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Are you craving Bramhall’s (as in former Arc Angel, Doyle Bramhall II) new CD, Jellycream? Enter on the SoundsLikeTexas.com site for your chance to win an autographed copy!
Recent Texas Music Releases (MP3 and Windows Media samples available at SoundsLikeTexas.com):
- Nanci Griffith and the London Symphony Orchestra - The Dust Bowl Symphony
- Soundtrack from Happy, Texas, including songs by Texans Abra Moore, Flaco Jimenez, Robert Earl Keen, The Road Kings
- Jack Ingram - Hey You
- Derailers - Full Western Dress
- Mickey Gilley - Live From Gilleys
SoundsLikeTexas.com new Texas Music reviews:
Nanci Griffith and the London Symphony Orchestra - The Dust Bowl Symphony
You could tell us Nanci Griffith was recording a record with a nod to the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. You could tell us some songs painted the West Texas plains and love at the Five and Dime. You could even tell us there was a countless number of supporting cast members, like most of her records. However, none of these things would make us imagine that she would make this record with the London Symphony Orchestra in Abbey Road Studios...but she did, and it's beautiful.
You would be hard pressed to find anyone that would discount Nanci's voice. It's pristine, like Texas hill country spring water over a moss covered rock. Well, layer it over the lush orchestration of the LSO and the music transcends anything grounded on this earth. She states in the packaging's foreword that her artist friend Susanna Clark thought the music "felt like hearing the sky touch the earth." This record will conjure many warm feelings. It is capable of taking you away, so enjoy it like a fine wine.
Present to supply a slant here and there are Beth Neilson Chapman, Sony Curtis and even Hootie himself, Darius Rucker. These folks and numerous others help out, but the essence is Nanci. We have always appreciated her voice, but more in an acoustic, blue jean setting. No matter how you remember her, The Dust Bowl Symphony will give you a whole new appreciation for one of Texas Music's treasures. – Gary C. Moore
Bramhall – Jellycream
He dropped his first name and junior status for his sophomore solo effort. It's simply "Bramhall" on Doyle Bramhall II's Jellycream, his first for RCA.
The name change is the only blaring difference from Bramhall's self titled solo debut record. He continues to lay his stinging guitar riffs into the grooves of none other than Wendy and Lisa (of Prince's "Revolution" fame). We knew the boy could groove with the best of the blue eyed soulsters from Texas because of his recording debut with the Arc Angels. Together with Charlie Sexton and Double Trouble rhythm section, Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton, the Arc Angels carried the torch of Austin blues and boogie, passed down from The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Their unfortunate fall from grace provided Doyle the opportunity to grow.
The most important change from his first solo record is his diversion from so much love, to so much life...his life. As he sings in Jellycream's second cut, "Day Come Down", " I never had a chance to grow." As is the case with other music heritage offspring, one is put under the microscope at a much too early age. Doyle is coming into his own with flying colors, marching down a path paved by the likes of Curtis Mayfield, Sly Stone, and Hendrix.
If you like to wiggle your butt while the guitar takes you off the planet, Jellycream is a must for you. Wendy and Lisa's penchant for that which is groovy is a perfect compliment to Bramhall's seasoned beyond his years voice, and his lefty guitar licks. As with his last recording, Texas music purists will scowl. Those of us with an eye to the future appreciate this bridge to the undefined boundaries of Texas Music. Bramhall does a solid job of providing a youthful injection of pop into the blue blood which feeds the heart of Texas Music. – Gary C. Moore
Soundtrack – Happy, Texas
Are you happy? If not, don't put this disc in! The soundtrack to Happy, Texas is, well, happy. As with most soundtrack records it has it's ups and downs. It also has those weird tracks that are usually under a minute long, that leave you going, "what the hell was that!" However, when it's all said and done, you will be glad you listened.
It's hard to go wrong with Emmylou Harris, Pam Tillis, Randy Scruggs with Joan Osborne, Kim Richey, Flaco Jimenez, BR5-49, Robert Earl Keen, The Road Kings, Allison Krauss, Abra Moore, Lee Roy Parnell with Keb' Mo, and a few strong performances by lesser knowns. All "name" artists provide expected contributions, and we get a peek at some underrated talent like Kim Richey, Shannon Brown, and The Road Kings.
The movie has very little to do with Texas. It's a comedy about two escaped convicts who end up in Happy, TX posing as gay pageant directors. The folks at this year's Sundance Festival called it the hit comedy of the festival. No matter what you think of the movie, you will be happy with the soundtrack where some of Texas Music's notables provide plenty of smiles. – Gary C. Moore
- Shiner Boctoberfest – October 16th featuring Robert Earl Keen, Marcia Ball, Junior Brown, George DeVore and The Roam, The Hollisters, and Tito and Tarantula. For more information, visit the Shiner site at http://www.Shiner.com
- Cactus Records 24th Anniversary—at the end of this month, Houston’s favorite independent record store celebrates its 24th anniversary. Stay tuned for details on this event not to be missed.
- Autographed Bruce Robison CD Winner – congratulations to Christi of Abbeville, LA. That’s right, she’s not from Texas, but she has great taste in music.
- Soon you can purchase your favorite Texas Music releases at SoundsLikeTexas.com. Watch for details.
This Texas Music News update brought to you by http://SoundsLikeTexas.com