tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7723279658415737122024-03-13T03:03:57.452-07:00WindfarmWindfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-74101767325698474632011-09-24T06:00:00.000-07:002011-10-18T20:45:22.924-07:00Not the best post, not the last post, but kind of both for a whileSo the old Windfarm has been pretty inactive these days, for various reasons, among those chiefly the day job and living in a cultural desert. Thanks to both of my readers for hanging out the last 3-plus years. It's a bit sad to me that I have fallen off of writing so much in such an amazing year for new music (seriously, please check out <span style="font-style: italic;">Death of a Decade</span> by Ha Ha Tonka). Nonetheless, rather than be that blog that just stopped abruptly, I wanted to put something up as a placeholder of sorts. I'll probably still post from time to time when Jason Aldean puts out a new country rap song, but otherwise, why keep just putting up music calendars in a place without music (Marfa excepted, of course)?<br /><br />I still use Twitter under the <a href="http://www.twitter.com/windfarmtx">Windfarmtx</a> name, actually more lately than ever before, and you will no doubt find me talking an embarrassing amount about things like college football. I'll still tweet about the occasional good local show, but like everything else on twitter, each will fade into obscurity an hour or so after it is posted. For everyone's benefit, no doubt.<br /><br />In the meantime, as I said, not the best post or the last post, but sort of, solely on account of this video. I'm not the first to tell anyone about it, but these three and a half minutes basically summarize everything that Windfarm was around for in the first place. Easily the best musical moment of 2011.<br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KkdNsRD604M" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-48199800046015594262011-09-21T17:32:00.000-07:002011-09-21T17:41:11.274-07:00El Cosmico: Trans Pecos Festival of Music and LoveSo it's probably a bit late for you to make a last second trip to Marfa for the music festival starting at <a href="http://elcosmico.com/">El Cosmico</a> tomorrow, but I had to post about it just because the poster is pretty cool. If you go, stick around for the Sunday charity breakfast benefiting <a href="http://www.marfapublicradio.org/">Marfa Public Radio</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPZjYkWKKGg/TnqCs7gng2I/AAAAAAAAAs4/9fMC1aqiAnc/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPZjYkWKKGg/TnqCs7gng2I/AAAAAAAAAs4/9fMC1aqiAnc/s400/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654975990517433186" border="0" /></a><div style="clear: both;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C86jUuMwZk4/TnqDgE25XtI/AAAAAAAAAtA/lVPP2oaUf3o/s1600/KRTS_Breakfast_Poster_695x900.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C86jUuMwZk4/TnqDgE25XtI/AAAAAAAAAtA/lVPP2oaUf3o/s400/KRTS_Breakfast_Poster_695x900.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654976869200125650" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-89169954183751406382011-09-19T21:30:00.000-07:002011-09-19T21:59:51.442-07:00New Mt. Inadale release & release show - ((sounder)) 7"Austin based <a href="http://mtinadalerecords.com/">Mt. Inadale Records</a> is pumping out the releases these days like mixtapes. Just a few short months after the Monahans/Sad Accordions EP, the label is introducing a 7" blue vinyl from <a href="http://soundersounder.com/">((sounder))</a>, the music project of Mike Aho.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3483rCm9SIw/Tngat-l_UQI/AAAAAAAAAso/VFPcDLY8lkQ/s1600/sounder_300X300.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3483rCm9SIw/Tngat-l_UQI/AAAAAAAAAso/VFPcDLY8lkQ/s400/sounder_300X300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654298709362430210" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="clear: both;"><br />Track listing:<br />1. We'll Turn the Coffins into Gardens<br />2. Don't Bring it to Life<br /><br />The release will be on baby blue vinyl with a limited pressing of 500 copies. The songs were co-produced and mixed by Matt Wignall (Cold War Kids). Art by Travis Millard. Pre-orders are going out this week!<br /><br /><br />This Saturday, 9/24, Austin folks should catch a Mt. Inadale deluxe release party, featuring both ((sounder)) and Sad Accordions, for a double release show of both the ((sounder)) and Sad Accordions vinyl. It's also a rare opportunity to see Sad Accordions in Austin. The show is at <a href="http://www.mohawkaustin.com">Mohawk</a>. Doors at 9, show at 10 PM. Cover $6/$8.<br /><br /></div>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-37380676732403629822011-09-12T14:35:00.000-07:002011-09-12T14:35:00.808-07:00Explosions in the Sky - Marfa, Sept. 15th (FREE SHOW!)Austin instrumental rock band <a href="http://www.explosionsinthesky.com/home.php">Explosions in the Sky</a> will be making a long awaited return to West Texas this Thursday, Sept. 15th. The band will play a free show at <a href="http://ballroommarfa.org/archive/event/explosions-in-the-sky/">Vizcaino Park in Marfa</a>, with opening act Twin Sister. The band has been on tour recently supporting their latest record, the outstanding <i>Take Care, Take Care, Take Care</i>. EITS shows in west Texas are typically few and far between, so don't miss out on the opportunity to catch them this time. The show is free, and reports say "Doors at 7 PM" although, I'm not sure when the music actually starts.<br /><div style="clear: both;"><br /><br />Check out the recently released music video for "Be Comfortable, Creature," created by Paul Logan.<br /><br /><div style="clear: both;"><div style="clear: both;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/28743490?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" width="500"></iframe><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/28743490">Be Comfortable, Creature</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/explosionsinthesky">Explosions in the Sky</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div></div></div>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-85711825276710989902011-09-10T10:12:00.000-07:002011-09-10T10:13:27.862-07:00Music at the Permian Basin FairI really dropped the ball on promoting this, but the <a href="http://permianbasinfair.com/">Permian Basin Fair</a> this year (Sept. 9-17) is bringing in a couple of solid concerts this weekend and next. Admission is $10 for adults. Come out for some good music and stick around for a corn dog.<br />
<br />
First of all, tonight, Sept. 10th, <a href="http://www.turnpiketroubadours.com/">Turnpike Troubadours</a> will be playing at 9:30 PM. These guys are really blowing up all over the radio, and recently sold out their first show at Gruene Hall. Plus, their albums <i>Diamonds and Gasoline</i> is a really solid listen.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5AJ-uDNm64/TmuYiTiPlJI/AAAAAAAAAsc/MrLz9YuAHaM/s1600/turnpike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5AJ-uDNm64/TmuYiTiPlJI/AAAAAAAAAsc/MrLz9YuAHaM/s400/turnpike.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit Jon Voight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="clear: both;">
Turnpike Troubadours - "Whole Damn Town" <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="25" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q-xdhbTZonA" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next week, on Sept. 17th, <a href="http://www.recklesskelly.com/">Reckless Kelly</a> will be playing the fair at 7 PM. RK are long term stalwarts of the Americana/Red Dirt scene, and will be releasing their new record <i>Good Luck and True Love</i> on Sept. 13th.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HpmnYI5PhFs/TmuZWvQI0vI/AAAAAAAAAsg/YdXiQx7Jwts/s1600/Reckless%252BKelly%252Brecklesskelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HpmnYI5PhFs/TmuZWvQI0vI/AAAAAAAAAsg/YdXiQx7Jwts/s400/Reckless%252BKelly%252Brecklesskelly.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both;">
Reckless Kelly - "Crazy Eddie's Last Hurrah"<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="25" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TjH7LdwWva4" width="420"></iframe></div>
</div>
Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-72810385111557724942011-08-21T20:44:00.000-07:002011-09-11T16:33:00.750-07:00West Texas area music calendar - August-September<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Odessa/Midland</span></span><br />8/26 - Eli Young Band - Dos Amigos<br />8/27 - Jamey Johnson - Dos Amigos<br />9/3 - Charlie Shafter - Lone Star Bar<br />9/10 - Turnpike Troubadours - Permian Basin Fair<br />9/15 - Granger Smith - Rockin' Rodeo<br />9/17 - Reckless Kelly - Permian Basin Fair<br />9/17 - Dierks Bentley - Rockhounds Baseball Park<br />9/22 - Styx - Chapparral Center<br />9/23-24 - <a href="http://www.thelonestarmusicfest.com/">Lone Star Music Fest</a> - Midland, feat. Cody Canada & the Departed, Wade Bowen, Kevin Fowler, Chris Knight, No Justice, & more<br />9/29 - Kyle Park - Rockin' Rodeo<br />9/30 - Stoney Larue - Dos Amigos<br />10/15 - Josh Abbott - Dos Amigos<br />10/16 - Darius Rucker - Dos Amigos<br />10/27 - Bush, Chevelle, Filter - Dos Amigos<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alpine/Marfa/Big Bend</span></span><br />8/25 - Deke Dickerson & the Ecco-fonics - Railroad Blues<br />9/2 - JP & the Gilberts - Railroad Blues<br />9/4 - Joe King Carrasco & the Crowns - Railroad Blues<br />9/9 - James McMurtry - Padre's<br />9/15 - Explosions in the Sky, Twin Sister - Vizcaino Park in Marfa (FREE)<br />9/22-25 - <a href="http://elcosmico.com/">Trans-Pecos Festival of Music & Love</a> - El Cosmico; feat. Patty Griffin, Barbara Lynn, Erika Wennerstrom, Adam Bork, Amy Cook, Ben Kweller, Tift Merritt, the Black Angels<br />10/8 - Del Castillo - Railroad Blues<br />11/11-12 - <a href="http://www.ticketstorm.com/event/1stannualjimmylafavemusicroadsongwriterrendezvous/lajitasgolfresortandspa/lajitas/7433/">1st Annual Jimmy LaFave Songwriter Rendezvous</a> - <a href="http://www.lajitasgolfresort.com/">Lajitas Golf Resort & Spa</a>; feat. Jimmy LaFave, Sam Baker, Slaid Cleaves, Kevin Welch, Malcolm Holcomb, Gretchen Peters, John Fulbright, Ray Bonneville, Will Kimbrough<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lubbock</span></span><br />8/25 - Jason Boland - Blue Light<br />8/27 - Reckless Kelly - Wild West<br />8/31 - Thrift Store Cowboys - Blue Light<br />9/16 - Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward - Blue Light<br />9/22 - John Evans Band - Blue Light<br />9/23 - Ray Wylie Hubbard - Blue Light<br />9/25 - Dirty River Boys - Blue Light<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">San Angelo<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">9/15 - Two Tons of Steel - The House of Fifi Dubois<br />9/22 - Turnpike Troubadours - Blaine's<br />9/24 - Los Lonely Boys - San Angelo Coliseum<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Abilene</span><br />9/21 - Mindy Smith - Moody Coliseum<br />9/23 - Guy Clark - Paramount TheatreWindfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-84162846399982072012011-08-02T09:34:00.000-07:002011-08-02T09:57:53.795-07:00Richard Buckner - Our Blood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1TcVbJmMbU/TjgnXTiZwNI/AAAAAAAAArw/qQlwBAEiMzw/s1600/richard-buckner-our-blood.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1TcVbJmMbU/TjgnXTiZwNI/AAAAAAAAArw/qQlwBAEiMzw/s400/richard-buckner-our-blood.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636298214989218002" border="0" /></a><div style="clear: both;"></div><br />Today marks the release of Richard Buckner's <span style="font-style: italic;">Our Blood</span>, his first release in 5 years. Buckner has received a great deal of praise throughout his career, and the hiatus has no doubt been tough for his loyal fanbase.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mergerecords.com/audio/buckner/OurBlood/traitor.mp3">Richard Buckner - "Traitor"</a><br /><br />The beauty of having a new release from Buckner is that we have the chance to hear from him in interviews. As an artist who rarely, if ever, talks while performing, it is fortunate that he has been quite generous with the interviews he has done leading up to this record. You can find a number of them out there, although <a href="http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2011/08/01/qa-with-richard-buckner/">this one from Magnet Magazine</a> is one of the better ones I have seen. In it, you can find a brief summation of the reasons behind his 5 year gap between albums.<br /><br />To put in perspective how long ago <span style="font-style: italic;">Meadow</span> was released, the vinyl resurgence among indie labels was not yet very far along and it was available only on CD and mp3. Therefore, <span style="font-style: italic;">Our Blood</span> is, to my knowledge, his first full-length album available on vinyl. It was worth the wait.Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-70209376735793362662011-07-27T18:17:00.000-07:002011-07-27T22:51:44.402-07:00Rodney Parker - Live in the Living Room<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img2.ymlp131.com/52h4_RP50PRweb.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 504px; height: 337px;" src="http://img2.ymlp131.com/52h4_RP50PRweb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="clear: both;"></div>(photo credit Adam Neese)<div style="clear: both;"></div><br />Denton-based <a href="http://www.rodneyparker.com/">Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward</a> have been gaining steam for some time now, touring the Texas circuit for a number of years, and as of late, taking over the airwaves as well. Parker's single "The Apology" is the latest to find its way into the Texas Music Chart, and follows on the heels of "Guitars," which has seen a tremendous amount of airplay in the past year.<br /><br />Reports indicate that the follow-up to Parker's 2010 EP <span style="font-style: italic;">The Apology, Part 1</span>, will see a release just before the end of this year, and <span style="font-style: italic;">Part 2</span> will reportedly be a full-length record. In the meantime, however, Parker is releasing a stripped down live record, <span style="font-style: italic;">Live in the Living Room</span>. Spanning 13 tracks, this album was recorded...you guessed it...in the band's living room. Using no amplification, they played and recorded these songs in front of a small audience and, showcasing their strong musicianship as a touring band, the band chose to release the record as is, with no overdubs or alterations.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7Y-yIwhEz0/TjC5wiGyJhI/AAAAAAAAArI/PRr0RDPVx78/s1600/RP50PRLivingRoom.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7Y-yIwhEz0/TjC5wiGyJhI/AAAAAAAAArI/PRr0RDPVx78/s400/RP50PRLivingRoom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634207377280607762" border="0" /></a><div style="clear: both;"></div><br />This record should provide an interesting contrast to the band's typically supercharged electric show and hopefully will tide fans over until the next installment of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Apology</span> later this year. 50 Peso die-hards will also be pleased to find that material for this album stretches all the way back to the band's 2005 debut, <span style="font-style: italic;">Blow the Soot Out</span>, and follows with select tracks from subsequent releases. In addition, the album features two unreleased songs, "Skin and Bones" and "Where the Bright Lights Glow Me." Parker & the Pesos continue to prove themselves as one of the top emerging bands in the regional Americana scene, and this release should do nothing but help their profile as they continue the drive toward greater notoriety.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pavementpr.com/1.mp3s/RP50PRSkinandBones.mp3">Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward - "Skin and Bones"</a><br /><br /><br />Track Listing for <span style="font-style: italic;">Live in the Living Room</span> (Release date 8/2):<br /><br />1. Firefight<br />2. Highway Blues<br />3. Guitars<br />4. Ghost<br />5. Where the Bright Lights Glow Me<br />6. Bring Me My Gun<br />7. The Ship<br />8. Atlantic City<br />9. The Apology<br />10. I'm Never Getting Married<br />11. Tell Me What It Is<br />12. Skin and Bones<br />13. 10 lb. Test<br /><br />Pre-Order the record at <a href="http://www.lonestarmusic.com/index.php?file=mer-musicmerch&iArtistId=1031&iAudioAlbumId=6330">Lonestarmusic.com</a> or <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/preorder/live-in-the-living-room/id451501456">iTunes</a> (or basically any other major retailer, for that matter).Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-78931010442296282512011-07-18T05:54:00.000-07:002011-07-18T19:34:03.086-07:00Sad Accordions/Monahans Split 12" giveaway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQBDYVMD7Fg/TiBjTRl9zmI/AAAAAAAAAj0/NXRT_W66Y7Q/s1600/sad%2Baccordions.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 350px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQBDYVMD7Fg/TiBjTRl9zmI/AAAAAAAAAj0/NXRT_W66Y7Q/s400/sad%2Baccordions.