Music Fog - Americana Music

8 Ball Aitken "Refugee"

2010-07-30T14:31:34Z

Call me a commie pinko, if you want. I don't often get political here, but I just have to say something. In our travels the last couple of weeks, there have been way too many for rent and for sale signs. There have been storefronts and warehouses abandoned in too many towns, even in places you would not expect. Outsourcing and unemployment is taking its toll on America. One of the shopkeepers we talked to in Telluride categorized it by telling us, "The deeper the dreadlocks, the richer the trust fund," as he talked about how that town has changed in the past 30 years, from a hippie enclave to a wealthy playground. And no, it is not healthy for a democracy. It's even harder on the less fortunate in our society. There is a man I know who has received a continuance to stay in his house for another couple of months. My heart went out to him when he told me if he loses his house, he has no place to go. No work, no hope. Many of us are only a paycheck or two away from crisis. Many of us no longer have paychecks, and have been forced to scramble in the last couple of years to make ends meet, often without a safety net. I don't know what it will take to set the ship of America back on course. To get us back to work. To get America manufacturing again. To allow the American Dream to be revived from its doldrums. Or we will, once again, all be refugees in search of better lives.

8 Ball Aitken comes from Australia with a National Resonator guitar on his knee, and brought his Australian blues to us in Memphis, TN during Folk Alliance last February. "Refugee" comes from his 2004 CD Behind The 8 Ball. It rings true worldwide, no matter who you are or where you are.

- Jessie Scott

Red Dirt Rangers "Without My Baby"

2010-07-29T12:30:17Z

Our own Music Fogger Chris Walsh asked me for a definition of Red Dirt Music last trip. We were deep in Oklahoma, and the heat was knocking us back a tad. I explained that it was a pure Oklahoma thing, although it gets lumped into becoming Texas-Red Dirt in lots of people's minds these days. And although both movements look in a similar direction for inspiration, and draw from a similar passion, they are really different entities. Red Dirt is epicentered in Stillwater, which is the home of Oklahoma State University. There was a two-story, five-bedroom, funky old place called The Farm that acted as its home. The Red Dirt Rangers started hanging out there as a band in the late 1980's. But years before that, Ben Han, John Cooper, and Brad Piccolo became an integral part of the Farm’s musical brotherhood; first trading songs and licks with folks like Jimmy LaFave, Tom Skinner, and Bob Childers. Later, with the next generation; Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jason Boland & the Stragglers and Stoney LaRue.

The Rangers represent all the musicians who honed their chops in that living room, front porch, garage (aka The Gypsy Café) and campfire-dotted acreage of the Farm, where the sheer joy of creating music with friends transcended everything else. As Rangers' mandolinist-vocalist John Cooper has noted, "The Farm was as much an attitude as a physical structure. It allowed a setting where freedom rang and all things were possible. Out of this setting came the music." The physical structure burned down in 2003. But the music, and the Red Dirt Rangers are still going strong.

We caught up with the trio at the main stage at WoodyFest, and asked them to come see us the next day. And so it was, as they brought us new songs and tales of enigmatic Red Dirt Godfather and guiding light of The Tractors, Steve Ripley. Look for him to produce their next CD, as he did the last album, Ranger Motel released in 2007. "Without My Baby" will likely be on the new one, which is set to be recorded soon! Meanwhile, enjoy the very first recording of this song, and witness the early stages of what should be a Red Dirt Rangers classic.

- Jessie Scott

Randy Weeks with Stonehoney "Little Bit of Sleep"

2010-07-28T14:10:23Z

I read this awesome column in the New York Times back in the 90's, obviously it was awesome, or how could I be citing it some 13 years later. The premise was that people talk about sleep like they used to talk about sex. It's not uncommon to overhear conversations like, "Did you get any, man? Yeah, eight hours and it was great!" or "What'dja do this weekend? SLEPT - all weekend long!" We indeed, are a sleep deprived society, surviving on caffeine pills, energy drinks, our Starbucks fixes, Jolt Cola and Mountain Dew, and if we are lucky, the occasional nap, hallelujah!

