Album Review - Reckless Kelly Was Here

So i'm going to try something different. This is a first attempt at writing an album review. The idea, at least as I imagine it, is that as I gather music throughout the year (and I gather a lot of it) I figure I can write up a review of each album as I listen to it and post a review here for all to see. With that being said, here's my first review.

Reckless Kelly – Reckless Kelly Was Here
MySpace Music Genre(s): Country/Rock/Jam Band
Release Date: Aug. 8, 2006
Label: Sugar Hill Records

Every now and then I stumble across a band that makes me go "How did I not know about these guys already?" Reckless Kelly is one of those bands. The band, based out of Austin, Texas, has been around since the late 90's and have released in the area of 8 or 9 albums. "Reckless Kelly Was Here," a double CD set that also comes with a bonus DVD, is the bands second live album, the first being an acoustic album called "Live From Stubb's." So this album was the bands first full-fledged electric live album. Well needless to say they NAILED it.

The album starts off with an adrenaline charged tracked from their last studio album (Wicked Twisted Road) called "Sixgun." Whoever made the choice to use this as the opening song on the album made an excellent decision, cause not only does it set the tone for the album but it gets the crowd revved up, which is important for any live album. They keep the action coming with a cover of Alejandro Escovedo's "Castanets" and Reckless Kelly originals "Motel Cowboy Show" and "I Still Do."

The fifth song on the album, one you'd know if you've listened to bluegrass for any length of time, is called "1952 Vincent Black Lightning." I've heard several different versions of this song and while this isn't my favorite (that goes to The Del McCoury Band) its still a great cover of a great song. This is followed up with a song I could see being played in any Irish pub in New England, and the song that ties for my favorite on the album, "Seven Nights in Eire."

The band slows it done a touch with a new one called "Break My Heart Tonight" (the band also includes the studio version of this and another song on the album, "Wiggles & Ritalin," on this collection) followed up by another band original "Nobody's Girl." The other song that is a tie for my favorite on the album is actually a medley featuring the songs "Hey Say May" and "Guacamole." One is a rock song, while the other is more of a lower Texas/Mexican line dancing song, sorta. It's hard to describe. They close the first of the two discs with what the band called their own name dropping song, "Vancouver."

The second disc is kicked off by another rocker, "Wiggles & Ritalin" followed by the slower "Wild Western Windblown Band." They pick it up a bit on the foot stomping "Baby's Gone Blues" before slowing down again with one of the band's live favorites "Wicked Twisted Road" from the album of the same name. The band then pulls out all the stops on the final two songs on the album, presenting a hard charging version of their song "Crazy Eddie's Last Hurrah" and then closing with a surprise, a cover of The Beatles "Revolution." All in all, a great live set from a great band. I plan to buy more from this band in the future, as a matter of fact, I already have. I expect the bands last studio album in the mail anytime now. If you like great country rock or rock country or whatever you want to call it, check out Reckless Kelly and this album. You won't be disappointed.

So what do you think? Good? Bad? Let me know.

Honoring our forefathers

I saw a story today about the oldest living World War I veteran dieing at the age of 109. Stirs up some memories of my grandfather, Austin "Bud" James Fenwick, who fought in World War II. A week or two ago while running some errands in Columbus, NC (the county seat of Polk County) I decided to make a quick stop at the Veterans Memorial in town (which can be seen at left).

In any case, I felt the need to see my Grandfather's brick. Some years ago when they first decided to create this memorial my father put down the money to have a brick made for Pop Pop (what we called our Grandfather). It took several years and a lot of money and donations but the memorial finally got built. And my Grandfather finally got the recognition he deserved for his sacrifice.

I felt the need to put this up, because the Holiday season is about many things, but most of all I think about those I care about, regardless if they still walk this earth or not. So Pop Pop, I hope were ever you may be your Christmas is as merry as it can possibly be and know that your family is thinking about you this holiday season. God Bless Austin "Bud" James Fenwick, World War II veteran and one of the most stubborn men I think I've ever met. We miss you.

Top music of 2007

So I was sitting at my desk reading through several popular stories floating around the internet when I stumbled across Stephen King's favorite music from 2007. Reading that got me thinking about what I felt like were my favorite albums of 2007. With that being said, here they are.

Scott Miller & The Commonwealth - Reconstruction

I had never heard of this band or this album until sometime early this year. I had stopped by to talk to some friends at WNCW and they played a song on the air while I was in the studio called "I Made A Mess Of This Town" from this album. I asked who it was and where I could get it. They just happaned to have an extra copy lying around and they gave it to me. What a great album. From "I Made A Mess Of This Town" to "Eight Miles Per Gallon" to "Drunk All Around This Town" this album was just an outstanding album. Oh, did I mention it was recorded live?

Tater - Where The Metal Meets The Grass ... Live

Folks from and around Shelby known who this band is. Tater, based in Shelby, has a rockbluegrasscountryalt band that is all about having fun and this live release from this is no exception. Recorded and released by the band in less then two weeks, this album debuts a lot of new material by the band, including the opening track "Anatomy." Just a great album, no questions asked.

Jason Isbell - Sirens Of The Ditch

Jason Isbell, a former member of Southern Rock band the Drive-By Truckers, released his first solo-album this year and boy was it a great album. Several tracks on this album just blew me away, including songs like "Down In A Hole" and "Brand New Kind Of Actress." The two best songs on the album are "Chicago Promenade," a tribute to his grandfather, and "Dress Blues," a song written in honor of a friend he graduated with in high school who died while fighting in Iraq. I'd recommend this album to anyone.

Warren Haynes presents the Benefit Concert Volume 2

This one is sorta special to my family. Every year in Asheville Warren Haynes (of Gov't Mule, The Allman Brothers Band fame) holds what is called the Christmas Jam. He invites all of his friends to come play for a good cause. All money once they break even is given to Habitat For Humanity. This recording is from 12th Annual Event in 2000, which my mother and father just happaned to have attended. My father and I still think you can hear my mother whistling near the end of Gov't Mule & Dave Schools' cover of the Tom Waits song "Goin' out West." Great sets from The Bottle Rockets and the Chris Duarte Group are also highlights on this album. As I understand it the plan is to eventually release all of the shows from 1999 forward (1999 and 2000 are already available) and I can't wait, because I was at all but two of those shows between 2001 and now.

There are of course many more albums and songs that I really enjoyed from 2007 but these are the four that really stick out in my mind. 2008 is looking to be a great year for music already as well, with the Drive-By Truckers and the North Mississippi Allstars planning releases in January. Boy, I can't wait!