New Music: Pink Floyd, Depeche Mode, Nickel Creek

A stunning hardcover edition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon as well as eagerly-awaited full-length returns from Depeche Mode and Nickel Creek are featured in my column this week.

Title: Pink Floyd — The Dark Side Of The Moon: The Official 50th Anniversary Book

Author: Jill Furmanovsky
Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Hardcover: 160 pages

Tell me more: Released in March 1973, Pink Floyd's eighth studio album The Dark Side of the Moon would ultimately prove to be one of the most iconic rock albums of the 20th century and is the groundbreaking English troupe's most beloved effort. According to Wikipedia, The Dark Side of the Moon is certified 14 times platinum in the United Kingdom and topped the LPs and Tape charts in the U.S. where it has "charted for 975 weeks." Now in celebration of the 50th anniversary of that release, Thames & Hudson has issued the must-have "Pink Floyd — The Dark Side Of The Moon: The Official 50th Anniversary Book." 

Curated by Jill Furmanovsky and featuring art direction from Aubrey Powell, the gorgeous LP-sized hardcover volume features rare and previously unseen photographs (including backstage and onstage images of the band taken during The Dark Side of the Moon tours of 1972-1975), song lyrics, tour dates, a Melody Maker review of the band's 1972 Wembley concert and much more; the book was created with the involvement of members of Pink Floyd. A truly marvelous keepsake for fans of Pink Floyd and The Dark Side of the Moon. Information: wwnorton.com.

Artist: Depeche Mode

Title: Memento Mori (Columbia Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Depeche Mode, Color Theory, Erasure

Tell me more: On their 15th studio album Memento Mori, Depeche Mode remind the music world why the British outfit matters more than ever; this is especially true following co-founder Andrew "Fletch" Fletcher's tragic death on May 26, 2022. Electronic rock's most enduring artist, Depeche Mode's David Gahan and Martin Gore are back with a brilliant batch of tracks that revisit familiar territory even while moving their sound ever onward into the future. The opener "My Cosmos is Mine" is a dark and brooding track with Gahan's powerful baritone awash in the troupe's signature electronica soundscape. The compelling "Watch Another Angel Die" is infectious on its surface even as the song's lyrics ponder religious doubt. The album's most enticing track, "Ghosts Again," is a sweeping number with a dynamic rhythm and irresistible flow across its full length. Romantic doubt ("Don't Say You Love Me," "Before We Drown"), self reflection ("My Favorite Stranger"), death ("Soul With Me"), obsession ("Always You," "Never Let Me Go") and human nature ("People Are Good") are detailed expertly via compelling originals produced by James Ford — along with additional production by Marta Salogni. Information: depechemode.com.

Artist: Nickel Creek

Title: Celebrants (Repair Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Nickel Creek, First Aid Kit, bluegrass music

Tell me more: Celebrants is Americana outfit Nickel Creek's first original album since 2014's A Dotted Line. It almost goes without saying that it is wonderful to have new music from the talented trio of Chris Thile, Sean Watkins and Sara Watkins — especially when the disc is as great as this one. My favorite track is the sumptuous musical jaunt "Strangers," with the dashing mix of Thile's mandolin, Sara Watkins' fiddle and Sean Watkins' acoustic guitar work dancing with the trio's artful harmonies. Other standout songs on the 18-track disc include the gorgeous "Holding Pattern," rousing "Where the Long Line Leads," sonically ambitious "The Meadow" and bewitching "Stone's Throw." Additional kudos to bassist Jeff Picker for his musical skills that enhance the music making across Celebrants. Information: nickelcreek.com.

Robert Kinsler

Ringo Starr announces additional details for his 11th Annual 'Peace & Love' Birthday worldwide celebrations on July 7, 2019

The world could definitely use a little more peace and love...

This July 7, 2019 Ringo Starr will return to Capitol Records Tower in Los Angeles for his annual Peace & Love Birthday event where he will join fans gathered for a Noon #peaceandlove celebration. The dream is to create a wave of Peace & Love across the planet, starting in New Zealand and ending in Hawaii. Ringo began these in 2008 at the Hard Rock Café Chicago and last year he celebrated the 10^th Anniversary at the Hard Rock Café Nice. In the ensuing years it has grown enormously with #peaceandlove events all over the world, and this year already has over 30 events in 22 countries (listed below).

