Tag: lumineers

Colorado Playlist – BEST OF 2016 PT2

15823350_10157928607200133_4133524469462401895_n-1I wish I could name everything I get to play on my show as a BEST OF.  I mean that.  In the TEN years now that I’ve been doing this show, I am still blown away by the greatness of the music that comes from our state.

Let me first of all thank Dani Grant and the folks at the Mishawaka Amphitheater, and the folks at Oskar Blues Fooderies for supporting this show in 2016.  I would not be able to do this if not for them and YOUR financial support.

I also want to thank everyone at 105.5FM, KJAC aka 105.5 The Colorado Sound for welcoming me as part of the family, and taking on my old show name.  Host stations now include KJAC (Northern Front Range), KRFC (Northern Colorado), KDNK (Carbondale/Glenwood Springs), KOTO (Telluride), KSUT (Ignacio/Durango/Pagosa Springs), KZYR (Vail), KCMJ (Colorado Springs) and KLZR (Westcliff)

I started this show, and starting booking and promoting bands here, because I got tied of people saying “how come Colorado (Denver) can’t be like ______ (name your favorite ahem – Seattle – etc)”  I mean, really.  And even to this day members of my own family don’t know that certain high profile national level bands are from here.  I have a lot of work to do still … so expect me on the air for another TEN years — AT LEAST!

Picking the BEST OF is not an especially easy task.  I spend several hours a week just listening to music I receive to play on the show.  I scan radio playlists from around the state.  I scan charts including national and instate – like the Roots Music Report Colorado charts.  I look to see who’s doing what, nationally, regionally and locally.  I listen to my colleagues and peers in the “industry” here in Colorado.  And I listen to the fans of the music.

My true hope is that you’ll discover a new band/artist to fall in love with and claim as a favorite yourself.

Here’s what got played in the BEST OF 2016 show.

The Best of 2016 PLAYLIST

HOUR 1

Rob Drabkin “Someday” [single] (2016)
Coral Creek “Way Back” from Coral Creek (2015)
The Drunken Hearts “Want You Back” from Love & Thirst (2016)
SHEL “You Could Be My Baby” from Just Crazy Enough (2016)
Magic Music “Gandy Dancer” from Magic Music (2016)
Elephant Revival “Petals” from Petals (2016)
OneRepublic “Kids” from Oh My My (2016)
SuCh (Su Charles) “You (Icytat Vocal Mix)” [single] (2016)
Bonnie and The Clydes “Shiny and New” from Dear Somebody (2016)
Big Gigantic “The Little things” from Brighter Future (2016)
Space Orphan “Superphonic” from Shut Up About The Sun (2016)

HOUR 2

The Motet “The Truth” from Totem (2016)
Wheelchair Sports Camp “Mary Had a Little Band” from No Big Deal (2013)
The Fray “Singing Low” from Through the Years: The Best of the Fray (2016)
Lumineers “Ophelia” from Cleopatra (2016)
Other Worlds “Sandfly” from Weather Patterns (2016)
Eros and the Eschaton “Rxx” from Weight of Matter (2016)
Grant Farm “Get in Line” from Kiss The Ground (2016)
FaceMan “Father Time” from Wild and Hunting (2016)
Brent Cowles “Cold Times” from Cold Times (2016)
Paper Bird “To the Light” from Paper Bird (2016)
Big Head Blues Club “Hidden Charms” from Way Down Inside (Songs Of Willie Dixon) (2016)
Ryan A. Fourt “Air Gun (Daisy’s Revenge)” from Big Slick (2016)

TRUSTED EAR SCENE REPORT

Thanks to my friend, and former Westword music editor Dave Herrera for launching TheTrustedEar.com and contributing news and information about the scene to us each week.

 

THE TOP 3 BEST OF …

After anguishing over leaving stuff out that I really liked, and thought deserved being noticed, I decided to present the TOP 3 releases in each category.  Enjoy.  Links go to playable media: YouTube in most cases.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE 2016

This one went back and forth feverishly between Bonnie & the Clydes and The Drunken Hearts, and the final tally made it a finish by single digits … so basically, they were pretty nearly tied when I shut down the poll … All in all, thanks to their fans we enjoyed the most robust People’s Choice Poll in years.  Click on links to get to band website.

