Carolyn Wonderland "Judgement Day Blues"

The first time I saw the name Carolyn Wonderland was on a Stubb’s marquee back when I first started going to SXSW. I would travel from gig to gig, sometimes only seeing one or two songs from an artist before I moved on to the next. I used to jump taxis, hitch rides, walk, pedicab, whatever it took to get to the next thing highlighted in yellow on my schedule. So I had plans, and didn’t detour to go see Carolyn play, though I was totally intrigued by her name. That year, back at work, I did some research. She is from Houston, she is an evocative guitar player, with an expressive voice. She is fun, she is serious, and she rocks. Now you know I like that.

© Todd V. WolfsonFour years ago, I had Carolyn come to Threadgill’s back room to tape an audio segment for X Country. I booked her back to back with Bonnie Bramlett (yes, of Delaney and Bonnie.) I don’t know if anything came out of that, but I wanted them to know about each other. Same thing with Joe Ely and Jason Eady that year, I booked them back to back, and that yielded some gigs for Jason to open for Joe. LOVE that! It was a joy and a pleasure to bring Carolyn Wonderland back this March, during the Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s. Carolyn is an Austin treasure, and always delivers an exceptional show. Also, a 'not to miss' is the Christmas show she does with Guy Forsyth, which, thankfully, was recorded and released last year under the title Fireside Songs For The Soul.

Today marks the release of Carolyn’s new album Peace Meal, her follow up to 2008’s album, Miss Understood. We go back a bit further for today’s song, which is from 2003’s Bloodless Revolution. Here is “Judgment Day Blues” with Cole El-Saleh and Rob Hooper.

 -Jessie Scott

Michael Fracasso "Elizabeth Lee"

Back in the saddle in Austin, savoring the few days in New Orleans. It has been a mighty fine run of music this last week. On Thursday in Bywater, we went to see Kermit Ruffins rip it up at the dive bar, Vaughan’s Lounge.  Kermit keeps the NOLA tradition alive, mixing up R&B, Jazz and Dixieland to a joyous packed house. Friday night found us at the Dale Watson show at the legendary Rock N’ Bowl, Texas Two-Stepping with a cast of characters of every description. Dale was particularly relaxed and in fine spirits. It was great to see him in a different city. This was my first time back to Rock 'n' Bowl since they reopened on Carrollton Avenue in 2009. Good to see New Orleans having some normalcy and the hope for a better future.

Then last night, at my School Night Sessions at Threadgill’s, we were happy to welcome a song swap from Michael Fracasso and John Fullbright. What a night! Beautiful songs, beautiful voices, and a very appreciative audience. And why not? John Fullbright is biding his time, growing, writing, becoming. One day, he will be an overnight sensation. Michael has been at it since he left his native Ohio for the bohemian folk scene in New York City in 1979. In 1990, he moved to Austin, where he was able to make a home for his  sophisticated yet earthy music. We filmed him at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival in May. He touched our hearts, and turned our blood to ice water with this, a mill murder ballad. It can be found on his latest CD, Saint Monday, his eighth, which came out in April. This is the Music Fog version of “Elizabeth Lee.”

-Jessie Scott

Miss Tess & The Bon Ton Parade "New Orleans"

New Orleans. We are driving around town listening to the soul of the city, community radio WWOZ. Between the funky oldies and the Dixieland and the Louis Armstrong – the cool horns, the hot Hammond B3, the licks and the grooves, I am in musical heaven just from the radio.  We took a drive into the bayou, to Morgan City, for some sightseeing, to the mouth of the Atchafalaya, and then paralleled the Mississippi River for a while.  Levees to the left. Poverty, oil fields and plantations to the right.  Why is life so unbalanced? But the overarching principle here, is to enjoy the moment no matter who you are or what you have got.  

"New Orleans” comes from Miss Tess and The Bon Ton Parade.  They recorded it for the Music Fog cameras a year ago in March at Threadgill’s.  The ease and spirit that this song embodies is the prevailing wind of the Big Easy.  There is a sassiness, a certainty, and an innuendo to it all, that is assured, insinuating, and I must say, very appealing.  Miss Tess and the band are gigging, if you want some more.  And Miss Tess has a throw down every Wednesday via YouTube, where she challenges you to give her a tune to cover.  She takes song requests in order, learns the song, videotapes it wherever and with whoever she feels like playing with. Cool. “New Orleans” now from Miss Tess and the Bon Ton Parade, as I bid NOLA adieu.

- Jessie Scott