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Seasick Steve Sonic Soul Surfer
Like many of his blues heroes, Steven Wold (aka Seasick Steve)
left home at an early age, living rough on the road, calling on his
experiences to write songs. Today he’s recognised as one of the best
live acts in music, having performed at major festivals around the world.
Playing mostly personalised guitars (he claims one is haunted), he’s backed on his new
album (recorded in a room at his farm) by longtime drummer Dan Magnusson, Mississippi
All Stars slide guitarist Luther Dickinson, plus fiddle and jaw harp; these songs celebrate
wanderlust, responsibilities of old age, and his car. Caroline/Universal
Curtis Harding Soul Power
Michigan-born guitarist/singer/songwriter Curtis Harding honed his craft
from an early age spent on the road with his mother, a gospel singer.
The experience exposed him to different kinds of music enabling him to
fuse blues, R&B and soul with his gospel roots. Later he sang back-up for
OutKast and Cee-Lo Green and it’s their pop influences that make his debut so interesting.
One track features his electrified Stratocaster, on another his voice swims in reverb, horns
punctuate other songs. His vocal on the album’s opener Next Time reminds me of Robert Cray.
Warner
The Punch Brothers The Phosphorescent Blues
The style of New York quintet Punch Brothers – fiddle, banjo,
mandolin, guitar and bass – is a hybrid of American bluegrass-country and
classical chamber music, and the sound is enhanced on their new release
by the inclusion (for the first time) of a drummer. Their arrangements allow
for daring changes within each song, some featuring pitch-perfect vocal harmonies. Lyrical
themes for some songs sprung from interaction with fans after performances, but it’s the
two instrumentals I found most intriguing: Passepied (passing feet) was composed by Claude
Debussy in the 19th century, and Prelude by Alexander Scriabin in the early 1900s. Warner
JD McPherson Let the Good Times Roll
With a sound rooted in rockabilly, R&B and rock’n’roll, singer, songwriter,
and guitarist McPherson’s second album is full of irresistible original
songs that could have been recorded at Sun Studios in the ’50s. Lots of
guitars, lots of percussion and reverb, the sounds immediately bring to
mind pioneers of the genre. The spirit of Little Richard is channelled on Shook Me Up, Eddie
Cochran comes to mind on the title song (not the Shirley and Lee original), and Precious
is enhanced by a subtle Bo Diddley beat. McPherson’s respect for the music is obvious
throughout. Universal
Ryan Bingham Fear and Saturday Night
Ryan Bingham is one of those rare performers whose authentic natural
style is simply the real deal. Leaving home as a young man – living in
his truck, riding rodeos and playing his songs – he often reflects on the
unstable life he left behind. In 2010 he earned himself Golden Globe, Oscar
and Grammy awards for his song The Weary Kind from the movie Crazy Heart. He’s only 33,
but his mesmerising, whiskey-soaked voice reflects an older and wiser sound. He can rock it
out in a tough, bluesy, country way, although this album captures a more stripped back feel.
Captivating... Lost Highway/Universal
The Mavericks Mono
Hailing from Miami, Florida, The Mavericks were always a unique band
amongst the country music genre. With their Cuban American lead singer
Raul Malo and his golden, spellbinding vocals (think a Latin Roy Orbison),
plus a band who know how to play the music that moves, they combine
neo-traditional country, Latino and rock’n’roll to make their mesmerising sound. The band
reformed in 2012 after an eight year break, and this is their second album since getting back
together – these guys are having way too much fun to put this behind them again. Let the
good times roll... Universal
Jim White vs the Packway Handle Band
Take It Like a Man
In one corner, we have eccentric performer Jim White who’s known
for his unique ramblings of country folk and rock. In the other corner is
The Packway Handle Band described as a high energy bluegrass outfit.
Both hail from Athens, Georgia. Packway wanted to record an album, and asked White
to produce. White had some bluegrassy songs kicking around his kit bag, and suggested
combining the two ideas. And here’s the result! This isn’t traditional bluegrass, but
combined they perform some fun and sometimes humorous songs with great vigour. This
is a bunch of talented folks, having a good time. Yep Roc/MGM
Peter Paul and Mary Discovered: Live in Concert
Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Mary Travers met in 1961 working in Greenwich Village, and
were encouraged by manager Albert Grossman to join forces. Signed to Warner Bros. in 1962,
their debut spent seven weeks at number one. They were the first to bring commercial success
to Bob Dylan, also managed by Grossman, by covering his Blowin’ in the Wind, Don’t Think
Twice It’s Alright and The Times They Are A-Changin’. In 1980 they had begun to record and
archive live performances: during 2014 they released this classic concert experience, featuring
13 previously un-released songs albeit sans the hits. Featuring two acoustic guitars and
occasional double bass and mandolin, the trio’s vocals give fans the full spectrum of emotions
typically experienced at a PP&M concert. The opening song, the rocking gospel You Can Tell
The World, was previously covered by The Seekers; Semper Fi has a pro-peace message, and
the bittersweet Give Yourself To Love was originally recorded by folk artist Kate Wolf who
passed away from leukaemia in 1986 – the same disease that claimed Mary Travers’ life in
2009. Rounding out the album is a rousing rendition of Lead Belly’s Midnight Special. Warner
Steve Earle Terraplane
Since releasing his debut Guitar Town in 1986, Steve Earle has become one of the most
admired, influential Americana singer-songwriters. His straightforward storytelling meshes
folk, blues, rock, country and bluegrass – sometimes all of the above – so it may not come as
a surprise to Earle fans that he’s made a blues album. He’s picked the perfect time to write the
blues following the break up of his marriage to singer Allison Moorer, so this is an album with
a dose of the sad stuff – Earle is writing what he knows, some of it written on a five-week solo
tour of Europe with just a guitar, mandolin and backpack. Earle offers a musical history paying
tribute to some of the many sounds of the blues, with his awesome band The Dukes featuring
the ridiculous talents of Kelly Looney, Will Rigby, Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore, and
just enough country swagger that you expect from Earle. This is his sixteenth studio album,
recorded at where else but the House of Blues Studios in Nashville Tennessee with producer RS
Field (Buddy Guy, John Mayall). This is some cool blues, Mr Earle. New West/Warner
Billy Pinnell is one of Australia’s most passionate and well informed broadcasters.
Denise Hylands just gets country music like no one else around.
Hayseed Dixie Hair Down To My Grass
In 2001, Hayseed Dixie’s debut album was a tribute to the music of AC/
DC, in a hillbilly bluegrass kinda way. Over the years they have continued
to pay tribute to many other bands in their own unique way. The parody
party continues on their thirteenth album with a selection of classic rock
and heavy metal tunes, Pink Floyd, Motörhead, Aerosmith and Survivor, amongst others.
These guys respect their rock as much as their country, keeping in mind their fast and
furious playing. And boy can they play: acoustic instruments including guitars, banjo and
mandolin, but no drums. Not rocket science, but geez, it’s a lot of fun. Planet/MGM
FEBRUARY 2015 JB Hi-Fi
20
ROOTS MUSIC
IT’S COUNTRY
MUSIC
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