GRASCALS NEW RELEASE WORTHWHILE

I have been guilty of not being on the Grascals bandwagon in the past. While I enjoy the raw talent they possess, I have often criticized their latest releases as being to clean or over-produced for bluegrass music.
What I enjoy about bluegrass is the energy. It is pure...driven from the instrumentals or vocal harmonies...and include lyrics that I can relate to in every day life. The Grascals have been pushed to the top of the bluegrass charts for a few years now, and get the most recognition. This is perhaps why I have not been fully behind them...there are so many other similarly talented bluegrass groups and musicians out there that never receive half the recognition a Grascals release does.
With their latest release titled "When I Get My Pay", they still have a few songs that shine a bit too brightly...the "American Pickers" song with guest Dierks Bentley perhaps leads this group...but there are a few songs here that deserve to be heard by any bluegrass fan.
The title cut which leads off the record is a good one. Most people can relate to the troubles of being broke come pay day...and the harmonies here are tight. With Kristen Scott Benson driving the beat on banjo throughout the record, there are some toe tappers that will have you playing this one again and again.
What perhaps stands out to me as the best song on the record, is the poignant "Silver Strands", written by Sharon Higgins, Billy Smith, and Terry Smith, who of course plays base and sings harmony for the Grascals. This touching song resonates within me...and I am sure you will enjoy it. Jamie Johnson and Terry Eldridge do a great job with the vocals, and Danny Roberts mandolin along with Jeremy Abshire on fiddle make this one a keeper.

BOTTLE ROCKETS CD SET YOU TRULY NEED

Bloodshot Records is releasing a great music package on November 19th that any true music lover will enjoy. The Bottle Rockets hit the music scene in the early 90's. Their style was unlike any other, and soon garnered a large following mostly by word of mouth...and other artists who knew a good thing when they heard it. This deluxe two CD set containing digitally remastered and expanded editions of the Roots Rock band's seminal releases The Bottle Rockers (1993) and The Brooklyn Side (1995). The package includes 19 previously unreleased tracks from the era these original recordings were made, along with an exhaustive 40 page booklet detailing the band and the scene, at the time. Both albums (including all 19 bonus tracks) have been painstakingly remastered by famed producer and musician Eric "Roscoe" Ambel.
This is a vast collection of music that needs to be heard. Brian Henneman's versions of "Indianapolis" and "Thousand Dollar Car" have long been among my favorites. With this release you get acoustic and full band versions of select songs...which allows you to dig deeper and hear the true roots of this legendary music.
The Bottle Rockets have been compared to ground breaking alt-country groups such as Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown, or Drive By Truckers. However, I truly feel that comparison falls short of what the Bottle Rockets accomplished during these times. Their music had much more depth, diversity, and true life within it.
You get it all here...from acoustic...to alt-country...to even a Jim Morrison/Jimmi Hendrix/The Doors full out blitz. Attempting to fully review such a release here is unfair. This is a plethora music that deserves to stand on its own and be heard...and enjoyed. Trust me...you will fully.

HAVE OUR MUSIC OPTIONS CHANGED FOREVER?

With the growth of such internet options as Spotify, have our options on choices of ownership in music changed? ITunes also is yet another of these ventures which offer music on line, without anything physical to touch such as a CD or record. Will my cd collection become much like the 8 track tapes of the past..useless?
I have yet to enter the 21st Century on many levels. In fact, I could say I am holding onto the 40's,50's,and 60's fairly hard by trying to increase my vinyl record collection. However, even today when I find new music I wish to purchase, I think CD...not download. I want to read the liner notes...see who wrote the songs I enjoy. I have found so many new artists through the years by doing just that...seeing who wrote the song and doing some research to find more from them. With the age of downloads, where does this research become possible? Will the songwriter live anonomously? That irritates me...for it is the writer who deserves much praise in my opinion.
So...I am curious...am I the only one? How have you managed to adjust? What avenues do you use today and enjoy most? I need help...and hope to hear from others on this subject.

CMA AWARD SHOW ALWAYS "INTERESTING"

I must admit, I try to watch the CMA Award show each year just to see what they are passing off as "country music" today. I honestly never listen to public radio, only hear an occasional song while passing through a store or friends house. So, the CMA's allow me to catch up...and normally laugh at what they are awarding these days in Nashville.
Last night was not disappointing, although I must admit I was pleasantly surprised with George Strait winning the Entertainer Award, plus the good rendition of "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by Strait and Alan Jackson in honor of George Jones.
The musical performances were hit and miss for me, enjoying the Kasey Musgraves song perhaps best. While I also enjoyed The Zac Brown performance with Dave Grohl, it was far from what I would call country music, but very entertaining. Also must give a nod to Jason Aldeans performance as well, it was tolerable. As for the Eric Church song...well...lets just say I see why he was fired as an opening act for going too long. The poignant moment with Luke Bryan seemed a bit forced and disingenuous to me.
Finally, there were three "uncomfortable" moments which I must address. The Taylor Swift/Alison Krauss/Vince Gill/Sam Bush acoustic version of "Red" was embarrassing. The vocals for Krauss and Gill were not even audible...wonder if this was intentional so you could not compare Swift's vocals with the talented duo. Speaking of duos, the matching of Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert was not good. While each has talent, they do not mesh at all. Then there was the train wreck with Hunter Hayes and Jason Mraz. I was surprised to see Mraz, his talents are exceptional but not country. Same could be said of Hayes...but leave out the "talent" part. He was so far off key it hurt. Even Mraz could not wait for it to be over.
Once again, I watch these shows...see who is awarded for what...shake my head...and say "These people could not hold a candle to the talents of Chris Knight". Then I close my eyes and see the image of Charlie Rich burning the award announcement of John Denver many years ago as Entertainer of the Year...and say "Charlie, wish you were here to burn a few more".