Sliding into the spotlight as she walked on stage at the Vogue Theatre on Tuesday night (6.9.09), Lucinda Williams, with her now brunette-not-blonde hair, a flowing white long-sleeved blouse matched with a black vest, seemed relaxed. Maybe it was the confidence of supporting an excellent album (“Little Honey”) on the tour. Or maybe it’s the knowledge that her backing band (Buick 6) brings the rock and roll goods.
Or most likely, she knows just how good her songs really are.
Over the next two hours, Williams proceeded to rip through 25 songs from her stellar catalogue, and magic happened when it clicked; the band rocked, her glorious voice purred and shouted, and both left room for the music to breathe.
The back half of the night was full of energy, scorching guitars, slamming drums and Williams’ high and lonesome rock voice. While many of her terrific relationship songs were loaded into the front of the show, there was the large crowd’s palpable, growing desire for the band and singer to catch fire together and elevate the energy level in the room.
After opening the concert with “I Just Wanted to See You So Bad”, and the island-flavored “Big Red Sun Blues”, both off her self-titled 1988 album, it was evident her band (who also played 35 minutes of rocking and nuanced instrumentals as the opening act) was well suited for Williams. They push her, just as her own lyrics and unique voice pull the band into moments of magic. They need each other.
“Can’t Let Go” was a pleaser, one of a half dozen songs she would play from “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road”, her 1998 masterpiece that still stands as her crowning achievement. “Concrete and Barbed Wire” (also from that album) followed, giving the crowd gospel in the music and falsetto in her singing.
“Learning How to Live”, from 2007’s “West” record was a highlight of this early part of the show, with well-placed Hammond B3 keys, and Williams’ signature tough-as-hell-but still fragile delivery, The song contained echoes of Bruce Springsteen’s “Fade Away”. It was beautifully executed.
The new record’s “Tears of Joy” paid homage to a Stax/Al Green/Memphis groove and also got the first big audience response when the band ripped into the instrumental sections and turned the tune into fiery rock and roll, grabbing the crowd’s attention. “Are You Alright?” was beautiful, sung as a would-be lover pining for someone long gone, while “Ventura” had a 60’s pop feel, complete with a sublime Beach Boys-influenced background vocal.
Two off the “Gravel Road” record followed; “Jackson” was performed with stand-up bass and the anthemic “I Lost It” featured a vocal performance from Williams that one-upped the recorded version. At 56, Lucinda’s vocals sound better than ever live, and she wasn’t fearful of pushing her voice as the band roared behind her. The only time she was tough to hear was between songs late in the show when the crowd’s appreciative applause and screams drowned her out. When that happened, her big smile revealed that the noise was OK with her.
As Indianapolis was shown by Williams’ performance, two strengths head the list of her virtues as an artist: the consistent sexiness of her words and songs, and the depth of her material, both in individual tunes, and the cumulative effect of her output over the past 20 years.
Calling “Drunken Angel”, (another off of “Car Wheels on Gravel Road”) her version of Bob Seger’s “Beautiful Loser”, she swayed left to right and up and down as she played her guitar. The new album’s “Little Rock Star” had the feel of an epic as the momentum built.
Faith was rewarded as the show took flight over final seven songs of the set, beginning with the chiming “la la la’s” of “Out of Touch” from her 2001 album “Essence”, and into her recent single “Real Love”. Next came the driving country rocker “Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar” from 2003’s “World Without Tears”, followed by the great, sexy kiss-off of “Come On”. That led into a roaring “Honey Bee” from her new album, which had the musicians in a tight circle at center stage, pounding their way through the rocker.
“Righteously” closed the set, featuring a buzzsaw guitar and lyrics showcasing essential Lucinda Williams attitude: honesty, a bit of anger, and always hinting that she’s one bad ass chick who can be yours if you could only figure out how to love both her charms and daggers.
The three-song encore proved a bit anti-climactic, saved by the AC/DC cover of “It’s a Long Way to the Top” that’s the last cut on her “Little Honey” record. A nearly full Vogue theater, damn good for weeknight, was acknowledged by Williams, obviously enjoying, and seemingly a bit surprised by, her crowd’s screaming warmth.
Rob Nichols
Twang Rock Report: Jason and the Scorchers reunite for album, New albums from Todd Snider and Low Anthem, plus WTF on the Gaslight Anthem dates?
A Nashville rock/punk/country band reuniting, a Hoosier going beyond back-to-basics, and one the hottest bands in the country avoiding Indy again. All that, and a whole pile more…
ROB’S TWANG NEWS
Reunited?
