Just Released - 2014 [Ep.06, S.4]

“O Death, O Death,

Won’t you spare me over ‘til another year? …”

                                           “O Death” – Dock Boggs [1927]

No matter the vintage, a song will extend its relevance only as long as people continue to sing it. One song that’s been popping-up for the best part of a century now is, “O Death”. Recorded by Ralph Stanley for the ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou’ soundtrack, the song continues to infiltrate this century with its latest reinvention by the Hip-Hop/Bluegrass (or ‘Rappalachian’) collective, Gangstagrass. Imagine Tupac Shakur jamming with Bill Monroe. It may go against all the laws of nature and logic but that doesn’t mean it can’t work - and you’ll hear how it does in this week’s edition of JR.

We also lift the lid on ‘From His Head, To His Heart, To His Hands’, the just released box set anthologizing the career of American Blues guitar virtuoso, Michael Bloomfield. His gifted playing notably featured on Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone”, albums by The Electric Flag and Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the (bona-fide) classic album, ‘Super Session’ (with Al Kooper), and Janis Joplin’s solo album debut, ‘I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!’ In this week’s JR you’ll hear Bloomfield as a brash acoustic hotshot in his first record audition and adding his efficient and economical style behind the remarkable Janis Joplin.

Also in this edition are new releases from Sydney Indie Pop quartet, The Holidays (touring nationally this month), Darwin Soul duo, Sietta and English singer/songwriter Ryan Keen (recently seen touring Australia with Busby Marou). As well, we have a new single from Moby’s latest album, featuring the angelic voice of American singer Damien Jurado.

Spotted on the Comeback Trail this week were Ray LaMontagne and Coldplay. It’s been almost 4 years since Ray’s last album and his newest (due in early May), has been produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Meanwhile, Coldplay’s new song, “Midnight” implies a band seriously reassessing its trademark sound. As yet, the album neither has a title, or a release date, beyond the proverbial “later this year”.  

      

The Holidays: “Home” (from the album, ‘Real Feel’)

Gangstagrass: “O Death” (featuring Brandi Hart, Liquid & R-SON) (from the album, ‘Broken Hearts And Stolen Money’)

Nick Waterhouse: “Sleeping Pills” (from the album, ‘Holly’)

Sietta: “Agree To Disagree”/”Such Desire” (from the album, ‘The Invisible River’)

Ryan Keen: “Old Scars” (from the album, ‘Room For Light’)

Moby (featuring Damien Jurado): “Almost Home” (from the album, ‘Innocence’)

Michael Bloomfield: “Hammond’s Rag”/Janis Joplin (featuring Michael Bloomfield): “One Good Man” (from the box set, ‘From His Head To His Heart To His Hands’)

Ray LaMontagne: “Supernova” (preview from the album, ‘Supernova’)

Coldplay: “Midnight” (new single)

To stream Just Released (any time):  Find 'Just Released' here. 

You can also connect via local web pages at the links below..

Just Released is heard Saturdays at 9:05pm on ABC Local Radio.

Replayed Sundays at 4:05pm (AEDST or AEST) on ABC Digital Radio through Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, & streaming on demand at the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Hobart and Darwin web pages.

JR can also be heard on Radio Australia throughout Asia & the Pacific.

              ♫

    ♫   {](-_-)[}   ♫         Thanks for listening.

  

Just Released - 2014 [Ep.05, S.4]

“The country music station plays soft,

But there’s nothing, really nothing, to turn off…”

                  “Visions Of Johanna” – Bob Dylan [1966]

The year is looking good for music and this week in JR we’ll be featuring just some of the reasons why with some great Americana from the legendary Roseanne Cash from her just released album, ‘The River And The Thread’ made with her co-writer, producer, arranger and husband, John Leventhal. Roseanne is joined on the album by an array of friends including Kris Kristofferson and former husband, Rodney Crowell. As well, we have a new single from Simone Felice, previewing his new album ‘Strangers’, due out next month.

Another new single this week comes from Neko Case ahead of her imminent Australian tour, which kicks off in Perth next Thursday before continuing to other states through early March, including one performance at the Sydney Opera House.

Melbourne’s 9-piece neo-Soul combo, Saskwatch also has a new single from their 2^nd album ‘Nose Dive’, coming in early April. Meanwhile, Saskwatch will be reacquainting itself with fans on the Summer festival route as they head for Bluesfest, via appearances at Womadelaide and the Panama Festival in Tasmania.

Another band on its way to Bluesfest this year is The Black Sorrows, who’ll be heading for shows in Europe soon after. Bandleader Joe Camilleri is one of the quiet achievers of Australian music. 2014 marks his 40^th year as a working musician and this week on JR we preview tracks from his forthcoming Black Sorrows album.

