Monthly Archives: March 2011

The Colorado Sound – Vol 3 Ep 13 March 2011

NEWS & NOTES: 


Devotchka “Contrabanda” from 100 Lovers (2011)
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club “My Last Black Scarf” from Unentitled (2011)
Bill Frisell “Just Like A Woman” from Have A Little Faith (1993)
Bill Frisell “Sub-Conscious Lee” from History, Mystery (2008)
Cabaret Diosa “Banana Rum” from Voodoo Pinata (1999)
Rainville “Emma” from Longest Street In America (2002)
Ego vs Id “Hey Sarah” from Taste (2010)
DELLA “Anymore” from Anymore (2011)
Take to the Oars “Vanishing Act” from American Volume (2011)
Gabrielle Louise “Strange Summer Snow” from Mirror the Branches (2010)
Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore “Dead and Lonely” from Saints & Sinners (2010)
Euforquestra “Tramba” from The Adventures of Glen Devey (2005)
Hot Rize “Late In the Day” from Untold Stories (1987)
Stephen Stills “As I Come of Age” from Stills (1975)
Musketeer Gripweed “River Callin’” from Dyin’ Day (2010)
Yonder Mountain String Band “A Father’s Arms” from Town by Town (2001)
Broken Everlys “My Troubled Ways” from Stoned In Juarez (2011)
The David James Band “Pobody’s Nerfect” from Street Performer (2011)
John McVey “Lay Your Burden Down” from Unpredictable (2010)
Kinetix “Let Me In” from Let Me In (2010)
The String Cheese Incident “Drive” from One Step Closer (2005)
Kenny Perkins “Tiny Distraction” from Wild Frontier (2011)
Wendy Woo “Fade to Gray” from Wide Awake and Dreaming (1999)
Wendy Woo Trio “I Don’t Know” from Luxury (2007)
Peter Sommer “Looks Like This” from Tremolo Canteen (2010)

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The Colorado Sound – Vol. 3, Ep 12 2011

White Water Ramble “Gypsy Funk” from All Night Drive (2010)
Chris Thompson “Sweet Guilia” from The Road Ahead (2010)
Heather Marie Philipp “To Remember You” from Under the Apple (2008)
Wil Key “Say Anything” from Satisfy My Soul (2009)
Bop Skizzum “Brass In Pocket” from Beauty Queen (2011)
NEW The Outfit “Strange Bones” from Broken West Wishbone Test (2011)
Acoustic Junction “Sugar Town” from Acoustic Junction (1995)
Fox Street Allstars “Lost My Reflection” from Welcome to the Mighty Pleasin’ (2011)
Vices I Admire “Sweetest Girl” from The Politics of Apathy (2009)
Katey Laurel “The Wheel” from From Here (2011)
Newcomers Home “Texas” from In the Hour (2004)
Ben Markley “The 9th One’s Free” from Second Introduction (2009)
John Denver “Take Me Home, Country Roads” from Poems, Prayers and Promises (1971)
Firefall “Mexico” from Firefall (1976)
Jeff Brinkman “Inside This Room” from To the Bones (2010)
NEW Justin Roth “Trembling Like A Train” from Now You Know (2011)
NEW The David James Band “Street Performer” from Street Performer (2011)
Coles Whalen “Go Child” from The Whistle Stop Road Record (2009)
Jen Korte & the Loss “It’s A Little Hard, Dear” from Jen Korte & the Loss (2009)
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club “No Doubt About It” from Unentitled (2011)
Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams “Mr. Pain” from Sinners & Saints (2010)
Bonnie and The Clydes “It Ain’t Nothin’” from Bonnie And The Clydes (2011)
NEW Randy Ricks “Charlie Sheen” [single] (2010)
Kenny Perkins “Last Goodbye” from Wild Frontier (2011)
Megan Burtt “It Ain’t Love” from It Ain’t Love (2010)
Carmen Sandim Sextet “Mandala” from Brand New (2011)

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MMMM – March 14 2011

It’s been a few weeks I guess since I featured some new music I’ve been into.  This week I’m featuring three fairly new singer-songwriters in the library … two of whom share friends in common, two of whom went to CU Boulder … all three of whom are exceptional singer-songwriters in the best tradition of the style.  All three albums equally should be well represented at community/public radio around the state.  I really do expect to see them chart respectably… and to come up for regional music awards.

