02.28.06 (MusicPortal.com) Verve Forecast Records has released a new album by singer/songwriter TEDDY THOMPSON. The disc, entitled "Separate Ways," is earning rave reviews in the UK, heralded by the London Sunday Times as "brilliant" and earning 4-stars in Mojo. It is Thompson's second album, and his first for Verve Forecast. In addition to writing all twelve songs, Thompson plays guitars, keyboards and percussion on "Separate Ways," on which he is also joined by an impressive supporting cast of guest vocalists and musicians. TEDDY THOMPSON's self-titled solo debut was released in 2000, and was produced by Joe Henry. "Your first record," Thompson observes, "is the songs you wrote for your own enjoyment while you're still growing up and learning about music. Then you get a record deal, and your second record's about realizing that making music is what you've chosen to do with your life." The wisdom of Thompson's career choice is certainly confirmed on "Separate Ways." The new disc delivers decisively on the promise of Thompson's much-acclaimed self-titled debut effort, revealing the charismatic young artist to be a deeply expressive singer and an incisive guitarist, as well as a songwriter of uncommon eloquence and craft. "Separate Ways"' 12 original compositions merge an irresistibly engaging melodic sensibility with a brooding, melancholy lyrical insight that belies the London-born, New York-based Thompson's youth. On such compelling numbers as 'Shine So Bright,' 'I Should Get Up,' 'Sorry To See Me Go,' 'No Way To Be,' and the album's title track, Thompson conveys a vivid range of emotions, merging emotional gravity and barbed humor. The artist's soul-searching lyrics are brilliantly served by effortlessly organic arrangements, which balance acoustic intimacy and electric energy with uncommon ease. "At a certain point in your life," Thompson notes, "you realize that your habits aren't really habits, they're who you are. There's a horrible realization that you're an adult now, and that all the quirks that you thought would change as you grow older aren't going to. A lot of these songs come from that feeling of growing up and wanting to leave certain things behind, while others are about making sense of your relationships with other people. Often, those two things can be quite similar." "Separate Ways" -- which Thompson co-produced with multi-instrumentalist Brad Albetta -- features an impressive supporting cast that includes fellow second-generation singer/songwriters Rufus and Martha Wainwright and Jenni Muldaur, ace session drummer Matt Chamberlain (of Fiona Apple/Tori Amos/David Bowie fame), noted FAIRPORT CONVENTION drummer Dave Mattacks, Bluegrass/Jazz banjoist Tony Trischka, and Garth Hudson, legendary keyboard maestro from THE BAND. The album also features notable contributions from TEDDY THOMPSON's parents, British Folk/Rock icons Richard and Linda Thompson. Richard contributes his trademark fiery guitar work on five tracks, while Linda joins Teddy on the album's unlisted bonus track, a poignant duet rendition of the EVERLY BROTHERS classic, 'Take A Message To Mary.' "That was something I did at the last minute because I wanted to do a song with my mum," Thompson says of the latter track, adding, "I have this plan to do a different Everly Brothers song on every record, as a duet, as a hidden track." His affinity for the longstanding duo's deep-rooted heartland harmonies is indicative of his lifelong embrace of music that's timeless... [full story]
