Who’s the best singer-songwriter from the early 70s? You know the genre: one man, his guitar, and songs with a focus on thoughtful lyrics. In this town full of acoustic guitar slingers, lots will chime in and say Townes Van Zandt or Guy Clark. No one can argue Townes or Guy shouldn’t be mentioned, but lots will overlook Bill Withers. You may ask, Bill Withers the soul guy was a singer-songwriter? Heck yeah he was! The man got his start writing songs on his acoustic guitar. When he played live, it was just Bill sitting still, singing and strumming guitar. Listen to “Ain’t No Sunshine”, it starts with acoustic string picking and tapping foot. His songs are great character stories, it can be the story of his “Grandma’s Hands”, or a neighborhood like “Harlem”. Want a folky anti-war song? Listen to “I Can’t Write Left Handed”.  Granted, by his second album, Bill was touring with one of the most energetic backing bands in the business, complete with funky bass and clavinet, and making hits with danceable music like “Use Me”. Underneath all that production and instrumentation still lies a well written song.

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Will begin making the pile more manageable tomorrow……
Bree Christene Eric Dony Hux Bill Kyle &John will be out there WITH ME.
THANK GOD

New Orleans royalty George Porter Jr. brings his Runnin Pardners to Momo’s tonight. Expect two sets of funk n’ soul that wear a hole in your dancin shoes. Porter laid down bass lines in memorable sessions for Dr John (“Right Place, Wrong Time”), Robert Palmer (“Sneakin Sally Thru the Alley”) and dozens of hits for Lee Dorsey. Porter’s work in the Meters defined the funk genre, creating a standard that still inspires new musicians today. Typical Runnin Pardner sets include Meters songs, cover songs from George’s session work, and Runnin Pardner orignals. The Runnin Pardner band includes Brint Anderson on guitar, a former Austinite and leader of Austin band Coupe De Ville, known for their gigs with Stevie Ray and Dr. John back in the day.

Check the supreme funkiness of George and the Meters on this 1974 TV special. That’s George on the left in a solid white cape suit looking like a kung fu action hero. On percussion is south Austin resident Cyril Neville. Yeah you right!

Bill Monroe Monoprint

Thank you Austin Museum of Art for being an enabler to my addiction of collecting music posters. Years ago I realized the only way to find room for all my posters was to use them like wallpaper – side by side covering the walls and ceiling – so I kicked the poster habit. Two favorites were framed and hung on the wall, the rest were put in storage, where they sit tempting me to sell them on eBay. Now the Austin Museum of Art has gone and made poster art legitimate by hanging a hundred years of it in their gallery. Hear that sound? That’s me falling off the poster abstinence wagon.

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Shutter Island has taken the top spot at the box office for two weeks in a row now, racking up over $110 million. The film has even topped all other opening weekend records for Mr. Martin Marcantonio Luciano Scorsese. This success is a little surprising, because mass audiences can stay away from stories that aren’t “happily ever after” stories. After the obligatory post-screening “what did you think of the movie” talks, I knew I loved it, but predicted most audiences would be creeped out by it, killing the word of mouth buzz. To be fair, I guess people know up front that a story set in an insane asylum will be grim. The poster for Shutter Island gives fair warning too. When else have you seen Leo DiCaprio reduced to a grimacing face clouded in shadows?

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WHY? SHE JUST HOLDS NO INTEREST FOR ME, NEVER HAS.  IN  COLLEGE, I PARTIED WITH HER BROTHER A FEW TIMES. WOW! THAT IS THE EXTENT OF MY CONVERSATIONAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT C.LOVE.  THEN, AS NOW, I HAD AND HAVE NO INTEREST IN HER EXPLOITS. THE ONLY REASON I EVEN KNOW HER NAME IS BECAUSE  SHE  WAS MARRIED TO KURT.
HER LAST APPEARENCE AT SXSW WAS, WELL, NOT  WELL RECIEVED. SHE SAID SOME BAD THINGS AND DID A FEW DISRESPECTFUL ACTIONS. I HAVE GOTTEN A FEW EMAILS ON THE SUBJECT.     MOST EXPRESSED “OUTRAGE” AND “EXTREME CONCERN.”
TO ME, THIS IS THE GREATEST TOWN ON THE PLANET. THERE IS A REASON WHY I STAY HERE. I AM NOT BOTHERED BY OTHERS THAT DON’T DIG IT.  I AM GONNA STAY.  IN FACT, I KINDA WISH MORE FOLKS WOULDN’T LIKE IT HERE. I DECIDED TO ASK WHAT A CO-CREATOR OF SXSW THOUGHT ABOUT HER RETURN.  TAKE IT AWAY LOUIS:

Russ,
Imagine if all artists that played Austin, not just SXSW, were judged by past or present drug problems, behavior or statements as to whether they could perform here or not …we’d all be outraged!
Many of us have done things we regret or don’t remember. If we held what people with psychological, dependentcy, emotional or anger issues said or did against them, I shiver to think where that would leave me.
Love is confrontational, often saying outrageous or offensive things.
Whether she was exhausted, high, intoxicated or intentionally offensive really is irrelevant. Without going into the whole sticks and stones bit, what is the big deal?  At worst it’s just words and personal bad behavior.
No one is going to make any one go to the show. All are free to stay away. But is anyone really going to argue that they get to prevent people who may want to see her from that opportunity because they found her offensive?  Not wanting an artist to play because of past behavior or speech is  “blacklisting,” which unlike speech or rude actions is actually evil and dangerous.
If any community in the world should be willing to understand and let it go, it should be the music community. If any city in the world should be (because it always has been) understanding it’s Austin.
Come on, get serious!! We’re not talking about classical ballet here but about dirty ass ROCK “N” ROLL!!!
Louis

OF COURSE. NOW MY REPORTER IS INTRIGUED BY THE CONTROVERSY. GO FIGURE…..

Explosives-Three Ring Circus: Power pop before power pop was cool.  Wandering onto the Austin scene in 1979 at the legendary Raul’s Club. Freddie Steady Krc, Cam King, and Waller Collie all wrote and all played with a tight urgency that lacked the rage of the musical contemporaries but maintained the gloriously jangly garage rhythm and melody inspired by Beatles, Stones and other musical heroes. Their new album includes the entirety of their 1982, Restless Natives, along with all other official Explosives studio releases, plus two live bonus tracks and a bonus DVD capturing the band in its garage rock jungle glory. 4.5 McRipock’s.

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See as many movies as you can with the SXSW Film Pass.  Available to the locals for just $70, the Film Pass grants unlimited access to movies.  It is available for purchase at ALL Original Alamo Drafthouse locations in Austin and Waterloo Records.    Missed the first screening? Don’t worry.  Many films at SXSW have multiple screenings and the screenings run through March 20th.  Check out SXSW.com for the official line up along with movie times and locations.

Recommended if you love film. This is how we used to cover the festival back in the day. Because  the badges are hard to come by, I still send a writer every year, to cover the fim fest with a pass. He opts in for the ride every year. Guess that means that the passes still rock? Once  the music starts it is way easy to slide in and catch some awesome stuff.

Intense. Marty did it again. Closing in on the big 70 and he is making films that are awesome. And this was that. A mindfuck to say the least. I saw this on Wednesday and have been thnking about it ever since. It rather disturbed me. Even upset me. I was  not sure I liked it, but I couldn’t shake it. You know what that  is?  That is mastery.  Scorcese has been creating amazing and affecting films  for 40 plus years. He just hits his prime again. I feel with this one he is paying homage to Polanski’s “Chinatown.” Maybe some Kubrick tossed in for good measure. The film is set for a journey down a famliar road but takes a detour. To say anymore would be criminal.I do wish to see this a 2nd time. This film was set for release in November but was pushed back. The performances are all top notch. I  recommend this. Sure it’s not gonna be for everyone. The way this film  resonated in my mind pushed me. This is the magic of film making and to  be able to do this still and be in big budgets is incredible.

“YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE MR.TORRENCE”
-THE SHINING

I so wanted  this to be awesome. Unfortunately it was undercooked and underdeveloped. The characters had no substance, the story was full of holes and the cgi  and scare tactics were just annoying.  By now, everyone knows that this flick was in development hell for a long time. The original director walked right before the first day of shooting.  Never a good sign. Rick Baker’s effects were turned down for cgi (computer graphics something).  Ultimately, giving this classic tale a “Music Video” feel.  This film did not end up the classic that I was hoping for and became merely watchable.

