New Ryan Adams (Cardinals)

It’s that time of the year, a new album from Ryan Adams! Cardinology was released on Tuesday with the help of the Cardinals (Neal Casal, Chris Feinstein, Jon Graboff, & Brad Pemberton), who seem to really click well together on stage and in the studio.

Now I could be very bias about any Ryan Adams release because he is one of my favorite living musicians. This album is damn good, however if I was to introduce a Ryan Adams virgin to his music I would not use this album. It is not as strong as his previous releases but it still packs the punch and variety that Ryan is known for. The more it plays in my ear phones the more I get into it, & the more I hear the details this band puts into their music while recording.

All songs were written by Mr. Adams, though Neal’s Solo Albums are worth a listen too for those mellow tunes. Less acoustic on this album but it does end with a beautiful piano balled. One song that really jumped out at me was Magick, upbeat, hard rocking…almost an Oasis or STP influence. Other Stand out songs are Cobwebs, & the next song Let Us Down Easy has that “alternative country” feel that people like to label his music (which I don’t get, wtf is alternative country?)

One feeling I have is that the songs are short, in length and substance. I just think that right when the song is picking up they end. Maybe I should see a few more of his shows to get the full feeling of these songs. However, as always his lyrics are deep and smooth, one of his most under recognized talents.

Females Rock my Soul

Many of you know my great admiration for not only the females of the world but for their voices and great contribution to the music we all love. In the past few months I have been able to obtain a few different singers that are a force to be reckon with and are out there pushing for their voice to be heard.

Instead of writing a review for each album or artist I will list a few with brief descriptions of why their music might be worth a listen to you. Now some of these wonderful performers have been around forever or their albums might not be the newest release but are still worth a listen. If you would like a mixed CD of all these artist ask your boyfriend.

Check back for recent add ons to this current list...Too many wonderful female artists to list.

Grace Potter…Her albums are full of great songs, and her backing band the Nocturnals can rock out. Her first solo album I think is a better get then her most recent album with the Band, but her latest album is still a nice listen. Strong Vermont based College Band makes it

Tift Merrit …Country inspired hard hitting lyrics with a voice that will take you back to the early days of Loretta Lynn. Saw her on a little stage in Nashville, TN and was very impressed with her. (get her newest album Another Country)

Neko Case…With two albums out (one being a live show), this singer song writer is pushing the envelope with her personal style of funked up country with a mix of home grown rock. The vocals this women produces makes the songs what they are. While the Songs Make the vocals able to reach you like that of Joni Mitchell

Rilo Kiley (Jenny Lewis, two Solo Albums also)…Well where to start this lady has been putting out albums under all different names and styles for the past few years and my close friends have shared them all with me. After I hear one song I think God that was great, then the next song comes on and I think the same thing. So if you are to pick up any of Rilo/Jenny’s Albums you will not be upset. Good Mix of solid Female rock with modern Rock Steady Songs...Even the EMO kids like her!

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings… SOUL and lots of it. Not a new name to the music world but her most recently release “100 Days, 100 Night” has gained some national medias ears and allowed this Singer & Band to sell out shows across the nation. People ask me what ever happen to the classic R &B and Soul…well here she is. Also her band is the same backing band that Amy Winehouse tours with (when she is able to tour) Horns and More Horns!!

Amy Winehouse…Um if you haven’t heard she is a crack out UK singer who (used) to sing like no other and could rock your world, so if you don’t know her then you might be a lost cause.

Duffy…UK’s youngest sensation, with her break through dance hit Mercy. Her vocals (like those of Amy Winehouse) sound like they could have come straight from Motown. Some one broke this girl’s heart and her album is full of revenge and pure emotions, singing her heart out is what she does best. I will say I was looking for this album to be more upbeat after the single but I was pleased with what I heard

The Watson Twins…recently Toured with Jenny Lewis and these Twins have that classic in the woods free falling sounds that makes a drive in the truck all worth it.

Kate Nash…One of Many English Smack you in your face, pissed off, do what I want leading women. With a Voice and lyrics that will not only make you think hard, but also get your ass out of your seat and move

New Ray LaMontagne Album

Ray LaMontagne Released his Third Studio Album this week, and what a breath of fresh air! The album starts with what will be its two main singles, “You Are the Best Thing’ & “Let It Be Me”. These two songs sell the album to me with the first being an upbeat Soulful Horn induced track that would get a deaf mans foot tapping, and “Let It Be Me” reaches deep into the emotions that Ray has been so powerful at expressing. Much like his show a few weeks ago, the Slide and Electric guitar playing of Eric Heywood adds a whole new element to his basic style.

