Chris Berardo & The DesBerardos "Old Man's Eyes"

I landed in the bread basket of California, Sacramento, with flat valley agriculture giving way to orchards, and scrub brush, and then the majesty of Plumas Canyon. Tall mountains graced with huge pine trees bearing silent witness. Honestly, there were places along the winding road that I was sure grateful for the guard rails. And there was a suspension bridge which I was happy to only cross once, as it felt shaky under the wheels. But once again, when seeing terrain this imposing, it is hard not to think about the folks who took the chance and crossed this vast land, not having any idea what they would encounter. Generations were shaped by their experience and undaunted spirit. That is our legacy as Americans.

Chris Berardo is built from that stern stuff.  He is pushing the rock up the hill, with the aid of his intrepid band, including his brother Marc Douglas Berardo.  On a recent swing through Texas, the Berardos were joined on stage by legendary producer Eric Roscoe Ambel.  And something else, the guys are SO funny, I mean laugh out loud comedic stuff, which makes hanging out with them a treat in itself.  They are working on tracks for a new album, today we have the song "Old Man's Eyes" as we revisit our Music Fog session from a year ago March at Threadgill's.

- Jessie Scott

Uncle Lucius "I Am You"

Often my point of view is defined as much by my boundaries, as it is by my position.  I have been in Austin a couple of years now, and pretty much have been going to the same restaurants.  Nothing wrong with that, but you know how easy it is to get into a rut.  Mine has been Tex Mex, one of the two hugely celebrated cuisines here, the other, of course, being barbecue.  Being so close to the border, with so many many Mexican families that called Texas home long before it became a republic, Tex Mex is the local flavor.  Recently, there is another label that has been dancing on the edge of my consciousness, Interior Mexican, especially one of my favorite Mexican cuisines, Yucatecan.  Fortunately, we have several glorious restaurants that specialize in it, like Polvos and Sazon and El Chile, so I've been able to go exploring right here in Austin.

"Pushing boundaries" is an interesting concept when applied to the band Uncle Lucius.  Are they "Southern Rock?" Or "Southern Boogie," as we called it back in the day?  Are they a jam band, or does their R&B, or Country, or Rock and Roll flavor define them?  And does any of it even matter, when they can just whip you into a frenzy when you see them live.  So whatever border you are near; whether urban or rural, Mason or Dixon, Canadian or Mexican, there is something for you here.  Today, it's a brand new tune from Uncle Lucius from the Music Fog Marathon in March at Threadgill’s WHQ, crossing the ultimate border - that of ourselves. “I Am You.” Catch them in concert near you soon.

- Jessie Scott

Guy Forsyth "Everything Breaks"

Tomorrow, I take off for the High Sierra Music Festival on one of those WAY early in the morning flights. So weird to get to the airport before the sun comes up, and have it be a bustling hive of activity. Only way I have ever been able to get up early is by not going to bed the night before.  But I am gonna hook up with my old buddy Felton Pruitt from Fat Music, for a multiday webcast.  I can't wait to see the California mountains again, and Felton has put together quite the broadcast line up.

Photo by Aaron SettipaneIt'll be good to escape the 100 degree days in Austin, it's been way too hot this season.  I feel very comfortable here, even with the thermometer topping out in the triple digits.  A couple of Friday nights ago, Denise and I went to the Saxon Pub for the Guy Forsyth show.  He was in a deep indigo mood, with an unreal richness to the blues he was bringing.  He is one of those guys who can do it all, for real.  Name the genre, even Broadway, and Guy is a master at it.  He teaches Tai Chi once a week, and is working on his new album, which will have a philosophical bent. We should see the release next year. In the meantime, when Guy came by the Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s in March, he played some brand new tunes for us, like this one, “Everything Breaks."  Enjoy.

- Jessie Scott