I’ve always been really confused about why every rockabilly revival act seems to sing songs about being zombies. Continue reading “Dex Romweber Duo – Images 13”
Nudie – Remember This
Veteran Canadian country picker and songwriter Nudie returns with a sophomore solo release, Remember This. Nudie is contemporary country music written, recorded and performed as an homage to classic country — think Daniel Romano or Jonny Fritz — and he accomplishes the task admirably. His songwriting is strong throughout the album, the arrangements tasteful and the performances tight. “Sex Kisses” would get the dust up off most honky tonk dance floors. “Pawn Shop” is a clever down and outer, while the title track has all the makings for a tear-in-your-beer ballad. What Remember This lacks, though, is the flash of a spark to ignite the whole package, to burn it into the listener’s memory. Nudie comes dang close with this one, but then again this ain’t horseshoes we’re playing, here. (Independent, nudiemusic.com) Sheldon Birnie Continue reading “Nudie – Remember This”
Hillbilly Highway – Jonathan Byrd, real dang deal
by Sheldon Birnie
“The snow’s like a ghost of cocaine on the highway, it shifts and plays tricks on your mind. The wind is like razors. In only two days, you’ve done 200,000 white lines.” Continue reading “Hillbilly Highway – Jonathan Byrd, real dang deal”
Livingston – Artificially Intelligent Folk Songs Of Canada, Vol.1
Livingston is the musical experiment designed by a folklorist and a computer scientist with the goal of generating new, distinctly Canadian folk music with a computer. Continue reading “Livingston – Artificially Intelligent Folk Songs Of Canada, Vol.1”
Stephen Fearing & Andy White – Tea and Confidences
Tea and Confidences is the second collaboration between Irish folksinger Andy White and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings’ Stephen Fearing, who met backstage at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Continue reading “Stephen Fearing & Andy White – Tea and Confidences”
Scott Nolan & Joanna Miller – North/South
After years of gigging around town, from regular stands at the Bella Vista, the Rose N Bee, and Times Change(d), to sold out shows at the Park Theatre and the WECC, Winnipeggers ought to be familiar with Scott Nolan, at this point. Continue reading “Scott Nolan & Joanna Miller – North/South”
Trampled by Turtles – Live at First Avenue
The Live at First Avenue CD-DVD set showcases material from ten years and six albums for Trampled by Turtles, as recorded live in Minneapolis in April 2013. Continue reading “Trampled by Turtles – Live at First Avenue”
Animal Parts – Six Arms to Hold You
I don’t know if I dropped it too many times or spun it a little too frequently, but my copy of Animal Parts’ Six Arms to Hold You With now skips (and it’s a bummer). Continue reading “Animal Parts – Six Arms to Hold You”
Cass McCombs – Big Wheel and Others
I made an oops when I said I’d review this album. Continue reading “Cass McCombs – Big Wheel and Others”
Jayme Stone – The Other Side Of The Air
Toronto may not be the first hometown that comes to mind when you think of award winning (two Junos and a Canadian Folk Music Award) banjo players, but Jayme Stone is much more than a player; he’s a true master of the instrument and innovative composer. Continue reading “Jayme Stone – The Other Side Of The Air”