Lenny Kravitz recently played a show at Chicago's Riviera Theatre. MSN music is broadcasting the performance online starting at 2pm EST!
Watch it here:
It Is Time For A Love Revolution
"This is the best album Lenny Kravitz has ever made." - Rolling Stone
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
REM tour with The National
2 of my favourite bands on one stage!!
R.E.M. TO TOUR NORTH AMERICA WITH MODEST MOUSE & THE NATIONAL
R.E.M. -- which is singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, and bassist Mike Mills -- are counting down the time to the release of Accelerate, their 14th studio album, on a website, www.ninetynights.com. The site, which launched on January 1st, features a new high-definition video snippet each day that can be downloaded then edited, embedded, or manipulated however the user wishes. Each snippet is being posted in high-resolution HD format and available for download for a period of 24 hours before being archived on the site as a low-resolution stream. The clips were shot by noted French filmmaker Vincent Moon, who has worked with Arcade Fire, The Shins and The National among other artists.
In what is set to be an active year for the band, R.E.M. has also so far announced two upcoming live appearances. The band will headline the Langerado Music Festival on March 8th at the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in South Florida, and will also perform at Stubb's Bar-B-Que on March 12th during the annual South-by-Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX.
R.E.M. will also be touring North America this May and June in support of Accelerate. The band will be joined by support acts Modest Mouse and The National. R.E.M. will headline the Langerado Music Festival on March 8th at the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in South Florida.
Accelerate, R.E.M.'s 14th studio album, was recorded in Vancouver, Canada, Dublin, Ireland and Athens, Georgia last spring with Grammy Award-winning producer Jacknife Lee, who is noted for his work with U2 (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb), as well as Snow Patrol, Bloc Party and Kasabian. In October 2007, the band released a live CD/DVD -- the first ever of their 27-year career, entitled R.E.M. Live.
One of rock's best-selling and most critically acclaimed bands, the multiple Grammy-winning trio, along with original drummer Bill Berry, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2007.
R.E.M. tour dates with Modest Mouse & The National:
May
23 Vancouver - Deer Lake Park
29 Los Angeles - Hollywood Bowl
31 Berkeley - The Greek Theatre
June
03 Denver - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
06 Chicago - United Center
08 Toronto - Molson Amphitheatre
10 Raleigh - Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
11 Washington, DC - Merriweather Post Pavilion
13 Boston - Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
14 Long Island - Jones Beach Theater
18 Philadelphia - Mann Center for the Performing Arts
19 New York City - TBA
21 Atlanta - Lakewood Amphitheatre
R.E.M. TO TOUR NORTH AMERICA WITH MODEST MOUSE & THE NATIONAL
R.E.M. -- which is singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, and bassist Mike Mills -- are counting down the time to the release of Accelerate, their 14th studio album, on a website, www.ninetynights.com. The site, which launched on January 1st, features a new high-definition video snippet each day that can be downloaded then edited, embedded, or manipulated however the user wishes. Each snippet is being posted in high-resolution HD format and available for download for a period of 24 hours before being archived on the site as a low-resolution stream. The clips were shot by noted French filmmaker Vincent Moon, who has worked with Arcade Fire, The Shins and The National among other artists.
In what is set to be an active year for the band, R.E.M. has also so far announced two upcoming live appearances. The band will headline the Langerado Music Festival on March 8th at the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in South Florida, and will also perform at Stubb's Bar-B-Que on March 12th during the annual South-by-Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX.
R.E.M. will also be touring North America this May and June in support of Accelerate. The band will be joined by support acts Modest Mouse and The National. R.E.M. will headline the Langerado Music Festival on March 8th at the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in South Florida.
Accelerate, R.E.M.'s 14th studio album, was recorded in Vancouver, Canada, Dublin, Ireland and Athens, Georgia last spring with Grammy Award-winning producer Jacknife Lee, who is noted for his work with U2 (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb), as well as Snow Patrol, Bloc Party and Kasabian. In October 2007, the band released a live CD/DVD -- the first ever of their 27-year career, entitled R.E.M. Live.
One of rock's best-selling and most critically acclaimed bands, the multiple Grammy-winning trio, along with original drummer Bill Berry, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2007.
