Chris Berardo & The DesBerardos "Old Man's Eyes"

I landed in the bread basket of California, Sacramento, with flat valley agriculture giving way to orchards, and scrub brush, and then the majesty of Plumas Canyon. Tall mountains graced with huge pine trees bearing silent witness. Honestly, there were places along the winding road that I was sure grateful for the guard rails. And there was a suspension bridge which I was happy to only cross once, as it felt shaky under the wheels. But once again, when seeing terrain this imposing, it is hard not to think about the folks who took the chance and crossed this vast land, not having any idea what they would encounter. Generations were shaped by their experience and undaunted spirit. That is our legacy as Americans.

Chris Berardo is built from that stern stuff.  He is pushing the rock up the hill, with the aid of his intrepid band, including his brother Marc Douglas Berardo.  On a recent swing through Texas, the Berardos were joined on stage by legendary producer Eric Roscoe Ambel.  And something else, the guys are SO funny, I mean laugh out loud comedic stuff, which makes hanging out with them a treat in itself.  They are working on tracks for a new album, today we have the song "Old Man's Eyes" as we revisit our Music Fog session from a year ago March at Threadgill's.

- Jessie Scott

Uncle Lucius "I Am You"

Often my point of view is defined as much by my boundaries, as it is by my position.  I have been in Austin a couple of years now, and pretty much have been going to the same restaurants.  Nothing wrong with that, but you know how easy it is to get into a rut.  Mine has been Tex Mex, one of the two hugely celebrated cuisines here, the other, of course, being barbecue.  Being so close to the border, with so many many Mexican families that called Texas home long before it became a republic, Tex Mex is the local flavor.  Recently, there is another label that has been dancing on the edge of my consciousness, Interior Mexican, especially one of my favorite Mexican cuisines, Yucatecan.  Fortunately, we have several glorious restaurants that specialize in it, like Polvos and Sazon and El Chile, so I've been able to go exploring right here in Austin.

"Pushing boundaries" is an interesting concept when applied to the band Uncle Lucius.  Are they "Southern Rock?" Or "Southern Boogie," as we called it back in the day?  Are they a jam band, or does their R&B, or Country, or Rock and Roll flavor define them?  And does any of it even matter, when they can just whip you into a frenzy when you see them live.  So whatever border you are near; whether urban or rural, Mason or Dixon, Canadian or Mexican, there is something for you here.  Today, it's a brand new tune from Uncle Lucius from the Music Fog Marathon in March at Threadgill’s WHQ, crossing the ultimate border - that of ourselves. “I Am You.” Catch them in concert near you soon.

- Jessie Scott

Amy Speace "It's Too Late To Call It A Night"

I went to the friendly neighborhood mall today, and was set on by some of the kiosk folks, promising collagen production, lifted skin and your basic “youth in a jar” impossibilities.  Then I headed to Sephora, for a wander into major Girlville, with colors and lotions and potions galore.  I was looking for something specific, but I encountered fruit juice infusions of every description.  Cherry lip gloss, Guava Body Butter, Vanilla Body Wash, along with so many other sweet and edible things that you get the feeling it all should be plated for dessert. The one thing I did purchase was hair (un)dressing cream, for that just out of bed look.  What can I say, are you sensing a theme here?

I know I'm not alone in cruising these aisles for retail therapy.  I'm sure it's something I could quite easily do with Amy Speace, and I’ll bet she uses some tres cool products.  I've asked many artists about the products they use, especially for wild looking hair, though I haven’t asked Amy.  She has a new album out, Land Like A Bird, and she has some cool stuff IN her hair; feathers, bows, I don’t exactly know, but it looks good.  And as always, Amy SOUNDS divine, and she's in the midst of a busy summer.  So today, we have a Music Fog solo from an early morning session in Nashville last September, “It’s Too Late To Call It A Night.”  In that case, the hair (un)dressing cream would be superfluous.

- Jessie Scott