Chris K's Colorado Playlist

This is what happens when I take vacations — My inbox got flooded with new releases … haven’t done a MMMM in some time now … so this one is packed with great new and a few classic releases.

Chris Thompson:  The Road AheadWebsite for preview: http://www.myspace.com/coralcreek
Genre/Style: rock, jamband
RIYL: The String Cheese Incident, etc
Notes: produced by Billy Nerschi (the String Cheese Incident), includes performances by Keith Mosley (bass), Christian Teele (drums), Tyler Grant (acoustic guitar), Andy Thorn (banjo) and others ….

Matt Shupe – The Greying HeartWebsite: http://www.myspace.com/mattshupe
Genre:  Folk-rock, modern, alternative
RIYL: Nathaniel Ratefliff, Arcade Fire
Notes: currently plays in Denver’s only trucker band Jimbo Darville and the Truckadours. … a founding member of Six Months to Live, and has played with Kal Cahoone, the Denver Gentlemen, and Moe Perdue.

The Heyday – Till We See the SunWebsite: http://theheyday.bandcamp.com/
Genre/Style: rock, alternative southwestern country-rock
RIYL: Gin Blossoms, Reckless Kelly, Roger Clyne
Notes: killer harmonies, tight arrangements.  one of the region’s most promising up and coming rock bands over the past few years.  ep produced by Christopher Jak at the Blasting Room in Fort Collins.

J. Shogren – Bird Bones & MuscleWebsite: http://jshogren.com/media-audio.php
Genre/Style: americana, folk, folk-rock
Notes: not expressly a Colorado artist, J. Shogren is from Laramie WY, but that’s close enough for me…. this guy’s music kills!

Boulder Acoustic Society – Champion of DisasterWebsite: http://boulderacousticsociety.net/
Genre/Style: rock, americana, roots, adult, dark
Notes:  best and most solid effort yet – a new direction for the band finds them edgier and more “rock” than they’ve been in the past, while retaining their Americana type rootsiness.

Musketeer Gripweed – Dyin’ DayWebsite: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Musketeer-Gripweed/317290984151
Genre: rock, jamband
Notes: killer artwork and some smokin’ blues/r&b/gospel flavored jam highlight this local Loveland/Fort Collins/Denver based record produced and recorded by Jason Larson at Backbone Studios in Loveland.

Rebecca Folsom – Smoke & Tears (single)Genre/Style: folk, singer-songwriter
Notes: Rebecca sent this to me with the note:  “Hi Chris, Here is a new song we just recorded called “Smoke and Tears” inspired from what we’ve all been going through up here w/ the Fire.  We are all so thankful to the fire fighters!  Our house is damaged, but still stands.  We hope to get home in a month or so. Give it a spin if you like it.”

Jenn Cleary – Back to the WheelWebsite: http://www.jenncleary.com/
Genre/Style: folk, blues, singer-songwriter
Notes: recorded, engineered, mixed and produced by John McVey at Coupe studio (Boulder).  I have to say I’m not a Jenn Cleary fan – despite the accolades she’s received *Telluride Blues Festival Solo Acoustic Competition Finalist 2010, *Colorado Blues Society Best Self Produced CD Competition Finalist 2011, *Sundance Film Festival Performer 2009, 2010, 2011.  However, if you’re a fan of such local female acoustic blues pop singer songwriters as Julie Hoest and/or Vicky Taylor from the mid-90s, you might find a couple of songs on here you like.

Jubilant Bridge – PowerlinesWebsite: http://www.jubilantbridge.com/
Genre/Style: folk
Notes: I was actually pretty impressed by this release, marking off five tracks as “recommended.”  It is definitely FOLK, and it is very nicely recorded by Steve Avedis at Colorado Sound studio in Denver and mastered there by Tom Capek.  I especially liked that they included the wonderful Judy Collins song “Send in the Clowns.”  All throughout, the acoustic and electric mountain dulcimer work was compelling and to my ears cutting edge for the instrument and the style of music.

