songs:illinois

No 2008 “best of” wrap-up would be complete without mention of Joe Pug. His debut EP from out of nowhere impressed this writer and many more influential blogs. But its best selling point are the rave reviews from ordinary folks up at the Cd Baby page for the EP. Read them here and buy the disc as well while you’re there.

Here’s my favorite rave review from Cd Baby courtesy of Stuart McClure:

Dylan comparisons aside, Joe Pug is Malcolm Holcombe’s son, Danny Schmidt’s half brother.

Here’s my original post from April:
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It would almost be impossible for me not to post the music of Joe Pug. He fits the Songs:Illinois demographic so well it’s like some computer program spat him out. He’s young, he’s just releasing his debut, he writes poetic songs, he lives in Chicago (for goodness sake), is clearly influenced by Dylan/
Young/Springsteen and has a record release show coming up at Schubas.

His debut EP is called Nation Of Heat and is being released on May 13. I’m sure you can pick one up at the Schubas show on the 3rd however.

On both the songs below Joe eschews verse/chorus/verse and instead lets loose a barrage of stream of consciousness that somehow is devoid of pretension and cliche.

Hymn 101

Bonus

First Time I saw You (recorded live for Hear Ya’s blog)
Bury Me Far From My Uniform (via MOKB’s Laundro Matinee)

Alright moving along then. Here’s something from February of this year that even at the time I knew would end up on my year end roundup.

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For me, and with my particular tastes, I’m comfortable saying that the new record by Austin-based singer-songwriter Danny Schmidt is the best of the new year. By now Danny’s got a recognizable and distinctive vocal delivery and I love it. His songs are as literate, and can be as funny and clever, as anyone else in the songwriting racket today.

I’ve written about his upcoming record, Grey Sheep, here, but frankly I did so too early. His record has a Feb. 19 release date and at the time of my initial mention there was nowhere to pick up this great CD. But now there is. Buy it here via his label, Waterbug, now.

“Company of Friends” with it’s simple message of friendship being the most important force in life has quickly become one of my favorite Danny Schmidt songs. If there was any justice in this world (and if the song could be encapsulated in a 30 second clip) “Company of Friends” would be all over Grey’s Anatomy or playing during the end credits of the next big romantic comedy out of Hollywood.

Company of Friends

Bonus

Drawing Board

Joia Wood is the featured female vocal on this song. Paul Curreri (aka Mr. Devon Sproule) did wonders with a production job that at times is simple and lets the playing come through, and at other times is a little bit more atmospheric, which is well suited to the lyrics.

Bonus “cover” song from Paul Curreri and Devon Sproule from the free online ep - Valentine Duets

All The Best (John Prine “cover”)

I’ve lamented before the unreliability of CD new release lists. Self-released records, despite all the hullabaloo about how that’s the next big thing, are most likely not listed anywhere on the net. That’s the case for the new record by Kesang Marstrand. Her new record Bodega Rose is more accomplished and more enjoyable than the bulk of the music I usually encounter.

Kesang lives and records in Woodstock, NY. So it’s probably been hard not to be influenced by the folk traditions of this now mythic location. But her music, at least lyrically and sometimes musically, is more of a travelogue than an ode to her hippy hometown. There’s an exotic nature to her songs that goes far beyond just her unusual name. She seems as comfortable with jazz as she does with folk, which gives her music an appeal similar to that of Norah Jones. And that’s clearly an appeal that is wide and deep. And I have tremendous respect for music like this; music that is beautiful, delicious, effortless and almost floats on air.

I hope the major media pick up on Kesang. I bet she has an amazing story to go along with her beautiful songs.

Here’s a song off of her debut Bodega Rose. Buy it now though CD Baby here.

Real Boys

Bonus track

Tibet Will Be Free

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P.S. And completely unrelated. Why are critics picking on Quantum of Solace. I thought the pacing and the story was interesting. I love a good tale of revenge and this one had that in spades. I guess because it’s following on the heels of the best Bond film in eons it’s getting a bit shortchanged. But I like it as much or even more than it’s predecessor.

Just a quick note to say the semi-bi-annual quarterly Songs:Illinois house concert is this Sunday night somewhere on the outskirts of Chicago. The lineup is a Guaranteed good time. I can say that because we’ve had the honor of having Rachel Ries and Anais Mitchell play for us a year or so ago. It was really a magical night and I’m expecting the same or better since they are touring behind a joint ep they issued on Righteous Babe called simply the country ep.

As of 5 minutes ago I’ve also added Hayward Williams as the opener. I’ve tried to get him to play before but never could put it together. This time the stars aligned so he’s going to open the show up. Hayward’s debut record, Another Sailors Dream, was produced by the great Peter Mulvey. Critics have called that record “fantastic”, “a masterpiece” and “the first major score for 2007″.

