Whitney Rose - We Still Go to Rodeos

I do not know an awful lot about Whitney Rose despite this being her fifth release, the others I will need to check out as this is one of the best records I have heard in a very long time.

To me it is a great mix of country / Americana and rock. Brilliant writing and playing, great production and a wonderful voice. Absolutely love this album. She has worked with a great array of artists including Raul Malo and I am fairly sure Sam Outlaw. Her album is self released I think due to the circumstances at the moment.

Here is the Amazon bio:

Austin, Texas based recording artist Whitney Rose is set to release her fifth studio recording, We Still Go to Rodeos, on April 24, 2020. Rose is an award winning internationally lauded and critically acclaimed vocalist and songwriter whose music bends genres and transcends international boundaries. Rose has been covered in major outlets like The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Fader, UPROXX and international outlets like Fashion Magazine, Glamour, and Esquire. Announced festival highlights for 2020 include Stagecoach, Under The Big Sky, and SXSW which will coincide with her relentless touring schedule. Since 2016 Rose performed over 400 shows and gained international recognition for her music and live performances. In 2016 Rose won the ECMA Award for Country Album of the Year. In 2019 she won Honky Tonk Female of the Year at The Ameripolitan Awards. She has performed on stages or recorded with artists such as The Mavericks, Raul Malo, Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart, Jason Isbell, Redd Volkaert, Earle Poole Ball, The Proclaimers, Reverend Horton Heat, Midland, and many more. Her new album features twelve original Whitney Rose recordings and was produced by Paul Kolderie (Radiohead, Hole, The Pixies, Uncle Tupelo, Lou Reed).

The stand out tack for me is I'd Rather Be Alone.

Band of Heathens - Green Grass of California

I have to confess I know nothing about the Band of Heathens, Mike Ritchie played this last Sunday on his Celtic Radio show (Mike Ritchie On Sunday, , along with many other great tracks and I have been enjoying listening to both this band and the others Mike played that I do not really know.

I think this is a bit Jayhawks, Gram and certainly for me Cowboy Junkies.

Great sound.



I loved this live version:



Another good track:

SCM Artist of The Week # 4 - Billy Ray Cyrus Hey Elvis

I am afraid this is an absolute struggle for me. Billy Ray Cyrus I know little about, not a fan and not really likely ever to be. However in the spirit of it all I tracked down this fun version of a Bryan Adams / Gretchen Peters track, good video too! I am fairly sure Bryan Adams is on backing vocals

And I wont tell if you don't...

Rodney Crowell - It Ain't Over Yet

Did I mention that Michael and I saw Rodney Crowell in Nashville....thought so.

He is a long time favourite of mine, an absolutely superb songwriter and excellent live performer, and seems to be a thoroughly decent caring guy. Going by some of his blogs recently he seems to be having challenges with the lockdown. We all are to some extent.

I heard this again recently on Ricky Ross Another Country show. It is just a brilliant song and very "Rodney" in my opinion. Love it and Roseanne Cash gets better with every year and release. I do not know much about John Paul White but will be looking him up.

I love these lyrics and I totally relate:

t's like I'm sitting at a bus stop waiting for a train
Exactly how I got here is hard to explain
My heart's in the right place, what's left of it I guess
My heart ain't the problem, it's my mind that's a total mess

I post a live version from Nashville at the great City Winery and the superb official video along with a wee bonus track.




The official video




Bonus track with his long time collaborator Emmylou:

A-Z of names in Rock #1

The book by Mark Beech A-Z of names in rock has given me some inspiration for a "thread" of occasional clips of the origins of Rock Names.

Where to start but with The Boss himself,
Bruce Springsteen. Or more specifically the E Street Band. I knew E Street was in Asbury Park but didn't realise the full derivation.

David Sancious who was the original keyboard player (up to 1974) lived in E Street and the band rehearsed there in the garage. David has a superb CV working solo and with many great artists, especially Peter Gabriel and Springsteen at various points in his career.

