Americana Boogie

Americana Music Releases for the week of May 15th, 2012

Posted on May 14, 2012

Here’s a few new Americana and roots-type music releases for the week of May 15th, 2012. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering. The Freight Train Boogie podcasts feature mostly songs from new releases. Playlists with players and iTunes links are posted at FTBpodcasts.com.

JP HARRIS AND THE TOUGH CHOICES
I’ll Keep Calling (Cow Island)

In July of 2011, JP went into Joel Savoy’s Studio Savoire Faire in Eunice, Louisiana with the rhythm section from the Red Stick Ramblers (Eric Fey on bass and Glenn Fields on drums) along with Asa Brosius on steel guitar and Chris Hartway (the Dixons and the Defibulators) on guitar and recorded what will likely be, one of the best real country albums of the year. Only 29 years old, JP wrote all twelve songs on the album and sings them in a voice that seems beyond his years.

WILLIE NELSON
Heroes (Sony Legacy)

Scheduled for release on May 15th, just in time for Willie’s 79th birthday, the songs take on a reflective, emotional tone and move from heartfelt (a stunning rendition of Pearl Jam’s “Just Breathe”) to humor (on “Roll Me Up” with guest vocalist Snoop Dogg). Other guest vocalists on the album include Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Jamey Johnston, Billy Joe Shaver and Sheryl Crow. Sons Lukas and Micah Nelson also feature prominently, making this a real family affair.

LISA MARIE PRESLEY
Storm & Grace (Universal Republic)

The Memphis-born Presley reclaims those roots on her new album, an Americana-inspired showcase for her songwriting talent and smoldering alto voice. Produced with elegant restraint by T Bone Burnett. “When Lisa Marie’s songs arrived, I was curious,” Burnett says. “I wondered what the daughter of an American revolutionary music artist had to say. What I heard was honest, raw, unaffected, and soulful. I thought her father would be proud of her. The more I listened to the songs, the deeper an artist I found her to be. Listening beyond the media static, Lisa Marie Presley is a Southern American folk music artist of great value.”

Also new this week…

BILL EVANS – In Good Company (Native and Fine)
MATT HARLAN – Bow and Be Simple (Berkalin)
THE HOBART BROTHERS WITH LIL’ SIS HOBART - At Least We Have Each Other (Freedom)
NRBQ – We Travel The Spaceways (Clang!)
ANDRE WILLIAMS & THE SADIES – Night & Day (Yep Roc)

Coming out soon… SONNY LANDRETH, LEFTOVER SALMON, TEDESKI TRUCKS BAND, CORY BRANAN, THE BROTHERS COMATOSE, LAKE STREET DIVE, NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE, SHAWN COLVIN … more new releases

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Posted in Americana CD releases, Americana Music, Bluegrass, Country Music, Music, New music releases, Roots Music | Tagged JP HARRIS AND THE TOUGH CHOICES, LISA MARIE PRESLEY, MATT HARLAN, WILLIE NELSON | Leave a comment

Americana Music Releases for the week of May 8th, 2012

Posted on May 7, 2012

Here’s a few new Americana and roots-type music releases for the week of May 8th, 2012. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering. The Freight Train Boogie podcasts feature mostly songs from new releases. Playlists with players and iTunes links are posted at FTBpodcasts.com.

O’BRIEN PARTY OF SEVEN
Reincarnation: The Songs Of Roger Miller (Howdy Skies)

Family bands have had a long tradition in bluegrass and country music, from the Carters to the Gibson Brothers. Now you can add the O’Briens to this prestigious list. O’Brien Party of 7 brings together the families of those talented siblings Tim and Mollie O’Brien; however, their family band – true to Tim and Mollie’s eclectic respective careers – follows traditions while also being something distinctive. Tim and Mollie had been talking about doing a musical project with their combined families for a while. However, it wasn’t until a family gathering a couple years back that the idea of doing a Roger Miller tune arose and Mollie suggested that they do an entire album of Miller songs. Everyone thought it was great idea – and soReincarnation was born.

PAUL THORN
What the Hell Is Goin On ? (Perpetual Obscurity)

Paul Thorn tries something fun and different: covering songs he loves by other songwriters. “I wanted to take a break from myself, do something different, and just have fun.” It’s an album of covers, but it’s also a Paul Thorn album through and through. The result is a collection of diverse tunes-penned by a range of writers from Buddy Miller and Allen Toussaint to Lindsay Buckingham/Stevie Nicks. The album features Paul backed by his longtime touring band and includes contributions from Delbert McClinton and Elvin Bishop plus special guests the McCrary sisters.