Hit me up here (cbonnell @ gmail.com) for an invite and directions.

Problems With Hemingway

Rachel Ries and Anais Mitchell

Waiting to Fall

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Speaking of house concerts: one of our most memorable (and shortest) was by singer songwriter Joe Pug. At the time he was a relatively unknown commodity so we gave him a shot at a doing a couple songs opening for Michael Fracasso. Now he’s practically a made man and I wish he would have just played and played.

My Old Kentucky Blog has a new video series called Laundro Matinee and this week he’s featured on it (along with a noisy cricket). Here’s two unreleased songs plus a video of Joe doing his signature song “Hymn 101″ from his new EP.

Not So Sure

Bury Me Far From My Uniform

Joe Pug - Hymn 101 from LaundroMatinee on Vimeo.

One of the big events in the Songs:Illinois family is our the trip to the circus in 4 days. I know it’s 4 days away since my sons have been counting down since day twenty. If I played them this song they wouldn’t get it. They don’t see that the circus is also a sad, nearly tragic place. Even the best ones are constantly under attack from animal rights groups, the performers live the lives of gypsy’s, and it’s a commercial rat-trap with worthless toys and gadgets for sale around every corner (they love that part).

I wrote about Rachel Harrington’s new record City of Refuge in September and I’m still struck by the song “Housewife’s Lament” and now I’m awed by this one too. Rachel Harrington’s song “Under The Big Top” uses the high wire act as a metaphor for life and just hopes that someone will be there to catch her when she falls. You can order City Of Refuge here.

Under The Big Top

It’s shocking that when I do a search on Elbo.ws for an artist that I’ve written about in the past and discover that I’m still the only one to have profiled the band. Jonathan Byrd is one such artist. He’s a known commodity in the Americana world but apparently that doesn’t translate well into the blog world. His most recent record delved into his southern roots and is titled The Law And The Lonesome. Jonathan describes it thusly:

“The ghost of Townes Van Zandt meets Hank Williams on the high plains. Several early listeners have told me that if “No Country For Old Men” had a soundtrack, it would be The Law and the Lonesome.”

I can’t describe it any better, but I can share a track off of it. Buy it now on CDBaby here (in fact if you want to read more about Jonathan Byrd’s tortured life and his slow and steady ascent to the top of the sing/songwriter circuit click on the link above).

“Houston Window Blues” is one of his more traditional numbers; it’s not as thoughtful as some the other songs on the record but it’s a bunch of fun.

Houston Window Blues

P.S. Austin singer/songwriter Matt The Electrician performs tonight in Chicago at the Horseshoe on Lincoln. I can vouch that Matt does a great live set.

Half Magic

It makes complete sense to me that last year’s punks will be this year’s protest singers. The medium might be radically different but the message is often the same. Punk music is raw and angry and lyrically simple due to the age and makeup of the band members but these young punks grow up and want to express themselves more completely. Good resent examples are AA Bondy, the Nightwatchmen (Tom Morello of Rage and Audioslave), Eddie Vedder and now Tim Barry formerly of Avail.

Tim lives in “Red State” Virginia so on the new record you get a mix of political and social messages. Songs explore the views of the military fighting in Iraq to the scourge of Oxycotin on the rural population. Tim Barry is making as many strong political statements on this record than any I’ve heard lately. If this is the next generation of folk singer then bring it on. The new record is called Manchester and was released on Nov. 4. You can buy it here.

Tacoma

I was holding off on writing about Frontier Ruckus. I thought that by now the blogosphere would be abuzz with news/reviews/raves of their new record and debut lp Orion Songbook. But a quick perusal of Elbo.ws and Hype show that that is simply not the case. Since I was responsible for bringing the band to Chicago to play a show at the dive of all dive bars - Cal’s, I consider it my duty to continue to write about this band.

The band’s website gives a clue as to what’s important to them. To get anywhere on the site you first have to click through page after page of song lyrics from this new record. Frontier Ruckus are not an easy listen lyrically. The songs are stream of consciousness rants and choruses are few and far between. But when you back these lyrically complex and earnest tales of the country with mandolin, banjo, musical saw, acoustic guitar and an assortment of percussion you get a sound that is unlike any other. The record comes out Nov 6 but I’m sure you can pick it up now via the band’s label (and the pride of Michigan) - Quite Scientific.

Orion Town 2

“Animals Need Animals”

I love Rose Polenzani. I love her goofy YouTube video’s. I love her songs. I love the fact that she’s got so many friends in the folk community. I love the fact that she’s from Boston (my hometown).

