New Monsoon

New Additions:

Boogie Husters - Boogie Hustlers CD - On their third album, the Boogie Hustlers have once again found a way to seamlessly merge various genres of music into a sound that is uniquely their own. Strikingly different from the band's previous album True Colors, their newest self-titled release Boogie Hustlers is a bare bones, back to basics, beautiful blend of classic soul and rock n' roll teamingwith emotional, heartfelt songs about love and life. From the driving road anthem "9 Deep" to the mellow masterpiece "Down the Line", this eclectic album proves to be their best yet. $12

Shpongle - Live from the Roadhouse 2008 DVD - As an artist, it's always good to challenge yourself... and the thought of translating all the complex layers in a shpongle album into a live show with a band gave me a panic attack... and still does! Pretty early on I realized the secret would be to bring in musicians far better than ourselves... and lots of them! Two weeks before the show the band had never even met each other, even though I had recorded some of them individually in my studio for previous Shpongle albums. We all rehearsed in a darkened room, with no air or daylight, getting to know each other by smell alone... and perhaps sound. Reams of manuscript paper littered the floor, everyone wore ear plugs, and all I could think was "What the hell am I doing?" . We didn't know if we would ever repeat the performance, so recorded it for posterity... Surely only an idiot would actually release their first ever gig though, right? We hope you like it... it was made with love, sweat and laughter.... Welcome to Shpongleland! $16.98

Buckethead & Friend - Enter the Chicken (re-release) - The ever mysterious and amazingly talented guitarist and theme park manager Buckethead has opened the doors to his famed Bucketheadland once again, and this time he has asked his friends to help him provide the thrills and chills to his guests. Complete with brand new bonus track Shen Chi, Enter the Chicken is ready to take listeners on another sonic loop. Also on board are the vocal performances from many of today's brightest musical talents including Saul Williams, Efrem Schulz (Death By Stereo), Maura Davis, Azam Ali (300 Soundtrack) and Serj Tankian himself. These artists as well as the others that are featured on the album were hand picked by Tankian and Buckethead to ensure that each song takes the listener on a unique musical voyage. The 12-track adventure is filled with sonic twists and turns that will leave listener's ears delighted and their mouths overflowing with enthusiastic comments. $11.98

Coming Soon:

January 12 - Vampire Weekend - Contra CD
Charlie Hunter - Gentlemen, I Neglected To Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid CD

January 19 - Danny Barnes - Pizza Box CD
South Memphis String Band - Home Sweet Home CD

Last Week:

Blakroc - Blakroc CD - The brainchild of The Black Keys and Damon Dash. Produced by and featuring The Black Keys, BlakRoc also hosts a star-studded line up including Mos Def, Q-Tip, RZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Raekwon, Ludacris, Pharoahe Monch, Jim Jones, NOE, Nicole Wray and Billy Danze. Of the album, The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach said 'no samples were used on the record, it's all live instruments and live vocals. $14.98

Live from Bonnaroo 2008 DVD - Designed to reflect the breadth and diversity of the Bonnaroo experience, the DVD features exclusive performances and backstage footage of artists such as Metallica, Pearl Jam, Jack Johnson, The Raconteurs, Tegan and Sarah, Against Me!, My Morning Jacket, Les Claypool, Broken Social Scene, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, among many others. Sam Erickson (My Morning Jacket, Dave Matthews) and 44 Pictures directed the program, which features exclusive packaging and artwork . The audio was engineered from Bonnaroo's pristine master soundboard recordings and remixed in stereo and 5.1 surround sound. $17.98

Bootsy Collins - Christmas is 4 Ever CD - Funk legend Bootsy Collins spices up Christmas time with his first holiday album, Christmas Is 4 Ever, boasting nine "Bootsyized" yuletide classics along with four brand-new holiday songs. Bootsy is joined by Snoop Dogg, who raps on the new song "Happy Holidaze," and Charlie Daniels, who provides fiddle and background vocals for the holiday standard "Sleigh Ride" (which also features vocals by Ohio Players lead singer Sugarfoot). Other guests include Bobby Womack, the late Roger Troutman (Zapp), and former James Brown collaborators Fred Wesley, Bobby Byrd, and MC Danny Ray, as well as former Parliament/Funkadelic members Blackbyrd McKnight and Bernie Worrell. $7.98

Bootsy Collins - Be With You DVD - A tribute to Mr James Brown, Mr Bobby Byrd and Roger Troutman. Now Glory Be Come Funk with Me.

