Reckless Kelly "I've Done Everything I Could Do Wrong"

Cody and Willy Braun long wanted to do an album of Pinto Bennett tunes, he of the craggy face and straight ahead honky tonk lyricism. On Reckless Kelly's latest album, Somewhere in Time, they finally got the chance to pay homage to Pinto, who offered guidance to them early on. Talking with Cody in advance of the CD coming out, he wondered whether it would be accepted by radio, as it had more of a country feel than what Reckless Kelly is usually known for. As the album debuted in early February, and is still on the Americana Radio Chart four months later, I would have to say that its country vibe has not been a barrier to entry. Of course, even prior to saluting Pinto with an album of his music, was the song "Motel Cowboy Show," which honors him in their own words.

The Reckless tour of world domination continues. There was another Celebrity Softball Jam (and game) in April at Dell Diamond, outside of Austin, in Round Rock. A spectacular event with so many artists that it was dizzying! And not to mention a baseball game which included awesomely serious uniforms! Next, there is the upcoming Braun Brothers Reunion in Challis, Idaho, August 12-14 which features Reckless Kelly, Micky And The Motorcars, Randy Rodgers Band, Asleep At the Wheel, Cody Canada, Hayes Carll, Slaid Cleaves, The Braun Family, Billy Joe Shaver, Two Tons of Steel, Frim Fram Four, and Jason Boland.

Stripping it down to just Cody and Willy Braun here, from MusicFest at Steamboat Springs, Cody takes the helm for this tune, "I've Done Everything I Could Do Wrong."

- Jessie Scott

The Blue Shadows "Deliver Me"

How did we all miss this the first time around? Not that it surprises me that much, there is always stuff which deserves to be heard but never finds light of day, for one reason or another. The Blue Shadows debut album came out in 1993, but was never released in the United States. The group formed in Vancouver in the early 1990's with singer/guitarist Billy Cowsill, yes, of The Cowsills, he began his career as leader of that legendary pop group, Canadian roots rocker Jeffrey Hatcher, who went on to front Jeffrey Hatcher & the Big Beat, drummer J.B. Johnson, and bassist Elmar Spanier. Sadly, Cowsill passed in 2006, and one of his last wishes was for a reissue of On the Floor of Heaven so it could find a wider audience. That day is coming, as the CD will be released on June 15th in the U.S. Here is a taste of what we were missing. Check out this vintage video clip done circa 1994 for the song, "Deliver Me."

- Jessie Scott

The Wronglers "Brown's Dream/Boatsman"

Funny stuff. When The Wronglers were looking for a name, the San Francisco based bluegrassy outfit did a twisted take on the Wrangler Jeans brand, another San Francisco based company. They have put forth that theirs is 'simple music made by complicated people.' After they performed on the Music Fog stage at Threadgill's, I jumped up to thank them, and Warren Hellman turned to me in a 'stage aside' and asked me how much he could pay me for us not to post the video. He was kidding. I almost expected him to play the show with his back to the audience.

I herald The Wronglers for following their hearts to play the music they love, which grew out of several of them taking lessons from the same teacher, who recommended that it would be beneficial if they learned to play together. I heard at some point during SXSW 2010 that someone introduced Warren as the banjo player from The Wronglers. (No banjo jokes, please!) He beamed. By the way, this past March was actually the first time they have been in Austin to play SXSW. They followed with an appearance at Old Settler's a month ago. They, however, are no strangers to events, playing home base at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park since 2006. Yes, it is funded by Warren Hellman, and the free concert is his gift to the citizens of San Francisco. I have been drooling over the lineup for years. Maybe this year I will make it there. The lineup has not yet been announced, but we will let you know when it is. The lineup for The Wronglers? That's easy! Warren Hellman (banjo, vocals), Nate Levine (guitar, vocals), Heidi Clare (fiddle), Krista Martin (fiddle), Bill Martin (mando), and Colleen Browne (bass, vocals). Sweet stuff indeed!

- Jessie Scott