Alison Krauss - A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection

Rounder

Alison Krauss helped bring bluegrass to a new audience in the 90's blending bluegrass with folk, Krauss was instantly acclaimed from the start of her career, but it wasn't until her plantinum-selling 1995 compilation, Now That I've Found You, that she became a mainstream star. Between her 1987 debut, Too Late To Cry, and Now That I've Found You, she matured from a child prodigy to a versatile, viscous and diverse musician and, in the process made some of the freshest bluegrass of the late 80's and early 90's.
In A Hundred Miles or More:A Collection, Alison Krauss has explored the vastness of melancholy like none before. She sings songs few could attempt with prestine clarity and faultless deliverance. Diverse and shocking, the choice of unreleased material, duets, and renditions drew me in and kept my heart racing. Easily the most overwhelming "Jacob's Dream," clenched my heart with Alison's voice consticting my breathe. By far the best.

Bob Margolin - In North Carolina

Steady Rollin'

In North Carolina features 14 tracks, on which former Muddy Waters' guitarist plays both solo and on acoustic and electric guitar, electric bass, and snare drum. Featured on the bonus track is Bob reading one of his own Blues stories. And as the highlight of the album Margolin presents his impression of "Tears of Rage," (written by Dylan, preformed by The Band) with such grief-stricken depth that my mind instantly exploded with visions of blind patriotism and unbelievable betrayal of a country to it's people.
It simply doesn't get better than this seamless collection of crybaby guitar whines, hot, heavy, deep southern vocals and thick insrtumental intervals.

Kaddisfly - Set Sail the Prairie

Hopeless/Sub City

A product of the western USA, Kaddisfly are preparing to release part two in their storytelling trilogy of releases. Under the guise of Set Sail the Prairie, it follows the Buy Our Intention; WeÕll Buy You A Unicorn full-length, as well as the Four Seasons taster EP.
The five-piece Oregon based group are showing that they are more than a mix of powerful vocals, surreal instrumentals and trippy percussion interludes, no, they are becoming solid musicians. Gifted artisans.

Beth Waters - This Little Piggy

Mermaid Mafia

This is folkstress Beth Waters' third full-length album. Already the anticipated album has been recieving praise from critics for it's original lullabye-esque songs, faultless piano accompianments and ofcourse, Beth's soft, soothing voice.
With eleven songs, ten original works written by Beth herself, This Little Piggy, is full of enchantment and melodic adventure that anyone can enjoy. It really is the simplest things that come out the best.

Holy Moses - The New Machine of Lichenstein

Armageddon/Locomotive

The newest in a chaotic spill of rereleases, Locomotive is spitting out a remastered, better than ever thrash classic that no one should miss.
The New Machine of Lichenstein, is a fervor chunky riffs and venomous vocals. One of the better Holy Moses records this album has aged like a bottle of Wild Turkey. So any survivors of the 80's thrash-metal scene and all you newbies stand back when you crack this bottle open, it comes at you with a refreshing bite!

Gary Allan - Greatest Hits

MCA Nashville/Universal

Gary Allan hit the honky-tonk circut in his native Southern California (He is known as the Surfer Cowboy) at the seasoned age of twelve. Playing in and out of the smoky, sweaty bars with his dad's band led Allan to follow in his father's footsteps and start his own band. When Allan returned to those same honky-tonks with his own combo, the sound was true Bakersfield country: Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and the rest.
Allan spent most of his twenties honing his skills as a new traditionalist country singer. When Decca Records released Used Heart For Sell the album established Allan as a talented performer with plenty of potential.
In Greatest Hits you learn not to judge a country album by it's cover, nor by it's genre for that matter. Gary Allan bridges the neo-trad-count-rock puddle, hell he burnt the bridge down and sat in the middle of it all! A remarkable mixture of blues guitar tossed with that country twang gets rounded off by a new take on classic southern rock. Think Eagles, it's all good.

Tyler Bates - 300: the Soundtrack

Warner Bros.

Full scores that are multi-layered with a vast musical panorama turn me on. Tyler Bates, think The Devils Rejects, and Dawn of the Dead, has moved to a fresh plane of composing. In 300, Bates' orchestral account creates the movie's atmosphere as we follow the epic Battle of Thermopylae that pitted 300 Greeks against the monstrosity that was the Persian Army in 480 BC.
True to the inspiration of the film this soundtrack is a masterpiece in itself and is the perfect accompaniment to a near-myth tale of heroism and sacrifice. The soundtrack also features the mystical and beautifly haunting talent of Iranian-born singer Azam Ali as the voice of Sparta and the Persian threat. This is a great musical saga.

