind the slide.
And then I proceeded to miss Left Lane Cruiser. I know, I know. I was busy having adventures. I will see those guys play eventually, I swear.
Sadly, the Staving Chain and Javier & the Innocent Sons weren’t able to play the show.
As praiseworthy as all the performances were, equally deserving of praise was the stellar job Ted Drozdowski and Jim Chilson did of organizing and running the event. It was great to see original DBF organizer Chris Johnson in the audience, enjoying the show, as the concept he started found a new life in capable hands.
Can’t wait for next year.
A review of Deep Blues Festival 2011 is forthcoming… but since I spent most of yesterday trying to recover from it (so you know it was good), the review isn’t here yet. But the Feel Bad For You July mix, featuring contributions from the usual band of rabble rousers and miscreants, is here. Please enjoy responsibly.
Song: T.V.A.
Artist: the everybodyfields
Album: Half-Way There: Electricity and the South
Submitted by: Brad Kelley
Comments: To me, this song is almost perfect. Great lyrics about a real historical event from the area I grew up in (I’m sure my relatives would have taken this view), great harmonies and picking, and it really sets a mood.
Title: Let it Ride
Artist: Buffalo Killers
Album: Let it Ride (2008)
Submitted By: Popa2unes
Comments: Buffalo Killers, guitarist and vocalist Andrew Gabbard, bass guitarist and vocalist Zachary Gabbard and drummer Joseph Sebaali. The band was formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2006
Title: “Everywhere With Helicopterâ€
Artist: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Album: Sing For Your Meat: A Guided By Voices Tribute (2011)
Submitted by: The Second Single
Comments: A fantastic, original take on a Robert Pollard classic.
Title: Ex Ballerina
Artist: The Gadjits
Album: Today is My Day (2002)
Submitted By: Ryan (Verbow)
Comments: The Gadjits started out as ska-punk proteges of Tim Armstrong (Rancid) but by their third album developed a more pop/rootsy rock sound. This song reminds me of what its like being in your early to mid teens when you fall for someone for the dumbest reasons. It could be called Ex Girlfriend or Ex whatever and you’d still know what he’s talking about.
Title: Ghost
Artist: Damion Soumi
Album: What a Wonderful Game (2009)
Submitted By: Autopsy IV
Comments: local(ish) artist I just found out about.
Title: Two Against One
Artist: Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi featuring Jack White and Norah Jones
Album: Rome (2011)
Submitted By: @mikeorren
Comments: Inspired by Italian film soundtracks.
Title: Indivisible
Artist: The Dirtbombs
Album: We Have You Surrounded (2008)
Submitted By: April @ Now This Sound Is Brave
Comments: I have a friend who believes Mick Collins is the perfect man. I’m not about to argue.
Title: The Fifty Percenter
Artist: Rich Hopkins & Billy Sedlmayr
Album: The Fifty Percenter (2001)
Submitted By: toomuchcountry
Comments: I can’t believe the year is half-over. Recognizing that reality, I’m submitting the title track from Rich Hopkins’ 2001 release. Hopkins was the iconic guitarist for Tucson’s The Sidewinders (later known as The Sand Rubies). His guitar talents continue on this release. With vocals from Billy Sedlmayer, the combined sound is a more subdued, polished, even versatile sound than when Hopkins was with The Sidewinders/Sand Rubies. Yes, I submitted a track by The Sidewinders last month. Yes, I got good feedback. Yes, the song title fits this month. No, I won’t apologize for going back-to-back on Hopkins-related music.
Title: Smokey Factory Blues
Artist: Albert Hammond
Album: The Free Electric Band (1973)
Submitted by: Erschen
Comments: He’s best known for his hit It Never Rains In Southern California but I’m really liking this track.
Title: One Hand in the Furnace
Artist: Wrinkle Neck Mules
Album: Let the Lead Fly (2009)
Submitted By: Simon
Comments: Favourite track from my favourite Wrinkle Neck Mules album, apparently a new album’s due end of the year – looking forward to that.
Title: Land It
Artist: Vulture Whale
Album: self-titled (2007)
Submitted by: Corey Flegel
Commentary: So I’ve totally submitted this song to this mixer group before. I don’t care, it’s my favorite song ever…I know a lot of folks who feel this way too…This list includes some of my favorite music snob friends and some members of some of my favorite bands.
Title: Western Town
Artist: Kill County
Album: The Year of Getting By (2010)
Submitted By: Slowcoustic
Comments: Always a sucker for a slowed down jam with a bit of country twang. Kill County has been an out of nowhere kick in the teeth for me and I can’t get enough of this album (what should have been a top 10 of 2010 if I had only heard them earlier). This is what I consider real country music and its frickin’ great.
Title: 3 AM
Artist: 13ghosts
Album: unreleased
Submitted By: TheOtherBrit
Comments: Possibly my favorite song I’ve heard this year. Hoping it appears on their new album coming out this month.
Title: Helter Skelter
Artist: Matt Jorgensen +451
Album: Another Morning (2008)
Submitted By: BoogieStudio22
Comments: I’ve been on a bit of jazz bender recently, so I thought I’d toss something a bit different into the FBFY mix this month.
Title: Glory Bound
Artist: Martin Sexton
Album: Black Sheep (1996)
Submitted By: Phil Norman | @philnorman | www.bluemoonshineband.com
Comments: I’m making a mistake I’ve gotta make, and then I’m glory bound.
Title: Ragged But Right
Artist: Riley Puckett
Album: from a long time ago
Submitted By: Truersound
Comments: original and best version of this song
Title: Family Tradition
Artist: Hank Williams Jr.
Album: Live and Drunk (bootleg; year unknown)
Submitted by: Adam Sheets
Title: Grandpa Carl
Artist: The Warped 45s
Album: Matador Sunset (2011)
Submitted By: Rockstar Aimz
Comments: A song about bootlegging booze from Canada to Detroit during
prohibition. This is an up-and-coming alt country band from Toronto.
I saw them open for the Drive-By Truckers about a year and a half ago.
Title: Look At Miss Ohio (Live)
Artist: Blind Pilot
Submitted By: Cowbelle78 / morecowbelle.net
The Deep Blues Festival is tomorrow! I’m freaking excited. There will be great artists on stage, cool people in the audience, and it’s all going down at one of my favorite places in Cleveland. Come along and buy your favorite blogger a drink. And if your favorite blogger isn’t there, you can buy me a whiskey.
One more time, those details are: Deep Blues Festival, Beachland Ballroom, Saturday, July 16, doors at 4 PM.
Name:Old Gray Mule featuring CW AYON
Homebase: Austin, Texas/Las Cruces, New Mexico
Old Gray Mule Official Website
Name: Cashman
Homebase: Nashville, Tennessee
DBF Alumnus
T-Model Ford & GravelRoad
Going in to the homestretch with a gentlemen how embraces the sound of the bluesmen from Bentonia, Mississippi, (which was the birthplace of my favorite blues musician, Skip James) and the other Ohio band on Saturday’s ticket. (And if you can listen to Pearlene without wanting to sigh or writhe around on the floor or something to that effect, then… well, you’re clearly not having as much fun as I am.)
Deep Blues Festival, Beachland Ballroom, Saturday, July 16, doors at 4 PM.
Name: Mississippi Gabe Carter
Homebase: Chicago, Illinois
Related artists: Duck Holmes
Mississippi Gabe Carter @ MySpace
Rick Saunders’ interview with Mississippi Gabe Carter
Name: The Misery Jackals
Homebase: Akron, Ohio
Related artists: The Goddamn Gallows
The Misery Jackals Official Website
DBF Alumnus
Pearlene
