Sights and Sounds: Jim White's 'Misfit's Jubilee', Barenaked Ladies live stream, Star Trek Day Marathon

A few noteworthy items worth sharing today...

The Ever-Elusive Americana Maverick Jim White returns with his most upbeat, hallucinogenic record to date

New album, 'Misfit's Jubilee,' out October 23 on Fluff & Gravy Records

List to a new track from the album via Americana Highways here

WINTERVILLE, Ga. — Jim White is known for his catalog of dark ruminations on all things Southern. His latest outing, Misfit’s Jubilee, out October 30, 2020 on Fluff & Gravy Records, features a nonstop parade of manic, blue-collar conflagrations exploring realms dark and light, mystic and mundane, cynical and heartfelt; all presented within a buoyant, hook-laden sonic framework. 

 

The album’s raucous opener, “Monkey in a Silo,” provides a delirious peek into the drug-addled psyche of a teenage dope smuggler. From that ignominious jumping off point down the rabbit hole we go, pin-balling through a maze of quirky, marginalized characters jubilantly embracing various stages of existential undoing—who knew falling to pieces could be so much fun?

 

And yet nestled comfortably amidst the high-octane sturm und drang of Misfit’s Jubilee lie several sanguine jewels: the ebullient ’80s indie folk-rockesque “The Sum of What We’ve Been” and the moody, piano-driven “Mystery of You” come breezing in as bona fide crowd pleasers, dispelling any thought of relegating White to some narrow, fringe-artist category.  

 

White is widely known for his intricately layered, highly cinematic production values (his songs appear in numerous film and TV scores — Breaking Bad and last year’s feature film El Camino among them), and his novelistic eye for detail is fully on display here in the darkly comedic “Highway of Lost Hats.” Featuring a lovelorn loser on the run from the law, White juxtaposes samples from actual U.S. police chases against a steady stream of Southern rock clichés. “Highway of Lost Hats” is a sonic carjacking veering recklessly across several major genre lanes, rendering it more a short noir film than a song — something to be watched, but with one’s ears, not eyes.

 

Plunging headlong into Misfit’s Jubilee one central truth emerges — the further White dives into the material, the deeper said material gets, culminating with the closing couplet of epic showstoppers. First comes the sprawling kitsch of “My Life’s a Stolen Picture” (replete with stadium anthem chants and shout-outs to Bigfoot), but the ribald mood is quickly displaced by the most overtly political song on the record, “The Divided States of America.” A scathing indictment of the sorry state of affairs in his homeland, White’s deadpan delivery brilliantly underscores the banal evil at play presently in the U.S.

 

“Yeah, it’s time to call bullshit on all that nonsense,” White says from his home in rural Georgia. “Us freaks, we gotta take up musical arms and start speaking truth to power here.  If we don’t, who exactly will?”

 

Recorded primarily at Studio Caporal in Antwerp, Belgium, this record marks a departure from White’s usual hopscotch approach to collaboration — no bevy of celebrated guest artists and studios scattered across the globe this go-round. No, it’s just multi-instrumentalist White, his longtime drummer Marlon Patton, plus trusted Belgian sidemen Geert Hellings (guitar/banjo) and Nicolas Rombouts (electric and stand-up bass/keys.) The pared-down chemistry on display here lends Misfit’s Jubilee a sonic integrity that far exceeds any of White’s previous efforts.

 

Misfit’s Jubilee draws from an array of original songs penned by White over the span of several decades — scattered among the recent compositions are songs back-burnered in previous epochs by White’s major label handlers, who’d deemed them too extreme for his “brand.” With no such middleman constraints this go-round, in Misfit’s Jubilee White has found the perfect vehicle to unleash his twisted take on Southern folk rock.  As White’s protagonist in the song “Wonders Never Cease” defiantly declares, “A motel’s as good a place as any to let your demons fly!”  

 

Amen, Brother White. The Americana maverick has let his sonic demons fly herein, setting the skies fully ablaze, like some LSD fueled 4th of July fireworks spectacular. Get ready to be dazzled.

ANNOUNCE PAY-PER-VIEW LIVE STREAM SHOW SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 at 7:00pm ET Exclusive opportunity to catch BNL’s 2015 Last Summer on Earth performances “It’s a Red Rocks Re- Do!”- Ed Robertson

TICKET LINK: https://2nu.gs/BNL

Toronto, ON (August 31, 2020) – Barenaked Ladies announce a very special pay-per-view live stream event featuring the multi-platinum band’s 2015 Red Rocks performance to take place on Saturday, September 12 at 7 p.m. Eastern time.