David James Band – Street Performer


Genre/Style: Rock, Pop, Adult Contemporary
Website: www.davidjamesband.com
RIYL: Ben Folds, Jamie Cullum, Elton John, Billy Joel, Chicago
Sampled Tracks: Street Performer, Midnight Hide & Seek, Alcohol.edu
Notes: count this one as among my picks for best self-written, arranged, and produced records of 2011 so far …. strong strong writing and arranging skills (something more BANDS to take notice of in every style of music).    Equally strong are the individual performances of the core trio of David James (piano/vocals), Justin Francoeur (guitar), and Preston Smits (bass/vocals).
From the website: As a university trained classical pianist, David James brings a unique technicality to piano pop music. Striving to keep tunes both radio friendly and musically challenging, his group’s newest album “Street Performer” targets a wide variety of listeners by incorporating memorable melodies and jazz influenced harmony. The final track “Alcohol.edu” earned him the 2007 John Lennon Scholarship for Songwriters from The BMI Foundation, NY.
Free Album Download at: http://www.thedavidjamesband.com

Justin Roth – Now You Know


Genre/Style: singer-songwriter, acoustic pop
Website: http://www.justinroth.com
RIYL: Michael Hedges, Crosby, Stills & Nash
Sampled Tracks: Out Of The Blue (The Orchard), The Last Time, Trembling Like A Train
Notes: It took me a while to really warm up to this record … simple as it may sound on first or second listens, the simplicity and subtlety belie an underlying sophistication that takes you by surprise and is genuinely breathtaking at times … a superbly done singer-songwriter/acoustic guitar album.

  • Engineered and Produced by Justin Roth
  • All Instruments and Vocals by Justin
  • Mixed by Alex Oana
  • Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • “Fans of Leo Kottke or Michael Hedges will find themselves right at home with the intricate guitar work…beautifully written lyrics.” -  San Francisco Art Magazine
  • 2007 Songwriter Showcase Honorable Mention – Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
  • 2006 NewSong Honorable Mention – Mountain Stage NewSong Contest
  • 2005 Best Songs Winner, “Shine” – Indie Acoustic Project
  • 2005 New Folk Finalist – Kerrville Folk Festival
  • 2005 Troubadour Honorable Mention – Telluride Bluegrass Fest
  • 2004 New Folk Finalist – Kerrville Folk Festival
  • 2004 Songwriter Showcase Honorable Mention – Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
  • 2004 Troubadour Contest Alternate – Telluride Bluegrass Festival
  • 2004 SMAF Songwriting Competition Finalist – Susquehanna Folk Festival
  • 2003 Emerging Artist Showcase Finalist – Falcon Ridge Folk Festival

John Mieras – Painted Glass


Genre/Style: singer-songwriter, acoustic rock/pop
Website: http://www.reverbnation.com/johnmieras#!
RIYL: Paul Simon, David Gray
Sampled Tracks: Love & Rent, Yesterday (I Wish There Was A Way), Constellations
Notes: John was raised in Washington state and educated to be a musician, eventually moving to Colorado to pursue a MA in Choral music at the University of Colorado.  Like his friend Justin Roth, he is friends with the duo Storyhill.  Painted Glass , and produced by Chris Cunningham and recorded at Bascamp Studios in Bozeman, Montana.  Like David James, he received his formal education at CU Boulder.  I like John, especially his sensitivity about the world around him.  Unlike the others, I’ve been able to spend some time getting to know John – and the way his music presents is in fact deeply reflective of how he sees his life, the world and his family.  A very strong addition to the singer-songwriter collective here in Colorado.