The Velmas - Station

City Canyons

Here are the facts: if Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl, Eddy Veder, Layne Staley and Chris Cornell had this crazy love-child that got lost in a time warp and eventually ended up here in 2007--The Velmas would be that child.Crazy as that sounds, I mean it! It seems that this is where music's been from 96 till now. Here is a group that is tight in performance, has strong lyrical content and originality and oh-so-good reminescient vocals. My one gripe: the vocals were too far in front--something you expect from a young band at early garage sessions. It really took away from the psychedelic jams and the harmonizing chorus'. Hope to see more from The Velmas, in the mean time woo-hoo!

***Shelton's Single of the Week: Tell Her I Love Her By:The Velmas***

Charlotte Martin - Stromata

Dinosour Fight/Fontana/Universal

By definition, stromata are the supporting framework of cells or organisms--the connective tissues that comprise the organs makiing life possible.
Fueled by new-found freedom, two years of continuious touring and an entire sprectrum of emotion from heartbreak to triumph, Charlotte Martin found herself recording these songs at a pivotal point in her life and career.
Stromata is seeping with exotic instrumental choreography and soul-driven vocals. This lady has dauntless talent! Committed to her unique style she doesn't waver. Beyond Bjork, Fiona Apple and Ani DiFranco, Charlotte transcends what has been the norm and sets the new standard for future female artists.

Tony DeSare - Last First Kiss

Telarc

Singer and pianist Tony DeSare has just released Last First Kiss, marking his second Telarc release to date. This album is a passionate and romantic set that combines his distinctive songwritting with a sophisticated and refreshing selecton of contemporary songs, with a twist.
From Prince's "Kiss," and Carol King's "I Feel the Earth Move," to a classic like "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To," to a little known gem, "Come On Strong," DeSare puts his signiture flair into each bright remake. Last First Kiss also features the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and is an overall enjoyable collection of sensual pieces.

The Elders - Racing the Tide

Pub Tone

Who would have thought that exceptional Irish Folk would have come from The Heartland of America? Well, in The Elders case, there is little suprise as to why the have become well-known and well-loved.
Racing the Tide is a melodic compilation of stories that bring hope and inspiration to those who hear the tales. Embelished with fine fiddle-work and Irish drums and touches of whistles, madolin, accordian and a steady strong guitar, The Elders haven't been better!

Nanny Assis - Double Rainbow

Blue Toucan/MRI

A brilliant multiform musician, Nanny Assis is a self-made man who started his career as a drummer and a percussionist. After refining his technique at the fedral School of Arts and Music in Bahia, Brazil, his evolution as an artist has revealed him to be an awesome singer and composer.
On Double Rainbow the absolute best Nanny has to offer comes forth. Smooth piano arrangements are accompianied by flute, cello, various percussion and guitars. Although the vocals are sung in Portuguese, they soothe your stress away. This is a fine example of great musicians outside mainstream America.

Austin Lounge Lizards - The Drugs I Need

Blue Corn

Regarding thier name, The Austin Lounge Lizards guitarist and founding member Conrad Deisler said: "I think it was a slang term I heard my grandmother used to describe gentlemen of easy virtue who hung out in bars. When we started out, that's just what were doing--hanging out and playing for beer and tips and stuff like that."
The Lounge Lizards trace their orgins back to the late 70's, when Diesler, then a Princeton student, hooked up with Hank Card to indulge their shared interest in folk and country by playing in progressive folk bands. The two landed in Austin in 1980 and it has been our pleasure since then. Their biggest hit has been "Jesus Loves Me (But He Can't Stand You)". No idol is too big to fall before the barbs of the group's sharp pen including Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson (Aside from Christ, that is).
By far the most topical album thay've done yet, A.L.L. has a brilliant satyrical representation of our society's values and standards. One of the best songs they've written yet has been "Xmas Time for Visa," a humorous approach to our economy's blind spending habbits. To top it all of they have the sickest stab at German rap-bluegrass, it is worth checking out!

***Love's Single of the Week: The Drugs I Need***

Joelle - Pillar of Stone

Gotcha/Universal

Generic lyrics backed by 90's Pop drum machines and synthesized vocals totally discount the potential of this woman's voice, not to mention her band. Her lyrical topics range between self-consumed trivial crap to sincere affirmative songs about self beauty and having compassion for others. Not my stick--that coupled with this album having nothing that struck me as one-of-a-kind, means I just wasted a half hour listening to noise.

