Myk Gordon "What Does That Say?"

Myk Gordon. He spells it funny, but actually it's just about phonetic. It is pronounced Mike. I just fell down a Wiki rabbit hole researching the name and all its derivatives in languages all over the world. There is a treasure trove of Michael names: Misha and Mikhail in Russia, Meik in Germany, Miquel in Catalan, Miko in Slavic; the list goes on and on. It is originally a Hebrew name, and first shows up in the Bible in Numbers 13:13. The name Michael has been the first or second most popular baby name in the United States since 1954, and is in the top 50 in England and Wales, The Philippines, Finland, Denmark, Ireland, Mexico, and Canada.

Vancouver, British Columbia singer/songwriter Myk Gordon teamed up with GRAMMY® award winning producer Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, Jackie Greene), to produce Myk's latest CD, Set Free. It was recorded in an abandoned Masonic temple in North Portland, Oregon with engineer/bassist Jim Brunberg, guitarist Paul Rigby, pedal steel player Jon Rauhouse, and drummer Drew Shoals, all of whom put their mark on the album's 10 tracks, a classic country-soul hybrid. Those involved think that the building's haunting beauty and mysterious vibe somehow permeated the recording, making it ethereal and timeless. With his six independent releases, he has built a respected following, and Myk has shared the stage with some of our heroes along the way; folks like Emmylou Harris, Ron Sexsmith, and Joan Osborne.

We filmed Myk during our recording sessions at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville several weeks ago. Here's a timeless version of "What Does That Say?" from the album Set Free.

- Jessie Scott

Paul Thorn "It's a Great Day to Whup Somebody's Ass"

What a weekend of music in Austin, as Denise and I headed to the Asleep At The Wheel 40th Anniversary Concert at The Long Center on Friday night. We were singing and dancing in our chairs to "Miles And Miles Of Texas," "Bump Bounce Boogie," "Choo Choo Ch' Boogie," "Roly Poly," "Route 66," and on and on, for an evening's worth of magnificent Western Swing. What a band! Multiple players for each instrument, as The Wheel brought back past members to share the stage with current ones. Leon Rausch guested, and then Willie Nelson took center stage with Brother Ray and reprised songs from his great American songbook, and then there was Willie and The Wheel stuff. It was an amazing night, and they videoed it, too, so here's hoping we'll see it in the not too distant future. Afterwards, I headed to Emo's for Ha Ha Tonka, and they were FAB! Edgy but tuneful, with really interesting time signatures. Inventive, articulate, and fun.

Saturday night was the dedication of the patio at the Saxon Pub to the late Stephen Bruton, and then a set from Malford Milliigan, who was so obviously touched by Stephen's music. Rockin' and soulful.

Then, last night at Threadgill's, there was a tribute to Gram Parsons, who would have celebrated a birthday last Friday, so Patterson Barrett saluted him with help from members of Stonehoney and The Mother Truckers, Michael Fracasso, Freddie Steady Krc and Cam King, Idgy Vaughn and lots of others.

I feel so lucky that I get to immerse myself in the music. It is such a treasure, and such a motivator for me. I guess the only thing is that I miss having a radio station to play this sumptuous smorgasbord. Wish I could be sticking it all in your ear! Here is another of my most favorites, Paul Thorn. From the sublime to the ridiculous, and this one is from the latter category. He never put this song on an album, but during one of the sessions he did for X Country at XM, with a twinkle in his eye, he played it for us. I had never heard it before, and when he was done singing, he said the phones would go nuts. And they did. He didn't really want to sing it for the Music Fog cameras, because it perpetuates an unfortunate stereotype, but I begged him. So, it seems appropriate to celebrate our 500th video with this exclusive tune, "It's A Great Day To Whup Somebody's Ass." Amen.

- Jessie Scott

Eric Brace & Peter Cooper "Suffer a Fool"

I was in the kitchen, preparing dinner, thinking about how it summons memories. I was cooking chicken with capers, artichokes, and mushrooms with oregano, basil, and parsley. Garlic and shallots. Yum. Thinking about my Mom, who always made sure to serve an appetizer course: melon in summer, grapefruit in winter; tomato juice if the fruit wasn't worthy. It was a three course meal every night. This also makes me think of my son, who learned early to use a French Chef's knife to slam garlic cloves. And who acquired a deft sense for seasoning, and is not afraid of the creativity. The decades march with skills handed down, food as connective tissue between the generations.

I am listening to perfect food prep music; Eric Brace and Peter Cooper doing the song "Suffer a Fool," which is from their new Master Sessions CD. It is an album that has an authentic 70's sound in the very best way, that honors the tradition being true to the flavors, the textures and the composition. And oh, the glorious pedal steel, provided by instrumental hero Lloyd Green, and the incredible Mike Auldridge on dobro. Oddly enough, though both these guys were admirers of each other, until this album, they had never been together on one. This is one of two CDs that have just come out, Eric and Peter putting their names on the first, Master Sessions, and Peter Cooper with Lloyd Green on the second, The Lloyd Green Album. I just cruised through that, too. Pay special attention to "The Last Laugh," a co-write between Peter and Todd Snider. Hell, buy 'em both!

When we are in the force field of the same event, or the general geographic city or region of Eric Brace and Peter Cooper, they have a standing invite to come before the Music Fog cameras. We like them to bat clean-up. Though this time, we had to settle for it being just on the last day, not the very last set. It was Saturday morning at the Sweet Suite in the Sheraton Nashville Downtown, during Americana Fest. They didn't bring the gang, just their enigmatic selves, and that is always a treat in itself.

- Jessie Scott