Swap a CD: 15 Recently Posted CDs in Roots Rock

Various Artists - Folkways Woody Guthrie Tribute

Various Artists — 2013-05-13T22:12:54-05:00

One of the more creative, successful tribute albums, A Vision Shared was originally released to coincide with a PBS program that premiered in 1988. Packing some serious heavyweights onto one CD, the record features covers of Guthrie and Leadbelly tunes by, among others, Little Richard, Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and U2. The 14 tracks consist of mostly well known tunes, and it's fascinating to hear what the artists have done to them. Particularly exciting is a supercharged version of Leadbelly's "Rock Island Line" by Little Richard with Fishbone and U2's take on Guthrie's "Jesus Christ." --Ian Landau

Brian Setzer - Dig That Crazy Christmas

Brian Setzer — 2013-05-13T13:02:38-05:00

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Allman Brothers Band - Hittin' the Note

Allman Brothers Band — 2013-05-10T18:51:12-05:00

Very rarely is a legendary band able to come up with new, credible material. Jam band progenitors the Allman Brothers have done better than that, tapping into some of the spark that made them one of the most influential American bands of their time. The lineup has changed due to tragedy, discontent, and plain orneriness, but the band is still able to conjure up dark tales of thwarted romance, dashed ambitions, and enduring friendship and tether them to freefalling slide riffs, jazzy interludes, and soulful blues that have been staples of the band since 1969. Granted, some of the guitar solos aren't an heroic as they were when Dickey Betts in the fold, but the ballad "Desdamona" is as inspired as "Melissa," and Gregg Allman's singing has never been better. --Jaan Uhelszki

Willie Nile - Places I Have Never Been

Willie Nile — 2013-05-10T15:04:07-05:00

No Description Available. Genre: Popular Music Media Format: Compact Disk Rating: Release Date: 14-APR-2009

Sundogs - To The Bone

Sundogs — 2013-05-07T21:44:31-05:00

Exene Cervenka - Old Wives Tales

Exene Cervenka — 2013-05-07T10:37:56-05:00

Drivin N Cryin - Fly Me Courageous

Drivin N Cryin — 2013-05-02T23:07:16-05:00

Ike Reilly - Poison the Hit Parade

Ike Reilly — 2013-05-02T11:37:54-05:00

A collection of songs taken from demos from his debut "Salesmen And Racists", and alternate versions of songs from "Sparkle In The Finish" and "We Belong To The Staggering Evening", as well as a previously unreleased title track, and the poignant cancer anthem, "Dragonflies". This release continues Reilly's prolific assault with images of characters in a conflicted middle America: patriotic doubt, the celebration of life and death, high school girls in summer dresses, and more theoretical assassination attempts. "...quirky lyrics...packed with droll one-liners" - Spin. "...swaggering, street poet charisma" - Philadelphia Inquirer. "...incredibly infectious melodies and hook-laden sing-along choruses" - allmusic.com.

Various Artists - Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan

Various Artists — 2013-04-28T19:15:24-05:00

A magic night (May 11, 1995) on PBS's Austin City Limits translates superbly to disc for this heartfelt and soulful salute from a Hall of Fame crew led by B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, and Dr. John. Brother Jimmy's elegant "Texas Flood," Raitt's kick-ass "Pride and Joy," and the amiable collective jams on "Six Strings Down" and "SRV Shuffle" are all highlights. --Jeff Bateman

John Fogerty - Premonition

John Fogerty — 2013-04-23T23:30:38-05:00

The classic rock & roll of the '60s has been milked fervidly for years now as bands reform, re-record, and license their trademark tunes until the cream is squeezed from each note. Creedence Clearwater Revival's oeuvre may be the one towering songbook from its era left fallow by its creator. Until now. After shunning his classic songs for decades, Creedence chieftain John Fogerty has embraced them as if they're long lost pals. Premonition presents 18 live tracks performed last year by Fogerty and a four-piece backing group. While there's a sampling of new material, Fogerty's first live solo album is dominated by songs he recorded in a remarkable burst that ran from 1968-72. Premonition proves that Fogerty was the Chuck Berry of his period, with classic songs that are simple, yet profound. While most topical material from the Vietnam era hasn't dated well, "Fortunate Son" still pulses like an open wound, perhaps because it wasn't inspired by noble convictions so much as blunt resentment. The majestic "Who'll Stop the Rain," removed as it is from the turmoil that inspired it in the first place, now sounds almost Biblical. --Steven Stolder