So it all adds to the legend of a legendary band!

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band with David Sancious:



The E Street Band with Darlene Love:



The E Street Band with Ronnie Spector, the more observant will notice this is a Billy Joel cover:

Brian Eno

Belated birthday wishes to Brian Eno, one of rock music true innovators and an absolute genius writer, performer and musician, His work with Bowie, obviously, I am a huge fan of not to mention Roxy Music, Talking Heads, U2, Paul Simon, Carmel.... I am sure I am scratching the surface!

A great photo at Hansa Studios, Berlin - Heroes sessions.

Most of us will have a record which Eno has either played on, produced or had a writing credit for. As well as Bowie, Talking Heads  and U2 I am particularly keen on one of the albums he issued with David Byrne Everything that Happens Will Happen Today. The accompanying tour was innovative and superb.

A selection:

Lockdown Gig - Brady Paisley w Lady Antebellum

Brad Paisley and Lady Antebellum put on a full band show live stream last night - great effort and although odd with no audience, excellent performances from both. I assume social distancing and safety complied with and full credit to all involved. Donate if you can!

Mark Beech, A-Z of Names In Rock

I was sad to hear of the passing of the influential rock critic , editor and author Mark Beech. I didn't know Mark of course but I am aware of his work and unlike a lot of critics he was knowledgeable and well researched. Mark had been living in Scotland recently and I have no doubt enjoyed the vibrant music scene here.



Mark wrote the excellent book A-Z of Names in Rock, amongst other works, and the book is brilliantly researched and as Mark absolutely intended a book that you dip into and use as a springboard. 

I plan to use the book as inspiration for some posts which hopefully will be fun and informative.

Jason Isbell - Lockdown Stream, Reunions

Eagerly awaited the new album Reunions has arrived from Jason Isbell and on a couple of playes sounds brilliant. He has really grown as a solo artist and as you will know a superb live performer. He alos gives a lot of his creative energy to the projects of others (Josh Ritter but one example).

Reunions

Overseas

I will give the album a full post but in the meantime hopefully you will be able to catch his live stream with the wonderful Amanda Shires who is of course his wife and collaborator. A brilliant live performer. AS ever check out local times and how to sign up, I am sure you will enjoy:

https://fans.com/livestream/20200515-jason-isbell-and-amanda-shires/

Mary Chapin Carpenter - Lockdown Songs Quittin' Time

I did say I was not going to post too much of these things however.....this is possibly my favourite ever MCC songs. She does it both slow and fast, certainly live I have heard her do it both ways. A great song of lost love and regret...a companion in some ways to the Waterboys The Thrill Is Gone, again I song I think is superb.



Here is how it used to sound, Shawn Colvin on backing vocals!

Jerry Joseph - new lp and lead track Days of Heaven

Jerry Joseph is not that well known in the UK but is a great singer / songwriter and has worked with a host of well known artists including Drive By Truckers.

Here is the lead single, Days of Heaven,  from the forthcoming album The Beautiful Madness, produced by Patterson Hood and due out late August. I believe this is his first mainstream release in the UK. Let me know what you think!

Lockdown Streams - Tom Petty Live!

More music from streams etc. I am finding it hard to keep up and so will only post the most interesting of things, if you have arrived here you obviously know how to navigate these things so I would encourage you to keep an eye out for live videos, house concerts etc. through your usual social media feeds and links. And obviously please donate where you can, most seem to be charitable but that is not always the case.

So anyway... Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are streaming a live gig on Saturday night i think, but please check this, at 2am UK time - so Sunday morning. Tom is sadly missed, I was lucky enough to catch one of his last ever gigs at Hyde Park with Stevie Nicks also on the bill. There seems to be several viewing options, just stream or join in on a zoom meeting with the gig streaming and the opportunity to interact with other fans. Cannot think of anything worse!