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629608717004426850" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="clear: both;"></div><br />Austin based <a href="http://mtinadalerecords.com/">Mt. Inadale Records</a> recently offered up its second release as a label, this time with releases from Austin bands <a href="http://monahans.net/">Monahans</a> and the <a href="http://sadaccordions.bandcamp.com/">Sad Accordions</a>. The 12" vinyl split features two songs from each band. For Monahans, the release follows last year's <span style="font-style: italic;">2010 Recordings</span>, with the outstanding "Bridge Commander" and the instrumental "Stationed." For the Sad Accordions, this release follows on the heels of the band's 2011 digital EP <span style="font-style: italic;">the colors and the kill</span>. The band's contributions to this release are the previously unreleased "Denial Takes the Train" and "Sweet Cocaine." The bands complement each other very well, and while their respective "sounds" differ to a reasonable extent, they blend together nicely on this record.<br /><br />This release is an excellent listen throughout, and features the added bonus of a digital download of all four songs, which I appreciate, because my record player always skips when I try to use it in the car.<br /><br /><br /><u>GIVEAWAY</u><br />Mt. Inadale has been kind enough to provide me with a promo copy to give away through the blog. Follow the instructions below and, after the deadline, I will randomly select one winner to receive a free copy of this release.<br /><br />Here is how you enter:<br />1. First, check to see if you live in the U.S. I apologize for the inconvenience, but due to postal fees, I can only mail within the United States.<br />2. Next, send me an email at windfarmblog (at) gmail.com. (of course, replace the "at" with @)<br />3. In that email, include your state of residence<br />4. Also in that email, tell me who is the famous country/folk songwriter that is from the town of Monahans, TX<br />5. I will close the contest at 11:59 PM on Monday, July 25th, so make sure to get your email in by then.<br /><br />Of course, none of your personal information (not even your name), will ever be posted on the blog.Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-50672167847126625412011-07-16T05:42:00.000-07:002011-07-16T09:22:32.800-07:00Preview: The Lusitania, Kentucky Knife Fight in Midland, 7/19It remains rare that Midland/Odessa gets a quality indie-rock show through town. No offense to the metal or punk fans, as I do appreciate them supporting their own form of independent music, but it's just not my thing.<br /><br />Thankfully, our all-ages venue in the area, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/thepinebox">The Pine Box</a> (510 S. Big Spring St., Midland, TX), is fairly open to most any music style. This Tuesday, July 19th, brings an outstanding show through town, featuring El Paso band <a href="http://www.thelusitaniaband.com/">The Lusitania</a>, along with St. Louis based <a href="http://www.kentuckyknifefight.net/">Kentucky Knife Fight</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IoelHqWUasw/TiG6clsyiyI/AAAAAAAAAlw/9t60NTT8S2g/s1600/Picture%2B3.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IoelHqWUasw/TiG6clsyiyI/AAAAAAAAAlw/9t60NTT8S2g/s400/Picture%2B3.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629986009508907810" /></a><br /><div style="clear: both;"></div><br />If you have followed this blog much in the past, you know I have long been a champion of The Lusitania's work. Their latest release, last year's <span style="font-style: italic;">Rain & Rivers</span>, was an outstanding effort, and since its release, the band has spent a good deal of time out on the road supporting fellow El Pasoan Jim Ward, of At the Drive-In, Sparta, & Sleepercar notoriety. In fact, after a short run of their own through the Midwest, they will connect again with Ward for a few more weeks of shows.<br /><br />Kentucky Knife Fight brings a style of music that combines a diverse array of musical styles. Their Facebook describes the sound as combining "bluegrass, blues, and punk," which actually all present themselves fairly clearly upon a few listens. I might have had difficulty singling out those three influences on my own, so it was nice that they did the work for me. Either way, definitely worth checking out.<br /><br />It's a Tuesday night in Midland, folks, what else do you have to do?<br /><br />UPDATE: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=251269791552092">Here is the facebook page for the event</a>. Tons of bands playing. So many that I am too lazy to look them all up.<br /><br />The Lusitania - "Your Style" (kinda sorta NSFW, just sayin')<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/POPpRFHe-M8" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="25" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />If your geography is conducive to such a thing, you can also catch these two bands, plus Estelline, at the Blue Light in Lubbock on Wed., 7/20.Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-7984589745293492762011-07-15T14:18:00.000-07:002011-07-15T14:30:48.255-07:00Ha Ha Tonka - Mile Marker SessionOne of the best albums of the year thus far has come from the still relatively unknown <a href="http://www.bloodshotrecords.com">Bloodshot Records</a> band <a href="http://www.hahatonkamusic.com/">Ha Ha Tonka</a>, with their record <span style="font-style: italic;">Death of a Decade</span>. The band will be headlining at the <a href="http://www.theums.com/">Denver Underground Music Showcase</a> next weekend, which in my opinion is one of the better festivals around for discovering new talent without the oppressive crowds or horrible parking.<br /><br />Of course, the UMS appearance doesn't do me a ton of good this year because <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Odessa,+TX&daddr=Denver,+CO&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=44.744674,88.066406&geocode=FTLt5QEdZf7l-Sn5fBM5asn7hjFGX2FUNKslFg%3BFRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ&mra=ls&z=6">I now live 12 hours from Denver</a>. What <span style="font-style: italic;">is helpful</span> is the fact that the <span style="font-style: italic;">Denver Post</span> blog Hey Reverb recently posted a <a href="http://www.heyreverb.com/2011/07/15/mile-marker-ha-ha-tonka/#23">Mile Marker session</a> with Ha Ha Tonka that includes live versions of three of the band's best songs for free download.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.heyreverb.com/2011/07/15/mile-marker-ha-ha-tonka/#23">Go here to download the tracks</a>. And if you like what you hear, check out the full album <span style="font-style: italic;">Death of a Decade</span>, as I think you will be pleased at the strength of the album as a whole. And if you are in Denver, by all means, check this band out live next weekend.<br /><br /><br />Ha Ha Tonka - "Usual Suspects"<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EvRW8APIsaQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="25" width="560"></iframe>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-5940484418757425412011-07-14T20:14:00.000-07:002011-07-14T20:41:57.589-07:00Texas Forever<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I87Sui6eRlc/Th-wooFFXdI/AAAAAAAAAjs/OvW8YcJMAoA/s1600/underdogs.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I87Sui6eRlc/Th-wooFFXdI/AAAAAAAAAjs/OvW8YcJMAoA/s400/underdogs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629412271236406738" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="clear: both;"></div><br />Tomorrow night closes the book on one of the great network TV series of recent times. <span style="font-style: italic;">Friday Night Lights</span> was fortunate to see 5 seasons, and tomorrow will be the series finale, and I think the expectations for this episode are fairly high. Many who have never watched the show may still think it is just a show about football, and while that is partially true, the football games have come to hold decreased significance as the seasons have progressed. Rather, it has been a show about small town life (including, of course, the dominance of football in said small town) with strong characters and largely realistic story lines. While it isn't possible to close out every story line, nor would that be what anyone wants, I think we're all hoping for some degree of closure.<br /><br />I'll be pulling for old No. 33.<br /><div style="clear: both;"></div>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-18757283625134658302011-07-10T20:10:00.000-07:002011-07-10T22:18:28.262-07:003 Albums with West Texas Roots That You Should Be Listening To<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />Amanda Shires - </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Carrying Lightning</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atwnt7nfN5s/ThnPpYAWquI/AAAAAAAAAjk/W4-UgWWtrbo/s1600/amanda-shires-carrying-lightning-2011.