The Gourds "Peppermint City"

The Gourds just roll along, a well-oiled machine with effortless playing. I know that the lyrics to this tune are pretty pessimistic, but they are delivered in such a peppy and upbeat way that it creates joy nonetheless. Who cares if you are singing what in essence could be a follow up to Randy Newman’s song, “Mama Told Me Not to Come.” Oh woe is me. Seriously, Kevin Russell could sing the proverbial phonebook; I actually witnessed him singing the specials on the chalk board at Threadgill’s before a performance one day, and yes, he made that fun too. I don’t know the derivation of the song---what prompted Kevin to write it, but we have all been there. “How did I ever get here? And more importantly, how will I ever get out?”

Photo Credit: Joe Ryan

We are so happy that The Gourds, consisting of Kevin Russell, Jimmy Smith, Max Johnston, Claude Bernard, and Keith Langford; multi-talented all, have a new record out called Old Mad Joy, on a legendary imprint no less, that of Vanguard Records. It is a perfect home for them as through the decades, Vanguard has always stood for artistic integrity. When I was growing up, there were a couple of record labels that you would take a chance on an LP purchase, even if you had never heard of the artist. Vanguard was that kind of brand. All this time later they still are.

The Gourds took us for a ride when they came to visit Marathon Recorders for the Music Fog Fall Marathon during Americana Fest. Fasten your seat belt, forthwith, the Music Fog take on “Peppermint City,” the original of which can be found on their new album.

- Jessie Scott

PS: We are happy to tell you to check your local listings this weekend for ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival, featuring highlights from the 2011 Americana Honors & Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Black Lillies "Two Hearts Down"

Not to be dour as our thoughts quickly turn to Thanksgiving next week, but there is nothing quite like a good ol’ murder ballad to quicken the blood flow. Today we bring you the celebrated Knoxville, Tennessee band, The Black Lillies. They were formed just two years ago, by ex-Robinella & the CC String Band leader, Cruz Contreras. The Black Lillies take their name from a song on their first record, Whiskey Angel. Their influences are age old; traditional country with a potent Appalachian infusion of heart, soul, and subject matter. And these are timeless tales, ones that have touched everybody, every family, if you dig back far enough.

The latest album is 100 Miles of Wreckage, and that is where you will find the song "Two Hearts Down." Trisha Gene Brady, Jamie Cook, Tom Pryor, and Robert Richards trooped into our space, along with Cruz Contreras, and electrified us during the Music Fog Fall shindig at Marathon Recorders. Those chops, those harmonies, that pathos. This is the real deal.

You might know we recorded 32 artists in Nashville while the Americana Fest was going on. For the last month we have been brining you the first offering from all these artists, with more to follow from each of them. Hope you have been digging it!

- Jessie Scott

New Country Rehab "Angel of Death"

A word about how out of whack I think things are right now. I watched Wheel of Fortune in awe as the studio has been transformed into a wonderland of materialism and unattainable dreams, at least for most people. The show that followed it specialized in gyrating, overwrought singing, all overt sex, everything all the time. I watch women go to parties in the least fabric possible, with the highest heels. The Presidential debates seem like an excuse to sell books and procure television commentator contracts. Why is the world yelling louder all the time? Sometimes whispering works.

New Country Rehab is the band’s name. I would like to have rehab (or maybe just respite) from all of the above, and all the mainstream new country music, too, as over glitzy as it is. I like my music raw, real and moving. New Country Rehab fits the bill. We filmed them in October during the Americana Music Festival. They attended all the way from Canada, where they are tearing it up. They were just nominated for the CFMA “Pushing the Boundaries” award. That’s the Canadian Folk Music Awards for the uninitiated. John Showman, James Robertson, Roman Tome’ and Ben Whiteley, craft the band’s unique sound. Their self-titled album was released in Canada back in January. We’d been hearing about them for a while, and we were so glad to get to know them a bit at our temporary studio in Nashville, Marathon Recorders. Here is the Music Fog recording of “Angel Of Death,” the original song of which you can find on their debut album.

- Jessie Scott