Chris K's Colorado Playlist

I have been sitting and enjoying the 4th of July weekend – and I’m now waiting for my kids to show up to take us out for the afternoon.  In the meantime, while I thought I would not post a MMMM this week – I cannot resist.  The new Mollie O’Brien album is one of the best of show so far for 2010 – and I just have to share it with you.

Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore – Saints & SinnersGenre/Style: Americana, folk
Website: http://www.mollieobrien.com/main.htm
Recommended tracks: All, depending on the flavor of your show.  There’s AAA, folk/bluegrass, and blues/jazz radio offerings .. all tied together very nicely.  I’ve sampled four in particular:  #1-Keep It Clean (Charley Jordan), #3-Losers (Dave Van Ronk), #6-Dead and Lovely (Tom Waits), and #7 Saints & Sinners (David Francey).
Notes: Man, what a record!  Full of some of the best players that Colorado has to offer, including:  Rich Moore (guitars, harmonies), Glenn Taylor (pedal steel), Christian Teele (percussion, drums), Brad Goode (trumpet), Eric Thorin (co-producer, bass), John Magnie (accordian, piano), Eric Moon (accordian, piano, organ).  The album was recorded at Colorado Sound studios in Denver by Jesse O’Brien & Kevin Clock.  No doub this record, should it reach all of the public/community radio stations in Colorado, will sweep into the #1 most played position, and land among the most loved releases in this genre, this year.  One of the earmarks of records that maintain some level of airplay sustainability is how deep it is — -and this record is DEEP!  There’s really not a bad track in the collection – neither from a songwriting or performance pov.  Mollie’s rare originals sing brightly next to songs written by some of the greatest songwriters imaginable.  Radio gets a good long look at this record in advance of the proposed September retail release.  Here’s hoping that radio throughout Colorado embraces one of what might well be Mollie O’Brien’s crowning achievements – co-anchored by her husband, Rich Moore – only the second album I’m familar with from this couple; the first being 900 Baseline from 2008.

TOP ROCK PICKS (singles)
Post Paradise – The Ghost in the Airwaves … advance single from forthcoming sophomore release.  http://www.myspace.com/postparadise
The Knew – Before It Ends … lead single from digital ep of the same name.  Free dl of the ep at their website:  http://theknew.com/splash/
SuperSeed – Dreams … lead single from just released self titled debut ep.  http://www.myspace.com/superseed

In the case of each one of these tracks, they may be too “rock” or too “pop” or too “loud” for most of the programs currently underway at most public and community stations around the state.  Exceptions might include JJ Johnson’s Night Howler program on KRFC in Fort Collins, as well as the local show on Thursday nights at KRCC in Colorado Springs.  KDUR in Durango also tends towards the more “rock” side of independent music in the state, along with KVCU (Radio 1190) in Boulder, and KCSU in Fort Collins.  If you’re interested in receiving a copy of these tracks please get hold of the bands.

Happy 4th of July weekend! Here’s this week’s playlist.

Euforquestra “Soup” from Soup (2009)
NEW Post Paradise “The Ghost in the Airwaves” (advance single from upcoming album) (2010)
NEW The Knew “Before It Ends” from Before It Ends (digital ep) (2010)
Churchill “I Still Remember” from Churchill (2009)
The Congress “Minutes” from The Congress (2010)
Kort McCumber “Pay the Fiddler” from Ain’t The Same As Before (2009)
Grant Gordy “Blues to Dawg” from Grant Gordy (2010)
Danielle Ate the Sandwich “17 and 53” from Two Bedroom Apartment (2010)
NEW SuperSeed “Dreams” from SuperSeed (2010)
NEW Weekend Weather “Balloon Boy” from Sunny With A Chance of Tube Tops (2010)
Bobby Walker “Rainy Night In Georgia” from Way Back When (2010)
Ben Markley “5-20” from Second Introduction (2009)