Michael Adam – The Maybe EPWebsite: http://www.reverbnation.com/michaeladam
Genre/Style: singer-songwriter, adult contemporary, acoustic-rock/pop
Notes: of the four non-demo tracks on the EP, the most recommended are the artist’s recommended focus track, NYC, and track 1, Wind in the Willows.

Fierce Bad Rabbit – Spools of ThreadWebsite: http://fbrmusic.net/news
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USeU9_7WwyU
Genre/style: rock, indie/alternative, pop
Notes: uhhhh…. last year’s debut made it to the top of my list for best DIY rock album of the year.  Three listens in on this one and they’re back up near the top again — this band does not seem to be capable of producing a bad record – seriously. Very “radio friendly,” I’ve noted seven recommended tracks (a lot for any album!).

Brad Goode – Tight Like ThisWebsite: http://www.bradgoode.com/
Genre: jazz
Notes:  I realize that not a lot of jazz gets played outside of the specialty shows, but I’d like to encourage you to give this one a listen.  “… Goode tips his hat to trumpeters past with reinventions of vintage material such as the title track, recorded by Louis Armstrong’s Hot 5; “Changes,” a showcase for Bix Beiderbecke with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra; and “Reverse the Charges,” composed by one of Goode’s trumpet heroes, Freddie Webster. The five Goode originals include “Summary,” a tribute in 3/4 time to saxophonist Eddie Harris, Goode’s late friend and mentor; and “Bob’s Bounce,” a hard-bopping salute to Delmark Records founder Bob Koester, who issued Goode’s very first album in 1988.” http://music.colorado.edu/2010/08/09/brad-goodes-new-album/

Lynn Baker Quartet – Azure IntentionWebsite: http://www.reverbnation.com/lynnbakerquartet
Genre: jazz, mainstream
Notes: From his bio:  Malcolm Lynn Baker is the Director of the Jazz Studies and Commercial Music Program at the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver, where he directs the Lamont Jazz Orchestra, coaches combos, and teaches Jazz Improvisation and Composition class, Jazz History classes, and Jazz Techniques classes. Lynn is an award-winning composer, performer, and educator winning the 1987 Westside Composer Award (Minneapolis, MN), the 1995 COVisions Award for Jazz Composition, the 1980 Ruth Loraine Close award in performance from the University of Oregon, and the 2005 Downbeat Magazine award for Outstanding Achievement in Jazz Education.

RECORDS FROM THE PAST ADDED to the Library

Mary Stribling – Lilting Little Heart
Website: http://www.marystribling.com
Released: October 2009
Genre: blues, bluegrass, jazz
Notes: exceptional.  highly recommended.  Mary is one of our treasured legends in the acoustic music world.

Julie Hoest – Where I’m Standing
Genre: acoustic, folk-blues, singer-songwriter
Released: September 1996
Notes: recorded by Jim Ratts (Raven Studios), mastered by Tom Capek (Colorado Sound)  Several very tasty tracks on this one.  I know lots of folks along the Front Range who remember Julie’s work fondly.  Can’t say as I’ve heard much from her over the past decade though…. Julie?  You there??

Vicki Taylor – Out of the Blue
Genre: blues, singer-songwriter
Released: 1996
Notes: notable guest players include:  Mark Diamond, John Magnie, Ellen Audley and others … produced and recorded by Charles Sawtelle, mastered by Tom Capek (Colorado Sound). Listening to this in the background while multi-tasking there was nothing on there that made me reach for the “next” button — that in itself is impressive at my office LOL.