When Music Fog hits the road, we average 4 hours a night. Don't cry for us, we have a blast, but sleep evades us. Ah, hell, who are we kidding? It evades us the rest of the time too. Okemah, OK was one of these trips. The crew raced out from DC, trading places behind the wheel to steer the BBC (MF truck named "Big Blue Crew") to its destination. We load, we unload, we build, we video, we film some more, we strike the set, we load out, and we hit the road again, only stopping for Waffle House, diesel, and coffee.

When we were talking to Jimmy LaFave about coming up for WoodyFest, he asked why there were so few collaborations in front of the Music Fog cameras. Although, there is the occasional marquee player joining in, but it is rare when we have two entities colliding. And so it was welcomed when the irresistible force met the immovable object, when the effervescent Stonehoney backed the unmistakable Randy Weeks. Though in no way am I suggesting that one is irresistible and the other isn't. It was huge. Randy was heard to say, "Why can't you guys come on the road with me?" A delightful question to ponder! And a tour we would sure love to see. Watch for yourself, as Randy pulls one out from his 2009 Going My Way CD.

- Jessie Scott

Red Molly "Jezebel"

2010-07-27T13:28:51Z

I wandered down the hill on the Telluride to Albuquerque route with Beans on Sunday, and he dropped me off at my in-laws, Jenn and Steve, on his way to the airport. He made it back to Baltimore, tired but happy. I am especially excited to be luxuriating in the foothills of the Sandia (it means watermelon--so named for the color the mountains turn at sunset). There are quail families outside with hypnotic chirping that is sure to relax you; and kitties Zoe and Taz, and Rex, the stalwart German Sheppard inside. We ate eggs with GREEN CHILE for breakfast. Major yum! There is nothing that compares to the taste of Hatch New Mexico chile. I am addicted. It started raining gently on the ride in, and continued through the night and into yesterday. This softly falling rain has been the perfect accompaniment to this leg of the trip. Denise says to be prepared for the hot to return as I fly back to Texas, but she said it wasn't Okemah hot. Whew. Okemah was smoldering. That's for sure, in more ways than one.

Photo Credit: David PlakkeWe were so blessed to be at an inside location during WoodyFest, not trekking around in the heat. The Thompson's Loft got cooled down at night, because, as is our habit, we shut the AC off during performances so as not to pick up that white noise when we record. The last day we filmed was a cavalcade of artists, one after another, and all amazing. Red Molly came by, and we pressed them into backup-singer service before they performed on their own. They share a musical connection to Woody, as well as a location connection, in that they make New York City home, and so did he. The Red Molly girls, Laurie, Abbie, and Carolann, brought such a spirited performance, that had there been rafters, they would have been ringing. As they were leaving our space, they mentioned that Carolann was making her last appearance with them at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Then Red Molly will be adding an actual Molly, as Austin-based singer/songwriter Molly Venter will be joining them. She first caught Abbie's attention as a New Folk Finalist at the 2008 Kerrville Folk Festival, and met Laurie and Carolann for the first time in June 2008. Look for the new configuration in early August. "Jezebel" comes from their 2010 release James, which sold more copies at the WoodyFest merch tables than any other artist!

- Jessie Scott

Jimmy LaFave "This Land Is Your Land"

2010-07-26T11:03:24Z

What a blur these last two weeks have been. From the Oklahoma hills to the Rocky Mountains, with big city stops in between. Again, I am deeply moved by what it means to be an American and to travel this great land. Beans and I made a pledge in Austin, as we had not yet cut off our WoodyFest wristbands. We decided to keep them on until we wrapped Telluride. It was a talisman of sorts, and we wanted to keep the spirit of Okemah with us for this second roadtrip. Woody Guthrie wrote the book on real. He planted the seeds that grew folk music, and then the kindred Americana movement. We have just finished the Telluride Americana Music Weekend, and everyone's back at their respective home base. We had to get our ducks in a row in order for WoodyFest videos to come your way. What with the crew in transit going every which way, it was hard to get to "The Assets," as we like to call them.