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02.27.06 (MusicPortal.com) There's a reason they call VAN MORRISON "The Belfast Cowboy." Now with Morrison's latest offering, "Pay The Devil" (due for release March 7th via Lost Highway Records), that good reason has resulted in a great new album. From the start, the deeply soulful sounds of the American South helped inspire Morrison to one of the most enduring and consistently impressive careers in music history. For forty-plus years now, he's drawn upon the greats of Rhythm & Blues to create his own distinctive and influential blend of Soul and Celtic influences. On "Pay The Devil," Morrison explores his inner cowboy more than ever before -- recording a compelling mix of his favorite Country compositions as well as a few equally strong originals that more than earn their place among such distinguished company. Morrison has taken some enduring, endlessly relevant songs of the south and somehow made them all his own. Those who have been following VAN MORRISON for years might praise him for his remarkable range in taking this turn down a Country road. Recent years have seen Morrison cover the musical waterfront with recordings that touch upon traditional Irish music, Jazz, Skiffle and other musical forms that move him. But the secret of Morrison's ongoing artistic success is that he has never followed fashion in the slightest. Rather he continues to be a working musician who simply follows his own soulful muse wherever it may lead him. This dogged individuality has been true of VAN MORRISON straight down the line - from his days leading the Irish group THEM back in the Sixties, to his early solo days of 'Brown Eye Girl' and 'T.B. Sheets' to such late sixties and seventies masterpieces as "Astral Weeks" (1968), "Moondance" (1970) and "Tupelo Honey" (1971) to more recent classic albums like "Irish Heartbeat" (Morrison's stunning 1988 collaboration with THE CHIEFTAINS), "Avalon Sunset" (1989), "Enlightenment" (1990), "The Healing Game" (1997) and "Magic Time" (2005). The outstanding, plainspoken songs on "Pay The Devil" range from the familiar, like Morrison's impressive take on Hank Williams' 'Your Cheating Heart' and Webb Pierce's 'There Stands The Glass,' to somewhat less familiar Country & Western gems. It is a true tribute to VAN MORRISON's genius as a vocal stylist that he can take a song as often covered as 'Half As Much' -- recorded over the years by everyone from Hank Williams to Patsy Cline and Emmylou Harris -- and manage to make it feel new all over again. He does so by clearly connecting with Country's timeless themes of love and loss and life, sin and salvation. Through it all, Morrison proves to be one hell of a fine, subtle straight-ahead Country singer in the grand tradition of George Jones. Indeed, one of "Pay The Devil"'s many highlights is Morrison's take on 'Things Have Gone To Pieces,' a dark gem written by Leon Payne that Jones made famous. Then there's 'What Am I Living For?,' an old Chuck Willis number. Listen to how Morrison delivers Rodney Crowell's early masterpiece, 'Til I Gain Control Again,' one of the more recent copyrights included here and a standout effort on an album full of them. Yet even among such high standards, Morrison's originals here are among the highlights, including 'Playhouse' - a sly, infectious song that one wishes the Genius of Soul had lived to record, and the title track - a reflection on making the devil's music and a fine reminder that "one man's meat is another man's poison." To listen to "Pay The Devil," one might naturally assume that Morrison has traveled to Nashville and handed himself over to Music City's finest players and producers. Remarkably, Morrison has done nothing of the sort Ð recording "Pay The Devil" in Ireland with the same wonderful musicians who have been playing with him for years now with exceptional results. Even more remarkably, it turns out that Morrison has never even been to Nashville before. Regardless of that, he has made a classic album that sounds like Nashville at its finest and stands as tall as anything that's come out of the town in recent years. "Pay The Devil" is not just great Country music, it's great music - whatever country you happen to come from.