This new record has barely had time to be a “Lost Disc of 2008″ as it was just released nationally on Oct. 1. But even from the start it’s an under-the-radar record from and under-the-radar artist. This record has not appeared on any of the various release lists I peruse, yet it is one that I would value above many of the records that do make those lists.

Rose is joined by my favorite rag tag group of Boston musicians, Session Americana, on this record. They recorded it live in ex-Morphine leader Mark Sandman’s studio. Special guests include Jennifer Kimball and Anna Egge. When The River Meets The Sea is available now from Rose’s site here. Rose will support the release of this record with a mini tour in November. She’ll be stopping in Evanston on Nov. 16 to play a club called Space.

Queen Anne’s Lace

Bonus songs from Rose Polenzani

Book Of Love

Session Americana bonus mp3’s

Leather Winged Bat (from their “family” record)
Caterpillar (from their “family” record

Cigarettes and Whiskey
Sail Away Ladies

Rose on YouTube

“The Park”

“The Book Of Love” (Magnetic Field’s cover) (blooper reel)

Where Your Scar Is (With Anne Heaton)

Starting every fall the release schedule for both major and minor releases starts to dry up. There’s a huge drop off as major labels get positioned for Christmas sales of their biggest titles and indie labels lick their wounds and prepare for a cold, dark winter. So I traditionally do a best of re-post kind of thing. A little like a best of but in no particular order and unlike any best of list you’re likely to see elsewhere. I’ll probably do that again this year, but I also will continue to search high and low, near and far, for new music to share with you. I searched far for the German singer-songwriter K.C. Mckanzie. And I’m glad I did.

K.C. Mckanzie’s new record is called Hammer & Nails. Her music can be traced back to the story of the first time she heard The Band and thought this is the sound. While still in her teens she discovered bluegrass and the rest is history. Here’s the lead off track from Hammer & Nails:

Adam

Songs:Illinois fave Jeffrey Foucault has prepared a covers album featuring works by John Prine. How perfect is that? One of the best of the new generation of “folk” singers covering songs by one of the best of the older generation.

Here’s an un-mastered version of the Prine classic “Storm Windows” that will appear on Shoot The Moon Right Behind The Eyes when it is released this fall. Jeffrey Foucault and Kris Delmhorst play Schubas on Oct. 30.

Storm Windows

Bonus tracks from Ghost Repeater’s European release

Shadows Tumble
Money Blues

Look, a lot of shit’s already been written about Tom Ovans and his record Party Girl. That’s because it came out as an import on an English label in 2007 and also because of it’s apparent greatness. There are two fine reviews (here and here) that are only lacking in the notable absence of mp3’s.

To rectify that here’s a couple of songs from Austin based folk-bluesman Tom Ovans (btw that’s the closest semblance of a label that will fit). The new record, Party Girl, is getting a nice re-release on the fine roots rock label 00:02:59 Records (Scott Kempner, Willie Nile, Christopher Denny). Buy it here.

West Texas Blues
Both Sides of the Night

Don’t ask me where I find this stuff cause I honestly don’t know. Just thank me in the comments;) Seriously, a folk opera of the old South by a band out of the UK, how cool is that? On the song “Southern Boys” it sounds like Joe Strummer meets Charlie Daniels and you know that can’t be bad. The band is called Lee’s Company and the new record is White Mansions.

Buy the new record here.

Southern Boys

Last Dance And The Kentucky Racehorse

David Olney’s Live At Norm’s River Road House Vol 1 is a hit and miss affair much like the man himself. He’s capable of writing disarmingly good songs but at other times he’s content to wallow in the kind of blustery blues rock that gives blues a bad name. When he’s at his best like on the Rounder releases High, Wide And Lonesome and Through a Glass Darkly his combination of literate, poetic lyrics and by turns somber and then preacherly delivery is hard to beat.

You can pre-order this August 26th release here now or here.

Who’s The Dummy Now

Bonus track from The Wheel:
Boss Don’t Shoot No Dice
Bonus track from The Migration
Speak Memory
Bonus track live via Folk Alley
Jerusalem Tomorrow

I’ve been including a newgrassy song each and every week for as long as I can remember. Whether it’s The Duhks or Crooked Still or even The Felice Brothers I’ve tried to be a proponent of this style of music for the last few years. So now I feel like I can’t ignore this genre and the once weekly feature.

Red Molly’s new cd Love and Other Tragedies has been out since May but I’ve only just heard it. You can pick it up now through Amazon here. “Wichita” is a nice cover of the Gilian Welch tune of the same name.

