Texas Review Archives
Release Me
Review of: Lyle Lovett
(Curb/Lost Highway) Release Me, Lyle Lovett's not so subtle message to his record label, counts as his last release on Curb Records. After 27 years, Lovett wanted out... This is an album of mostly covers. A couple of these tunes appeared on Lovett's read more...
The Grifter's Hymnal
Review of: Ray Wylie Hubbard
(Bordello Records) The Grifter's Hymnal serves as the follow-up album to Ray Wylie Hubbard's 2010 release A: Enlightenment B: Endarkenment. The Oklahoma-born read more...
The Songs of Woody Guthrie
Review of: New Multitudes
(Rounder Records) The New Multitudes is a group composed of Jay Farrar, Anders Parker, Will Johnson and Yim Yames (My Morning Jacket's Jim James). This is a debut album of
1966
Review of: Karen Dalton
(Delmore Recordings) Born Karen Cariker during 1938 in Texas, Karen Dalton grew up in Oklahoma. During her lifetime, Dalton received little critical acclaim for her music. In New York City she kept time with
The Rum Diary
Review of: Bruce Robinson
The Rum Diary This review was written to coincide with the 7-year anniversary of Hunter S. Thompson's death on February 20, 2005. I watched read more...
Dirt Floor
Review of: Chris Whitley
(Messenger Records) Chris Whitley's 1998 release Dirt Floor counts as his 4th studio album. Besides his debut disc--Living With The Law--Dirt read more...
Upon Waking
Review of: Elijah Ford
(Self-Released) I met Elijah Ford a few years ago when he was 18 during a tour with his father Marc Ford (Black Crowes,
Teatro
Review of: Willie Nelson
(Island) Produced by Daniel Lanois, Willie Nelson's album Teatro was released in 1998. read more...
Old Mad Joy
Review of: The Gourds
(Vanguard) Old Mad Joy counts as the 10th studio album by the Austin, Texas, band The Gourds. Recorded at Levon Helm's barn, Larry Campbell (
Motel Chronicles
Review of: Sam Shepard
(City Lights Books) Published in 1982, Sam Shepard's Motel Chronicles serves as a time capsule in his long career. Some of the chapters from this read more...
Live In Japan
Review of: Leon Russell
(Omnivore Recordings) Omnivore Recordings just released Leon Russell's Live In Japan album. This marks the historic album's first release outside of Japan and its first time on CD anywhere. The read more...
This May Be My Last Time Singing
Review of: Various Artists
(Tompkins Square) Tompkins Square's latest release is an amazing 3-CD set titled This May Be My Last Time Singing: Raw African-American Gospel On 45RPM 1957-1982. Tompkins Square released this official statement regarding this rare package: Get read more...
Live In The Living Room
Review of: Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward
(Smith Entertainment) Texan Rodney Parker and his band 50 Peso Reward just released Live In the Living Room. This acoustic collection includes songs from the group's three studio albums. The live performance was actually recorded in Parker's living room in front of read more...
Hard Dollar
Review of: Hadden Sayers
(Blue Corn Music) The Hadden Sayers story represents the mean life struggling artists endure such as bad deals, neglect and poverty. The 13 songs on Hard Dollar proves Sayers prefers to undertake matters in the right way, not the easy way. The Texas born read more...
Songs And Stories
Review of: Guy Clark
(Dual Tone Music) Guy Clark's Songs And Stories was recently recorded live at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville. This collection culls Clark's most memorable material. The backing band on this album includes Kenny Malone (drums), Bryn Davies (bass), Shawn Camp read more...
Last of the Country Gentlemen
Review of: Josh T. Pearson
(Mute Records) Josh T. Pearson's father was a Pentecostal preacher, but after a rough childhood Josh turned to "the Devil's music". In 2001, Pearson traveled to Europe with a group called Lift to Experience where they found deep appreciation for their music. read more...
Dear Puppeteer
Review of: Nathan Moore
(Royal Potato Family) The jamband scene is not a safe haven for songwriters. On the surface, fans of live music should enjoy music of all kinds, but the reality of that scene is that the top bands are performers and instrumentalists first. By nature, ten minute read more...
Future Blues
Review of: Johnny Nicholas
(The People's Label) Texas-based bluesman Johnny Nicholas just released a new album--Future Blues. In the 70s, Nicholas performed with musical heavies such as Duke Robillard, Big Walter Horton and Robert Lockwood Jr. Around 1978, Nicholas became a member of the read more...
