Kasey Anderson "I Was A Photograph"

Walter Reed Army Medical Center retired its ceremonial flags on Wednesday, after 102 years. The services rendered there will be transferred to two other Washington DC area facilities. This is essential and noble work - the healing and mending of our warriors returning from oversees. The members of our armed forces have been sworn to uphold the Constitution, and they have sacrificed limb, sanity, and life, to keep America safe, strong and free. It is a travesty when we as citizens, don’t uphold our sacred pledge to take care of these brave souls when they come home.

Corporal Miller on Fallujah roof top - Photo by Luis Sinco, See original LA Times video here.

We had Kasey Anderson come to our Music Fog sessions over a year ago in March at Threadgill’s. He delivered a remarkable set. Since then, he has put out another record, Heart Of A Dog, which arrived in February. A year before that he released Nowhere Nights, which had a particularly haunting tune on it called “I Was A Photograph.” Kasey dedicated it to Marine Lance Corporal James Blake Miller whose image was made famous when a his photo was published in 150 newspapers around the country in 2004. Due to Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, his life has come apart at the seams. Where is the help for him, and where was the help for those returning from Vietnam? Who are we, that allow our tax dollars to be used for war, but don’t take care of our returning veterans. Here are Kasey Anderson, Dan Lowinger, Sean Cronin, and Julian Macdonough with “I Was A Photograph.”

-Jessie Scott

Update on 2011-11-05 03:11 by Music Fog

The Music Fog version of this song is now available to download at either of the stores below:

Corb Lund "R-E-G-R-E-T"

I have had a lovely week of music so far. OK, here is the skinny. You know that I am living in Austin, and that Threadgill’s has been a home to me for about a decade now. So I am doing a new series that is not a Music Fog thing, so no, you won’t see any videos of it. But Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights I am booking the talent, and hanging out for the School Night Sessions. It ends early enough to get you home in time for a good night’s sleep before work or school the next day. Sweet. And the first three days of this new series,  Beck & Cauthen, the Garrett LeBeau Band with Jamie Oldaker, and Dustin Welch with Brandy Zdan performed, and it was mighty fine stuff. You know I have been sitting in bars and venues since I was fifteen years old. Some people would say that they are done with that lifestyle. But for me, MUSIC is what it is. I am happy in real time, sitting and absorbing it all. Though there have been times in my life where I have had the realization that I have spent an inordinate amount of time in saloon settings. And that can be a hard thing for many.

We recorded Corb Lund solo during the Americana Fest in Nashville. He sings a song about being in exile in a bar, but he is not happy. R-E-G-R-E-T. He spells it out. I am not certain that this tune has ever found its way to an album, yet. This is a sorrowful country tune. Folks ain’t writing them much like this anymore. Simple. Heartfelt. Heartbreaking. Corb Lund is the whole package. He can write sad, and he can write funny. He is a wonderful musician, and an exceptional performer. Get to know him as he travels.

-Jessie Scott

David Olney "These Boots Are Made For Walking"

The NFL players have resumed training as of this morning, and yes, there will be a Pro Football season this year. I am a football addict, so this is great news, but moreover, I am happy that someone was able to NEGOTIATE a COMPROMISE solution to a problem. Remember? That is how America USED to work. Sure wish we could make it work again. We have fences to mend and no side has all the answers. We are a better country for our points of view, for our ability to reach consensus. That is what the founding fathers intended with the different branches of government, the parties, the concept of advise and consent. We are supposed to deliberate. We are supposed to be grown up. It is not-my way or the highway.

Nor is it “These Boots Are Made For Walking.” Though I did find an incredibly tasty version of that classic from David Olney. Shhh, I actually like his version better. The video is complete with the obligatory go-go dancers, and what with a come-hither Olney, it is a delectable treat. It has been 45 years since the original song and video to support it was put out by Nancy Sinatra. And it coincides, though isn’t included in, the release of the new 5 song EP from David Olney album Film Noir, which hit the street in May. David Olney is pure scowling magic here.” Are ya ready boots…?”

-Jessie Scott