 

“I’ve said it before but I really can’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday, or a better gift I could ask for, than peace and love. It’s so great how every year it keeps growing, with the wave of peace and love starting in the morning on July 7 in Australia and ending in Hawaii, with celebrations in all the time zones in between. I am so happy to be back at Capitol Records, and for our great sponsors who are carrying the message of peace and love around the world, like the David Lynch Foundation, Life is Good, SiriusXM, Modern Drummer and Starbucks. I also want to thank each and everyone of you for continuing to help spread peace and love, Ringo.”

 

The event will include tribute performances by Ben Kyle from ROMANTICA with Sara Watkins, and Southern California rock and roll band The Jacks. There will also be a special premiere of an original song about peace and love composed for the occasion by students of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus in partnership with the South Central LA Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center. The song will later premiere online as a video featuring music students as well as guest artists and friends.

 

WHO: Ringo Starr, Barbara Starkey, David Lynch, All Starr Alum Sheila E, Edgar Winter, Nils Lofgren, Jim Keltner, Gregg Bissonette as well as friends Ed Begley Jr, Richard Lewis, T-Bone Burnett, Benmont Tench, and Life is Good founders Bert and John Jacobs with more to be announced soon.  

 

Ringo Starr rocking at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on
September 29, 2018.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

WHAT: Ringo Starr's 11th Annual Peace & Love Birthday Celebration

Performances of Ringo’s songs will be followed by a brief welcome from David Lynch who will introduce Ringo. Ringo will lead gathered family, friends and fans in a group #PeaceandLove moment at Noon. Cake will then be presented on stage.

 

WHEN: Sunday, July 7, 2019

9:30am Press Check In Opens

10:45am Photo Opportunity behind Capitol Records

11:00am Music Performances Begin in front of Capitol Records

12:00pm #Peaceandlove (Noon PDT)

 

WHERE: Capitol Records Tower, 1750 N Vine St, Los Angeles, CA, 90028 

 

WHAT ELSE: Everyone everywhere is invited to participate, but of course you don’t have to go anywhere, or say anything, you can just think "Peace and Love," anywhere you are at Noon your local time and know you are still contributing.  

 

 

FOLLOW THE FESTIVITIES AT:

Ringo’s Facebook page

Ringo’s Instagram

 

More about this year’s event sponsors:

 

The David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace - promotes world peace every day by teaching meditation to at risk people all over the planet. Founded by film director and Transcendental Meditation practitioner David Lynch in 2005 to fund the teaching of TM, it is the same meditation Ringo practices and was taught by the Maharishi and exemplifies Peace and Love in action. The evidence-based TM technique is life changing for the good by improving health, cognitive capabilities and performance in life. Extensive published research has found TM markedly reduces stress and stress-related disorders, including anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug misuse, and violent behaviors while also improving brain and cognitive functioning, grade point average and test scores. www.davidlynchfoundation.org

 

Life is Good  - Life is Good is a positive lifestyle and apparel brand on a mission to spread the power of optimism. In celebration of their 25^th Anniversary, Life is Good started the #SomethingGood movement to combat the daily barrage of negativity in the world by encouraging people to simply share #SomethingGood. Their hope is to add more optimism into the world by shifting the cultural conversation away from the negative and focus on growing the good. For every share, $1 will be donated to the Life is Good Kids Foundation, with a goal of inspiring one million shares. Uniting Ringo’s passion to generate a global wave of peace & love with the brand’s mission to spread optimism, together they jointly created a special-edition Life is Good x Ringo Starr Peace & Love T-shirt. The new tees will be available in July on Lifeisgood.com and at select Ringo Starr concerts this summer. www.lifeisgood.com

 

SiriusXM – Home to The Beatles Channel, returns as a sponsor and an exclusive media partner of the event. SiriusXM's The Beatles Channel celebrates popular music’s most legendary and influential band, showcases all-things-Beatles with regular and special programming spanning the history-making careers of the band and its members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Chris Carter, host of SiriusXM’s “Breakfast With The Beatles,” which airs weekday mornings on The Beatles Channel, and is also available On Demand on the SiriusXM app, will be on-site to capture interviews and audio from the event to air on The Beatles Channel.www.siriusxm.com

 

Modern Drummer – Launched in 1977, this leading online and monthly publication dedicated to drummers and drumming innovated how drums and the whole of drumming is celebrated. “The world’s most read drum magazine” returns as a sponsor once again. www.moderndrummer.com

 

The Lennon Tour Bus -- The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a non-profit state-of-the-art mobile Pro Audio and Video recording facility that provides hands-on experiences for students of all ages. Now in its 22^nd year, the Lennon Bus features the latest audio and video technology, gear and products. Lennon Bus U.S. and Lennon Bus Europe travel year-round with a crew of three producer engineers, providing free tours, workshops and live events at schools, public events, festivals, and at major industry conferences. www.lennonbus.org

 

In addition, Starbucks will amplify Ringo’s “Peace & Love” call to action by playing a message just before Noon to their patrons in over 10,000 of their locations throughout the US and Canada. They will also be celebrating Ringo’s birthday with a special Playlist curated with Ringo for the occasion that patrons can hear for three weeks starting July 5.