Jimmy LaFave, David Amram, Jessie ScottWoodyFest was amazing. We had a great time, though it felt like we were on the surface of the sun, as we pierced through heat indices of 105 to 115 degrees! Okemah in July. Ouch. Might have just been the luck of the draw, though, as it was in the low 80's during the week prior. But to celebrate the life and music of Woody, you just have to bite the bullet. I think being there helps to understand the motivation, the grounding, that Woody had growing up. We filmed some kick ass performances, some of which will be coming your way this week. But the first has to be one of the most magical moments we have ever experienced. Jimmy LaFave brought his compadres with him to our studio space, The Thompson's Loft, after the Pancake Breakfast on Saturday morning. Joel Rafael, John Inmon, Andrew Hardin, David Amram, Radoslav Lorkovic, Glenn Schuetz and The Cherokee Maidens. A seeming cast of thousands, but aided and abetted if you sing along. "This Land Is Your Land." Thank you Woody Guthrie!

- Jessie Scott

Jackie Greene "Shaky Ground"

2010-07-25T11:30:45Z

As we depart Colorado and bid farewell to a wonderful three days at the Telluride Americana Music Weekend, we would like to thank gracious promoters Steve and Lisa Stagner for inviting us. We would also like to applaud Steve for putting an exquisite lineup in place: Amanda Shires & Rod Picott, Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart, Jason Eady & The Wayward Apostles, Band Of Heathens, Sam Baker and Joe Ely. Three nights in the heaven of the mountains and the music. We hope that you will put this event your radar for next year! It is a gem of a time! Meanwhile, don't let the doggie-door hit your ass on the way out!

After two weeks on the road, Beans and I are feeling a bit like we're on shaky ground, caught between the splendor of where we are, and the yearning for home. And as is our Sunday tradition, we found a cool video to bring you from Jackie Greene, who has a new CD just out called Till The Light Comes.

I have been following Jackie's career since 2003 when my buddy Mindy Giles sent me his first album for airplay consideration at XM. This CD, his sixth, is the follow up to the 2008 release Giving Up The Ghost. Jackie Greene cooks up a stew of rock, folk, country and blues; and on the new CD plays guitars, organ, percussion, piano, Wurlitzer, mellotron, glockenspiel, and electric sitar. Greene, much in demand, has shared the stage with the likes of Phil Lesh, Bob Weir's Rat Dog, Gov’t Mule, and Levon Helm, as Jackie was invited to perform in Helm’s band at the Mountain Jam for Helm’s 70th birthday! While in Woodstock, he played a private acoustic set at Radio Woodstock’s Utopia Soundstage. Here's “Shaky Ground,” which comes from the new CD.

- Jessie Scott

Tellu-Writing 3

2010-07-24T20:58:11Z

We have been cruising the downtown streets, looking at the finest dog collection on the planet, and taking in the rest of the scenery as we get ready for tonight's Telluride Americana Weekend Concert with Sam Baker and Joe Ely.

HaaganWe were out strolling earlier (the altitude here is somewhere upwards of 8,700 feet, and so is best done slowly with lots of pit stops) when we saw an intrepid pizza salesman on a pedi-bike with a hot-box storage bin. "Pizza Makes You Stronger" was his slogan. It is obviously working for him. Don't think it is just us that are wusses in the thin air, the artists all talk about having to pace themselves when they sing, and that if there are a lot of words it could be hard to deliver the song without being out of breath, or turning purple while trying to power through it!

There are a lot of words in this one, but Amanda Shires and Rod Picott seem to do just fine with it. From the stage of the Old Sheridan Opera House comes the incandescent pairing; she from the sun-driven plains of West Texas, and he from the northern mill towns of New England. There are more tour dates on tap, so catch them if they are coming your way.

