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Country, Bluegrass,
and Americana at
Country Standard Time
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Country Standard Time News Magazine – updated July 3, 2009
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Electric Dirt –
Even when he was a young man, before the years and the ailments, Levon Helm's vocals sounded like they were from a bygone era. It was a voice to make you believe that medicine shows still traveled the earth. That wonderful, weathered instrument is the rustic heart of this new record, just as Helm's ageless drumming is its heartbeat. »»»
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My Turn –
It took a long time and a lot of spins and even a bit of research to find out what was missing from this new Tanya Tucker album. The project is obviously a heartfelt one and not just designed to cash in on a continuing trend of resurrecting old songs and giving them a new, glossy paint job. Tucker has recorded a dozen songs for this disc that were favorite of her late father Beau. »»»
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Beautiful Day –
You know you're in a minority when you can call your ex-wife a Dixie Chick, but Charlie Robison is dealing with that reality in his new album. And while it's not exactly a happy-go-lucky album despite the amicable split, Robison, with the help of guitarist Charlie Sexton, puts a slightly cheery take on things. »»»
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One Town Away –
The Sons of Bill are not a tribute to Bill Monroe band. The "Bill" is the father of band members Sam, James and Abe Wilson, whose second release displays an equal affinity for country ballads and hard edged rockers. The brothers Wilson are involved in the writing of all 12 tracks. In one of the stronger tracks Broken Bottles, he observes that "Hank Williams might have been a love-sick drinker/ But being a love-sick drunk don't make you Hank." »»»
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Here With Me –
With a lineage like Holly Williams', it would be expected that there be some reference to her family on her sophomore album. And it's there, too, but maybe not as upfront or in-your-face as the family mentions of her half-brother Hank III or her daddy Hank Jr. Mama, is a thank you note to her mother for letting her develop her own relationship with her father instead of pushing her own thoughts on her daughters. »»»
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Editorial: Whither Paste Magazine? –
We know these are tough times out there, and the just received issue of Paste magazine underscores that. The magazine used to be your typical magazine size, but this magazine, which covers Americana music somewhat, appears to be on the ropes. That's the case at least if the new issue is any indication. Yes, they have the Avett Brothers on the cover with a new CD due out in August. »»»
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Country News
CD Reviews
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Album: The Killer In Me
CST's Take: The kind of singer-songwriter that gives singer-songwriters a very good name, thanks to wit, a way with words, and the willingness to rock.
Sarah Jarosz finds the song up in her head –
In some ways, the summer will bring with it all the typical activities that an 18-year-old high school graduate and musician like Sarah Jarosz might expect. She received her diploma, graduated with honors, accepted a scholarship to attend the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music in Boston in the fall, and she will be playing at music festivals all summer. Oh yes...and she just released her first album on Sugar Hill. »»»
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Ryan Bingham follows the "Roadhouse Sun" –
Ryan Bingham received kudos for his debut disc, "Mescalito." He's back with the Dead Horses, his backing band, and the New Mexico native considers the influence of one Bob Dylan in his music on his new CD, "Roadhouse Sun." »»»
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Chuck Mead bets on new music –
Chuck Mead and his BR549 cohorts went their separate ways after touring together three years ago. Now, Mead is going his own way, putting out his first solo album, "Journeyman's Wager." Mead talks about being outside the major label structure and the future of BR549. »»»
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For "Fascination," The Greencards change –
The Greencards approach to "Fascination" was a lot different than their previous CDs. For starters, they're on a new label. And instead of an obvious bluegrass bent musically, there are a lot of atmospherics and moody pieces. Maybe that's what happens when two Aussies and one Brit get together, or is it? »»»
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Alecia Nugent: hillbilly goddess returns –
Alecia Nugent is quick to point out that there's more than a little irony in the title of her third album. Around the time her second album, "A Little Girl...A Big Four Lane," hit the stores, prominent Music City journalist and critic Robert K. Oermann dubbed her a "hillbilly goddess," and the sobriquet has stuck to her since, despite the fact that her central Louisiana hometown of Hickory Grove is singularly lacking in hilltops and hollers. »»»
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Sara Watkins flies solo with a little help –
At first blush it would seem an odd fit, backing a female folk-bluegrass singer working on her debut album with Elvis Costello's drummer, Tom Petty's keyboardist and plopping Led Zeppelin's bassist in the producer's chair.
Sure, her brother gets to accompany her on guitar, and a former band mate adds a mandolin run here and there. Yet her steel guitarist isn't known for his Nashville riffs, but, instead, for West Coast-influenced licks for rockers Peter Case, Sheryl Crow and Wilco. It would appear to be a recipe for disaster, a one-album flameout for Nickel Creek's Sara Watkins. But in the end, does it all fit? »»»
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Concert Review: Summertown Road proves to be a work in progress with musical chops –
After the first set by bluegrass quartet Summertown Road, a person attending the show told lead singer Bo Isaac how it was too bad they didn't have anything to sell. Heck, the Kentucky band doesn't even have a web site at this point (although they do have a MySpace page).
They will have music out soon enough, well once 2010 rolls around,... »»»
Country Music Trivia - The eastern Kentucky town of Pikeville happens to be home to both Dwight Yoakam and Patty Loveless.
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