Wichita

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The LA Times did a piece on former Hillary Clinton campaign chairman Howard Wolfson. Surprisingly it had little to do with politics and more to do with his love of indie rock. We’re all music snobs here, right? We all think we’ve got better taste than our friends, our enemies, and certainly any talking heads on TV. So it hurts me to say this but that dude’s got some pretty fine taste in music. His music blog is still young (Gotham Acme) but it came out of the gate nicely formed (the header’s got cool and original art, cool blogroll, and a working search function). He covers some tired ground in posts about TV On The Radio and Grizzly Bear but makes up for it with posts on BLK, Francois Breut, and Kelly McRae. Also any mention of The Feelies is always appreciated by me.

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George Wirth has a song on the new Red Molly cd. If the music business was a fair and balanced competition, where the best songs come out on top, you’d have probably have heard of NJ’s George Wirth by now. But if this is your first time enjoy these two songs from his debut.

Eisenhower, 1952
Snowing In Jeruselum

I consider Songs:Illinois to be a folk music blog. It may lean a bit indie or americana at times. Or it may encompass some of the new world music that’s been cropping up (particularly any of the modern gypsy music that I’ve posted over the years) but by and large it deals with folk music - lucky for me that is a very broad term that can contain genres like blues, country, gospel, roots, etc etc.

So it should come as no surprise that I’m enamored with the folk label Signature sounds and its small stable of artists. Mark Erelli is one such artist. He’s one of a handful of singer songwriters poised to join the upper pantheon of folk artists like Greg Brown, John Prine, John Hiatt and Steve Earle. I’ve written about his music in the past. His guitar playing is simple but great sounding and his songs are consistently captivating, usually with a phrase here or there that is unforgettable.

Mark Erelli’s got a new record out on Signature Sounds called Delivered. “Five Beer Moon” leans a little more pop than folk. On it he uses his voice to great effect sounding like a combination of Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello. If you’re more of a fan of folk based finger-picked guitar check out his cover of the Greg Brown song “If I Had Known” that I just had to include even if it’s not on the new record. Pre-order Delivered here.

Five Beer Moon

Bonus cover song recorded August `08

If I Had Known

Joel Rafael released a record on Inside Recordings (Jackson Browne) earlier this spring. I’ve only just heard of it so I think maybe it may be getting a slightly wider release this summer. Joel Rafael has written a great protest song on the new record that clearly refers back to his idol Woody Gutherie. He also covers two of Steve Earl’s more political songs, as well as getting some help from contemporaries like David Crosby and Graham Nash on backing vocals.

This song deserves to be heard in this election season and I imagine the whole record would be great especially for fans of Steve Earle, Neil Young, and Woody Gutherie.

This Is My Country

“This Is My Country” video

London born and occasional Detroit resident Mr. David Viner has been signed by my favorite UK label Loose Records. It’s a great signing since David Viner’s brand of folk blues relies heavily on a gothic blues underpinning that should play well in Europe (think Nick Cave, Grinderman). His debut for Loose will be out Sept. 22 and is called Among The Rumours and the Rye. The first single will be a duet featuring Jaymay called “Go Home”.

You can hear bits of blues, Rolling Stones’ swagger, English folk and more in these three unreleased tracks from Viner’s archives.

Get Through This
Easier To Cry
Rolling Along

Songs:Illinois is really only possible because of all the great folk music that came before. It’s too easy to recite names like Bob Dylan, Steve Forbert and Dave Van Ronk the big influences since it’s really all the lost artists that came before that is its basis. Sammy Walker is one such artist. Although he recorded for Folkways and then Warner his name is not known to me. It’s been twelve years since his last record and now the great Carolina label Ramseur Records will release his new record Misfit Scarecrow on July 22.

“Mississippi Delta Cried” is the story of Emmet Till put to music and folk lyrics. There’s also two demo recordings of songs from the new record.

Mississippi Delta Cried

Demo’s:

Crazy Billy
When You Miss Me When I’m Gone

Jon Jackson wrote the other day with news of more uploaded video’s. And I swear him sitting in his trailer somewhere on the outkirts of Nashville is somehow better that each and every overproduced video I’ve seen on the web or CMT for God’s sake. I’m thrilled he put up “Green Apples” but also excited to hear his ode to the Waffle House girl song, “Excuse Me”, for the first time.

His debut record Green Apples is a Songs:Illinois must-buy recommendation here (do we even have that!?).

P.S. John will be playing the latest incarnation of the Songs:Illinois House Concert series on June 6 along with Joe Pug from Chicago and Michael Fracasso all the way from Austin, Tx. If you’d like to come email me here - cbonnell@gmail.com.

“Excuse Me”

“Green Apples”