Thursday, December 27, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Friends Of The Junkyard: Concert Report
The ever faithful Veniche Gueverra has done me the honor of commenting on a great act she caught in Santa Barbara. None other than Steve Earles son, Justin Townes Earle.
JTE has been at it for a short while now(his middle name "Townes" is after the great Townes Van Zandt, an idol of Steve's), but in 2010 he released his third album, Harlem River Blues which in my opinion was his best effort to date. The title track is a happy-go-lucky suicide song, and if you can't tap you're foot to it, you must be paralyzed ( listen here ). The album is full of strong folk tunes, and his inebriating voice is a far cry from the scratch and wine of his fathers. His most recent album from 2012, Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, was mostly a fine effort, with a more bluesy feel to it.
But enough of my ramblings, lets see what Veniche has to say about the concert:
Justin Townes Earle
Part of me thinks she should be writing this blog... Thanks for the awesome input Ven.
You can also catch Steve Earle and JTE together, on the HBO show Treme (Season 2)
JTE has been at it for a short while now(his middle name "Townes" is after the great Townes Van Zandt, an idol of Steve's), but in 2010 he released his third album, Harlem River Blues which in my opinion was his best effort to date. The title track is a happy-go-lucky suicide song, and if you can't tap you're foot to it, you must be paralyzed ( listen here ). The album is full of strong folk tunes, and his inebriating voice is a far cry from the scratch and wine of his fathers. His most recent album from 2012, Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, was mostly a fine effort, with a more bluesy feel to it.
But enough of my ramblings, lets see what Veniche has to say about the concert:
Justin Townes Earle
Soho Santa Barbara, 12/11/12
I went into this intimate performance blind. I had heard of Justin Townes Earle before but was rather unfamiliar with his music. Knowing of my brother's fondness of both Steve Earle (whom I also love), and JTE I decided to go check him out. I had read somewhere that Earle was a "master songsmith at work" and aint that the truth! Earle is sensational. He has a confident and raw sound; a dynamic musician channeling multiple influences and musical styles. He is an amazing guitarist with an authentic and engaging voice One of those voices that really gets down to the bottom of it. He expressed a realness and honestly in his music, performance and interaction with the audience. Earle is quirky and interesting, creating a curiosity in his listeners. There is no falsified image while he performs, its just him, his guitar and some repair tools on stage.
I am definitely hooked, already listening to his music "on the regular!"
V
Part of me thinks she should be writing this blog... Thanks for the awesome input Ven.
You can also catch Steve Earle and JTE together, on the HBO show Treme (Season 2)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
SOD: Charlie Hunter "Fine Corinthian Leather"
I know, it's been a while. So I've got some catching up to do.
Charlie Hunter is an amazing cat. The six-string wasn't enough for him, so he created his own 7-string guitar (originally 8, but he downsized due to small hands). It consists of 3 bass strings (currently tuned G-C-F) and 4 guitar strings (tuned C-F-A#-D). The frets on the guitar are spaced out very interestingly as such, to help guide his hands into some of the wackiest patterns I've ever seen. Thus he holds a bass line that is divergent from the rhythm and melody (solos) he plays on the guitar strings. Already, his brain is tasked three different ways to accomplish that, but Charlie has said that before every song, he creates the drum beat in his head. Apparently that is what drives every piece. So if you count that, it's four things going on upstairs at once.
The Stalloners, myself, and friends all saw Charlie play three years ago at Equifunk. We were blown away. To see this one man band live, is really something else. As you would imagine, he's incredibly concentrated, and his ability to create such an amazingly full sound all by his lonesome is something I've seen only one other performer do. That would be the great jazzman, Pat Metheny (who built a 42 string guitar which is completely different in sound and style to what Hunter has though). He's a one-of-a-kind guy, and what makes him so special is he's decided to step out of the confines of his trade. He wanted a different sound, and instead of trying to create it with what was out there, he chose to redraw the lines. I have an incredible amount of respect for that, because it takes so much more work to go that route.