SARA WATKINS
Sun Midnight Sun (Nonesuch)

Like whoever you want, but this gal is probably the best artist working today in acoustic based music. Her mastery of the violin and soothing vocals are a throwback to a time when all you needed was good music and the masses would eventually find you. Today though it’s no sure thing just because you’re talented. This is only her second album since Nickel Creek has been on hiatus so there’s plenty of time for you to catch up with her. One of the best of the year so far. (Village Records) Sadly, it’s very much a “pop” record. (Bill Frater)

Also new this week…

LUTHER DICKINSON – Hambone’s Meditations (Songs of the South)
JOHN FULLBRIGHT - From the Ground Up (12th Street)
TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS - Goodbye Normal Street (Bossier City)
THE WANDERING - Go On Now, You Can’t Stay Here (Songs Of The South)
THE WOOD BROTHERS – Live Volume 1: Sky High (Southern Ground Artists)

Coming out soon…WILLIE NELSON, ANDRE WILLIAMS & THE SADIES, SONNY LANDRETH, LEFTOVER SALMON,TEDESKI TRUCKS BAND, THE BROTHERS COMATOSE, LAKE STREET DIVE … more new releases

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Posted in Americana CD releases, Americana Music, Bluegrass, Country Music, Music, New music releases, Roots Music | Tagged LUTHER DICKINSON, O'BRIEN PARTY OF SEVEN, PAUL THORN, SARA WATKINS | Leave a comment

Americana Music Releases for the week of May 1st, 2012

Posted on April 30, 2012

Here’s a few new Americana and roots-type music releases for the week of May 1st, 2012. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering. The Freight Train Boogie podcasts feature mostly songs from new releases. Playlists with players and iTunes links are posted at FTBpodcasts.com.

GRANT PEEPLES
Prior Convictions (Gatorbone)

“In 1991 a friend gave me a book of stories by Dave Hickey, called “Prior Convictions.” Peeples says in his web site, “the book is a tribute to angst and uneasiness, anguish and drift, and in honor of the terror that artists around the world have tenderly embraced—-ever since charging bulls were first painted on cave walls in France—that I gratefully assume the title of Dave Hickey’s book for this collection of songs.” This is Grant 4th record and 2nd produced by Gurf Morlix. “This is an album that delves into the pitfalls and perils of Belief itself, that dangerous ledge upon which all faith and conviction rest.”

CHELLE ROSE
Ghost of Browder Holler (Lil’ Damsel)

“Chelle Rose is an artist willing to peel back the bark and lay bare the raw torn poetry of her East Tennessee amaranthine soul; and this record is McQueen jumping a motorcycle over a barbed wire fence in the great escape blackout fever in the funk house believe me rock or die cool.” (producer Ray Wylie Hubbard)

TODD SNIDER
Time As We Know It: Songs of Jerry Jeff Walker (Aimless)

“I’ve always hoped I would stay around long enough to get to make a record of Jerry Jeff Walker songs. He s the guy I saw at 19 and decided to try to be like. His are the first songs I learned. He is the reason we put a gypsy flag on stage. It s kind of a tribute record but not the kind of record in which I record my favorite Jerry Jeff Walker songs because I don t have favorites. We just went into a studio with another hero of mine, Don Was. We played about 30 of Walker s songs randomly, without forethought, and let the performance of the songs dictate the way the record was taking shape and which songs would make it. I could have done 30 more. My main hope is that Jerry Jeff Walker and his family will like this record, and my main reason for doing it is so I can put these songs in my set list without them technically being covers. Time As We Know It is something Jerry Jeff points out when he hears people starting to talk about what time it is…” (Todd Snider)

Also new this week…
DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND - Twenty Dozen (Savoy Jazz)
THE GREAT RECESSION ORCHESTRA – Double Shot (New Tex)
JP HARRIS AND THE TOUGH CHOICES – I’ll Keep Calling – (Cow Island)
NORAH JONES - Little Broken Hearts (Blue Note)
ANDERS OSBORNE - Black Eye Galaxy (Alligator)
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT - Out Of The Game (Decca)

