Roots Music Rec's Request

[sisabet]

So apparently there is a ton of interest in American Roots Music - so yay! I've drafted help on the essay front from two very intelligent and musical sources, so this might actually make sense. This is my goal for May/June.

Before that - I do want to do an actual *music* post of Americana, kinda like Lum did with the blues posts, just so there is a starting point. I mean, I can bring up King Wilkie or North Mississippi Allstars or Uncle Tupelo or Professor Longhair or Alison Moore or Steve Earle (and believe me, I *will*) but music is a strange beast in that we can talk all day long about what makes *this* Americana and how this is actually folk music but since it was so heavily influenced by such and such artist that it sounds kinda country and how this is classic country but if you listen carefully, you can definitely hear a blues influence and this is classic blues by way of southern rock and this is not any of the above, but something totally different, but is important because it helped shape all of the above.

And it can all be called Americana because it all arises from roots music.

But none of this means anything if we are just talking about it - we gotta listen to it as well (so we have something to talk about). So now I need your help - if you are reading this and are into roots music -- please post a couple of essential rec's in the comments cause, as you know, this is an extremely large playing field.

And my definition of roots music is extremely wide - so if you think it fits, go ahead and suggest it and tell me why (if you can, you don't have to).

Also - you can just give the name of the artist and album/song - uploading mp3s is not a requirement to play.

Comments

[vagabondage.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this fits your criteria, but whenever anyone talks Americana in the sense of music I always think of Woody Guthrie. If it weren't for the efforts of Woody and Cisco Houston and Pete Seeger, etc. the workers union movement in this country wouldn't have been anywhere near as strong, IMO. To me, that's Americana.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Yooooooooooouuu

Are you around?

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Absolutely!

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Leadbelly - Irene Goodnight
Jimmy Driftwood - the Battle of New Orleans
Woody Guthrie - So Long, It's Been Good to Know Ya
Harry McClintock - Big Rock Candy Mountain; Hallelujah, I'm a Bum
Win Stracke, Big Bill Broonzy - I Come For to Sing

This is just shit off the top of my head - lemme do some thinking.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

I knew I could count on you. "The Battle of New Orleans" should be a vid.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

The authorship of many traditional Americana pieces is impossible to trace - but I can give a sense of who made the pieces famous, or whose version we take as the standard:

Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey - Big Bill Broonzy
Freight Train - Elizabeth Cotton
Hobo's Lullaby - Goebel Reeves
House of the Rising Sun - Woody Guthrie
John Henry - Alan Lomax collection
Roll in my Sweet Baby's Arms - The New Lost City Ramblers

Actually, the smart thing to do would be to look into Smithsonians Folkways label and the Moses Asch collections - he compiled, researched, and preserved more Americana than anyone else in our history.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

a small compilation you might look into (http://btobmusic.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?userid=pY6wmAjAZw&sourceid=00395996645644787198&btob=Y&EAN=93074009024&ITM=3).

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Man - I want it.

::yearns::

[gwynnega]

Oh, I was going to rec that comp as well. The original LP comps that the CDs collect were enormously influential to a whole generation of musicians. (A few years back the Getty Center actually did a conference about Harry Smith and his folk compilations...it was pretty cool.)

[renenet.livejournal.com]

Cross your fingers that it's downstairs in the media department like the catalog says it is, and I'll be coming home with that and more from Harry Smith's compilations.

[marycrawford.livejournal.com]

16 Horsepower. I love them and have no idea what genre they fit into - I've been calling them the Prozac-deprived cowboy preachers from hell.

Various live session mp3s here (http://www.16horsepower.com/contents.html#soundfiles).

I didn't add my voice to the previous post yet, but yeah - I really look forward to your essay. I own about 90% of the blues Lum posted, but Americana? Not so much. Explanations and mp3s would be very cool. :-)

[coiledsoul.livejournal.com]

Americana Gothic is what I'd throw them into, along with Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Devotchka, Reverend Glasseye, and the rest of those crazy Denver bands. Check this community out:

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<ljcommunity=gothicamericana>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

Americana Gothic is what I'd throw them into, along with Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Devotchka, Reverend Glasseye, and the rest of those crazy Denver bands. Check this community out: <ljcommunity=gothicamericana>.

[coiledsoul.livejournal.com]

Apparently I can't use markup today, but you get the idea I hope.

[marycrawford.livejournal.com]

Sure, I get the idea, and the comm. *g*
Thanks! Never heard of any of the others, will check them out.

16 Horsepower are/were (they just broke up *snrf*) very popular in the Netherlands. Possibly because their version of fire-and-brimstone goes nicely with our Protestant roots.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Americana has a gothic subset. Of course it does. Wonderful rec's - thanks for playing.

