I love Steve Earle and Allison Moorer. I think Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis are great. Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler of Over the Rhine make me giddy. You know how I feel about Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson. For my money, though, Buddy & Julie Miller are the first couple of Americana music. Buddy is the multi-instrumentalist/producer /singer/songwriter [...]
Allison Moorer has decided to mix things up a bit for her new February album Crows (Rykodisc). Shifting to the left of her usual "new country" style, Moorer and producer R.S. Field have fashioned an album that emphasizes piano-based writing, personal and poetic lyricism and what is being termed a "sophisticated, pop flavored" style favoring "intricate arrangements and delicate dynamics." "I really just set myself free and just threw all the rules out the window," Moorer tells Billboard . "Y'know, I've never been that concerned with fitting in anywhere, and I've always been [...]
Maybe its country music's long history of songs about heartache, or perhaps the sheer ratio of married couples in the genre, but there's something about a slight vocal twang and a male-female duet that seems to go hand in hand. Whether it's a couple fighting - slinging insults back and forth between the grooves of a record – or a romantic ode to a long-time lover, here are a bunch of our favorite twangy duets. And leave your favorites in the comments. Best Kissers in the World - "Hungover Together" This ballad from [...]
If Stuart's Opera House in Nelsonville (about an hour southeast of Columbus) isn't on your radar, it should be. Between now and October, the historic theater is bringing in Steve Earle (Aug. 27), Yo La Tengo (Sept. 24) and Jolie Holland (Oct. 17), plus a Music Swap Meet on Oct. 10. Earle is touring solo behind his new Townes Van Zandt tribute album, Townes . I saw him at the Southern Theatre last May, and the man is at his best when his songs tell stories, which bodes well for a show heavy [...]
It's funny how sometimes when you live somewhere, you can ignore the little treasures that are right under your nose. For example, I've lived in Nashville for over 20 years, and until last month, I had never experienced the wonderfulness that is the Pancake Pantry. How I managed to go two decades without tasting their delicious cinnamon pancakes and creamy syrup is beyond me. Another local treasure that I'd somehow missed out on is The Long Players . Founded by pop wunderkind Bill Lloyd and E Street Band bassist [...]
The Hard Way: Steve Earle explores the songs of his late friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt. (Playing Monday, 24th at The Belcourt w/Allison Moorer.) The Magic Number: Nashville Cream turns 3 wit... Continue reading "Steve Earle, Nashville Cream Party and More: Inside This Week's Music Section" >
This is a HUGE musical weekend in Knoxville, and I'll tell you all about it... but first... *** I want to start off this post by wishing a Happy Anniversary to Steve Earle and Allison Moorer. The Americana power couple celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary on Tuesday. I still remember when I first heard the rumours that the two were becoming involved with each other. In fact, I think I probably had the info a little sooner than most outside observers. I got the scoop from my [...]
Last week my band, Orange Is In , was recording drums for our latest project at Rogers Recording in Houston when I stumbled upon some cool information about our engineer Steve Christensen. Steve has worked with Destiny's Child, Jermaine Dupri, Ray Wylie Hubbard and countless others who have past through Houston's legendary Sugar Hill Studios . He also worked on our first two records and is not only a great engineer, but also a great guy. During a break, we decided to go to Antone's Famous Po' Boys to pick up [...]
Ever since he broke onto the scene in mid-1980s with Guitar Town and his brand rockin' country, Steve Earle has always been misunderstood by Nashville, but not by me. To me, he's always been great. On his latest CD, Townes , he honors the man he calls the "best songwriter to ever walk the earth," Townes Van Zandt , with a performance that is as good as it gets. Townes Van Zandt had a cult following, but never actually had a hit on his [...]
In addition to Outside Lands and Treasure Island Music Festival, San Francisco has a chance to cash in on the 'grass' part of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival October 2-4. The free event, which celebrates its ninth birthday this year, boasts some impressive heavyweights and newcomers on multiple stages, ranging from Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett to Neko Case, Okkervil River, Old 97's, Dr. Dog, and Tom Morello. It's also worth noting that MC Hammer is also slated to perform, as is actor Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers. STEVE MARTIN, YOU GUYS. HE WAS IN "FATHER OF [...]
photos by Chris La Putt "Although the [Clearwater] festival was geared towards an older crowd, it did have a pretty stellar lineup. Artists worth noting [that played the first day] were the now 90 years old Pete Seeger (of course), the man who opened Woodstock 1969, one Richie Havens , Susan Tedeschi (wife of guitar prodigy Derek Trucks), Tao Seeger , Old Crow Medecine Show and one of my new favourite bands, Dr. Dog . [...]
