New Music Roundup: Billy F Gibbons, Del Amitri, Moby, Mark Rubin: Jew of Oklahoma, Dolph Chaney

Five new highly-recommended releases are featured in my column this week.

Artist: Billy F Gibbons

Title: Hardware (Concord Records)

You might like if you enjoy: ZZ Top, Billy F Gibbons

Tell me more: As lead vocalist and guitarist of Texas-spawned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trio ZZ Top, Billy F Gibbons has enjoyed critical and commercial acclaim dating back to the band's 1970 debut for his work as a groundbreaking rock musician; what's more he won praise for his acting in seven episodes on the hit show "Bones," and is now enjoying a full-fledged third act with his solo recordings. On his third full-length solo album Hardware (set for release on June 4), the Texas icon shows no signs of slowing down and it's obvious he's having a blast. With his signature raspy vocals and distinctive guitar work he champions Southern blues rock via a dozen tracks recorded in the California high desert in summer 2020. Accompanied by drummer Matt Sorum and guitarist Austin Hanks, there is an energetic flow and strength across the fast-moving album. The deep blues rock opener "My Lucky Card" gets things started in a big way, Gibbons exploring a deep groove that builds as it zips along. On the speedy blues rocker "She's on Fire," Gibbons' fret work is particularly flashy even as it comes in service of the song's natural arc. The catchy "West Coast Junkie" evokes all kinds of retro atmosphere, all bolstered by Gibbons' smart vocal banter and brisk guitar play. The Calhoun, Georgia-spawned duo Larkin Poe (sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell) join in on the boogie rocker "Stacking' Bones," adding some killer harmonies and instrumental muscle to the track. A cover of the tuneful "Hey Baby, Que Paso" in enhanced by some blasting harmonica. The album's final cut is pure psychedelic blues; "Desert High" finds Gibbons using his spoken word delivery and nuanced fret work to delve into desert lore spanning the ghosts of Jim Morrison and Gram Parsons to the Salton Sea and critters who call it home. Information: BillyGibbons.com.

Artist: Del Amitri

Title: Fatal Mistakes (Cooking Vinyl)

You might like if you enjoy: Fountains of Wayne, Gin Blossoms, Crowded House

Tell me more: Del Amitri has just released Fatal Mistakes, the Scottish quintet's first new full-length album since 2002 (Can You Do Me Good?). To say this writer loves Fatal Mistakes is an understatement; the band's blend of power pop tunefulness and lyrical melancholy is fully on display across the 13-track masterwork. On the surface, the shimmering opener "You Can't Go Back" might well be about a couple determined to rekindle the romance of their youth, but the song's concealed power hints at life itself and how each moment is worth celebrating no matter the cost. Mortality, love and time are explored with artful candor by singer-songwriter/bassist Justin Currie, lead guitarist-songwriter Iain Wallace Harvie, drummer Ash Soan, guitarist-songwriter Kris Dollimore and keyboardist Andy Alston. The mood-swept "All Hail Blind Love," luxurious "Close Your Eyes and Think Of England," melodic rocker "Losing The Will To Die," stirring "Otherwise" and reflective "Second Staircase" are among the ear candy tracks that bewitch with a single listen. The Americana-flavored "Mockingbird, Copy Me Now" and "Missing Person" are among the other nuggets on a fantastic album. Information: DelAmitri.Info.

Artist: Moby

Title: Reprise (Deutsche Grammophon)

You might like if you enjoy: Moby, Dead Can Dance, Hans Zimmer

Tell me more: Moby isn't the first artist to revisit a celebrated catalog with orchestral versions; Sting, Peter Gabriel, A Flock of Seagulls, Berlin and America are among well-known artists who have released like-minded projects.  But to be sure, Moby's Reprise really hits the mark. With his own and several guests vocals immersed amidst symphonic arrangements, the power of the songs retain their experimental mystery and weight. "Extreme Ways" is particularly affecting, Moby's baritone rising with the strings in the song's potent finale. The reflective "Almost Home," anthemic "Lift Me Up," lovely "The Last Day," soaring "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" and otherworldly "We Are All Made of Stars" (the latter with its creative use of piano and a human vocal choir) are among the other highlights on the ambitious set. Also noteworthy on the album is a deeply affecting cover of David Bowie's "Heroes" featuring soprano Mindy Jones and an instrumental version of "God Moving Over the Face Of The Waters" featuring acclaimed Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson. Information: Moby.com.

