Top Ten for 2009?

(or What I Spent My Grocery Money On)

You all know by now my penchant for owning the physical disc.  Even when times are hard.  I’d love to tell you it’s because my high morals won’t allow me to copy OPD’s (other people’s discs) but, well, I just really like to peel off the wrappers and pop out the pretty inserts and stuff. 

And, I do like to cuss the postal system when it’s late, cuss the state of our society because there are no independent music stores – you know, get myself a little worked up.  Then, when I finally get my hands on the actual item, I run my fingers over the lyrics booklet, read the dedication and thank yous and all before I listen from track one to the very end.

From the moment I sussed out the info that Steve Earle was releasing "Townes", I knew I’d have to have that one.  It’s a forever keeper.  And, Guy Clark’s "Sometimes the Song Writes You" was getting multiple rave reviews before I’d ever heard of it, so I internet-ordered that.  Kris Kristofferson’s "Closer to the Bone" kept me camped out by the mailbox for a while.  Well worth the frostbite, though. 

(more…)

Gracey’s Favoritest CDs in 2007

I am still listening to Icky Thump (White Stripes) and enjoying it more each time, so maybe that’s my favorite album of 2007. I really think Jack White brings something unexpected to the table every single time and you gotta respect that. This whole CD is full of innovative creations of the non-typical sort. Check out “CONQUEST”!!! People who think your music collection is a little “country heavy” will appreciate this one. It’s just fun. (more…)

Steve Earle Plays Nice!

Washington Square Serenade - Steve Earle

Steve Earle is one of the most entertaining wordsmiths still slinging his guitar around these days. He got it honestly, learning from the likes of Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. A little younger than Guy, seems Steve is keeping up with the times on Washington Square Serenade.

All the latest music magazines are talking about Steve Earle and Washington Square Serenade this month. And rightly so. This album is surprisingly good and I had trouble being surprised, having read reviews before I caught a good listen. I was a devotee of Steve from back in the day. (I’ve torn my house up this weekend looking for that lost copy of El Corazon. I know it’s around here somewhere.)

(more…)

Mucklewain – August 19, 2006

Did you hear about Mucklewain? A brand new festival they held in Harriman, Tennessee, in August. Unbelievable SlackerCountry line-up (Steve Earle, Todd Snider, Scott Miller, Lucero, the Yayhoos, Jason Ringenberg, Kevin Kinney, Daddy – Will Kimbrough & Tommy Womack, Cory Branan, Allison Moorer, Webb Wilder, Mic Harrison, and more). We didn’t get to go but Brother Dave and Mary Ann did and graciously sent in this review for us.

TheSandalIncident Mucklewain is a music festival that was held on August 19, 2006, in a big field in Harriman, Tennessee. Actually, it was a southern rock and Americana music festival. Better yet, it was a damn good time.

(more…)

Steve Earle – The Revolution Starts Now

revolution “The Revolution Starts Now” (Artemis Records) is not Steve Earle’s best work but it’s still pretty dang good.  He threw it together in a hurry to get his message out during the 2004 presidential campaign and it serves the purpose well.  Earle’s songs, like his politics, are not subtle.

A sense of betrayal runs through the songs on this disc.  Most point out the senselessness of the war in Iraq and the dismal state of affairs here in the U.S. In particular, “Rich Man’s War” tells parallel tales of young people who are pawns in wars started by older powerbrokers who themselves are not at risk.

(more…)