[coiledsoul.livejournal.com]

Yes it does! But it's Gothic in the truest sense of the word - very Victorian inspired. Robert Smith and Joy Division have nothing to do with this music. And in the last three or so years I (the least goth person in the world) have been coaxed into it by a few friends of mine. It's all about damnation and brimstone and redemption and carnies gone bad. It's very lyrical and story driven. You would love it I'm sure. In fact, if you'd like I could make you a sampler of sort.

The another artist I wanted to mention is a guy by the name of Andrew Bird. His older stuff in particular is completely imbedded in Jazz and Blues and country. He was the violinist for the Squirrel Nut Zippers during the 90s and since leaving them has been steadily developing a style all his own that is clearly influenced by all these things. In the past he has recorded and toured with his band "Bowl of Fire" but currently he tours alone with nothing but him, his violin, a guitar, and a glockenspiel on stage. Using a loop pedal, he puts on a show worthy of a 10 piece band.

http://www.andrewbird.net

also check out the following bands:

My Morning Jacket - http://mymorningjacket.com (fellow statesmen of yours)
The Swindles - http://theswindles.com
Two Tons of Steel - http://www.twotons.com
(both of whom are fellow statesmen of mine)

I could go on all day, really, but apparently I'm still at work and have things to do. I hope this helps some.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

heres_luck and I were *just* chatting about My Morning Jacket last night. They are very popular in these parts.

I LOVE damnation and brimstone and redemption and carnies gone bad! Hell, I watched Carnivale in 3 and a half days!

::looks into this subset::

[smashsc.livejournal.com]

I have some compilation recommendations. The Oxford American Music Issues (http://www.oxfordamericanmag.com/musicissue.htm) are absolutely fantastic. Sadly they are hard/expensive to get after the initial run but I can send you any songs you want from the 1998, 1999 or 2003 issues. & the recent No Depression Comp (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001BS44C/qid=1113928083/sr=8-3/ref=pd_csp_3/002-1839495-3359200?v=glance&s=music&n=507846). I have that too and am happy to send songs.
If you are using Americana as an umbrella term then all the songs on those comps fit.
Then there are people like Gram Parsons, Alejandro Escovedo, etc. Americana is such a beautiful genre because it exists only as a blend of other genres. A little of this, a little of that, a helping of twang.

Found this via friendsfriends surfing and I'm friending you because I want to follow this Americana project.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Hey and welcome and a warning: I ramble about anything that hits my stream of consciousness - especially television fandoms. I also make fan music vids for all of these various television fandoms. Just so ya know.

I have seen the "No Depression" compilation and find it interesting as I sometimes read the magazine and they were the first place to actually stop saying Alt-Country and just call it Americana. So cool. I also have a lot of the stuff on their compilation, so go me!

The Oxford Music Issues are just - WOW - I had no idea and now I want and covet and NEED. Thanks for pointing this out.

Here is a link to my favorite compilation of the year (and it is only $2!! I've been passing these out as Christmas gifts and MY GOD - the MUSIC!!)

http://www.echotunes.com/itemdesc.asp?CartId={DF6887B2-5449-40E2-9E5F-BB00EVEREST1C6A7E21}&ic=AMASAM04

[smashsc.livejournal.com]

(-: I actually commented on your Starbuck bid, or thought I did. It was wonderful.

No Depresion is a great magazine.

Oxford Issues 1998 (http://s41.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1BUL2WN9Q0U7N365S1K69XIB96), 1999 (http://s41.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2RW2KX15N6N2S2BRF6VXCNLAUI), 2003 (http://s51.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2AS3EL0J2ACUD1OMQ91UET3365). I had to rerip the disc and my batch processor wasn't work so the tags and the file names aren't the cleanest things in the world but everything is still there. Enjoy. IF you find 1997, 2000, & 2001 I'd love them. (-:

That link isn't working, what is the comp?

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

You did comment on the Starbuck vid! Thank you and whew - you know what you are getting yourself into.

OMG - HUGE MASSIVE THANKS for the rips. This is awesome - I am so happy. Wow.


Lum sent me ripping software last night so here is the actual comp I was referencing in the expired link: This is Americana

http://s39.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2CYNKNEK2XSUY0EAE3HVKQGQXI


The only thing it is missing is some Gram Parsons. The Ralph Stanley "Wild Geese Cry" kills me. I am after Killa to vid "September When It Comes" and I have a vid planned to "It Doesn't Have to Be this Way" and I have Anna McCue on my shortlist of people to watch and "The Bible Song" haunts me. So I really liked almost everything they picked.

[smashsc.livejournal.com]

Wow. I just had time to listen to This is Amerciana.