Trilobite - Trilobite

Self Released

Mark Ray Lewis, the smoky-voiced leader of the dark and hypnotic folk outfit Trilobite, comes with an impressive literary pedigree: dude was a Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford and won the O. Henry and Pushcart awards for his short fiction piece Scordatura -- which featured an introductory note by Dave Eggers, and was nominated by Joyce Carol Oates. So, as you can imagine, the lyrics on his debut musical release are, uh, "deep." (We'll be winning no such awards anytime soon, we know.)
If that weren't enough he comes from a long line of irrepressable music-makers. His mother was a woman who possesed a voice that could almost break glass. His father was a country preacher who could pick out any melody on the piano by ear.
But you won't need a thesaurus and a lyric sheet to apreciiate Trilobite. Mark shares the tracks with Michelle Collins and the fiddle and guitar are all that is needed to support their solid duets. A haunting masterpiece Trilobite is far from extinction, rather this Albuquerque band is sure to amaze us all.

Tracy Lawrence - For the Love

Rocky Comfort/Artist To Market

Part of the commercial rise of rock-tinged honky-tonk in the early 90's, Tracy Lawrence was one of the decade's most reliable country hit-makers. He grew up in Arkansas, where he soaked up traditional and outlaw country as well as southern rock.
When he moved to Nashville in 1990 he worked day jobs while winning numerous talent shows. A showcase gig netted him a deal with Atlantic. His debut album, Sticks and Stones, was released in 1991 and it's title track went to number one on the country charts.
With the release of For the Love, Tracy Lawrence adds a new chapter to one of modern country's most impressive artists. Another step forward, this album comes in the wake of a greatest hits album. His first release on his new label, this is a venture that gives him a welcome new platform.
Tracy gives his best, singing alongside artists Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney and Brad Arnold from Three Doors Down. His songs are upbeat and every little bit we've come to expect from Tracy over his 16 year career.

Various Artists - Asian Dreamland

Putumayo Kids

Asia is the word's largest continent and is home to many differenct cultures and traditions. But even though the people in Japan, India, China and other countries in Asia speak different languages, eat different food and listen to different music, every child loves to hear soothing songs to help them fall asleep.
Putumayo keeps winning my respect because they find what we might carelessly label as "obscure" music and they share it with us, educating people about cultures that otherwise might have been overlooked.
Top quality, Asian Dreamland, is the most relaxing and enchanting lullabyes from across Asia--from Tibet to Japan, Tatarsan to China--and present them in a captivating fashion. Whether for your little one's collection or your own, you don't want to miss out on such a delight as this.

Aqualung - Memory Man

Slightly Bigger/Columbia/Sony BMG

Brit music prodigy Matt Hales recently released his second state-side album, Memory Man. This is Aqualung's first set of new songs since late 2005. Memory Man comes on strong with 11 new songs, each either written or co-wrote by Matt. As with other Aqualung albums most of the music is created by Matt himself with invaluable contributiond from Ben Hale. Better than Coldplay, Aqualung is a constant motion of musical progression.
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

Mel Davis - It's About Time!

TomTom

Organist Extraordinaire, Mel Davis has made an exceptional, one-of-a-kind release. There isn't much of a jazz organ scene anywhere and I believe that in itself is enough to make this album a great buy for any jazz listener. Original, smooth jazz ballads with a southern soul boost, what a deal!

Shad Weathersby - The Beaten Path

Rolling Road

New Orleans is a city where jazz, Delta blues and rythm are king of tradition. Shad Weathersby stands out as one of the city's top folk and Americana singer-songwriters for the past three decades. He has opened for the likes of Ray Charles, Three Dog Night and Stephen Stills.
The Beaten Path is completely original songs about Shad's life, points of refrence in his history. A fine mixture of the best New Orleans has to offer,.his songs often bring you to the bayou. This is an album that grows on you, check it out and you'll understand.

Mick Boogie/Little Brother - ...and Justus for All

Hall of Justus

Note--And Justus For All is an "album-like mixtape" in the new subgenre of "legally free mixtapes", which has accelerated since DJ Drama was arrested for selling mixtapes in Jan 2007.
This is the newest release from Mick Boogie and his crew. Every bit of what we expect from Boogie, this is a definate word out against the uber-copyright regulations that are taking away our First Amendment right. Filled with steady beats and humor I enjoyed listening to this album, even though it was over my head.