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atwnt7nfN5s/ThnPpYAWquI/AAAAAAAAAjk/W4-UgWWtrbo/s400/amanda-shires-carrying-lightning-2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627757519101668066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;"></div><br />Amanda Shires' music career up to this point exemplifies the concept of "paying your dues." That is, she has worked tirelessly to establish herself as not only an outstanding musician, but also as one of the more promising songwriters on the Americana touring circuit. Simply put, her time to receive wider notoriety is now. Shires' musical background is widely available online, so I'll skip the recap, as her current album is really the element of interest here. <span style="font-style: italic;">Texas Music</span> magazine recently referred to <span style="font-style: italic;">Carrying Lightning</span> as the <span style="font-style: italic;">Car Wheels on a Gravel Road</span> of Shires' career, a Lucinda Williams reference that carries some serious weight. The album has received additional praise from the likes of <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.spin.com/reviews/amanda-shires-carrying-lightning-101-distribution">SPIN</a>, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703778104576287120887903538.html">The Wall Street Journal</a>, and <span style="font-style: italic;">Texas Monthly</span>, because, well, it is that good. <span style="font-style: italic;">Lightning</span> finds Shires defining her voice as a songwriter and provides us with a first look at the great potential her musical career holds.<br /><br />"Ghostbird" (feat. Neal Casal)<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jw6qudD20PU" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="25" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Explosions in the Sky - </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Take Care, Take Care, Take Care</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L78LDt4cUHM/ThnPiD48lHI/AAAAAAAAAjc/SQD2PLHm-7U/s1600/Explosions-In-The-Sky-Take-Care.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L78LDt4cUHM/ThnPiD48lHI/AAAAAAAAAjc/SQD2PLHm-7U/s400/Explosions-In-The-Sky-Take-Care.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627757393442804850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;"></div>Explosions in the Sky is a band comprised of 3/4 West Texans, although in actuality the band itself hails from Austin. Nonetheless, the influence of the West Texas landscape in EITS' music is hard to ignore. <span style="font-style: italic;">Take Care, Take Care, Take Care</span> finds the band in top form for their sixth studio release, and as an overall composition, is among the band's best work to-date. The single "Trembling Hands" finds the band introducing vocal loops into a song, a rarity in EITS' work, although they appear not as lyrics but as an additional layer of instrumentation. Another rarity for the band is playing shows in West Texas, yet the band is crossing that boundary as well, with a show booked in Marfa for September.<br /><br />"Trembling Hands"<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5F0QsjIflZw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="25" width="425"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br />Estelline - </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Estelline</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edFjjX382Ds/ThnOCGFxCvI/AAAAAAAAAjU/KrjCNTBnP24/s1600/estell.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edFjjX382Ds/ThnOCGFxCvI/AAAAAAAAAjU/KrjCNTBnP24/s400/estell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627755744766003954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="clear: both;"></div>Among Lubbock's newest up-and-comers, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Estelline/110980355605164">Estelline</a> have been establishing their name in the local scene for a few years now. This spring found the band releasing their first album, a self-titled effort that suggests that the legacy of great original music in Lubbock continues to grow. At 15 songs, the band lays everything out on the table, and by-and-large, they deliver with a very strong record. Among the strongest are "William Jones" and "Jaylynn," which perhaps best showcase the talent of the band and suggest the emergence of a sound that is their own. Future work will no doubt be the ultimate test of the band, but for a first album, Estelline has an excellent start.<br /><br />"Jaylynn" (acoustic on the Todd Klein show, AM 580)<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ScoDfLVx8vw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="25" width="425"></iframe>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-91055640831776836982011-07-04T04:12:00.000-07:002017-01-31T12:09:12.787-08:00Old 97s: Hitchhike to the (2nd) Grand TheatreIn honor of the release of the Old 97s' ninth studio album tomorrow, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2</span>, I spent some time compiling my personal ranking of all of the band's studio albums. I have included the new album in my ranking, thanks to the availability of the full stream on KXT.org.<br />
<br />
I liken my ranking all the Old 97s' albums to asking a parent of 9 to rank their kids in order. Not that the Old 97s albums are like my children, but I have a hard time talking poorly about any of them. And in that respect, being low on the list here doesn't really mean an album was bad, but rather, just not as good, in my mind, as the ones ahead of it. Thus, the lowest ranking album here ranks well above a great deal of other music for me. I made a concerted effort to have no ties, because if I did consider them, then why bother making the list to begin with?<br />
<br />
For those of you already skeptical of my competency, credentials, or qualifications to rank the band's catalog, I can only say that I have been a fan since I was 16, which was some time ago (pre-<span style="font-style: italic;">Fight Songs</span>, to be specific), and I have followed the band and its releases throughout that period. On that note, I welcome you to discuss/challenge/argue the rankings in the comments section below.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">9. </span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Blame It On Gravity</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hG6MTSmaog0/TgySkUbJbmI/AAAAAAAAAiU/6JJkro3ewDE/s1600/97blame.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624031187334426210" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hG6MTSmaog0/TgySkUbJbmI/AAAAAAAAAiU/6JJkro3ewDE/s400/97blame.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
Somebody had to be last, right? I do not dislike this album by any means, but I simply do not go back and listen to it a great deal. I love "The One" and "Color of a Lonely Heart is Blue" as well as a few others. It was a close call between this and number 8, but my reasoning is explained below.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">8. </span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Drag It Up</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0UF5sL73nCI/TgySdjcZybI/AAAAAAAAAiM/LhVgrwrKqrw/s1600/97drag.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624031071107140018" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0UF5sL73nCI/TgySdjcZybI/AAAAAAAAAiM/LhVgrwrKqrw/s400/97drag.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
"Won't Be Home" is easily one of the best 97s songs of all time, and even more importantly a staple of the live show. Other notable tracks include "No Mother" and "Valium Waltz." However, as an entire album, this isn't one I come back to.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">7. </span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Grand Theatre, Vol. 1</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-trO6IvwS5a8/TgySoLwhW6I/AAAAAAAAAic/ygqCVBnC7zo/s1600/97grand1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624031253727632290" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-trO6IvwS5a8/TgySoLwhW6I/AAAAAAAAAic/ygqCVBnC7zo/s400/97grand1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