And this is just a great song:

Natalie Imbruglia - Torn

I heard a terrible version of this on the radio well in my opinion of course , I won't say who played it (Willie Evans), anyway it has been an ear worm since then. Love this song and the video:

Natalie Imbruglia:

I am fairly sure this is the original original by Lis Sorensen:

Get It On #5 - Multiple Formats

Well for a sado like me multiple formats is a shoot in. I plumped for The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. I reckined had on 14 formats / editions. Nor sensible.

I must confess my initial interest was from the Ziggy segment on Stage which I had on cassette one summer in particular I was living with my Grandparents. That and Space Oddity as it had become known.

So I suggested Hang On To Yourself, Five Years got the nod...happy with that.

Darden Smith - Lockdown Gigs

I am bound to have flagged up Darden Smith before. A wonderful artist, musician, painter and photographer (hate him already!) he has been really active with lockdown gigs, storytelling and readings. I use his book in another life for daily reflections, not every day but at least weekly.
The Habit of Noticing

But as a musician he is absolutely suprb and I want to encourage you to check him out, the next live stream is this coming Saturday and I hope you can catch some of the previous ones on facebook. The full album presentation of Little Victories especially.

As an aside I am incredibly impressed that Darden has taken the time to drop me 3 personal notes, sometimes it is the small things....

I will leave a wee selection, check him out.







I will not copy here is lockdown gigs as I would rather you checked out!

Get It On #4 - Sunshine 70's

Not exactly my kind of theme and as suspected none of my suggestions (Bowie, Patti Smith, The Clash) made the cut! I thought this has=d a chance:



Dave Edmunds ably assisted by Nick Lowe had a great run of late 70's rocking singles, nice and simple and fun.

Thet did play this Roxy cracker, not suggested by me:

Phil Vassar - Just Another Day In paradise

Heard this on the radio today forgot how nice a wee track this is.

That's it really....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR4Y6Ll0DwA&feature=share

Lockdown Streams - Springsteen Live Concerts

There is no point me saying how wonderful Bruce is live, you know that I know it! It a pretty decent gesture he has made all his live material, or at least the majority, available free on youtube while the crisis is on. You will need to navigate it yourself I am not the best:

You don’t have to go anywhere to experience the magic of Bruce Springsteen in concert. From New York City to London and beyond, some of Bruce’s biggest concert films are now streaming in their entirety on YouTube. https://BruceSpringsteen.lnk.to/subscribe

I hope this whets your appetite:

Lockdown free stream - Iggy Pop Post Pop Depression

Brilliant news that Iggy will be streaming his legendary gig at the Royal Albert Hall "Post Pop Depression". This is a great performance but I confess my main interest in Iggy is his work with David Bowie, well represented here as you would expect.



Here is the stunning tracklist, and Iggy is supported by a superb band including members of the stone age.

Lust For Life
Sister Midnight
American Valhalla
Sixteen
In The Lobby
Some Weird Sin
Funtime
Tonight
Sunday
German Days
Mass Production
Nightclubbing
Gardenia
The Passenger
China Girl
Break Into Your Heart
Fall In Love With Me
Repo Man
Baby
Chocolate Drops
Paraguay
Success

Lockdown Gig - Josh Ritter So Runs The World Away

Tonight ay 4pm PDT (sorry you need to convert this to UK I just cannot get the hang of it but I think it is midnight for us night owls!) Josh Ritter continues his brilliant Silo Sessions with So Runs The World Away, a superb album when it was released 10 years ago. I am fairly sure you can get this on youtube or face book as is your choice.

I thing this will be a superb show and highly recommended, as always with Josh tips are for charity (I think foodbank Feeding America but again easily checked).

Here are some of the album highlights.

Lockdown Gig - Aofie O'Donovan - Nebraska

I have to confess I only know of Aoife O'Donovan but I am vaguely aware of her work. This lockdown stream certainly drew my attention though. There are many folk / country versions of Springsteen songs (some by the Boss himself with not great results) and no doubt loads of cover versions of mosts if not all of Nebraska. However to do it live, on the net and start to female country / folk perspective would be, I imahine, somewhat daunting.