Recorded at the fabled Morrison, CO amphitheater in June 2015 during the Ladies’ Last Summer on Earth tour, the footage captures the rock icons’ incredible live energy, camaraderie, and musicianship that stand as a testament to the band’s remarkable longevity in an ever-changing musical landscape. The live stream features a new exclusive interview where the band will discuss their most fun and memorable stories from performing at Red Rocks over the years, as well as commentary from Ed and Tyler throughout the show. 

The show’s opening will be shown on the band’s Facebook and YouTube. From there you will be able to purchase a ticket for the rest of the show at Nugs.net.

Purchase tickets now at: https://2nu.gs/BNL

 

Barenaked Ladies released a special live album from this show. BNL Rocks Red Rocks features some of the band’s biggest hits and fan favorites and is available here: https://lnk.to/BNLRocksRedRocks.

 

Be sure to watch BNL’s TikTok video HERE, in which Ed takes you ‘Behind The Song’ on how he wrote the Big Bang Theory theme song. To date, the video has been viewed over 2.4 million times.

BNL have been staying busy during quarantine with Facebook Livestreams along with their #SelfieCamJams, performing deep cuts and fan favorites from their homes, even bringing in surprise guests. In April, they did a family-fun "Snacktime" #SelfieCamJam for kids of all ages. Many familiar faces made a special appearance to share their favorite snack, like Sarah McLachlan, Tom Greene, KT Tunstall, The Count, and Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish, who Barenaked Ladies toured with in 2019. The band also teamed up with Michael Bublé and Sofia Reyes for a timely single “Gotta Be Patient,” with all proceeds to be donated to charity.

To date, the band has created 23 SelfieCamJams, the latest being “Narrow Streets” which is in support of Global Citizen and their Global Aid For Lebanon campaign. The full SelfieCamJam series is featured on BNL’s playlist here: YouTube

 

BNL’s extensive 2020 touring plans are postponed until 2021. This includes a headline tour of the UK and their Last Summer On Earth tour of North America with Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket. This will be the 6th edition of their Last Summer On Earth tour, following last summer’s critically-acclaimed shows with Hootie & the Blowfish. Some of their previous guests have included Cracker, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Blues Traveler, Guster, Ben Folds Five, Violent Femmes, Colin Hay, OMD, Howard Jones, Better Than Ezra, and KT Tunstall.

Tickets purchased for 2020 remain valid for 2021. See below for full tour routings:

2021 LAST SUMMER ON EARTH TOUR DATES – NORTH AMERICA

Fri June 4 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park

Sat June 5 – St Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre

Tues June 8 – Irving, TX – Toyota Music Factory

Thurs June 10 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre

Fri June 11 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre

Sat June 12 – Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles Amphitheatre

Thurs June 17 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Park Amphitheatre

Fri June 18 – Troutdale, OR – Edgefield 

Sat June 19 – Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino 

Tues June 22 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Fri June 25 – Council Bluffs, IA – Stir Cove at Hurrah’s Council Bluffs

Sat June 26 –  Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino

Mon Jun 28 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre

Wed Jun 30 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre

Fri July 2 – Indianapolis, IN – Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park 

Sat July 3 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica

Sun July 4 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre

Tues July 6 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark

Wed July 7 – New York, NY *Venue to be announced soon

Fri July 9 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion

Sat July 10 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena

Sun July 11 – Boston, MA – Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion

Tues July 13 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met

Wed July 14 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap

Fri July 16 – Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum *Venue change

Sat July 17 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheatre

Sun July 18 – Baltimore, MD – MECU Pavilion

Tues July 20 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Music Pavilion 

Wed July 21 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage *Kim Mitchell will be joining this show

2021 UK Tour

Boothby Graffoe to support

*KT Tunstall & Boothby Graffoe to support

Tues Oct 19 - Newcastle - Newcastle Uni              

Wed Oct 20 - Aberdeen - Beach Ballroom                     

Thurs Oct 21 - Glasgow - Royal Concert Hall

Sat Oct 23 - Bath - Forum

Sun Oct 24 - Manchester- O2 Ritz

Tues Oct 26 - Cambridge - Corn Exchange

Wed Oct 27 - Birmingham - O2 Institute

Fri Oct 29 - Leeds - Beckett Uni

Sat Oct 30 - Portsmouth - Pyramids

Sun Oct 31 - London - Royal Albert Hall*

 