There’s a good reason to employ the headphones for this edition, with some innovative Electro-Pop from Swedish band Little Dragon and American Synth-Pop band, Future Islands and a preview of the coming album debut by English Producer/Musician, (Neil) Davidge. As well, you’ll hear an energized instrumental from Norwegian Producer & DJ, Todd Terje from his upcoming April release, ‘It’s Album Time’. 

      

Simone Felice: “Molly-O” (preview from the album, ‘Strangers”)

Neko Case: “Local Girl” (new single from the album, ‘The Worse Things Get…’)

Little Dragon: “Klapp Klapp” (preview from the album, ‘Nabuma Rubberband’)

The Black Sorrows: “Certified Blue”/”Can’t Give Up On You” (preview from the album, ‘Certified Blue’)

Saskwatch: “Born To Break Your Heart” (preview from the album, ‘Nose Dive’)

Todd Terje: “Delorean Dynamite” (preview from the album, ‘It’s Album Time’)

Roseanne Cash: “A Feather’s Not A Bird”/”The Sunken Lands” (from the album, ‘The River & The Thread’)

Davidge: “Gallant Foxes” (preview from the album, ‘Slo Light’)

Future Islands: “Seasons” (single)

Melbourne Ska Orchestra: “Get Smart Theme” (single)

To stream Just Released (any time):  Find 'Just Released' here. 

You can also connect via local web pages at the links below..

Just Released is heard Saturdays at 9:05pm on ABC Local Radio.

Replayed Sundays at 4:05pm (AEDST or AEST) on ABC Digital Radio through Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, & streaming on demand at the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Hobart and Darwin web pages.

JR can also be heard on Radio Australia throughout Asia & the Pacific.

              ♫

    ♫   {](-_-)[}   ♫         Thanks for listening.

Just Released - 2014 [Ep.04, S.4]

“You know, if you break my heart, I’ll go,

But I’ll be back again…”

                  “I’ll Be Back” - The Beatles  [1964]

Agreed, it’s not likely the first Beatles song you’d think of but it’s an early sign of how complex their compositions would soon become. “I’ll Be Back” has only two and a half verses, two distinctly different bridges and no chorus whatsoever. Here in the Antipodes (just as in the UK), “I’ll Be Back” appeared as the final song on the album, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’. In the USA, kids would catch up with it five months later on an album called ‘The Beatles ‘65’. Let’s face it, until The Beatles delivered their Rosetta Stone in the form of ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ in 1967, their UK albums and EP’s had been chopped, diced and generally bastardized for considerations that were more commercial than artistic. Nevertheless, a generation (and more) grew up with those records in the USA and in celebration of The Fabs’ conquest of North America 50 years ago this month all those pre-Pepper releases have been collected in a box. In this week’s JR, we open it up. 

Also in this edition we return to the album ‘Any Old Love’ - just released by Brisbane band, Halfway. The critical acclaim that’s welcomed the album is warranted, as much for its sound, as for its distinctive (but never cloying) Australian imagery.  

A different kind of Roots music this week comes to us from Mali via the Mojave with the just released album by the Tuareg Desert Blues musicians, Tinariwen. Now in exile from their Saharan desert home in northern Mali, the band recorded their new album, ‘Emmaar’ in the sparse Mojave Desert region of California.

Approaching Roots music from yet another angle this week brings us to the stinging Blues guitar of Joe Louis Walker whose new album, ‘Hornet’s Nest is released at the end of this month. Among the album’s original songs, Joe Louis Walker also pays tribute to his own roots with a version of the 1958 classic, “Don’t Let Go”.

   

Also covering a Rock ‘n’ Roll classic from that same era is South East Queensland chanteuse, Nadia Sunde. Her new independent album ‘Stoking The Fire’, includes a smouldering version of “Shakin’ All Over”.

One of the week’s major surprises comes from American musician, Beck. His music has taken some curious turns over the past two decades but his latest ‘style reinvention’ is as remarkable as it is different. Beck has used the word “healing” to describe the music on ‘Morning Phase’ and it’s certainly introspective in mood. You’ll hear a preview of Beck’s new album right here.

      

Halfway: “Dropout”/”Dulcify” (from the album, ‘Any Old Love”)

Tiariwen: “Emajer” (from the album, ‘Emmaar’)

Nadia Sunde: “Till The Wind Dies Down”/”Shakin’ All Over” (from the album, ‘Stoking The Fire’)

Joe Louis Walker: “As The Sun Goes Down”/”Don’t Let Go” (preview from the album, ‘Hornet’s Nest’)

Beck: “Morning” (preview from the album, ‘Morning Phase’)

The Beatles: “A Hard Day’s Night”/”I’ll Be Back” (from the box set, ‘The U.S. Albums’)

Tiariwen: “Toumast Tincha” (from the album, ‘Emmaar’)

To stream Just Released (any time):  Find 'Just Released' here. 