The first installment of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Grand Theatre</span> was hailed by many as the band's finest work in years. While I generally agree with that statement and enjoy the album, it has not become a favorite of mine. "Every Night is Friday Night (Without You)" and "Champaign, Illinois" are among the best tracks, and most definitely stand alongside the band's best work.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">6. </span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Satellite Rides</span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NM_GU-b_w28/TgyTUEN4R1I/AAAAAAAAAis/Eyp5IFromsQ/s1600/97satt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624032007617529682" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NM_GU-b_w28/TgyTUEN4R1I/AAAAAAAAAis/Eyp5IFromsQ/s400/97satt.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 300px;" /></a>Here is where the rankings got a little tricky. What it came down to was a comparison of my personal favorites on this and the next album on the list. I still remember hearing Rhett play "Designs On You" solo at Trees in Dallas before the album came out, and that song probably remains my favorite on the album. <span style="font-style: italic;">Satellite Rides</span> is a great record from start to finish, with other favorites being "Rollerskate Skinny" and "Up the Devil's Pay."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">5. </span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Hitchhike to Rhome</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7GEZq93HBX0/TgyTOvYV4nI/AAAAAAAAAik/XaCtOfr1RBs/s1600/97hitch.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624031916124922482" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7GEZq93HBX0/TgyTOvYV4nI/AAAAAAAAAik/XaCtOfr1RBs/s400/97hitch.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 299px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 300px;" /></a>The record that started this whole thing. Pretty awesome the band is still around 8 albums later. The songs on this record are pure classics to me: "Hands Off," "If My Heart Was a Car," and "Desperate Times." I have told the story before, but a formative music memory of mine is the first time I heard Rhett play "Wish the Worst" in Dallas with the entire Gypsy Tea Room singing along.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">4. </span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Fight Songs</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5yLnq0FirI/TgyTnWMK9AI/AAAAAAAAAi8/qeYihRoY2xM/s1600/97fight.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624032338859717634" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5yLnq0FirI/TgyTnWMK9AI/AAAAAAAAAi8/qeYihRoY2xM/s400/97fight.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 300px;" /></a>Fight Songs holds a place for me that is tied as much to the time of its release as anything else. It is one of the first new releases I remember being truly excited for. That is, I remember the promo for it and thinking how much I couldn't wait for it to come out, followed by making a special trip to buy it the first week it was out (pre-download days, kiddos). Nostalgia aside, it is a great album, although perhaps poppier than even the band wanted it to be. As much as anything, this album is #4 because of the fact that it has my two favorite Murry songs: "Crash on the Barrelhead" and "Valentine." Pure gold.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br />
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">3. </span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cfEGud0Oto0/TgyTcmJPj-I/AAAAAAAAAi0/qqBX4ki2tOQ/s1600/97grand2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624032154163843042" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cfEGud0Oto0/TgyTcmJPj-I/AAAAAAAAAi0/qqBX4ki2tOQ/s400/97grand2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 300px;" /></a>"Hey look, it's the new guy." Yes, it may seem a bit premature to rank the new album this high, but I think the songs on this record are incredibly strong. Maybe I do have a bit of "new car fever" over it, but by and large, I think this one is going to have great lasting power. The first three songs are near-perfect, and the rest of the album follows closely behind. I put it at #4 after a couple of listens, and a few more later, it moved to #3. This record stands as a real testament to the band's relevance in indie music, and I hope they see some great success with it. Perhaps it will vault them to the higher level of notoriety they have long deserved.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">2. </span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Wreck Your Life</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq67qD8DTqM/TgyTthUb_3I/AAAAAAAAAjE/TazkIWkSjzs/s1600/97wreck.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624032444926394226" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vq67qD8DTqM/TgyTthUb_3I/AAAAAAAAAjE/TazkIWkSjzs/s400/97wreck.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 300px;" /></a>In my estimation, this was the album that firmly established Old 97s' sound. I have to emphasize that this album's rank is not about nostalgia. It is simply a legendary album. Besides the obvious crowd favorite "Victoria," it is filled with amazing songs like "Dressing Room Walls," "Bel-Air," "Old Familiar Steam," and "The Other Shoe." Now out with bonus tracks as a reissue, this album is an essential for any fan.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">1. </span><span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Too Far to Care</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CMtowfueFA/TgyTyGX7_hI/AAAAAAAAAjM/AXoNaOWrrY8/s1600/97toofar.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624032523592662546" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--CMtowfueFA/TgyTyGX7_hI/AAAAAAAAAjM/AXoNaOWrrY8/s400/97toofar.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 300px;" /></a>I could go on forever about this album, but for the time being, I won't. Perhaps you can expect a more detailed exposition on it next June on its 15th anniversary. In short, <span style="font-style: italic;">Too Far to Care</span> changed everything for me. Start to finish, I maintain it is among the best albums ever made.Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-52739271627121349322011-06-30T13:55:00.000-07:002011-06-30T14:06:08.246-07:00Ryan Adams & Mandy Moore Collaboration & moreI don't post a lot of breaking news type of posts because, well, why would I? Nonetheless, I was pretty excited about these songs. In their first official collaboration together, Ryan Adams and Mandy Moore have recorded the song below, "Empty Room" to go on a tour-only 7" with a b-side of "Nutshell," an Alice in Chains Cover. "Tour only" in this case means European tour, at least as of now, so I suppose those of us here in the U.S. will have to get by with the digital versions of the songs. Thanks to <a href="http://stereogum.com/746601/hear-ryan-adams-new-alice-in-chains-cover-mandy-moore-collab/mp3s/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+stereogum%2FcBYa+%28stereogum%29">Stereogum</a> for the heads up.<br /><br /><br />Ryan Adams & Mandy Moore - "Empty Room"<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7mZnyKYslKc" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="25" width="425"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Ryan Adams - "Nutshell"<br /><iframe width="425" height="25" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ukPg5hmS8os" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-38771736511916997322011-06-30T07:24:00.000-07:002011-06-30T13:24:55.032-07:00Old 97s - Lubbock, TX, 6/11/11The Old 97s came to Lubbock Texas for (according to my records) only the 2nd time in their 18 year tenure as a band. Even more surprisingly, they came to the typically "Texas Country" venue, The Blue Light. Of course, they could not return to the venue they played the first time, Liquid 2000, as it closed long ago, and the building has since been torn down and made into the new Buddy & Maria Elena Holly Park.<br /><br />The Blue Light is a venue that, to a large degree, has a built-in crowd, although not necessarily built-in appreciation of good music. That is, it doesn't matter what dog and pony show is playing on any given night, because everyone and their dog seems to show up and pony up the cover charge [you're welcome]. Thus, throughout the night, I watched as countless nightclub-goers came to the entrance with small-town-big-city hair and heels, or alternatively, pressed western shirts and belt buckles, only to be turned away because the show was sold out.