Fantastic stuff. I already had a number of those tracks but it was a great mix.

Gram is so wonderful. Not just the solo stuff but his group stuff too. On the rerelease of Sweetheart of the Rodeo there is this wonderful old radio promo that explains that they are the same Byrd's just gone country. Hang on, here it is (http://s42.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3RGUH6681S3E61WI8NJ8FQLFOI)

I saw Anne McCue open for Melissa Ferrick a few years back and she is great and an amazing guitar player. It is mind blowing to hear her sing and then start talk ingbecause she is Australian and this perfect twang voice comes from somewhere inside her when she sings.

Another Lori McKenna Paper Wings and Halo (http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3HR1P9OHLCH3M1BEMJS0YDD550) and Country Song (http://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1UZ0UVZGK8MWM1YOJYAX9ANCM6) by a band called the Idaho Falls. (-:

[robynbender.livejournal.com]

A big amen to the Oxford American music issues. (and, btw, their first ever "Southern Food Issue" just hit the stands )
http://www.oxfordamericanmag.com/index.htm

[smashsc.livejournal.com]

I've been eyeing that Southern Food Issue. As soon as I fix my cash flow problems it will be mine. (-:

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

You might want to check out Songs: Illinois (http://songsillinoismp3.blogspot.com/), an Americana music blog, although I think it might be more focused on the contemporary than you want right now.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Actually, I want it all - so this is a great rec.

This is also the wonderful thing about my Flist - I get a great mix of everything and it all *fits* so yay!

[ladysorka]

I can't think of any specific artists off the top of my head, but I spend most of my day listening to FolkAlley, a streaming radio station, and for a free registration you have access to their playlists.

No idea if it'd be any help, but, there you go.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

It's tremendously helpful - as you know, people who are into this kind of music are into it passionately and this is a very large umbrella. Finding out where everyone is hanging out is fascinating.

[carenejeans.livejournal.com]

Man, this hurts. I used to loooove roots music, Americana, whatever you want to call it. But my hearing is too bad to enjoy it anymore (it's a slow, hereditary hearing loss, which once caused a bluegrass musician/fan to joke about whether it was "progressive" or "traditional" /bluegrass in-joke).

But you want recommendations, I got 'em. I can't point you to MP3s because I don't download music because of above. But as for bands & CDs:

Del McCoury Band -- does a really fine bluegrass take on the blues (fave CD: A Deeper Shade of Blue).
Lynn Morris Band -- one of the few BG/Old Time/Country bands led by a woman. Fave album: Mama's Hand.
Hazel Dickens -- Classic old time. A good sampler is A Few Old Memories. (She wrote "Mama's Hand," above).
Rosie Flores -- punk turned rockabilly/Roots rock. Oh, and while I'm thinking about it -- WANDA JACKSON! Yay, Wanda! She did some songs with Flores.
Iris DeMent -- some people call her folk, though some folkies run screaming from her twang.
Kevin Welch -- Americana/country. I like his first album best, but "Pushing Up Daises" from a later CD I can't remember now is a great song. My all-time favorite song of his, though, is "True Love Never Dies."
Joe Ely -- Americana/roots rock. I always liked his first album best, and could listen to the trio of songs "Tennessee's Not the State I'm In," "If You Were a Bluebird," and "Treat Me Like a Saturday Night" over and over forever. Along with Jimmie Dale Gilmore & Butch Hancock, he was a member of early "alt-country" band the Flatlanders. Gilmore is weirder, and Hancock is more folk (and weirder still!) but it's all good.
Townes Van Zandt. Anything and everything.
Steve Earle, of course.
Johnny Cash!
Johnny Cash!
Johnny Cash!
I don't actually have to *hear* Johnny Cash songs anymore. They're engraved on my DNA. 8-) And anyway, he's the quintessential crossover guy. It didn't always *work*, but he took some wild musical risks.

I think if anyone is interested in hearing the difference in how Rockabilly can lean more towards R&B on one hand or country on the other, it's instructive to listen to songs by Ronnie Dawson and Dave & Deke Combo, respectively. Just a thought.

Oh, and the Bad Livers are a must-have. They blended punk and old-time sensibilities in a really compelling way. Their funniest song is "Shit Creek," though I think they regretted recording it, because it's more of an obvious novelty song, and everybody always mentions it, the way I'm doing now.

Speaking of novelty, here's a fun oddity: The Vultures (http://www.highlandpublishing.com/Highland_Records_%C4/Albums%20%C4/Highland_Records_205.html). It's an album of mostly old rock instrumentals (Pipeline, Apache, Walk, Don't Run, Wipe Out) done with acoustic instruments. A dobro can really get that weird "wet" sound on "Pipeline," and the drum solo from "Wipe Out" is played on somebody's face. *g* (The "Vultures" include David Grisman, Roy Ickes, Norton Buffalo…)

Er… I could go on…. just don't get me started! *g*

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

I love almost everything you mentioned. And want to talk about them except work! Dammit!