 

Here are the fan organized global events to date, with more to be announced soon via Ringo Starr’s Facebook page:

 

Argentina, Chascomus

Armenia, Yerevan

Australia, Sydney

Bolivia, La Paz

Brazil, Rio de Janiero; Sao Paulo

Canada, Halifax

Columbia, Bogota

Costa Rica, San Jose

El Salvador, San Salvador

Estonia, Tallin

France, Paris

Germany, Hamburg and Halle

Guatemala, Guatemala City

Italy, Venice

Japan, Osaka; Tokyo

Paraguay

Peru, Lima

Russia, Moscow

Spain, Barcelona; Madrid

United Kingdom, London; Liverpool

Uruguay, Montevideo

United States, Denver, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York. 

 

  

HISTORY OF RINGO’S ANNUAL JULY 7 PEACE & LOVE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS:

 

2008 – Chicago, IL Hard Rock Cafe

2009 –Online campaign including in store salutes at Noon at all Hard Rock Cafes worldwide

2010 – New York City, NY: Hard Rock Cafe, Times Square

2011 – Hamburg, Germany: Hard Rock Cafe

2012 – Nashville, TN: Hard Rock Café

2013 – Online celebration including a video message from Ringo

2014 – Los Angeles, CA: Capitol Records Tower

2015 - Los Angeles, CA: Capitol Records Tower

2016 - Los Angeles, CA: Capitol Records Tower

2017 - Los Angeles, CA: Capitol Records Tower

2018 – Nice, France: Hard Rock Café

 

Previous performers at Ringo’s Birthdays have included: Toad The Wet Sprocket; Adam Arcuragi and Spirit Family Reunion; Vandaveer, Alberta Cross and Dave Stewart with Jon Stevens; Emmanuel Jal and Paul Beaubrun, Don Was with Jenny Lewis, Michael Breardon and Van Dyke Parks; Joe Walsh with Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band including Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Graham Gouldman, Gregg Rolie, Gregg Bissonette and Warren Ham.

Holiday magic coming via Christmas albums, special concerts and movie showings

With the holiday season upon us, there is all kinds of magic happenings...

The Killers * Second Annual Jimmy Kimmel Live (RED) Show * Tuesday, November 22 @ 11:35pm ET/10:35pm CT on ABC

Tune in to Jimmy Kimmel Live!  tonight, November 22 to catch Brandon Flowers and The Killers kicking off the holiday season in the second annual (RED) episode supporting (RED)'s fight against AIDS. The Killers will join Jimmy Kimmel and U2 frontman Bono for a special performance with appearances from Julia Roberts, Channing Tatum, Kristen Bell, Halsey, DJ Khaled and Neil Patrick Harris.

 

To celebrate (RED)'s 10^th anniversary year and a decade of their much-anticipated Christmas singles, The Killers have released Don't Waste Your Wishes, a Christmas album featuring their ten previous Christmas singles and one brand new song, via Island Records. All proceeds from Don't Waste Your Wishes will benefit (RED) - PRESS HERE to purchase. Since 2006, The Killers have donated 11 tracks to (RED), and are the only band to have donated a Christmas track every year for the last decade. This year, they have created a special website hosting the full catalogue of Christmas videos from the past 10 years - PRESS HERE to explore.

New Holiday Playlist Only on

Amazon Music - Acoustic Christmas

 

Featuring Train, Zella Day, Us the Duo, Sara Watkins, Billy Bragg & Joe Henry

and more

Acoustic Christmas is an Amazon Music Original playlist featuring twenty nine original and classic holiday recordings from a wide range of artists like Train, Zella Day, Us the Duo, Sara Watkins, as well as Billy Bragg and Joe Henry -  will be available exclusively for streaming on Amazon Music—both Amazon Music Unlimited and Prime Music beginning today, November 22.

 

In addition to mainstream artists such as Train and Zella Day, the artist roster for Acoustic Christmas highlights established members of the Americana community, including; Trampled by Turtles, Hayes Carll, and Nickel Creek’s Sara Watkins. Emerging artists like Son Little, Keaton Henson, and Little Scream are also featured on this broad and eclectic playlist.

