I am saddened to hear that one of my favorite bands that I’ve been following over the past few years, Pela, has broken up. I was bummed out all weekend, because I’ve been waiting for their new CD (no word on that) to come out this fall. Hopefully it will still happen, but that is a minor point – this band KILLED it live. A new CD will not bring back the passion they had on stage, or the energy they created in the pit. I will miss them.

Pela – Waiting on the Stairs

Links: Ekko, who originally turned me on to Pela. And Ryan’s Smashing Life. He talks about the Shawn Fogel, The Motion Sick, Static of the Gods show that I was also at.

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NOTE: As some of you may have noticed, I haven’t been updating a ton lately (that’s an understatement). I am currently working full-time and studying full-time. This leaves VERY little time to write, which is depressing and unfortunate. I have a ton of CDs I have half-written reviews for, and hopefully I’ll have a chance to finish them soon. Apologies all around.

The folk song Knoxville Girl was made famous by the Louvin Brothers in their opus “Tragic Songs of Life,” but was merely a tradition of several hundred years of folk tales, street songs, and eventually folk songs. Recorded first in the United States by the Carter Family (that I know of), Knoxville Girl is the story of a man that kills his girlfriend/acquaintance in a fit of passion. The song is usually not very explicit, but through the various bluegrass renditions and into the country/alt-country renditions it becomes much darker and detailed. Nick Cave’s version and the Handsome Family’s version are among the most explicit of the modern versions.

To me, this song represents the country tradition – it is human and unapologetic in its subject matter; it’s not complicated or sophisticated in the song patter or verses; and it is endlessly flexible in being adapted to new repertoires. I hope this song is covered indefinitely.

The original ballad can be found (try googling them) under the names ”
The Oxford, Lexington, Waxweed, Wexford or Knoxville Girl, The Cruel Miller, The Wittam Miller girl…” I was also able to find a neat collaborative writing project at the University of Minnesota English Department of “Nineteenth Century English Street Ballads” which has a lot more to add to this discussion than I can. If you can, give “The Subgenre of Murder Ballads in the Street Literature of Britain” a read.

1937 – The Carter Family – Never Let the Devil Get the Upper Hand of You
1937 – The Blue Sky Boys – Story of the Knoxville Girl
1956 – The Louvin Brothers – Knoxville Girl
1975 – The Outlaws – Knoxville Girl
1975 – Jim & Jesse and The Virginia Boys – Knoxville Girl
1986 – Elvis Costello – Knoxville Girl
1988 – Jimmy Martin – Knoxville Girl
1996 – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Knoxville Girl
1996 – The Lemonheads – Knoxville Girl
1996 – BR5-49 – Knoxville Girl
2003 – The Handsome Family – Knoxville Girl
2005 – Roger Alan Wade – Knoxville Girl
2007 – Chris Thile & Michael Daves – Knoxville Girl
2009 – The Fox Hunt – Knoxville Girl

I was in the northwoods of Minnesota all weekend, and I am horribly embarrassed that I missed this. I don’t have a whole lot to say that other people haven’t already said, so I will leave you with a song, and links to a few eulogies and other such sundries.

1994 – Jay Bennett & Jeff Tweedy – Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down

My Old Kentucky Blog
Ryan’s Smashing Life
NPR
“Another Brilliant Champaign-Urbana Death,” at Urbanagora
New York Times

The Handsome Family – Honey Moon

Coming straight from the mid- to late-90s alt country scene, The Handsome Family have a reputation for solid laid-back country styles woven with sparse, effective harmonies and gritty, tearing lyrics. Brett’s nasal delivery has enough boom to carry the weight of the lyrics and scratches enough to transfuse the pain directly to the listener, and Ronnie’s harmonies lift the lyrics into stark, empty, starless space. The feeling is truly a grounded, earthly feeling… while stretched hopelessly upward to the heavens.