R.E.M. tour dates with Modest Mouse & The National:
May
23 Vancouver - Deer Lake Park
29 Los Angeles - Hollywood Bowl
31 Berkeley - The Greek Theatre
June
03 Denver - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
06 Chicago - United Center
08 Toronto - Molson Amphitheatre
10 Raleigh - Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
11 Washington, DC - Merriweather Post Pavilion
13 Boston - Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
14 Long Island - Jones Beach Theater
18 Philadelphia - Mann Center for the Performing Arts
19 New York City - TBA
21 Atlanta - Lakewood Amphitheatre
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Townes Van Zandt - v - Dylan
A couple of years ago I wrote a post about Townes Van Zandt, and how Steve Earle thought he was better than Dylan.
Now the Guardian has come around to the idea that he may be the true voice of American Country music.
"By all accounts the life of Townes Van Zandt was high southern gothic made real. The briefest of biographies on this musician puts you in mind of the fractured lives imagined by Tennessee Williams. It's a narrative rife with confounded expectations and hounding demons from which, by dint of talent and endurance, astonishing beauty was extracted."
Continue reading Was Townes Van Zandt better than Dylan
Now the Guardian has come around to the idea that he may be the true voice of American Country music.
"By all accounts the life of Townes Van Zandt was high southern gothic made real. The briefest of biographies on this musician puts you in mind of the fractured lives imagined by Tennessee Williams. It's a narrative rife with confounded expectations and hounding demons from which, by dint of talent and endurance, astonishing beauty was extracted."
Continue reading Was Townes Van Zandt better than Dylan
Tiger Lou
I posted about Tiger Lou yesterday. Turns out they're on tour with the Eyeball Awareness Tour which benefits Invisible Children, the campaign aimed at keeping African kids in school and out off the battlefield. Support the cause and check out the band.
Tiger Lou Tour Dates
Eyeball Awareness:
03/04 - New York, NY - Crash Mansion
03/05 - Asbury Park, NJ - The Saint
03/06 - Philadelphia, PA - Circle of Hope
03/07 - Myrtle Beach, SC - Soundgarden
03/10 - Athens, GA -Tasty World
03/11 - Birmingham, AL - The Nick
03/15 - Austin, TX - Spiro's
Tiger Lou Tour Dates
Eyeball Awareness:
03/04 - New York, NY - Crash Mansion
03/05 - Asbury Park, NJ - The Saint
03/06 - Philadelphia, PA - Circle of Hope
03/07 - Myrtle Beach, SC - Soundgarden
03/10 - Athens, GA -Tasty World
03/11 - Birmingham, AL - The Nick
03/15 - Austin, TX - Spiro's
The Kooks video premiere
The Kooks caused a bit of a stir with their well received last album.
The video premiere for The Kook's "Always Where I Need to Be", the first single off their April 15 Astralwerks release KONK has been posted on AOL's Spinner.com.
You can check it out here:
Spring 2008 US Tour Dates
May 18th San Diego, CA House of Blues all ages
May 19th Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern all ages
May 22nd San Francisco, CA The Fillmore all ages
May 24th Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom 19 & over
May 26th Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom all ages
May 28th Salt Lake City, UT Avalon Theatre all ages
May 29th Denver, CO Ogden Theatre 16 & over
May 31st Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Caf 18 & over
June 1st Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom all ages
June 2nd Chicago, IL Vic Theatre all ages
June 4th Toronto, ON Kool Haus 19 & over
June 5th Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore @ TLA all ages
June 6th Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club 18 & over
June 7th Washington, DC 9.30 Club all ages
June 11th New York, NY Terminal 5 all ages
Pre-sale will begin Feb 29th (yes, its a leap year!). Stay tuned for more information about ticket sales and outlets.
The video premiere for The Kook's "Always Where I Need to Be", the first single off their April 15 Astralwerks release KONK has been posted on AOL's Spinner.com.
You can check it out here:
Spring 2008 US Tour Dates
May 18th San Diego, CA House of Blues all ages
May 19th Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern all ages
May 22nd San Francisco, CA The Fillmore all ages
May 24th Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom 19 & over
May 26th Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom all ages
May 28th Salt Lake City, UT Avalon Theatre all ages
May 29th Denver, CO Ogden Theatre 16 & over
May 31st Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Caf 18 & over
June 1st Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom all ages
June 2nd Chicago, IL Vic Theatre all ages
June 4th Toronto, ON Kool Haus 19 & over
June 5th Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore @ TLA all ages
June 6th Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club 18 & over
June 7th Washington, DC 9.30 Club all ages
June 11th New York, NY Terminal 5 all ages
Pre-sale will begin Feb 29th (yes, its a leap year!). Stay tuned for more information about ticket sales and outlets.