The Grand Theatre Vol. 2
Review of: Old 97s
(New West Records) The Old 97s formed in Dallas, Texas, during 1993. The Grand Theatre Vol. 2 counts as their 9th studio album. These 13 songs were intended to be a double album--with Vol.1, but the group decided to release the sessions seperately. A read more...
Pint Of Blood
Review of: Jolie Holland & The Grand Chandeliers
(ANTI) Houston's Jolie Holland began her career with a graceful ease. She made her first album at home just to hand out to friends. Soon, word got out about it and demand grew for more people to hear it which led to Anti Records releasing it. This read more...
Photographs
Review of: Robert Ellis
(New West Records) New West Records just released Photographs by Houston, Texas, native Robert Ellis. The 22-year old Ellis recently revealed how Photographs originated: "I came up with the concept before I came up with any of the songs, actually. read more...
Candidate Waltz
Review of: Centro-matic
(Undertow Music) The last five years have been an interesting journey for Centro-matic and its fearless leader Will Johnson since
Live At Antone's
Review of: Ruthie Foster
(Blue Corn Music) Texas native Ruthie Foster contends as one of this generation's finest singers. Her voice is often compared to Ella Fitzgerald, Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin. Foster's songwriting also deserves honorable mention. Her six solo albums contain a wealth of read more...
Two Matchsticks
Review of: The Wooden Birds
(Barsuk Records) The Wooden Birds, hailing from Austin, began as Andrew Kenny's post-American Analog Set recording project. Their first album Magnolia was released in 2009, and though a strong debut, it had the feel of a solo rather than group album. read more...
Natural History
Review of: JD Souther
(eOne Music) The 1980 film The Idolmaker chronicles an fictional music svengali from the early rock and roll era who creates teen music idols with his management and songwriting skills. The movie's last scene ends with him finally singing his own read more...
It's Already Tomorrow
Review of: Foster & Lloyd
(Effen Ell Records) Of late, the music business has been overrun by reunions. Sadly, most of these are done to take advantage of millions in touring and merchandise. The Eagles come to mind as they ushered in a cottage industry of high profile (and high profit) read more...
The Palace Guards
Review of: David Lowery
(Savoy/429 Records) Texas born songwriter/singer/producer David Lowery founded the bands Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker. Lowery now works with David Barbe at The University of Georgia. The read more...
Take The High Road
Review of: Blind Boys of Alabama
(Saguaro Road Records) Take The High Road represents the Blind Boys of Alabama's first country-gospel album in their 70-year career. The five time Grammy winners recruited read more...
I Am Very Far
Review of: Okkervil River
(Jagjaguwar) Austin has long been the musical home of the fine singer songwriters and fiery Texas blues rock following the lead of two legends, Willie Nelson read more...
Firewater
Review of: Whiskey Myers
(Wiggy Thump) Whiskey Myers isn't afraid to pay their respects to some fine musical forefathers on the sophomore release, Firewater. Lead singer Cody Cannon explains, "We know people are going to compare our sound to Lynyrd Skynyrd, and that's fine, we read more...
Man In Motion
Review of: Warren Haynes
(Stax/Concord Music Group) Recorded at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio in Austin, Texas,
Crazy Horse
Review of: Larry McMurtry
(Lipper/Viking) This economical 141-page biography of Crazy Horse proves why this Sioux warrior exists as one of America’s most revered legends. Texas author Larry McMurtry has written over twenty bestselling novels including Lonesome Dove and The read more...
Live at Fillmore West
Review of: King Curtis
(Koch International) King Curtis, born Curtis Ousley, was a seminal saxophonist from Texas. Curtis turned down scholarships to join the great Lionel Hampton’s jazz band. Curtis later became a session musician in New York where he recorded with Buddy Holly, Andy read more...
Top Hat Crown & The Clapmaster's Son
Review of: The Band of Heathens
(BOH RECORDS) The Band of Heathens new disc, Top Hat Crown & The Clapmaster’s Son counts as this Austin, Texas, band’s third studio album. Produced by George Reiff (
Black Dub
Review of: Black Dub
(Jive) Daniel Lanois, best known for his production work with Bob Dylan, Willie read more...
Kiss Each Other Clean
Review of: Iron And Wine
(Warner Bros) Iron and Wine, the nom de disque of songwriter Sam Beam, can largely be credited with today's burgeoning field of southern singer-songwriters in the same way that the Drive-By Truckers led a new southern rock movement. As groups like Band of Horses read more...