In a slight change of pace, however, the new album “Honey Moon” treads into a slightly more pop-influenced sound. That is to say, a more regressive-country-pop sound, rather than the realm of modern-country-pop. The songs are lighter on Honey Moon – they are more uplifting and heartworn than on previous albums, but still generally drifting and grounded overall. Of course, the album has been advertised as a celebration of the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary, which certainly accounts for the gentle shift in the content of the lyrics. On the other hand, it might also forecast a shift in what’s to come in future releases. The very idea that the Handsome Family could be moving toward a more commercially-viable theme is not something I necessarily look down upon – “goth-country” is becoming sparse as a genre (I prefer “regressive-country”), and bands are still able to stick to roots Americana by writing love songs instead of murder ballads. I stand by murder ballads at the basis of country music, but there is certainly room for more sweet than bitter in bittersweet. In short, the album contains more of the Everly Brothers’ “Songs Our Daddy Taught Us” than the darker “American” series by Johnny Cash.

Songs like “Little Sparrows,” “A Thousand Diamond RIngs” and “Wild Wood” have a positively upbeat and country-rock feel, which is complimented by the drifting “The Winding Corn Maze” and light-waltz “Darling, My Darling.” My favorite track from the album, “When You Whispered” is also a waltz, but with a breathy bluegrass feel. The world is caught up in the whisper; the private moment between two faceless lovers, paused for a moment and stretched by the listening wind, “when you whispered what you whispered in my ear…”

The Handsome Family – When You Whispered

See them tonight at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA – Doors at 8:00, $15. Currently sold out online, but tickets will be available at the door.

Delta Momma Blues, one of Townes Van Zandt’s earlier albums, is not as cut and dry as one might think.  While the title-track drifts by slowly and gives off a somewhat lazy-river feeling, it contains a double-meaning from the songwriter.  “Delta Momma,” as Townes referred to it, was cough syrup with codine (Robitussin DM = Delta Momma), and was easily available over the counter.  As the lyrics suggest, it made the consumer feel removed and relaxed.  On the other hand, it is violently addictive (as a opiate) and it’s ingestion with the other ingredients of cough syrup in large quantities is not a good idea.  Nevertheless, Townes Van Zandt and many other prolific songwriters swore by the Delta Momma, and it’s use continues in the southern United States – popularized again through hip-hop.

1964 – Buffy Sainte-Marie – Cod’ine
1964 demo - Donovan – Codine
1965 – Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs – Codine
1965-66 – Gram Parsons – Codine
1966 – The Litter – Codine
1967 – The Leaves – Codine
1968 – 31st of February – Codine
196X – Matthew Moore Plus Four – Cod’ine
1976 – Man – Codine
1983 – The Charlatans – Codine Blues
1994 – Poison 13 – Codine
2006 – Oakley Hall – Codine

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1970 – Delta Momma Blues – Townes Van Zandt
(Also a mention in “Waitin’ Round to Die”)

And the Moneynotes

The first thing I had a chance to see was at Piano’s Bar & Grille. They have an open mic night (sort of) on Friday nights, and a friend’s band was playing. I had no idea what to expect, but I was very surprised and pleased with what we saw. The band: And the Moneynotes (myspace, daytrotter session) – A pseudo jugband/country-rock/good-time band with heaps of talent and an obvious joy of what they’re doing. They mixed genres throughout their set – bluegrass, R&B, country-rock – it all fit, and was delivered without much effort. Their energy was directed into the crowd, and was generally well-received by everyone I was in elbow-contact with (it was PACKED). Tons of fun, and very impressive musically. They are enormous (at least in comparison to the stage at Piano’s), and carry a sound that is tight and well rehearsed, but slightly unhinged, giving them a sort of “sing-and-dance-around-the-fire-with-your-jug-o-wine” type attitude. Regardless of their low-brow genre, their music is serious, and they play directly to their audience. For country and blues enthusiasts, they are a must-see.

And the Moneynotes – Too Much
And the Moneynotes – A Pirate’s Confession Part III

(both from the most current release “New Cornucopia!” Buy it from iTunes here.)