Bonnie & the Clydes – Dear Somebody

The Drunken Hearts – Love & Thirst

Faceman – Wild and Hunting 

ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR

 The Lumineers – Cleopatra  I didn’t like The Lumineers’ Cleopatra when it dropped. In fact, it took me several months of listening to it, and playing it on my show and at 105.5, before I “got it.”  It is a stunning album of really well written folk-rock songs, that stands up well to anything from any prior era.  It went #1 on the Billboard charts.

OneRepublic – Oh My My  Call me a pop music junkie, but when it’s a good as OneRepublic’s Oh My My, I can never overdose.  Easily one of the best collections of addicting pop/rock in recent memory. (edit jan 4) In particular I can’t seem to get enough of A.I. with Peter Gabriel.

Big Head Blues Club – Way Down Inside  Todd Park Mohr and company, appearing as Big Head Blues Club, rip up the music of Willie Dixon, preserving not only the legacy of the original, but imbuing it with solid craftsmanship from some of our best in the Centennial state.  (edit jan 4) Along the way they enlist the aid of Denver’s Erica Brown and a handful of blues legends.

SONG OF THE YEAR

SuCh (Su Charles) – You (Icytat Vocal Mix):  No song this year has had as much of an impact on me as “You.”  SuCh and Icytat won the 2016 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) for this version of the song.  If you want to catch her live, she’ll be appearing at Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox in Denver on Fri Feb 3.  She is also getting ready to go into the studio to record a new album in 2017.

The Lumineers – Ophelia:  When I first heard this song last winter I thought I was hearing a dropped track from the band’s debut.  It grew on me.  It’s also one of Colorado’s highest charting songs historically, peaking at #1.

Rob Drabkin – Someday:  I’ve been a fan of Rob’s since meeting him at open stages in Denver over a decade ago.  “Someday” is the song we’ve all been waiting for.  It also appears to be his most popular single so far, reaching over 500,000 plays on Spotify.

https://youtu.be/gi_dVU8IMcM

BLUES ALBUM/EP

Big Head Blues Club – Way Down Inside

Cary Morin – Together

Johnny Johnston – Colorado Blue

COUNTRY ALBUM/EP

David Starr – Love and Sabotage

Bonnie & the Clydes – Dear Somebody

Angie Stevens & the Beautiful Wreck – Beautiful & True

FOLK ALBUM/EP 

The Lumineers – Cleopatra

Elephant Revival – Petals

Gabrielle Louise – If The Static Clears

FUNK/SOUL ALBUM/EP

The Motet – Totem

piKziL – Songs From My Third Life

Hello Dollface – Warrior of Light

JAZZ ALBUM/EP

Space Orphan – Shut Up About the Sun

Ryan A Fourt – Big Slick

Terri Jenkins – From This Moment

ADULT POP/ROCK ABLUM/EP

OneRepublic – Oh My My

Paper Bird – S/T

SHEL – Just Crazy Enough

ROCK/ALTERNATIVE ALBUM/EP

Plum – Light Years Dark Years

Eros and the Eschaton – Weight of Matter

The Blue Rider – Year of the Horse

ROCK/AMERICAN TRAD ALBUM/EP

Faceman – Wild and Hunting

The Drunken Hearts – Love & Thirst

Coral Creek – S/T

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

SuCh (Su Charles) – You

OneRepublic – Wherever I Go

Wheelchair Sports Camp – Mary Had a Little Band

 

 

The Colorado Sound S8|EP34

IMG_20140901_182522_349I’m always amazed when people say to me, “I didn’t know THEY’re from Colorado!”  LOL.  It happens regularly to be honest.  I think that really has been the guiding idea in presenting “The Colorado Sound” as well as “Offstage …Beyond the Music,” that I can share Colorado music, and the lives of musicians and music industry personalities who have called Colorado their home with folks who might not know who’s who and what they do.

I’ve had an absolutely amazing summer.  I got to present Coloradan and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield, Poco, South-Hillman-Furay) as a headliner on a show I produce annually (Carbon Valley Music & Spirits Festival), and as well at one of the acts at this year’s incredible Bohemian Nights at New West Fest.  He and I communicated this weekend, and he’ll be appearing as my guest on the next episode of Offstage …Beyond the Music.  #superstoked!

