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.
Bohemian Nights announced their headliners and some of their lineup this week – Flobots on Aug 20, Earth Wind & Fire featuring Denver east high school graduate Philip Bailey on Aug 21, and Earle Scruggs Family & Friends on Aug 22. Philip Bailey turned 59 yesterday, May 8. Happy birthday Mr. Bailey! 🙂 Also – got in the new Otis Taylor which I’ll be previewing in my MMMM tomorrow.
The Lovely & Talented “Angelitos” from The New American Fable (2010) Romano Paoletti “Can You Run” from Story of a Lifetime (2009) Great American Taxi “Get No Better” from Reckless Habits (2010) Leftover Salmon “Baby Hold On” from Euphoria (1997) The Subdudes “Help Is On the Way” from The Subdudes (1989) Bop Skizzum “What I Want to Hear” from Push (2010) Almost Legends “Chaperone” from Eyes (2010) Megan Burtt “Other Side of Lonely” from It Ain’t Love (2010) John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light “In My Neighborhood” from Beautiful Empty (2009) Nathaniel Rateliff “Early Spring Till” from In Memory of Loss (2010) The Hollyfelds “Either Way” from Lo Bueno, Lo Mao, Lo Feo (2010) Aakash Mittal Quartet “Ishaa” from Videsh (2009)
Andy Monley “Kites” from Triplight (2006) d.biddle “Phantoms of Subatomic Spaces” from rabbit and the moon (2008) NEW 30db “One Man Show” from One Man Show (2010) NEW Brooke Northrop “Alive” from Alive (2010) The Haunted Windchimes “Don’t Take My Baby Away” from Honey Moonshine (2010) Dianne Reeves “Midnight Sun” from When You Know (2008) Darren Rahn “Soulful” from Soulful (2004) Earth, Wind & Fire “Keep Your Head to the Sky” from Head to the Sky (1973) Andrea Ball “Bright Side” from Dial Tone (2010) Big Jim Adam & John Stilwagen “Back In My Hometown” from Back In My Hometown (2009) David Williams & the Wildgrass Band w/ Kristina Murray “Why Do Angels Get Wings?” from The Crazy Kind (2010) Cique “Crakalakin” from Cique (2007)
Chris K's Colorado Playlist 