EDIT – I was immediately reminded of this song from the documentary “Heartworn Highways” when I saw them. It would be great to hear them cover this.
Rodney Crowell – Bluebird Wine

April 4th - East River Bar

The next night I had a chance to see a one-night art show at the East River Bar in Brooklyn. I had never been there before, and it sort of reminded me of Charlie’s Kitchen in Cambridge, or the Uptown Bar in Minneapolis. Dimly-lit, packed, and with an excellent patio where you could still hear the music, but escape the crowded bar scene. Directly underneath the Williamsburg Bridge, it had a strangely non-city and isolated theme going on. I will definitely try to return.

There were several bands playing, but we arrived just in time to catch the last one. They were great, but we primarily came to see the show by the artists that was going on at the same time. They had created “band posters” with fictional bands to showcase their printing and design skills. It was very impressive, and I hope one day to have a “Motor Penis” print of my own. The artists were, for the most part, semi-professional, but the prints were anything but – professional, without a doubt. Sadly, I only have links for one of the artists, but that will have to do (see Circus Fire Design and “Jeff P Does…” for Jeff’s work). Hopefully there will be a central website to view these prints again, because they all deserve more than a one-night showing.

By the way – do not, for any reason, go with “aheadservers.com.” You will regret it.

The Soundscan statistics support the fact that records are once again coming back, but only to a certain degree. It’s probably safe to say that although new sales have increased, used sales have increased even more. With the flagging industry and CDs at $18, more people are looking to used CDs and records. I would be very impressed if: 1) It was even possible to tally the numbers of used albums sold and, 2) What the numbers are compared to the “new” sales.

Nielsen SoundScan 2008 Sales Figures Released: LP Sales Up 89 Percent — And Neutral Milk Hotel Breaks the Top Ten via LA Weekly.

ps – As soon as my school applications are done you’ll see some more posts. I have several CDs that have been submitted to me that I’ve been meaning to write about, but no time to do it. The work keeps stacking up, and some day it will get done.

I had the pleasure of finally being able to see Bon Iver at the Wilbur Theater in Boston last Sunday. It was a great show, albeit in a weird space. I always enjoy general admission over sitting, but sometimes bands (or managers) like the relaxed atmosphere and extra space provided by larger venues. It’s always been my opinion that people pay to hear the music, and do not pay for comfort. When I bought my ticket I was somehow under the impression there would be no general admission/standing room space. I was wrong. So, I sat in the first balcony and watched the show from 100 yards away.

The absolutely best thing that could happen to me, happened. The opener was fantastic, and worth the price of the ticket by himself. And he was – by himself. The Tallest Man On Earth was an amazing act with equally amazing songwriting. His fingerpicking was soft and mellow at times, but he was able to vary the mood thoroughly throughout the show. His dynamic range on his guitars is very impressive, especially among the current pool of pop and folk musicians that play at one of two volumes – soft (aka “I’m so deep and thoughtful”) and loud (aka “I’m angry. Listen to what I have to say”). His songwriting might be considered melodramatic at times, but the listener is not bored to tears by unrealistic protest songs or flowery poetry – this is folk music, and I am not embarrassed to say it.

Ok, Kristian Matsson is his real name. He is Swedish, and he music comes straight out of his mouth (often, we are used to musicians’ songs coming straight from their ass). At times the songs seem to be playing him – very “shoot from the hip” style. He played each song without much hesitation, or at least with time to ponder which guitar to play. The music sounds very comfortable with him, and I am already looking forward to seeing him play again. Having only heard his EP, I was immediately impressed enough to buy his new album – Shallow Grave. Highly recommended to folk music fans.

The Tallest Man On Earth – Where Do My Bluebird Fly?
[audio:/stu/2008/12/18/Where Do My Bluebird Fly.mp3]
The Tallest Man On Earth – Over the Hills
[audio:/stu/2008/12/18/The Tallest Man On Earth - Over the Hills.mp3]

Buy Shallow Grave & EP (Othermusic)

Shallow Grave reviews:
Pitchfork
Obscure Sound

Other Links: Video from Music Hall show in NY (Hooves on the Turf), Mercury Lounge NY (T-Sides), Mercury Lounge NY (New York Times), Bukowski & My Favorite TMOE Song (I’m Just Sayin’ Is All…).