Earth, Wind & Fire “Fantasy” from All ‘n’ All (1977)
Dianne Reeves “Never Too Far” from Never Too Far (1989)
Big Head Todd and the Monsters “Beautiful” from Rocksteady (2010)
Drew Emmitt “Take the Long Way Home” from Long Road (2008)
30db “Always Up” from One Man Show (2010)
Xiren “Gateway Drug” from Gateway Drug (2010)
Carbon Choir “Measure of Your Madness” from High Beams (2010)
DeVotchKa “Something Stupid” from Curse Your Little Heart (2006)
Trinity Demask “Zombie” from Crucible (2009)
Great American Taxi “One of These Days” from Reckless Habits (2010)
Sweet Sunny South “You Never Even Knew My Name” from Carried Off By A Twister (2010)
Peter Sommer “Escapade” from Crossroads (2008)

Happy July. Happy Summer. I don’t have much to say actually (shock, huh?) To those who air the music – thank you for your support. To those who make the music – thank you for the words and melodies. Now onto the charts for this past month.

KBUT (Crested Butte) – So my buddy Chad (program director) is all excited about the news down there … they got FCC approval for a full power transmitter in Gunnison- giving our friends at KBUT deeper reach outside of Crested Butte. Chad tells me it’s going to take three years to get the job done, but they’re very excited about it. Also, they’re coming up on their summer fund drive – so if you’re out that way please support.

KVNF (Paonia) – Kort McCumber will perform in the intimate setting of the Talmage Lounge at KVNF Community Radio, 233 Grand Ave. in Paonia, Wednesday, July 21 at 8:00 pm. “Americana at its best: equal parts folk, country blues, and bluegrass with a healthy dose of something fresh.” Tickets available at KVNF or by calling 527-4866 during business office hours. Tickets are $10.00.

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

Top 40 Colorado Spins – June 2010
(228 titles logged/125 reported as played in June)
(1) 1. the Apples In Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time (Yep Roc) indie pop
(5) 2. Romano Paoletti – Story of a Lifetime (Romano Paoletti) americana, country
(3) 3. Sweet Sunny South – Carried off by a Twister (2Dolla Reccas) americana, bluegrass
(7) 4. Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3 (Telarc) blues
(2) 5. Great American Taxi – Reckless Habits (Thirty Tigers) americana, roots rock
(8) 6. John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light – Beautiful Empty (Free School) rock, adult
(4) 7. Nathaniel Rateliff – In Memory of Loss (Rounder) folk, modern folk
(30) 8. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Beautiful (single) (BIG) rock, adult
(11) 8. Honey Don’t – Honey Don’t (2Dolla Reccas) americana, bluegrass
(15) 9. 30db – One Man Show (SCI Fidelity) rock, adult
(9) 10. Emmitt-Nershi Band – New Country Blues (SCI Fidelity) bluegrass
(21) 10. Greg Harris Vibe Quintet – Glass Gold (Greg Harris) jazz, vocals
(DEBUT) 11. Chris McGarry – and the weary eyes reply (self) folk
(NC) 12. Kinetix – Let Me In (Steel Giant) rock, pop
(NC) 13. Head for the Hills – Head for the Hills (Head for the Hills) bluegrass
(DEBUT) 14. Bobby Walker – Way Back When (self) blues, r&b
(33) 14. Bop Skizzum – Push (self) funk, soul
(26) 14. Carbon Choir – High Beams (Carbon Choir) rock, alternative
(DEBUT) 14. Danielle Ate the Sandwich – Two Bedroom Apartment (self) folk, pop, modern
(NC) 14. Flobots – Survival Story (Universal Republic) rock, alternative
(19) 14. Haunted Windchimes – Honey Moonshine (Blank Tape) americana
(27) 15. Dave LeMieux & House of Soul – Jazz Shaped (House of Soul) jazz, vocals
(22) 15. Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen – Back in My Hometown (Fossyl Records) blues
(NC) 16. Flashbulb Fires – Glory (self) rock, indie/alternative
(10) 17. GT and the Sidewinders – Across America (self) americana, rockabilly
(25) 18. Yonder Mountain String Band – The Show (Frog Pad) rock, newgrass
(DEBUT) 19. Adam Bodine Trio – Blue Mud (self) jazz
(DEBUT) 19. Ash Ganley – Universe Acceptable (Elephant Tree Music) rock, adult alternative
(DEBUT) 19. Eric Shively – Eden’s Light (Half-vast Records) alternative country-rock
(25) 20. the Autumn Film – The Ship and the Sea (self) indie/adult alternative
(31) 20. the Big Motif – the Big Motif (Hapi Skratch) rock, jam, funk, blues
(NC) 20. Spring Creek – Way Up On a Mountain (Rebel) bluegrass
(NC) 20. Todd Adelman & the Love Handles – Todd Adelman & the Love Handles (Porch Lantern) americana, country-rock
(NC) 21. Houses – Spring EP (Great White North) folk rock
(NC) 22. The Foot. – Primary Colors (self) rock, adult alternative
(DEBUT) 23. the Mile Markers – Take to the Road (self) folk, bluegrass
(25) 24. Andrea Ball – Dial Tone (Andrea Ball) rock, indie/alternative
(17) 25. Euforquestra – Soup (self) reggae, ska
(NC) 25. Hard Pressed – In A Different Time (self) folk, bluegrass
(NC) 26. the Knew – The Knew’s Pulperia (self) rock, alternative

