14
Oct
2003
· As founder and frontman for Jason & The Scorchers, Jason Ringenberg's cowboy hat and corn-fed yelps fit his image of an original alt-country pioneer. This Tuesday it seems he's been spending more time corralling than hanging at the used-guitar shop, releasing his first-ever children's album, A Day at the Farm with Farmer Jason.
Chock full of banjo, fiddle, and rocking guitars, this is a pickin'-and-a-grinnin' bear hug with an emphasis on grinning. Like a beloved grandfather in overalls, Farmer Jason introduces each song with farmland wisdom and love, encouraging kids to "Get Up Up Up," feed the animals, and do "The Doggie Dance." Look for this sunny little hayride on the Yep Roc Records label.
· My picks of the week are also country-fried, one from the first lady of rockabilly and the other a rural side trip from Camper Van Beethoven's David Lowery. With a recording career that began in 1954 and the induction into every country hall of fame imaginable, the legendary Wanda Jackson returns with her first new studio album in 15 years, Heart Trouble. A sexy stunner in the 1950s, Jackson's voice still carries power and grace, showcased in songs by Jaime Hanna of The Mavericks and Kelly Willis, standards by The Louvin Brothers and Buck Owens, and in duets with Elvis Costello and Rosie Flores. Alongside a backing band featuring Attractions' drummer Pete Thomas and Beck guitarist Smokey Hormel, the new album features special guests The Cramps, Stray Cats bassist Lee Rocker, and Blasters guitarist Dave Alvin. Vinyl purists need not fret; the CMH Records release is wax-friendly on the Sympathy for the Record Industry imprint.
· Also whistling Dixie is Countrysides, the new album from David Lowery's Cracker outfit with guitarist Johnny Hickman. Shamelessly hick-billy and endearing, this terrific twang-fest should sit nicely next to Ween's 12 Country Greats from 1996, like cornbread and mescaline BBQ. Every track's a winner, from the Tex-Mex psychedelic tango storytelling of "Sinaloa Cowboys" and the Mamas & Papas' melodies of "Duty Free," to the saloon daydream of "Reasons to Quit." Raise your longneck high, boys, and drink deep from the Merle Haggard tones of "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mothers." Another must-hear closes the album, a tongue-in-cheek indictment of record-company promotion in "Ain't Gonna Suck It Self."
· Replacements founder Paul Westerberg opens two different doors to his persona next week as three different imprints release two new albums and a documentary DVD. First up is the return of Grandpaboy with Dead Man Shake, on the indie Fat Possum label, a raw full-band romp. Three cool covers to drink by are included: the Rat Pack standard "What Kind of Fool Am I," John Prine's "Souvenirs," and Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Another indie label, Vagrant Records, is releasing a new Westerberg solo CD, in conjunction with a new documentary DVD filmed during last year's tour in support of his Stereo/Mono album. Both the CD and Redline Entertainment DVD are entitled Come Feel Me Tremble, and the 14 new tracks feature the acoustic "Meet Me Down the Alley," two versions of "Crackle & Drag," and a cover of Jackson Browne's "These Days."
Television Alert:
The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Johnny Lang this evening and Radiohead on Friday; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Shelby Lynne on Monday and Boy George on Tuesday; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn unreels the String Cheese Incident this evening overnight; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Bela Fleck on Friday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Stereophonics this evening overnight and Fountains of Wayne on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Britney Spears.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, October 21:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
The Allman Brothers Band - Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival July 3 & 5, 1970 (Epic Legacy) two-CD set recorded eight months prior to their Live at the Fillmore set
Anti-Flag - The Terror State (Fat Wreck Chords) on tour now with a $10 ticket price that includes a copy of the new CD
Barenaked Ladies - Everything to Everyone (Reprise) also available in a limited-edition package with a special DVD
Bottle Rockets - Blue Sky (Sanctuary)
Brother Bear - original motion picture soundtrack (Walt Disney) written by Phil Collins, the songs feature guest vocalists Tina Turner and the Blind Boys Of Alabama
The Campfire Girls - Tell Them Hi (Softdrive) debut release from the new label owned by Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots
Crass Test Dummies - Puss N Boots (Hunter)
The Creatures - Hai! (Instinct) the first new music in five years from Siouxsie and Budgie, featuring a bonus DVD
Dead Prez - Get Free or Die Tryin' (Koch) political rap with guest Sticky Fingaz
DJ Wally - Nothing Stays the Same (Thirsty Ear Blue Series) blending hip hop and groove jazz
Fantomas - "Delirium Cordia" (Ipecac) taking a quieter approach, this dark new release from Mike Patton of Faith No More and Buzz Osbourne of The Melvins is a single 55-minute song