This weekend I was gifted tickets to see Aspen resident and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee John Oates (Hall & Oates) with his long running (15 yrs) Aspen trio.  What a treat to see this Colorado band in a state of the art intimate 200 cap room … WOW!  Check out his latest album when you get a chance … he killed the cut “Stone Cold Love” that he and fellow Coloradan Ryan Tedder co-wrote and co-produced, despite not having the specific beats that Ryan used to underpin the song.

He also did “Lose It In Louisiana” from the same album release, and, of course, a few classic Hall & Oates hits including “She’s Gone,” which he says has been played at every show, solo or with Daryl since 1972.  I also thought it interesting that he pointed out a couple of times that he did not bring cds to sell, and that people should purchase it on iTunes or elsewhere.  The trio format was a blast, and you could tell they were good friends out having a good time.

Leaving you with a video of John at Aspen’s KSPN from last April, doing a song he did Friday night that he wrote with esteemed songwriter Jim Lauderdale.. Enjoy.

New Offstage …Beyond The Music episode starts this week .. check it out below.

PLAYLIST S8|EP34

HOUR 1

Acoustic Junction “Build A Road” from Love It For What It Is (1993)
Liz Barnez “Laughing Yellow” from Liz Barnez Band (1993)
(D) Drew Schofield “Break It Down” from 150 Million (-1) (2014)
Whiskey Blanket “Blatto Nox” from From the Dead of Dark (2014)
Leash of Foxes “It Sounds Like This” from It Sounds Like This (2014)
(D) Montropo “Follow Me” from Follow Me (2014)
Pete Kartsounes “Believer” from The Only Way I Know (2011)
Ivory Circle “Drown” from Equilateral (2014)
Rob Drabkin “For You I Would Die” from Little Steps EP (2013)
Honkytonk Homeslice “Love Is Like A Train” from Just Passin’ Thru (2012)
Drew Emmitt “Up Where We Are” from Across The Bridge (2005)
Polarity “To Be Determined” from King of Hearts (2012)

HOUR 2

Philip Bailey “Easy Lover” from Chinese Wall (1985)
Dianne Reeves “Sky Islands” from Dianne Reeves (1987)
Pandas & People “Howling Moon” from Pandas & People (2014)
The Lumineers “Ho Hey” from The Lumineers (2012)
You Me and Apollo “Don’t Sleep for Free” from Sweet Honey (2014)
(D) Tennis “Never Work for Free” from Ritual In Repeat (2014) Navy “Something Good” from Spirit Groove (2013)
Zephyr “Don’t Come Back” from Heartbeat (1982)
Eddie Turner “Privileged Life” from Rise (2005) WhiteWater Ramble “Dear Mr. Bankman” from Roots & Groove (2013)
Hickman-Dalton Gang “Wildcard” from Hickman-Dalton Gang Vol. II (2011)
Analog Son “Not a Care in the World” from Analog Son (2014)

The Colorado Sound S8 EP26 JULY 2014 – NEW DAY – NEW TIME – NEW STATIONS – NEW FEATURES

chrisk smilingMy wife loves this picture.  She says it is only the second time she’s seen me smile in 15 years.  I don’t believe that, do you? 😉 LOL

I hope your holiday weekend was a blast.  It was a week long festival in my life beginning with the 25th Annual Colorado Brewers Festival last weekend (a HUGE success) … with the Delta Sonics on July 5 and Dan Treanor’s Afrosippi Band with Erica Brown and Merrian “MJ” Johnson on the 3rd … here’s some video. 🙂

 NEW STATIONS – NEW DAY – NEW TIME – NEW FEATURE

KUNC LOGO

“Starting July 12, KUNC’s weekend lineup will change with a new focus on music, creativity, and storytelling. Many favorites are moving back to requested times, while we are pleased to announce that KUNC is debuting several new future favorites.” – KUNC Content Director Kirk Mowers

Very happy and proud to announce that KUNC has added The Colorado Sound to their newly revamped weekend lineup.  You can now hear The Colorado Sound on KUNC every Saturday at 2PM.

