Ollabelle loves Delaware...

I am going to get back to regular posting soon enough, and I thought a proper occasion to do so would be to spread the word about my current musical obsession...Ollabelle. They're based in NYC, and have been around a few years now, having put out their second studio album, Riverside Battle Songs, last summer. They tour relentlessly, and last night made their third trip back to Delaware, playing the historic and cozy Gild Hall up in the village of Arden. It was the second time I had seen them, and they definitely don't disappoint. Whether you're a fan of Americana, folk, rock or just all around amazing musicianship, you should check them out. All five members share singing, playing and songwriting duties, and last night we were treated to a guest spot of 2 legendary locals, harmonica virtuoso Bob Beach and none other than Wilmington violin merchant and musical icon David Bromberg. Altogether an amazing show, mixing originals and various covers, including "Jesus on the Mainline", "John the Revelator" and a rousing version of "Ain't no more Cane" the Dylan/Band classic first played on the Basement tapes sessions by Olabelle member Amy Helm's dad, Levon Helm, the legendary drummer for The Band. Below are links to their website, as well as a video of a recent performance of them.

Enjoy, and catch them live next chance you get.

www.ollabellemusic.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi-7oQp0TvU

Some nice new sounds...

Lindsey Buckingham-Under the Skin...one the most prolific yet underrated singer songwriters and guitar virtuosos of the past 30 years emerges from the ashes of Fleetwood Mac with a stunning & stripped down collection of songs, maybe his finest work to date...here's his site, his myspace and a cool little page from amazon that lists some of his musical tastes.

www.lindseybuckingham.com

www.myspace.com/lindseybuckingham

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R1VBY0YE08Q5IP

Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins-Rabbit Fur Coat...probably my favorite female vocalist (not to mention I've had a crush on her since she was Shelly Long's girl scout daughter in "Troop Beverly Hills", this disc is just about perfect...from her amazing originals to her take on the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle with Care", this is definitely one of the most assured debuts by a female performer this year. Here's her myspace, her imdb page and her cool little cover...Enjoy.

www.myspace.com/lewiswithwatsons

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0507343/

http://rapidshare.com/files/18799568/Jenny_Lewis-Handle_with_care.mp3.html

Nellie Mckay-Pretty Little Head...you probably heard a little about how she got dropped by her label for the familiar "I don't hear a single..." complaint, but it's a damn shame for them b/c she is truly one of the most unique and vibrant singing and songwriting talents around...I've seen her play a few times and she never does a song the same twice. Here's a few links and a cool tune she does with Cyndi Lauper on her new album.

www.myspace.com/prettylittlehead

www.nellimckay.net

http://rapidshare.com/files/18799946/09_-_Bee_Charmer__feat_Cyndi_Lauper_.mp3.html

Happy Easter...or holidays or whatever to not offend anyone...

Hey there...I know it's been awhile...I apologize and will make up for it with a plethora of material and new useless info in the near future...
First some new notable and exciting releases in music...


The Drive-by Truckers have been at it for almost a decade now, with their 2001 magnum opus masterpiece Southern Rock Opera setting the new standard for the state of southern rock music. With that, they were christened as a new Skynerd or Molly Hatchet. Luckily, they didn't didn't go down from there. Instead, they have extended out in so many different directions, on 2003's Decoration Day and 2004's The Dirty South. With their new A Blessing and a Curse, out this Tuesday, they continue their exploration of not just the underbelly of southern life, but of any life that has had it's share of more hard luck than good fortune. And the southern rock tag has been pushed to the side more than ever. Opener "Feb. 14" sounds like a lost Replacements track while "Aftermath USA " shows their Stonesy side. The three guitar and singer-songwriting assault of Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley & Jason Isbell (whose "Daylight" is my personal fave) share duties perfectly, balancing straightforward balls out rock with heartwrenching slow burners. They are one of, if not the most consistent and hard working American rock bands out there so do yourself a favor, go out and get this album, but if you don't trust me, you can stream it here first...
www.blessingandacurse.com/mediaplayer/
www.drivebytruckers.com

