"B.B. King - The Life Of Riley" DVD (director: Jon Brewer)

Definitive bio of blues legend

All hail the King! Here is what will unquestionably remain the most comprehensive and definitive documentary on the life and times of Riley B. King, aka B.B. King. Tracing his days as a poor child in Mississippi up to present day, "The Life Of Riley" fluidly combines some fantastic old footage and photos with recent interviews, and includes candid conversations with King himself, as well as relatives, bandmates, friends, and admirers. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, the film includes interviews with everyone from Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr to Bono (there he is again!), Bruce Willis (huh?), Carlos Santana, Buddy Guy, Bill Wyman, Joe Walsh, and tons more. That alone tells you how much time, effort, and love went into the making of this. 

His story is a great one, beginning with a broken family life, hard times as a segregated orphan, and continuing his thirst for the blues through decades, and befriending everyone from Frank Sinatra to the Rolling Stones to U2. He may be a comfortable guy now, but he's had to fight hard to reach that point, and this tale is simply inspirational.

King himself is still active at 88 years old, and his presence on the music scene is a sign that not all is lost. He remains a true gentleman, and despite his profile (and the admiration of multitudes across all demographics), he stays humble and benevolent. B.B. King is an American treasure, and "The Life Of Riley" is a must-see for anyone interested in American music.

MVD Visual

B.B. King dot com

"All The Labor" DVD (director: Doug Hawes-Davis)

Gourd bless...

This feature-length documentary on Austin, TX-based roots/Americana band the Gourds serves as an audio-visual love letter to the band. As well, it's a perfect introduction to a band that's survived nearly 20 years and released armfuls of albums, yet has never made it to that "next level". I'm almost embarrassed to mention that I'd never heard this group before, either.

Recorded at home and on stage with the band, "All The Labor" shows the obvious love these guys have for each other and the music itself. Despite a feverish (yet small) fan base, these guys continue on without much promise of "the big payoff". Love of the music is their drive, and that's certainly admirable and noble. So what's it like? Imagine alt.country Americana, with a sense of humor and an almost jam-band like predilection for extended improv, and you're close. The Gourds are great showmen, and project energy, charisma, and passion as well or better than so-called "national" touring acts I've seen. 

"All The Labour" is well-filmed, inspiring, and an enlightened portrait of a band with their hearts in the music. Worth a look, for sure.

High Plains Films via MVD Visual

Gourds dot com

Bob Dylan And The Band - "Down In The Flood" DVD

This documentary details the 1966 tour pairing Bob Dylan with arguably Canada's finest rock act (and the template for the Americana scene today), the Band. As with previous Sexy Intellectual releases, the usual panel of experts, bandmates, and journalists dissect the era when Dylan's electric rock both shocked and infuriated his folk-leaning fans.

There's a wealth of rare live and TV footage here, as well as plenty of photos and visuals to illustrate the amazing collaboration between Dylan and the great musicians of the Band, and what it meant to rock then and now. Despite an exhaustive 114 minutes, "Down In The Flood" is essential for serious Dylan-philes. 

(Sexy Intellectual)

Bob Dylan site

"Anywhere USA" DVD (director: Chusy)

This is an odd little indie that features a cast of mostly non-actors from small towns. As a distinctly American portrait, this one is packed with backwoods rednecks, trailer-park denizens, shaggy stoners, racists, and damaged children. But that's not to say that director Chusy is judgmental. On the contrary, "Anywhere USA" cuts through the stereotypes and shows all the fragility, naivete, and tragic figures that exemplify the American landscape, whether we're proud of it or not.

The film consists of 3 short tales, all unrelated aside from looking at the underbelly of mainstream society. It's a well-shot, well-directed set of vignettes with heart and humanity (and definitely a sense of humor) And with a hip indie rock soundtrack (including Devendra Banhart), this one was surprisingly endearing. Worthy. (MVD Visual)

Across Tundras - "Sage" album

After a number of obscure and limited albums, this Nashville-based group finally gets their due with their first release on Neurot. Starting things off with the thick, molasses rock of "In The Name Of River Grand", this group's attack is multi-pronged. On one hand, they're a heavy rock band with roots in extreme metal. But the moods and textures here are distinctly Americana, with country, western and Appalachian themes around the edges. For example, "Buried Arrows" is a country-folk tune at heart, but played with louder amps. "Tchulu Junction" is a slow-burn crusher with enough epic peaks and valleys to please any Neurosis or Swans fan. "Mean Season Movin' On" is a 12-minute mountain of huge post-Hawkwind psychedelic space rock, and the closer, "Shunka Sapa" is another wandering psyche-metal jam that proves that these guys are at the top of their game. Splendid work! (Neurot Recordings)

Across Tundras site

Across Tundraspace

Mark Growden - "Saint Judas" CD

From San Francisco comes this veteran songwriter whose gritty take on dark, bluesy Americana makes him a shoe-in for fans of artists like Tom Waits, Nina Simone, or the Low Anthem. His opener here, "Undertaker", is a raw and soulful lament that recalls the great old bluesmen, though with stronger production, of course. And his group, The Mark Growden Sextet, accents his world-weary voice with old-time arrangements and stylish textures. "Been In The Storm So Long" is another tortured dirty blues number, with a cool swamp-jazz vibe. He re-interprets the classic Leonard Cohen gem, "I'm Your Man", and convincingly makes it his own. Other standouts include the haunting "Coyote", and the melancholy "Inside Every Bird". Certainly, "Saint Judas" is a strong, deep, and mature album for fans of blues that bleed realism, loss, sorrow, and redemption. Superb. (Porto Franco Records)