I think Aoife really puuls this off with really sympathetic guitar playing and singing which seems to me to allow the songs to speak for themselves (ha pretentious me or what).

Hope you enjoy!

Get It On #3 - Influential Artists

Quite a good theme I think following the sad passing of Little Richard. There are so many amazing influential artists wherever do you start? Ray zcharles, Elvis, Beatles, Dylan,  Bowie, The Clash....


Anyway i plumped for the first ever rock n roll single and if you are ever in memphis there’s a great display on the track and it’s originns in the rock n roll museum...

Rocket 88

Norma MacDonald - Old Future

I have to confess I know very little about Norma MacDonald. Her bio is quite interesting:

Born in Cape Breton, MacDonald is a staple of the Halifax music scene. Her fourth album, Burn the Tapes (2015) was included in the Polaris Prize 2016 “Longer List”. It debuted at #3 on the national Earshot Folk/Roots chart the week of its release and stayed there for months. It was nominated as Americana/Bluegrass album of the year by Music Nova Scotia. MacDonald’s third album Morning you Wake received glowing reviews in Canada, the U.S and Europe.  It received three Music Nova Scotia nominations in 2011 (Female Solo, Folk and Country/Bluegrass Recording of the Year).

MacDonald is a frequent collaborator, having sung on dozens of albums by her contemporaries, and is a member of the Halifax folk-rock supergroup Bend the River. When not behind the mic, Norma works as an ER nurse and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree.

 Mike Ritchie played a track from her forthcoming lp Old Future on sunday and I was really taken with it. That track was Your Wedding Day  (crying through your ex’s wedding (even though you know leaving was the right thing)  and it was absolutely outstanding, unfortunately I cannot as yet find a link to that track but hopefully I will be able to update this post in due course. I will be checking out her lp.

Meanwhile another couple of tracks, one the lead from Old Future.

David Bowie - Conversation Piece

Before I start on this post I would like to acknowledge that the majority of the content has been taken from the excellent blog/advisory/shop website superdeluxeedition which is curated by Paul Sinclair. Paul always seems to have his finger on the pulse with new and forthcoming releases and provides "deal alerts", there is also a store but in my opinion Paul does not "force" this and the content is far from an advert.

For Bowies Conversation Piece I was resisting purchasing this, although a Bowie completist I was smarting a bit at the 7" singles box sets which I do not think I am the only one thinking were not properly thought through. The main boxes thus far have been in the main really good, wonderfully presented and with some interesting additional material, not wonderful but interesting.

Following a link from superdeluxe edition I have ordered Conversation Piece and it looks a completely different animal with masses of unreleased material all wonderfully presented.

I would encourage you to check out the full reviews here:


https://www.superdeluxeedition.com/reviews/david-bowie-conversation-piece-review/

The track listing is as follows:

Conversation Piece 5CD box set

Titles marked * are unreleased and the two Decca tracks presented here are released in superior quality to that released on the Deluxe Edition of David’s self-titled debut album on Deram. There is also a rare appearance for the full length mono version of Feathers’ ‘Ching-a-Ling’.

CD 1 – Home Demos

April’s Tooth Of Gold (2.29) *
The Reverend Raymond Brown (Attends the Garden Fête on Thatchwick Green) (2.15) *
When I’m Five (3.18) *
Mother Grey (3.00)
In The Heat Of The Morning (2.59)
Goodbye 3d (Threepenny) Joe (3.19)
Love All Around (2.49)
London Bye, Ta-Ta (3.31)
Angel Angel Grubby Face (version 1) (2.31)
Angel Angel Grubby Face (version 2) (2.37)
Animal Farm (2.21) *
Space Oddity (solo demo fragment) (2.39)
Space Oddity (version 1) with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (4.02)
Space Oddity (version 2) with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (5.00) *
Space Oddity (version 3) with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (5.10)
Lover To The Dawn with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (3.50)
Ching-a-Ling with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (2.58)
An Occasional Dream with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (2.49)
Let Me Sleep Beside You with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (2.54)
Life Is A Circus with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson (4.50)
Conversation Piece (3.47) *
Jerusalem (4.19) *
Hole In The Ground with George Underwood (3.29) *