Junky Star
Review of: Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses
(Lost Highway) Marc Ford exposed me to Ryan Bingham’s music. Ford produced Bingham’s debut release Mescalito. The read more...
We Walk This Road
Review of: Robert Randolph
(Warner Brothers) Pedal steel phenomenon Robert Randolph who began playing in churches years ago has released his third studio album, We Walk This Road. Produced by
See You On the Moon
Review of: Tift Merritt
(Fantasy Records) Texas born, Tift Merritt soon relocated to North Carolina. Standing the Moon counts as her 5th studio release. Tift Merritt always constructed finely read more...
Gnawbone
Review of: Will Scott
(willscottmusic.com) You ever just fall in love with an artist’s music the very first time you heard them play? Such was the case with the music of Will Scott. From the very first song on his CD, “Jack’s Defeat Creek,” I was hooked in. But when read more...
Crazy Heart
Review of: Various Artists
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (New West) Well, I haven’t seen the movie yet but after listening to the soundtrack a few times, I can hardly wait to see Crazy Heart. The actors in this movie do some fine singing. Not only Jeff Bridges, who read more...
Day Out of Days: Stories
Review of: Sam Shepard
(Knopf) Mystery And Manners' Honorary Southern Artist Sam Shepard’s new book Day Out of Days proves the read more...
Folk Country/Waylon Sings Ol' Harlan
Review of: Waylon Jennings
(Collector's Choice Music) Folk Country counted as Waylon Jennings’ debut RCA release. RCA wanted to lure the folk crowd, but Jennings remained country on these songs. Four of the compositions were originals, four were Harlan Howard songs and three were read more...
A. Enlightenment, B. Endarkment (There is no C)
Review of: Ray Wylie Hubbard
(Bordello Records) Ray Wylie Hubbard is an Oklahoma native who later moved to Texas and fell in with the likes of Waylon Jennings, Doug Sahm,
West Cross Timbers
Review of: Amanda Shires
Singer and fiddler Amanda Shires is a long time alumnus on the Texas music scene. I say ‘long time’ because she started playing with Tommy Allsup and the Texas Playboys at the age of 16 and has played with her alt-rock side band, The Thrift Store, and other known read more...
Willie and the Wheel
Review of: Willie Nelson and Asleep At The Wheel
Closer to the Bone
Review of: Kris Kristofferson
(New West) Closer to the Bone finds one of the greatest poets of our time at the very peak of maturity, yet stripped down to his most basic elements, both in voice, read more...
Wilson Street
Review of: Charlie Faye
Austin's Charlie Faye is an amazing talent. She’s a gifted songwriter with a very pleasing singing voice that falls somewhere between Mary Chapin Carpenter and Debbie Harry. In fact, the smooth pop sound and flowing melody of “Jersey Pride” is more than a little read more...
Acquired Taste
Review of: Delbert McClinton
(New West) For his 30th studio album, Delbert McClinton enlists the help of Grammy Winning producer Don Was, and combined with some just plain excellent songwriting, he turns in the most introspective and intelligent record of his fifty year career. Delbert read more...
One Foot In The Ether
Review of: The Band of Heathens
One Foot In The Ether The Band of Heathens BOH Records By James Calemine The Band of Heathens avoid a sophomore jinx with their latest release,
The Screamer
Review of: Big Pete Pearson
(Modesto Blues Records) There are some slick sounding and slickly produced blues albums out there right now. Not that they are bad or that the genre shouldn’t be moved forward, but now and again it is good to hear the real deal from those few musicians left from read more...
Live at The Old Quarter Houston, Texas
Review of: Townes Van Zandt
(Fat Possum) The Holy Grail of Townes Van Zandt albums...during this July 1973 performance Van Zandt operated and the apex of his powers. With only his acoustic guitar
Around The Well
Review of: Iron And Wine
In less than five years, Iron and Wine rose from a batch of unadulterated home recordings to become one of the indie scene's most influential and successful artists. For those late to the party, Iron and Wine has but one member, Sam Beam who was born and raised in South read more...
In Session
Review of: Albert King With Stevie Ray Vaughan
In Session Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan STAX/Concord Records By James Calemine Stax Records released Albert King’s seminal albums (like read more...
Roadhouse Sun
Review of: Ryan Bingham
Roadhouse Sun Ryan Bingham Lost Highway By James Calemine “We’re playing rock and roll. This ain’t no country band,” Ryan Bingham told me as he sat in a club in Luckenbach, Texas, waiting for soundcheck for that read more...