-Jessie Scott

Telluriding 2

2010-07-24T04:01:00Z

This is one cool town! Lots of handmade, homemade, and arty things in the shops. There are a surprising lack of the chain stores that populate every town in America. I am hunting a CVS but have yet to see one. Telluride has a strange undercurrent, that is, we think the DOGS are really running this town. They are everywhere, small and large, and they all carry an air of entitlement. They let you check out free pink bicycles at the library. Then there are these weird cans of oxygen, which I was happy to pass around with Amanda Shires and Stacey Earle. It was almost as if we were passing a joint.

We see five year olds on the loose with hundred dollar bills buying Rocky Road, cause life is rough, and ice cream ALWAYS makes it better. There is a "FREE STUFF" cubby hole on the street corner, akin to what you would have found in a kindergarten classroom, and people were rummaging in it. What? - you come here on vacation and scuttle your stuff, so you can buy more? WTF????

We are not here on vacation. Beans and I are here to bring you coverage from the Americana Music Weekend, and SHEILA has joined us! Yay! Beans gave her a quick lesson on Camera 2 yesterday, and she performed brilliantly. Last night at the Sheridan Opera House, which is 100 years old, and like being inside a Whitman's Sampler Box, was Jason Eady and then Band Of Heathens. Tonight is Sam Baker and Joe Ely. A couple of nights ago there was a song swap from Amanda Shires & Rod Picott and Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart. They were magical together. Lots of fun and welcoming on stage with one another and the audience. We have a Mark Stuart blues tune for you now, "Gonna Love Me Someday." Life is TOUGH!

-Jessie Scott

Telluride Ride

2010-07-23T08:18:00Z

Traveling at night through the mountains does present its driving challenges. Our “soccer mom” mini van rental seemed to drift the Colorado mountain roads, thankfully without hitting deer or elk up to Telluride. We were given “shortcut directions” from Albuquerque. The directions were good. They landed us in Dolores just in time for a late bite before the town rolled up the carpet. Funny thing about Dolores, CO, the town smells like cinnamon.

On the left was The Ponderosa Restaurant. The name just seemed to scream ‘steak dinner’…or maybe ‘meatloaf.’ Inside were three individuals who looked surprised and just a tad irritated that we had arrived 20 minutes before closing. I can only imagine what must have been going through their minds – Jessie with her red hair, rose colored glasses, flowing bandanna & big city attitude. Me, with my big voice, tattered personality and five-day beard stubble. It must have looked like we were traveling with a monkey that was about to be set loose in the restaurant to trash the place.

Krystal - Kayla - HeavenOur waitress was Krystal. She piled on the attitude in an interest of hoping to save the restaurant from imagined primate mayhem. The hostess was Kayla. She looked scared but decided to tough it out with Krystal. They double-teamed us, obviously willing to wrestle us to the ground if trouble broke out. We both ordered the 8oz. sirloin and salad bar. Then started to roam the empty restaurant to see the pictures on the wall. Lots of train photos from a railroad long gone in Dolores, CO. Heaven, the third Ponderosa girl followed us around to make sure we didn’t steal anything. It was Heaven who reconnoitered to find where we parked, and discovered we didn’t have a surprise monkey to let loose. The steak came to the table, along with biscuits nestled next to baked beans. Jessie joined the clean plate club. I couldn’t finish mine and was berated by Krystal. She also insisted that I eat the homemade cake that came as part of the deal. All three of these young ladies gathered at the table to watch me eat. It was like something out of a Stephen King novel. Did the cake contain some sort of drug cooked in a trailer house lab? Or were they just proud of it? Either way, the joke was going to be on me and I had to man up. I’m OK today. And I’m prepared to give the Ponderosa a Zagat rating of 4 stars. If you go there, tell them Jessie & Beans sent you.

-Beans

Pieta Brown "Calling All Angels"

2010-07-22T08:18:14Z

Beans and I headed up from the Albuquerque Airport, I-40 to I-25 North. We just crossed the Continental Divide, and though it feels like we are going up, we are holding steady at 7000 feet, seemingly for miles and miles on our way to Telluride for the Americana Music Weekend. It rained a bit, our nostrils infused with ozone and clean, then there was a rainbow (My second this week...a DOUBLE RAINBOW!!!).

