roots rock

Album of the Week: Green River

Dusty Wright — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 14:57:28 +0000

Album of the Week: Green River Dusty Wright August 6, 2018 - 10:57

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Credence Clearwater Revival - Green River (Fantasy)

I love retro when it's done with style and reverential respect to the past, but what was John Fogerty ingesting in the Bay Area when he unleashed Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1968? CCR was all swampy, hooch-drinkin' roots-rock in a land infested by flower power and acid-jamming rock bands. Green River was ballsy, amp-cranked pop-rockabilly with snarling, hooky roots-rockin' guitar riffs shakin' the foundation of '60s pop radio. Fogerty's nasal vocals and simple yet thought-provoking lyrics made it seem so effortless. Yes, this was music easily digested by both AM and FM radio programmers, and consumers as well, spawning two top ten hits. It was all Link Wray guitar snarl and Sun Records trem and reverb economy, but never before done with such a distinct rock and roll voice.

Early in '69 "Proud Mary" would pummel the airwaves and three months later John Fogerty's vision crystallized on his quartet's third release, Green River (Fantasy). Released a few months before Woodstock, it was a redneck rock alternative to the mushrooms and cheeba smoke of psychedelia. This was evergreen jukebox music one could imagine blasting effortlessly in some rock 'n' roll honky tonk on the other side of the galaxy. The opening title track -- no. 2 on the pop charts -- immediately captivates with a ripping double-stop rockabilly riff and the opening line, "Well, take me back down where cool water flows, y'all/Let me remember the things I love..."

Or the hellfire kick of "Commotion" bashing your noggin' while the harmonica chugs along with a relentless bass and drum track provided by Stu Cook and Doug Clifford. All the while Fogerty's solo Les Paul guitar lines stab you in the gut over and over again. When the song finally winds down a mere 2:42 later, you're left exhilarated and exhausted.

John's brother Tom was no slouch on rhythm guitar either. CCR were one of the tightest rock outfits ever. They could hold down the 4/4 backbeat while John's guitar explored the grittier side of the roots-rock tradition with plenty of invigorating inventiveness.

"Tombstone Shadow" works its funky R&B stomp with a twin guitar lead into a snake dance before Fogerty leaves the second chorus far behind. "Every time I get some good news/ooohhh there's a shadow on my back!" And how 'bout the sinister fire-and-brimstone tale told in top ten hit "Bad Moon Rising?" This simple three chord, two-steppin' chugger sounds like some discarded hillbilly tune sung by some deranged evangelist reminding his faithful parishioners to either repent or be consumed by Hell's fury.

And if travelin' got you blue, try gnawin' on "Lodi," the ultimate road song for any road weary van-traveling rocker or door-to-door Amway salesman itchin' for home. "Oh Lord, I'm stuck in Lo-die again," Fogerty wails.

Rock and Hall of Famer Fogerty left a jukebox/pop radio legacy of music behind that few, if any, have rivaled. In three years, CCR released six albums worth of stellar music. But what still impresses me today, besides the music, is the economy of material. Only nine songs long and not a clunker in the lot, Green River remains a timeless power glide into the backwater country of Americana. Almost makes me wish I had my 8-tracks and my 4-door cherry red Maverick all over again. It's time to listen to it on glorious vinyl!

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Song of the Week: "Sailin' Sailin'"

Dusty Wright — Fri, 27 May 2016 16:14:37 +0000

Song of the Week: "Sailin' Sailin'" Dusty Wright May 27, 2016 - 12:14

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"Sailin' Sailin'" is our perfect perfect song of the week from the NYC-based singer-songwriter Breanna Barbara and pulled from her forthcoming album Mirage Dreams (No Roads Records). Her blissed-out blues conjure up the stripped down mojo of PJ Harvey and early Delta blues. It was produced and recorded by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Hurray for the Riff Raff) at The Bomb Shelter in East Nashville.

Bring It Home

Steve Holtje — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 13:23:17 +0000

Bring It Home Steve Holtje November 20, 2015 - 08:23

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Ron Sunshine: Bring It Home (Rondette)

Ron Sunshine's mix of jazz, soul, and blues is always a little different from album to album. This time out the vibe is classy late-'50s/early '60s R&B with a small horn section and lots of blues shuffles. The horns and the pianist will sometimes play jazz harmonies, but in general the feeling is more down-home than his more swing-oriented efforts were -- though we're talking fine distinctions here; he's not changing styles, just shifting leanings by degrees.

