|
New Releases
 Rumpke Mountain Boys - Trashgrass CD - Recorded live at a private party at StoneBarry Hill, then carefully mixed at Soap Floats recording studio in Cincinnati (a la "Live Dead"), Trashgrass is the Rumpke Mountain Boy’s first release since the addition of Memphis-bred bassist JD Westmoreland. Consisting of accomplished mandolin player Ben Gourley, Adam Copeland on acoustic guitar, Jason "Wolfie" Wolf on banjo, and Westmoreland on upright bass, Rumpke’s sound is refreshingly unique, drawing on influences such as the Grateful Dead, Ralph Stanley, Tom Waits, and Jimmy Cliff. The Rumpke Mountain Boys are known for their fun-filled live shows, the new release captures the Rumpke magic well, oozing with fiery banjo picking, amazing vocal harmonies, and impressive songwriting done by all four members. Trashgrass is organic, balanced, and most of all, FUN and their energy shines through on this release. According to Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, The Rumpke Mountain Boys are "high energy, hot licks, cool tunes – A party waiting to happen."
 Grateful Dead - Dawn of the Dead DVD - In the mid-1960s a new twist on contemporary rock music emerged out of San Francisco. Known as 'psychedelia', it was pioneered by a close-knit community of local bands who merged traditional American musical forms with new sounds often developed under the influence of psychedelic drugs. Bound up with the social and cultural changes of the era, it was a combination that made for a radical re-imaging of youth culture. This film traces the movements, events and sounds of those heady days, and traces the story of the definitive band of the psychedelic age, The Grateful Dead.
 Led Zeppelin - 1975, A Year of Living Dangerously DVD - Since their formation in 1968 Led Zeppelin had barely put a foot wrong. By 1971 they were being tagged "best band in the world" by Rolling Stone magazine, and when `Stairway to Heaven' from their redoubtable forth hit the decks and the airwaves that November, many doubted whether even the mighty Zep could reach any higher, but if '73's Houses of the Holy hinted at the band treading water, 1974 found them beginning to record what was to become arguably the most ambitious release of the bands career.
 Allman Brothers Band -Macon City Auditorium 2/11/72 (2CD) - The third Allman Brothers archival release, and perhaps the most poignant one. Recorded in Macon, GA in February 1972, these 2 CDs present the unified front that was the five-man version of the band as it gamely carried on following the loss of Duane Allman. Powerful music, played with lots of soul and heart and passion - music like you never heard before. With five songs that have not been previously released in this archival series ("Ain't Wastin' Time No More," "Midnight Rider," "Hoochie Coochie Man," "Hot 'Lanta," and "Les Brers in A Minor), you simply have to hear this to understand its power and majesty.
 Allman Brothers Band - Nassau Coliseum, NY 5/1/73 (2CD) - Nassau Coliseum 5/1/73, captures a phenomenal performance by the version of the Allman Brothers Band that recorded the classic album Brothers and Sisters. Rebounding from the tragic losses of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley, the ABB was once again hittin’ the note in the spring of 1973, and Nassau Coliseum 5/1/73 captures this important segment of Allman Brothers history. This two-CD release harkens back to the time when the ABB was commonly referred to as the "best damn band in the land," and is loaded throughout with incendiary performances. Play it often, and play it loud.
 New Riders of the Purple Sage - The Lost Broadcasts DVD - In addition to Nelson, Dawson (on acoustic guitar), and Garcia (continuing to play pedal steel), the original line-up of the band that came to be known as the New Riders of the Purple Sage (a nod to the Zane Grey classic and the western swing combo from the 1940s led by Foy Willing) consisted of Robert Hunter on electric bass and Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart. Hunter was soon replaced by Bob Matthews, before Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead was named bassist. The most well-known version of the New Riders, referred to as the "core" by many, was Dawson, Nelson, Dave Torbert on bass, Spencer Dryden on drums, and Buddy Cage, who joined the band after about a year and a half and replaced Jerry Garcia on pedal steel.
The band in various incarnations toured supporting The Grateful Dead in the early 1970s, but by 1971 the last of the Grateful Dead alumni had left and Spencer Dryden late of Jefferson Airplane had joined on drums. The songs on this DVD come from 29th May 72, apart from the last version of Truck Driving Man which is dated 29th June 72.
