I've been in a kind of funny place lately - musically, I mean. I keep running across pictures or films of rural folk from years ago, many of the men in bib overalls and playing banjos, fiddles, or harmonicas, and I flash back to my own early childhood. But here's the catch - although the circumstances are familiar, I can't seem to zero in on specific musical memories. I guess I just have to chalk it up to advancing age, but I still keep thinking about hearing that kind of music years ago. I suppose that's what set [...]
photo: Don Fisher The Byrds entered 1971 heading in opposite directions. As a live unit, there's no question that the band was at its career apex. The Clarence White-Gene Parsons-Skip Battin rhythm section was borderline monstrous. If anything, Roger McGuinn was the musical weak link, a disturbing trend that would replicate itself in the studio. I will diatribe later about McGuinn's abandonment of the songwriting and bandleading process. However, let's focus on White's 1971, a promising and underappreciated year of achievement. [...]
For Clarence White ( second from left ), 1969 began with the release of his first album as a member of The Byrds, Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde , and ended with the release of that album's follow-up, Ballad Of Easy Rider . In between, the band played over 70 dates throughout the U.S., many of those gigs featuring multiple sets (early and late shows, e.g.). Despite the heavy workload, there were enough gaps in The Byrds' tour schedule that White was able to contribute [...]
1965 had to be bittersweet for Clarence White ( pictured far right ) and The Kentucky Colonels. In February of that year, fiddler Scotty Stoneman ( pictured far left ) joined the band for a half-year stint, transforming the Colonels into perhaps the greatest bluegrass group of all-time. If Clarence and Scotty weren't the Bird and Diz of bluegrass ... which is what I contend ... they were at least its Moon and Entwhistle . Unfortunately, the downside to that musical brilliance were diminishing paying gigs. By 1965, bands like The Beatles, Stones, [...]
OK, so my original plan was to focus solely on Clarence White's electric guitar work and I've already backtracked on that commitment. However, it's a brief switchback and for what I think is a pretty good reason. As astonishing as White's electric playing is, it's also important to understand where he was coming from. So, I want to look at a few of CW's highlights with The Kentucky Colonels , to make plain why he was so highly regarded in the world of bluegrass, and to set the table for his early sessions in the world [...]
Did you know that Tom Petty was in a band before Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers made Gainesville famous? I mean, I assumed he had been in a number of bands while starting out, but I didn't think any were of much consequence. I guess perhaps had it not been for Tom inviting the original members of Mudcrutch up to his place for some reminiscing and recording he wouldn't have been...but he did, and it was. Now, I'm not gonna try and paint myself as some Petty maniac. I like 6 or 7 songs off each album but [...]
Today we have a special guest appearance from Brendan of The Rising Storm , one of my favorite music blogs. The Rising Storm is a great place to discover lost gems in the genres of garage, country rock, psych folk, and psychedelic rock. If you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to get over there soon. Like me, Brendan is also a big fan of bluegrass music, and he's got a great record collection. So, without further ado, take it away Brendan... The discography of bluegrass music is chock [...]
Geezer Music Club
The Adios Lounge
Nine Bullets
Setting The Woods On Fire
I’ll Just Leave This Here #161
BAND OF HORSES – The Funeral (Sound Remedy Remix)
Angger Dimas – Ribon Dooh (Preview)
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs: Stronger
Antony and the Johnsons - "Rise"
