While it’s rarely if ever played enough to earn spin points for my monthly charts, hard rock/metal is played at KRFC in Fort Collins — namely by JJ Johnson the Night Howler on Saturday nights at midnight … here’s the most spun hard rock/metal at KRFC during the past 30 days.
1. Mizon – Mizon
2. 20XIII – Take Two and Call in the Morning
2. Immortal Dominion – Primortal
3. Allegaeon – Allegaeon
3. Autumn Burn – Tormented Soul
3. Back from Ashes – Back From Ashes
3. Clobber Jaw – Toxic Syndrome
3. Crow – Kingdom of the Fly
4. Devil Got Five – Devil Got Five
4. Horse – US Metal
4. Wild Angelz – Love Denied
So, every so often I cruise the playlists around the state to see what’s rockin’ the decks… and what better day to do that than a snowy wet miserable Wednesday?? LOL …
HOT HOT HOT
Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3 — watch out for this record… by the time all the stations receive it and get it on the shelf, it’ll go top 3 in no time. Right now, KVNF Paonia is all over this one big time… expect KRFC (Fort Collins) to hit big on it next week
Grant Gordy – Grant Gordy —- right now, KRFC is all over this one… and with the spins it’s getting it’s enough to land it among the top five hottest so far in May.
Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen – Back in My Hometown – Winner of the Colorado Blues Society best duo/solo of 2009, this record is one of the most charming blues records out right now in the state and is picking up good airplay at KRFC
Apples in Stereo – Travellers in Space & Time – I’m surprised it didn’t go #1 otb (out of the box) — damned sure it’ll be #1 this month though.
Romano Paoletti – Story of a Lifetime … added at KRCC (C. Springs), KBUT (Crested Butte), KQMT’s (Denver) Mountain Homegrown show and more … heading fast to top 10 status.
Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3 (Telarc) Genre/Style: Blues, trance-blues, folk-blues Website: www.otistaylor.com Notes: I’ve always had the hardest time classifying Otis’ vision of the blues. Unlike the modern rockin’ blues influenced by the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker and others, Otis’ vision is a dark brooding iconoclastic view of the style. Otis calls it trance blues, and I suppose it you took the time to listen to it that way that might make some sense, as the rhythms do tend to fit the description. Taken as a string of life and music, Otis’ follows a pretty specifically themed and well worn path musically and lyrically… a balance of 19th century negro spirituals and field music (replete with banjos and other period influences) combined with a much more austere contemporary life experience and storytelling than what we typically hear in the blues today…. and some smokin’ solos courtesy of the all-star players who sit in on each record… especially when it’s the likes of Gary Moore (guitar) and Ron Miles (cornet).
All songs written, arranged, and produced by Otis Taylor
Recorded at Immersive Studios, Boulder CO
Mixed by Matt Sandoski at Airshow Mastering, Boulder
Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering, Boulder
Recommended tracks (sampled)
Little Willie
She’s Ice in the Desert
Hands on Your Stomach
Harry, Turn the Music Up
The album title is based on the archaeological discovery of an ancient people near Otis’ Boulder home. Stories like Little Willie is about “a young boy is shot dead on the school playground and his mother is telephoned.” The story is modern, the music and the voice feel as old as the Clovis people for whom the album is named. The second sampled track is “She’s Ice in the Desert,” and according to Otis’ notes, “a man tells his love that he’ll be with her for just one day.” “Hands On Your Stomach” (sample track 3) is about the freedom inside the dreams of an enslaved person. “Harry, Turn The Music Up” (sample 4) is a tribute to Denver Folklore Center founder Harry Tufts, who was often told to “turn the music up.” All in all, this is vintage Otis Taylor — not a safe blues … not a party blues .. this is, as Mississippi Fred (RIP) would have called it, the “natchel blue.”
The Mighty Jivesters – Side One EP (self) Genre/Style: Blues Website:www.myspace.com/themightyjivesters Notes: If Otis Taylor’s record is the anti-party record, the Mighty Jivesters capture the essense of the barroom and ski slopes. I’ve known producer and guitarist “Jasco” for close to 20 years now… and he is undeniably one of the premiere blues guitarists you’ll find – here or anywhere else. AC is more than capable as a blues harpist / lead vocalist. This is a good solid ep demo for a young band, with remarkably skilled individuals driving their own parts.
Chris K's Colorado Playlist 