DVD contains holiday music video of "Be With You".

Purchase with Bootsy's "Christmas is Forever" CD and get both for only $10! To take advantage of this offer, add the DVD to your cart, but not the CD - the special offer will appear during checkout. $4.98

Upcoming Events:

April 15-17, 2010 - Wanee Music Festival - Live Oak, FL

April 22-25, 2010 - Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival - Pittsboro, NC

Video of the Week:

Buzz Universe - The Wait to Return

The 9th Annual HGMN Year End Awards (and staff picks)

STUDIO ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Zach Deputy - Sunshine Read our interview with Zach where he discusses the making of Sunshine. For those not familiar, Deputy's truck and all his musical gear were stolen the day before he was to go in the studio to record this CD!

LIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: The Station - Speed of Sound - Live at Marley's offers two plus hours of ambitious, genre-bending rock and roll. The songs are characterized by incredibly strong guitar work, energetic, effusive lyrics, and a stark mixture of musical styles ranging from progressive rock and horn-driven funk, to spacey jams that remain sharp and on point. Read our full review.

DVD OF THE YEAR: SOJA - Live in Hawaii - In January of 2008, SOJA returned to Hawai'i for their third tour of the islands, accompanied by award winning filmmaker Marc Carlini, and a five man camera crew. Carlini captured performances in Honolulu, Kona, Maui, & Kaua'i; as well as behind the scenes footage featuring the beautiful landscape of Hawai'i, its lifestyle, culture, and experience through the eyes of SOJA. View trailer.

CUSTOMER'S CHOICE: Retail: New Monsoon - Live Customer's orders spoke and they bought the most of this double live CD from the hard working road warriors New Monsoon.
Wholesale: Derek Trucks Band - Live at Georgia Theatre - Stores most often puchased this amazing double live CD set from DTB. This one would be on my deserted island CD list for sure.

NEW HGMN BAND OF THE YEAR: Three Legged Fox The young PA quartet made the biggest impression with our staffers in 2009.

ROAD WARRIOR OF THE YEAR: Zach Deputy - Zach performed well over 200 shows in 2009. While not included in the offical count we personally know that he performed over 20 sets at Bonnaroo alone!

HGMN HALL OF FAME: STS9 joins The Motet, Umphrey's McGee, The Recipe, Deep Banana Blackout, The Big Wu, Acoustic Syndicate, The Disco Biscuits & Keller Williams in this select list of bands that have helped define HGMN over the years.

HG REPS OF THE YEAR: Traci Tuttle (Freemont, NH) & Cassandra Chalkley (Marlbrough, NH)

HGMN VENUE OF THE YEAR: Nelson Ledges Quarry Park - Garrettsville, OH
Runner Up: Livewire Music Hall - Savannah, GA

HGMN JAMcaster OF THE YEAR: Endless Boundaries on WBZC, DJ=Jaybird

Congrats to all the winners and thanks for making 2009 a year to remember!

HGMN Staff's Favorites of 2009:

LEE:
Favorite shows: Phish - Charlottesville 12/5/2009
The Mantras - 9/4/2009 Get Down Music Festival

Albums: Scythian - Live CD
The Motet - Dig Deep CD
The New Mastersounds - Ten Years On CD
Max Allen Band - Ending Sun CD  Max Allen Band - Ending Sun CD
Jeff Bujak - Alive Like the Spine CD

ROBIE:
Favorite shows: Galactic - 11/14/09  Bear Creek Music Festival
Cut Copy - 3/24/09 Cat's Cradle

Albums: Memory Tapes - Seek Magic
Pretty Lights - Passing By Behind Your Eyes
The New Mastersounds - Ten Years On
Signal Path - Clash
Bibio - Ambivalence Avenue