Artist: Mark Rubin: Jew of Oklahoma

Title: The Triumph of Assimilation (Rubinchik Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Bad Livers, Bob Dylan, Americana and Jewish music

Tell me more: It's not easy to peg the sonic stew delivered by Mark Rubin: Jew of Oklahoma on the new album The Triumph of Assimilation – a forceful mix of folk, bluegrass, blues and Klezmer (an instrumental musical tradition of the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe). Rubin – a native of Oklahoma who was reared in Texas and is now based in New Orleans – uses a blend of humor and forceful truth to share his experience of being Jewish in regions of America where they are few in number. What's more, the hybrid of Americana and European musical styles further seals the approach; the opener "A Day of Revenge" is based on a poem penned by Mordechai Gebirtig (the poet was shot by Germans during the Holocaust in 1942) – Rubin's message in the song is ultimately one of peace and love and how that will ultimately be payback against suffering. Accompanied by his banjo, Rubin continues with "It's Burning," interpreting another Gebirtig poem ("Es Brent") to revisit a 1936 event aimed against the innocent: "There ain't no rain, there ain't no flood / We'll quench these flames with our blood." There are other tracks more hopeful to balance out the album; the bright "Down South Kosher (A Dance of Hunger & Reconciliation)" looks at the challenges of keeping kosher in a location where just about every dish contains pork or shellfish.  The mesmerizing "Yiddish Banjo Suite" is a beguiling solo instrumental work where Rubin displays his command of the instrument; the bluesy rocker "Unnatural Disasters" takes a satiric look at those blindly looking to blame who is behind floods, tornadoes, tsunamis and global warming ("Whatever goes wrong, it's always the Jews" he sings). On the joyful "Good Shabbes," Rubin celebrates the arrival of the Sabbath. Rubin has a powerful and inviting baritone voice, and his approach deals honestly and forcefully with prejudice and hatred in all its ugly forms and hopes for a better tomorrow. The album's power is sadly enhanced by the rising wave of violent antisemitism seen in recent years throughout Europe, and more recently on the streets of big American cities including in California and New York. Information: JewOfOklahoma.com.

Artist: Dolph Chaney

Title: This is Dolph Chaney (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Matthew Sweet, Jason Falkner, The Armoires

Tell me more: Loaded with 13 indispensable originals, Dolph Chaney's aptly-titled This is Dolph Chaney boasts enough song craft and melodic pay dirt to fill a number of albums. His smart songwriting incorporating multiple genres and solid musical skills (he handles lead vocals along with bass and guitar) are on display across the disc.  Early album standouts abound on the melody-rich Nick Beetling-produced effort courtesy of the driving "I Wanted You," tender acoustic ballad "Beat It," New Wave-tinged "Cuddle Party," crunchy "Now I Am A Man" and experimental "Meaningless." The blissful "Pleasant Under Glass," rollicking "My Good Twin," jazzy "Under the Overpass" and ambitious closer "Graveyard Shift" keep the magic coming in the album's last half. Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Robert Kinsler

Sights and Sounds: Gary Calamar, Americana Music Association, Justin Currie

Happy Tuesday morning everybody! Here is a quick roundup of several items pulled from my inbox first thing today...

NOTED MUSIC SUPERVISOR AND KCRW DJ GARY CALAMAR’S DEBUT RELEASE YOU ARE WHAT YOU LISTEN TO CONFIRMED FOR OCTOBER 14, 2014 VIA ATLANTIC RECORDS

True Blood, Dexter, Six Feet Under Music Supervisor as well as Disc Jockey, Author and Former Record Store Manager’s Musical Evolution Continues with Solo Debut From a Rock and Roll Wordsmith

LOS ANGELES, CA (TUESDAY AUGUST 26, 2014) – Five-time Grammy nominated music supervisor and noted KCRW Disc Jockey Gary Calamar (www.garycalamar.com) announced today that his debut E.P. You Are What You listen To will be released October 14 via Atlantic Records.

You Are What You Listen To is Gary Calamar’s debut as a musician & songwriter of gloriously catchy, sparkly rock and roll songs, filled with abundant wit and melody. Drawing inspiration from his rock heroes, his tunes alternately crunch as well as caress. Produced by John Would (Fiona Apple), the six songs that compromise the E.P. jam their way directly into your head. They are:

1. I Got An Idea

2. Giddy

3. Minimum Day 

4. She’s So Mid-Century 

5. The Last Revolution

6. Back Door Man

So how does one go from music industry soldier to simply musician? Well, it’s actually more like an evolution than a career change. Known primarily as a five-time Grammy nominated music supervisor on shows like True Blood, Dexter, Six Feet Under as well as KCRW DJ, Gary Calamar has always been a songwriter. None other than Iggy Pop recorded his tune “Let’s Boot and Rally”. So after years of being a closeted songwriter with no time to record, up stepped Atlantic Records who heard a few demo tracks and asked to put the record out. And here we are, You Are What You Listen To. 

Gary’s humble beginnings in the music business began behind the counter at LA’s finest record stores: Licorice Pizza (RIP), Moby Disc (RIP) and Rhino (RIP). He managed the criminally underrated L.A. band, The Balancing Act who released 3 indie classics on IRS Records. From there he was offered a job at one of the world’s most influential radio stations, KCRW. He also co-authored the book Record Store Days: From Vinyl to Digital and Back Again. But all the while he’s been entertaining his inner circle of music pals with his own compositions. Catchy, sparkling, glorious bursts of rock and roll mischief and majesty, they are. Real, live, can’t-get-them-outta-yer-head songs that will be released in on October 14. 

Live dates to be announced shortly. 