I am a huge fan of a basic guitar solo with a few perfect notes, over the rip roaring 20 notes a second that seems to over bare so much music right now. The right note at the right moment in a song can do more then anything else to a song. (Examples would be solos on The Beatles “Let It Be”, Marley’s “No Women No Cry”… and any thing done by George Harrison)

His Acoustic Guitar playing that seems so simple is yet so intertwined with the harmonies of his voice and other stings instruments to produce some beautiful melodies. One distinct feature of his music has always been his voice, and while it might seem impossible to out do himself it seems he really spent the effort to branch out and extend his vocal range to a higher level then his previous albums.

Almost all the tracks have their place on the album, with some upbeat and even off the cuff songs such as “Meg White” & “Hey Me, Hey Mama”, really give a divers view of this wonderful Musicians talent and love for his passion.

The Cardinals, Featuring Ryan Adams…Murat Theater Indianapolis (10/2/08)

With the release of Cardinology coming out on Oct 24th I had the pleasure of hearing some of the new album last night when the Cardinals came to town. This is my 3rd Ryan Adams show and each has been very different and each thrilling.

After a little less then an hour of playing they took a break blaming his ear piece as sounding like Darth Vader and said they would return with a hell of a set list, and they did. Bringing out hits that I have never heard live and rocking them the only way they know how. His band has always been “on” and plays well with each other. So props to the whole band for rounding out an amazing night!

I enjoy some good jamming, as you know, and that is one thing that I love about a Ryan Adams show. It has a great Dead feeling with a good smack of Hard Rock & Roll. Personally I still want to see an acoustic show (or some acoustic songs in his), but hey I will take what Ryan will give me.

Now he is known for his on stage antics, but I have to say he was on his best behavior…I guess being sober will do that!


Set List:
Cobwebs
Wonderwall
Mockingbird
Peaceful Valley
Off Broadway
Natural Ghost
Please Do Not Let Me Go
Icy Monsters
Let It Ride
Desire
Sun Also Sets
What Sin Replaces Love
Afraid Not Scared
Games
Everybody Knows
Sink Ships
Come Pick Me Up
Stars Go Blue
OMG Whatever Etc..
Beautiful Sorta
Evergreen
Bartering Lines
Rescue Blues
La Cienega
Two
Easy Plateau

PHISH is Back

Just announced Phish will be holding a 3 day gig in Hampton VA next March with more tour dates to Follow!!

My summers have been so lonely with out them, i am ready to get back to some Phishing. Lets hope this isn't for money but for the true love of damn good music!

Ray LaMontage Live at the Murat Theater in Indianapolis (9/30/08)

Last night was opening night for Ray and his band and as always his voice shakes me to my core. You could tell the full band (bass, drums, piano, second guitarist) with Ray were still getting their grounding and polishing their newer songs. He played almost the full new album and it is going to be a good one. “Henry Nearly Killed Me” & “Hey Me Hey Mama” seemed to get this mostly sitting crowed up on their feet. Many have express the melancholies of his first two albums, and I think his newest one will surprise people with his wide range of vocal and musicale talent. But don’t be fooled this album will have its basic Ray that we have come to love.

The use of a slide guitar player (and also just a basic blues guitar) for more of the solos was a wonderful pairing to his basic acoustic style. His classic songs came across as great as ever and ended with 2 encores (the second being him and his guitar). Having the whole audience sing “Shelter” & Trouble” for him was a stunning show of how far this man has come, and you could tell by how gracious he seems to be on Stage.

While Ray, I think would be better seen in a smoke filled bar or smaller venue it is a test of his growth that lead to a packed theater on a fall night.

Partial Set List: You Are the Best Thing, Empty, Three More Days, You Can Bring Me Flowers, Let It Be Me, I Still Care For You, Meg White, Roses & Cigarettes, Winter Birds, Sarah Gossip On the Grain, Wild Horses, Trouble, Jolene, Shelter, Hold You In My Arms…