SHERRY:
Favorite shows: Derek Trucks Band - 10/30/2009 Carolina Theatre, Durham NC
Lotus  - 11/11/2009 Cat's Cradle, Carrboro NC

Albums: Lotus - Hammerstrike CD
The New Mastersounds - Ten Years On CD
Derek Trucks Band - Already Free CD
Widespread Panic - Montreal 1997
Steppin' Razor - Gold In Rule CD

TREVOR:
Favorite shows: -Perpetual Groove - Camp Barefoot 2009
Donna the Buffalo - Spring Shakori Hills (Sunday Night Set)

Albums: The New Mastersounds - Ten Years On CD
Laura Reed and Deep Pocket - Live at Tree Sound Studios CD/DVD
Lotus - Hammerstrike CD 
Widespread Panic - Montreal Sept 8, 1997 (3 CDs)
Rodrigo y Gabriella - 11:11 CD

J. Evan Wade:
Favorite shows: Scythian at the Blind Tiger 2/11/09
Josh Philips Folk Festival at the Blind Tiger 9/10/09

Albums: Toubab Krewe - Live at the Orange Peel
Bassnectar - Cozza Frenzy
Cadillac Jones - Rhythm Method
TR3 - Radiance
Three Legged Fox - Not as Far

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!
Lee Crumpton

New Additions:

Zach Deputy - Sunshine CD - Sunshine was conceived of as an effort to capture the feel and technique of Zach's live show, and much of it was recorded like he performs--in real time with layered loops. However, recording the live looping technique could conceal the chops and virtuosity of his live playing so Zach recorded 5 tracks with the support of the first rate musicians of Ryan Montbleau Band. Sunshine is thus a reflection of Zach's one man show and his front man/guitarist abilities. Each aspect of his artistry is captured by two radically different approaches to recording, which--although antithetical in many respects, neatly capture the essence of Zach Deputy and the intriguing, uplifting hybrid of soul, gospel, rhythm and blues, calypso and hip-hop that is his own inspired invention. $14.99

Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band - Greatest Hips Volume II CD - "Greatest Hips" is a series of live albums that are made up of selected songs that were multi-track recorded, and professionally mixed and mastered. These recordings act as a digital bookmark of a period of time in Booty Band history. Often referred to as a truly live experience and a very visual performance, Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band has put together this compilation in order to bring the live experience of a show to your home, to your car, to your living room to re-live again and again. $13.99

Scythian - Live CD - Tracks include old standards like New York Girls, Devil Went Down to Georgia, Wisemaid Set, Gypsy Fiddle, My Son John, Hava Nagila and more! And we introduced some originals as well, with Cubicles and Tylenol, Dance All Night and Hey Mama Ya. 15 tracks in all, recorded in 11 different cities - don the dancing shoes and prep the taps for this one! $15

The Motet - Dig Deep CD - Dig Deep is a tapestry of sound that pushes the expectations of any listener who is familiar with the band's signature mix of afrobeat, electronica, funk, and jazz. Dig Deep presents The Motet revisited and refreshed, showcasing 12 great musicians who have contributed to the band over the years. Much of the material is geared toward the studio setting rather than their famed live shows, which is evident in Watts' rich production of interweaving rhythms and melodies. But in addition, every song on the 11-track album expresses the talents of these great musicians and plays well to the roots of the band's signature sound. $7.99

Amy Hendrickson & the Prime Directive CD - This six song EP is well worth your time and money as each song showcases the band's creative versatility. Various genres of music such as: folk, rock, funk, alternative, jazz, blues and psychedelic experimentation are all represented on this one-of-a-kind musical journey. The lyrics are meaningful and heart-felt. The instrumentation has emotion and passion. The band has received tons of local, national and international radio airplay with rave reviews. You are sure to enjoy the debut of this band from the rich and diverse music scene of Saint Augustine, Florida USA $7.99

Clay Ross - Matuto CD - Matuto (ma-two-toe) is Brazilian slang for country bumpkin.  Imagine the sound of a Brazilian Carnaval in the Appalachian Mountains.  A sound where exotic percussion instruments rumble beneath blues drenched vocals, Telecaster twangs, and folksy fiddle tunes.  Now, imagine these sounds in the hands of some of NYC's finest young improvisers as they light up club and festival stages world wide. $12