I have a deep affinity for werewolf pictures. The story is  awesome. The tragic once bitten tale has  so  many interesting avenues to embark on. Even the elements and devices (full moons and silver bullits, etc) are interesting. Foolproof.  One would think. They are just never very  good.  Like a junkie, searching for that unatainable fix of  ultimate bliss, I alwaze flock to  the theater when a new werewolf picture is released.  Hoping for that  gem like  AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. Most of  the  releases  never come close. The best I have seen in a long time  has been GINGER   SNAPS.  One day, they will realize what can be done with  this tale. I will  keep sifting through the trials in hopes of that rush.

The movie is full of kookiness like a dwarf for a boss, a maverick insurance fraud investigator, a stripper in a wheelchair, a carnival sideshow act always engulfed in flames, gun-toting male nudists, mobsters running a junk yard, and a creepy girlfriend with a yellow smiley-face fetish. Steve Buscemi stars, Sara Silverman gives comedic relief, and Spike Lee executive produces. The pitch for this movie must have practically sold itself because it sounds amazing. But is it?
 

Upfront, Saint John of Las Vegas is not a good movie. I have to root for it anyway because it gives Buscemi a leading part instead of making him a sidekick or supporting role. The man is one of the greats and rarely gets to show it in starring role. It also has a quirky plot that stays away from the predictable Hollywood format. This is the first film released from IndieVest, a new LA based company that finances films, and I’m all for new paths to distribution outside the normal big studio channels.
 

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Food tells a lot about a local culture. When making gumbo, don’t “ask what goes in it?” Ask “what do you have?”, cause anything and everything goes in gumbo. Gumbo explains New Orleans, it’s a mix of different influences and traditions, everything truly goes in New Orleans. Ya-Ka-May, also called Ya Ka Mein, is a similar multi-ethnic dish. A noodle soup invented in the cultural stew of New Orleans, Ya-Ka-May has unclear origins. Possibly brought back to New Orleans by black veterans of the Korean War, it’s been jokingly called Seoul Food. Ya-Ka-May is a fitting title for Galactic’s new album – it’s a musical mix of influences. Ya-Ka-May is Galactic with guests from a wide range of New Orleans styles: a brass band, a soul queen, a Mardi Gras Indian, a funky piano professor, a tailgate trombonist, a fiesty Creole singer, a traditional jazz band, a bluesy Wolfman guitarist, hip-hop booty bouncers, sleep deprived garage rockers, and a trumpet player with the word “Trombone” in his nickname. Yet the album has a cohesive sound, each song sounds distinctly like a Ya-Ka-May song. This is Galactic’s drums and brass album, everything not a beat or a horn is down in the mix or used minimally to great effect.

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A GHOST…
Cool.
2 years ago, backstage for Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, I bumped into Bill Murray. I was armed with a recorder because I just had words with an unnamed musician. Must have spoken with 30 or 40 in those 3 days. He agreed because he liked our mascot on my t-shirt. We did a short and sweet, on the fly interview. We discussed his new film “CITY OF EMBER,” Fantastic Fest, Austin & Jim Jarmush while the tape rolled. At the time, rumors were around about a third Ghostbusters film… He told me about his 1st visit to Austin with “Danny Ackroid” way back when. I dropped the question and he told me that he was in for the ride but that no script had been finalized. I let it go and we then talked about my favorite film of his “RAZORS EDGE.”
A very cool guy. Really awesome that he made time for me. Things just seem to work out in this town.
I am excited that a script has been made. Ramis is in, Ackroid and Murray are in. Moranis? Anyone heard of Rick Moranis in awhile?

"Cactus - My Home Club" Townes Van Zandt

Cactus Cafe Waiting Around to Die

The bureaucracy and decision making at UT can be a funny thing. When UT hired a new general manager and a program director for music radio station KUT, they chose people without experience in running a music-centric radio station like KUT, instead choosing people with backgrounds in news radio. The result? Local music programming severely axed at KUT, sparking public outcry.

Another funny thing is Austin’s iconic Cactus Café. The folks over at UT have placed the fate of the Cactus Café, a legendary music venue and cultural institution with a world wide reputation, in the hands of the Texas Union directors, people mostly concerned with cheap bowling and foosball tables.

As you probably know by now, the Texas Union recently decided to shut down the Cactus Café, and discontinue all Informal Classes. Both are community traditions that go back to the 1970s. According to Andy Smith, the executive director of University Unions, the purpose is to save $122,000 annually.