Townes
Review of: Steve Earle
Townes Steve Earle New West Records By James Calemine "Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on
Naked Willie
Review of: Willie Nelson
The iconic Willie Nelson began his career crafting songs for others to perform. Songs like Patsy Cline’s “Crazy.” But pretty soon the powers that be on Nashville's Music Row began to see a marketability in Nelson. Not only were his songs top drawer, but he had a read more...
I'm That Way
Review of: Beth McKee
Is it something in the water? Something in the land? People can analyze all they want, but Southerners have a different relationship to music than others. Beth McKee is prime example number one. This Jackson, MS girl has toughed it out as a musician with a career read more...
A Picture of Me/Nothing Ever Hurt Me
Review of: George Jones
A Picture of Me (Without You)/ Nothing Ever Hurt Me (Half As Bad As Losing You) George Jones American Beat Records By James Calemine This double-barreled re-issue captures two of George Jones’ strongest albums. One cannot quibble read more...
Written In Chalk
Review of: Buddy and Julie Miller
(New West Records) A broken heart grown cold is the hardest burden you can find
Rebel Road
Review of: Edgar Winter
(Airline Records) I have always included Edgar Winter in my conversations about Southern Rock. Sure, the Texas singer/multi-instrumentalist fronted one of the finest r&b bands of the seventies with Edgar Winter’s White Trash, and he also led The Edgar Winter read more...
Last Exit To Happyland
Review of: Gurf Morlix
Last Exit To Happyland Gurf Morlix Conqueroo By James Calemine Last Exit To Happyland counts as Gurf Morlix’s fifth studio album. Morlix contends as a longtime musician in the Austin, Texas music scene. In one way or another read more...
Friday Night Lights, Season 3
Review of:
Friday Night Lights began its entertainment lifespan as a fantastic book written by Buzz Bissinger. Bissinger's book told the engaging story of the near "life and death" importance of a high school football team to the west Texas town of Odessa. Bissinger's read more...
Tijuana Bible
Review of: Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat
Jim Suhler is one of the best guitarists to ever come out of Texas. The Dallas rocker is right up there with his friends Billy Gibbons and Johnny Winter, as well as Austin legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. Along with his band, Monkey Beat, Jim rips it up from top to bottom on his latest, read more...
The Last Pale Light in the West
Review of: Ben Nichols
(Liberty And Lament) Based on the Cormac McCarthy novel Blood read more...
More Dirty Laundry: The Soul of Black Country
Review of: Various Artists
More Dirty Laundry: The Soul of Black Country Various Artists Trikont By James Calemine The genius of this collection resides in defying musical prejudices. This CD proves black artists appreciated and recorded songs by white country musicians. read more...
Boots, Buckles and Spurs
Review of: Various Artists
(Legacy) “I grew up dreamin’ of being a cowboy/ And loving the cowboy ways Pursuin’ a life of my high ridin’ heroes/I burned up my childhood days...” -Willie Nelson. “My Heroes Have read more...
Monte Montgomery
Review of: Monte Montgomery
(Thirty Tigers) I first heard of Monte Montgomery back in 1999, by way of a nice guy in Texas who worked in some capacity for Jerry LaCroix. He sent me some Monte music and I was hooked. I had never heard anyone “go up side a guitar” like Monte. Especially read more...
50 Years
Review of: Kenny Rogers
(Cracker Barrel) The first time I ever heard Kenny Rogers sing was back in the sixties when he and his band The First Edition hosted a Saturday afternoon TV show called Rolling On The River. I loved that show, and thought Kenny was just a great singer. I had read more...
The Imus Ranch Record
Review of: Various Artists
(New West) Bekka Bramlett has a mystical effect on me. She always has, even as backing singer for Faith Hill, or dueting with Sam Moore, Billy Burdette or Joe Cocker. But like her mother before her, soul sensation Bonnie Bramlett, and her daddy Delaney for that matter, she read more...
George Clinton & His Gangsters of Love
Review of: George Clinton
George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love George Clinton Shanachie By James Calemine The Funkadelic/Parliment legend and North Carolina native George Clinton recruited a plethora of talent--including Texas born
Boys Will Be Boys
Review of: Jeff Pearlman
Boys Will Be Boys: The Glory Days and Party Nights of the Dallas Cowboys Dynasty by Jeff Pearlman Harper Books Jeff Pearlman's new book neatly summarizes the shift to the modern era of the Dallas Cowboys. The early history of the team isn't read more...