Funkuponya - Funkuponya CD - Funkuponya, a quartet based out of Raleigh, North Carolina was formed by a chance meeting off Craigslist in the spring of 2008. Featuring Doug Carter on guitar, Brian Werner on keys, Leo Kishore on bass, and Carl Blackwell on drums, the band strives to create ear catching melodies mixed with heated improvised jams, resulting in a rhythmic experience that keeps the body moving. Polished guitar mingles with stratospheric keyboards to keep the audience on their toes. All the while, the no-nonsense rhythm section keeps the music honest and forward-moving. These are the new guys on the Southeast funk and jam scene. $11.99

MMW - Radiolarians III CD - The third and final installment in their Radiolarians trilogy featuring the passionate and gritty traditional 'Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down,' the anthemic 'Undone,' and the Latin-influenced acoustic opener 'Chantes Des Femmes.' Overall, Radiolarians III finds the trio doing what they do best - melding genres and improvising. What results, is maybe the strongest and most cohesive album of the entire Radiolarian's series. $15.99

Coming Soon:

August 18 - The Giving Tree Band - Great Possessions CD
Jonah Smith - Lights On CD

September 1 - Rodrigo y Gabriella - 11:11 CD
Black Crowes - Before the Frost, Until the Freeze CD
Drive By Truckers - The Fine Print CD
Yonder Mt String Band - The Show CD
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey - One Day in Brooklyn CD

September 8 - Phish - Joy CD

Last Week's Additions:

Assembly of Dust - Some Assembly Required CD - 'Some Assembly Required' contains the strongest collection of songs the group has created to date, each expertly crafted tune illuminated by a stellar lineup of guests. Every musician recruited lends their considerable talents in service of band leader Reid Genauer's skillful compositions, an inspired, inventive and spirited version of American rock and roots music. Each of Assembly of Dust's songs are realized with an ace band and a diverse collection of collaborators (including Bela Fleck, David Grisman, John Scofield, Mike Gordon, Richie Havens, Grace Potter, Jerry Douglas, Keller Williams, Mike Gordon, Tony Rice, Martin Sexton & more). $9.98

10ft Ganga Plant - Bush Rock CD - "Bush Rock", is their most inspired and accomplished to date. Includes vocals by Kyle McDonald of Slightly Stoopid & features the core crew of 10 Ft. who are associated with John Brown's Body. "Bush Rock" shows the Plant growing to new heights, while keeping their feet firmly rooted in a warm 70's roots vibe. Standout tracks "Too Much Gun a Bust" & "Got To Be a Soldier" include powerful heart wrenching vocals reminiscent of the greats like Jacob Miller & Joe Higgs. Bush Rock is a well rounded reggae/dub excursion and features both heavy dub tracks and silky sweet songs like the Melodica driven "Machete Strike". $12.98

Rev Payton's Big Damn Band - The Whole Fam Damnily CD - The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band may technically only be comprised of three people, but their name is no misnomer. Although the family-based act--which is comprised of fingerstyle guitarist Reverend Peyton, his wife and washboard player Breezy Peyton and drummer/brother Jayme Peyton--have only been around for three years, in that time period these country-blues aficionados from rural Indiana have played more than 250 shows annually and logged more miles on their van than most acts who have been around for a decade. "We end up playing with a lot of punk rock bands and any kind of roots acts from bluegrass to alt-country to rockabilly to you name it," the Reverend himself answers when asked what a typical Big Damn Band performance is like, "we'll play with anyone, really." $11.98

BACK IN STOCK!

