Justin Townes Earle and Wagons at The Clarendon Guest House Katoomba NSW Australia October 7

As we pulled up outside The Clarendon, the sleet was falling and all I could think was thank God I brought my big black jacket! Let’s face it, Katoomba = COLD! There’s no denying that fact!

Justin Townes Earle is no show pony, he's a work horse… having played over 250 shows in the last 12 months is confirmation of that! His guitar playing is phenomenal and I’m not just throwing the word out there willy nilly… I mean PHENOMENAL! It sounds like there are 5 guitars up there at times. He is the consummate professional performer and one hell of an entertainer!

Wagons kicked off the evening’s entertainment with a grin and a snarl! Henry and the lads were in outstanding form! Starting out with the glorious “Never Been To Spain” they moved through their set with good humour and frenetic energy. They played all the favourites; the new album copped a flogging with “Drive All Night Till Dawn, Keep Your Eyes Off My Sister” and the title track off the new opus “Goodtown”. By the end of their set Wagons had assuredly collected a fresh batch of fans and friends.

When Justin Townes Earle strolled onto the stage armed with a swagger, a smile and his guitar, he was welcomed like a long lost friend. He started his set with “They Killed John Henry” leaving the audience gasping in awe. Many of the folk that were in attendance saw JTE last year when he toured Australia and they returned for a very good reason, but those who missed out last year, were gobsmacked by his talent as a performer and songwriter. JTE makes it all look so effortless, nothing seems a stretch for him as he weaves his way through his set. From “Ain’t Glad I’m Leavin” and “I Don’t Know”, to “Someday I'll Be Forgiven For This” and “Mama's Eyes”, Justin had the audience in the palm of his hand for his entire performance. JTE covered all of the bases, serving up a few covers from Sam Lightnin’ Hopkins “My Starter Won't Start”, The Carter Family “I'm Leaving You This Lonesome Song” and Mance Lipscomb “Walkin Blues” as well as a sneak peek of some new songs from his next album "Christchurch Woman", "Learnin To Cry" and "Waitin On Nothin" (who else is champing at the bit for that release?).

The set proper concluded with “Walk Out”, as soon as JTE bid goodnight to the appreciative throng, he was being begged to return to the stage for the mandatory encore, ever the gentleman, he returned the love with a request from the front table “Turn Out The Lights” a song he confided, he hadn’t played in a year, but was flawless in execution and his stunning rendition of The Replacements classic “Can't Hardly Wait”.

This was an amazing gig, all of the elements were there, humour, humility, prodigious talent and above all the SONGS! At shows end, JTE signed CDs, Posters, a Guitar, chatted and posed for pictures for what seemed an eternity, he is the artist that keeps on giving and giving and giving!

In short, Justin Townes Earle is a genuine talent, the real deal and one of the most important artists in Roots Music today!

Album Review: The Wildes - Ballad Of A Young Married Man

Who doesn’t love a Murder Ballad? I can’t get enough of ‘em… and The Wildes open a pearler in the form of the title track from their stunning debut “Ballad Of A Young Married Man”! The song tells the tale of a cheating heart and the consequences of following its unrighteous path, in this case, “a bullet in the chest” and all this is told from beyond the grave. And this sets the scene is set for the rest of the album.

The Wildes are a 4 piece Country/Rock band from Melbourne Australia, they have been described as Cash meets Cave and I must say that this description, or comparison caused me a bit of concern, mainly because I am a huge fan of both Johnny and Nick, but also because to be mentioned in the same breath as 2 giants in the music world, while flattering, puts on an awesome amount of pressure. These are massive boots to fill, but to my pleasant surprise, this description isn’t too far off the mark, though, after listening to their wonderfully crafted debut long player “Ballad Of A Young Married Man”, after listening though, I’d throw in a dash of Waylon and Zevon into the mix for good measure. Since getting my grubby little fingers on The Wildes debut, it has been on heavy rotation in my house, car, computer, etc. in short, it’s a cracker!

The Wildes certainly sound as though they went to the Cash/Cave school of story telling through song. I’ve listened to this album a few times now and I can’t say that there’s a dud track to be had, a rarity these days. They love Cautionary Tales, Murder Ballads and Country Rambles, they love how three chord songs are ten times more powerful than more flowery intricate arrangements. They love how deep, rough vocals are more affecting than their auto-tuned, pitch-perfect counterparts. They love drama, mystery, heartbreak and the macabre. The Wildes are humanists, revelling in the human condition.

I've played to this opus over and over again, listening for a weak spot and you know what? I couldn’t find one, it’s a beautifully produced album and the only downside I see to having a debut as strong as this, is following it up! But if this is a sign of things to come, I can’t wait for the next offering from these ever so slightly twisted troubadours from the Great Southern Land.

Ballad Of A Young Married Man was recorded in Melbourne with Arkansas-born (and ARIA winning) producer Jonathan Burnside, there’s no doubt that there’s an Americana flavour here, but the stories and humour are unmistakably Australian. None more so than the gospel flavoured “If I've done You Wrong”, complete with a chorus that is destined to be chanted in unison by groups of 5 or more on their way home from pubs and bars around the world.