Late 80’s cowpunkers Jason and the Scorchers is in the process of getting a new album completed; they reunited for their first recording session since 1998. Jason Ringenberg has been playing a lot of solo gigs (including a cartoonish kids singer named “Farmer Jason”) over the years, and Warren Hodges has been ripping it up on guitar in Dan Baird’s (Georgia Satellites) band.
Have You Heard?
The Pawn Shop Lifters (from Virginia Beach, VA) – American Rock with a little Steve Earle, a hint of Georgia Satellites – you listen and decide a third influence.
Of the Indiana American rock and roll bands I’m diggin, check out what Henry French and the Shameless are doing. Here’s a sample of their goods, from Birdy’s late in 2008, performing a song off their “Swagger and Sway” album.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLwFyk3CYSc]
And speaking of Indiana roots rock – The Elms and the 2009 Indy 500 highlights have been paired for a new cool little video. Pretty well done.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2EfhqgudzM]
Quick Hit – Upcoming Shows To Know:
June 12 BoDeans – Vogue
June 20 Hoosier Springsteen featuring Tim Grimm, Jennie Devoe. Gordon Bonham and Jason Wilber – Danville Town Square
June 21 Matthew Sweet – Vogue
June 28: Jonathan Richman w/ Vic Chestnut – Radio Radio
July 2 – Yonder Mountain String Band – Vogue
July 2: Vigilantes of Love – Radio Radio
July 17: Shelby Kelley w/ The Common – Radio Radio
July 23 Old 97’s – Vogue
June 26 – Steve Earle- Buskirk Chumley Theatre – Bloomington
Out this week:
The Low Anthem – “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin”
Americana/folk/alt-country/old-timey all rolled into a sweet little album. Gorgeous. They will play at Locals Only on August 6.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIoFq42ccr8]
Todd Snider – “The Excitement Plan”
Less overtly political, more of the Todd that is a brilliant examiner of the human condition. Or stoner guy. Or both. – read Spin review
BTW: How the hell does Indianapolis not get a Gaslight Anthem show? And Cincinnati gets a show…? The band has announced a series of new tour dates and again Indianapolis is not on it. While the band continues to perform in support of 2008’s The ‘59 Sound, this tour is rumored to be the band’s last before heading back into the studio to record a follow-up to that record.
09.08 Pittsburgh, PA: Mr. Small’s
09.09 Cincinnati, OH: Bogart’s
09.10 St. Louis, MO: Pop’s
09.11 Omaha, NE: Sokol Auditorium
09.13 Denver, CO: Ogden Theater
09.16 San Diego, CA: House of Blues
09.17 Los Angeles, CA: Henry Fonda Theater
09.20 San Francisco, CA: Fillmore
09.22 Portland, OR: Berbati’s Pan
10.03 Minneapolis, MN: Epic
10.04 Milwaukee, WI: Turner Hall
10.06 Detroit, MI: St. Andrew’s Hall
10.12 Buffalo, NY: Town Ballroom
10.13 Toronto, ON: Kool Haus
10.18 Philadelphia, PA: Trocadero
10.21 Richmond, VA: The National
10.22 Washington, DC: 9:30 Club
10.26 Columbus, OH: Newport Music Hall
Spin ‘em at 33 1/3 everybody…
Since I have a working turntable for my vinyl after a 20 year hiatus, I pulled the albums out of my parent’s house. I have about four large cardboard boxes stored in a nicely ventilated upstairs attic – thanks Mom.
Not wanting to bring all four boxes home, I grabbed one and pulled some stuff to hear that I hadn’t played since about 1992. Keep in mind that two factors affect my choices: Available inventory (most everything will be 70’s and 80’s), and previous career opportunities. I was a radio jock for 10 years, meaning I bought some of my own stuff to play (I worked at places where I was either in charge and could do what I wanted, or was at a station that still let jocks make music choices – I know, it’s shocking…) Plus, I also kept some records the stations deemed no longer necessary for their success, or records that they weren’t hip enough to know was good shit when they heard it.
Here’s my scratch and pop vinyl love for this week….roll ’em boys.
The Knack – “Get the Knack”
…Because I haven’t listened to it in about 20 years and want to see if there was still some magic nearly 30 years after the release. And despite the misogyny implications, the sound of “Good Girls Don’t” is still damn infectious. And forget the chorus, “My Sharona” becomes great when the guitar solo and entire band get extra -rocking just after the middle of the song.