SOJA - Get Wiser CD - The second full-length album from the VA-based roots outfit Soldiers of Jah Army (SOJA), Get Wiser, absolutely reserves their place in the annals of roots Reggae history. Their diverse sound bears the signs of many influences, including elements of rock-n-roll, hip-hop, Latin rhytms, and of course, pure Roots Rock Reggae. Likewise, their ever-widening fan base covers the spectrum, far beyond simply hardcore Reggae enthusiasts. Get Wiser reveals a great deal of the growth and maturity one would hope to find in a sophomore release. A variety of styles and sounds abound, with typically melodic arrangements juxtaposed against pure DJ chants and rhymes. Lead singer Jacob Hemphill's trademark throaty vocals lend an earthy feel, while tight arrangements and dead-on drum and bass energize and move the recording forward. Add some sheer rock guitar riffs and a generous helping of dubbed-out special effects, and you have the recipe for some quality listening. $13

Leftover Salmon & Cracker - O' Cracker Where Art Thou CD - This CD is just as unreal as it's premise indicates! Worlds collide on this new release, which features the pop-soul songs of Cracker being re-interpreted with the music supplied by Leftover Salmon. All your early 90s faves are here..."Low", "Get Off This", "Eurotrash Girl"...but they've had their DNA altered by the slamgrass crazies in LOS! Backwoods alternative! $9.99

Upcoming Events:

August 13-15 - *Camp Barefoot - Gore, VA

August 12-15 - Mulberry Mountain Harvest Music Festival - Ozark, AR

August 28-30 - NedFest - Nederland, CO

August 28-30 - Summerdance - Nelson Ledges, OH

September 4-6 - The Get Down - Chapel Hill, NC

September 18-19 - Let it Roll - Ghent, NY

October 10-11 - 4th Annual Joshua Tree Roots Music Festival - Joshua Tree, CA

November 13-15 - *Bear Creek Music & Art Festival - Live Oak, FL

* Look for the HGMN booth at this event

Video of the Week:

Thanks for reading, go see some live music and have a great week!
- Lee Crumpton

New Additions:
New Monsoon - Live (2 CDs) - Recorded during an epic 3 night run in Texas last September and features the powerhouse current line-up of drummer Sean Hutchinson, bassist Marshall Harrell and founding members Bo Carper, Jeff Miller and Phil Ferlino. New Monsoon Live captures the band reaching one of it's highest emotional, technical, and musical peaks. Building upon their most successful studio album to date, New Monsoon V, this live two-CD set is the first official release from the current 5-piece line-up, and their first live album since 2004. $16.98

Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood - Live at MSG CDs or DVDs - History rocked and rock made history during a sold-out three-gig stand at Madison Square Garden in late February 2008 when icons Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood performed a concert together for the first time since their all-too-brief days in the legendary Blind Faith in 1969. Whether they will ever team again is unknown. But with Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood Live From Madison Square Garden, fans everywhere are able to experience the sound and the glory of a performance on that famous stage by two of rock's greatest artists. CDs $24.98, DVDs $27.98

Chris Barron - Pancho & the Kid CD - Chris Barron is best known as the lead singer for the Grammy nominated band, Spin Doctors, who sold like, fifty-two gazillion records or something. They were on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and opened for the Rolling Stones (or vice versa). Chris Barron cooks a mean meatloaf, wrote the songs, "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" and "Two Princes" both of which went to Billboard's top five, he likes kids and dogs, and keeps his gold and platinum records in his bathroom. "Pancho and the Kid" is a collaboration with his long time friend, Jeff Cohen of Pancho's Lament. It is a song-oriented mixture of American musical forms that showcase the beauty, versatility, subtlety and raw emotional power of Barron's voice. $16.98

OHMphrey CD - OHMphrey, the brainchild of three members of the Chicago-based rock-band Umphrey s McGee along with two members of OHM, unleashes their improv-heavy self-titled debut. $17.98

Buddy Greene - Happy Man CD - The pickin' party that began with "RUFUS" continues with HAPPY MAN, Buddy's latest offering of old and new favorites. This acoustic feast includes bluegrass, folk, Irish jigs, Cajun, and of course good ol' gospel served up by an impressive line up of instrumental and vocal talent. Caution to all curmudgeons: contents could make you happy. $14

Grateful Dead - Spiral Bears Babydoll Tshirts - Ladies, show your true colors on tour or at your favorite concerts and festivals with this Grateful Dead Spiral Bears Tie Dye Babydoll T by Liquid Blue
Sizes: Small-XL. 100% Cotton. $19.99