I've always had a low tolerance for alcohol. In college, I could get three good nights off a six-pack. Today, even a single beer with supper gives me quite the buzz. Low tolerance means I don't drink much; after all, though I love a good microbrew IPA as much as the next guy, he can usually drive home afterwards, and I can't. But yesterday was a tough day. By the time I got home, it was time for a drink or three. I [...]
Former Wilco member, Jay Bennett, passed away over the weekend. Aside from his work with Wilco, Bennett also founded the band Titanic Love Affair and worked on the studio recordings of many artists including Sheryl Crow, Allison Moorer, and Billy Joe Shaver, and Blues Traveler.
In our never-ending quest to dig up some great bands that cost less than a corned beef sandwich at Katz's Deli, we bring you another round of Blips. Blips highlights some great bands that are largely still in their larvae stage, but will soon morph into their beautiful butterfly. In this edition, we have some really cool new music, so take a sec, poke around their various websites, and see what you think of these four under the radar musical groups... BuzzUniverse [...]
I'm sitting down to write this after the improbable occurrence of just seeing Steve Earle in the 30 Rock season finale. Oh my, what an ending! It's a kidney benefit for Jack's dad, and a We Are the World -esque gathering of talent comes together - Steve Earle, Elvis Costello, the Beastie Boys, Rhett Miller, Sheryl Crow, Bobby Brown, Michael McDonald, Wyclef Jean, Clay Aiken, Mary J. Blige, Adam Levine, and on and on... hilarious! And to see ol' bearded Steve standing there between Bobby Brown and McDonald. Priceless... So on to Steve's [...]
MUSIC NEWS - Steve Earle , today, has released his much anticipated follow-up to his 2007 Grammy Award-winning album Washington Square Serenade . Called TOWNES , and out on New West Records , it's a 15-song set that's comprised of songs written by Earle's friend and mentor, the late singer-songwriter, Townes Van Zandt. When speaking about Townes , Earle stated, "This may be one of the best records I've ever made." The album features such guests as Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine/The Nightwatchman , Steve's wife [...]
STEVE EARLE (Music Millennium, 3158 E Burnside) Much like Dylan had Woody, Steve Earle had Townes Van Zandt. The tumultuous career of Earle-five marriages, so much drugs, so much more denim-isn't too far from the struggles of Van Zandt, except Earle was somehow able to live through it all. His latest, Townes , is another homage to his icon (Earle previously paid his dues with a stark cover of "Tecumseh Valley" on '95's Train a Comin' ) with 15 covers and guest spots from Allison Moorer, Tom Morello, and even his own flesh and blood, Justin [...]
Country troubadour Steve Earle was best friends with rock n`roll legend Townes Van Zandt. Steve`s son Justin, and his wife Allison Moorer, are represented on the record Townes..on which Earle covers Townes Van Zandt songs.The songs on Townes are Earle country classics. There is nothing fancy about the music. But Earle makes them all weep a countray lament.Despite the family connection, and
After moving to New York and recording 2007's Washington Square Serenade , Steve Earle is now headed to Texas. At least in song, anyway. Earle's new album, Townes , finds him paying tribute to his long-time friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt by covering 15 of the late Texan's best songs. The disc features contributions from Earle's wife, singer Allison Moorer and his son Justin Townes Earle, as
Sara Watkins Sara Watkins ( Nonesuch ) Similar Sounds: Nickel Creek, Alison Krauss, Kelly Willis File Under: folk, bluegrass, country With lead single "Long, Hot Summer Days" blazing the trail, Sara Watkins looks to emerge from under the shadow of her brother Sean as well as Nickel Creek superstar Chris Thile--both of whom have a bevy of solo releases already floating around their fanbases and beyond. The second track from Sara Watkins' self-titled debut [...]
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