Elizabeth Cook "Sometimes It Takes Balls to Be a Woman"

Elizabeth Cook’s new EP came out yesterday. It was not something she had intended to do. The process for it was set in motion after she was asked to participate in the Sunday morning gospel program at the Strawberry Music Festival. She complied, though somewhat reluctantly. Halfway through the set, she realized that the music resonated with her. And her release of the 7 song EP, Gospel Plow, is the proof of that. At the end of the day, this music was part of Elizabeth’s childhood, and connected her to her Florida upbringing. Gospel Plow, features some her favorite Southern Gospel songs, and a cover of Velvet Underground’s “Jesus.” BTW, it is not the first time that Elizabeth has covered the Velvet Underground. There is a video on YouTube of her version of their song “Sunday Morning” a few years ago.

Head’s up, Elizabeth will appear on The Late Show with David Letterman tonight. Watch her, and then make sure you see her when she comes to your neck of the woods on an extensive summer tour. Elizabeth is on the road with husband Tim Carroll on guitar and Bones Hillman, from the band Midnight Oil, on bass. There will be a bit of testifying going on with songs from the new EP, sandwiched in between classics like “El Camino” and “Heroin Addict Sister.” And oh yeah, “Sometimes It Takes Balls to Be a Woman.” Let’s revisit that, from back in 2007.

- Jessie Scott

The dB's "That Time Is Gone"

I love a good reunion, don’t you? When we heard that the original members of the dB’s, Peter Holsapple, Chris Stamey, Will Rigby and Gene Holder were getting back together for their first album in 30 years, we were over the moon. And at long last, Falling Off The Sky, comes out today. Actually, it is the first new dB’s album in twenty five years, but the first in three decades with the original lineup, the guys responsible for the early '80s classics Stands for deciBels and Repercussion. The dB’s formed in the summer of 1978. The path they walked paved the way for what would become the indie explosion that is upon us today.

Photo Credit: Stephanie ChernikowskiAfter disbanding, they pursued their own muses quite brilliantly; Chris Stamey produced albums for Alejandro Escovedo, Le Tigre and Whiskeytown. Peter Holsapple recorded solo albums, did three CDs as a member of the the Continental Drifters, and worked as sideman with R.E.M. and Hootie and the Blowfish. In 2005 there was a series of reunion shows, and then the dB’s decided to make a new album. Falling Off The Sky was produced by the band members at their own pace without a deadline. Production help came from Mitch Easter and Scott Litt. All the dB’s except Gene Holder visited us during our Spring Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s, and laid down one of the hot tunes from the new album, “That Time Is Gone.”

- Jessie Scott

Mike Stinson "Late for My Funeral"

There is a magic to the craft of songwriting, how the words come, how the music gets married to it. And there is the mystery to how the rest of it all works; getting it heard, getting it published, making the most out of it. Dave Goodwin is throwing the first annual Big Sky Songwriters Festival in Big Sky, Montana August 15th through the 19th. He is assembling some premier folks for workshops, panels and performances, including Kostas, Bruce Burch, James House, Suzi Ragsdale, Walt Wilkins, Kevin Welch, Dustin Welch, John Bohlinger, and Jon Pousette-Dart. Industry leaders will be on hand as well for sessions on publishing, and other music biz topics. There is an early bird rate in place and there are surprisingly affordable accommodations.

Speaking of amazing songwriters, it is about damn time that we got to record Mike Stinson. He is a Virginian by birth, after 18 years in LA, he relocated to Houston, Texas around three years ago. It was a move that was to spur his creativity, evident as he is recording his fourth album in Austin with legendary roots producer R.S. Field. Throughout, he has been writing simple, and simply beautiful, songs. You might know Dwight Yoakam’s version of Mike’s tune “Late Great Golden State.” The new album is coming soon, in the meantime, allow us to tide you over with one of the songs that will be on it. We filmed Mike during the Spring Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s WHQ in Austin this past March. Here is a solo rendition of “Late For My Funeral.”

- Jessie Scott