Fell out of the Top 40 – JUNE
(12) Grant Gordy – Grant Gordy
(13) Tequila Mockingbird – Luck & Trouble
(4) Boulder Acoustic Society – Punchline
(18) Colcannon – Three Days in May
(20) Hollyfelds – Lo Bueno, Lo Malo, Lo Feo
(23) Juno What?! – Late Night
(23) Pretty Lights – Passing By Behind Your Eyes
(24) Kyle Hollingsworth – Then There’s Now
(27) the Informants – Crime Scene Queen
(28) the Jurassicasters – The Jurassicasters
(29) Megan Burtt – It Ain’t Love
(30) Aakash Mittal Quartet – Videsh
(30) Erik Applegate – Red Skies
(30) Lelah Simon – Third Week of April
(32) Tin Horn Prayer – Get Busy Dying

JUNE Drops
20XIII – Take Two and Call in the Morning
After Midnight – Autumn Leaves
Angie Stevens & the Beautiful Wreck – Queen of This Mess
Arliss Nancy – Dance to Forget
Eileen Simon – The Visit
Ethyl & the Regulars – Fill ‘er Up With…
Gregory Alan Isakov – This Empty Northern Hemisphere
Houses – Spring EP
Jasco – Ain’t Just Blues
Mighty Eighteen Wheeler – Stimulus Package
Motorhome – Almost Vegas
Neil Bridge 7+ – “Yes, I Am Still Here”
North 17th Street Band – Dirt on the Tires
Other Side of Clearview – Sweet Release
the Piggies – Rusted Bullets
Reed Foehl – Once an Ocean
Spring Creek – Way Up On a Mountain
Stanleytones – Women Make Me Act Like A Fool
Wentworth Kersey – EP Two
Stella Luce – Zugenruhe

JUNE Adds
Adam Bodine Trio – Blue Mud
Arliss Nancy – Truck Stop Roses
Ash Ganley – Universe Acceptable
Autumn Burn – Ashes of a Tormented Soul
Bobby Walker – Way Back When
Chris McGarry – and the weary eyes reply
Danielle Ate the Sandwich – Two Bedroom Apartment
Eef – Life without You
Eric Shively – Eden’s Light
Gristle Gals – On the Lam
Jeremy Facnitz – Music from the Original Motion Picture
Julie Geller – You’re With Me
Kal Cahoone – Build the Fire
Lonesome Traveler – Looking for a Way
Mandy Harvey – Smile Sweet Face
Nick O’Connor – Lady in Pink
Tickle Me Pink – On Your Way Down
Tyler Grant – Up the Neck
Wovenhand – The Threshingfloor