 

Today, Amazon Music shared a live performance of Us the Duo's "Feels Like Christmas."

 

"I feel like there’s always anticipation leading up to Christmas, we’re all just waiting for this special time of year. ‘I Miss You Christmas’ is my way of literally singing praise to my favorite holiday,” said Pat Monahan, lead singer of Train.

 

The song selection for Acoustic Christmas reflects the diverse group of artists involved, including a mix of covers of holiday classics and original compositions. Watkins’ “The Holidays with You” is an upbeat original, while Billy Bragg and Joe Henry delivered a plaintive rendition of the late Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December,” recorded during their recent U.S. tour.

 

“The moment that we were first reached with an invitation to contribute a song to Amazon's holiday playlist, the two of us were en route through an autumnal rain from the big city to the mystic hamlet of Woodstock, NY. Eager to participate and knowing time was short, we pulled guitars from the bay of our small touring bus and almost without second thought heard ourselves join voices as we bounced along, rehearsing as we traveled what proved to be the only choice of song - not only for us as songwriters of the broader folk tradition, but as world citizens desirous of navigating these treacherous times with a nod to both trembling and optimism: Merle Haggard's seminal blue-collar Christmas meditation, ‘If We Make It Through December’” explain Billy Bragg and Joe Henry.

 

Additionally, Escondido’s beautiful version of “Little Drummer Boy” stands alongside newcomer Samuel Larsen’s acoustic-pop take on Brooks & Dunn’s “It Won’t Be Christmas Without You,” Son Little’s “What Child is This?” and American folk pop singers, Us the Duo’s newly-written song “Feels like Christmas”.

 

“This has always been my favorite Christmas song, partly because it uses the melody of Greensleeves-- I think it fits perfectly with the air of mystery suggested in the lyrics.” – Son Little

 

The result is a timeless mix of songs showcasing the best characteristics of both acoustic and holiday music.

 

Acoustic Christmas Track List: 

 

1.     “This Christmas,” Eric Hutchinson

2.     “Feels Like Christmas,” Us The Duo         

3.     “The Holidays with You,” Sara Watkins        

4.     “Birthday Cake For Jesus,” Shinyribs

5.     “My Own Christmas Tree,” Andrew Combs

6.     “Grateful for Christmas,” Hayes Carll

7.     “Christmas Time,” Linda Stonestreet

8.     “Merry Christmas To You,” G. Love

9.     “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Zella Day

10.   “What Child Is This?” Son Little

11.   “Christmas Was Here,” Inara George

12.   “I Miss You, Christmas,” Train

13.   “Christmas at McKinley Pub,” Stone Foxes

14.   “Auld Lang Syne,” Barcelona

15.   “Little Drummer Boy,” Escondido

16.   “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Black Joe Lewis

17.   “If We Make It Through December,” Billy Bragg & Joe Henry

18.   “Christmas In Prison,” Tramped By Turtles

19.   “Taking Down The Tree,” Keaton Henson

20.   “Christmas Street,” Bob Schneider

21.   “Come Home for Christmas,” Echocentrics (feat. Natalia Clavier)  

22.   “Cold Street,” Baskery

23.   “We Were Just Kids Then,” Arum Rae

24.   “It Won't Be Christmas Without You,” Samuel Larsen

25.   “Merry Christmas From the War,” Jillette Johnson           

26.   “Lou and Jessy's Christmas,” Little Scream

27.   “Is It to Bethlehem,” Kacy & Clayton

28.   “I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day,” Anais Mitchell

29.   “One Little Christmas Tree,” Barbarossa           

 

Official music videos for a selection of songs from Acoustic Christmas will be released at a later date.

 

Amazon Music Unlimited is available on all Amazon Music compatible devices including Amazon Echo, Fire devices, iPads, iPhones, Android devices, Sonos players and more. Customers who sign up for Amazon Music Unlimited can begin their free 30 day trial today. To find out how to listen, visit www.amazon.com/howtolisten.

The Brian Setzer Orchestra

To Perform Private Concert for SiriusXM Listeners

 

"Christmas Rocks" concert to air on SiriusXM's Outlaw Country and Holly channels

 

Brian Setzer Orchestra set to perform concert
for SiriusXM listeners on Nov. 29, 2016.