Monday, February 25, 2008
TIGER LOU
Tiger Lou are Spin Magazine's (or at least Spin.com's Band Of The Day... of the Day.
As such, you can listen to their entire US debut LP, THe Loyal at www.VIRB.com.
As such, you can listen to their entire US debut LP, THe Loyal at www.VIRB.com.
R.E.M.
You probably already know about the new REM record, ACCELERATE on April 1.
Lead single, "Supernatural Superserious" is out now and available for purchase from iTunes, along with the pre-order for the deluxe version of the album:
REM -Accelerate - (iTunes Deluxe Edition Pre-order):
The physical special edition of Accelerate is also available for pre-order. Description:
CD/DVD special Amray package with a 64-page booklet inside. The DVD includes a Vincent Moon 48 min. film of behind-the-scenes footage, and performance pieces of various songs on the album. Plus 2 Audio only mp3s of B-Sides: Red Head Walking (audio) and Airliner (audio).
REM - Accelerate (Special Edition Pre-order):
http://store.warnerbrosrecordsstore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=1687369
REM - "Supernatural Superserious" audio streams:
Windows
http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/rem/audio/supernatural-superserious_56.wax
http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/rem/audio/supernatural-superserious_128.wax
Quicktime
http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime/wbr/rem/audio/supernatural-superserious_56.mov
http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime/wbr/rem/audio/supernatural-superserious_128.mov
REM - "Supernatural Superserious" video links:
Lead single, "Supernatural Superserious" is out now and available for purchase from iTunes, along with the pre-order for the deluxe version of the album:
REM -Accelerate - (iTunes Deluxe Edition Pre-order):
The physical special edition of Accelerate is also available for pre-order. Description:
CD/DVD special Amray package with a 64-page booklet inside. The DVD includes a Vincent Moon 48 min. film of behind-the-scenes footage, and performance pieces of various songs on the album. Plus 2 Audio only mp3s of B-Sides: Red Head Walking (audio) and Airliner (audio).
REM - Accelerate (Special Edition Pre-order):
http://store.warnerbrosrecordss
REM - "Supernatural Superserious" audio streams:
Windows
http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia
http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia
Quicktime
http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime
http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime
REM - "Supernatural Superserious" video links:
Monday, February 18, 2008
New music for the people
AIR TRAFFIC - free mp3 - Come On
MP3 - Air Traffic - "Come On":
Also video for CHARLOTTE:
YouTube:
Windows High:
Real High:
And another mp3 for you to sample:
PEOPLE IN PLANES - "Pretty Buildings" MP3
http://www.peopleinplanes.com/mp3
MP3 - Air Traffic - "Come On":
Also video for CHARLOTTE:
YouTube:
Windows High:
Real High:
And another mp3 for you to sample:
PEOPLE IN PLANES - "Pretty Buildings" MP3
http://www.peopleinplanes.com/mp3
Sunday, February 17, 2008
About The Music birthday
ABOUT THE MUSIC is three years old this month. On Feb 3 2005 the lights came on and this blog was born. Since then almost 20,000 of you have graced these pages, thank you.
We've heard some great albums since then, and discovered some wonderful new talents.
Here's to the next 3 years and beyond.
To see the first ever post go here
We've heard some great albums since then, and discovered some wonderful new talents.
Here's to the next 3 years and beyond.
To see the first ever post go here
Jack Johnson - Sleep Through The Static review
JACK JOHNSON – SLEEP THROUGH THE STATIC
(Brushfire Records)
Jack Johnson as many critics as he does fans, and they make a fair point. His music is accessible, uninventive and bland. But his fans will tell you he has a great voice (can’t quarrel with that), writes effortless feel-good tunes with pop perfect chord changes.