Devotchka “We’re Leaving” from How It Ends (2004)
Julie Geller “Here We Go Again” from You’re With Me (2010)
NEW Musketeer Gripweed “River Callin’” from Dyin’ Day (2010)
White Water Ramble “All Night Drive” from All Night Drive (2010)
NEW J. Shogren “Salvation” from Bird Bones & Muscle (2010)
NEW The Heyday “Had A Feeling” from Till We See the Sun (2010)
Love 45 “Release Me” from Into The Ether (2009)
The Foot. “High Design” from Primary Colors (2010)
Snake Rattle Rattle Snake “Kafka and the Milk” from Snake Rattle Rattle Snake (2010)
Everything Absent or Distorted (a love story) “Houses” from The Great Collapse (2009)
NEW The Raven and the Writing Desk “Marionette” from Somnambulist (2010)
Apples in Stereo “Ruby” from Her Wallpaper Reverie (1999)
NEW Brad Goode “Tight Like This” from Tight Like This (2010)
NEW Rebecca Folsom “Smoke and Tears” from Smoke and Tears (2010)
the Richie Furay Band “Real Love (Bonus Studio Track)” from Alive (2009)
NEW Fierce Bad Rabbit “Love Doesn’t Run” from Spools of Thread (2010)
NEW Boulder Acoustic Society “Champion of Disaster” from Champion of Disaster (2010)
Sweet Water Well “Zoeology” from Watermelon (1997)
Crowboy “Babylon” from Making Up For Lost Time (2008)
Sweet Sunny South “You Never Even Knew My Name” from Carried Off By A Twister (2010)
Halden Wofford and the Hi Beams “Pill Poppin’ Country Weirdo” from Sinners and Saints (2010)
NEW Michael Adam “NYC” from The Maybe EP (2010)
Baily Stauffer and the Katy Janes “Two Weeks From Yesterday” from Bend or Break (2010)
NEW Chris Thompson “Traffic” from The Road Ahead (2010)
Lindsey O’Brien Band “Broke My Heart” from As Long As It Matters (2008)
NEW The Lynn Baker Quartet “Happy New Year” from Azure Intention (2010)

We’re late!  We’re late!  For a very important date!  Sorry guys.  Family took priority this past month, as I moved my Mom from Connecticut to Colorado (she finally retired!).  I don’t have much to report or much to say really this month.  I hope everyone had an excellent membership drive this past month.  According to interim GM Dennis Bigelow at KRFC, we did okay up there – getting up to around that $30k money.  It’s not enough to live on, but it sure helps as anyone in the non-profit radio world will attest.   Nice to see CSU’s KCSU back in the mix after a very long absence.  New local music director there – Kelsey Myers – so if you’re servicing records, make sure to get hold of her at kelsomye@aol.com.  With that …. here’s the top spins statewide with some our monthly representative station samplings.

MUSIC CHART LEGEND
DEBUT = 1st time appearing on chart
(NC) = not charted in previous month
(XX) = last month’s chart position

