The Dancing Tree 07.21.2009

New 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

Coming Soon:

August 4 - MMW - Radiolarians III CD

August 18 - The Giving Tree Band - Great Possessions CD

Jonah Smith - Lights On CD

Last Week's Additions:

SOJA - Live in Hawaii DVD - 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 $19.99

Wood Brothers - Up Above My Head CD - The Wood Brothers recently released Up Above My Head; an 8 song collection of covers, featuring some of the brothers' favorite artists and songs such as The Beatles' "Fixin' a Hole" and Steve Earle's "Mystery Train Pt.2". $12.98

MGMT - Time to Pretend CD - From a Quote from live at Abbey Road "Time to pretend was ...inspired by a praying mantis we had in our house. She laid eggs and it died, and we laid the egg case on this kinda model pirate ship on the mantle piece, and the eggs hatched and all these baby praying mantises were climbing up the rigging of the ship, and it was pretty crazy...uhm so the music was inspired by our praying mantis that liked to dance to the Clash{laugh} and the lyrics are just about us imagining being rock stars....and yea fantasy rock star life." $6.98

Upcoming Events:

July 22-25 - 10,000 Lakes - Detroit Lakes, MN

July 23-26 - *FloydFest - Floyd, VA

July 23-26 - *Gathering of the Vibes - Bridgeport, CT

July 31-Aug 2 - Muddy River Jam - Morrisville, PA

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

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

August 28-30 - NedFest - Nederland, CO

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

* 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