Sleep Through The Static will do nothing to alter that debate. If you like him, you’ll love this. If not, then leave it alone. Recorded with 100% solar energy, Johnson seems to have trapped some of the sunbeams in his songs. The single, “If I Had Eyes” is catchy and fun, “What You Thought You Need” has a wonderful riff and drums and if “Hope” doesn’t make you move a bit, your heart is made of stone. Some of the songs do sound a bit samey, but it’s a very enjoyable listening experience, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
For fans of: Ben Harper, John Mayer,
Download: If I Had Eyes, Hope, Enemy
Rating: 8/10
Watch the video for IF I HAD EYES HERE
Jack Johnson - Angel
(Brushfire Records)
Jack Johnson as many critics as he does fans, and they make a fair point. His music is accessible, uninventive and bland. But his fans will tell you he has a great voice (can’t quarrel with that), writes effortless feel-good tunes with pop perfect chord changes. Sleep Through The Static will do nothing to alter that debate. If you like him, you’ll love this. If not, then leave it alone. Recorded with 100% solar energy, Johnson seems to have trapped some of the sunbeams in his songs. The single, “If I Had Eyes” is catchy and fun, “What You Thought You Need” has a wonderful riff and drums and if “Hope” doesn’t make you move a bit, your heart is made of stone. Some of the songs do sound a bit samey, but it’s a very enjoyable listening experience, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
For fans of: Ben Harper, John Mayer,
Download: If I Had Eyes, Hope, Enemy
Rating: 8/10
Watch the video for IF I HAD EYES HERE
Jack Johnson - Angel
The Ruby Suns - "Sea Lion" review
THE RUBY SUNS – SEA LION
(MEMPHIS INDUSTRIES)
RELEASE: 3 MARCH 2008
The Ruby Suns are Ryan McPhun and a few other New Zealanders. The idea for "Sea Lion" appears to be to cram as many influences as possible – African and Polynesian folk music, flamenco, eighties pop-synth and Disney movie soundtracks – onto a disc with a good helping of sunshine pop.
The Ruby Suns pick up the mantle that Mecury Rev, the Animal Collective et al left – expimental indie, so don't expect cut and dried traditional songs. More often than not experiments fail but most on this album turn out just fine. In fact, with an open mind, it's a lot of fun, bit like The Flaming Lips. "Kenya Dig It?" is already a student radio big hit, and "There Are Birds" with its driving bass line will also have mainstream appeal. With their reverb-laden vocals, it's no wonder The Shins are big fans. With this release they'll be adding plenty more.
For fans of: The Flaming Lips, Animal Collective
Download: There Are Birds, Kenya Dig It?, Tane Mahuta
Rating: 7/10
The Ruby Suns Live in Paris
(MEMPHIS INDUSTRIES)
RELEASE: 3 MARCH 2008
The Ruby Suns are Ryan McPhun and a few other New Zealanders. The idea for "Sea Lion" appears to be to cram as many influences as possible – African and Polynesian folk music, flamenco, eighties pop-synth and Disney movie soundtracks – onto a disc with a good helping of sunshine pop. The Ruby Suns pick up the mantle that Mecury Rev, the Animal Collective et al left – expimental indie, so don't expect cut and dried traditional songs. More often than not experiments fail but most on this album turn out just fine. In fact, with an open mind, it's a lot of fun, bit like The Flaming Lips. "Kenya Dig It?" is already a student radio big hit, and "There Are Birds" with its driving bass line will also have mainstream appeal. With their reverb-laden vocals, it's no wonder The Shins are big fans. With this release they'll be adding plenty more.
For fans of: The Flaming Lips, Animal Collective
Download: There Are Birds, Kenya Dig It?, Tane Mahuta
Rating: 7/10
The Ruby Suns Live in Paris
Merz - Moi Et Mon Camion cd review
A couple of reviews now for AU.
MERZ – MOI ET MON CAMION
(GRONLAND)
RELEASE: 17 MARCH 2006
Following on from his major label debut in 1999 and 2005’s Coldplay-endorsed and critically acclaimed ‘Loveheart’ comes ‘Moi et Mon Camion’. Merz, aka Conrad Lambert, created 10 “English sounding” folk/pop songs. The title track opens with beautiful finger picking and the sound of a removal van evicting him before the album opens up into the Beatles influenced “Call Me” with fantastic Beach Boy harmonies. Conrad’s ear for a radio-friendly hook separates him from the rest of the folkies. The middle part of the album returns to a less interesting electronic style of his previous record, and that’s a shame, because it was shaping up to be something special. “Lucky Adem” recovers some of the spirit of the opening tracks but overall this is an opportunity missed.