Freekbass - The Air Is Fresher Underground (Freekbass) enhanced CD with guests Bootsy Collins, Buckethead, and Bernie Worrell
Green Day - 39/Smooth (Lookout) re-mastered and expanded re-issue
Loon - Loon (Bad Boy) with guests Faith Evans, Missy Elliott and P. Diddy
Delbert McClinton - Live (New West) two-CD set recorded in Norway, featuring his take on Otis Redding's "Dreams to Remember" and The Blues Brothers' hit "B-Movie Boxcar Blues"
Mandy Moore - Coverage (Epic) cute all-covers collection with songs by Joe Jackson, XTC, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Blondie, John Hiatt, Todd Rundgren, Elton John, Cat Stevens, and more
Van Morrison - What's Wrong With This Picture? (Blue Note) slow-dance romantic and jumping jazz cool, this label debut features a cover of Lightnin' Hopkins' "Stop Drinking" and the traditional "Saint James Infirmary"
The Nadas - Transceiver (Authentic) catchy heartland rock with a country twang
Pinhead Gunpowder - Compulsive Disclosure (Lookout) nine-track EP featuring an acoustic version of "Landlords"
Rush - Rush in Rio (Anthem/Atlantic) three-CD and two-DVD release recorded this past November
Slipstream - Transcendental (Hidden Agenda) new from Mark Refoy of Spacemen 3 and Spiritualized
Something Corporate - North (Geffen) recently touring with 311 and Good Charlotte
Soulive - Turn It Out Remixed (Velour) re-worked by a host of mix masters from DJ Krush to Mr. Rourke, with new vocals from guests Me'Shell N'degeocello, The Beatnuts, Chali 2na & Akil of Jurassic 5, and more
Space Cadet - Greatest Hits (Satellite/Trauma) Texas band influenced by 1980s new-wave pop, perfectly shown by their cover of The Cars' "Let's Go"
Spain - Spirituals: The Best of (Restless) featuring bonus seven-inch B sides and KCRW-FM sessions
Rod Stewart - The Great American Songbook Volume II (J Records) collection of handpicked standards like "Someone To Watch Over Me," "I Only Have Eyes for You," and "As Time Goes by"
Joe Strummer - Streetcore (Hellcat/Epitaph) his last sessions, with tracks completed by his backing band the Mescaleros
various artists - Wig in a Box (Off Records) tribute to Hedwig & The Angry Inch, with Robyn Hitchcock, Cyndi Lauper, Nina Hagen, and Jonathan Richman
various artists - Buddyhead Presents Gimme Skelter (Nettwerk) hosted by Iggy Pop with cover art by Raymond Pettibon, this interesting compilation collects exclusive tracks from Weezer, Wire, Cave In, Mudhoney, Le Tigre, and more
Yo La Tengo - Today Is the Day (Matador) six-song EP featuring a Burt Jansch cover
· My picks of the week are also country-fried, one from the first lady of rockabilly and the other a rural side trip from Camper Van Beethoven's David Lowery. With a recording career that began in 1954 and the induction into every country hall of fame imaginable, the legendary Wanda Jackson returns with her first new studio album in 15 years, Heart Trouble. A sexy stunner in the 1950s, Jackson's voice still carries power and grace, showcased in songs by Jaime Hanna of The Mavericks and Kelly Willis, standards by The Louvin Brothers and Buck Owens, and in duets with Elvis Costello and Rosie Flores. Alongside a backing band featuring Attractions' drummer Pete Thomas and Beck guitarist Smokey Hormel, the new album features special guests The Cramps, Stray Cats bassist Lee Rocker, and Blasters guitarist Dave Alvin. Vinyl purists need not fret; the CMH Records release is wax-friendly on the Sympathy for the Record Industry imprint.
· Also whistling Dixie is Countrysides, the new album from David Lowery's Cracker outfit with guitarist Johnny Hickman. Shamelessly hick-billy and endearing, this terrific twang-fest should sit nicely next to Ween's 12 Country Greats from 1996, like cornbread and mescaline BBQ. Every track's a winner, from the Tex-Mex psychedelic tango storytelling of "Sinaloa Cowboys" and the Mamas & Papas' melodies of "Duty Free," to the saloon daydream of "Reasons to Quit." Raise your longneck high, boys, and drink deep from the Merle Haggard tones of "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mothers." Another must-hear closes the album, a tongue-in-cheek indictment of record-company promotion in "Ain't Gonna Suck It Self."
· Replacements founder Paul Westerberg opens two different doors to his persona next week as three different imprints release two new albums and a documentary DVD. First up is the return of Grandpaboy with Dead Man Shake, on the indie Fat Possum label, a raw full-band romp. Three cool covers to drink by are included: the Rat Pack standard "What Kind of Fool Am I," John Prine's "Souvenirs," and Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Another indie label, Vagrant Records, is releasing a new Westerberg solo CD, in conjunction with a new documentary DVD filmed during last year's tour in support of his Stereo/Mono album. Both the CD and Redline Entertainment DVD are entitled Come Feel Me Tremble, and the 14 new tracks feature the acoustic "Meet Me Down the Alley," two versions of "Crackle & Drag," and a cover of Jackson Browne's "These Days."