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The Colorado Sound – Vol. 3, Ep 11 2011

Fox Street Allstars “Somebody In the World for You” from Welcome to the Mighty Pleasin’ (2011)
Soul Creek “Four-Leaf Clover” from Positivity (2006)
Chain Gang of 1974 “Funk Giants” from White Guts (2010)
On Second Thought “Frantic” from Don’t Drive Angry (1999)
NEW – Rightfully Accused “Changes” from Western Air Part 1 – Classy, Chic, Sophisticated (2011)
NEW – DELLA “Not That Simple (Things I Do)” [single] (2011)
Asia Jazz Project f/ Molina Soleil & Aju “Reflections of the Sun Pt. 3” from Sacred Paths (2009)
FaceMan “BigHead” from FaceMan (2010)
The Lovely & Talented “Death of the Lover” from The New American Fable (2010)
George Inai “Lonesome Highway” from This Foolish Music (2007)
Great American Taxi “Good Night to Boogie” from Reckless Habits (2010)
Lonesome Traveler “Summer Wind” from Listen to that Sound (2008)
The Blue Canyon Boys “Rocky Mountain Bound” from Mountain Bound (2010)
Peter Sommer “Looks Like This” from Tremolo Canteen (2011)
Otis Taylor “Walk Right In” from Recapturing the Banjo (2008)
John Mieras “Love & Rent” from Painted Glass (2011)
Devotchka “The Common Good” from 100 Lovers (2011)
Trace Bundy “Sweet Child O’ Mine” from Missile Bell (2008)
Broken Everlys “Rocket Fuel” from Stoned In Juarez (2011)
Bonnie and The Clydes “Used to Play” from Bonnie And The Clydes (2011)
Trucker’s Daughter “Little Disappointments” from Broken Down Love (2009)
NEW “but, Naked!” “Can’t Get Enough” [single] (2011)
The Big Motif “Don’t Go Wrong” from Does It Weigh Heavy (2011)
Eddie Turner “Monkey See, Monkey Do” from Miracles And Demons (2010)
Ego vs Id “Landmine” from Taste (2010)
Sherri Jackson “Tell Me” from Catalyst (2000)
Erik Applegate “123” from Red Skies (2009)

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Coloradoans charting nationally

Big Head Todd & the Monsters and the Monsters … and John-Alex Mason continue to find international chart success on the Roots Music Blues chart … coming in at #7 and 11 respectively.

Bob Rea‘s (Durango) Ragged Choir also continues to chart well, coming in at #42 on the Roots Country chart

Cahalen Morrison & Eli West … and Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore both hold down great positions on the Roots Folk chart

On the TRUE COUNTRY side of things, Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams and Bonnie & the Clydes both post impressive chart positions ….

In the Jazz world, the Carmen Sandim Sextet locks down the #3 slot, while 2 titles on the Colorado based Capri jazz label also appear in the top 40

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Public Media – To Fund Or Not to Fund

What was it, really?  The perception of bias, real or imagined, or a desire to get rid of NPR, or a pragmatic desire to cut spending – and the CPB got in the path?

All of the above…. and then some.

It is VERY likely that we will lose most, if not all, federal funding in the next two years.  Every sign points in that direction.  That means a rewrite of what public radio is, and how it’s funded.  If in the next few years conservatives have their way, the non-comm band (estabished in 1941) will be opened up to all interests, and the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, which established public funding via the CPB, will be seen as irrelevant and unnecessary.

The intent of federally-funded public broadcasting in the Public Broadcasting Act was to make “telecommications services available to all citizens of the United States.” (47 U.S.C. 396).  Today, over 99% of Americans own a TV and over 95% have access to the Internet.  The core argument is that the Corporation’s mission of ensuring universal access has been fulfilled and the government-funded broadcasting is completely unnecessary.  H.R. 5538 would amend the Communications Act of 1934 to eliminate federal funding for the CPB.  President Obama’s own bipartisan debt commission proposed ending subsidies to public broadcasting.

There is a strong argument to be made that if public radio and TV offers programming people want, it can get sponsors like everyone else and stand on its own.  The base sentiment is that there is absolutely no reason that the taxpayers should be subsidizing media, unless they choose to do so through their own private donations.

The future of public mass-media companies will be based not on the technologies we have in existence today, but rather on evolving convergent  technologies.  What really is public media? Don’t blogs and facebook and twitter and things unseen represent that which the government first envisioned in making “telecommications services available to all citizens of the United States?”