CD2 – The ‘Mercury’ Demos (with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson)

Space Oddity (5.28)
Janine (3.53)
An Occasional Dream (3.18)
Conversation Piece (3.31)
Ching-a-Ling (3.35)
I’m Not Quite (aka Letter To Hermione) (4.00)
Lover To The Dawn (5.01)
Love Song (4.08)
When I’m Five (3.13)
Life Is A Circus (5.33)

CD3 – Conversation Pieces 

In The Heat Of The Morning (Decca mono version) (2.51)
London Bye, Ta-Ta (Decca alternative version) (2.36)
BBC Top Gear radio session with the Tony Visconti Orchestra, recorded 13th May, 1968
– In The Heat Of The Morning (3.01)
– London Bye, Ta-Ta (2.39)
– Karma Man (3.07)
– When I’m Five (3.14)
– Silly Boy Blue (4.32)
Ching-a-Ling (2.51)
Space Oddity (Morgan Studios version – alternative take) (4.22)* with John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson
Space Oddity (U.K. single edit) (4.42)
Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (single B-side – mono mix) (4.54)
Janine (mono mix) (3.23)
Conversation Piece (3.06)
BBC Dave Lee Travis Show radio session, recorded 20th October, 1969
– Let Me Sleep Beside You (3.20)
– Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed (4.03)
– Janine (3.03)

CD 4 – 1969 stereo mixes

The original David Bowie (aka Space Oddity) album (2009 remaster)

Space Oddity (5.14)
Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed (inc. Don’t Sit Down) (6.51)
Letter To Hermione (2.32)
Cygnet Committee (9.31)
Janine (3.21)
An Occasional Dream (2.54)
Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (4.46)
God Knows I’m Good (3.17)
Memory Of A Free Festival (7.09)

The Extras

Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (single B-side stereo mix) (4.56)
Letter To Hermione (early mix) (2.32) *
Janine (early mix) (3.23) *
An Occasional Dream (early mix) (2.54) *
Ragazzo Solo, Ragazza Sola (full length version) (5.14)

CD 5 – 2019 mixes (all previously unreleased)

The Space Oddity album

Space Oddity (5.20)
Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed (6.18)
Letter To Hermione (2.32)
Cygnet Committee (9.28)
Janine (3.21)
An Occasional Dream (2.57)
Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (4.50)
Conversation Piece (3.11)
God Knows I’m Good (3.16)
Memory Of A Free Festival (7.14)

The Extras

Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (single version) (4.59)
Ragazzo Solo, Ragazza Sola (5.20)

This is Paul's summary of the content:

The reason Conversation Piece works so well is that it benefits from a thorough, methodical approach and it has a clear narrative. It helps that at the beginning of David’s career there were lots of demos recorded, which clearly make putting together such a reissue that much easier. David is no longer with us and despite assurances that he had communicated various plans in terms of his catalogue before he died, one wonders whether this set would exist – to this degree – if he was still around.

The book is truly wonderful, with letters from David and Ken Pitt reproduced, detailing all sorts of engagements and opportunities that presented themselves at the time, along with superb photos and images of tape boxes and acetates etc.

Conversation Piece does a fantastic job of illuminating the path that lead Bowie away from the failure of the Newlyesque David Bowie in 1967 to the success of ‘Space Oddity’ as a single and the release of the album in 1969. Even though Parlophone have shied away from calling this a David Bowie/Space Oddity super deluxe edition, that’s effectively what it is. This is the best album-centric exploration of Bowie’s work probably since the Black Tie White Noise reissue of 2003 and albums like The Man Who Sold The World and Hunky Dory need this kind of attention.