Bradford Cox released a new Atlas Sound single from his blog. It’s a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Walk A Thin Line,” which originally appeared on the Tusk album.
MP3: Atlas Sound – Walk A Thin Line (Fleetwood Mac Cover)
MP3: Atlas Sound – Track 4 (Broadcast Meet Atlas Sound)
Atlas Sound and Broadcast
Troubadour
November 4th, 2009 (Buy Tix)
James McMurtry – Sunset Concert Series (Image Rollo & Grady)
You can’t beat high alpine living in the summer months. Temperatures are mild during the days and nights are cool, which makes for great for outdoor music. And in Telluride, Colorado music is part of the summer culture. The summer season kicks off with Jazz Fest around June 1st and finishes with Blues & Brews this September 20th – which Rollo & Grady will be covering for the first time this year. There is also the world-renowned Telluride Bluegrass festival – David Byrne put on one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while at this year’s festival.
One of the most impressive series of shows is the Sunset Concert Series, which are free concerts put on almost every Wednesday from 6-8PM, June – September in Mountain Village. Mountain Village is a short drive or gondola ride from downtown Telluride and this summer there have been some impressive performances from James McMurtry, Coco Montoya and Trombone Shorty. Tonight’s act – the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and next week — The Avett Brothers. So, if you have some time and the wherewithal, head to Telluride for some great music throughout the summer.
Tinariwen (“empty places”) is a true amalgam of music. Thirty years ago, this group of southern Saharan nomads was forced into involuntary servitude by Muammar al-Gaddafi. The band, led by frontman Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, plays what the locals call “Tishoumaren” ( “music of the unemployed”), and they favor electric guitars over the traditional acoustic instrumentation of the region. It’s obvious that this is a blues band at heart. Perhaps not the same as Delta blues musicians, but close enough to count. The more obvious comparison is “Kulanjan” by Taj Mahal & Toumani Diabate or the Robert Plant/Jimmy Page reunion album from the 90s, where a blues-like sound was appropriated while adding heavy African tribal music influences. On their 4th album, Imidiwan: Companions, Tinariwen makes ample use of Delta, Chicago and Texas stomp styles to create a sound uniquely their own.
The album was recorded in the Malian desert village of Tessalit, and while the listener may not understand the words, the emotions conveyed are obvious. The song structure is similar from track to track, often opening with a lone voice before group chanting comes in to flesh out the sound, but each track has its own personality. “Tamudjeras Assis” channels John Lee Hooker, and “Enseqi Ehad Didagh” sounds a little like Lightnin’ Hopkins . Drawing from various deeper blues rhythms, “Imazaghen N Adagh” wouldn’t sound out of place on-stage at Buddy Guy’s Legends.
Limited Edition screen printed poster from the Fonda show made by Drew Findley. Each print is individually signed and numbered by Drew. For details click here.
**Not a paid advertisement.
Jagjaguwar just released the first single from Bon Iver’s side project Volcano Choir. “Island, IS” is off of their upcoming album Unmap, which will be released on September 22nd. The track has an “Eminence Front” vibe.
MP3: Volcano Choir – Island, IS
The Black Crowes rock the Eddie Money/Donna Summer influenced drug themed “I Ain’t Hiding” – I think it’s solid. Purists will most likely hate it, but it’s time for the Crowes to mix things up.
“NYC delivers, that’s a guarantee.”
The Black Crowes
Album: Before the Frost…Until the Freeze (Pre-Order)
Label: Silver Arrow and Megaforce Records
MP3: The Black Crowes – I Ain’t Hiding
Cornershop
Album: Judy Sucks A Lemon For Breakfast (Buy)
Label: 101 Distribution
MP3: Cornershop – Who Fingered Rock ‘n’ Roll
Editor Note: It could be argued that The Crowes song sounds like a mix of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” and Greg Kihn Band’s “Our Love’s In Jeopardy.”
Tenacious D is playing Largo at the Coronet (capacity 280) on Friday, August 28th. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased by calling (310) 855-0350. There’s only a few tickets left.