<br /><br />Speaking of the sell-out, the Blue Light is easily the smallest venue in which I have ever had the chance to see the Old 97s, so I won't complain. In fact, the sound was well done and the show went off without a hitch as far as I could tell. What was interesting was watching the crowd dynamic and trying to figure out in what capacity many of the attendees actually knew of the Old 97s. Were they huge fans of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Break-Up</span>? Perhaps they got engaged using the song "Question" as a soundtrack? Maybe they thought Old 97s were a hack Johnny Cash cover band? The young demographic suggested that maybe some were Tech students originally from Dallas whose parents listened to the Old 97s when they were growing up.<br /><br />It is hard to say where everyone came from, but the crowd produced an interesting evening of music for sure. Opener Brandon Adams & the Sad Bastards got an excellent response, and in spite of the odd choice of covering a Whiskeytown song when opening for Old 97s, it seemed many of the attendees were actually fans of Adams as much or more than the 97s. Sarah Jaffe was the second opener, and received a good response, although the noisy Blue Light was not exactly the ideal forum for her music.<br /><br />Old 97s took the stage to an energetic crowd, quickly breaking into a couple of numbers off of their most recent record, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Grand Theatre, Vol. 1</span>. [<a href="http://kxt.org/first-listen-old-97s/">Stream <span style="font-style: italic;">The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2</span> at KXT.org</a>] What was unclear throughout the night was how many of the fans actually knew any of the music. Not that concertgoers are required to know the words to all the songs, but early on it was evident that the crowd was most responsive to the fast paced rockers. In that respect, long time fan favorites such as "Stoned" and "Wish the Worst" were met with little enthusiasm, whereas a Dallas or Austin show would have found a packed room vigorously bellowing "Picked up the phone book and called all your friends/I just wanna know where you've been.'"<br /><br />In short, the band recognized that this was a "college town" crowd, and they went with it. Clearly they have learned to just go with the flow after 18+ years in the business. That is, they acted like they couldn't be happier to be there, talked about drinking, talked about West Texas, and overall kept the crowd interested. Less seasoned bands might have pouted at the crowd's lack of overall knowledge of their catalog, but the 97s showed no such lower lip. The band has tended in the past to pull at least a song from each of their albums, although I believe on this night they neglected the material from <span style="font-style: italic;">Satellite Rides</span> on the setlist.<br /><br />Rockers "Won't Be Home" and "Timebomb" drew the crowd into the scene most resembling a singalong that was to be found all night, the former of which I found odd because it is on one of the lesser-listened-to albums, although I suppose it is still among their best songs in its own right. Surprisingly, the show did not see Rhett or Murry play "Question" or "Valentine" acoustically, yet the band did a customary encore and promised to return to Lubbock in the future. You can bet I'll be there with all my bros when that day comes.<br /><br /><u>Setlist</u>:<br />The Grand Theatre<br />A State of Texas<br />Niteclub<br />Stoned<br />W. TX Teardrops<br />Lonely Holiday<br />Champaign, IL<br />Victoria<br />Please Hold On While the Train is Moving<br />Doreen<br />Crash on the Barrelhead<br />Big Brown Eyes<br />(new) Bright Spark (See What I Mean)<br />Wish the Worst<br />Smokers<br />Every Night Is Friday Night (Without You)<br />Won't Be Home<br />Four Leaf Clover<br /><br /><u>Encore</u><br />Jagged<br />Barrier Reef<br />Dance With Me<br />Timebomb<br /><br />Seriously, <a href="http://kxt.org/first-listen-old-97s/">check out the stream of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Grand Theatre, Vol. 2</span> at KXT</a>. The record will be out July 5th on MP3 and CD, supposedly to be followed by a double vinyl with both <span style="font-style: italic;">Grand Theatre </span>releases at some point.Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-11875181051464586172011-06-29T10:09:00.000-07:002011-07-05T20:16:21.236-07:00West Texas area music calendar - July-AugustEmail me with corrections/additions if you've got them.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Odessa/Midland</span></span><br />6/29 - Bart Crow Band - Graham Central Station<br />7/4 - Texas Tornadoes - Firecracker Fandango, Downtown Odessa<br />7/7 - Roger Creager - Rockin' Rodeo<br />7/13 - Bleu Edmondson - Graham Central Station<br />7/15 - Pat Green - Graham Central Station<br />7/19 - The Lusitania, Kentucky Knife Fight - Pine Box<br />7/20 - No Justice - Graham Central Station<br />7/23 - Jody Nix - Stardust<br />8/26 - Eli Young Band - Dos Amigos<br />8/27 - Jamey Johnson - Dos Amigos<br />9/17 - Reckless Kelly - Permian Basin Fair<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alpine/Marfa/Big Bend</span></span><br />6/30 - Follow that Bird - West Texas Utilities Building<br />7/4 - The Hickoids, Rice Moorehead - Padre's<br />7/8 - <a href="http://ballroommarfa.org/archive/event/cass-mccombs-2/#event-release">Cass McCombs</a> - Crowley Theater; presented by Marfa Book Co. & Ballroom Marfa<br />7/8 - James McMurtry - Railroad Blues<br />7/15 - David Garza - Padre's<br />7/22 - Dale Watson - Railroad Blues<br />7/23 - Dale Watson - Thunderbird Motel<br />8/5 - The Resentments - Padre's<br />8/5 - Doug Moreland - Railroad Blues<br />8/6 - The Resentments - Railroad Blues<br />8/6 - Doug Moreland - Padre's<br />9/2 - The Warm Guns - Padre's<br />9/2 - JP & the Gilberts - Railroad Blues<br />9/9 - James McMurtry - Padre's<br />9/15 - Explosions in the Sky, Twin Sister - Vizcaino Park in Marfa<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lubbock</span></span><br />6/29 - Union Specific - Bash Riprocks<br />6/30 - Rod Picott - Blue Light<br />7/9 - Rob Baird - Wild West<br />7/20 - Lusitania, Estelline, Kentucky Knife Fight - Blue Light<br />7/28 - James McMurtry - Blue Light<br />7/29 - Turnpike Troubadours - Blue Light<br />8/25 - Jason Boland - Blue Light<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Abilene</span></span><br />9/23 - Guy Clark - Paramount TheatreWindfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-82196622279081464392011-06-29T06:38:00.000-07:002011-06-29T06:44:48.953-07:00Gillian Welch - Conan O'Brien, 06/28/11Great performance on <span style="font-style:italic;">Conan</span> last night from Gillian Welch (accompanied by Dave Rawlings), performing "The Way It Goes" from her new record <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harrow-Harvest-Gillian-Welch/dp/B0052T7JP8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309354837&sr=8-1">The Harrow and the Harvest</a></span>. <br /><br /><embed width="560" height="337" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid1089.photobucket.com/albums/i359/dg11469/june 27 2011 - july 3 2011/gillianwelchconan_Segment100-00-03-00-04-33.mp4">Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-72221528456782968952011-06-21T21:14:00.000-07:002011-06-21T21:32:10.309-07:00Bon Iver - Bon IverSimilar to all the other music blogs, I don't want to make too big of a deal out of the first album from Bon Iver when talking about the new record. Let me sum up their reviews of the new album briefly:<br /><br />Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Justin Vernon. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. For Emma. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Beards. Cabin. Winter. Snow. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Mono. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Emma. Wisconsin. Woods. Deer meat. Cabin. Winter. Beard. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Alone. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Beards. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Myth. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Mono. Wisconsin. Cabin. Eau Claire. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Deyarmond Edison. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Emma. Wisconsin. Woods. Deer meat. Cabin. Winter. Beard. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. For Emma. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Beards. Cabin. Winter. Snow. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Mono. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Emma. Wisconsin. Woods. Deer meat. Cabin. Winter. Beard. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Alone. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Beards. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Myth. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Cabin. Winter. Woods. Mono. Wisconsin. Cabin. Eau Claire. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Deyarmond Edison. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Wisconsin. Cabin. Winter. Emma. Wisconsin. Woods. Deer meat. Cabin. Winter. Beard.<br /><br />It's good to know that the music writers of the world are so good at moving on. Pitchfork gave the new album a 9.5, which, to put that in perspective, compares to the 6.2 they gave Led Zeppelin <span style="font-style: italic;">IV</span>, <span>the 5.3 they gave </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Abbey Road</span>, and the 4.0 they gave <span style="font-style: italic;">Nevermind</span>. Further, apparently Stereogum loves this album so much they already named it the top album of the year (so far). Fleet Foxes came in at #19 this year. Really?<br /><br />The fanfare surrounding this album is similar to the last National album, except the critics mostly slammed that album early on and then realized later how brilliant it was, and subsequently pretended they hadn't slammed the album. Hopefully it is not a bad sign for Bon Iver that the critics were fawning over this album before the cover art was released.<br /><br />By the way, the album is really good.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FDFSxPdOp0/TgFsgokDJTI/AAAAAAAAAiE/xrBVOs8wuHg/s1600/BonIver.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FDFSxPdOp0/TgFsgokDJTI/AAAAAAAAAiE/xrBVOs8wuHg/s400/BonIver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620893117835322674" border="0" /></a>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-53409727211249155602011-06-20T07:53:00.000-07:002011-06-21T08:32:45.076-07:00Cass McCombs - Crowley Theater, Marfa, TX - 07/08/11The awesome folks at <a href="http://ballroommarfa.org/">Ballroom Marfa</a> and <a href="http://www.marfabookco.com/">Marfa Book Company</a> continue to promote great music in West Texas, this time bringing <a href="http://cassmccombs.com/">Cass McCombs</a> for a show at Crowley Theater on July 8th. McCombs is a bit hard to classify, maybe indie rock singer songwriter? (Which of course tells you almost nothing about his music.) All you really need to know is that he's worth giving a listen. Austin artist Pink Nasty will open the show, which is only $10, so give them a listen and mark your calendars for the show.<br /><br />Poster by Jillian Tamaki and Jon Han.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ballroommarfa.org/wp-content/uploads/cassposter_lower_res1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 720px;" src="http://ballroommarfa.org/wp-content/uploads/cassposter_lower_res1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-8952567571005805512011-06-06T22:48:00.000-07:002011-06-06T22:56:57.142-07:00It's Here<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Wrong-Dawes/dp/B004WOXM5K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1307425909&sr=8-1">Totally worth the wait</a>.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pugyrj9IlJ0/Te29JMg18_I/AAAAAAAAAhs/urAGyWyF9Fg/s1600/Nothing%2BIs%2BWrong%2BDawes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pugyrj9IlJ0/Te29JMg18_I/AAAAAAAAAhs/urAGyWyF9Fg/s400/Nothing%2BIs%2BWrong%2BDawes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615352276076327922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/X1xLloeo4wM" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe></div>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-31693039287030447562011-06-02T08:25:00.000-07:002011-06-20T09:53:59.826-07:00West Texas area music calendar - June-JulyEmail me with corrections/additions if you've got them.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Odessa/Midland</span></span><br />6/2 - Granger Smith - Rockin' Rodeo<br />6/3 - Dirty River Boys - Graham Central Station<br />6/16 - Thieving Birds - Rockin' Rodeo<br />6/17-18 - Texas Country Music Festival feat. Charlie Robison, Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers, Roger Creager, & others - Graham Central Station<br />6/18 - Roy Orbison Music Festival - Wink, TX<br />6/29 - Bart Crow Band - Graham Central Station<br />7/15 - Pat Green - Graham Central Station<br />7/19 - The Lusitania, Kentucky Knife Fight - Pine Box<br />7/23 - Jody Nix - Stardust<br />9/17 - Reckless Kelly - Permian Basin Fair<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alpine/Marfa/Big Bend</span></span><br />6/2-6 <a href="http://www.festoutwest.com/">Fest Out West</a> - Lajitas, featuring Reckless Kelly, Cody Canada & the Departed, Butch Hancock, Hayes Carll, The Trishas, Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen, Micky & the Motorcars, & John Evans<br />6/2 - The Lower Dens - West Texas Utilities Building. Presented by Marfa Book Co. & Marfa Public Radio<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZbUWTWXK4I/TeeulIkbQVI/AAAAAAAAAhY/js7R8zAd_V0/s1600/lowerdens_01-3-323x500.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZbUWTWXK4I/TeeulIkbQVI/AAAAAAAAAhY/js7R8zAd_V0/s400/lowerdens_01-3-323x500.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613647413519270226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />6/6 - The Lonesome Heroes - Padre's<br />6/17 - Doug Moreland - Railroad Blues<br />6/18 - Ghosts Along the Brazos - Thunderbird Motel<br />6/20 - Paleo - Padre's<br />7/4 - The Hickoids, Rice Moorehead - Padre's<br />7/8 - Cass McCombs - presented by Marfa Book Co. & Ballroom Marfa<br />7/8 - James McMurtry - Railroad Blues<br />7/15 - David Garza - Padre's<br />7/22 - Dale Watson - Railroad Blues<br />7/23 - Dale Watson - Thunderbird Motel<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Snyder</span></span><br />6/7-6/11 - <a href="http://www.snyderchamber.com/calendar.htm">Western Swing Festival</a> feat. Leon Rausch, Johnny Bush, Jody Nix, & more<br />6/17 - Jake Kellen - Belle Opry House<br />6/25 - Brandon Adams and No Dry County - Belle Opry House<br />7/15-16 - Jody Nix - Scurry County Rodeo Dance<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">San Angelo</span></span><br />6/17 - Jody Nix - Stagecoach Saloon<br />6/17-18 - <a href="http://www.thetexascountrymusicfestival.com/">Texas Country Music Festival</a> feat. Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers, Roger Creager, & others - Graham Central Station<br />6/23 - Pat Green - Midnight Rodeo<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lubbock</span></span><br />6/2 - Butch Hancock - <a href="http://rockinbox33.com/">Rockin' Box 33</a><br />6/3 - Coppola, Dry Heaves, Cleanly OHM, Ivory and Ash - Jake's<br />6/3 - Gary P. Nunn - Blue Light<br />6/4 - Blue Light Backyard Blowout - Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward, Brandon Adams & the Sad Bastards, Thrift Store Cowboys, Dirty River Boys, Red Shahan<br />6/7 - Jason Isbell - Blue Light<br />6/8 - Meat Puppets w/ One Wolf - Blue Light<br />6/9 - Patricia Vonne - Buddy Holly Center<br />6/10 - Patricia Vonne - Rockin' Box 33<br />6/11 - Old 97s - Blue Light<br />6/18 - JAB Fest - Josh Abbott, Hayes Carll, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Whiskey Myers, Charlie Shafter, William Clark Green, Daniel Markham - Lonestar Amphitheatre<br />6/25 - Collin Herring - Depot O Bar<br />6/28 - Okkervil River - Jake's<br />6/30 - Rod Picott - Blue Light<br />7/20 - Lusitania, Estelline, Kentucky Knife Fight - Blue Light<br />7/28 - Turnpike Troubadours - Blue Light<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Abilene</span></span><br />6/3 - Butch Hancock - Java Jax (Sweetwater)<br />6/10 - Cody Canada & the Departed - Lucky Mule<br />6/16 - Pat Green - Lucky Mule<br />9/23 - Guy Clark - Paramount TheatreWindfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-4178089863674351862011-05-30T07:00:00.000-07:002011-06-06T19:29:46.174-07:00Nathaniel Rateliff - New 10" EPDenver artist <a href="http://www.nathanielrateliff.com/">Nathaniel Rateliff</a> appears to be gaining a good deal of notoriety in Europe, and as a result, seems to have spent as much or more time touring there as in the U.S. Find a recent interview with <a href="http://www.theregoesthefear.com/2011/05/interview-nathaniel-rateliff-quickfire-questions-10.php">British blog There Goes the Fear here</a>.<br /><br />Since I have posted about 47 different youtube videos of him performing "Shroud," I thought it might be nice to post this clip of his recent performance of "We Never Win" on <span style="font-style: italic;">Later... with Jools Holland</span>. Rateliff returns to the U.S. in early June for a string of sold-out shows opening for Mumford & Sons.