But - yeah, Dement freaks some people out and I've heard her called "country" more than once (although I tend to think her voice is perfectly suited for Appalachian Mt Folk - this is what it *should* sound like), but I think she is fascinating and warm and her voice adds interest. I grew up listening to Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe and the like and Jimmie Dale Gilmore is fabulous.

[carenejeans.livejournal.com]

I was on country, folk and bluegrass lists (BGRASS-L was my introduction to both mailing lists and the internet, back in the gopher/usenet days!) and then later, when "alt-country" got going, on an alt-country/Americana list (plus a few rockabilly lists and an old time list -- this was my old "fandom," you understand). Anyway, as Ron in Dry Branch Fire Squad says, I only told you that to tell you this. 8-) There was a lot of crossover on these lists, and whenever someone on the folk lists would complain about DeMent's voice being "too twangy," people on the bluegrass list would take umbrage. *g*

I grew up listening to Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Glen Campbell, so I kind of got the more... smooth-and-low end of things! But in the late 80s I fell for bluegrass.

I had a huge crush on Jimmie Dale Gilmore for a while. *g*

Aaaand, speaking of Dry Branch Fire Squad, their Long Journey CD, back when Suzanne Thomason was in the band, is great. "Long Journey" is a version of "Lone Journey" which brings us to: Doc and Merle Watson. 8-)

Get back to work! 8-)

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

I had a huge crush on Jimmie Dale Gilmore for a while.

It's the hair, isn't it?

Aaaand, speaking of Dry Branch Fire Squad, their Long Journey CD, back when Suzanne Thomason was in the band, is great. "Long Journey" is a version of "Lone Journey" which brings us to: Doc and Merle Watson. 8-)

Rec!! I must get this CD!!

[klia.livejournal.com]

If you haven't already seen the movie Songcatcher -- the story of a woman academic around the turn of the last century who goes around recording Appalachian folk singing their traditional songs -- you should check it out.

[robynbender.livejournal.com]

Thinking compilations:
Don't forget the 3 volumes of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken"
For broad survey of sacred music see the recent "Goodbye, Babylon"

[sexybee.livejournal.com]

Completely seconding the "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" rec. I got them for my dad for his birthday after watching "O Brother" re-piqued his interest in bluegrass. Then I stole them for myself. Disc 2 is right now sitting on my desk in front of me.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

I actually think Vol 2 is the best -- but this is by a very narrow, narrow margin. I agree and third and second and just want to generally get the word out about these sets.

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Ohh - I want "Goodbye Babylon" -- I should add that to my Amazon wishlist although is would make an excellent gift for my parents...who have an anniversary fast approaching. Hmmm.

[sdwolfpup.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you did this - I only know Johnny Cash and a couple of the other names up above (Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - the biggies). This is all very eye-opening. I am downloading mp3s and examining websites this morning.

[heresluck]

Well, you know I gotta say Jeff Foucault. And Graham Lindsey.

That's all I can think of that hasn't already been mentioned.

[robynbender.livejournal.com]

Oh, a more modern but interesting example of Southern Mix:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002OR2/qid=1114131287/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-2460493-9008753?v=glance&s=music&n=507846
"Rhythm, Country and Blues"

And, had you seen this fine engine?
http://www.musicplasma.com/
Try mapping "Gram Parsons" for a good example. The interface isn't real intuitive, but the help file does help some...

Article on the engine at:
http://searchenginewatch.com/searchday/article.php/3379161

And, try kartoo.com -- search on "american roots music"
-- mouse over the diagram to see the linkages -- click on "next map"

Have fun [g]

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

I have that album! I love the cover of "The Weight"

Did you know that was about Firefly?

Look what boingboing just found for us!

[robynbender.livejournal.com]

Tofu Hut has published a huge list of blogs that have MP3s, arranged by genre. eg.,

BLUES/FOLK/OLDTIMEY music and sounds: American Memory Audio, American Music, Cantaria, Honey Where You Been?, Honking Duck, The Ragtime Ephemeralist, Tinfoil and Uncommon Folk.

http://tofuhut.blogspot.com/2005/05/even-when-you-dont-find-music-here-you.html

Re: Look what boingboing just found for us!

[sisabet.livejournal.com]

Oh - Awesome!!!

Re: Look what boingboing just found for us!

[robynbender.livejournal.com]

I thought that would cheer you up, honey . Hope your weekend is restorative, you have one coming.