Growden's label, Porto Franco Records, has given kind permission for the following two Mp3s to be given away from the new album:
"Saint Judas"
"Inside Every Bird"

Mark Growden site

Growdenspace

And check out this new video for "Coyote", as directed by Christiane Cegavske:

Wilco - "Wilco (The Album)" CD

Wilco are possibly the greatest American rock act you've never heard. They don't get much mainstream radio support, but their live shows sell out routinely across the country. Coming from someone who adores Wilco's 2002 masterpiece "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" (maybe one of the most inspiring modern rock recordings of the decade -- seriously), and who thought their last album ("Sky Blue Sky") was boring classic rock (think the Eagles), this new Wilco is a welcome return to form. Combining the sensibilities of both their more abstract leanings and accessible alt.country/indie rock, this pop-edged triumph has enough inventive little angles and sounds to make it an indispensable addition to my 2009's "best of" list. Beginning with the rootsy, rollicking feel-good hit "Wilco" (yeah, it's the band's ode to itself, tongue-in-cheek), it gets more serious with songs like "One Wing", which seems to be a reflective and spacious bit of wisdom. "Bull Black Nova" comes in loud and noisy, then is followed up by the plaintive "You And I" featuring lovely backing vocals by indie folkstress Feist. "You Never Know" brings to mind some of the Beatles' better melodies, and the chorus of "I don't care anymore" is typically strong, wedging itself into your head long before the song ends. "I'll Fight" is a beautiful love song to life itself. Jeff Tweedy's emotive everyman vocals are weathered/tempered perfectly, and the band's rich, expressive songwriting proves to be a perfect foil, enveloping his vocals with a diverse and lush set of sounds, tempos, and textures. From heavier rock to drifty laments, Wilco are masters of their craft. There's not a single dud here. My fullest recommendations! (Nonesuch)

Wilco World

Daddy - "For A Second Time" CD

Now, this is a refreshingly warm and familiar sound, as the Nashville duo of Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack (collectively Daddy) create some mighty fine classic folk/rock/Americana with country and blues accents. 'Nobody From Nowhere' is a rootsy rock track with a laid-back vibe and masterful pop hooks, and therefore is well-chosen as the album's lead-in. But Kimbrough and Womack deliver well throughout this solid and enjoyable album. They bring in some goofiness on the old-school country lament of 'I Want To Be Clean', while 'Redemption Is The Mother's Only Son' is a more serious, low-key, and reflective lament. 'Love In A Bottle' has a well-worn swagger that's fun, catchy, and just feels, well, real. But it's not all sincere and convincing -- 'I Went To Heaven In A Dream Last Night' reminds me of those awful credit report commercials. Meh. Nonetheless, that aside, fans of anyone from Dylan to Wilco will find plenty to like about Daddy. And score some local points -- Womack used to be in Government Cheese, who played Evansville many (many) years back! (Cedar Street Records)

Daddy website

Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers - "Songs In The Night" CD

Lovely and slightly freaky Americana folk vibes from Oklahoma, with Crain's unique vocals recalling kindred souls like Joanna Newsom or Bjork , but placed more within a straightforward songwriting foundation (and certainly not as 'flighty' as those comparisons might imply). Production by Danny Kadar (My Morning Jacket, Grizzly Bear) is sympathetic -- keeping a clear and honest vibe that allows all the instruments and Crain's almost-ghostly vocals to shine through. There are some strong songs here, to be certain. Take 'Scissor Tales', with it's almost Western shuffle and narrative construction. Crain is a skilled wordsmith, and her band never steals the limelight, adding color and subtlety in all the right places. 'Songs In The Night' is a perfectly fine album of mature tunes from a band who have a boatload of potential. I'm impressed. (Ramseur Records)

Samantha Crain's website

Samantha Crainspace

Kate Mann - "Things Look Different When The Sun Goes Down" CD

Hailing from the faraway Southwest (New Mexico, specifically), folksy singer/songwriter Mann has a profound connection to Native American culture and the dusty American landscapes of her upbringing. Her songs are often lonely, introspective and personal looks at life, relationships, and spirituality, as seen through the eyes of an old soul who's experienced both highs and lows (or so it seems). 'Things Look Different' is a lovely set of brisk Americana sounds that range from flamenco ('La Llorona') to plaintive ballads ('Here Again'); from alt.country shuffles ('Funny Thing') to songs for her beloved dog (the sweet 'Loki's Lullaby'). Her voice is as gentle or commanding as it needs to be, and her band's instrumentation (with cello, fiddle, and saw, as well as piano, accordion, and more) are like swathes of color amidst Kate's acoustic guitar and charmingly warm vocals. Kate Mann is the real thing, and here's to hoping she gets some notice with this fine CD of earthy, free-thinking independent music. (Orange Dress Records)

Kasey Anderson - "The Reckoning" CD

With a gritty, gravelly voice, Mr. Anderson's latest opens with the title track – a dark, narrative song that's reminiscent of Steve Earle, with a dash of Tom Waits and maybe some Mark Lanegan, all good and fine company. But subsequent songs are more traditionally alt.country stuff, with much lighter and melodic material. The juxtaposing of the two is a little off-putting. More successful is the fine “Don't Look Back,” which synthesizes both of these styles quite nicely. “You Don't Live Here Anymore” is a haunting ballad with a well-placed guitar feedback drone and more plaintive vocal style, and “Red Shadows” is another excellent world-wise everyman tale that's stylish, memorable, and well-written. Despite a few minor setbacks, “The Reckoning” is a fine album of darkly-tinged Americana, and I like it. (Terra Soul)