Grace Askew "Jupe"

A week ago I was in the delta. The flatness stretches for miles, incomprehensibly large. You know I have talked about the book The Mojo Triangle before, but part of the premise for the music coming out of this region, it posits, was because of the unpredictability of the land, the weather, and the trials they faced. That cruelty, whether man’s inhumanity to man, or weather akin to what Isaac brought this week. The music was spurred on by the unpredictability of life. While touring up Highway 61, of course we had music with us, the trusty iPod delivering surprisingly fitting choices: Tim Buckley “Hallucinations,” Robbie Robertson “Somewhere Down The Crazy River,” A3 “Woke Up This Morning, just to name a few.”

A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from Che Johnston, owner of the High Country Rest and Saloon in Chama, NM, (the land of enchantment) suggesting we take a listen to Grace Askew from Memphis, TN. Her family has been there for six generations, but Grace has lots of cross currents running through her music, absorbing vibe from stints in New York and New Orleans. The song "Jupe" is a track off her self-titled Grace Askew & The Black Market Goods album, which was released in May 2011. This video was filmed by LaDonna Marie, shot in, where else...Mississippi.

-Jessie Scott

Elephant Revival "Go On"

As I write this,  I am watching Hurricane Isaac coverage, and as I just visited New Orleans last week, I am feeling especially kindred with the folks in that town. I know that a lot of people didn’t evacuate with this storm, thinking it wasn’t going to be that dangerous. My son lives in NOLA, and I am texting him every few hours, as they are hunkered down, without power. It is hard to monitor these kinds of events from afar, and it is sure unsettling trying to second guess Mother Nature. With all of that, I am sweating out how slow moving this storm is, wondering if the infrastructure, which was rebuilt after Katrina, will hold up to the winds and rain and possible flooding. I am praying for everyones safe passage through the storm.

Today’s tune is one of encouragement to seize the moment and run with it. “Go On” from the amazing Colorado based band Elephant Revival. You know, I read all the comments that are posted on our YouTube channel, and the sentiments about these guys, by far and away, are raves. They are spectacular to see in concert, really special players and wonderfully intuitive as an ensemble. The good news is their fall tour takes them across the country eastbound, and then back! Here are Bonnie Paine, Sage Cook, Dan Rodriguez, Bridget Law, and Dango Rose with a tune from their Break In The Clouds album, filmed at the 2011 Americana Fest in Nashville at Marathon Recorders.

-Jessie Scott

Lucero "Women & Work"

The Larry Joe Taylor Songwriters Contest preliminary rounds wrapped up on Monday night at Poodie’s Roadhouse. The finals are September 10th and are being judged by Larry Joe himself, as the grand prize is passage for two on his January cruise, with a performance slot on a guitar in the round session. I have been at 7 of 8 of these weeks, and so many times, it has been hard to just pick one winner to be a finalist. It has been great getting to know a whole crop of new artists too. I have to say that it takes a lotta guts to stand up and play your songs to be judged, especially. But everyone that hears the muse has to start somewhere.

The band Lucero has been around for 14 years, and you know it had to start way back with the vision of a life of music; the idea of crafting songs, the endless hours to get good and then to get out there and ply their craft. I got to play their music a decade ago at XM, and have avidly watched them progress into the force they are today. Women & Work is the 8th album for the band from Memphis, on this offering you will find horns, pedal steel guitar, all manner of keyboards, and a gospel chorus. Music Fog has the honor of debuting the video for the title cut, which by the way is the first one the band has made in their 14 year history. It was directed by Jonathan Pekar from Memphis’ legendary Ardent Studios, at beautiful Massey Farm in the North Mississippi Hill Country of Senatobia. It’s time to kick up your heels and party.

-Jessie Scott