CONNECT WITH BARENAKED LADIES:OFFICIAL SITE    INSTAGRAM    TWITTER    FACEBOOK    TOUR PAGE

 

ABOUT BARENAKED LADIES:

Over the course of their remarkable career, Barenaked Ladies have written a variety of top 20 hits (including radio staples "One Week," "Pinch Me," "If I Had $1,000,000"), garnered two GRAMMY nominations, won eight JUNO Awards, had Ben & Jerry's name an ice cream after them, wrote and recorded the theme song to the TV series The Big Bang Theory, and participated in the first-ever "space-to-earth musical collaboration" with astronaut Chris Hadfield. The band has also been inducted to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and received a proclamation from Toronto Mayor John Tory declaring October 1st "Barenaked Ladies Day."

Shout! Factory TV Celebrates

STAR TREK DAY

With All-Day Marathon September 8, 2020

LOS ANGELES – August 31, 2020 Shout! Factory TV proudly presents a marathon of Star Trek documentaries in celebration of Star Trek Day, September 8, the anniversary of the original series’ 1966 broadcast debut. Fans can tune in to see in-depth looks at Star Trek series across the years with five acclaimed documentaries and docuseries directed by William Shatner and Ira Steven Behr (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine showrunner) and David Zappone (producer of For the Love of Spock, The Captains).

William Shatner’s incredible in-depth look at the creation, evolution and legacy of Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek comes to life in his four documentaries: The Captains, The Captains Close Up five-episode miniseries, Chaos on the Bridge: The Untold Story Behind Trek’s Next Generation and William Shatner’s Get a Life!. From directors Ira Steven Behr and David Zappone comes the critically acclaimed documentary feature What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Shout! Factory TV will also showcase Backlot: San Diego Comic-Con 2019: What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Panel to close a day full of Star Trek: in-depth presentations.

The Star Trek Day marathon begins Thursday, September 8 at 9 a.m. PT and can be viewed on ShoutFactoryTV.com; Shout! Factory TV’s Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and Android apps; and the following digital streaming platforms: Twitch, Samsung TV Plus, Comcast Xfinity, Xumo, Vizio, Redbox, IMDb TV and STIRR.

In The Captains, Shatner sits down for five insightful interviews with the franchise’s captains — Sir Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula and his own Kirk counterpart, Chris Pine. The interviews continue with The Captains Close Up, a docuseries formed from additional interview footage unable to be included in the original The Captains film. Chaos on the Bridgetells the delightful — and surprising — story of bringing Star Trek: The Next Generation to the screen! And finally, in Get A Life, Shatner presents his own, unforgettable love letter to the fans of Star Trek.

What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine presents a fascinating in-depth look at the past, present and future of a series whose dark, edgy take on Gene Roddenberry’s vision was often misunderstood when it premiered but has grown into a beloved mainstay in the Star Trek franchise. Featuring extensive interviews with the cast and crew of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as well as remastered HD footage from the television series, What We Left Behind also focuses on the original writers of the series as they craft a brand-new episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, developing what would be the eighth-season premiere if the show were to return to the air today.

Lastly, in a featured Shout! Factory TV Backlot episode, fans can see the full What We Left Behind: Looking Back At Star Trek: Deep Space Nine panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2019 with showrunner Ira Steven Behr, filmmaker David Zappone (The Captains) and DS9 cast members Andrew Robinson (Elim Garak), Penny Johnson Jerald (Kasidy Yates), Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko), Chase Masterson (Leeta), and the late, great Aron Eisenberg (Nog).

Shout! Factory TV’s Star Trek Day Marathon Schedule

9:00 a.m. – The Captains 

11:00 a.m. – The Captains Close Up: William Shatner 

12:00 p.m. – The Captains Close Up: Patrick Stewart

1:00 p.m. – The Captains Close Up: Avery Brooks

2:00 p.m. – The Captains Close Up: Kate Mulgrew

3:30 p.m. – The Captains Close Up: Scott Bakula

4:00 p.m. – William Shatner’s Chaos on the Bridge

5:30 p.m. – William Shatner’s Get A Life!