Coming out soon… PAUL THORN, SARA WATKINS, LUTHER DICKINSON, JOHN FULLBRIGHT… more new releases

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Posted in Americana CD releases, Americana Music, Country Music, Music, New music releases, Roots Music | Tagged CHELLE ROSE, GRANT PEEPLES, JP HARRIS AND THE TOUGH CHOICES, TODD SNIDER | Leave a comment

Americana Music Releases for the week of April 24th, 2012

Posted on April 23, 2012

Here’s a few new Americana and roots-type music releases for the week of April 24th, 2012. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering. The Freight Train Boogie podcasts feature mostly songs from new releases. Playlists with players and iTunes links are posted at FTBpodcasts.com.

MARTY STUART
Nashville 1: Tear the Woodpile Down (Sugar Hill)

Who would have thought the most radical thing you could do these days in Nashville would be to actually play country music? Think about it. This new album, of mostly originals, is just what the doctor ordered. Recorded with his touring band and a few guests like Buck Trent and Kenny Lovelace this is pure country. The closing stunner is a cover of Picture From Life’s Other Side featuring Hank III. (Village Records)

THE WACO BROTHERS & PAUL BURCH
Great Chicago Fire (Bloodshot)

A Chicago band known for its muddy work boots, anarchic stage shows and fondness for committing musical “pure butchery” (the New York Times’ words, not ours) may seem an odd match for the stylish craft and classicism of a Nashville songwriting treasure, but that’s just what came to be on the Great Chicago Fire. Great Chicago Fire is a happy collaboration borne out of label mates, Paul Burch, a progenitor of the ‘90s Nashville Lower Broad scene, and the Waco Brothers, the Lenin-esque statue in the Square where the avenues of punk, country and rock-n-roll intersect, sharing pitchers of Guerro’s margaritas in Austin, TX at SXSW. (from Bloodshot)

Various Artists
Mercyland: Hymns for the Rest of Us (Mercyland/Tone Tree)

“When I was a young boy, my mother played me the music of Mahalia Jackson, which introduced me to the reality of a bone chilling, soul-stirring music that made everything else pale in comparison,” says Mercyland producer and writer Phil Madeira. “ These were joyous odes that sang of the love and the dignity of all humanity. He set out with an initiative to affirm the common ground and positive qualities of faith. In a spacious conversation through song, artists The Civil Wars, Shawn Mullins, Buddy Miller, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Emmylou Harris, Mat Kearney, North Mississippi Allstars, Dan Tyminski and other. Emmylou Harris said “Not all hymns are found in the pocket on the back of the church pew. Here are some for your consideration from folks who set up their tent out in the left part of the field.” Mullins’ track “Give God The Blues” could be the thematic centerpiece of the album with “God don’t hate the Muslims /God don’t hate the Jews /God don’t hate the Christians/ but we all give God the blues…”

Also new this week…

RANI ARBO & DAISY MAYHEM - Some Bright Morning (Signature Sounds)
ETTA BRITT – Out of the Shadows (Wrinkled)
CARRIE HASSLER - The Distance (Rural Rhythm)
WARREN HAYNES - Live At The Moody Theater (Stax)
EVIE LADIN BAND – Evie Ladin Band (Evil Diane)
JOE PUG - Great Despiser (Lightning Rod)
JACK WHITE - Blunderbuss ( Third Man/Columbia)

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie

Posted in Americana CD releases, Americana Music, Bluegrass, Country Music, Music, New music releases, Roots Music | Tagged JACK WHITE, MARTY STUART, RANI ARBO & DAISY MAYHEM, THE WACO BROTHERS & PAUL BURCH | Leave a comment

Americana Music Releases for the week of April 17th, 2012

Posted on April 16, 2012

Here’s a few new Americana and roots-type music releases for the week of April 17th, 2012. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering. The Freight Train Boogie podcasts feature mostly songs from new releases. Playlists with players and iTunes links are posted at FTBpodcasts.com.