See full Saturday lineup here.

Here’s where you can listen.

  • Boulder 102.7
  • Breckenridge 90.7
  • Buena Vista 89.9
  • Denver/Golden 91.7
  • Dillon 88.1
  • Eagle Valley 99.7
  • Estes Park 90.7
  • Front Range (inc. Denver, Longmont, Greeley, Fort Collins) 91.5
  • Grand County 91.9
  • Haxtun/Holyoke 90.5
  • Julesburg/Ovid 89.1
  • Leadville 91.7
  • Morgan County 96.7
  • North Park 90.7
  • Salida 89.9
  • Steamboat Springs 88.5
  • Sterling 90.3
  • Vail 90.9
  • Wray 93.5
  • Yuma 88.3

NEW FEATURE

Along with the addition of KUNC and its 20 frequencies is the debut of OFFSTAGE …BEYOND THE MUSIC.  You will be able to download the podcast from KUNC, Radio 949, and from our SoundCloud page.  My first guest is Colorado Music Hall of Fame member Chris Daniels.

SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

Funding for the Colorado Sound has been provided by several fans, and by my friends Chuck and Bill Grewe at Colorado Case Company, and Dani Grant at the Mishawaka Amphitheatre, and SpokesBUZZ.   It would mean a lot if you’d visit their websites and look at what they’re doing for Colorado music and musicians.

The Colorado Sound and the City of Dacono are proud to present The Richie Furay Band, Chris Daniels & the Kings f/Freddie “Love” Gowdy, the Samples, Mojomama, Alterity, Savage Cabbage, Slow Caves, and Mojo Music Academy as part of the 7th Annual Carbon Valley Music & Spirits Festival … along with the BMX Mile High Nationals … the weekend of Aug 1-3 at Centennial Field in Dacono CO.  FREE ADMISSION TO MUSIC & SPIRITS FESTIVAL.  ALL AGES.

VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK

Crucifix is a relatively newcomer to the Colorado music scene.  Originally from Atlanta GA, Crucifix hooks up with a couple of his pals from the southland for this up date remake of the Journey classic.

PLAYLIST S8 EP26 JULY 2014

(D) – album, ep, or single played for the first time
(N) – new cut from previously debuted album or ep.

Jill Sobule “Too Cool To Fall In Love” from Things Here Are Different (1990)
Wendy Woo “Sundrops” from Wide Awake and Dreaming (1999)
The Samples “Warm & Sunny” from Black & White (2004)
(D) Slopeside “Moonshine” from One Lane Town (2014)
Jeff Scroggins & Colorado “Wheels” from Western Branches (2013)
(D) Bukshot, Boondox, Crucifix “Don’t Stop” [single] (2014)
Katey Laurel “Hurricane” from Periscope (2014)
Soundrabbit “From The World I Have Known” from Tree Trunk Airplanes (2009)
Instant Empire “Keep Up!” from Keep Up! (2013)
Tallgrass “Old Town” from Better Than Medicine (2014)
Head for The Hills “Never Does” from Blue Ruin (2013)
Raincheck “Right There” from Raincheck (2012)
Dianne Reeves “Today Will Be A Good Day” from When You Know (2008)
Zephyr “Sold My Heart” from Sunset Ride (2000)
Acoustic Junction “Strange Days” from Strange Days (2000)
(D) Pandas & People “On My Way” from Pandas & People (2014) Nathaniel Rateliff “Nothing to Show For” from Falling Faster Than You Can Run (2014)
Nina Storey “Think Twice” from Think Twice (2013)
Yo, Flaco! “American Music” from Goin’ At It (2002)
(N) Calder’s Revolvers “Wash Away My Sins” from Sunday Morning (2014) Blue Canyon Boys “Up On The Hill” from Next Go ‘Round (2012)
Churchill “Change” from War Within EP (2013)
Mosey West “Old Stone” from Bermuda (2014)
Jim Stranahan “Hip Street” from Free For All (2010)

Now back to work with you!  LOL.  And don’t forget to keep The Colorado Sound Live365 tuned in at your desk.  Download the app.