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02.09.06 (MusicPortal.com) "The Village Lanterne," the brand new studio album from BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, is due for release on March 27th via SPV Recordings, and includes the first new material from the group since their 2003 album, "Ghost Of A Rose." Individuality and true musical greatness are marked by an artist who follows his own intuition, without being influenced by other people's expectations. Ritchie Blackmore's integrity may occasionally seem strange, if not indeed doubtful to many a DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW fan, but it shows that he is one of the best and most exceptional contemporary musicians in every respect. With his band BLACKMORE'S NIGHT featuring his partner, vocalist Candice Night, Blackmore has certainly not broken with his previous creative forms of expression. Quite the opposite: the songs on his current album, "The Village Lanterne," document unmistakably that there's still quite the Rock musician inside him. But Blackmore has not remained static in his development. He has allowed his penchant for Medieval music, which already shone through on many of his Hard Rock and Metal compositions, to culminate in his very own unique style of music. On "The Village Lanterne," BLACKMORE'S NIGHT combine the great vocal melodies and mysterious lyrics of Candice Night, with the seemingly archaic instrumentations and virtuoso guitar parts of Blackmore, taking all listeners with them on a journey into their mystical, romantic world. In the process, Blackmore continues to develop his ability as a composer and instrumentalist without ever denying his former artistic identity. 'Mood Tanz/Child In Time' is the resurrection of one of DEEP PURPLE's greatest hits in a new guise, while 'Street Of Dreams' is a haunting new edition of the RAINBOW classic. Both songs represent the close artistic links to Blackmore's work in the 70s and 80s. At the same time, 'Just Call My Name,' 'St. Teresa' or 'I Guess It Doesn't Matter' show that his Rock musician's heart remains ever-present in his new compositions. On the title track and on 'Faerie Queen,' Candice Night seems to blend as one with Blackmore's acoustic guitar, while '25 Years' displays oriental influences. Then there are magical moments such as the folkloric dance numbers 'The Messenger' and 'Village Dance,' and the beguiling 'World Of Stone,' 'Olde Mill Inn' and 'Windmills.' The album is also complemented by a new version of Ralph McTell's 'Streets Of London.' "The Village Lanterne" Track Listing: Jewel Case Disc: 1. 25 Years • 2. The Village Lanterne • 3. I Guess It Doesn't Matter • 4. The Messenger • 5. World Of Stone • 6. Faerie Queen • 7. St. Teresa • 8. Village Dance • 9. Mood Tanz/Child In Time • 10. Streets Of London • 11. Just Call My Name • 12. Olde Mill Inn • 13. Windmills • 14. Street Of Dreams • Bonus Disc: 1. Call It Love (Performed By Candice Night) • 2. Street Of Dreams (Featuring Joe Lynn Turner) • 3. 20 Minute Interview With Ritchie Blackmore & Candice Night • 4. Castles & Dreams DVD Trailer
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02.08.06 (MusicPortal.com) In 1969, David Crosby of THE BYRDS, BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD's Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash, formerly of THE HOLLIES, came together in a beautiful harmonic convergence of vocal chemistry, precision musicianship, and emotional lyricism in the trio dubbed CROSBY, STILLS & NASH. Atlantic/Rhino Records salutes one of Rock's first supergroups with the current release of the remastered and expanded version of two of the group's best efforts. Remastered in HDCD for the first time and featuring unreleased and rare bonus tracks (all remixed using the original master tapes), "Crosby, Stills & Nash" and "Daylight Again" are now available separately at regular retail outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested list price of $18.98. Originally released on May 29th, 1969, "Crosby, Stills & Nash" remains one of Rock's most impressive debuts. The Grammy-winning album introduced the world to the trio's airtight harmonies and versatile songwriting with Folk/Rock classics like 'Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,' 'Marrakesh Express' and 'Long Time Gone.' "Crosby, Stills & Nash" is now expanded with three previously unreleased bonus