Television Alert:
The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Johnny Lang this evening and Radiohead on Friday; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno welcomes Shelby Lynne on Monday and Boy George on Tuesday; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn unreels the String Cheese Incident this evening overnight; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Bela Fleck on Friday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly sits down with Stereophonics this evening overnight and Fountains of Wayne on Friday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Britney Spears.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, October 21:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
The Allman Brothers Band - Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival July 3 & 5, 1970 (Epic Legacy) two-CD set recorded eight months prior to their Live at the Fillmore set
Anti-Flag - The Terror State (Fat Wreck Chords) on tour now with a $10 ticket price that includes a copy of the new CD
Barenaked Ladies - Everything to Everyone (Reprise) also available in a limited-edition package with a special DVD
Bottle Rockets - Blue Sky (Sanctuary)
Brother Bear - original motion picture soundtrack (Walt Disney) written by Phil Collins, the songs feature guest vocalists Tina Turner and the Blind Boys Of Alabama
The Campfire Girls - Tell Them Hi (Softdrive) debut release from the new label owned by Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots
Crass Test Dummies - Puss N Boots (Hunter)
The Creatures - Hai! (Instinct) the first new music in five years from Siouxsie and Budgie, featuring a bonus DVD
Dead Prez - Get Free or Die Tryin' (Koch) political rap with guest Sticky Fingaz
DJ Wally - Nothing Stays the Same (Thirsty Ear Blue Series) blending hip hop and groove jazz
Fantomas - "Delirium Cordia" (Ipecac) taking a quieter approach, this dark new release from Mike Patton of Faith No More and Buzz Osbourne of The Melvins is a single 55-minute song
Freekbass - The Air Is Fresher Underground (Freekbass) enhanced CD with guests Bootsy Collins, Buckethead, and Bernie Worrell
Green Day - 39/Smooth (Lookout) re-mastered and expanded re-issue
Loon - Loon (Bad Boy) with guests Faith Evans, Missy Elliott and P. Diddy
Delbert McClinton - Live (New West) two-CD set recorded in Norway, featuring his take on Otis Redding's "Dreams to Remember" and The Blues Brothers' hit "B-Movie Boxcar Blues"
Mandy Moore - Coverage (Epic) cute all-covers collection with songs by Joe Jackson, XTC, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Blondie, John Hiatt, Todd Rundgren, Elton John, Cat Stevens, and more
Van Morrison - What's Wrong With This Picture? (Blue Note) slow-dance romantic and jumping jazz cool, this label debut features a cover of Lightnin' Hopkins' "Stop Drinking" and the traditional "Saint James Infirmary"
The Nadas - Transceiver (Authentic) catchy heartland rock with a country twang
Pinhead Gunpowder - Compulsive Disclosure (Lookout) nine-track EP featuring an acoustic version of "Landlords"
Rush - Rush in Rio (Anthem/Atlantic) three-CD and two-DVD release recorded this past November
Slipstream - Transcendental (Hidden Agenda) new from Mark Refoy of Spacemen 3 and Spiritualized
Something Corporate - North (Geffen) recently touring with 311 and Good Charlotte
Soulive - Turn It Out Remixed (Velour) re-worked by a host of mix masters from DJ Krush to Mr. Rourke, with new vocals from guests Me'Shell N'degeocello, The Beatnuts, Chali 2na & Akil of Jurassic 5, and more
Space Cadet - Greatest Hits (Satellite/Trauma) Texas band influenced by 1980s new-wave pop, perfectly shown by their cover of The Cars' "Let's Go"
Spain - Spirituals: The Best of (Restless) featuring bonus seven-inch B sides and KCRW-FM sessions
Rod Stewart - The Great American Songbook Volume II (J Records) collection of handpicked standards like "Someone To Watch Over Me," "I Only Have Eyes for You," and "As Time Goes by"
Joe Strummer - Streetcore (Hellcat/Epitaph) his last sessions, with tracks completed by his backing band the Mescaleros
various artists - Wig in a Box (Off Records) tribute to Hedwig & The Angry Inch, with Robyn Hitchcock, Cyndi Lauper, Nina Hagen, and Jonathan Richman
various artists - Buddyhead Presents Gimme Skelter (Nettwerk) hosted by Iggy Pop with cover art by Raymond Pettibon, this interesting compilation collects exclusive tracks from Weezer, Wire, Cave In, Mudhoney, Le Tigre, and more
Yo La Tengo - Today Is the Day (Matador) six-song EP featuring a Burt Jansch cover