BILLY BRAGG & WILCO
Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions (Nonesuch)

On Record Store Day, April 21, Nonesuch releases this 3-CD plus DVD set, which includes: Mermaid Avenue, Mermaid Avenue Vol. II (re-mastered); Mermaid Avenue Vol. III, comprising 17 previously unreleased recordings made during the Mermaid Avenue sessions; director Kim Hopkins’ 1999 film Man in the Sand, which documents those sessions; and a 48-page booklet with new liner notes by Nora Guthrie, full lyrics, archival photographs, and facsimiles of lyric sheets and sketches by Woody Guthrie. The set is available for pre-order now in the Nonesuch Store with an exclusive print of Guthrie’s lyric sheet for “Hoodoo Voodoo.”

LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III
Older Than My Old Man Now (2nd Story Sound)

At 65, Loudon is older than his father ever was, and it’s got him thinking, and writing, and singing. As he puts it, the new album deals with “death ‘n’ decay” and he’s approached the subject from all angles, with his customary insight, honesty, and rueful humor. But pondering the imponderables can be a lonely business, and so, like never before, Loudon has brought in friends and family to help him with the heavy lifting. The guest singers include Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Dame Edna Everage, Chris Smither, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Suzzy Roche, Martha Wainwright, and Rufus Wainwright. The song treatments range from basic guitar & vocal to sophisticated string settings. There’s even some swinging funk provided by jazz guitar giant, John Scofield.

Also new this week…

DAVE ALVIN - Eleven Eleven Expanded (Yep Roc) (with extra added tracks)
JON CLEARY - Occapella! (FHQ)
MARVIN ETZIONI - Marvin Country! (Nine Mile)
SUE FOLEY & PETER KARP - Beyond The Crossroads (Blind Pig)
DAR WILLIAMS - In the Time of Gods (Razor & Tie)
HANK WILLIAMS III - Long Gone Daddy (Curb) (“Best Of” Curb releases)

Coming soon… MARTY STUART, THE WACO BROTHERS & PAUL BURCH, WARREN HAYNES, JOE PUG, JACK WHITE, EVIE LADIN BAND, TODD SNIDER … more new releases

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association Americana Airplay Chart

A very sad note appeared on the website for LEVON HELM, the drummer-singer of the Band. “Levon Helm passed peacefully this afternoon. He was surrounded by family, friends and band mates and will be remembered by all he touched as a brilliant musician and a beautiful soul.“

Bill Frater

Freight Train Boogie

Posted in Americana CD releases, Americana Music, Country Music, Music, New music releases, Roots Music | Tagged BILLY BRAGG & WILCO, DAR WILLIAMS, DAVE ALVIN, LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III, MARVIN ETZIONI | Leave a comment

Americana Music Releases for the week of April 10th, 2012

Posted on April 9, 2012

Here’s a list of new Americana and roots-type music releases for the week of April 10th, 2012. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering. The Freight Train Boogie podcasts feature mostly songs from new releases. Playlists with players and iTunes links are posted at FTBpodcasts.com.

NANCI GRIFFITH
Intersection (Hell No)

Intersection is not an album of resolution or closure; it’s an album about difficulties, about anger, about things that slip away and things that explode. Griffith is beloved as a songwriter but also as someone who unearths others’ songs and brings them to light. On Intersection, there are five covers including ones by Loretta Lynn and Blaze Foley. Recorded at her Nashville home, she surrounds herself by a crack team of musicians and backing singers.
Mike Ragogna did a nice interview with Nanci for the Huffington Post. Below is a YouTube video for “Hell No (I’m Not Alright)”

BONNIE RAITT
Slipstream (Redwing)

Free from the trappings and expectations of toiling for a major label Raitt kicks it down a notch for her Redwing Records debut. This is her at her most confident and grooving since her early days on Reprise. Working with producer and long time admirer Joe Henry (on four cuts) she finds that sweet spot where it sounds effortless. Covering Dylan, Loudon Wainwright, Joe Henry and a can’t get it out of your head cover of Gerry Rafferty’s Right Down The Line, This one hits every base. Welcome back! (Village Records) The LA Times has a short interview with her here.