7:00 p.m. – What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

9:30 p.m. – Backlot: San Diego Comic-Con 2019: What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Panel

About Shout! Factory TV

Shout! Factory TV is a digital entertainment streaming service that brings timeless and contemporary cult favorites to pop culture fans. Shout! Factory TV offers an unrivaled blend of original programming and TV shows and movies curated from major studios, independent producers and its own distinctive entertainment library. The Shout! Factory TV family of channels also includes Mystery Science Theater 3000 and TokuSHOUTsu™, with more to come soon. Shout! Factory TV provides an immersive, high-quality viewing experience across a wide variety of platforms: online at ShoutFactoryTV.com, on smartphone devices, tablets and connected TV, and via apps on the Roku player, Android, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. Shout! Factory TV is also available as a branded channel on Amazon Prime Channels, Comcast Xfinity, Pluto TV, Redbox, Roku Premium Subscriptions, Samsung TV Plus, STIRR, Tubi, Twitch, Vizio and XUMO among others. For more information, please visit ShoutFactoryTV.com.

Musical Diversity Works Wonders

Fans of original rock, power pop and Americana will want to check out a strong crop of recent releases now available.

Artist: Dorothy

Title: 28 Days In The Valley (Roc Nation)

You might like if you enjoy: Jefferson Airplane, Pvris, Florence + the Machine

Tell me more: Greta Van Fleet isn't the only young act taping into classic rock as part of a glorious search for something new. Los Angeles-based outfit Dorothy has found sonic paydirt in the art of '60s and '70s classic rock as evidenced across the new 28 Days In The Valley. Led by singer-songwriter Dorothy Martin (whose voice draws strong and favorable comparisons with a young Grace Slick) and her surrounding musical cast of players unleash more than a dozen tracks that resonate with a blend of the artfulness of Surrealistic Pillow-era Jefferson Airplane, style of Oasis and the contemporary approach of the best work from Florence + the Machine and Pvris. The wealth and range of material rewards at every turn. The soaring "Who Do You Love" is a driving rocker that has a decidedly Hollywood vibe; the spiritual-tinged sing-along "Mountain" and psychedelia-laced anthem "Freedom" find Martin unleashing her inner blues singer with wonderful results. The swirling rocker "White Butterfly," the haunting Spaghetti-Western flavored "28 Days In The Valley (Interlude)" and a cover of Linda Perry's "Black Tar & Nicotine" are among the other standouts on this terrific album. Information: DorothyTheBand.com.

Artist: Stone Temple Pilots

Title: Stone Temple Pilots (Rhino)

You might like if you enjoy: Altered State, STP

Tell me more: Stone Temple Pilots are back. Just listen to the San Diego-spawned quartet's new self-titled album, a collection of strong and inviting songs that mark the first batch of tracks with new singer Jeff Gutt (original vocalist Scott Weiland passed away in December 2015 and subsequent vocalist Chester Bennington died in July 2017). Sure there are songs that rock ("Middle of Nowhere," "Guilty," "Roll Me Under," "Meadow"), but STP (whose line-up also includes brothers Robert DeLeo and Dean DeLeo, and drummer Eric Kretz) has found life anew via a great collection of creative and winning songs that are among the band's best ever. Just listen to the gorgeous "Thought She'd Be Mine," the shimmering "Finest Hour" and wistful "Reds & Blues." The aptly-titled Stone Temple Pilots is a wonderful and masterful return. A much-recommended deluxe edition of the album (available at Best Buy stores) features two exceptional bonus tracks (the rip roaring "Already Gone" and the lush melodic track "Forget Forever"). Information: StoneTemplePilots.com.

Artist: Jim White
Title: Waffles, Triangles & Jesus (People in a Place to Know Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Dr. Dog, Otis Taylor
Tell me more: To be sure, Jim White's latest album Waffles, Triangles & Jesus defies easy categorization even while the art damage-drenched Americana splashed across the 11-track album makes for an exhilarating listen. The myriad of musical instruments and equally-diverse range of subject matter begins to outline the unique approach of White; the infusion of wit, humor and the artist's Southern-mining style further carve out the territory explored here. The immersive "Drift Away" finds White's voice tapping into a far-away character able to escape his existence diving into a river with dreams of moving with those natural waters to the sea; the redolent sound of a banjo anchors White's narrative before gradually being overrun by a Celtic jam. The mischievous old-styled country romp "Playing Guitars" features White sharing vocals with indie songstress Holly Golightly. The buoyant indie rocker "Silver Threads" is enhanced by the contributions of Dead Rock West (Los Angeles' Cindy Wasserman and Frank Drennen); the unsettling "Prisoner's Dilemma" blends jazz stylings, trumpets, spoken word and probing storytelling to reveal its dark tale. "Waffles, Triangles & Jesus" is a work of considerable ambition, with White's own contributions (guitar, vocals, banjo, piano and more) enhanced by a parade of talented guests including the duo Cicada Rhythm, guitarist Ali Farka Toure, fiddler Jason Cade, multi-instrumentalist Rob McMaken, trumpeter Josh Klein and many more. Information: JimWhite.net.