C’mon, sing along, "If I've done you wrong I'm not sooooooorrrry”


Standout tracks are:

• The opener Ballad Of A Young Married Man
• If I've Done You Wrong...
• Jack The Blacksmith
• Nothing
• Slap-Back Mary
• and the closer Broken Blossoms

Links:

www.thewildsonline.com

www.myspace.com/thewildesband

www.sonicbids.com/thewildes


Till next time... Leave the Dirt on!

Neil Young and My Morning Jacket at the Sydney Entertainment Centre 24/01/2009

For months I had been looking forward to this gig, MMJ and Shakey in my home town at the same time “WOW”. I guess I could have paid a motza for a BDO ticket, spent all day in the blistering heat but I wanted more Neil than he’d be afforded to offer at the BDO.

My Morning Jacket were the perfect choice for the support slot, Jim James and Co. were in very fine form, beautiful, angelic melodies and reverb to burn! The only problem presented by the gorgeous MMJ set was that being the support act, they weren’t on for long. At the end of their set, I wanted, nay, craved more!

I have been listening to MMJ for about 18 months now, I was only aware of them until my nephew put me onto them, but I hadn’t actually heard them until then. After finally hearing MMJ, I really liked them, I thought they were a great band that had some very cool sounds, but it wasn’t until I experienced this incredible band in the live forum that I truly got them. Well now I’m hooked, I only wish I’d seen their side show a couple of days earlier. The highlights of their set for me personally, “Thank You Too!”, Smokin From Shootin", and "Gideon", but I really missed "One Big Holiday". Like any relationship, we go through stages, before Saturday, I liked MMJ, now I love them!

MMJ Set

1. Golden
2. I'm Amazed
3. The Way That He Sings
4. Thank You Too!
5. Gideon
6. Smokin From Shootin
7. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.2
8. Dondante

Then it was time for Shakey and his troubadours, I have been looking forward to this since rumours first surfaced about the impending tour. People that were looking forward to an evening of Neil’s greatest hits would have been in for a surprise, some may have even been disappointed, but not this little black duck!

Neil opened the set with “Love And Only Love” from “Old Ragged Glory 1990” a song that I wasn’t that familiar with, but enjoyed thoroughly, then was a new ditty “Sea Change” that was very rocking and shows that Neil is still a very relevant entity in the wonderful world of music. I must admit, that I would have enjoyed hearing some of his more popular songs, like “Heart Of Gold”, “Are You Ready For The Country”, “Old Man” or “From Hank to Hendrix” I mean they’re popular for a reason, they’re really great songs! But hey, I always like being surprised and getting something out of the norm and this is Neil Young after all, so expect the unexpected! The highlights of Neil’s set for me were “Cinnamon Girl”, “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere”, “One Of These days”, “The Needle And The Damage Done” and Rockin In The Free World”, with the jaw dropping version of “A Day In The Life” completely blowing me away!

Unfortunately, the audience at the Entertainment Centre were very reserved and this seemed the frustrate Neil, this was especially noticeable during the anthemic chorus of “Rockin In The Free World” and a lot of the audience on the floor did was sit on their collective ass!”

He didn't seem to be a happy camper and who could blame him? A lot of the audience down on the floor looked like they may have been more comfortable at an André Rieu concert. This was Neil Young! A Rock concert! That's the problem with seating on the floor at rock concerts, people pay over inflated prices for tickets to be close to the artist, I guess it’s a status thing, because they then complain, saying things like “SIT DOWN! I PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO SIT HERE!” when people react the way they are meant to at a rock concert.

If they want to sit and be civilised toffs, then skip up to the first elevation or beyond and let those who truly enjoy being moved by music rejoice in the rapture of rock!

Better yet, get the Heart Of Gold DVD, make a cup of tea and stay home.

At the end of the day, I had a great night, I was thoroughly entertained and thrilled to witness the greatness and the majesty of rock royalty.

Keep On Rockin In The Free World!

Neil Young Set
1. Love And Only Love
2. Sea Change
3. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
4. Spirit Road
5. Cortez The Killer
6. Cinnamon Girl
7. Mother Earth
8. The Needle And The Damage Done
9. Light A Candle
10. Four Strong Winds
11. Unknown Legend
12. One Of These Days
13. Get Back To The Country
14. Words
15. Just Singing A Song
16. Rockin' In The Free World
17. A Day In The Life (The Beatles cover)

The Devoted Few - Baby, You're A Vampire

Greetings and salutations,

Well I spent yesterday morning with good friend and Laughing Outlaw Records and Management owner Stuart Coupe, and he was ranting and raving about how amazing the new album from The Devoted Few "Baby You're A Vampire" is.

After hearing this yet to be released opus (release date scheduled for Valentines Day), Stuart’s rants and raves, as it turns out, were very much understated. From the opening track "Trigger Fingers" (with its pop sensibility and more hooks than a tackle shop), The Devoted Few grab your attention in a vice like grip, and the following sonic brew of audio delights doesn't let up, right through to the climax that is the title track “Baby, You’re A Vampire”!

The 11 tracks of multiple Songasms on “Baby, You’re a Vampire” are a combination of infectious danceable Indie Pop Rock delight, Ethereal Soundscapes and Pure Rock that are a feast for even the most discernible listening pallet. Baby You're A Vampire" has all the elements needed to be an instant classic, it has great songs that are played very, very well and it’s superbly produced.

Come on Feb 14 so I can go out and purchase this early contender for “Album Of The Year!”

“Thanks for the tease Stuart!!!”

Cheers

Williams