SiriusXM announced today that iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time Grammy-Award winner Brian Setzer and his 19-piece The Brian Setzer Orchestra will perform an exclusive invitation-only concert for SiriusXM listeners in New York Cityon Tuesday, November 29. This private concert-to air on SiriusXM's Outlaw Country and Holly channels--is part of The Brian Setzer Orchestra's in-progress 13th annual "Christmas Rocks!" tour, presented by SiriusXM (full itinerary here). In December of last year, The Brian Setzer Orchestra also performed an exclusive invitation-only concert for SiriusXM listeners in New York City.

 

The private performance will feature the 19-piece band performing his unique take on Holiday classics, including songs from their first studio Christmas album in 10 years, 2015's Rockin' Rudolph, (Surfdog Records) plus Setzer's well-known hits from the Stray Cats and his solo career. Setzer recently released (November 4, via Surfdog Records) the Blu-ray/CD Rockabilly Riot: Osaka Rocka! - Live In Japan.

   

The "Christmas Rocks" concert, taking place at The Hard Rock Café in Times Square, will air Friday, December 9 at 8 p.m. ET on Outlaw Country, channel 60, and through the SiriusXM App on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at SiriusXM. Highlights from the concert will air on SiriusXM's Holly, channel 13. For rebroadcast times, please visitwww.siriusxm.com. 

 

After the broadcast, the concert will be available on SiriusXM On Demand for subscribers listening via the SiriusXM app for smartphones and other connected devices or online at http://www.siriusxm.com/streaming.

 

Outlaw Country plays country rebels like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, David Allan Coe, Dwight Yoakam, Hank Williams Jr., Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Drive-By Truckers and Old 97s.

 

Iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and 3-time Grammy-award-winner Brian Setzer is a "Musician's Musician" credited with continually taking chances with innovative and daring musical styles, while single-handedly resurrecting two forgotten genres of music (rockabilly in the '80's and swing in the '90's). Along the way, he has scored chart-topping hits, sold 13 million records and received the Orville H. Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award throughout his decorated career as founder/leader of the Stray Cats, his 18-piece Brian Setzer Orchestra, and as a solo artist. He is consistently cited as one of the world's greatest living guitarists, and has a best-selling, extensive line of elite Gretsch signature model guitars bearing his name. Brian appeared in the 1987 film, La Bamba, portraying rockabilly pioneer Eddie Cochran. In 2002, Brian earned the privilege of being one of the few musicians to be animated in an episode of "The Simpsons." That same year, Setzer was personally requested to induct Chet Atkins into the 17^th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2014, Setzer received the distinct honor of being asked by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. to donate a replica of his original 1959 Gretsch 6120 "Stray Cat" guitar, joining an elite collection of musical instruments at the museum including Dizzy Gillespie's trumpet and John Coltrane's saxophone.

 

 For more information on SiriusXM, please visit www.siriusxm.com. 

A Double Feature of Holiday RiffTrax events dashes into Cinemas Nationwide with Two Times the Jokes on December 1, 2016 only

 

Joined by Comedy Legend ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic,

the RiffTrax Crew Takes on Two Yuletide Favorites for One Night This December

Next week the gents of RiffTrax (Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy & Bill Corbett) are set to bring the festive spirit and twice the laughs with “RiffTrax Holiday Special Double Feature.” This hilarious one night event comes to select U.S. movie theaters on Thursday, December 1^st at 7:00 p.m. and includes “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians,” a beloved classic from Mystery Science Theater 3000, and “Rifftrax Live: Christmas Shorts-straveganza,” with multiple Grammy Award-winning comedy legend “Weird Al” Yankovic.  Attendees will also view a bonus short, Parade of Aquatic Champions, plus the guys riffing on fan-submitted holiday family photos.

 

Check out the trailer here.

 

Tickets for “RiffTrax Holiday Special Double Feature” can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. For a list of all participating theaters, click here.

Sights and Sounds: #BOTH (Aimee Mann/Ted Leo project), Field Report, Moreland & Arbuckle,

Happy Friday everybody! Here is the latest roundup of news from all corners of my jammed inbox...


#BOTH (Aimee Mann & Ted Leo) SET TO PERFORM IN MARCH

#BOTH, a new collaboration of Aimee Mann and Ted Leo, will be showcasing songs they have written together as well performing some of their own original material. See their first shows ever at Largo in Los Angeles on March 8 and 9 and Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco on March 26th and 27th.

Mann is also set to perform at the Petty Fest next week, as well as a string of solo dates. Visit Mann's official Web site for more details on all the concert dates.