For fans of: The Earlies, Maps, Hot Chip
Downlaod: Call Me, Lucky Adem
Rating: 7/10
MERZ – MOI ET MON CAMION
(GRONLAND)
RELEASE: 17 MARCH 2006
Following on from his major label debut in 1999 and 2005’s Coldplay-endorsed and critically acclaimed ‘Loveheart’ comes ‘Moi et Mon Camion’. Merz, aka Conrad Lambert, created 10 “English sounding” folk/pop songs. The title track opens with beautiful finger picking and the sound of a removal van evicting him before the album opens up into the Beatles influenced “Call Me” with fantastic Beach Boy harmonies. Conrad’s ear for a radio-friendly hook separates him from the rest of the folkies. The middle part of the album returns to a less interesting electronic style of his previous record, and that’s a shame, because it was shaping up to be something special. “Lucky Adem” recovers some of the spirit of the opening tracks but overall this is an opportunity missed.For fans of: The Earlies, Maps, Hot Chip
Downlaod: Call Me, Lucky Adem
Rating: 7/10
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A Fine Frenzy video and tour dates
You may have caught them last week on Letterman
or last night on Carson Daly
But now A Fine Frenzy will be headlining live at a city near you!
A Fine Frenzy - Spring Headline Tour:
3/04 Cafe du Nord - San Francisco, CA
3/06 Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR
3/07 The High Dive - Seattle, WA
3/08 Media Club - Vancouver, Canada
3/11 Varsity Theatre - Minneapolis, MN
3/12 Schubas Tavern - Chicago, IL
3/13 Cambridge Room @ House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
3/14 Shelter - Detroit, MI
3/16 El Mocambo Club - Toronto, Canada
3/18 La Sala Rossa - Montreal, Canada
3/19 Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
3/20 Blender Theatre at Gramercy - New York, NY
3/22 Iron Horse Music Hall - Northampton, MA
3/23 The Birchmere - Alexandria, VA
3/24 World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA
3/26 Smith's Olde Bar - Atlanta, GA
3/28 The Parish Room - Austin, TX
3/29 The Prophet Bar - Dallas, TX
3/31 Bluebird Theatre - Denver, CO
4/01 Avalon Theatre - Salt Lake City, UT
4/03 The Roxy Theatre - West Hollywood, CA
All dates with Ferras - www.myspace.com/ferrasmusic
http://www.afinefrenzy.com
http://www.myspace.com/afinefrenzy
'Almost Lover' remix:
or last night on Carson Daly
But now A Fine Frenzy will be headlining live at a city near you!
A Fine Frenzy - Spring Headline Tour:
3/04 Cafe du Nord - San Francisco, CA
3/06 Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR
3/07 The High Dive - Seattle, WA
3/08 Media Club - Vancouver, Canada
3/11 Varsity Theatre - Minneapolis, MN
3/12 Schubas Tavern - Chicago, IL
3/13 Cambridge Room @ House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
3/14 Shelter - Detroit, MI
3/16 El Mocambo Club - Toronto, Canada
3/18 La Sala Rossa - Montreal, Canada
3/19 Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA
3/20 Blender Theatre at Gramercy - New York, NY
3/22 Iron Horse Music Hall - Northampton, MA
3/23 The Birchmere - Alexandria, VA
3/24 World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA
3/26 Smith's Olde Bar - Atlanta, GA
3/28 The Parish Room - Austin, TX
3/29 The Prophet Bar - Dallas, TX
3/31 Bluebird Theatre - Denver, CO
4/01 Avalon Theatre - Salt Lake City, UT
4/03 The Roxy Theatre - West Hollywood, CA
All dates with Ferras - www.myspace.com/ferrasmusic
http://www.afinefrenzy.com
http://www.myspace.com/afinefrenzy
'Almost Lover' remix:
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
A Fine Frenzy on Letterman Tonight!
About The Music's favourite, A Fine Frenzy will be performing tonight(Wednesday) on Late Show with David Letterman!
The show begins at 11:30 pm on CBS, check local listings for channel.
www.afinefrenzy.com
www.myspace.com/afinefrenzy
The show begins at 11:30 pm on CBS, check local listings for channel.
www.afinefrenzy.com
www.myspace.com/afinefrenzy
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Super-Duper-Tuesday playlist
It's super (duper) tuesday today. I'm fascinated by the whole thing. If, like me, you'll be up to the wee small hours watching the results trickle in, then The Guardian says, this is what you should listen to:
1. Sufjan Stevens - Adlai Stevenson
Oblique tribute to the liberal Illinois gobernor who lost twice to Eisenhower.
2. The Byrds - He was a friend of mine
An Affectionate, albeit belated send off to JFK
3. Drive-by-Truckers - Wallace
Infamous segregationist, Alabama governer and 4 time loser George Wallace goes to hell in this song.
