Country Friday

You might know that JC made a trip from Glasgow to Manchester to see JTFL playing with his band The Ponderosa Aces. And he also introduced me to their music. I investigated them and found out that they were another American band celebrating the main roots of country music in their very own way. I think JC had a great time watching them live an a small venue. It is not the kind of music I would prefer in my home but I think this music will work live very well. Thanks to JC for guiding me to them. It is always a pleasure to listen to this kind of music from time to time.

Country Friday

I am everything but not a huge fan of country music. For a few times in my life I grab out some records of this genre and listen to them with amusement - mostly later in the evening with a last drink. And I won't call me an expert though I know who is who in this kind of music. A few days ago a record came to my appearance and from the first time I listened to it I was fascinated from this artist. Karl Blau is an indie rock and folk musician from near of Washington. He released music different records during the last 20 years. His latest recording Introducing Karl Blau is (for me) a little gem in a genre called country music. The songs are stamped by his sonorous voice and arrangements that are not typical for what you'll call country. I spent a few evenings listening to his songs. Sometimes they remembered me to Kurt Wagner, sometimes to Kris Kristofferson and sometimes to old fashioned country singers. He also covered songs by the Bee Gees and Townes van Zandt in his very special way and this versions were not too bad. What impressed me most was the way he interprets country music nowadays. It is played based on tradition style but also had influences by music made during the last decads. All in all a record you might listen to when you are alone to finish the day.

Karl Blau - Falling Rain
Karl Blau - If I Needed You
Karl Blau - Let The World Go By

´From The In-Box

A lot of new music received throughout the last weeks and now I found the time and muse to listen. And as ever I was surprised what great music is made especially over at the Atlantic ocean. So I would like to give you a survey about the most juicy music that arrived.

Let's start with a genre that's to George an CC. They posted some great country tunes in the last month. Here's an artist George featured last Tuesday as he was asked to review it. Deena got her first steps in the Hoboken music scene in the late 80s and is still in collaboration with other bands. If I had to type her music I would say it's country based music with a big touch of pop music. The songs were dominated by Deena Shoshkes clear and brilliant voice. The best parts are when they exalt the tempos. Anyway - like George said: It's worth listening to.




Another genre that apparently not is to be got deadly is Alternative rock. Many bands still trying to keep the spirit of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam alive. Many of them fail but sometimes there are bands who do the same thing in their very own way much better than the rest. One of them are Active Radio another Austin based band. It's good to hear this kinda music again - especially when it's played with so much empathic and verve. The guitars are well as well and the whole sound reminds me on the days the named bands were on their highest level.

Active Radio - The Fear
Active Radio - Underrated

When Active Radio learned a lot of Alternative rock than The Mourning Sickness got some different influences. The describe themselves as a progressiv-punk band. The more I listen to their music I can hear lot of prog-rock but Frank Zappa, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and sometimes Ian Dury. Their songs are filled with unpredictable melodies, odd rhythmic figures and changing of the rhythm in a song. And they put a lot of ideas into their songs. For example in 'Beelzebufo' when suddenly a twangy guitar appears, playing a solo and finish this with a typical prog-rock guitar. Awesome.

The Mourning Sickness - Snow Wimps
The Mourning Sickness - Beelzebufo

And finally for today G. Owen Evans an London based artist originally from Wales. I liked his voice that fits very good to the ballads he is playing. He did some very good songs that fits good to the end of the day. It appears once again that every good song is suited for a remix.

G. Owen Evans - Sunshine Every Day (Reegl Remix)
G. Owen Evans - Quietly On Fire

The Pocket Knife

A few weeks ago I had my regular visit with the dentist. When I have sat in the waiting room and have waited to me in the row am I have paged through from boredom a women's service magazine. Not that these themes are interesting me much sometimes I take a spot on the reviews of books and records in it. I've been reading an article about the new record by The Secret Sisters. In this euphoric article they told the readers that it's the best new country record since long time. The only thing I knew about The Secret Sisters that they recorded a traditional country album. When I have read that T-Burne Burnett has produced the album I have dealt closer with it and must say that it has become a very good and contemporary album for this genre. The songs are dominated by the clear voices of the sisters Laura and Lydia Rogers based in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Sometimes it remembers me on Adele going the country-style sometimes I think it's the country version of Warpaint. Mostly I was impressed on their version of PJ Harvey's 'The Pocket Knife'.

Have a nice week - where ever you, whatever you do.

The Secret Sisters - Rattle My Bones
The Secret Sisters - The Pocket Knife

Twanging Tuesday # 11

Also Germans are able to play a good twanging guitar. The Johnny Trouble Band is a local band from my hometown. They started their career as street musicians playing in the main street of our capital Stuttgart. I saw them a few years ago when I left my office to spent half an hour to have some lunch to go. I got me an Asian meal and sat down on a step watching them play. They played with such devotion to their Johnny Cash inspired music that I forgot to go back to my job. I donated some money and talked to them being surprised that we live in the same town. During the last years they got a kind of local heroes playing concerts and on private parties as well.

Enjoy.

Johnny Trouble Band - Prison Bound