The Jeopardy Of Circumstance
Review of: Carrie Elkin
CARRIE ELKIN The Jeopardy of Circumstance There used to be an adage: When you don't want to do Nashville, you do Austin. That may not hold as true today, but there was a time when when just about everything filtering to the country-fied (meaning fans read more...
Midnight In Mississippi
Review of: Blue Mountain
Mississippi's Blue Mountain has regrouped after splintering few years back, done in by divorce, disappointing sales, and overall malaise. It's easy to see why a band with such great promise could have let a series of heartbreaks get to them. But like
Rocking the Boat: A Musical Conversation & Journey
Review of: Delbert McClinton
(JC Communications) Delbert McClinton hosted his first ever Blues Cruise in 1995. Thirteen years later, the event is one of the most successful events of its type ever. McClinton has played host to everyone from Bonnie and Bekka Bramlett to Jimmy Hall, from Paul Thorn read more...
A Deeper Blue
Review of: Robert Earl Hardy
A Deeper Blue: The Life and Music of Townes Van Zandt Robert Earl Hardy University of North Texas Press By James Calemine “But the aces only flew through heaven And the diamond jack called no man friend…” read more...
Let's Start Something
Review of: Rob Roy Parnell
(Blue Rocket Records) Rob Roy Parnell has got that Texas Roadhouse thing goin’ on big time, and his new album - his first in nine years - Let’s Start Something, rocks from beginning to end with a Fabulous Thunderbirds meets Delbert read more...
Back When I Knew it All
Review of: Montgomery Gentry
(Sony) I’ve been enjoying Eddie and Troy since Hillbilly Shows in 1999, and have seen them live many times down at the Angelus benefits thrown by Charlie Daniels. I have also reviewed every album they have put out, and I have long held onto my belief that read more...
Two Men With The Blues
Review of: Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis
Two Men With The Blues Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis Angel Records By James Calemine Recorded in 2007 at the Lincoln Center when Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis read more...
With Roots and Wings
Review of: Angel Band
Angel Band With Roots and Wings Appleseed APRCD-1108 For Nancy Josephson, the long arm of the South stretches all the way to the Canadian border. Northern bred, the summers of her youth were spent traversing the backroads and byways of her parents' read more...
Devil in the Details
Review of: Hogjaw
Hogjaw is back and they are dishing up their heavy Southern Rock with an oversized ladle. The cover art on the CD rocks, which really sets the stage for the music, which is like a cross between Lynyrd Skynyrd and Metallica. Jonboat Jones (vocal/guitar), Craig Self (lead guitar), read more...
Dual Hawks
Review of: Centro-matic/South San Gabriel
(Misra Records) Centro-matic's music comes on like a sound from a distant dream, something new, yet unmistakably familiar. Clear images adding up to something a little vague, but in such a comforting way.
The Last Country Album
Review of: Heybale
(heybale.com) Now this is some real country music, fellow babies. Heybale has the real, honest to God country sound I grew up listening to in the 60’s and 70’s. I didn’t realize just how read more...
Deep Cuts
Review of: Tony Joe White
Tony Joe White Deep Cuts Swamp Records Tony Joe White, quite simply, is one of the most underappreciated musical forces of the last 50 years. This doesn't mean that people haven't read more...
Everybodys Brother
Review of: Billy Joe Shaver
(Compadre) I love Billy Joe Shaver. He is one of the best songwriters of our time and one of the most soulful country voices of our generation. What is particularly special about his latest release is that it is all gospel music. Sure, it’s Shaver-ized read more...
Outlaws Forever
Review of: Tumbleweed Junction
(tumbleweedjunction.com) There’s more than a little influence from Hughie Thomasson and Toy Caldwell in the music of Tumbleweed Junction, whether they are cooking on a Southern Rocker like read more...
Tooth of Crime
Review of: T-Bone Burnett
Tooth of Crime T-Bone Burnett Nonesuch Records By James Calemine Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Burnett grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. Burnett’s career continues gaining steam over the years. He’s worked with
My Life's Been a Country Song
Review of: Chris Cagle
(Capitol) With this, his fourth release, Chris Cagle kicks things up a couple of notches, with a blend of country, rock and blues that slides very nicely nto your music read more...
The Band of Heathens
Review of: The Band of Heathens
The Band of Heathens The Band of Heathens BOH Records By James Calemine The Band of Heathens should be heard. This debut release certifies the Austin group’s songwriting strength and musical ability that allows the compositions read more...
The Very Best of Outlaw Country
Review of: Various Artists
(Legacy) The thing that sets this compilation apart from the plethora of others that are always being flooded into the market is the fact that it brings together Southern rockers and “outlaw” country artists on one excellent CD. It could be used as a read more...
