Amy Speace "Manila Street"

I am ever struck as I sit in the midst of marvelous music, at just how many talented creatures I encounter on an almost daily basis. Every single person that came to play my concert series this week at Threadgill’s, The School Night Sessions, was incredible. On Sunday night we had the fabulous harmony of Texas Renegade. Monday night was an in the round with Raina Rose, Will T. Massey, and Mack Fockler. All were wonderful, all were entities unto themselves. And Tuesday night brought Ali Holder and The Broken Hearted, and the mercurial John Evans. There is so much talent around, that it is an even bigger shame that radio doesn’t feature folks like this. There is something so soul satisfying about connecting with music that can move you.

I think that is why I am bummed that I didn’t get to go to Folk Alliance, besides seeing friends, of course. So much music, the communication raw and real and high touch. Amy Speace didn’t make it to Folk Alliance last week either. She was doing a tour in Colorado, including playing the Historic Boulder Theater with Judy Collins. Good thing that there are more dates coming with Miss Collins later in March. Two glorious songbirds; what a well matched evening’s entertainment. We bring you vintage Amy today, from our Americana Music Association sessions from the previous event year, September 2010, to be exact. As I recall, it was very early in the morning when Amy showed up, and drenched us in elegance and sorrow with a song of lost love, “Manila Street.”

- Jessie Scott

Dirty River Boys "Carnival Lights"

This has been a crazy week as Music Fog barrels down on the final touches preparing our live webcast for the Spring Music Fog Marathon in Austin, at Threadgill’s. There are deadlines to hit, tickets to book, lines to install, plus all the usual other stuff that crashes into one’s consciousness via email, text and phone. My wanderlust is getting to me, though. Instead of being nose to the grindstone, as I have had to be, I really just want to jump in my car, blast the radio, (or iPod) and take off for parts unknown. Having time to tool around, have lunch in some historic town where there is plenty to explore - I guess it will have to wait until after the Marathon is done. We are getting ready to unveil our Music Fog Marathon line-up for the four days from Wednesday March 14 to Saturday March 17. Wow, that is just two weeks away. I am especially thankful to know that 200 people helped us make this event a reality through our Kickstarter campaign. Thanks to you all! We can’t wait to bring it!

We Foggers are on a mission to bring you cool music. Someone has to do it, ya know? A year ago during MusicFest at Steamboat Springs, we met the Dirty River Boys from the west Texas town of El Paso. They have had a meteoric year, touring all over the place and adding a fourth player on upright bass – Colton James. Nino Cooper, Marco Gutierrez and Travis Stearns bring the joy here as we saved one of their songs from way back in January of 2011. By the way, they are also doing a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds for their next album. They have until April 22 to hit their goal. If you can help, they would totally appreciate it. We know how that goes.

Here is the Music Fog recording of “Carnival Lights” from our Steamboat sessions, a tune you can find on their EP, Long Cold Fall.

-Jessie Scott

Chip Taylor "F**ck All The Perfect People"

I admire Chip Taylor for all that he has done in an illustrious career that spans the decades. Even more, it is amazing what he has been up to of late. He just got back from a tour of Sweden and Norway in frigid temperatures which included performances at prisons. Chip’s globetrotting is an inspiration, and his continuing thirst to create is a thing of wonder. I don’t know if you have checked out the website that Chip started a while back called Rock and Roll Joe: A Tribute To The Unsung Heroes of Rock N’ Roll. It shines lights on lesser known, yet influential characters that occupy the dark corners of our musical history. There are essays from Chip and others, and word is that Rosanne Cash and Buddy Miller will be adding some reflections to the site soon.

Last year, Chip released an album on Smithsonian/Folkways, Golden Kids Rule by Chip Taylor & The Grandkids. Yes, it really does feature his three granddaughters, Riley, Kate and Samantha. It gave Chip the opportunity to mentor and collaborate, celebrating  love of family and their communal music. And not to go from the sacred to the profane, but today is the day that the new album, F**ck All The Perfect People comes out. Chip recorded it  with the New Ukrainians, his Scandinavian touring band. The album features longtime guitarist John Platania and keyboardist Goran Grini along with bassist Bjorn Petterson, guitarist Orjan Maki, drummer Magnus Olsson and additional musicians. The video for the title track was directed by Juno Award winner Jeth Weinrich. There is also a ‘clean’ version; “Screw All The Perfect People.” (Whew!)

-Jessie Scott