tracks, including 'Do For The Others,' 'Teach Your Children' (which became a major hit off 1970's follow-up album, "Deja Vu"), plus a cover of the Fred Neil classic 'Everybody's Talkin.' The final bonus track is a version of Crosby's 'Song With No Words,' a rarity that first appeared in 1991 on the group's box set. On June 21, 1982, the triumvirate returned with their long-awaited third studio album, "Daylight Again." Highlighted by the hit singles 'Wasted On The Way' and 'Southern Cross,' the album also mixed Nash's evocative balladry on 'Song For Susan' with Stills' rocker 'Too Much Love To Hide' and 'Delta,' one of Crosby's best. "Daylight Again" is now expanded with four previously unreleased bonus tracks, including a demo version of 'Might As Well Have A Good Time,' plus 'Raise A Voice,' 'Feel Your Love,' and 'Tomorrow Is Another Day.' "Crosby, Stills & Nash" Track Listing: 1. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes • 2. Marrakesh Express • 3. Guinnevere • 4. You Don't Have To Cry • 5. Pre-Road Downs • 6. Wooden Ships • 7. Lady Of The Island • 8. Helplessly Hoping • 9. Long Time Gone • 10. 49 Bye-Byes • 11. Do For The Others • 12. Song With No Words • 13. Everybody's Talkin' • 14. Teach Your Children • "Daylight Again" Track Listing: 1. Turn Your Back On Love • 2. Wasted On The Way • 3. Southern Cross • 4. Into The Darkness • 5. Delta • 6. Since I Met You • 7. Too Much Love To Hide • 8. Song For Susan • 9. You Are Alive • 10. Might As Well Have A Good Time • 11. Daylight Again • 12. Raise A Voice • 13. Feel Your Love • 14. Tomorrow Is Another Day • 15. Might As Well Have A Good Time
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02.07.06 (AP) From Bruce Springsteen's mournful harmonica on 'Millworker' to Sting's acoustic guitar on 'Close Your Eyes,' a generation of singer/songwriters influenced by JAMES TAYLOR paid tribute to him with their versions of his hits in Los Angeles, California last night. Stories abounded when a powerhouse lineup of Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Dr. John, Taj Mahal and THE DIXIE CHICKS kicked off Grammy week by honoring the 57-year-old Taylor as "MusiCares Person Of The Year." Crow was 12 when she saw Taylor at her first concert. "It was the first time ever I heard 16,000 people sing in unison," she told 2,200 people at the Los Angeles Convention Center. "It was the first time I ever smelled pot, and I knew I wanted to be a musician. This is for you, James. You changed my life." Then she, Browne and Crosby launched into 'Mexico,' highlighted by a standout horn section. Sting first saw Taylor as a 19-year-old in Newcastle, England, in 1971. "I'm a budding songwriter. At least I think I am," the former Police frontman recalled. "I want to see what all the fuss is about. Within four bars, I realize he's a virtuoso of the guitar. He starts to sing in this soft, rich baritone. I think, 'I have to change my career. I'll become a bass player in a punk band.'" Springsteen walked out with no introduction, hailing the North Carolina-raised Taylor as "an authentic Southern voice." India.Arie showed her fondness for Taylor by carrying a purse onstage with his black-and-white picture on it. Alison Krauss sang "Carolina In My Mind," THE DIXIE CHICKS harmonized on 'Shower The People,' and Simon opened the show with an acoustic version of 'Sweet Baby James.' Raitt recalled being a college student in Massachusetts and playing shows with Taylor. "He used to let me open for him and he tuned my guitar," she said before singing 'Rainy Day Man.' With companion Nicole Kidman keeping time in the audience, Keith Urban played a driving guitar version of 'Country Road.' "Everyone has been telling these great James Taylor stories, and nothing for me says it better than this song," Carole King said, launching into 'You've Got A Friend.' Taylor joined her at the piano and they dueted on the final chorus of the song that was an individual hit for both of them. "I can't thank you enough for showing up. It's not the same without you," Taylor said. "It's strange to be at an event like this and still be alive. It's very moving, very terrifying and very wonderful to hear these songs done live." It was a working evening for JAMES TAYLOR, who joined his band for 'Copperline' and 'Shed A Little Light.' Taylor's brother, Livingston, also joined in to sing backup on 'How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You).'