One Hell of a Ride
Review of: Willie Nelson
(Columbia/Legacy) Willie Nelson is a Southern music icon. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who has never heard of Willie, and equally challenged to find anyone who doesn’t like his music. As for me, I have been spinning Willie read more...
Trouble in Mind
Review of: Hayes Carll
(Lost Highway) Hayes Carll seems to be cut from the very same magic songwriter cloth that Robert Earl Keen, Todd Snyder and John Prine were cut from. While I really enjoyed his previous two albums, Trouble in Mind knocks those in the dirt. This one is chock full of read more...
Little Grey Sheep
Review of: Danny Schmidt
Little Grey Sheep Danny Schmidt Waterbug WBG79 It isn't enough that Danny Schmidt starts out his
Just Us Kids
Review of: James McMurtry
Just Us Kids James McMurtry Lightning Rod Records By James Calemine Austin, Texas, musician James McMurtry’s new CD--Just Us Kids--proves an uncompromising collection of 12 songs. Years ago, McMurtry read more...
Brothers of the Southland
Review of: Brothers of the Southland
Brothers of The Southland is one of the best of the plethora of “all star” bands playing today, and their debut CD is a sheer joy from beginning to end. This is the kind of music that gets me downright excited. Maybe that’s why I named it as the best Southern Rock read more...
Solos, Sessions and Encores
Review of: Stevie Ray Vaughan
(Epic/Legacy) When Stevie Ray Vaughan died in 1990, the world of Southern blues and rock and roll was dealt a devastating blow. We had lost another great in his prime, and the wounds we all felt left scars that remain unhealed eighteen years later. Thankfully, Stevie read more...
Lovers
Review of: Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel
(www.bobbywhitlock.com) Joined by a stellar group of musicians, music icon, Bobby Whitlock and wife, CoCo Carmel, have released a new CD, appropriately titled “Lovers” for Valentine’s Day. The ten tracks, recorded and produced mostly in Austin, TX chronicle read more...
Change in the Weather
Review of: The Dust Devils
(Little Train) On their new release, Texas country rockers The Dust Devils com out of the chute with a pure Austin-style country title track, with Barbara Malteze giving 110 percent as she always does. If the rocker “Looking for Pearl” was my favorite cut read more...
Darius Goes West
Review of: Logan Smalley
“Something’s gonna happen like…Just spark the whole world,” exclaims Darius, the star of the award-winning independent documentary feature film Darius Goes West (DGW), 2007. read more...
Pride and Joy (DVD)
Review of: Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
(Epic Legacy) Released just after his death, Pride and Joy was a must-have VHS compilation of Stevie’s music videos shot between 1983 and 1989, including “Cold Shot,” “Lovestruck Baby,” “Superstition” and others. Of read more...
Death Proof
Review of: Quentin Tarantino
Death Proof Quentin Tarantino Genius Productions By James Calemine Quentin Tarantino always gives a nod to the south in his films. Most folks are aware of Knoxville-native Tarantino films such as True Romance, Reservoir Dogs, read more...
How Low Can You Go?
Review of: Anthology of the String Bass
How Low Can You Go? Anthology of the String Bass Various Artists Dust-To-Digital By James Calemine This 3 CD set explores the earliest recorded history of the string bass. These recordings include a scope of symphony read more...
Desperate Man Blues
Review of: Joe Bussard
Desperate Man Blues: Discovering The Roots of American Music The Story of Joe Bussard Dust-To-Digital By James Calemine Desperate Man Blues tells the story of Fonotone read more...
Blues Sweet Blues
Review of: Music Maker Relief Foundation
Blues Sweet Blues Various Music Maker Artists Music Maker Series #91 & #92 By James Calemine Most of these songs (recorded from 1994-2006) on Blues Sweet Blues can be heard for the first time. Only Music Maker's stellar read more...
Spokesman For The Shoeless
Review of: Cydney Robinson
Spokesman for the Shoeless CYDNEY ROBINSON B'Dangit Records She calls what she does alternative mountain music and there is something in the presentation or the music or her voice that makes you believe it. She could be from the Appalachians or read more...
Live From Austin, Texas
Review of: Doug Sahm
Live From Austin, Texas Doug Sahm New West Records By James Calemine This essential CD/DVD retains the glory of Sir Doug Sahm. Born November 6, 1941, in San Antonio, Texas, Sahm--a guitar prodigy (and superb fiddler)--was invited to join The read more...
