|
As I entered the 5th year of operation at cdRoots, I found myself heading back to my own roots in American music, which started back in the 60s with a love of old-time string band music coupled with the irreverence of the counter-folk music of bands like the Fugs and the Holy Modal Rounders.
Here, then, are just a few of the CDs, new and old, that are redefining American music or looking deep into its past. This is far from the complete catalog of American music, just a few choice titles that are personal favorites at the moment.
Dogie Music - Skip Gorman and the Waddie Pals
$16.99
(cdRoots# aco-dogie)
Old timey music from the American west by Skip Gorman and pals Ruthie Dornfeld on fiddle, Mary Burdette on bass, Tom Sauber on banjo, fiddle and mandolin and Patrick Sauber on accordion and mando. Sweet old tunes familiar and un, played with love and spirit.
Mandolin Boogie - The Armstrong Twins
$10.98
(cdRoots# arh-9046)
Stars of radio, records, and TV, the Armstrong Twins performed on the Louisiana Hayride, KXLA Pasadena, CA, Cliffie Stone's Dinner Bell Round Up and his legendary TV show "Town Hall Party." For the first time on CD the sound of their classic country brother duets featuring their first recordings from the late forties to the early fifties, and a reunion session in 1979. And a nice price, too!
Ethiopiques 20: Live in Addis (2 CDs) - Either/Orchestra
$16.99
(cdRoots# buda-ethio20)
The 10-piece jazz orchestra from Boston, in a 2 CD set recorded live in Addis with a number of great Ethiopian performers including vocalists Bahta Gebre-Heywet, Michael Belayheh and Tsedenia Gebre-Marqos, saxophonist Getatchew Mekurya and percussionist Mulatu Astatqe. Inspired by the great Ethiopian pop and jazz of the '60s and '70s, they bring a full array of modern jazz and Afro-Cuban innovations to an Ethiopian repertoire. Unusual, to say the least.
Plea for Peace - The Afro-Semitic Experience
$15.99
(cdRoots# chevan2)
This African-Jewish jazz alliance offers a unique perspective, both musically and philosopically. Using tools expected and unexpected (bass, horns and drums are met by dobro, violin, African percussion and clarinet) they make a music that will grab the ear of mainstream jazz and Jewish fusion fans because no matter the genre, it is genuine, original and surprising.
Gloryland - Anonymous 4, Anger and Marshall
$18.99
(cdRoots# hm-gloryland)
A sequel to their American Angels, Gloryland delves into traditional American folk music, joined by n Darol Anger (violin, mandolin) and Mike Marshall (mandolin, guitar, mandocello). Lyric folk songs, religious ballads, shape-note tunes and gospel hymns are given new interpretations in a mix of traditional and classical vocal styles.
Citizens Awake! - John Millard and Happy Day
$14.99
(cdRoots# jm-citizens)
'...a mixture of the Lone Ranger and Kurt Weill' really sums this all up pretty damned well. Banjo-mult-instrumentalist-singer Millard is as quirky as they come; part John Hartford, part kamikazee poet, he and his band (on vibes, banjo, four singers, accordion and bass among other assorted tools) range all across the musical landscape, touching on theater music, old-timey tunes, political diatribes and traumatic nightmares.
Flying Saucers - Mad Tea Party
$13.99
(cdRoots# mtp-1)
True Americana by a quirky crew from North Carolina delve into old blues, hokum and folk tunes, with a touch of coutry pop music from the 20s and such. Ami Worthen (vocals, ukulele), Jason Krekel (vocals, guitar, fiddle, and kazoo) and Lora Pendleton (vocals, bass) recorded this little gem of American roots in their home in North Carolina and the energy and spontaneity overflow in every tune, from the clever novelty of "Flying Suacers" to the warmth of the old country standard, "Walking on the Kings Highway." I was priveleged to have these folks on my radio show in CT in 2005 and fell in love with their personable and witty approach to all kinds of American roots music. Highly recommended.
The Player: A Retrospective - David Bromberg
$12.99
(cdRoots# sst-brom06)
The guitar player's guitar player, Bromberg forged a unique path with his first recordings. This is a collection of the best of those, and includes brilliant work like 'Sammy's Song," "Sharon", "The Holdup," and "Dehlia" as well as a good dose of his humor, and some traditional songs, too. If you wore out your old LPs, here's the replacement.
Until the Ocean - The Horse Flies
$12.99
(cdRoots# sst-horse09)
The long-lived, wildly original old-time music visionaries in a brand-new CD! Richie Stearns, Jeff Claus, Judy Hyman, percussionist Taki Masuko, bassist Jay Olsa and Rick Hansen on accordion, organ and Moog. "Build a House and Burn it Down," "Carnival Lips," "Baghdad Children," "Drunkard's Child" and more.
Second Avenue Square Dance! - Margot Leverett and The Klezmer Mountain Boys
$16.99
(cdRoots# tc-4339)
Clarinetist Leverett and the band expand their repertoire beyond bluegrass and klezmer to rock, jazz, Latin and American music while continuing their unique, hybrid interpretations of standards made famous by Bill Monroe and Dave Tarras, Second Ave. Guest appearances by electric guitarist, Jorma Kaukonen, Hazel Dickens, Tony Trischka, Darol Anger, David Grier, Mike Marshall, David Licht, Hankus Netsky, Carlos Oliviera, Dudley Connell, Ronnie Simpkins, and Bobby Shankin.
There is a lot more in the catalog!
|
