I can’t believe it’s almost going to be a year since I was first introduced to Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons via Miles Nielsen. Cory was on tour with Joshua James, as many of you know one of my favorite singers. Running late that night I missed Cory’s performance but had a chance encounter with Miles at the bar. Let’s just say that it’s one of those nights that goes down in the books. I don’t know if looking back now it was one of those nights that changes the direction of your life and you look back with joy or if you’d just wish you could have the last year back. In any case, the one positive thing is that at the end of it all I found some really great new artist and amazing music. Miles recently released his solo album, which by the way is solid, you must pick it up if you ever have a chance.
If you haven’t heard of Cory Chisel, prepares yourselves because you will. He’s scheduled to release an album this year (details below) but you can go to his website and download Brand new song “Born Again” available now here for a limited time. All you need to do is sign up your email in exchange.
“The songs on Death Won’t Send A Letter were recorded primarily at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, TN with Chisel’s backing vocalist/keyboard player Adriel Harris and “Little Jack” Lawrence (The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather) on initial tracking. Cory, Adriel and Little Jack were then joined by Jack’s longtime collaborator Patrick Keeler (The Raconteurs, The Greenhornes) on drums. With Patrick and Jack’s driving rhythm section the albums’ sound took on a grittier hue. And in Brendan Benson Cory found a writing and arranging partner that birthed the lead album track “Born Again.” Carl Broemel from My Morning Jacket also contributes on guitar.
The album, released on Black Seal/Sony BMG Music, follows up Cory Chisel & the Wandering Sons’ 2008 live EP Cabin Ghosts, which Chisel co-produced with Tony Berg.
Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons’ Death Won’t Send A Letter will be released September 29th of 2009 in the US.”
**This is a mirrored post from over on Slowcoustic.com – (because I know Olly loves this guy!).
The downloads included are a higher bit-rate over here as well!!
“The heart of a cur keeping time with her bedroom eyes.” ~JLL
The upcoming album from Jeffrey Luck Lucas entitled “The Lion’s Jaw” should be out any second and from the few tracks I have heard it is going to be another incredible album. This is a top album in the “looking forward to in 2009″ for me and am glad it is about to surface. Why this guy isn’t more famous, is beyond me.
Yes, I am being purposefully vague about the release date for the new album as it has not “officially” been set yet, but I have good authority that it will be available within the next couple of weeks. The music industry can be an enigma in itself and a lowly music blogger simply wants the end product of a great album. This particular great album cannot get here fast enough. If anyone is familiar with Jeffrey Luck Lucas you will know that there is a theme/feeling/aura surrounding the work of Lucas: one of solitude, trying times and ultimately a mixture of hope amongst bleak times. In going back and forth with Lucas (as you will see below in the interview), he is conscious of this mystique he conjures with his talent. One that draws me like a moth to a flame, not blindly, but just something that consistently brings fulfilling music – not the one hit wonders or smash and grab singles that circle the world of music these days.
Lucas has 2 previous albums to date of which both come highly recommended for lovers of the sombre almost Americana crowd. I say almost as his music floats around many genres but doesn’t make its home in anything specific – It has essence of a Matthew Ryan’s melancholy, Leonard Cohen’s storytelling and delivery. I used those two artists as one brings to mind a mature established performer with the other bringing something more modern down-tempo, the blending of it all gives you a great idea of what Jeffrey Luck Lucas provides. Another way to put it is to let you know the titles of the two previous album “Hell Then Divine” and “What We Whisper”. So you get an aching performance of the down trodden with that glimmer of redemption only moments away (all the while being aware of oneself and being awake to some humour of it all).
Well, if I can say one thing, it is “The Lion’s Jaw” is going to be another notch on this troubadour’s belt and should make it’s way to your collection…soon. Let’s dig into a bit of “Q & A” with Jeffrey Luck Lucas.
~~~
1. Who is Jeffrey Luck Lucas – introduce yourself to our readers – and is “Luck” really your middle name?
“Luck” is as real a name as any of mine, in my opinion, though I wasn’t born with it. I was christened with the name around a pool table in a great long-lost dive bar. It had a nice ring to it so I let it stick. I don’t know how to introduce myself. Maybe we’ll let the music do the introducing? I mean, it’s all there.
2. We are big fans here at Slowcoustic/You Crazy Dreamers and me especially as I am a jokingly described as a fan of “sad bastard music” – is this how you would describe your music?
Thank you… I do appreciate the support and encouragement to keep doing the dirty work. Though I do encourage others getting dirty with me.
I would say that the music is created by a sad bastard, but it isn’t all sad (and neither is the bastard). I think there’s a lot of beauty and humor drifting alongside all the emotional wreckage and debris. Not to mention sex and violence.