Cheap-ass iPhone photoWe passed a rock outcropping that appeared to be round, looking like a spaceship had landed long ago and then just became petrified. Never mind, it's just the 'shrooms talking...or the altitude...high on something that's for sure. Ahhhh perfect, we just saw a Laundromat/fireworks combo store. Yeah.

We see the Rockies way in the distance as we head toward the Colorado border. Wonder what kind of Holy Sh*t moment it was when the pioneers saw them on the horizon. I think it is time for a pit stop, 'cause we can't figure out how to get the A/C to come back on. Need beer...cool, liquor store coming up on the right! Much better now. We are passing volcanic rock, tectonic remnants, caves and mesas in the scrub brush and you know, we are in spiritual land. God's country. Native American country. Angels in our midst. You can just feel them.

Pieta Brown is wearing her dark glasses for the Music Fog cameras, and they are impenetrable. Just as is the Southwest itself. If you are not from these parts, you know you are seeing something you don't quite understand, but you trust the cadence, and how perfect it is. It engenders respect, sobering in how enormous it all feels. Pieta Brown captures what I am thinking exactly, as she sings "I'm Just a Stranger in this Land." "Calling All Angels" comes from her most recent CD One And All. This version recorded solo in February on I-40 - the OTHER side of the Mississippi River in Memphis during Folk Alliance.

-Jessie Scott

David Beck "Brand New Dawn/Running Low"

2010-07-21T15:00:23Z

It was dark-thirty. It was way early. That crunch I heard this morning might just have been the sound of my Blue Tooth being pulverized by my tires as I rolled out on my way to the airport. I feel naked without my earpiece. I hate it when I have to replace perfectly working gear. I love my devices. The Foggers can tell you all about my toys. Hell, we are all addicted. Every one of the crew has his or her "things."

Photo Credit : Jimmy BruchI know David Beck is into the toys thing, too. His are myriad instruments, and all manner of recording gear. He is a whirling dervish of creative juices. He plays, writes, arranges and produces. He is constantly reinventing himself. There are all manner of stage configurations, he is restless to see where he can push it next, for each project he does. David is planning on going back into the studio next month. We caught up with him in March, back before his EP Grand Island came out. Here is a taste.

Jessie Scott

Warren Hood & The Hoodlums "Long Distance Call"

2010-07-20T17:53:57Z

Wow, these past several days have been a blur! I am happy to report that my first time at WoodyFest was everything I hoped and expected. Denise and I drove back to Austin on US-75 down from Henryetta, Oklahoma with green rolling hills, and the occasional town dotting the landscape. Beautiful. I juxtapose that with the Rocky Mountains, which await as tomorrow is the day we arrive in Telluride for the Americana Music Weekend! I just can't say enough about how much I love to keep moving. In search of worthy music. This is such a ride.

Got some time-traveling music for you now from Warren Hood and the Hoodlums, with the sweet, soulful, voice and keyboard wizardry of Emily Gimble, who simply OWNS this! Yes, we are talking Johnny Gimble's granddaughter. Some things just get passed down in the genes. And some things get passed down from masters like Muddy Waters. What a band this is, every single one of them gets it done. See if you hear a horn section fading up and under...it's actually Warren on fiddle! He and Emily are joined by Willie Pipkin, Chris Gilson, and Nate Rowe. We recorded this back in March, and promise to get you some of the stuff we recorded in Okemah by next week, once we come off the road. But this one is not to miss! "Long Distance Call." Makes you want that phone to ring!

- Jessie Scott

Gordie Tentrees "Alfred"

2010-07-19T11:03:01Z

He has handsome bearing, with a face that appears to be chiseled out of fine marble. Gordie Tentrees looks strong, determined. Like he means business, because he does. Gordie comes from the Yukon Territory, and has plans to tour through November! Busy, busy, busy! And that includes some dates with one of his influences, Fred Eaglesmith, on his Southern Picnics!

