Robert Ellis "Photographs"

A couple of nights ago, during the Bastrop Wildfire Benefit at Hill Country Barbecue Market in New York, there were many special moments. Chip Taylor sang his immortal song “The Real Thing” to start his set. Shooter Jennings joined him on stage for a duet on a song that Chip had written for his dad, Waylon, called “Sweet Dream Woman.” And they had never met before! Also on the bill were The Defibulators, Grayson Hugh, Laura Cantrell (she joined Chip for "Angel Of The Morning,") and Dallas Wayne, who was the evening’s emcee and auctioneer. His hosting was especially poignant, as he lost his house in the wildfires that blew through Texas in the evil wind of Tropical Storm Lee’s outer wind bands. Thanks to all the sponsors who donated cool stuff for us to auction: 377 Management, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau, 36D Management, New West Records, The Gram Parsons Foundation, and Luckenbach, Texas. It was a very special night for a really important cause; raising money to help the folks that lost everything in the fires. Dallas Wayne capped off the evening with a set delivered in his superb baritone.

I have a soft spot in my heat for the strains of traditional country, especially delivered by a rich, evocative voice. Robert Ellis is a relative newcomer to the scene, at the tender age of 22, with his debut album The Great Rearranger having come out in 2009. We did some video with Robert this past March, during SXSW® music week, before his latest album Photographs hit the street in July. Music Fog had the opportunity to film him again last month, during the Americana Music Festival, so we jumped on it. He has been wiring up some really interesting tours; the latest being with Dawes and John Doe. Just a little while ago, he did some dates with George Jones and Jamey Johnson. The company you keep, indeed. I love this video, it is pure and true, as is the song, albeit a bit wicked. “Photographs,” from his album of the same name. Robert Ellis solo, from his Music Fog session in Nashville at Marathon Recorders.

- Jessie Scott

The Gourds "Peppermint City"

The Gourds just roll along, a well-oiled machine with effortless playing. I know that the lyrics to this tune are pretty pessimistic, but they are delivered in such a peppy and upbeat way that it creates joy nonetheless. Who cares if you are singing what in essence could be a follow up to Randy Newman’s song, “Mama Told Me Not to Come.” Oh woe is me. Seriously, Kevin Russell could sing the proverbial phonebook; I actually witnessed him singing the specials on the chalk board at Threadgill’s before a performance one day, and yes, he made that fun too. I don’t know the derivation of the song---what prompted Kevin to write it, but we have all been there. “How did I ever get here? And more importantly, how will I ever get out?”

Photo Credit: Joe Ryan

We are so happy that The Gourds, consisting of Kevin Russell, Jimmy Smith, Max Johnston, Claude Bernard, and Keith Langford; multi-talented all, have a new record out called Old Mad Joy, on a legendary imprint no less, that of Vanguard Records. It is a perfect home for them as through the decades, Vanguard has always stood for artistic integrity. When I was growing up, there were a couple of record labels that you would take a chance on an LP purchase, even if you had never heard of the artist. Vanguard was that kind of brand. All this time later they still are.

The Gourds took us for a ride when they came to visit Marathon Recorders for the Music Fog Fall Marathon during Americana Fest. Fasten your seat belt, forthwith, the Music Fog take on “Peppermint City,” the original of which can be found on their new album.

- Jessie Scott

PS: We are happy to tell you to check your local listings this weekend for ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival, featuring highlights from the 2011 Americana Honors & Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Black Lillies "Two Hearts Down"

Not to be dour as our thoughts quickly turn to Thanksgiving next week, but there is nothing quite like a good ol’ murder ballad to quicken the blood flow. Today we bring you the celebrated Knoxville, Tennessee band, The Black Lillies. They were formed just two years ago, by ex-Robinella & the CC String Band leader, Cruz Contreras. The Black Lillies take their name from a song on their first record, Whiskey Angel. Their influences are age old; traditional country with a potent Appalachian infusion of heart, soul, and subject matter. And these are timeless tales, ones that have touched everybody, every family, if you dig back far enough.

The latest album is 100 Miles of Wreckage, and that is where you will find the song "Two Hearts Down." Trisha Gene Brady, Jamie Cook, Tom Pryor, and Robert Richards trooped into our space, along with Cruz Contreras, and electrified us during the Music Fog Fall shindig at Marathon Recorders. Those chops, those harmonies, that pathos. This is the real deal.

You might know we recorded 32 artists in Nashville while the Americana Fest was going on. For the last month we have been brining you the first offering from all these artists, with more to follow from each of them. Hope you have been digging it!

- Jessie Scott