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WvJPBnawcKg" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Word on the street (i.e., the internet) is that Rateliff will also be releasing a 10" vinyl EP of live recordings, half from the <a href="http://www.daytrotter.com/">Daytrotter</a> Barnstormer Tour in 2010 and the other half from the Notting Hill Arts Club in London in February 2011. The record is being co-released by Daytrotter and <a href="http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/">Communion Records</a>. While Rateliff <a href="http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/2011/04/nathaniel-rateliff-live-ep-launch/">apparently already played</a> a record release show for this EP in London on 05/26/11 (or 26/05/11, I suppose), no information has been released as to when/if it might be more widely available to those of us who do not live in London. Given that Daytrotter vinyl tends to sell out ridiculously fast, I expect the window for buying this record will be quite narrow.<br /><br />UPDATE: <a href="http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/shop/">Communion has a purchase link up here for the time being</a>.<br /><br />Tracklisting for the EP (<a href="http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/index.php/2011/05/03/nathaniel-rateliff-plays-communion-ep-launch/">source</a>):<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Communion Side</span>:<br /><blockquote>Early Spring Till<br />This<br />Bumps and Bruises<br />You Should’ve Seen The Other Guy</blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Daytrotter Side</span>:<br /><blockquote>Pounds and Pounds<br />Whimper and Wail<br />Brakeman<br />Shroud</blockquote><br />Finally, while the U.S. release of <span style="font-style: italic;">In Memory of Loss</span> does not include "Shroud" or "Pounds and Pounds," both are available on the recent Record Store Day 7" from Rateliff. Should you be so inclined, you can still find a few copies of it for fairly cheap on Ebay.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXaGokkQxjU/TeJsrHir3WI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/SuRCiVcaTdA/s1600/Picture%2B1.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXaGokkQxjU/TeJsrHir3WI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/SuRCiVcaTdA/s400/Picture%2B1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612167573671763298" border="0" /></a>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-4982190372432428172011-05-29T09:15:00.000-07:002011-05-29T09:15:00.194-07:00Preview: Old 97s - The Blue Light, Lubbock, 6/11/11To my knowledge, <a href="http://www.old97s.com/">Old 97s</a> have only played Lubbock one time ever, and that was over 10 years ago at a birthday bash for KTXT radio, long before Texas Tech decided that Lubbock didn't need good radio. Please correct me if I am wrong about any or all of that information above, because I am quite literally just going by the seat of my pants on that info.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE</span><span style="font-style: italic;">: I found the <a href="http://lubbockonline.com/stories/032400/aro_032400011.shtml">link to a listing of that show</a> - it was April 1st, 2000, at Liquid 2000, with a lineup of bands that are mostly no longer in existence. The venue is no longer in existence either, having been torn down to make a park for the Buddy Holly statue (which is controversial in and of itself, but not something I'll get into here).</span><br /><br />What I do know is that the band is finally making a return appearance, on June 11th, at (I can't believe I"m saying this) the <a href="http://www.thebluelightlive.com/">Blue Light</a>. While the venue has a long history of catering to the fraternity and sorority crowds, which most often means Texas Country bands, I have to give the BL credit for keeping original live music going in Lubbock more consistently than basically any other venue. Further, they have been bringing in some very quality acts as of late, and in fact, will host Jason Isbell and the Meat Puppets, respectively, the same week that Old 97s are playing.<br /><br />Enough about the Blue Light though, Old 97s are my favorite band of all time. By my estimation, I have seen them 10 times, stretching all the way back to August of 1999, which I know is less than 1 a year, but hey, I lived in Lubbock for 3 years, Boulder for 4, and now Odessa for 1, and they are not exactly regulars in any of those places.<br /><br />The band will be releasing <span style="font-style: italic;">The Grand Theatre Vol. 2</span> on July 5th (New West), so I expect they'll be introducing some new material into the mix at the Lubbock show. However, if I know anything about the 97s, it is that there will be no paucity of the classics on the set list. The problem is really that they now have too many classics to fit into one show, but beggars can't be choosers. I am also excited about the fact that the Blue Light is one of the smaller venues I have ever seen the band play.<br /><br />Lubbock, these opportunities don't come around that often, so don't miss out.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb7R693JeNU/Td_PYeRu9kI/AAAAAAAAAhI/Nb7Xh4fi718/s1600/Picture%2B1.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb7R693JeNU/Td_PYeRu9kI/AAAAAAAAAhI/Nb7Xh4fi718/s400/Picture%2B1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611431680078181954" border="0" /></a>Windfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-772327965841573712.post-39367385208958317982011-05-28T08:07:00.000-07:002013-06-09T13:33:50.697-07:00Notable West Texas MusiciansI often forget just how many musicians originate from West Texas, although admittedly few stick around very long once they make it, leaving various places of origin to claim a piece of the fame because such-and-such went to 7th grade in their town. That is, it is difficult to define where people are actually <span style="font-style: italic;">from</span>. Thus, I am working off of a fairly broad base in terms of establishing someone's residency in a town. Some of the following only spent time in West Texas, so yes, the list is fairly arbitrary.<br />
<br />
Further, establishing the borders of West Texas are difficult to define. I define it here as a rough line from about Vernon to Abilene to San Angelo to Del Rio. No, it isn't exact, nor even straight, for that matter, but I am working off of my own general conception of what should qualify.<br />
<br />
Please comment regarding additions/edits, and I will change the list accordingly. I know that "notable" is a subjective thing, but probably your cousin Billy from Sweetwater doesn't count. It gets increasingly tricky in regard to what is considered notable in this day and age, so I have been a bit conservative and haven't listed very many artists from the last decade or so.<br />
<br />
You can find additional musicians at the <a href="http://www.westexmusichof.com/hof/songwriters.html">West Texas Music Hall of Fame</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
Terry Allen - Lubbock<br />
Jerry Allison - Lubbock<br />
Tommy Allsup - maintained a studio in Odessa<br />
Ryan Bingham - Midland/Odessa<br />
At the Drive-in - El Paso<br />
Carl Bunch (drummer) - Big Spring<br />
Guy Clark - Monahans<br />
Sonny Curtis - Meadow<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Mac Davis - Lubbock<br />
Jimmy Dean - Plainview<br />
Joe Ely - Lubbock (born in Amarillo)<br />
Explosions in the Sky - 3 members originally from Midland<br />
Radney Foster - Del Rio<br />
Lefty Frizzell - Big Spring<br />
Bobby Fuller - El Paso<br />
Larry Gatlin - Odessa (born in Seminole)<br />
Susan Gibson - Amarillo<br />
Jimmie Dale Gilmore - Lubbock<br />
Pat Green - Lubbock<br />
Woody Guthrie - Pampa<br />
Butch Hancock - Lubbock<br />
Tommy Hancock - Lubbock<br />
Micah P. Hinson - Abilene<br />
Buddy Holly - Lubbock<br />
Waylon Jennings - Littlefield<br />
Virgil Johnson - Odessa/Lubbock<br />
Bobby Keys - Lubbock/Slaton<br />
Buddy Knox - Happy<br />
Bob Livingston - Lubbock<br />
Rob Lowe (<a href="http://balmorheamusic.com/">Balmorhea</a>) - Midland<br />
Los Lonely Boys - San Angelo<br />
Lloyd Maines - Lubbock<br />
Natalie Maines - Lubbock<br />
Delbert McClinton - Lubbock<br />
Richie McDonald - Lubbock<br />
Hoyle Nix - Big Spring<br />
Jody Nix - Big Spring<br />
Gary P. Nunn - Brownfield<br />
Roy Orbison - Wink/Vernon<br />
Lee Roy Parnell - Abilene<br />
John Rich - Amarillo<br />
Dan Seals - McCamey<br />
J.D. Souther - Amarillo<br />
Sparta/Sleepercar - El Paso<br />
Ernest Tubb - San Angelo<br />
Tanya Tucker - Seminole<br />
Don Walser - Brownfield/Lamesa<br />
Don Williams - born in Floydada<br />
Bob Wills - TurkeyWindfarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05477715013017276045noreply@blogger.com4