4. Marvin Gaye - You're the man
Looking for someone to beat Nixon
5. Manic Street Preachers - The Love of Richard Nixon
Appropriate but rubbish song from a worse album
6. Gill Scott-Heron - B-Movie
Welcoming 'Ronald RayGun' to the oval office
7. Grandmaster Melle Mel - Jesse
Jesse Jackson, only the 2nd african-american to run for the white house rocks the hip hop vote.
8. Paris - Bush Killa
Does what it says.
9. !!! - Me and Giuliani Down By The School Yard
Seems quaint now that he's gone.
10. Bright Eyes - When the President Talks to God
Conor Oberst condemning GW Bush.
1. Sufjan Stevens - Adlai Stevenson
Oblique tribute to the liberal Illinois gobernor who lost twice to Eisenhower.
2. The Byrds - He was a friend of mine
An Affectionate, albeit belated send off to JFK
3. Drive-by-Truckers - Wallace
Infamous segregationist, Alabama governer and 4 time loser George Wallace goes to hell in this song.
4. Marvin Gaye - You're the man
Looking for someone to beat Nixon
5. Manic Street Preachers - The Love of Richard Nixon
Appropriate but rubbish song from a worse album
6. Gill Scott-Heron - B-Movie
Welcoming 'Ronald RayGun' to the oval office
7. Grandmaster Melle Mel - Jesse
Jesse Jackson, only the 2nd african-american to run for the white house rocks the hip hop vote.
8. Paris - Bush Killa
Does what it says.
9. !!! - Me and Giuliani Down By The School Yard
Seems quaint now that he's gone.
10. Bright Eyes - When the President Talks to God
Conor Oberst condemning GW Bush.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Ryan Bingham - "Mescalito" cd review
Ryan Bingham - Mescalito
(Lost Highway)
Jan 7 2008
This is the real deal. So many middle class singer-songwriters pretend they grew up in west Texas, shuffling from bar to bar, swigging tequilas and living hard - but Ryan Bingham did. Growing up in the ranching communities near New Mexico and earning a living through riding Rodeos he's cut from the same blue collar cloth as Bruce Springsteen.
Ryan started playing at bars and his authenticity quickly led him to become a live sensation. Before signing to Lost Highway he was already booked for exclusive Hollywood parties. Released in the US in 2007 to rave reviews Bingham finally gets his European airing.
Mescalito, Bingham's debut, record was produced by Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford who wisely chose to put Ryan's voice up front. He sings with a similar rasp to Stereophonic's Kelly Jones. The 14 songs are mostly upbeat, acoustic guitar numbers with some fantasitc slide guitar and pedal steel solos. There are moments of bluegrass, banjo and Rolling Stones flavoured blues (Take It Easy Mama). He's been dubbed the legitimate heir of Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams and the stomping "Bread And Water" and mexican tinged "Boracho Station" live up to the billing. It's delightfully anachronistic with its 70s Americana. Worth repeated listens.
For fans of: Drive By Truckers; Ryan Adams; Gram Parsons
Download: Bread and Water; Don't Wait For Me
Rating: 8/10
(Lost Highway)
Jan 7 2008
This is the real deal. So many middle class singer-songwriters pretend they grew up in west Texas, shuffling from bar to bar, swigging tequilas and living hard - but Ryan Bingham did. Growing up in the ranching communities near New Mexico and earning a living through riding Rodeos he's cut from the same blue collar cloth as Bruce Springsteen.
Ryan started playing at bars and his authenticity quickly led him to become a live sensation. Before signing to Lost Highway he was already booked for exclusive Hollywood parties. Released in the US in 2007 to rave reviews Bingham finally gets his European airing.
Mescalito, Bingham's debut, record was produced by Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford who wisely chose to put Ryan's voice up front. He sings with a similar rasp to Stereophonic's Kelly Jones. The 14 songs are mostly upbeat, acoustic guitar numbers with some fantasitc slide guitar and pedal steel solos. There are moments of bluegrass, banjo and Rolling Stones flavoured blues (Take It Easy Mama). He's been dubbed the legitimate heir of Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams and the stomping "Bread And Water" and mexican tinged "Boracho Station" live up to the billing. It's delightfully anachronistic with its 70s Americana. Worth repeated listens.
For fans of: Drive By Truckers; Ryan Adams; Gram Parsons
Download: Bread and Water; Don't Wait For Me
Rating: 8/10
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