Coming Soon:

May 26 - The Radiators - The Lost Southlake Sessions CD (pre-order)
Hallucinogen - In Dub Live CD (pre-order)

June 2 - Umphrey's McGee - Sound Stage Live DVD
New Riders of the Purple Sage - Where I Come From CD
Ween - All Request Live CD
Fillmore: The Last Days DVD
Woodstock - Original Soundtrack & More (2 CDs)
Woodstock Two (2 CDs)

June 9 - Infected Mushroom - The Legend of the Black Shawarma CD
Nathan Whitt - Anticipation CD

Last Week's Additions:

Jeff Bujak - Alive Like the Spine CD - Jeff Bujak generates heavily organized piano progressions, twists and winds them amid constantly evolving poly-rhythmic electronic beats and constructs a sound that is not only unique, but extremely fresh to the underground music scene. Bujak is a solo performer that uses computers, keyboards, effects, samplers and vocals to create a 'progressive-piano groove.' He creates a sound that unites keyboard influences of Peter Gabriel, Album Leaf and Bruce Hornsby with the hard driving rhythms of Prodigy and DJ Shadow. Bujak's 3rd full length solo record in 3 years that pushes 78-minutes of electronic music to the boundaries of familiarity and proceeds beyond to explore the unknown of what hasn't been done before; the 'new' kind of music! $12

Max Allen - Uphill CD - 24 year-old Max Allen has been performing professionally since the age of 16. He has nearly 1,000 performances to his credit at various clubs, music venues, colleges and festivals in 20+ different states. His band, The Max Allen Band (MAB), tours continuously and have opened for and/or performed with many national acts such as: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dickey Betts, Umphrey's McGee, The Spin Doctors, Otiel Burbridge, Ekoostik Hookah, Karl Denson, Dark Star Orchestra and others. $12

Trey Anastasio & Don Hart - Time Turns Elastic CD - Trey's ground-breaking work for vocals, guitar and orchestra composed by Trey and Don Hart - orchestrated by Hart and performed by Trey and The Northwest Sinfonia - blends the intrinsic elegance of classical music with searing blues-rock guitar, resulting in an exhilarating work that engages and challenges fans of both genres. $12.98

Joe Prichard Band - Just Play the Damn Song CD - Joe Prichard is the frontman and founding member of The Recipe, a long standing Mid-Atlantic favorite and HGMN Hall of Fame member. In his first solo effort Joe is re-united with Love Marble Hoe Down and Night of the Porch People co-producer and friend Kim Monday to share with us a collection of well crafted songs that lean in more of a classic guitar rock direction. High energy as always, Prichard has definitely broken new ground and shows much musical growth on this highly enjoyable CD. $12

Hill Country Revue - Make A Move CD - 2009 release by this outfit formed by Cody Dickinson of the Grammy-nominated North Mississippi Allstars. Hill Country Revue represents a return to the juke-joint one-chord trance Blues of north Mississippi, styles made famous by local blues legends like R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough. The majority of the material on Make A Move was written with one of Cody's oldest friends, Garry Burnside, the youngest of Blues legend R.L. Burnside's fourteen children. By drawing from the traditional songs and modes of the Hill Country, the band stays true to its roots yet pushes the boundary by incorporating new songs and elements for the next generation. $16.98

Upcoming Events:

May 22-25 *StrangeCreek Campout - Greenfield, MA

May 23-24 Summer Camp - Chilocothe, IL

May 29-31 Mountain Jam - Hunter Mt, NY

June 4-7 Wakarusa - Ozark, AR

June 5-6 *Wanee - Live Oak, FL

June 11-14 - Bonnaroo - Manchester, TN

June 18-21 - Telluride Bluegrass Festival - Telluride, CO

June 26-28 - Sonic Bloom - Bellvue, CO

* Look for the HGMN booth at this event

Video of the Week:
The New Mastersounds peform the unreleased song "Flimsy Lewis" at the MoBoogie Loft.

Thanks for reading, go see some live music and have a great week!
Lee Crumpton