R.E.O. – “T.W.O.”
Kevin Cronin back on board for this one. Not a killer album, but is a piece of 70’s midwest melodic hard rock from a bar band that had not yet discovered the power ballad.
The Rave Ups- “The Book of Your Regrets”
Ultimately likable but forgettable 80’s alternative rock, from an LA band, redeemed only by their Pittsburgh roots. I hear a Rust Belt/Joe Grushecky influence in some of their phrasing. Obtuse reference? Probably. Look Joe up.
Steve Miller Band – “Number 5”
Guess what album this was for Miller? Not his fourth. This was more like the predecessors and their hard-and-spacey 60’s guitar sound than the radio rock that was to come from Miller. There are hints of his greatness, but the cleaner pop production of “Book of Dreams” and “Fly Like and Eagle” aren’t on here.
Joan Jett – “Bad Reputation”
Her debut record, full of Ramones speed, hints at a Stone-sy attitude. She was turned down by more than 20 record companies before deciding to launch her own label (Blackheart Records) with pal Kenny Laguna. They used his daughter’s college fund, so it’s good things worked out. Laguna and Jett are still friends and regular business partners. Not as powerful as her follow-up, which would make her famous via “I Love Rock and Roll”. (Interesting note – the video for “I Love Rock and Roll” was shot in color, but someone thought it lacked something, so they went down to black and white, so that was how it was released.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3T_xeoGES8]
Now watch color version!
Greg Kihn Band – “With the Naked Eye”
Man, I was into that power pop thing, wasn’t I? This one has the Springsteen-penned “Rendezvous” as track 1, side 1.
How about St. Louis this week?
One of the older, smaller alt-country festivals of the summer features a great lineup – and St. Louis is a great city.
Twangfest 2009
Wednesday, June 10 – The Pageant
Alejandro Escovedo
Hot Club Of Cowtown
Amy Lavere
Thursday, June 11 – Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Bruce Robison
Eilen Jewell
Brothers Lazaroff
Friday, June 12 – Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
Asylum Street Spankers
Andre Williams
Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles
Jon Hardy & The Public
Saturday, June 13 – Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Daddy (with Tommy Womack and Will Kimbrough)
The Deep Vibration
Theodore
New Mellencamp Album Coming?
According to online reports, he debuted “Take Some Time to Dream” on May 17 at a political fundraiser for President Barack Obama at the Westin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis and said it will be included on “No Better Than This.”
Mellencamp will record the album at historic spots in the US, including the first African-American church in the U.S. in Savannah, Georgia, and Sun Studios in Memphis.
It’s also reported that Mellencamp will record the album using a 1951 Ampex portable recording machine and only one microphone, like the old blugrass bands usedto /still do. And album will be recorded in mono – as is Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac – you know that’s mono everytime you hear it, right?
He’s also recording his summer tour with Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan for a video documentary, and is also videotaping the recording sessions for the new album.
Springsteen in Europe – from Pinkpop Festival in Netherlands
Great quality Springsteen video from Pinkpop Festival on May 30, 2009.
Here’s how to turn a “song from an album” into an anthem….
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq919pRQ3JE]
Americana Awards Nominees; Ex-Wilco Guitarist Dies; New Fogerty and Snider Album News
Todd Snider’s next album The Excitement Plan, comes out June 9 and you can stream it now
listen here
I like Todd (and love-love-love the live show) but need a couple more listens to the album. Underwhelmed right now. But then, that has happened before to me some great albums (always on U2 records and R.E.M records, it seems).
Here’s Todd telling a great bar story about meeting Slash:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rijCrZOpj_Y]
Former Wilco band member Jay Bennett died at age 45 over the weekend. The multi-instrumentalist died in his Illinois home May 23. Things were pretty messed up for Jeffy Tweedy and him at the end for their time together, and Jay seemed to be searching for something. He wasn’t getting what he needed in the group, and left/was fired. His recent $50,000 lawsuit against the band for unpaid royalties was odd. This is just sad.
You can hear Wilco’s untitled new record (set for a late June release) streaming on their website site at wilcoworld.net.
John Fogerty has finished his next album, “John Fogerty: The Return of the Blue Ridge Rangers,” a sequel to his 1973 solo album. We don’t know when it’s coming out,” Fogerty tells Billboard.com. “We’re in talks. Stuff can change.”