KAFM (Grand Junction)
1. Sweet Sunny South – Carried off by a Twister
2. Dovekins – Dovekins
3. Emmitt-Nershi Band – New Country Blues
3. Head for the Hills – Head for the Hills
3. Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3
4. Bobby Walker – Way Back When
4. Colcannon – Three Days in May
5. the Apples In Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time
5. Hard Pressed – In A Different Time
5. Haunted Windchimes – Honey Moonshine

KBUT (Crested Butte)
1. Sweet Sunny South – Carried off by a Twister
2. Great American Taxi – Reckless Habits
2. Loose Cannon Bluegrass – Loose Cannon Bluegrass
2. Nathaniel Rateliff – In Memory of Loss
2. Spring Creek – Way Up On a Mountain
3. the Apples In Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time
3. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Beautiful (single)
3. Emmitt-Nershi Band – New Country Blues
3. Head for the Hills – Head for the Hills
3. Romano Paoletti – Story of a Lifetime

KDNK (Carbondale)
1. GT and the Sidewinders – Across America
2. Euforquestra – Soup
2. Honey Don’t – Honey Don’t
2. John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light – Beautiful Empty
2. the Mile Markers – Take to the Road
2. Romano Paoletti – Story of a Lifetime
2. Spring Creek – Way Up On a Mountain

KGNU (Boulder)
1. Nathaniel Rateliff – In Memory of Loss
2. Sweet Sunny South – Carried off by a Twister
3. the Apples In Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time
4. the Apples In Stereo – #1 Hits Explosion
5. John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light – Beautiful Empty

KOTO (Telluride)
1. Great American Taxi – Reckless Habits
2. Sweet Sunny South – Carried off by a Twister
3. Hard Pressed – In A Different Time
3. Honey Don’t – Honey Don’t
3. the Motet – Dig Deep
4. Romano Paoletti – Story of a Lifetime

KRCC (Colorado Springs)
1. 30db – One Man Show
2. Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3
3. the Apples In Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time
3. Carbon Choir – High Beams
3. Haunted Windchimes – Honey Moonshine

KRFC (Fort Collins)
1. Grant Gordy – Grant Gordy
2. Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3
3. the Apples In Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time
3. Danielle Ate the Sandwich – Two Bedroom Apartment
3. Nathaniel Rateliff – In Memory of Loss
3. Tickle Me Pink – On Your Way Down
4. Greg Harris Vibe Quintet – Glass Gold
5. Jerry Palmer – Cherry Picking
5. Romano Paoletti – Story of a Lifetime

KSJD (Cortez)
1. the Apples In Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time
1. the Beautiful Loser Society – The Long Slow Decline
2. Great American Taxi – Reckless Habits
3. Honey Don’t – Honey Don’t
3. Sweet Sunny South – Carried off by a Twister

KVNF (Paonia)
1. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Beautiful (single)
1. Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3
2. Honey Don’t – Honey Don’t
3. Sweet Sunny South – Carried off by a Twister
4. Great American Taxi – Reckless Habits
5. Romano Paoletti – Story of a Lifetime
6. the Apples In Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time
6. Hard Pressed – In A Different Time
6. Kort McCumber – Ain’t the Same As Before
7. Otis Taylor – Pentatonic Wars and Love Songs

The Colorado Sound
1. Kinetix – Let Me In
1. Romano Paoletti – Story of a Lifetime
2. Nathaniel Rateliff – In Memory of Loss
3. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Beautiful (single)
3. Bop Skizzum – Push
3. Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3
4. Dave LeMieux & House of Soul – Jazz Shaped
5. 30db – One Man Show
5. Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen – Back In My Hometown
5. Bobby Walker – Way Back When
5. Greg Harris Vibe Quintet – Glass Gold
5. John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light – Beautiful Empty