TRAMPLED BY TURTLES
Stars and Satellites (Banjodad/Thirty Tigers)

“When we started Trampled by Turtles, all we wanted to do was play music with acoustic instruments as a break from our rock bands. We learned old fiddle songs, traditional folk songs, bluegrass songs, and what few original songs we had, followed those formulas. All the while, we toured and toured, until this, our fourth album. We wanted to make a record that breathes. We wanted it to feel and sound warm. We took our songs to a log home outside of Duluth and within the gravitational pull of Lake Superior. We moved the furniture, set up some mics, worked, slept, and ate all in the same space. Musically, we wanted to step out of our comfort zone; the border of which, I believe, defines any creative endeavor. This, at least internally, I think we accomplished.” (Dave Simonett, singer & guitarist)

Also new this week…

ALABAMA SHAKES – Boys & Girls (ATO)
NEAL CASAL – Sweeten the Distance (The Royal Potato Family)
COUNTING CROWS – Underwater Sunshine (or what we did on our summer vacation) (Collective Sounds)
JOHN DOE & EXENE CERVENKA – Singing & Playing (Moonlight)
JASON EADY – AM Country Heaven (Underground Sound)
HOOTS & HELLMOUTH – Salt (sonaBlast!)
THE MASTERSONS – Birds Fly South (New West)
THE McEUEN SESSIONS – For All the Good (Mesa/Bluemoon)
LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL – Wasted (Tone Tide) (Willie’s son)
CURTIS SALGADO – Soul Shot (Alligator)
STEEP CANYON RANGERS – Nobody Knows You (Rounder)

Coming soon… MARTY STUART, TODD SNIDER, BILLY BRAGG & WILCO, DAR WILLIAMS, LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III, HANK WILLIAMS III, MARVIN ETZIONI more new releases

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater

Freight Train Boogie

Posted in Americana CD releases, Americana Music, Bluegrass, Country Music, Music, New music releases, Roots Music | Tagged ALABAMA SHAKES, BONNIE RAITT, JOHN DOE & EXENE CERVENKA, NANCI GRIFFITH, TRAMPLED BY TURTLES | Leave a comment

Americana Music Releases for the week of April 3rd, 2012

Posted on April 2, 2012

Here’s a few new Americana and roots-type music releases for the week of April 3rd, 2012. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering. The Freight Train Boogie podcasts feature mostly songs from new releases. Playlists with players and iTunes links are posted at FTBpodcasts.com.

KATE CAMPBELL
1000 Pound Machine (Large River Music)

Singer-songwriter Kate Campbell learned the piano at age seven before switching to the guitar as a teenager during the folk-rock heyday of the 70s. On 1000 Pound Machine Campbell returns to the instrument of her childhood and enlists Will Kimbrough to produce disc. Campbell’s subtle piano and crystal-clear voice are accentuated by sparse arrangements featuring Kimbrough’s consummate guitar playing and soulful sounds from the legendary Spooner Oldham who she honors on “Spoonerville”. (Village Records)

DR. JOHN
Locked Down (Nonesuch)

Produced by Black Keys guitarist and uber-fan Dan Auerbach, distills half a century of this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s picaresque musical history, melding his shamanistic stage persona with the authority of a consummate studio musician, the cosmic conjurer with the street-savvy poet. The ten new songs on Locked Down, written by Dr. John with Auerbach and a handpicked crew of backing musicians, combine incantatory chants and often politically charged raps with candid and soulful reflections, swaggering R&B, and a healthy dose of hypnotic, simmering funk. Rolling Stone gave the album a rare 5 stars!

Also new this week…

TIM CARROLL - Look Out! (Gulcher)
JOHNNY CASH – Bootleg Vol. IV: The Soul of Truth (Sony Legacy)
MATT HARLAN & THE SENTIMENTALS – Bow and Be Simple (Berkalin)
THE LUMINEERS – The Lumineers (Dualtone Music)
THE VESPERS – The Fourth Wall (101)
BOB WOODRUFF – The Lost Kerosene Tapes, 1999 (Sound Asleep)

Coming soon… NANCI GRIFFITH, TRAMPLED BY TURTLES, BONNIE RAITT, STEEP CANYON RANGERS, HANK WILLIAMS III, NEAL CASAL, THE McEUEN SESSIONS, BILLY BRAGG & WILCO, DAR WILLIAMS, LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III, HANK WILLIAMS III, MARVIN ETZIONI, MARTY STUART, TODD SNIDER, WACO BROTHERS & PAUL BURCH … more new releases

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater

Freight Train Boogie

Posted in Americana CD releases, Americana Music, Music, New music releases, Roots Music | Tagged DR. JOHN, JOHNNY CASH, KATE CAMPBELL, THE VESPERS | Leave a comment

Americana Music Releases for the week of March 27th, 2012

Posted on March 26, 2012

Here’s some great new Americana and roots-type music releases for the week of March 27th, 2012. There are quite a bit of fine releases this week besides the 3 that I’ve highlighted. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go to either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering. The Freight Train Boogie podcasts feature mostly songs from new releases. Playlists with players and iTunes links are posted at FTBpodcasts.com.