On Gordie's third album, Mercy or Sin, the song “Alfred” is a dark, poignant, acoustic tale. “Walks with a hitch, right side hip, reads a dirt palm, right before he spits, thinks on the rain, hollers for the end, Alfred is old his blood ain't thin.” Subject matter meets texture. I remember an interview with Bonnie Raitt from eons ago, where she said that the slide guitar's sound drew her in because it sounded human. Like mourning, wailing, crying. I love how evocative different instruments are. What tone Ken Hermanson gets. It immediately transports you. And then there is Jennie Sosnowski on upright. Sweet harmonies all around. Gordie Tentrees, "Alfred." And we did it on a bus!

- Jessie Scott

WoodyFest 2010

2010-07-18T11:06:33Z

The Music Fog Loft has been spilling over with great music, artists and friends this weekend at WoodyFest in Okemah, Oklahoma. Actually, it's the "Thompson Loft." Thanks so much to the Thompson's for the use of their living quarters as our recording space. Jimmy LaFave hooked us up, with help from their daughter Kay, who recommended this most amazing location. The Thompson's have the entrepreneurial thing going on big time, with a printing company, flowers and antique shop, and the town newspaper.

We set up on Thursday night when the Music Fog crew all got into town, and then came back for sessions on Friday and Saturday. The music here has been stellar, the musicianship totally over the top! Okemah has been relentless in its heat and sunshine; but endearing and charming, as only small town America can be. One wonders how people lived here before air conditioning. Today, during this heat wave, the bank thermometer read 104 degrees! We were serenaded though, by an all star band backing Jimmy LaFave that was a celebration of the contributions of Woody Guthrie. Then the Cherokee Maidens backed by Sycamore Swing, followed by Stonehoney, singing sweetly, and swaying gently on the second floor against the red brick wall. Last night they rocked the main stage, under the phosphorescent water tower, right down by the road; that ribbon of highway, I-40.

We obviously haven't posted any video yet, as we've been in capture mode, with Friday's sessions featuring BettySoo, Red Dirt Rangers, Randy Weeks with Stonehoney backing, and Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines. We rounded out Saturday with Red Molly and Butch Hancock, and then a chat with Jimmy LaFave and David Amram. WoodyFest is a celebration of the life and work of Woody Guthrie. Being here has rekindled my fascination with him, and the art he brought. In writing, in song craft, in drawing. In all things that come from the intellect. I feel I need to read everything that is out about Woody, and also that I must read David Amram's three books. You just walk away from this place filled once again with the beauty that art can bring. Eager to drink all of it in. Ah, to have all the time in the world for this most worthy pursuit. Everyday. We can't wait to bring you all that we have filmed!

- Jessie Scott

Dustin Welch "Lost at Sea"

2010-07-17T11:03:35Z

There are dark grooves cut into his guitar, there are dark grooves that emerge from its hollow body. His voice sounds like that of an 80 year old, but that belies his age. He is Dustin Welch, and he is another of the stellar new crop of artists coming into their own. He and I met a few years ago, and before we had a chance to get to know one another, I overheard him talking about literature. Deeply, richly, passionately. Impressive, I thought, he is a reader. Not to paint him as too serious, though, as he also has a touch of the prankster, accompanied by a twinkle in his eye. One of the hallmarks of this emerging generation is a reverence for the forms that have come before, and yes, the lifestyle, too. Bohemia lives!

Photo Credit: Ed VeroskyI am missing Dustin's presence at WoodyFest! I wish he could have been here with us in Okemah, OK. While I am at it, I have been missing him in Austin, too, which is a big enough city to not run into everyone you know just by happenstance. My bad, as I have been preparing for these road trips, I haven't been going out on my usual rounds. Dustin has a bunch of dates coming up, mostly in Texas, if you are around for the next month. You just might see me in the audience there. So, I am watching this video with that in mind...Dustin, I will catch up with you soon. This is one from the Music Fog bus at Cherokee Creek Music Festival this past May. Dustin Welch, "Lost At Sea."

- Jessie Scott