First off a Valentine’s kiss to all the Americana artists who were nominated for Grammys this past Sunday night. So good to see that there are those musicians that are still keeping it real. Here is a tip of the chapeau to the 2012 Grammy winners: The Civil Wars Barton Hollow for Best Country Performance for a Duo or Group and Best Folk Album; Alison Krauss & Union Station for Paper Airplane, this year’s Best Bluegrass Album; The Tedeschi Trucks Band Revelator which picked up Best Blues Album; and Levon Helm for Ramble At The Ryman which won for Americana Album of the Year.
Today is Valentine’s Day, and no matter where you are in the cycle of love, we shine a light toward the original awakening. “My First Love,” comes from a Portland, Oregon band called Sassparilla. Remember when your breath quickened at the very thought of your paramour? How everything was more exciting, even the most mundane chores, when you did them together? The song comes from the new album, The Darndest Thing, from the group - Kevin "Gus" Blackwell on vocals, cigar box guitar, and National resonator guitar, Ross "Dagger" MacDonald on harmonica, and Colin "Sweet Pea" MacDonald on washtub bass (they are father and son,) Naima provides vocals, accordion, washboard, and Justin Burkhart is on drums. Alert, there is a bit of graphic language in this video, oh, yeah, and cigarette smoking, too. Good thing we can’t smell it! Kisses everybody, Happy Valentine’s Day!
- Jessie Scott