Song of America
Review of: Various Artists
Song of America Various Artists 31 Tigers Records By James Calemine This 50-song, 3 CD collection tells the story of America through songs from the year 1492 through modern times. Song of America contains a diverse line-up of artists read more...
Blood Meridian Or the Evening Redness in the West
Review of: Cormac McCarthy
Blood Meridian Or the Evening Redness in the West Cormac McCarthy Vintage Books By James Calemine ...A classic volume of southern literature... Blood Meridian Or the Evening Redness in the West ranks as one of
Mescalito
Review of: Ryan Bingham
Mescalito Ryan Bingham Lost Highway By James Calemine This CD ranks as one of the best releases in 2007. Recorded at Compound Studios in California, Ryan Bingham's Mescalito proves this young man is a musical force. Ex-
Runnin' With The Big Dogs
Review of: Mike Shropshire
Part of [beating Texas] is that old Okie inferiority complex. There’s no better cure for that than whipping Texas’s butt. -Barry Switzer, former Oklahoma coach In 1929 at the height of the Great Depression, the Texas-Oklahoma game was moved read more...
Never Say Die - The Final Concert Film
Review of: Waylon Jennings & The Waymore Blues Band
(Legacy) Waylon Jennings was one of my all time favorite country singers, along with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and David Allan Coe. I remember when Waylon died, my heart just sank. What an entertainer he was. If there was ever any doubt, all you have to do is listen to the read more...
Reloaded
Review of: Point Blank
(Dixie Frog) Texas Southern Rockers Point Blank are back, locked and loaded for bear. This live album proves that the boys still have all their chops, even after all these years. Rusty Burns still smokes the guitar and John O’Daniel kicks ass on lead vocals. The read more...
Under The Influence of Buck
Review of: The Derailers
(Palo Duro) The Derailers are one hot band. Brian Hofeldt, Ed Adkins, Scott Matthews, Sweet Basil McJagger and Chris Schlotzhauer are some rockin’ Texans. On their new CD, the guys pay tribute to the late great Buck Owens, and they do it right. read more...
Angel In Disguise
Review of: Leon Russell
Angel In Disguise Leon Russell MRI Records By James Calemine Angel In Disguise contains 11 new Leon Russell songs. Russell's prodigious discography proves his influence and talent read more...
My December
Review of: Kelly Clarkson
(RCA) The original "American Idol: is back with a rocking new album that is sure to please her gazillion fans worldwide. The young Texan delivers a "one-two" punch with her current single, "Never Again," a ticked-off break up read more...
Red Dirt Marijuana & Other Tastes
Review of: Terry Southern
Red Dirt Marijuana & Other Tastes Terry Southern Citadel Underground By read more...
Jesus Out To Sea
Review of: James Lee Burke
Jesus Out To Sea James Lee Burke Simon & Schuster By James read more...
To Live's To Fly
Review of: John Kruth
To Live’s To Fly: The Ballad of The Late, Great Townes Van Zandt John Kruth
The Very Best of Little Texas: Live and Loud
Review of: Little Texas
Country rockers Little Texas turn out a fine concert recording that not only read more...
The Complete Recordings
Review of: Robert Johnson
The Complete Recordings Robert Johnson Columbia Records By James read more...
Dislocation Blues
Review of: Chris Whitley & Jeff Lang
Recorded in Sydney, Australia, eight months before the Texas guitarist Chris Whitley died of lung cancer at 45, Dislocation Blues marks Whitley’s final studio album. These 13 spooky read more...
Trailercana
Review of: Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Trubadours
(DPR Records) I have really been having fun listening to this one, Trailercana, the new release from Antsy McLain and The Trailer Park Troubadours. It’s kind of like a country-fried Barenaked Ladies, with witty southern lyrics and infectious hummable melody read more...
Bluestone Company
Review of: Bluestone Company
myspace.com/bluestonecompany Bluestone Company is one amazing Southern Rock band. You may know them by their former moniker, The Savoy Truffle, but these days, with a new name and renewed high read more...
Breakin' it Up, Breakin' it Down
Review of: Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter & James Cotton
(Epic Legacy) If I had to describe Breakin’ it Up, Breakin’ it Down in two words, I’d simply call it “buried treasure.” This full length live set, available here for the first time, was recorded during three shows back in 1977 following read more...
Sound Grammar
Review of: Ornette Coleman
Sound Grammar Ornette Coleman Born on March 9, 1930, in Fort Worth, Texas, Ornette Coleman remains one of America's greatest living jazzmen. With musical influence steeped in R & B, Coleman began playing saxophone at an early age. read more...
