Elephant Revival "Nostalgia #28"

The Folk Alliance International starts today in Memphis, Tennessee. We hear that for next year’s event it will head north to Toronto, Canada. The Foggers have such fond memories of being parked in front of the Memphis Marriott in the Music Fog Bus. The first year we were there, everyone had a different conjecture as to what luminary was camped out on it. Some even though Mr. Dylan was aboard. This time around, we are hard at work on our March Music Fog Marathon during SXSW® music week, and so we just can’t get away. FAI is such a simpatico affair, that provides a platform for a tight knit community of those that make music, and those that support it with opportunities. As a special treat, the keynote address will be delivered by industry insider and caustic critic Bob Lefsetz, who writes the Lefsetz Letter. He has an opinion about everything entertainment oriented, and his passion makes for a great read. So I wish I could be there for that, as well as the wonderful lineup. So many friends have been reaching out to me...who knows, maybe I’ll just jump in the car and drive. I am feeling an irresistible pull...but the drive from Austin is ten hours. Getting the tribe together, I think that is written into our DNA from our hunter-gatherer days. Music Fog so enjoyed being on site for the couple of years we were in attendance filming.

Here is the list of official performers at this year's Folk Alliance. There are 200 official showcases, and one of the bands is Elephant Revival. We got to catch up with them in all their earthy, rootsy glory during Americana Fest in Nashville this past October. Here are there forthcoming tour dates. Hot, hot, hot! ER incorporates an engaging mélange of influences. The neo-acoustic quintet are purveyors of ‘Transcendental Folk.’ We are simply entranced by them, beautiful sounds, beautiful voices, a beautiful song. Here is the exclusive Music Fog recording of “Nostalgia #28.” Drink deep.

- Jessie Scott

Ray Wylie Hubbard "Count My Blessings"

The weather is nice with sunshine reigning supreme here in Texas. It looks like the trees are even budding early. I am savoring these temperatures, because I know what comes next, the swelter of triple digits. But I digress. It’s always about today. Savor this moment, yesterday’s gone, and tomorrow will bring what it may. It takes a long time to feel good in one’s skin, to get the outside stimuli to stop bombarding you, to hear the voice deep inside and follow that. It is about getting centered. It is a process, and well worth the journey. I think when you get to that place, it can be very fruitful and creative.

Ray Wylie Hubbard has been in that space for a while. Lately, there have been so many cool things happening with him, like touring with Joe Walsh, and collaborating with Ringo Starr who contributes to Ray’s next album, The Grifter’s Hymnal. George Reiff, Rick Richards, Lucas Hubbard, and Ian McLagan also make contributions. You can catch up with the ever-entertaining Mr. Hubbard here. Of course, we haven’t seen a track listing yet for the new album, but this as yet unreleased tune might just be on it. Ray and Rick Richards were filmed during last year’s Spring Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s WHQ, for this, our second recording of "Count My Blessings." Compare with the first one here.

- Jessie Scott

The Black Lillies "Catherine"

I am reading a really cool book called The Mojo Triangle, which talks about the geography between Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans, the area that spawned the great American genres of Country, Blues, Bluegrass, Rock and Roll, and Jazz. It was the confluence of five national traditions: African American, Native American, British, Spanish and French. It was a potent mix to throw into the pot, and is one that keeps giving, as it drinks from the deepest possible well. And it is one that continues to manifest it’s gumbo in the music of today.

The Black Lillies are proponents of the echoes of the past brought forth with today’s freewheeling energy. They keep the spirit fresh in the tale of “Catherine,” done in the story song tradition of the British Isles. Cruz Contreras, Tom Pryor, Jamie Cook, Trisha Gene Brady and Robert Richards continue rolling down the highway on the heels of their most recent release, 100 Miles Of Wreckage. Tomorrow night finds them in Whitesburg, KY.  If they come to your town, promise me you will go to see them for a rousing evening’s rave up.

- Jessie Scott