NPR Premieres Debut Video "I Am Not Waiting Anymore" From Field Report

March 2013 Tour with Sara Watkins


Watch: http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2013/02/20/172503021/first-watch-field-report-im-not-waiting-anymore?sc=tw&cc=twmp



"Enchanting...a breakout debut" -Rolling Stone


"Meticulous...gorgeous" -NPR

"Drop dead elegant" -Esquire


Field Report and NPR present the video for "I Am Not Waiting Anymore" from the band's debut full-length, Field Report, with a First Watch premiere. The emotionally arresting video was directed by Manny Marquez and creates a wrenching narrative of a formerly homeless man seeking healing and redemption amidst the urban decay of Field Report's hometown, Milwaukee. Here is the link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2013/02/20/172503021/first-watch-field-report-im-not-waiting-anymore?sc=tw&cc=twmp.



By listening to Chris Porterfield's lyrics on repeat during his daily bike rides through Milwaukee, director Marquez says, "I started to see this world that he was creating, a world that was this Field Report album. It reminded me of Raymond Carver's work or Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, OH. You have this series of seemingly normal situations, and people in different phases of life dealing with these situations. I'm talking about love, lost love, happiness, and longing. And with all the empty factories and old houses in Milwaukee, the town just set the scene."


Marquez continues, "The most difficult part of shooting the video was the scene in the church food program at the end. That's St. Ben's in Milwaukee, and it's a wonderful place where the Capuchin Brothers feed about 400 people every night. We had to shoot it in a way that the only faces seen were those of the people that wanted to be in the video, and respect all the other people that were just there for a meal."


Field Report will play songs off their widely praised 2012 record across the US this spring. They will headline a handful of dates before appearing at SXSW in March, followed by a tour of the East Coast with Sara Watkins.

http://www.field-report.org/




ROOTS ROCKERS MORELAND & ARBUCKLE SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM ON TELARC THIS SUMMER

Aaron Moreland

Since their beginnings in the Kansas heartland, guitarist Aaron Moreland and vocalist/harpist Dustin Arbuckle have captured the visceral spirit and raw energy of the early 20th century Delta blues and distilled it all down to a hard-driving and powerful garage-rock configuration.

Working for the first time with Seattle-based record producer Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Minus The Bear, Sword, Norma Jean), Moreland & Arbuckle are set to release a new collection of “raw, dirty, primal sounds” (USA Today) on Telarc, a division of Concord Music Group, in late summer 2013.



The follow-up to the band’s acclaimed 2011 release Just A Dream, this new recording captures the excitement of their live shows, showcasing the best of Moreland’s dynamic and compelling guitar work – and his custom cigar-box guitar – Arbuckle’s emotionally charged vocals and edgy harp, along with a rock-solid backbeat of drummer Kendall Newby.

Dustin Arbuckle

I caught Moreland & Arbuckle in a fantastic 45-minute outing when they opened for Buddy Guy in September 2011. Read my review of that show here.

For more information on the exciting Moreland & Arbuckle, visit http://www.morelandarbuckle.com/




Moreland & Arbuckle photo credits: Jon T. Cruz, 1369 Photos

Stagecoach 2012: Americana artists shine

Chris Isaak led his band through a wonderful hour-long set at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio on Saturday, April 28, 2012.

Although I would encourage you to check out all my full-length posts (as well as those penned by Ben Wener and George A. Paul) on the Soundcheck blog, I wanted to provide a brief overview of all the acts I caught yesterday. I didn't get to review either singer-fiddler Sara Watkins, Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys or The Mavericks for The Register. But I did get to see them perform all (or part) of their respective sets on Saturday in Indio. It's impossible to catch all of the action on all three stages.

The winner for sure was the comeback concert from The Mavericks, the legendary band that kicked off their current North American tour at the festival. Raul Malo sounded terrific, his tenor soaring in that ethereal way it did when I first reviewed the band back in the 1990s. And the band was terrific (if bit mixed a bit loud through the P.A. system). "What a Crying Shame" (my favorite song from the band) was amazing to hear again, as was the Mavericks' progressive mix of traditional country music and rockabilly.

Earlier I enjoyed seeing the legendary Ralph Stanley, who is now in his mid eighties! He sounded great and everybody (thankfully) yelled out and cheered their appreciation for this bluegrass pioneer.

Saturday kicked off for me with the chance to see Carlsbad, California based fiddler-singer Sara Watkins warm up the crowd. I loved her new song (I think the title is "Lock and Key") off her forthcoming new album. She has a nice soprano voice and her touch on the fiddle was perfect.