Juan Gonzalez, vice president of student affairs, said “while the students understand the loss, they also understand there are higher priorities, and to direct services to students, I think, is the higher calling.”  Yes, Andy and Juan are leaders who understand the higher priorities of the Texas Union’s glow-in-the-dark bowling. Why provide education and life enrichment through Informal Classes when there is the inspirational higher calling of air hockey tables? True, the Cactus has launched the careers of many musicians, and the Austin economy benefits from their success, but once the Cactus is removed, and there is more convenient access to a Taco Bell, just think how that will inspire and benefit Austin’s economy. Higher calling indeed!

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KELLER WILLIAMS IS ON TOUR THIS WINTER IN SUPPORT OF HIS NEW ALBUM ODD
Saturday, February 6th @ 9:00 PM (Doors @ 8:00 PM)
Antone’s  — 213 West 5th Street, Austin

For more information please contact 512.320.8424 or visit
http://www.antones.net
Everyone’s favorite one-man-band, Keller Williams, officially released his new studio album, ODD, on August 12, 2009. He’s spent the last 12 weeks releasing the songs track by track through his brand new, fan-oriented download feature, ‘The Once A Week Freek’. Now, full digital copies and physical copies of ODD are available for purchase at www.kellerwilliams.net and at Keller’s live shows. Read the rest of this entry »

Just about now, every year, when we are amidst of our 2nd or 3rd cold blast, I start to get the itch. Got my early bitd tickets to Old Settlers Music Festival. But that doesn’t suffice. I need that “Old-Timey Sound.”  Bluegrass and nothing else will do.  Essentially this is the DEL MCCOURY BAND WITHOUT DEL. On stage are: Ron McCoury on mandolin, Rob McCoury on banjo, Jason Carter on fiddle, and Alan Bartram on bass , with featured guests on guitar and vocals, is the latest incarnation of the most awarded band in the history of bluegrass -The Del McCoury Band. “Known for their individual prowess on their instruments and their rapidly expanding reputation as collaborators with the members of numerous musical icons from Vince Gill to the Allman Brothers, The Lee Boys and Phish, this touring unit blends the best of the Appalachian tradition with the improvisational magic of jazz. Unique live collaborations are the hallmark of their performances, and demonstrates why people across the country hail them as the best bluegrass band in the world.”  I have seen these boys play many times with and without Del and am  always blown away by  the McCourys generational representation on stage.The McCourys name will surely live on in music for years. Seeing this gig at One World was awesome, up close and intimate.. Only problem; nobody  was dancing until I  closed my eyes.
(THANK YOU K.F. FOR  THE PICTURES.)

Flatcar Rattlers–Which side Are You On?: A rowdy bluegrass band with a touch of Grime mixes up rootsy, backwoods Appalachia with fast punk rock to create a sound all their own. With six members form six states, they eventually made the journey to Austin and became ranked as one of the top ten Best New Bands and Best Bluegrass Banks per the Austin Chronicle’s 2008-2009 Music Poll. They released their first studio album on 11/28 at the Scoot Inn with appearances including the Lonesome Heroes, American Graveyard and The Bread. The Rattlers take hold of the listener and stick them on a ride that blows right off the tracks. 6.0 McRiprock’s. www.myspace.com/FlatCarRattlers.
Dertybird--Pure Analog: Cultivating thier mix of Muscle Shoals Soul and Hill Country/Swamp Blues into a new blend of Southern Vinyl Rock. The release of this album is a fresh starting point for the band, after releasing a self-titled EP and a regional tour. The album allows for a stronger foothold and step forward to building thier fan base. Dertybird is Clayton Colvin and JT Holt. They fuse Clayton’s soulful, honest MuscleShoals influence with JT’s raw, gut-bucket guitar riffs. Trademarked by solid, gutsy vocals with tight arrangments and a tasteful Southern Rock sound with searing slide guitar they began to march their way to branding themselves in markets throughout the South. The alubm was recorded to a 2″ tape and mixed live at NestRecording in South Austin. They hoped to give the listener an “in the room” sound and experience so the bass, drums and rhythm guitar were cut live in one session. The most radio-friendly tune on the album is “People Change,” however other tracks have impressive hooks and arrangements. Read the rest of this entry »