The more I read about this guy, the more he surprises me. First, I was struck to learn that an early pedagogue of his was the great Joe Satriani. It's not surprising I suppose seeing as Satriani has mentored many guitar virtuoso's of jazz, rock, and metal. But the Hunter I have heard, is quite different from Satriani. I must confess though, I've not even heard a third of the 17 solo albums Hunter has released. I was also quite surprised to learn that besides jazz, Hunter was at one point very intrigued by hip-hop, being that it was a newly created form of music which he thought had a lot of potential. Fifteen years ago, he was even quoted as saying that he wished A Tribe Called Quest would sample some of his stuff. That warmed my heart quite a bit, because of all the hip-hop acts out there, past and present, Tribe is my most respected.
But Hunter is not confined by anything, least of all genre. He's played and collaborated with acts from every walk of life, and every style of music. That's the least surprising of all the things I've seen and read about him. His quest for knowledge and interest to learn is insatiable. Now I'm certainly no expert on this guy, but there is one thing I can say confidently; if there were more musicians out there like him, the art form would be progressing a lot more than it has recently. Then again, there's a reason why there aren't any other musicians like him out there. I'll leave it at that.
This oddly named piece from 2008 is not indicative of the grittier blues and jazz he has been playing more recently. I chose it however, because I stumbled upon it looking for music Bundell would enjoy. And so i've included it as SOD today, because I know she will.
The more I read about this guy, the more he surprises me. First, I was struck to learn that an early pedagogue of his was the great Joe Satriani. It's not surprising I suppose seeing as Satriani has mentored many guitar virtuoso's of jazz, rock, and metal. But the Hunter I have heard, is quite different from Satriani. I must confess though, I've not even heard a third of the 17 solo albums Hunter has released. I was also quite surprised to learn that besides jazz, Hunter was at one point very intrigued by hip-hop, being that it was a newly created form of music which he thought had a lot of potential. Fifteen years ago, he was even quoted as saying that he wished A Tribe Called Quest would sample some of his stuff. That warmed my heart quite a bit, because of all the hip-hop acts out there, past and present, Tribe is my most respected.
But Hunter is not confined by anything, least of all genre. He's played and collaborated with acts from every walk of life, and every style of music. That's the least surprising of all the things I've seen and read about him. His quest for knowledge and interest to learn is insatiable. Now I'm certainly no expert on this guy, but there is one thing I can say confidently; if there were more musicians out there like him, the art form would be progressing a lot more than it has recently. Then again, there's a reason why there aren't any other musicians like him out there. I'll leave it at that.
This oddly named piece from 2008 is not indicative of the grittier blues and jazz he has been playing more recently. I chose it however, because I stumbled upon it looking for music Bundell would enjoy. And so i've included it as SOD today, because I know she will.
For more on Charlie Hunter, check this video out which I posted a couple weeks ago. Thanks to Matty for the find.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Mq1IiSaetV4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Mq1IiSaetV4
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
SOD: The Wood Brothers "Angel Band"
I have consistently spoken very highly of these guys, and they're well deserving of the praise. I heard them open for the Tedeschi Trucks Band at the Beacon, and they were simply incredible. Though they are only a duo (guitar and bass with a percussionist at times), their sound is equally as good on stage, as it is through a nice sound system. There were points in their performance when they were able to get as musically grandiose as they wanted to, yet still retain their distinct stripped down feel. Musically, these guys are as good as it gets.
As good and authentic as the music is, it's matched by Oliver Wood's voice. It's so unique and identifiable. Though it's not warm, there is something so seasoned and experienced about it, that you almost feel like you're being told a story, passed down through the generations. The whole package is obviously what makes these brothers the real deal, but Oliver's vocals are standout in my opinion. He sings how I only wish I could.
