Band of Heathens "Medicine Man"

It was four years ago that I first laid eyes on the Band Of Heathens, as they trooped into our makeshift studio during the last year X Country was broadcasting live from MusicFest at Steamboat. It was noon, everyone was hurting from the night before, but magic was laid down in the conversation nook of the condo. That was the beginning of a wonderful working relationship with this incredible group of musicians. 

The Band of Heathens are releasing their brand new CD today. Top Hat Crown & The Clapmaster’s Son is their best yet, in my humble opinion. It is steamy, sultry, and immerses you in the swamp fever of New Orleans. It wails and rocks and rolls. It shimmies and shakes and shows off the Heathens prodigious chops. Don’t say there isn’t good music coming out, ‘cause there sure is, you just have to look a little harder to find it. Or keep coming back here, for we do try to bring the tasty to your attention.

When we filmed a private session with the Band Of Heathens at this year’s MusicFest at Steamboat we promised that we would wait to put this tune up on release day. Do you have any idea how hard that was? It was driving us crazy to share it with you! So here it finally is, the Music Fog recording of “Medicine Man” from the brand new CD, out today!

- Jessie Scott

Mike Farris "The Night the Cumberland Came Alive"

When I think about the power of Mike Farris, I am reminded of the line in the song "Late In The Evening" from Paul Simon...'and I blew that room away.' Because that is just what Mike does. Solo, band, revue, old, new, it really doesn't matter, because it's ALL good, and I mean it! Whether you want to talk about his days with the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies, or his solo career, or his recent appearance backing Patty Griffin on Austin City Limits, or his time with the Vaughan Brothers and Double Trouble, they are all things to savor. You can even celebrate that last occurrence if you are in Nashville this weekend, as on March 31st 3rd and Lindsley is doing the Stevie Ray Vaughan 20 Years Double Trouble Reunion, featuring Reese Wynans, Tommy Shannon, and Chris Layton with Kenny Greenberg, Jack Pearson, Mike Henderson, Pat Buchanan, Gary Nicholson, Tom Britt, Ashley Cleveland, Jonell Mosser, Bart Walker, and of course Mike Farris will be there. It will be a star studded, talent soaked and incredibly touching evening, I am sure.

Photo Credit: Ed RodeMike put out an EP in the fall, and it was dedicated to the Nashville flood victims. The Night the Cumberland Came Alive EP (also known as The Rose Memorial Flood Relief EP) features stellar contributions from Ketch Secor, Kenny Vaughan, Sam Bush, Byron House, and the McCrary Sisters. Mike recorded a solo version with us back in September at the Americana Music Festival & Conference in Nashville. "The Night The Cumberland Came Alive" is still raising money for the folks in Nashville rebuilding their lives. Here is the Music Fog version.

- Jessie Scott

John Martyn "May You Never"

Kinda freaking out, I am, and if you are reading this, then all is well. I had surgery on Friday, and I am writing this the night before. It is very stressful to know I am going under the knife. I don't know how long it will take to heal. I am not sure how much pain I will be in, and for how long. But I am one of the lucky ones, as I still have health insurance. I feel especially bad for those that don't. To be in pain and wondering how you will be able to maneuver is incomprehensible in this richest of countries. I had to wait it out until after SXSW® was over, because that would have been an endurance test beyond belief. BTW, We are going to start rolling out our videos from the Music Fog Marathon in a couple of days, in no particular order. Of course, we do hope you enjoyed our experiment in streaming the sets from Threadgill's WHQ in Austin, too. And again thanks to Neustar, our sponsor! We are blessed to have captured so much cool stuff, and can't wait to bring it to you.

Speaking of cool stuff, here is one of my favorite songs, from one of my favorite artists, from one of my top ten favorite records of all time. It is the late great John Martyn from the Solid Air album, with "May You Never."

- Jessie Scott