ERIC BIBB
Deeper In The Well (Stony Plain)

Eric Bibb’s Deeper in the Well is a unique combination of traditional and contemporary Louisiana music. Acclaimed folk blues singer/songwriter/guitarist Eric Bibb is backed by an all-star Louisiana band including multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell, guitarist Cedric Watson, drummer Danny Devillier and harmonica player Grant Dermody. Special guests include Michael Jerome Browne, Jerry Douglas and Christine Balfa.

JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
Nothing’s Going to Change The Way You Feel About Me Now (Bloodshot)

Produced by Earle alongside longtime collaborator Skylar Wilson, the 10-track album was recorded completely live with no overdubs over a 4-day period at an old converted church recording studio in Asheville, NC. Of the new record, Earle comments, “I think that it s the job of the artist to be in transition and constantly learn more. The new record is completely different than my last one, Harlem River Blues. This time I’ve gone in a Memphis-soul direction. And that’s true enough. While the last one was a love letter to his new hometown of NYC, this new album is a gorgeous, sometimes lush sometimes sparse, paean to a city that’s given so much to the world musically. The sweat, the horns, the soul…..” (from Bloodshot Records JTE page) Highly recommended! And he’s on Letterman Wednesday night, March 28th. Below is a 3 min. promo video.

RAY WYLIE HUBBARD
The Grifter’s Hymnal (Bordello)

The opening track of The Grifter’s Hymnal, “Coricidin Bottle”, tells you everything you need to know about Ray Wylie Hubbard in just under two minutes. He s the kind of scrapper poet with the devil-may-care wherewithal to write both lay down a groove like a monkey getting off and shakes the mortal coil round my amaranthine soul into the same song- and the lethal charm and chops to pull it off. “The album really does have a lot of attitude”, Hubbard proclaims. The sound he was aiming for-and bulls eyed- recalls many of his favorite rock records of the 60′s, with equal doses of Small Faces, Rolling Stones, and Buffalo Springfield. (from Amazon page)

Also new this week…

THE ATOMIC DUO – Broadsides (self released) (with Bad Livers co-founder Mark Rubin)
BRAND NEW STRINGS -Stay Tuned (Rural Rhythm)
SOLOMON BURKE -The Last Great Concert (Rockbeat) (double CD, recorded in Switzerland in 2008)
COWBOY JUNKIES - The Wilderness: Nomad Series, Vol. 4 (Latent/Razor & Tie)
CHUCK LEAVELL - Back To The Woods: A Tribute to Pioneers of Blues Piano (Evergreen Arts)
MADISON VIOLET - Good in Goodbye (True North)
PETER MULVEY - Good Stuff (Signature Sounds)
JOAN OSBORNE - Bring It On Home (Saguaro Road)
SONS OF BILL - Sirens (Spunk/Thirty Tigers)
SPECIAL CONSENSUS - Scratch Gravel Road (Compass)
ANDRA SUCHY - Little Heart (Red House)

Coming soon… DR. JOHN, KATE CAMPBELL, TIM CARROLL, THE VESPERS, TRAMPLED BY TURTLES, BONNIE RAITT, THE McEUEN SESSIONS … more new releases

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater

Freight Train Boogie

Posted in Americana CD releases, Americana Music, Bluegrass, Country Music, Music, New music releases, Roots Music | Tagged ERIC BIBB, Justin Townes Earle, RAY WYLIE HUBBARD, THE ATOMIC DUO | Leave a comment

Americana Music Releases for the week of March 20th, 2012

Posted on March 19, 2012

Here’s some great new Americana and roots-type music releases for the week of March 20th, 2012. Not too much out this week but some great stuff due in the next two weeks. Click the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go to either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering. The Freight Train Boogie podcasts feature mostly songs from new releases. Playlists with players and iTunes links are posted at FTBpodcasts.com.