Man: [Right now you have the urge to eat something. When it's through if you still want to eat, then you're probably really hungry. Think about what I'm saying]

F.A.T
That is me
But I didn't used to be
I was hot. I was hungry
I was loose. I was free
Then I waited in the line
For some burgers and some fries
Super size, that'd be nice
Take a bite and close your eyes

Round 2, what do I do
I can barely walk around
Jenny Craig, Richard Simmons
But I still lug the pounds
Hamburgers, coke cola
Getting gas from too much soda
Double double, chunky chunky
Hope this meal is never over
The world is round, and so am I
Big boys, big girls with real big thighs

(Chorus)
Super size, super size
The American way
Going down, throwing down
All day, every day
Super size, super size
The American way
Getting fat, getting broke
Either way you're gonna pay
Super size me
Super size me
Super size me
Super size me

Now I can't get out of bed
So i have to order rein
I'm a triple fat fatty
And I have a triple chin
Who's the blame
Call the lawyer
Try to settle outta court
Get some cash
Spend it fast
Cos I'm staring at my fork

Cos it's sad and it's lonely
Ham and cheese with balogne
Large pies, stuff-crusted
Doggy bagels for a phony
I have lost the motivation
To inhibit the sensation
But I loathe the frustration
Birthday cake, I take my face in
Turkey club with double bacon's
got healthy connotations
Fast food has over-taken
And has super sized the nation

(Chorus)

[If I can keep up this progress, I'd have 25 pounds. 25 pounds! That's a lot of weight.]

Kentucky fried, just fried
Chicken nuggets, dip it twice
Freeky fries and gelata
Philly cheese, drive-through diet
Pack more weight
Cardiac, heart attack
Back on track
Grow so fat, slim, fast, slim, slow
Touch your toes

Finger lickin'
Hit the border
Pull right up
And place your order
Yes sir, r'way
Right away
You deserve a break today!

Super size, super size
The American way
Going down, throwing down
All day, every day
Super size, super size
The American way
Getting fat, getting broke
Either way you're gonna pay
Super size me
Super size me
[Put something in your mouth]
Super size me
(Can I get extra cheese with that?)
Super size me
(Whatdaya mean 50 cents for extra cheese?)
Super size me
(I come here all the time!)
Super size me
(Hook your brother up!)
Super size me
(Ooh I'm a fan)
Super size me
(All you can eat all day)
Super size me
(Is that the biggest size you've got?)
Super size me
(I said I want it super-sized)
Super size me
(Can I get like, a bucket with a handle?)
Super size me
(2 for a dollar? I'll take it!)
Super size me
(All I need is 3 more forks)
Super size me
(And another seta hands)

[That's a pretty good idea]