Colorado TOP 40 September 2010
(240 titles listed, 124 reported as played)
(2) 1. Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore – Saints & Sinners (Remington Road Records) americana/folk
(3) 2. Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams – Sinners and Saints (self) americana/country, honky-tonk
(1) 3. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Rocksteady (BIG) alternative adult contemporary
(4) 4. White Water Ramble – All Night Drive (self) jamgrass
(27) 5. Great American Taxi – Reckless Habits (Thirty Tigers) roots rock
(DEBUT) 6. John McVey – Unpredictable (self) americana/folk
(12) 7. Eric Shively – Eden’s Light (Half-vast Records) americana/alt-country-rock
(23) 8. Danielle Ate the Sandwich – Two Bedroom Apartment (self) modern folk
(13) 9. Blue Canyon Boys – Mountain Bound (self) bluegrass
(25) 10. John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light – Beautiful Empty (Free School) alternative adult contemporary
(16) 11. Kinetix – Let Me In (Steel Giant) rock, pop, hip-hop
(26) 12. Adam Bodine Trio – Blue Mud (self) jazz
(DEBUT) 13. Gabrielle Louise – Mirror the Branches (self) americana/folk
(21) 14. Nathaniel Rateliff – In Memory of Loss (Rounder Records) modern folk
(32) 15. After Midnight Jazz Band – Midnight in Madison (self) jazz, americana
(6) 16. Bobby Walker – Way Back When (BWM) blues, r&b
(17) 16. Jeff Finlin – The Tao of Motor Oil (Bent Wheel) alternative adult contemporary
(27) 17. Apples In Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time (Yep Roc) indie/alternative pop/rock
(8) 17. Dominant 7 & the Jazz Arts Messengers – Fourteen Channels (Tapestry Records) jazz
(NC) 17. Lonesome Traveler – Looking for A Way (self) bluegrass
(NC) 8. Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen – Back in My Hometown (Fossyl Records) blues
(NC) 19. Ash Ganley – Universe Acceptable (Elephant Tree Music) alternative adult contemporary
(27) 19. Eddie Turner – Miracles and Demons (Northern Blues) blues, rock
(7) 19. Greg Harris Vibe Quintet – Glass Gold (Greg Harris) jazz
(DEBUT) 20. Candy Claws – Hidden Lands (twosyllable records) indie/alternative
(14) 20. Romano Paoletti – Story of a Lifetime (Romano Paoletti) americana/country, folk
(NC) 20. Tequila Mockingbird – Luck & Trouble (Tequila Mockingbird) rock, alternative
(27) 21. Jeff Brinkman – To the Bones (Devonshire Records) alternative adult contemporary
(NC) 21. Snake Rattle Rattle Snake – Snake Rattle Rattle Snake (self) rock, indie/alternative
(NC) 22. Haunted Windchimes – Honey Moonshine (Blank Tape) americana, folk, bluegrass
(7) 23. Grant Gordy – Grant Gordy (self) americana, instrumental, bluegrass, jazz
(21) 23. Euforquestra – Soup (self) funk, reggae, ska
(NC) 24. Matt Morris – When Everything Breaks Open (Tennman Records) rock/pop
(NC) 24. The Foot. – Primary Colors (self) rock, adult alternative
(NC) 24. Tickle Me Pink – On Your Way Down (self) rock, modern/alternative
(NC) 25. Head for the Hills – Head for the Hills (self) jamgrass
(15) 25. Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3 (Telarc) blues
(5) 26. 30db – One Man Show (SCI Fidelity) alternative adult contemporary
(NC) 26. Hello Kavita – To A Loved One (self) alternative adult contemporary
(32) 26. Selasee – African Gate (self) world, African, reggae
(11) 26. Sweet Sunny South – Carried off by a Twister (2Dolla Reccas) americana/bluegrass

Dropped Out of Top 40 – September
(9) Megan Burtt – It Ain’t Love
(10) Paper Bird – When the River Took Flight
(18) Dan Craig Band – Alchemy
(19) 18 Switchbacks – 18 Switchbacks
(20) Ricky Sweum – Pulling Your Own Strings
(22) the Motet – Dig Deep
(24) Chris McGarry – and the weary eyes reply
(28) the Gromet – Colorado Captain
(29) the Dualistics – Crimson
(30) Bop Skizzum – Push
(31) Tin Horn Prayer – Get Busy Dying
(32) Emmitt-Nershi Band – New Country Blues
(32) Lelah Simon – Third Week of April

September Adds
Boulder Acoustic Society – Champion of Disaster
Brett Brady – After All
China Venture – Blows the Fuck Up
Clam Daddys – People Like Us
Feverbird – Feverbird
Jonathan Stark – Comfort
Lawn Chair Kings – Lawn Chair Kings II
Lynn Baker Quartet – Azure Intention
Otem Rellik – Elephant Graveyard
Thrifty Astronaut – Caffiene Heartache
Waiting On Trial – W.O.T.

August Adds
After Midnight Jazz Band – Midnight in Madison
Ben Prytherch – Songs to Make Love to You By
Beth Quist – New Moon
Candy Claws – Hidden Lands
Eric Forsyth – The Thin of Thick Things
Gabrielle Louise – Mirror the Branches
Grass It Up – Day After Yesterday
Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams – Sinners and Saints
John McVey – Unpredictable
Mr Right – Mr Right
North 17th Street Band – Dirt on the Tires
Pep*Squad – If This Was a Test, You’d Fail
Selasee – African Gate
Teresa Lynne – Teardrop Collectors
Weathermaps – Places
White Water Ramble – All Night Drive
Yettie – Yettie