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02.06.06 (MusicPortal.com) Almost 15 years after THE CORRS became an international, multi-platinum sensation with a unique mix of Pop songs and traditional Celtic instrumentation, the band of Irish siblings are set to release their first album of traditional Irish music tomorrow via Rhino Entertainment. Entitled "Home," THE CORRS' fifth studio album will be available at regular physical and digital retail outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $18.98. Produced by Mitchell Froom and featuring the BBC Radio 2 Orchestra arranged by Fiachra Trench, "Home" contains a collection of 13 traditional and modern Irish songs performed by THE CORRS clan -- Andrea on lead vocals and tin whistle; Caroline on drums, bodhran, piano and vocals; Jim on keyboards, guitar and vocals; and Sharon on violin and vocals. Recorded not only to please fans who have long clamored for an entire album of Irish music from the group, "Home" is also a tribute to the group's mother, Jean, who died in 1999. Her handwritten songbook, Andrea says, provided a major source of material for the album. "She used to play every weekend in pubs with Daddy, and she'd written all these Irish songs out in a book. They're songs we've loved over the years, and because our parents played them in their band, they're very special to us." "Home" includes songs that span a millennium of Irish music, from 'Return To Fingal,' a song music scholars say is at least 1,000 years old, to 'Old Town,' a song written in 1982 by late THIN LIZZY frontman and fellow Irishman Phil Lynott. Along with traditional songs such as 'My Lagan Love,' 'Moorlough Shore' and 'Black Is The Colour,' "Home" also features THE CORRS singing several songs in Gaelic on the tracks 'Brid Og Ni Mhaille' and 'Buachaill On Eirne.' Born and raised as a close-knit family in the town of Dundalk, the Corrs siblings all played instruments from an early age. In 1990 they appeared in Alan Parker's critically acclaimed film, "The Commitments." Since 1996, THE CORRS have released four studio albums, all of which have achieved platinum status internationally. Also worth mentioning is the fact that Andrea Corr has been voted the "Most Attractive Woman Of The Year" in a Hellomagazine.com readers poll for the third time. This year, she topped the list ahead of a list of contenders including Christina Aguilera, Anastacia, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Vanessa Paradis, Jennifer Aniston, Sophie Marceau and Shakira. She also topped that site's poll for "Most Elegant Woman Of 2005" as well, finishing ahead of several members of international royalty, such as Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Letizia of Spain, Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. "Home" Track Listing: 1. My Lagan Love • 2. Spancill Hill • 3. Peggy Gordon • 4. Black Is The Color • 5. Heart Like A Wheel • 6. Buachaill On Eirne • 7. Old Hag • 8. Moorlough Shore • 9. Old Town • 10. Dimming Of The Day • 11. Brid Og Ni Mhaille • 12. Haste To The Wedding • 13. Return To Fingal
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02.03.06 (MusicPortal.com) Virgin Records/EMI Music Catalog Marketing will issue a pair of audio and video releases from Alternative Rockers CRACKER on February 21st. The CD and DVD packages, both entitled "Get On With It: The Best Of Cracker," contain the definitive original versions of the band's early-'90s classics 'Low,' 'Get Off This' and the #1 Modern Rock anthem 'Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now).' The 15-track CD and 16-track DVD were produced in collaboration with the band, and include fan favorites as well as deeper album cuts for the CRACKER connoisseur. The new DVD, the band's first home video release, includes 7 music videos with two never-before-seen video edits, plus a 9-song previously unreleased concert, filmed in 1993 at Denver's Ogden Theatre. CRACKER frontman David Lowery broke onto the music scene with early Alternative Rock pioneers CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN in the 1980s. Although that band split in 1990, Lowery had honed his musical tastes and made a very positive impression on the music industry. CRACKER, his next group, were quickly signed to Virgin Records. Lowery teamed with John Hickman (guitar) and Dave Faragher (bass) in the original lineup for the group, and together they launched a highly successful career blending their Country roots with a Modern Rock sound. The final CRACKER line-up kept Lowery and Hickman, and added to the mix Kenny Margolis (keyboards, percussion), Frank Funaro (drums) and Victor Krummenacher (bass, vocals). The result