Artists: Ray Paul, P. Hux, the Smithereens, the Rubinoos, Popdudes, others

Title: Dana & Carl present: This is Rock 'n' Roll Radio - Volume 4 (Kool Kat Musik)

You might like if you enjoy: Power pop music, Badfinger, Matthew Sweet

Tell me more: Lovers of tuneful, melodic and well-crafted rock will absolutely love the latest volume of Dana & Carl present: This is Rock 'n' Roll Radio. Volume 4 includes more than two dozen tracks that capture the enduring spirit of power pop with nuggets shining across the disc. Master singer-songwriter Ray Paul's new offering "I Need Your Love" is an early high mark on the disc, but plenty more follow. Circe Link and Christian Nesmith join forces on the couple's shining baroque pop original "I'm On Your Side"; P. Hux reveals a lush and majestic "Better Than Good" sure to appeal to fans of classic melodic rock; Irene Peña sings the tender "Must've Been Good"; the excellent liner notes on the collection note speak for yours truly with the note that "Michael Oliver blew us away with a new song ('You Won't Do') that should be playing on every radio station in the country right now". Other top-flight contributions includes the Rubinoos' glimmering "Nowheresville," The Smithereens' rollicking "Got Me A Girl," and Popdudes' beautiful cover of Torbjorn Petersson’s "(She Is Funny) In That Way." Information: koolkatmusik.com.


Artist: The Furious Seasons
Title: Now Residing Abroad (Stonegarden Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Chris Hillman, Bruce Cockburn, America
Tell me more: Songcraft still matters. Just listen to the Furious Seasons' excellent sixth album Now Residing Abroad, the second full-length set featuring the specific lineup of singer-songwriter/guitarist David Steinhart, his brother Jeff Steinhart on upright bass and Paul Nelson on guitar and harmony vocals. The trio paints vivid and luxurious Americana tapestries that enhance lyrical tales covering everything from life in Los Angeles and the pain of divorce to subliminal political jabs ("The Loyal Canadians") and love songs ("So Sorry Adele"). Several of the most impressive cuts take an authentic look at life's fast-moving years; the opener "Expo Line" and "Tethered" are both poignant and deeply affecting. Information: TheFuriousSeasons.com.

Robert Kinsler

New Releases Mine Americana's Rich Roots

The rich sounds of alt-country, bluegrass, roots rock and folk rock are alive and celebrated across a crop of wonderful new Americana-minded releases available now.

Artists: Chris Cornell, Ruston Kelly & Kacey Musgraves, Rosanne Cash, John Mellencamp, Carlene Carter, more
Title: Johnny Cash: Forever Words (Legacy Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Elvis Costello, The Jayhawks
Tell me more: When Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash both passed away in 2003, their son John Carter Cash discovered the couple had left behind a "monstrous amassment" of things including a slew of his father's handwritten letters, original poems and other things he had penned during his life. Several years ago John Carter Cash approached a diverse and wide-range of artists with an invitation that they each use their own artistic voice to set some of those writings to new music; the result is the enthralling 16-track Johnny Cash: Forever Words. Recorded primarily at the fabled Cash Cabin in Hendersonville, TN and produced by John Carter Cash and Steve Berkowitz, this is a collection whose material is as rich as Johnny Cash's resonant baritone. The range of the material spans seemingly every corner of classic and contemporary country and Americana styles. The opening track ("Forever/I Still Miss Someone") sets the tone for the ambitious collection, with Kris Kristofferson's sonorous spoken word style delivering the last poem Cash ever wrote against the backdrop of Willie Nelson's distinctive acoustic guitar playing. Then there are real-life newlyweds Ruston Kelly & Kacey Musgraves joining forces on the tender "To June This Morning" (the lyrics are taken from an actual letter Johnny Cash wrote to his wife, June Carter Cash), Brad Paisley providing a decidedly modern-day touch to "Gold All Over The Ground," and emotional contributions from Johnny Cash's daughters Rosanne Cash ("The Walking Wounded") and Carlene Carter ("June's Sundown"). Other terrific songs are delivered by the late Chris Cornell (the chilling "You Never Knew My Mind," one of his final solo recordings), John Mellencamp (the playful country blues romp "Them Double Blues"), Elvis Costello (the Ron Sexsmith-styled "I'll Still Love You"), Dailey & Vincent (the bluegrass gospel gem "He Bore It All") and the Jayhawks (the gorgeous "What Would I Dreamer Do?"). To be sure, every track on this essential set is deserving of recognition. Johnny Cash: Forever Words is available on audio CD, 2LP vinyl and digital formats. Information: LegacyRecordings.com.

