9/18/07

Twang, Twang, Twang..... Twang of FOOLS!

The past couple of weeks: Been Listening too...




Jason Isbell: Sirens of the Ditch

80% of this cd was produced by fellow Drive-By Trucker, Patterson Hood. 20% of the CD is self produced.

Truley a great record, don't make the mistake like me and think you are going to get a stripped down DBT CD. Even though DBT bassist, Shonna Tucker, and DBT drummer, Brad Morgan play on it. Patterson Hood even plays piano on the song "Shotgun Wedding" and his father the great, David Hood plays bass on a couple tracks. This CD celebrates Jason Isbell - you can hear every little nuance he adds to the DBT all wrapped up in this CD.

I found it interesting he thanked The Black Crowes, and Bobby Bare Jr. in the liner notes... and if anyone out there knows of any CDs where Jason teams up with Bobby or the Robinson Brothers, please let me know.

Songs like "Brand New Kind Of Actress", and "Try" (which sounds like an old Eagles song) immediately got my attention, soon to follow was the song, "Hurricanes and Hand Grenades" (a great little bluesy number).
After about the 3rd or 4th time I listened to Sirens in the Ditch, other songs started to become favorites. "Dress Blues" where Jason writes about a high-school classmate who lost his life fighting in Iraq. "Chicago Promenade" a tribute to his late Grandfather (bit of DBT trivia, Jason also wrote the song "The day John Henry Died" about his beloved, grandfather).

This is a great record and I highly advise you to go purchase it.


Run C & W
INTO THE TWANGY-FIRST CENTURY

Bluegrass versions of Motown classics! No need to say any more. If you like bluegrass AND motown and your busy schedule does not allow for you to take time to listen to both separately - go get this CD in the Bargain bin.

Jim Photoglo formed this band in the 90's with: Russell Smith of The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Bernie Leadon of the Eagles (often referred to as the Forgotten Eagle) and hit-songwriter Vince Melamed.

I like to play this band as well as the next one on set breaks. It's funny to see someone's reaction to these cover tunes.


Hayseed Dixie - Any or All CDS are worth it.

My drummer, Shawn turned me onto Hayseed Dixie - The first song I ever heard from Hayseed was Shoot the Thrill by AC/DC. After that I was hooked - I went out and bought everything they had.

WARNING: BLUEGRASS MUSIC CAN BE ADDICTING - IF YOU START LISTENING TO RUN C&W OR HAYSEED DIXIE IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND -
**THESE ARE STEPPING STONE DRUGS. BY LISTENING TO RUN C&W OR HAYSEED DIXIE YOU WILL START ON THE HARD STUFF... LIKE: David Grier, Del McCoury, Earl Scruggs, Gary Williamson, Gene Wooten, Glen Duncan, Larry Perkins, Leroy Troy, Alisa Jones, Alison Krauss, Andrea Zonn, Ron McCoury, Terry Eldredge, Benny Martin, Billy Rose , Vassar Clements and MORE!
SO BE CAREFUL AND LISTEN IN MODERATION.


Here is a list of Hayseed Dixie records:

A Hillbilly Tribute to AC/DC

A Hot Piece of Grass

Kiss My Grass: A Hillbilly Tribute to Kiss

A Hillbilly Tribute to Mountain Love

And most recent release:
Weapons of Grass Destruction

3 comments:

Tony Alva said...

I will score these records ASAP. Became a BG convert ten years ago when melody began fading from contemporary pop/rock music and haven't looked back. Can attest first hand to it's addictive nature.

Mike Lewis said...

it's like crack (so I've heard).

It is quite a site when someone hears a Bluegrass version of songs like: ace of spades, layla, signed sealed delivered, rock and roll all nite, and war pigs. The look on their faces are priceless.

Run C&W does a great version of "My Girl" in 3/4!

Jackson said...

I've heard the Hayseed Dixie AC/DC stuff, or some of it at least, such a great idea.

There's a great all girl AC/DC tribute band Hells Belles, I hear they are great.

Twang is king.