Coming Soon
 Lotus - Build CD - Built on a foundation of beats evoking vinyl breaks, house and big-beat, the latest album from Lotus is a funky dance party from start to finish. The ten tracks on Build showcase live drums, guitar, organ, and horns that come drenched in classic analog luxuriance, with electronic elements peppered throughout. This is the sound of a band that has spent years rocking live crowds distilled to a strong studio concentrate of body-moving beats and muscular melodies.
“This album was recorded live to analog tape in studios in Philadelphia and St. Louis. We used live drums, guitar, bass, Hammond organ, upright piano, analog synths, live percussion, and live horns from the group Rubblebucket, then peppered in electronic elements. The project was mixed through an analog process to give it a deep richness. These songs were written over the course of the past 2 years and road-tested across the country.
I think this our tightest and best sounding album yet. The songs have a largeness that match Lotus move from clubs into premier venues around the country.” – Luke Miller
 Jerry Garcia Band - Capital Theatre 3/1/80 (3CDs) - The first release from the newly-launched Garcia Live series features a recording from the historic Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey on March 1, 1980. The band performed an early and a late show on this evening, as was common at the time. The shows were originally multi-tracked on a 24-track mobile rig for WNEW's broadcast of the early show.
The band, which included Garcia on guitar and vocals, partner in crime John Kahn on bass, Ozzie Ahlers on Keys and Johnny de Foncesca on drums at the time, was wrapping up a three-week East Coast run with the performances on this evening. Highlights including a take on the Jimmie Rodgers penned rave-up, "That's All Right," an early show encore of "Deal" and a rollicking version of "That's What Love Will Make You Do" show Jerry and the band loose and fluid at the end of the tour.
 Charlie Daniels Band - Hits of the South CD - 1. Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours 4:05 2. Long Haired Country Boy 4:19 3. Southern Boy 2:57 4. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down 4:00 5. Statesboro Blues 4:22 6. The South's Gonna Do It 3:56 7. Sharp Dressed Man 4:46 8. The Devil Went Down To Georgia 3:43 9. Elizabeth Reed 5:14
10. Freedbird 7:09 11. Birmingham Blues 4:57 12. Can't You See 6:02
Last Week:
 Sol Driven Train - Underdog CD - This 10-song collection strives to capture the energy of this Charleston, SC band's dynamic live show while serving as a culmination of their years together on the road and in the studio. The result is Sol Driven Train's most concise and song-oriented album to date. Averaging 150 live dates per year, Sol Driven Train will support the release of Underdog with a heavy 2013 schedule of festival, club, and radio appearances.
Fully funded with fan support through Kickstarter and recorded at Charleston Sound, Underdog features a cast of Charleston guest musicians including 2012 American Idol finalist Elise Testone. The album explores the diverse components of sounds found in American roots music; from the gritty guitar rock licks of the opening title track, and the blues-tinged swing of "Changed Mind" and "I Do Declare," to the lightheared, observational lyrics laden with big brass hooks of "Guest List," "Fuego Fuego, and "Lady from Chiang Mai."
Underdog is laced with consistent themes of "striving for balance within ourselves and our relationships at home," says co-frontman and guitarist Joel Timmons. "The pursuit of our collective musical dreams and the need to cultivate healthy relationships and lifestyles at home are at the heart of many of the songs on Underdog. Struggle, spiritual growth, love, and longing are all intertwined and influenced the writing on this new album. We're proud of the result of these challenges and we hope to inspire the underdog within every listener."
 Papadosio - To End the Illusion of Separation (2 CDs) - This 20 song, double disc album is dedicated to the next horizon which is revealing itself little by little. What we can tell is that we are moving away from being caught in an illusion of separation, and toward something more unified. So in that spirit, we created this conceptual collaboration between us and a team of truly amazing friends whom we have had the of pleasure of meeting along the way. In an effort to catalyze the beautiful and peaceful world that we all know is possible, we give you this collection of art as a sign that we are all moving into that space slowly but surely. Read our review.
Upcoming Events:
Feb 15-17 - Aura Music Festival - Live Oak, FL
Video of the Week:
Interview and perfomance with Les Racquet at the Middle East Club in Boston, MA
Thanks for reading! Treat yourself to some good music this week.
- Lee Crumpton
|