Political Article: "Peace Be With You, Kurt Vonnegut" By: Harvey Wasserman Back To Top As the media fills with whimsical good-byes to one of America's greatest writers, lets not forget one of the great engines driving this wonderful man-he HATED war. Including this one in Iraq. And he had utter contempt for the men who brought it about.Kurt Vonnegut was a divine spark of liberating genius for an entire generation. His brilliant, beautiful, loving and utterly unfettered novels helped us redefine ourselves in leaving the corporate America in the 1950s and the Vietnam war that followed. Having seen the worst of World War II from a meatlocker in fire-bombed Dresden, Kurt's Sirens of Titan, Cat's Cradle, Slaughterhouse Five and God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, cut us the intellectual and spiritual slack to seek out a new reality. It took a breathtaking psychic freedom to merge the interstellar worlds he created from whole cloth with the social imperatives of a changing age. It was that combination of talent, heart and liberation that gave Vonnegut a cutting edge he never lost. Leaving us in his eighties, Kurt also leaves us decades of anecdotes and volumes of writings-and doodlings-about which to write. But lost in the mainstream obituaries-including the one in the New York Times-is the ferocity with which he opposed this latest claque of vicious war-mongers. Vonnegut gave his last campus speech in Columbus. He and I met here many years ago, after another speech. Not knowing me from Adam, he was gracious enough to give me his home address. Out of the blue, I sent him a book-length poem about the passing of my parents. I was shocked when he called me on the phone about it. I asked for his help in finding a publisher. He said to publish it on my own, and gave me advice on how to do it, along with a blurb for the cover. From then on we talked by phone. His conversation was always friendly, funny, insightful. When last I asked him how he was, he replied: "Too fucking old!" Last year, apparently on the spur of the moment, he agreed to speak again at Ohio State. It would be his last campus lecture.When word spread, a line four thousand students long instantly formed at a university otherwise known only for its addiction to football. Anyone expecting a safe, whimsical opener from this grand old man of sixties rebellion was in for a shock. "Can I speak frankly?" he asked Professor Manuel Luis Martinez, the poet and writing teacher who would "interview" him. "The only difference between George W. Bush and Adolph Hitler is that Hitler was actually elected." Holding up a book about Ohio 2004, he said: "You all know, of course, that the election was stolen. Right here." Explaining that this would he his "last speech for money," Vonnegut said he couldn't remember his first one. But it was "long long ago. "I'm lucky enough to have known a great president, one who really cared about ALL the people, rich and poor. That was Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was rich himself, and his class considered him a traitor. "We have people in this country who are richer than whole countries," he said. "They run everything. We have no Democratic Party. It's financed by the same millionaires and billionaires as the Republicans. "So we have no representatives in Washington. Working people have no leverage whatsoever. "I'm trying to write a novel about the end of the world. But the world is really ending! It's becoming more and more uninhabitable because of our addiction to oil. "Bush used that line recently," Vonnegut added. "I should sue him for plagiarism." Things have gotten so bad, he said, "people are in revolt against life itself." Our economy has been making money, but "all the money that should have gone into research and development has gone into executive compensation. If people insist on living as if there's no tomorrow, there really won't be one. "As the world is ending, I'm always glad to be entertained for a few moments. The best way to do that is with music. You should practice once a night. If you want really want to hurt your parents, go into the arts." He then broke into song, with a passable, tender rendition of "Stardust Memories." By this time, the packed hall was reverential. The sound system, appropriately tenuous, forced us all to strain to hear every word. "To hell with the advances in computers," he said after he finished singing. "YOU are supposed to advance and become, not the computers. Find out what's inside you. And don't kill anybody. "There are no factories any more. Where are the jobs supposed to come from? There's nothing for people to do anymore. We need to ask the Seminoles: 'what the hell did you do?" after the tribe's traditional livelihood was taken away. Answering questions written in by students, he explained the meaning of life. "We should be kind to each other. Be civil. And appreciate the good moments by saying 'If this isn't nice, what is?' "You're awful cute" he said to someone in the front row. He grinned and looked around. "If this isn't nice, what is? "You're all perfectly safe, by the way. I took off my shoes at the airport. The terrorists hate the smell of feet. "We are here on Earth to fart around," he explained, and then embarked on a soliloquy about the joys of going to the store to buy an envelope. One talks to the people there, comments on the "silly-looking dog," finds all sorts of adventures along the way. As for being a Midwesterner, he recalled his roots in nearby Indianapolis, a heartland town, the next one west of here. "I'm a fresh water person. When I swim in the ocean, I feel like I'm swimming in chicken soup. Who wants to swim in flavored water?" A key to great writing, he added, is to "never use semi-colons. What are they good for? What are you supposed to do with them? You're reading along, and then suddenly, there it is. What does it mean? All semi-colons do is suggest you've been to college." Make sure, he added, "that your reader is having a good time. Get to the who, when, where, what right away, so the reader knows what is going on." As for making money, "war is a very profitable thing for a few people. Jesus used to be so merciful and loving of the poor. But now he's a Republican. "Our economy today is not capitalism. It's casino-ism. That's all the stock market is about. Gambling. "Live one day at a time. Say 'if this isn't nice, I don't know what is!' "You meet saints everywhere. They can be anywhere. They are people behaving decently in an indecent society." The greatest peace, Vonnegut wraps up, "comes from the knowledge that I have enough. Joe Heller told me that. "I began writing because I found myself possessed. I looked at what I wrote and I said 'How the hell did I do that?' "We may all be possessed. I hope so." We were joined for after-speech drinks by the professor and several awe-struck graduate students. Kurt expressed an interest in renewable energy, so I sent him another book, and he called back with another blurb, and more advice on how to publish it. We planned to have dinner. I wanted more than anything to introduce my daughters to him. But when I finally made it to New York, he was too ill. Now he's gone. When a national treasure and a being of beauty like Kurt Vonnegut invites you to dinner, don't make plans, hop on the next plane. The mainstream obituaries are emphasizing Kurt's "off-beat" career and the "mixed reviews" for his books. Don't believe a word of them. Kurt Vonnegut was a force of nature, with a heart the size of Titan, an unfettered genius who changed us all for the better. He was possessed of a sense of fairness and morality capable of inventing religions that could actually work. Now he's having dinner with our beloved siren of social justice, Molly Ivins, sharing a Manhattan, scorching this goddam war and this latest batch of fucking idiots. It hurts to think about it. But we should be grateful for what we got, and all they gave us. So it goes. {Harvey Wasserman read Cat's Cradle, Sirens of Titan and Slaughterhouse Five in college, sought Boku-Maru, and has never been the same. He writes at www.freepress.org and www.solartopia.org}

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