I think as more recordings surface the story will become more complete. It is definitely a living voyage that just happened to begin with a funeral march.
3. Now releasing your third album “The Lion’s Jaw” – When is it being released, where can we get it?
THE LION’S JAW will be released soon, this month I believe. It has been horribly delayed. The only bright side being that I’ve basically finished the fourth album (which I’m really really excited about) and that should be coming out this year as well. I don’t have a title yet, unfortunately.
You should be able to get THE LION’S JAW soon on iTunes and other online electronic distributors. We will also be doing a limited run of vinyl and CDs that will be personalized, numbered, etc. And it will have it’s own European label/release as well.
4. What were some of the things that lead to or assisted in the creation of the new album?
A sense of growing strength. An ability to face the present with clear vision. Working through an emotional backlog. Being comfortable in the skin of the night. Giving-up black and white ideals. Coming to terms with never coming to terms. Eroticism and passion in the midst of hell. And new sources of inspiration from my friends and loved ones. From their music. And Desmond Shea’s co-vision… his ability to find diamonds in my bullshit. [please edit this at will]
I really view THE LION’S JAW as a door. It marks the end and the beginning, depending on which way you’re heading.
5. You are more than a “guy with a guitar” – you are known as a trained composer & cellist, how do these integrate into your albums?
I tried to plaster as much of my self and my vision as I could on these records. I love doing arrangements and playing any and every thing I can. I record demos for every song, playing all the instruments. I learn so much from doing that. BUT… now I’ve found some guys who’ve living the music with me… and they’re bringing something… so I think the next records will be a little less claustrophobic… more accessible in a purely collaborative/spiritual way. Jesus, did I just write that?
6. Any upcoming shows, festivals that you are appearing at – where can we see ya?
Well, we’ve been working hard to get a strong band that can handle the music, so you should be seeing us over the next few months. You have to let the record simmer for awhile before you go out to lose money in support of it. Seriously, though, we’ll be in Europe late Fall/Winter and start from there.
I’ll also have a pretty full schedule playing cello and other things with other artists like KIRA LYNN CAIN and JAMES FINCH JR. this Summer and Fall.
7. Who are artists that you have toured/worked with that have influenced you?
TINDERSTICKS, JOHN DOE, ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, THE WILLARD GRANT CONSPIRACY come to mind, as far as artists I’ve shared the stage with. My bandmates, JUSTIN FRAHM and JAMES FINCH JR. are amazing songwriters, along with KIRA LYNN CAIN. SEAN COLEMAN (now of Dublin, Ireland) is an amazing musician and an inspiration. And we wouldn’t be here talking if it weren’t for DESMOND SHEA, producer, engineer, 5th Beatle, etc. I’m probably missing a dozen or so. What the hell…
As far as influences that I haven’t had a chance to work with or share the stage with, I would say LOU REED, SERGE GAINSBOURG, SCOTT WALKER, NICK DRAKE, NICK CAVE, LEONARD COHEN, JOHNNY CASH, LAMBCHOP, IGGY POP, ITALIAN FILM MUSIC, etc. etc.
~~
There you have the great insight of JLL and please consider frequenting his sites to find the new album once released. Prior to that, you can pick up a copy of “What We Whisper” (iTunes and CD Baby) and “Hell Then Divine” (iTunes and CD Baby).
You can also visit Mr. Lucas over on his Website and his MySpace page for updates on the new album.
Jeffrey Luck Lucas - "The Devil On Me" - from 2004's "Hell Then Divine" [5:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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If you missed him then, make sure to get his new album this time around. I good friend of mine recently sent me Venture and “Soul Reborn” has stuck with me through out the day. I promise to make some more post soon. I have a back log of music to share.
With a requiem-intro switching fast into a light-chords, drum-buried based symphony, Sanders Bohlke teased our appetite for his upcoming EP on this amazing dual song : The Weight Of Us. For my fellow Ray LaMontagne’s forum members, no surprise at all : Sanders Bohlke is distilling with a surgical precision his melody and orchestration knowledges ; for you to choose between Trouble and Empty, guess he reached the delicate and beautiful balance !
Find below a too low 128kbps webrip version of “Somewhere” another masterpiece, don’t be eager, wait for the release of this phenomenal new EP.
For the best of our world, bless this talented artist buying his music : for yourself, gift it in any occasion.