Americana Music Association announces its 13th Annual Honors & Awards Performers and Presenters

(Nashville, Tenn.) August 26, 2014 – The Americana Music Association reveals an initial presenter and performer lineup for its 13th annual Honors & Awards Show. As anticipated, the list reflects Americana’s “spirit of eclecticism” (New York Times) through its diverse production/curation.

Hurray For The Riff Raff
is Alynda Lee Segarra /
Photo: Josh Shoemaker

In addition to previously announced performances by Loretta Lynn, Flaco Jimenez, Taj Mahal and Jackson Browne, the tastemaker event will feature Buddy Miller, Cassandra Wilson, Hard Working Americans, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Jason Isbell, Jim Lauderdale, Marty Stuart, Parker Millsap, Patty Griffin, Robert Ellis, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Ry Cooder, Sarah Jarosz, St. Paul & Broken Bones, Sturgill Simpson, The Devil Makes Three, The McCrary Sisters, The Milk Carton Kids and Valerie June with presentations by Amy Ray, Carlene Carter, Elizabeth Cook, Emmylou Harris, JD Souther, Joe Henry, John Paul White, John Ritter, Keb Mo, Rhett Miller, Shovels and Rope, Todd Snider and Vince Gill.

The 13th Annual Honors & Awards Show — held at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, Sept. 17th — will be hosted by Jim Lauderdale and feature a house band led by Buddy Miller that includes Don Was, Joachim Cooder, Tim Lauer, The McCrary Sisters and legend, Ry Cooder.

Broadcast live with radio partners SiriusXM "Outlaw Country" and online via NPR's Folk Alley, and edited for television for PBS that will air November 22 in the Austin City Limits time slot. The Americana Honors & Awards, for the first time, will also air on Australia's CMC (Country Music Channel). The show kicks off the 15th Annual Festival and Conference that runs Wed. Sept, 17 through Sunday, Sept 21.

For a full list of performers, panels, and ticket and registration information, please visit americanamusic.org.

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The 15th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, a “smaller, rootsier version of South by Southwest” (New York Times) will take place September 17-21, 2014 in Nashville, TN, kicked off by the 13th annual Americana Honors & Awards Show on Sept. 17 at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

The Americana Music Association is a professional non-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American Roots Music around the world. The Association curates events throughout the year including the annual Americana Music Festival and Conference, presented by Nissan, the acclaimed Americana Honors & Awards program and most recently “Americana NYC” Aug. 4th – 11th — a partnership with Lincoln Center. For more information, please visit www.americanamusic.org.

JUSTIN CURRIE US TOUR IN SUPPORT OF LOWER REACHES

Justin Currie will tour the U.S. in September and October of 2014.

Justin Currie, the lead singer and songwriter of Scottish pop-rock band Del Amitri, is pleased to announce U.S. dates this fall in support of his newest release, Lower Reaches.

Watch Justin Currie's Video "Bend To My Will" here Visit Justin Currie's website here The new album is the follow-up to Currie's 2010 critically acclaimed project The Great War which garnered 4 star reviews and earned Currie the moniker of "a songwriter's songwriter" from Mojo.  On Lower Reaches, Currie's pop sensibilities and radio ready vocals are ever present, but it's his songwriting that is perhaps most striking.  The new set of self-penned songs show Currie emerging as a writer of great depth and sensitivity, deftly examining life, relationships and the human condition, albeit delivered with the healthy dose of cynicism and wit that his fans have come to count on. Currie wrote most of the songs on Lower Reaches during a solitary songwriting retreat on the Isle of Skye off the coast of Scotland.  Hunkered down in a remote cottage in the shadow of The Cuillins, the mountain range that dominates the Hebridean island, Currie had no internet and no mobile phone, just an acoustic guitar, a piano, and a ghetto-blaster on which to record his ideas.  "I suppose it was a bit like my Brill Building", he smiles. "You're being your own boss and putting yourself under pressure to write."  Currie wrote fifteen songs in eleven days, something of a personal best in terms of rapid-fire delivery. When it came time to capture the music in the studio Currie traveled to Austin, Texas to work with producer Mike McCarthy (Craig Finn [The Hold Steady], Spoon, Patty Griffin, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead).  The process was, in Currie's words, "a brilliant experience" and the resulting tracks have been heralded by the UK press as among the songwriter's recent best. Watch Justin Currie's Video "Bend to My Will" here As singer and main songwriter in Del Amitri, formed in Glasgow in 1983, Currie wrote many of their biggest hits including ‘Roll To Me’, ‘Always The Last To Know’, and ‘Nothing Ever Happens’. During their long and distinguished career, Del Amitri released four Top 10 albums, including ‘Waking Hours’ (1989), which sold over a million copies in the UK alone.

About Compass Records Billboard Magazine has touted Compass Records Group as one of the leading independent labels of the past decade. The label group is home to more than 500 releases across the Compass Records, Green Linnet and Mulligan Records imprints with a roster that boasts a variety of artists including Colin Hay, A.J. Croce, Victor Wooten, Claire Lynch, the Farewell Drifters, Peter Rowan, The Gibson Brothers, Darden Smith, BeauSoleil, Michael Cleveland, and label co-founder Alison Brown. For more information, visit www.compassrecords.com.