In my eyes, Josh Ritter can do no wrong. His first two discs, The Golden Age of Radio and the masterpiece Hello Starling established him as an heir apparent to the Leonard Cohen/Jeff Buckley/James Taylor school of singer songwriting. But he has truly bucked any comparisons to anyone who has come before him and carved out his own place very definitively with the new album The Animal Years. He wears his heart and his politics on his sleeve and it shows right away. Opener "Girl in the War" literally brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it, while the 10 minute closer "Thin Blue Flame" will make you think about everything in the world and in your own life that is right and wrong. There's something to be said about a singer songwriter who stirs that much emotion with his words and music. I've seen him live and he is one of those performers that knows how to wrap the audience around his finger...catch him at World Cafe Live in Philly on April 27th...check it out.
You can also stream his album here...but trust me, you'll want it before you're done.
www.flashenhanced.com/joshritter
www.joshritter.com

Nice old timey sounds from not so old voices...

It seems like yesterday I was putting together a top 10 list of best cds for 2005 and already I believe I have one for '06 and we are only in March. As I'm still enjoying stellar releases from veterans such as Rosanne Cash, Beth Orton, Jenny Lewis and Willie Nile, a few new discs this week keep up the quality of great new sounds so far this year...

When someone says blue eyed soul, who comes to mind? Van Morrison maybe, for the more classic minded...or remember the Commitments, for the more obscure...Rick Astley if you're just cheesy and pathetic (come on, you know you belt out "Never Gonna Give You Up" with the windows up in the car by yourself)...but how about James Hunter? Who?
Maybe when you first hear his voice, you swear it's some lost Sam Cooke or Otis Redding song. But no, this fortysomething English born singer and guitarist has been cutting his musical chops almost two decades, first backing up Van Morrison in his band in the early 90's and then cutting a few albums himself. But his new disc People Gonna Talk is a breakthrough, chock full of a timeless sound that harkens back to classic 50's and 60's R&B soul. It's funny that it's not that the "retro" thing is coming back, to him it's never gone away. Each track sounds so fresh and live, it sounds as if he's brought a party right into the room. He says, "It's simple really--it's music you can groove to." Trust me, I had it on at a party last weekend and it really takes a lot for people to dance, but this sure did it. www.jameshuntermusic.com

Onto more mellow sounds, Neko Case is a voice you will also remember when you first hear it.
She gets compared to 60's crooners like Patsy Cline and Dusty Springfield, but I definitely think she has a unique quality all her own. Like her indie rock contemporary Jenny Lewis, Neko likes to spread herself over many different projects and sounds at once. But in this case, it's the songs themselves, for she writes and sings like she means it. On her new solo album Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, she's been through the ringer, and makes you know it. The songs are sad in words, as has been many of hers over four solo albums, but she also seems to benefit from her alter ego as a member of the indie rock band New Pornographers. She's kind of their Stevie Nicks in that when she stands to the side, she seems happier, just to be along for the ride. But when she is front and center, you can feel your heart break with hers. But the songs' timeless qualities make them go down so much easier. She also plays with a virtual all star assembly of talent, including Garth Hudson of the Band, Calexico and the Sadies, creating so many layers and textures of atmosphere, you can see the pictures her songs paint for us. Tracks like "Star Witness", "That Teenage Feeling" and "Hold On, Hold On" are just a few of the gems on this near masterpiece of Americana. Definitely worth the attention...aren't those redheads always? www.nekocase.com

So here is a so far best of list of '06...

Rosanne Cash-Black Cadillac
Beth Orton-Comfort of Strangers
Cat Power-The Greatest
Willie Nile-Streets of New York
James Hunter-People Gonna Talk
Neko Case-Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Jenny Lewis-Rabbit Fur Coat
Rhett Miller-The Believer (we'll talk about next time)
The Little Willies-self-titled (also next time around)

Also, still can't get enough of the Clap Your Hands Say Yeah record and also Wilmington's own Spinto Band...check 'em out if you can.

If only SNL did all Digital Shorts with white raps...

If you didn't stay up late enough to watch SNL last weekend with Natalie Portman, you missed a good one...well the first half of the show was as normally uneven as usual, but alas, another digital short film (I think Andy Samberg and his writing pals have single handedly saved SNL) to the rescue...now we all know what Natalie wants...but take small children out of the room first...check it out at www.stereogum.com