New CDs in My Mailbox
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 03:06PM Lincoln Durham The Shovel vs The Howling Bones
I’m a fan of dark, mysterious, intelligent songwriting with music to match. Durham weaves rootsy vigor and chops with a selection of old, cobbled-together instruments and devices from decades past to create spooky, evocative music on The Shovel vs The Howling Bones. He sounds ancient and fresh at the same time. 
An image summoned to my mind while listening is of a Leon Redbone performance I attended years ago. Redbone was surrounded on stage by a big cast of instruments laid out in circles around him. Lincoln Durham sounds like the dark, other-side-of-the-tracks version of Redbone gone roots. His percussion is ghostly, and effective. But most of all his voice. What an old, used, presence. Mix liberally with storytelling demanding attention from a listener, and voila, The Shovel vs The Howling Bones is one of those records you play for a friend without introduction, then sit back and wait for the “holy $%^$!” reaction. 
I’m stunned by this recording. And a day later, I keep hearing Lincoln Durham in my mind, and want to listen again.
A Skaggs Family Christmas Volume Two
Pretty much literally taking the opposite tack, is Ricky Skaggs and family. A Skaggs Family Christmas Vol. Two is a celebration of vocal joyfulness, with this extended family of talented singers and performers. Remember, the White sisters are part of this clan. Skaggs is the tireless professional country musician, and he and friends do nothing to disappoint with this recording. 
No surprises, no ground-breaking efforts, none intended. For fans of traditional country music, or of course Ricky Skaggs himself, this is a wonderful Christmas recording, a fine gift at this time of year. A bonus live DVD surprised me, a pretty nice touch. Somehow this record reminds me of visiting my parents and seeing music shows from The Nashville Network on TV; The Statler Brothers Show and many others are stuck in the recesses of my memories. I remember Ricky Skaggs as a regular guest on many of these shows, displaying his unusual talents and likability. Good memories.
I’ll Be Alright - Jumpin Jack Benny
This recording reminds me of the countless blues revivalist bands that worked the upper Midwest and Northeast of the U.S in the 1980s and ‘90s (and that my old friend Cub Koda despised). Probably a great outfit to see in a club where liquor is flowing; not so great in my car where the CD has been spinning. I enjoy I’ll Be Alright, but doubt I’ll play it again after these two listens. Is that damning by faint praise? 
Congratulation - Amy Hart
Combine Nashville sensibilities and musicianship with Chicago blues passion and stylings, voila, Amy Hart appears. Not only is she writing her own material, a tough enough job, but she’s put together a crack group of backing musicians to bring her songs to life. Congratulations has a tougher sound than anticipated; this will bear repeated listens. If I say it’s a great highway record does that do it justice? In my world, that’s a recommendation. 
www.theorchard.com
www.amyhart.com
The Earps - Buckle Up! A Tribute To Buck Owens 
From an irresistible cover to imaginative modern re-workings of classic Buck Owens material, Buckle Up! is good listening all the way through (I wanted to say side-to-side, this sounds like a vinyl LP). Visualize with your ears punk-big guitar musicians in the old Bakersfield studios with Buck in the 1960s, perhaps some members of Cream and Blue Cheer, and you’ve a bit of the Buckle Up! sound. Not a novelty act, The Earps are a professional, hard-working band with passion and love for the good stuff. Enjoy this record over and over.
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