was five highly popular albums for Virgin, including their self-titled 1992 debut, which featured 'Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now)' and 1993's Gold-certified "Kerosene Hat," which contained the radio mega-hit 'Low' and critic favorite 'Euro-Trash Girl.' The group continued to record albums and tour through the 1990s, and also found time to collaborate with other artists, including Joan Osbourne and SPARKLEHORSE. In addition to the band's extracurricular musical pursuits, David Lowery also appeared in two independent films, "River Red" and "This Space Between Us." Those varied pursuits led to CRACKER's 2002 album, "Forever," which produced the song 'Guarded By Monkeys,' a tune that highlights the band's more matured eclectic sound. CRACKER toured the U.S. in 2005 both as themselves and as a refashioned CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN, and will continue to tour in 2006 as well. "Get On With It: The Best Of Cracker" Track Listings: CD Track Listing: 1. Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now) • 2. This Is Cracker Soul • 3. Mr. Wrong • 4. Low • 5. Get Off This • 6. Lonesome Johnny Blues • 7. Euro-Trash Girl • 8. Shake Some Action • 9. I Hate My Generation • 10. Big Dipper • 11. Sweet Thistle Pie • 12. The World Is Mine • 13. The Good Life • 14. Shine • 15. Guarded By Monkeys • DVD Track Listing: 1. Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now) (Acoustic Singalong Version) • 2. Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now) • 3. Get Off This (Live On MTV's "120 Minutes") • 4. Low • 5. Low (Homebody Version) • 6. Euro-Trash Girl • 7. I Hate My Generation • 8. I See The Light (Live) • 9. Movie Star (Live) • 10. Mr. Wrong (Live) • 11. Let's Go For A Ride (Live) • 12. Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now) (Live) • 13. Low (Live) • 14. Euro-Trash Girl (Live) • 15. Lonesome Johnny Blues (Live) • 16. This Is Cracker Soul (Live)
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02.02.06 (AP) LOUISE SCRUGGS, who as wife and manager of banjo player Earl Scruggs helped to expand the audience for Bluegrass and Country music, has died in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 78 years old, and was previously treated for respiratory disease. The two married in 1948, two years after they met while he was performing at the Grand Ole Opry with Bluegrass legend Bill Monroe and she was a member of the audience. Her husband left Monroe to form FLATT & SCRUGGS with guitarist and singer Lester Flatt, for which Louise Scruggs took over their business dealings in 1955. Mike Buck, a curator at the Country Music Hall Of Fame, said she was one of the first professional managers in Country music. "She truly is one of the legendary icons behind the scenes of country music," long-time artist Dwight Yoakam said. "She didn't take the curtain calls, but a lot of us would never have heard Flatt & Scruggs if it hadn't been for Louise Scruggs." Earl Scruggs' three-finger banjo picking style invigorated Country music, a term he and his wife preferred over Bluegrass. But LOUISE SCRUGGS saw opportunities to expand her husband's audience beyond Country, first with the Folk movement of the 1950s, and later with Rock fans. She nearly rejected the chance for FLATT & SCRUGGS to record one of their best-known songs, 'The Ballad Of Jed Clampett,' the theme song for the television show "The Beverly Hillbillies," on which Jerry Scoggins did the singing. LOUISE SCRUGGS objected to the term "hillbilly" and feared the TV series, which ran from 1962 to 1971, would stereotype rural Southerners. She changed her mind after producers sent her a pilot episode. FLATT & SCRUGGS' stardom was boosted further when their 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown' was used on the soundtrack to the 1967 film "Bonnie And Clyde." "She advanced me and advanced our music," Earl Scruggs told The Tennessean newspaper last year. "I didn't get where I went just on talent." LOUISE SCRUGGS grew up in rural Wilson County east of Nashville. As a child, she was given a typewriter, and she said it helped fuel her resolve to leave the country for a city job. The typewriter was among items displayed in a Country Music Hall Of Fame tribute to the couple last year. "Someone asked me the other day if I was writing press releases back then," she said at the opening of the display. "I wasn't one to go to tea parties and all of that. I started doing it, and the further I went the more I wanted to see what I could do with it." Besides her husband, survivors include the couple's sons Gary and Randy.

[Folk News: January 2006]
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