Artist : Sanders Bohlke Label : Ampere Records Where to Buy : The Weight of Us single is available on major digital platforms, choose the least worst. I’m still starving : you still be hungry visiting is myspace, but don’t miss his first eponymous full length here. Not enough ? check earlier Ray LaMontagne, Gregory Alan Isakov
Silver Darling are new to me. I discovered them while covering Garrett Pierce for my day job at Slowcoustic and while looking over the label page for Crossbill Records, I found another gem in Silver Darling. There is also a Matt Bauer EP that is incredible with Crossbill, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. From what I can tell this is a band that is just starting out releasing albums (2008, but Silver Darling has been in the works since 2006), gaining members and looking forward to continued growth, touring and albums.
While as I say just starting out, they still have two official releases to date and have grown from a trio to a quintet (that’s five) in the last few months. A common theme when I start to really enjoy music is a sound that is usually folk, but one that seems acoustically inclined (at times) and have something that separates if from the sea of others. Whether that is a unique voice, interesting inclusions of instruments or a sound that keeps it’s roots in folk but walks a fine line to gothic, indie Americana. Silver Darling find themselves roaming comfortably throughout these territories. Their website has the below description:
…Northern California based soul folk in action-Guthrie Americana-dark gospel musical group…
With “sounds like” from their MySpace page of:
‘77 sunburst Gibson Les Paul, ‘77 Rickenbacker Bass, ‘59 Ludwig 28″ bass drum, early ’60’s Hammond organ, ‘45 king 2b silvertone trombone, ‘82 Martin HD-28, voice (high tenor), voice (baritone)
Now you see? There is a bit of everything with SD, you get the mellow folk acoustic tracks “Leave My Body Like a Stone” or “Land West of The Mississippi” and even folk rock of “Hanging Rest” – you have Kevin Lee’s lead vocals power through while still showing the fragility of just holding on. You can actually feel and hear the incorporation of a fuller band from the first EP “Wrap Around My Heart” to the newer “Your Ghost Fits My Skin” – while the EP is more acoustic and southern gospel, the newer LP could be a group effort that brings the power of that South to the forefront (you can find this in tracks like “Roof and Seed” – swing by their website to listen for yourself). This is what always attracts me and keeps me listening – great music, dark lyrics/discussion, a possibly a bit of twang from a pedal steel…if this is something that might intrigue you, take a listen below – you will find yourself a wash in a Southern Delta sound that while still finding its final signature sound, is doing a incredible job of playing great music along the journey.
~ Silver Darling “Clothes Removed” (mp3) “Land West of the Mississippi” (mp3)
from “Wrap Around My Heart” (Crossbill Records)
Visit Silver Darling on their Website for a few more songs to listen to and swing by Crossbill Records for a little label action and to pick up an album. If needed, their newly restored MySpace Page is located here.
~Smansmith
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“I just want this record to do well,” he says without irony, sipping coffee near the still-not-open venue. “I want to pay that money back. I also want to do something bigger than Ann Arbor or Ypsi. … I get crowded into the Michigan indie folk scene a lot,” he continues, and then he finishes the thought as if he scorched his tongue on the hot liquid, “I love it, but …”
That’s how ended this cinematographic review of Matt Jone’s first full length The Black Path from Brian Smith, editor on the Metro Times ( read the ful review here).
I know you lazzy-click so the link will be paste later down this short modest and encore review. Another article about the black path ? Yes, for sure, this Matt Jones is rich enough to gifted us million dollars spreading his music all day long on this blog.
How really rich is this mattjonespainting ? Rich enough to blow you away from start to end in this 45 minutes session : from the battling Threadlines intro to the perfect soft-sorrrowful Nothing Joyful closing tune ; an abundant set of unique blend of poetries, paintings, crossing borders, fronting and facing cliches.. to you to pick and choose its resilience, and few chances you won’t be untouched from his art at a very first note.
Isn’t it richness : Painting stories over melodies, serving floating spaces in both timeline and mapline to the completion of our unfulfilled, unsatiable minds. What an achievement is this eleven songs collection : it’s still blowing me away… The fact that expression could merge so many facets from an artist in a perfect oeuvre ; joining and translating all those forces : qualities and weaks. Rich once again, you are Mr Jones !
Got so many albums to tip you about and such few time to write… so the music will do the job !
Just few information about Mr Bucaro : ‘Til Spring’ is his fourth full length and I still can’t believe his music didn’t reach my ears before… I had the opportunity to discover this album via MoreBarn Music (Neal Casal, Peter Salett… mentionning it them only for the curious..) and… and let’s simply say that this collection is producing an awesome mix of soul and blues producing enough good tunes to be part of this crazy website ! Yes I know, it’s a bit too self-centered but it should have gained your attention. If not :
And sure it will deserve more words … but sure you’ll be addicted to his music listening to more tracks on his own site : On the Map is simply unbelievable.
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