OK. We can live with that, if that is your answer, Mr. Fogerty. T-Bone Burnett produced the record, which means it will be a bit of a departure in sound for Fogerty who has fully embraced his old CCR sound on the most recent records.
Here’s some Fogerty (with Kenny A. bangin’ on drums) from last year:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_wWxj4-5mM]
The Americana Music Association announced the nominees for its 8th Honors and Awards ceremony
The ceremony will be held September 17 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, during the Americana Festival and Conference. It’ll be hosted by Jim Lauderdale, featuring a band led by Buddy Miller.
NOMINEES
Album of the Year
Real Animal, Alejandro Escovedo
Written in Chalk, Buddy & Julie Miller
Jason Isbell & The 40 Unit, Jason Isbell & The 40 Unit
Midnight At The Movies, Justin Townes Earle
Artist of the Year
Alejandro Escovedo
Buddy Miller
Justin Townes Earle
Raul Malo
Instrumentalist of the Year
Buddy Miller
Gurf Morlix
Jerry Douglas
Sam Bush
New & Emerging Artist
Band of Heathens
The Belleville Outfit
Justin Townes Earle
Sarah Borges
Song of the Year
“Chalk”
Written by Julie Miller
Performed by Buddy Miller & Patty Griffin
“Country Love”
The Gourds
“Homeland Refugee”
Written by Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock
Performed by The Flatlanders
“Rattlin’ Bones”
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
“Sex And Gasoline”
Rodney Crowell
Duo/Group of the Year
Buddy & Julie Miller
The Flatlanders
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
Reckless Kelly
Indiana Roots-Rockers The Elms Set Album Release; with Henry French and Shameless in Indy Friday; Mellencamp Box Set, More
The Elms’ new studio album, “The Great American Midrange”, is out on August 25 and will have 12 brand-new songs, recorded in Nashville and Seattle from February – April of this year. Their new single, “Back To Indiana”, will have its official premiere this Sunday on ABC during the national television broadcast of the Indianapolis 500 race
Of the local bands (regional bands?) that flip my Americana switch, they are one. And they team with an up-and-coming band to hit the Rathskeller in downtown Indy Friday (5.22) night. The Elms just wrapped recording a new album, and are out playing tracks from it. More of their crunchy, literate heartland rock. Henry French and the Shameless open up. Check out their webpage, ’cause you may not be familiar with who they are. If you are reading this, you will like it.
BONUS TIP: It is the outdoor biergarten with French from 7-8p and Elms rock from 8-11pm. Hands down, it is the best place to see live music in the summer. Stop arguing. Go see. Good beer.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IF3KBPD8hk]
Summer Roots Rock album releases…and more to come.
JUNE 9
TODD SNIDER – THE EXCITEMENT PLAN
RHETT MILLER – RHETT MILLER
TODD SNIDER – THE EXCITEMENT PLAN
RHETT MILLER – RHETT MILLER
JUNE 23
TIFT MERRITT – BUCKINGHAM SOLO
LEMONHEADS – VARSHONS
PATTERSON HOOD – MURDERING OSCAR
JUNE 30
WILCO – WILCO (THE ALBUM)
LEVON HELM – ELECTRIC DIRT
JULY 7
SON VOLT – AMERICAN CENTRAL DIRT
THE JAYHAWKS – MUSIC FROM THE NORTH CO…
John Mellencamp will release a four-disc, 72-track box set titled “On the Rural Route 7609” this fall. The number 7609 is a reference to the fact that the set spans Mellencamp’s entire recording career from 1976 to 2009. It will include a disc of early demo recordings, two discs of various versions of well-known songs and previously unreleased songs, and a fourth disc that will include different versions of other material. It is estimated that 65-75% of the material on the box set will be previously unreleased recordings, whether they are demos or alternate versions of familiar songs or songs that were never released for one reason or another.
INDIANA AMERICANA: Stella and Jane
Even when comparing artists to other similar-sounding bands, there seems to be a musical flavor that runs through many of the artists who come from Indiana. A lack of pretension. A small, almost unnoticable degree of dirty rock in the sound. And usually a nod (or more) to some kind of 60 or 70’s rock sound, even from today’s younger bands.
Stella and Jane are Stella Weakly and Bobbie Jane Lancaster, based in Bloomington, and with harmonies Indigo Girl-like. But there is far more twang from these two (and the band that comes along) than to stop with that comparison. Soulful, folky and even three-chord rockish in places, the album “On With the Show” also features multi-instrumentalist Jeff Foster.