Artist: Bobbo Byrnes
Title: Two Sides to This Town (Broken Silence)
You might like if you enjoy: Ryan Adams, Dawes
Tell me more: As a member of the Fallen Stars and with his recent solo recordings, singer-songwriter/multi-insturmentalist Bobbo Byrnes has been among the leaders of Southern California's thriving Americana music scene. On his newly-issued solo album Two Sides to This Town, Byrnes has captured America's broken spirit with the kind of assurance and authenticity that marks Bruce Springsteen's early work. Don't believe it? Just listen to the rousing opener "Angelia" (a song Byrnes penned after a visit to the town where he grew up only to realize it didn't feel like home anymore), a nuanced and graceful cover of Tracy Huffman's "Glad" and the melancholy-drenched "Dam." The reminiscent "Massachusetts" teams Byrnes' vocals with those of his wife Tracy Byrnes (whose graceful bass guitar work is key element on the disc). "Welfare Cadillac" is bolstered by Danny Ott's guitar solo positioned as a call-and-response with a fluid horn section; the driving "Vegas" is a solid roots rocker that captures the ethos of those who take the long drive to Sin City in hopes of winning a fortune even while losing themselves in the process; Byrnes' dazzling lead guitar work on the track is a bonus. While Byrnes has his own strong artistic voice (which includes his stellar skills on guitar, mandolin and keyboards), his songs and passion will appeal to fans of Springsteen, Ryan Adams, Dawes and John Mellencamp. That is some good company to be sure. Information: BobboByrnes.com.

Artist: Don Gibson
Title: The Best of the Hickory Records Years (1970-1978) (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Chet Atkins, Ronnie Milsap, Roy Orbison
Tell me more: Although country music icon Don Gibson is best known for early hits he scored in the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s (including "Sweet Dreams," "I Can't Stop Loving You," "Oh Lonesome Me," "Just One Time" and "Sea of Heartbreak"), the North Carolina native enjoyed a bona fide renaissance extending throughout the 1970s. The newly-released The Best of the Hickory Records Years (1970-1978) features more than two dozen tracks pulled from his successful second act. Remastered by multiple Grammy-winning engineer Michael Graves, the parade of country hits and deep tracks has never sounded better. The material includes Gibson's 1972 number one hit "Woman (Sensuous Woman)," a mix of uptempo and breezy originals ("Don't Take All Your Loving," "Far Far Away," "Is This The Best I'm Gonna Feel," "I'm All Wrapped Up In You"), sweet ballads ("Pretending Everyday," "If You're Goin' Girl," "What's Happened To Me") and accessible covers ("Games People Play," "A Perfect Mountain," "Touch The Morning") all showcasing Gibson's skills as one of the genre's best-ever vocalists. The release comes with a fully-illustrated booklet filled with color images and informative liner notes on the tracks. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: John McCutcheon
Title: Ghost Light (Appalseed Productions / Appalsongs)
You might like if you enjoy: John Gorka
Tell me more: The traditional sounds of Appalachia resound first, but John McCutcheon's literate and tuneful songwriting clearly elevate the Wisconsin native's 39th album Ghost Light. Armed with a warm and reassuring baritone, McCutcheon delivers a wide range of tales that come alive in song. The Celtic-flavored "She Just Dances" recounts the magical moment when his granddaughter first discovered the thrill of dancing; the country-infused folk rocker "Big Day" celebrates life in a small town; the title track is a beautiful baroque folk song that will have even deeper connections with those who work behind-the-scenes to pull off live concert performances. The musicianship across the disc is first-rate, and the arrangements tap into classic stylings with authenticity and grace. Guests include Stuart Duncan (fiddle), and vocalists Kathy Mattea and Tim O'Brien. Information: folkmusic.com.



Robert Kinsler