Root Down in the Shadow

Once Again Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three bring fun and style to music with their latest release Middle of Everywhere.   Named for their hometown St.Louis' relativity to the rest of the country, and their place in the world touring all over, Middle of Everywhere is a superb release through and through.  The attention getting schtick and pagentry are missing from the album, unlike Riverboat Soul.  RS just grabbed and pulled you right in with legendary tales of 'Claude Jones' and Jim Jones in 'In the Graveyard Now',  RS also forced you to take notice with such crowd pleasing period pieces as 'Hard Times Come and Go'. Instead Middle of Everwhere , brings forth 13 tracks that don't require a period or being called "old timey'.  These are just 13 pleasing songs of love, relationships failed and girls, that can be listened to over and over. In the future, when discussing whether a band has come into their own, comparisons will be made...

With the high temperatures this last week culminating over the weekend, I chose to limit my inaugural visit to the XPoNential Music Festival in Camden, NJ to one band per day. There were other solid acts to see, but I didn't want to overdo it with Newport Folk Festival just 1 week away. Ted Leo @ XPoNential Music Festival On Saturday, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists took the river stage in 100 degree heat, but fortunately there was a breeze. The heat was nearly enough to keep me away, but I was determined to see the band. As it is 10 years since the release of the Tyranny of Distance, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists played the album in its entirety.  I had hoped his was kidding, when her first started, but I had my doubts as I had read previously of an anniversary show.  Why, when at a festival, and not everyone is a Ted Leo fan, would he not put his best hits out there?  But this was a 45 minute set and it did fit nicely.  I would give it a shot, if that's wh...

Next Sunday morning, at the Newport Folk Festiva l, before the Carolina Chocolate Drops start @ 12:40, there are thee choices to start the day.  I've narrowed my choices down to two, as I am completely unfamiliar with the Seeger Clogging Allstars .  This was an easy choice up until a month ago, as I hadn't heard Brown Bird yet either. But, I picked up The Sounds of Ghosts EP by Brown Bird, and now I'm torn. This has been my most discussed decision so far.  Feel free to comment, but here's my list of contributing factors for each act so far: Brown Bird: Harbor Stage 11:30am-12:15 David Lamb & Morganeve Swain make up the dark duo Brown Bird. +David Lamb has one of those special & unique voices that could sound great no matter what he's singing. Just as the Decemberists can lull you with a lullaby about the knife wielding 'Shankill' Butchers, or a revengeful Mariner, David can soothe while singing about anything. +Morganeve Swain wonderful...

Next Saturday night, at the Newport Folk Festival, after Pokey Lafarge & the South City Three wrap up @ 4:15, there are three outstanding choices for the next to last slot of the night. The question of who to see is the toughest of the whole festival. I have some other decisions to make before next weekend, but I think this solitary decision may take until we arrive at Fort Adams State Park. Feel free to comment, but here's my list of contributing factors for each act: Gillian Welch: + Gillian is on the Main Stage.. no need to move before the Decemberists + 4:45 start gives 30 minutes to find a spot after Pokey Lafarge + Gillian Welch: Newport Folk Festival 2009 + The Fresh Air Interview: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings + Oh Brother Where Art Thou  fame!!! + Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings do awesome covers, such as 'Black Star' + I don't have much of her  material, but it's so easy to like +Clear veteran = better/experienced live show +...

Welcome back everyone! Good news, I've been waist deep in new & live music lately. Bad news, that does not leave much time to write. Here's a rundown of the best I've come across lately. LAST CONCERT(s): G. Love & Special Sauce headlined Artscape last weekend in Baltimore. It was a great time, as I got to catch up with some friends, and the Philadelphia trio+1 put on a great show. They played selections from throughout the G. Love & Special Sauce catalog, including the underappreciated Coast To Coast Motel   'Sweet Sugar Momma'. The covers they selected were outstanding. Early on they played '50 Ways to Leave Your Lover' fresh from the G. Love release Fixin to Die . An excellent 'Folsom Prison Blues' book-ended a superb end of concert selection with 'Just A Friend' originally by Baltimore favorite Biz Markie . The phenomenal selections in the middle were the fan favorites 'Cold Beverage' and 'Baby's Got...

The very best perk of being exposed as a mega music aficionado, is getting to share in the music.  On my side, I get to share my knowledge and finds.  My friends keep me posted on what they've been experiencing or in most cases looking for. But the best perk of being a known music head is getting copies of albums saved for or sent to me.  Six months ago, I was extremely fortunate to get my hands on Wilder Shores Of Love by Daniel Lefkowitz , Bed of Notions by Jocie Adams , Love is All Around by Twain , and  David Wax Museum, Everything is Saved, all in one night! I was at a Low Anthem show, which Lefkowitz was opening for , with an old school pal who was working that night.  He had been saving me a copy of David Wax Museums newest and before the night was over, he had pulled some strings to have my hands full on the way out the door.  I was in heaven!  Dan Lefkowitz was great that night, so I was enthused to hear more.   Twain (which then...

In the previous post, I linked the Amazon..com $5 albums & free music banner. To give you a head start on the free music, I wanted to give you some suggestions for dowloading. Enjoy! 23 This Year: The Sub Pop Amazon Sampler 1. Helplessness Blues by the Fleet Foxes .  Great track from one 2011's best albums 2. Lost in My Mind by th e Head and the Heart .  If you didn't get this album for $5 at minimum get this song for free, so you can remind yourself in August, how dumb you are for not getting this album for so cheap. Kill Rock Stars 20 Year Anniversary Sampler 3. Eleven by Thao & Mirah .  I don't know much about this duo, but I L-O-V-E this song! 4. 16 Military Wives by the Decemberist s 5. Between the Bars by Elliott Smith.  One of the evocative tracks from Good Will Hunting Merge Records 2011 Sampler 6. Civilian by Wye Oak .  I am strongly considering this $5 album.  Meanwhile, I have this as one of my 2011 best of songs 7...

It may seem that my site has been taken over by Amazon lately with the overload of links.  But with a post (2 actually, 1 more is coming), have I gone over the top?  I offer an explanation for what appears to be pandering.  The purpose of my blog is to help people get exposed to new music, that they might otherwise not get the chance to see or hear about.  I like to bring to the forefront opportunities to hear, see or purchase new music.  Amazon has recently upped their efforts to do the same thing in my opinion. For one, they make it super easy for me to link a source for fans to purchase albums.  But this isn't the record store that I grew up with.  When something is popular, it seems like prices are going down.  Before Amazon.com started their $5 albums, the best sales were Best Buy & Target discounting albums on the first week of release, and a variety of sites free materials.  However, Amazon brings out the $5 albums after people h...