Americana Revolution R...

Chuck Prophet - ¡Let Freedom Ring!

Chuck Prophet Chuck Prophet's new CD ¡Let Freedom Ring! is out today. It was recorded earlier this year in Mexico City in the midst of the swine flu outbreak, with surgical masks as de rigueur daily wear. Leaving the country afforded Prophet a perspective, to make as he states, "a political album for non-political people." It is rich with hauntingly familiar sonics, and pro-biotic lyrics. For a bit more insight into Chuck's epicenter, check out his just posted list of favorite films, and why, on the Indie Ear Blog at IFC.com. While you are reading, take a listen to these tunes from ¡Let Freedom Ring!

-Jessie

1. Sonny Liston's Blues - tight, dark, dirty
3. Where The Hell Is Henry? - wailing guitars, wielded like machine guns
4. ¡Let Freedom Ring! - can you say Exile On Main Street?
5. You And Me Baby (Holding On) - sweet yet sorrowful
8. Hot Talk - drivin'...insistent
9. Love Won't Keep Us Apart - a country infused pondering
11. Leave The Window Open - man in love philosophic observation

Chuck Prophet - ¡Let Freedom Ring!

Robert Earl Keen - The Rose Hotel

The-Rose-Hotel I owe a debt of gratitude to Robert Earl Keen. No, it's not what you think; his fearless leadership in the Texas Music movement by walking the path, showing the way. Nor is it for introducing me to Reckless Kelly when I was at Gavin and countless other artists. Robert is an inspired voice for the common good. But it is not that either. It is for branding his radio show The Texas Uprising, and bringing it to us at X Country...REK graciously allowing us an insight into the camraderie of his world. The Rose Hotel is the latest incarnation. Produced by Lloyd Maines, with an endearing and massively talented cast of characters, Robert Earl makes it look easy. Here are some highlight tracks.


-Jessie


1. The Rose Hotel - breezy, vintage REK

2. Flyin' Shoes - lovingly, faithfully delivered Townes tune

3. Throwin' Rocks - got yer bad ass blues right heah

4. 10,000 Chinese Walk Into A Bar - take a joke line, turn it into a kaleidoscope of visuals

5. Something I Do - reggae tinged resignation

6. The Man Behind The Drums - sweet homage to Mr. Helm

11. Wireless In Heaven - old school vibe meets cutting edge clever

Robert Earl Keen - The Rose Hotel Robert Earl Keen - The Rose Hotel

The 4th Annual Red Dirt Roundup

Stockyards Saturday dawned bright and hot, and after a four hour drive north, we were at the fabled Ft. Worth Stockyards, yes, the very place from which we aired Willie's 4th of July Picnics. I had wanted to broadcast the Red Dirt Roundup since its inception, but September is such a busy event month, we (X Country) were never able to make it happen. Heck, I could never even get to attend it, so this was my first time!

Great to see the Smith Music Group people and just super to partake of an amazing lineup handpicked by CCR. Missed the folks at the beginning of the day: Bart Crow Band, Brandon Jenkins, Johnny Cooper, and Stephanie Briggs,  We got there at the end of the Seth James set. He has a smokin' new CD out, That Kind Of Man, a break-out for him.