"Angel Band" is a great example of the flavor these guys encompass. Old traditionals given a signature of their own is a trademark of theirs. I especially like this song, and their version of "Lil Liza Jane" is noteworthy as well. Their original songs also have an authenticity to them that could convince even the most trained ear that these songs were written ages ago. The two albums that hooked me for life with these guys were Ways Not To Lose and Loaded. I guarantee, you won't be disappointed.
As good and authentic as the music is, it's matched by Oliver Wood's voice. It's so unique and identifiable. Though it's not warm, there is something so seasoned and experienced about it, that you almost feel like you're being told a story, passed down through the generations. The whole package is obviously what makes these brothers the real deal, but Oliver's vocals are standout in my opinion. He sings how I only wish I could.
"Angel Band" is a great example of the flavor these guys encompass. Old traditionals given a signature of their own is a trademark of theirs. I especially like this song, and their version of "Lil Liza Jane" is noteworthy as well. Their original songs also have an authenticity to them that could convince even the most trained ear that these songs were written ages ago. The two albums that hooked me for life with these guys were Ways Not To Lose and Loaded. I guarantee, you won't be disappointed.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
SOD: Preservation Hall Jazz Band "Lil Liza Jane"
A New Orleans Brass Band tradition, this song has been covered in a multitude of genres, by an ever growing number of entertainers. Though the words may change from version to version, the feel and heart of it is everlasting.
This song reminds me of the HBO show "Treme." Being an avid fan of "The Wire," it seemed only fitting to check out David Simon and Eric Overmeyers' next project. I can tell you without pause that Treme is an incredible show, with remarkable writing, acting, and directing. Like it's predecesor, this show took me a few episodes to get into as well. We're so bogged down by typical surface television these days that when something authentic actually comes along, it takes a bit for us to catch on. The lingo, the music, the flavor, is all New Orleans. Just as The Wire took some getting used to (Police lingo and politics set on the streets of Baltimore), Treme too will force the best viewer out of you. By time you get to the third season though, you'll feel like you understand a whole new lifestyle and culture, inside out. It's not to be missed.
As such, the show plays as much New Orleans music as one can probably stand in a 60-minute period. It's absolutely mind blowing how much of it is out there, and how much of it the show actually represents. "Lil Liza Jane" is one of the best, and it's been covered by some of my favorite artists such as Nina Simone, The Band ("Go Go Liza Jane"), The Wood Brothers, and more. The original song dates back to the 1910's if not further, and it soon came to be known as a Southern dialect song. It's further noted that it's similarity to the ever famous "Camptown Races" song may date this song even further back. Regardless, it doesn't seem like it will be forgotten anytime soon.
This song reminds me of the HBO show "Treme." Being an avid fan of "The Wire," it seemed only fitting to check out David Simon and Eric Overmeyers' next project. I can tell you without pause that Treme is an incredible show, with remarkable writing, acting, and directing. Like it's predecesor, this show took me a few episodes to get into as well. We're so bogged down by typical surface television these days that when something authentic actually comes along, it takes a bit for us to catch on. The lingo, the music, the flavor, is all New Orleans. Just as The Wire took some getting used to (Police lingo and politics set on the streets of Baltimore), Treme too will force the best viewer out of you. By time you get to the third season though, you'll feel like you understand a whole new lifestyle and culture, inside out. It's not to be missed.
As such, the show plays as much New Orleans music as one can probably stand in a 60-minute period. It's absolutely mind blowing how much of it is out there, and how much of it the show actually represents. "Lil Liza Jane" is one of the best, and it's been covered by some of my favorite artists such as Nina Simone, The Band ("Go Go Liza Jane"), The Wood Brothers, and more. The original song dates back to the 1910's if not further, and it soon came to be known as a Southern dialect song. It's further noted that it's similarity to the ever famous "Camptown Races" song may date this song even further back. Regardless, it doesn't seem like it will be forgotten anytime soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)