Edgar Winter Group - Live at The Galaxy
Review of: Edgar Winter
Edgar Winter Group Live At The Galaxy (Classic Pictures) Edgar Winter’s rockin’ just as hard these days as he did back in 1973, and his new group sounds great. Yeah, I will always have fond memories of White Trash read more...
Robert Earl Keen - Live At The Ryman
Review of: Robert Earl Keen
Robert Earl Keen Live At The Ryman (Koch) The Ryman Auditorium is the best sounding music venue in the world. No wonder everyone wants to play there. Pair up that venue with the superior talent of singer-songwriter Rovert Earl Keen, read more...
Honky Tonk Hero by Billy Joe Shaver
Review of: Billy Joe Shaver
Honky Tonk Hero by Billy Joe Shaver (University of Texas Press) Billy Joe Shaver had lead a very interesting life, to say the least. We have all been privy to certain chapters of the Texas singer/songwriter’s life by read more...
Pieces and Bits
Review of: Johnny Winter
(LLC) The long awaited video compilation produced by Val Minett (with Johnny's manager Teddy Slatus acting as Executive Producer) is now available, and it is nothing short of a beautiful thing. Previously unseen photos of Johnny taken by his wife Susan open read more...
Perfect Day
Review of: Chris Whitley
Chris Whitley stands as a real troubadour. Perfect Day, Whitley’s sixth CD, is a collection of cover songs. Whitley manages to elude crippling industry labels by never staying in one place too read more...
Live From Austin, Texas Cash, Hiatt, Yoakam, & Tex
Review of: Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash John Hiatt Eric Johnson Dwight Yoakam Texas Tornados Live From Austin Texas - (New West) With the latest installment of DVD’s and CD’s culled from the archives of the read more...
Back To The Well
Review of: Lee Roy Parnell
Lee Roy Parnell Back To The Well (Universal South) Lee Roy Parnell is the mac daddy. He is a guitar player’s guitar player. We love to hear Lee Roy. And on Back To The Well, he dips deep into that cool water, and anyone who’s read more...
Gathering Dust
Review of: The Dust Devils
The Dust Devils Gathering Dust (Heritage) The Texas duo of Kevin Higgins and Barbara Maltese turn in a tight, creative country rock set filled with great lyrical stories, powerful melodies and addictive guitar work.
Out Of The Ashes
Review of: Jessi Colter
Jessi Colter Out Of The Ashes (Shout! Factory) Jessi Colter, widow of the King of Country Outlaws, Waylon Jennings, is back with what can only be called the finest album of her career. Produced by the enigmatic Don Was, read more...
What's Wrong With Right
Review of: Hacienda Brothers
Hacienda Brothers What’s Wrong With Right (Proper) The Hacienda Brothers, led by singer/songwriter Chris Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez, ripped up the charts with their debut album last year, a fantastic “Western Soul” read more...
Billy and the Kid
Review of: Billy Joe Shaver
Billy Joe Shaver Billy and the Kid (Compadre Records) Tinkering with unfinished recordings made by a gifted artist can be a tricky proposition. From the Beatles’ “Free As A Bird” to countless similar efforts (Townes Van Zandt’s A read more...
This Old Road
Review of: Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson This Old Road (New West) One of America’s all time greatest song-writers is back, stripped bare of any ornamental musical enhancements, just the man and his wonderful songs. Producer Don Was has once again woven read more...
In The Beginning
Review of: Townes Van Zandt
Ten undiscovered Townes Van Zandt songs demoed for an early Nashville publishing contract in 1966 remained unheard for thirty-seven years until now. A new CD titled In The Beginning emerges as a read more...
Taking The Long Way
Review of: Dixie Chicks
The Dixie Chicks Taking The Long Way (Columbia) Since the release of their last album, 2002's Home, the Dixie Chicks have been ridiculed, scorned, banned from country radio and called out onto the carpet a gazillion times read more...
Heard It In A Love Song
Review of: Mark Chesnutt
Mark Chesnutt Heard It in A Love Song (CBUJ Ent) It wasn’t just the title of this album that caught my eye, although anyone who reads my writings on a regular basis knows just how big a fan I am of The read more...
Mile Markers
Review of: Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash
Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash Mile Markers (Texas Cali Records) To answer the obvious first question,yes, prior to his passing, the man in black himself gave these guys permission to use his name within their own. How read more...