Funding for public mass-media, one that is free of direct governmental and/or commercial influence, will likely include advertising, sponsorship and direct public subsidies — although the uses that may be made of the latter will likely need to be restricted in order to reduce the risk of this subsidy being abused to influence programming.

The recent developments concerning NPR have only exacerbated the problem.

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Alternative airplay charts – Roots Music Airplay Chart

Roots Music Airplay Chart is one of the more popular online websites for tracking regional airplay, as well as roots music in general. The state sections do not limit genre – only the front page reports do that. Here is the Colorado TOP TEN for the week March 4. Sometimes I disagree with who is listed as from Colorado, but that’s okay :) Enjoy. I’ve only provided the top ten… see website for more detailed information.

1 JOHN-ALEX MASON – JOOK JOINT THUNDERCLAP (NAKED JAYBIRD) BLUES
2 BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS/BIG HEAD BLUES CLUB – 100 YEARS OF ROBERT JOHNSON (RYKO) BLUES
3 TIM O’BRIEN – CHICKEN & EGG (HOWDY SKIES) FOLK
4 THE BROKEN EVERLYS – STONED IN JUAREZ (SELF) ROCK
5 CHURCHILL – HAPPY / SAD (SELF) POP
6 KENNY PERKINS – WILD FRONTIER (SELF) ROCK
7 SLIM CESSNA’S AUTO CLUB – UNENTITLED (ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES) ALTROCK
8 JOE JOHNSON – A TIME TO DANCE (BLANK TAPE) COUNTRY
9 JUNO WHAT?! – YOU CANT STOP IT (SELF) DANCE
10 TENNIS – CAPE DORY (FAT POSSUM) POP

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NPR President/CEO Vivian Schiller Resigns | AllAccess.com

NPR President/CEO Vivian Schiller Resigns | AllAccess.com.

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Vince Herman, Drew Emmitt and Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon on KRFC

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The Colorado Sound – Vol. 3, Ep 10 2011

NEWS & NOTES: 


Fierce Bad Rabbit “Everything’s Alright” from Spools of Thread (2010)
Euforquestra “The Events of December 11” from Soup (2009)
The Samples “The Birds of Paradise” from Here and Somewhere Else (1998)
NEW - Gravity “Deep Space Disco” from Fire Sermon (2011)
NEW – Galaxies “Lost at Sea” from Like a Lion (2011)
The Broken Everlys “Sweet Disorder” from Stoned In Juarez (2011)
Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams “Pill Poppin’ Country Weirdo” from Sinners and Saints (2010)
NEW – Mountain Standard Time “Picture” from Mountain Standard Time (2011)
Jill Sobule “I Kissed a Girl” from Jill Sobule (1995)
NEW - John Mieras “Yesterday (I Wish There Was A Way)” from Painted Glass (2011)
NEW – Slopeside “Don’t Know Why” from Road to Oblivion (2011)
Big Head Todd and the Monsters “Please Don’t Tell Her” from Monsters Live (1998)
The Motet “Afro Disco Beat” from Instrumental Dissent (2007)
Sugarloaf “Colorado Jones” from Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You (1975)
The Starlite Ramblers “Thanks A Lot” from Ain’t It the Truth (1979)
Pete Kartsounes “Believer” from The Only Way I Know (2011)
Reed Foehl “Once An Ocean” from Once An Ocean (2009)
Katey Laurel “Everything I Love” from From Here (2011)
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club “My Last Black Scarf” from Unentitled (2011)
The Informants “Stuck On You” from Stiletto Angel (2008)
The Congress “Loretta” from The Congress (2010)
NEW – Cahalen Morrison & Eli West “Lost Lovin Gal” from Holy Coming of the Storm (2011)
Todd Adelman & the Love Handles “Sorry” from Todd Adelman & the Love Handles (2009)
Ego vs Id “Tennessee Honey” from Taste (2010)
The Heyday “Had A Feeling” from Till We See the Sun (2010)
Carmen Sandim Sextet “Brand New” from Brand New (2011)

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