KAFM (Grand Junction)
1. Molly Obrien and Rich Moore – Saints & Sinners
2. The Blue Canyon Boys – Mountain Bound
2. The North 17th Street Band – Dirt on the Tires
3. John McVey – Unpredictable
4. WhiteWater Ramble – All Night Drive
5. Euforquestra – Soup
5. Great American Taxi – Reckless Habits
5. Sweet Sunny South – Carried Off by a Twister
5. The Haunted Windchimes – Honey Moonshine

KBUT (Crested Butte)
1. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Rocksteady
1. Lonesome Traveler – Looking for A Way
2. Blue Canyon Boys – Mountain Bound
2. Boulder Acoustic Society – Punchline
2. Emmitt-Nershi Band – New Country Blues
2. Great American Taxi – Reckless Habits
2. Head for the Hills – Head for the Hills
2. Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore – Saints & Sinners
2. Sweet Sunny South – Carried off by a Twister

KCSU (Fort Collins)
1. Danielle Ate the Sandwich – One Bedroom Apartment
1. Candy Claws – Hidden Lands
1. Fierce Bad Rabbit – Spools of Thread
2. Otem Rellik – Elephant Graveyard
2. Grandparents – Dig Everything
2. Jonathan Stark – Comfort EP
2. Thrifty Astronaut – Caffiene Heartache
3. Brett Brady – After All
3. China Venture – Blows the Fuck Up
3.Feverbird – Feverbird

KDNK (Carbondale)
1. Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams – Sinners and Saints
2. Blue Canyon Boys – Mountain Bound
2. Candy Claws – Hidden Lands
2. Head for the Hills – Head for the Hills
2. John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light – Beautiful Empty
2. Lonesome Traveler – Looking for A Way
2. Runaway Express – Howlin At the Moon
3. Apples In Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time
3. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Rocksteady
3. Boulder Acoustic Society – Punchline

KGNU (Boulder)
1. Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore – Saints & Sinners
2. Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3
3. Nathaniel Rateliff – In Memory of Loss
4. Great American Taxi – Reckless Habits
4. Yonder Mountain String Band – The Show
5. Apples In Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time
5. Blue Canyon Boys – Mountain Bound
5. Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams – Sinners and Saints
5. Lonesome Traveler – Looking for A Way
5. Todd Adelman & the Love Handles – Todd Adelman & the Love Handles

KOTO (Telluride)
1. Beautiful Loser Society – The Long Slow Decline
1. Blue Canyon Boys – Mountain Bound
2. Euforquestra – Soup
2. Kort McCumber – Ain’t the Same as Before
3. Sweet Sunny South – Carried off by a Twister

KRFC (Fort Collins)
1. Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams – Sinners and Saints
2. Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore – Saints & Sinners
3. Danielle Ate the Sandwich – Two Bedroom Apartment
4. Jeff Finlin – The Tao of Motor Oil
5. Grant Gordy – Grant Gordy
5. Nathaniel Rateliff – In Memory of Loss
5. Paper Bird – When the River Took Flight
6. Kinetix – Let Me In
7. Fierce Bad Rabbit – Spools of Thread
7. The Foot. – Primary Colors
7. Wire Faces – Wire Faces

KRCC (Colorado Springs)
1. Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen – Back in My Hometown
1. the Changing Colors – Ghost of Red Mountain
1. the Knew – Pulperia
2. Boulder Acoustic Society – Champion of Disaster
2. Eric Shively – Eden’s Light
2. Flashbulb Fires – Glory
2. Hollyfelds – Lo Bueno, Lo Malo, Lo Feo
2. Jen Korte & the Loss – Jen Korte & the Loss
2. the Mitguards – Lookin’ For Something True
2. Tango Red Tapestry – The Window EP

The Colorado Sound
1. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Rocksteady
1. Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore – Saints & Sinners
2. Eric Shively – Eden’s Light
2. Gabrielle Louise – Mirror the Branches
2. Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams – Sinners and Saints
3. After Midnight Jazz Band – Midnight in Madison
3. Bobby Walker – Way Back When
3. John McVey – Unpredictable
4. Dominant 7 & The Jazz Arts Messengers – Fourteen Channels
4. White Water Ramble – All Night Drive