You can also connect via local web pages at the links below..

Just Released is heard Saturdays at 9:05pm on ABC Local Radio.

Replayed Sundays at 4:05pm (AEDST or AEST) on ABC Digital Radio through Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, & streaming on demand at the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Hobart and Darwin web pages.

JR can also be heard on Radio Australia throughout Asia & the Pacific.

              ♫

    ♫   {](-_-)[}   ♫         Thanks for listening.

  

Just Released - 2014 [Ep.03, S.4]

“And oh, my giddy aunt, New York can talk,

It’s the modern road where folk are nice to Yoko …”

                  “New York Morning” – Elbow  [2014]

Listening to English band, Elbow (and particularly the voice of lead singer, Guy Garvey) might cause you to start thinking of Peter Gabriel. There’s certainly a similarity there. Learning that Elbow was influenced by Gabriel’s old band Genesis makes perfect sense then, as does the fact that their new album due out next month made it’s own genesis at Gabriel’s recording studios. The greatest influence on the new record however was the city of New York where Guy Garvey had spent much of 2012. It’s notably reflected in the song, “New York Morning”, which you’ll hear in this latest edition of Just Released.

Beating a path down the Comeback Trail this week is U2. The band has been questioning its own relevance recently and with their new album not too far away, they’ve continued their role as international ambassadors for positive change by aligning the release of their new single (“Invisible”) to a clever campaign to raise money for charity.

Also on the Comeback Trail is New York band Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings and while Sharon’s health had delayed the release of the band’s new album, ‘Give The People What They Want’, we’re happy to find that she is now back on the road and doing well. Another emerging American artist with a passion for retro Soul is Nick Waterhouse who’s soon to be released 2^nd album, ‘Holly’ is previewed this week.

Also making a strong return on the Comeback Trail is Suzanne Vega who’s ‘Tales From The Realm Of The Queen Of Pentacles’ is her first album of new songs in seven years. Her many fans in Australia can expect to hear songs from it on her tour coming up in April, including gigs at this year’s Bluesfest. Also touring soon will be Americana superstar Jason Isbell whose latest album, ‘Southeastern’ was one of our big favourites from late last year. The disc is now released in Australia ahead of his forthcoming April tour with special guest, Tift Merritt.

And more touring is forecast for Kate Miller-Heidke (in March) and the John Butler Trio (in April). Both have new albums and both are included in this week’s show. Meanwhile another Australian musician with a new album imminent is Melbourne’s Sally Seltmann. You’ll hear a preview of her 4^th long player, ‘Hey Daydreamer’ right here.

As we roll into another season of major tours across Australia it’s a great time to be outdoors but we haven’t forgotten those who prefer the comfort of the cinema. Often, a good movie is further elevated by a great soundtrack - and one recent example is the acclaimed ‘American Hustle’. Underlining the point in this edition we flashback to a bona-fide Soul classic from Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. 

      

U2: “Invisible” (new single)

Kate Miller-Heidke: “O Vertigo!”/”Drama” (featuring Drapht) (from the album, ‘O Vertigo!’)

Elbow: “New York Morning” (from the album, ‘The Take Off And Landing Of Everything’)

Suzanne Vega: “I Never Wear White” (from the album, ‘Tales From The Realm Of The Queen Of The Pentacles’)

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings: “Stranger To My Happiness” (from the album, ‘Give The People What They Want’)

Nick Waterhouse: “This Is A Game” (preview from the album, ‘Holly’)

Jason Isbell: “Traveling Alone” (from the album, ‘Southeastern’)

John Butler Trio: “How Do You Sleep At Night” (from the album, ‘Flesh + Blood’)

Sally Seltmann: “Catch Of The Day” (preview from the album, ‘Hey Daydreamer’)

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes: “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (from the soundtrack album, ‘American Hustle’)

To stream the show (any time):  Find 'Just Released' here. 

You can also connect via local web pages at the links below:

Just Released is heard Saturdays at 9:05pm on ABC Local Radio.

Repeated Sundays at 4:05pm (AEDST or AEST) on ABC Digital Radio through Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, & streaming on demand at the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Hobart and Darwin web pages.

JR can also be heard on Radio Australia throughout Asia & the Pacific.

              ♫

    ♫   {](-_-)[}   ♫         Thanks for listening.