Drivin N Cryin - Wrapped in Sky

Drivin N Cryin — 2013-04-21T21:02:42-05:00

The unfairness of it all. For better than a decade DNC had pursued a recklessly idiosyncratic set of conflicting impulses, equal parts metal, southern rock, bluegrass, whatever. Made no sense, but they came gloriously close to pulling it off. Finally, with Wrapped in the Sky and (briefly) a new label, they concentrated on a smaller palette of musical colors and produced their finest, most coherent album. Nobody much cared. Kevin Kinney has evolved into a fine singer and songwriter (with two splendid solo albums), a curious synthesis of everything on Georgia radio while he grew up. Bent to their task, DNC choogle and bounce and languish in the shade, gracefully framing Kinney's songs. The result is a classic, durable, proud record, and all the more so for its comparative obscurity. --Grant Alden

Sugar Mountain - In the Raw

Sugar Mountain — 2013-04-21T21:01:06-05:00

Lucinda Williams - World Without Tears

Lucinda Williams — 2013-04-10T22:04:26-05:00

Most artists who appeal to adult listeners tend to settle into a comfortable niche, but Lucinda Williams refuses to play it safe. Instead, her music stings like an open wound, as she continues to strip away the protective layers from her art's emotional core. Though Williams has long been prized for the naked honesty of her music, this collection is even rawer than its predecessors. From the down-and-dirty bar-band blues of "Atonement" to the Rolling Stones-style swagger of "Bleeding Fingers" to the tricky balance of debasement and transcendence in "Ventura," Williams leaves the nerve endings of her music exposed. With the band opting for first-take immediacy rather than polish, some of the most powerful material is also the neediest, as the singer addresses lovers who have disrespected her ("Righteously") or abandoned her ("Those Three Days," "Minneapolis"). Though her attempts at rap on "Sweet Side" and "American Dream" might cause diehard fans to wince, her willingness to take creative chances reaffirms her position at the vanguard of a rootsy progressivism that transcends musical category. Simply put, there's more Patti Smith in her than there is Patsy Cline. --Don McLeese

Maddy Prior Martin Carthy Shawn Colvin Loudon Wainwright III Beausoleil David Byrne Syd Straw Bonnie Raitt REM June Tabor - Beat the Retreat

2013-04-09T10:47:50-05:00

Import reissue of this 1994 tribute to Folk/Rock singer/songwriter Richard Thompson. Features faithful covers and reinterpretations by X, R.E.M., Dinosaur Jr., Graham Parker, June Tabor, Los Lobos, David Byrne, Maddy Prior & Martin Carthy, Bonnie Raitt and more. EMI.

Chris Isaak - Chris Isaak

Chris Isaak — 2013-04-07T21:07:05-05:00

Just before all commercial hell broke loose for Chris Isaak, he made another record drenched in reverb, salty tears (he'll have you believe his heart is forever being broken), and the scent of lust. Ignoring the wave of pop and punk-inspired rock that was gaining notice in the late '80s, Isaak continued in his adoration for artists like Roy Orbison and Elvis (uh, Presley), and wailed on "Cryin'," "Lie to Me," and "You Owe Me Some Kind of Love." Isaak's bad-boy tease is irresistible on "Lover's Game," and he exudes a hopeful, endearing optimism on "This Love Will Last." His classic "Blue Hotel" steals the show (he should have earned his fame on this track instead of "Wicked Game"), and his cover of "Heart Full of Soul" (originally done by the Yardbirds) is faithful and passionate. --Lorry Fleming