Sunshine's broad tastes show in his cover of Charlie Rich's "Who Will the Next Fool Be," and his vocal is every bit as effective in his own style as Rich's or Bobby Bland's versions -- Sunshine can do covers without fearing comparisons to either the originals or to other covers; he pulls off "I'm Shakin'" (made famous by Little Willie John) with natural swagger where Jack White's version strains for effect. Sure, he's not Ray Charles's equal on "Hard Times (No One Knows Better Than I)," but brother, NOBODY tops Ray; the thing is, Sunshine finds his own way to sing it that puts the song across in an emotionally moving way that sounds organic and unforced. He's got a masterful vocal technique honed over decades of singing, but he deploys that technique subtly, always sounding natural, never over-reaching. The same can be said of his harmonica playing, though the vigorous joy with which he plays makes his mouth-harp virtuosity more evident.

The heart of the album, though, is not the three covers, it's the seven original songs -- four co-written with saxophonist Craig Dreyer (not playing on this album, but a long-time collaborator), two with Sunshine's old compatriot on the '90s downtown roots scene, Joe Flood, and an instrumental by just Sunshine. The lyrics fit the musical style without recycling familiar tropes; these are not pastiches, they are modern, intelligent lyrics, clever without being arch. That's how to carry on tradition: be true to its roots while updating its sensibilities. The tradition is in good hands on Bring It Home.

The album is released today (Friday, November 20), and Sunshine and his band celebrate with two New York shows this weekend: tonight at Swing 46, 9:30 PM - 1 AM, and Saturday at JCC Manhattan, 8:30 PM.

Song of the Week: "Monday (Everytime I Turn Around)"

Dusty Wright — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 11:25:28 +0000

Song of the Week: "Monday (Everytime I Turn Around)" Dusty Wright September 7, 2015 - 07:25

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Missouri-bred Brian Henneman of The Bottle Rockets has been waving his roots-rock flag since the '90s and has been delivering catchy-as-hell music all along. Now he's at it again, teasing ears with a brand new tune -- "Monday (Everytime I Turn Around)" -- from a forthcoming album entitled South Broadway Athletic Club set for release on Bloodshot Records on Oct. 2nd, 2015. In the interim, share this tasty slice of Americana rock music with your family and friends at all of your Labor Day celebrations on this Monday holiday.

Song of the Week: "Red"

Dusty Wright — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 15:31:07 +0000

Song of the Week: "Red" Dusty Wright September 23, 2014 - 11:31

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"Red," the new roots-rock single from Australian singer-songwriter Forster Anderson debut EP Banter is available for pre-sale on download from iTunes. The song explores the mind and psyche of a pyromaniac's modus operandi and the senseless destruction that ensues. Moreover, the tragic bush fires that ripped through the Australian State of Victoria in February 2009 and killed 173 people occurred while Forster was backpacking through Colorado, USA. This is his homage to that horrible event.

Song of the Week: "Slow Motion"

Dusty Wright — Tue, 27 May 2014 18:38:13 +0000

Song of the Week: "Slow Motion" Dusty Wright May 27, 2014 - 14:38

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This low-key, but energetic Madison, WI-based sextet are fronted by the extremely charismatic lead singer Monica Martin. The band's Zach Johnston (guitar / banjo) directed the video for "Slow Motion" from their soon-to-be-released self-titled debut. I caught them live last month in Williamsburg opening for Laura Mvula. Perfect match. They both share a quirky but beguiling otherworldly musical charm albeit PHOX leans more towards world beat. Currently own tour in support of their June 23rd effort.

Song of the Week: "It Hurts Me"

Dusty Wright — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:27:01 +0000

Song of the Week: "It Hurts Me" Dusty Wright January 27, 2014 - 10:27

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Though Buddy and Jim -- by Buddy Miller And Jim Lauderdale -- didn't win Best Americana album at the Grammy's last night, this was tops on my ballot. Here's a track -- "It Hurts Me" -- from that wonderful album.

Song of the Week: "The Gift"

Dusty Wright — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 14:18:52 +0000

Song of the Week: "The Gift" Dusty Wright July 24, 2013 - 10:18

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"The Gift" - Tony Joe White: Hoodoo (Yep Roc)

Two notes, a pinch of natural distortion from an old tweed tube git-tar amplifier, a short harmonica solo, and plenty of boogie chillen groove and attitude. It sounds too simple a formula, but it's not. Need a master of the form to pull it off. Enter veteran roots-rocker Tony Joe White -- 70 years young -- of "Polk Salad Annie" fame who rocks it for 4 minutes and 23 seconds on this amazingly engaging track from his new CD due in September.

Song of the Week: "Little Too Late"

Dusty Wright — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 05:45:02 +0000

Song of the Week: "Little Too Late" Dusty Wright June 8, 2013 - 01:45

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SF-based Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers get their roots-rock jam band groove working OT on this infectious new tune. Her new album hits the digital universe on August 27th!