THE BAND OF HEATHENS
Double Down: Live In Denver, Vols. 1 & 2 (BOH)

These guys put on great live shows with 3 lead singers and a highly versatile repertoire. Think of a bluesier Grateful Dead with more energy and you’ll be close to getting their unique live style. This two volume, four disc set (each volume has a CD and DVD) was captured in October 2011 in Denver, CO during the Double Down in Denver weekend. Each volume is available to pre-order separately, but if you get the discounted Double Pack (both volumes together) you also get a FREE instant digital download of both the Double Down Dead EP (4 Grateful Dead cover songs) and the Double Down Covers EP (5 classic BoH cover songs). Check their online store for more package deals and free downloads.

DAVID OLNEY
The Stone (Deadbeet)

The Stone is the second installment in Olney’s current series of “mini-album” releases. The new collection features three of his previously released songs completely reinterpreted (“Jerusalem Tomorrow,” “Brays,” “Barabbas”) and three new tunes to round out the story. It’s no mystery what story is being told, but this is in no way a religious thing. It’s just another telling of the Greatest Story Ever Told presented by a great storyteller.

Also new this week…
MICHAEL BREWER – Dancing With My Shadow (self released) (of Brewer & Shipley)
NATHAN JAMES & THE RHYTHM SCRATCHERS - What You Make Of It (Delta Groove)
JERRY JOSEPH & THE JACKMORMANS – Happy Book (Response)
Various Artists – The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond (Republic) (with new songs from The Civil Wars, The Decemberists, Arcade Fire, Taylor Swift, produced by T Bone Burnett)
YARN - Almost Home (self released)

Coming soon… JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE, RAY WYLIE HUBBARD, COWBOY JUNKIES, JOAN OSBORNE, SONS OF BILL… more new releases

Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater

Freight Train Boogie

Posted in Americana CD releases, Americana Music, Bluegrass, Country Music, Music, New music releases, Roots Music | Tagged David Olney, MICHAEL BREWER, The Band Of Heathens, YARN | Leave a comment

Americana Music Releases for the week of March 13th, 2012

Posted on March 12, 2012

Here’s some great new Americana and roots-type music releases for the week of March 13th, 2012. Follow the artist or album links to find out more. The artist’s names link to their websites and the CD title links go to either Amazon or CD Baby for easy ordering. The Freight Train Boogie podcasts feature mostly songs from new releases. Playlists with players and iTunes links are posted at FTBpodcasts.com.

SHOOTER JENNINGS
Family Man (Black Country Rock/Entertainment One)

As the title suggests, Family Man is Shooter’s most personal and introspective album to date, focusing on his home life with wife and children, the endless temptations of life on the road, his Southern heritage and upbringing, and his unique position among today’s country musicians. Recording in his recently adopted hometown of New York, producing himself for the first time, and playing with a group of extremely talented musicians he has dubbed “The Triple Crown,” The son of Waylon and Jesse Colter, Jennings is more relaxed and confident on this album than ever before. (edited from press release) Below is the nice video interview promoting the album.

SAM LEWIS
Sam Lewis (self released)

Sam has woven ten songs into a conversation, between himself, the band, and his listeners. Co-producer Matt Urmy, himself an accomplished singer/songwriter, assembled a group made up of Nashville’s top session and touring players, including guitarist Kenny Vaughan. “There’s so much soul pouring out of this guy’s pores you could bathe in it. It’s like hearing Al Green for the first time.” –Grant Britt, No Depression This is one of the best debut albums I’ve heard this year.

LUCERO
Women & Work (ATO)

Women & Work is a love letter from Lucero to its hometown, Memphis, Tennessee. “Having a band in Memphis puts you in a tradition,” says Lucero frontman Ben Nichols. “We started at punk rock shows, not necessarily playing punk rock, but coming from the outside, from a bohemian place.” Their 8th album, is a presentation of the band’s eclectic explorations that it makes their 14-year meandering path appear to be a straight line to this very record. “We’re more comfortable in our own skin as a band, more comfortable acknowledging regional influences,” says bassist John Stubblefield. “We wound up making a Memphis country soul record.” (edited from press release)

Also new this week…

THE DECEMBERISTS – We All Raise Our Voices To The Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11) (Capitol) (2-CD or 3-LP live set)
DELTA SPIRIT – Delta Spirit (Concord)
HOLLY GOLIGHTLY featuring THE BROKEOFFS – Long Distance (Transdreamer)
JANIVA MAGNESS – Stronger For It (Alligator)