Category: Americana

Robert Jon & the Wreck – Red Moon Rising

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Roberet John and the Wreck - Red Moon Rising

Ok yesterday I was browsing on Spotify when spotted a recommendation for me. The recommendation was for “Rager” a single release from Robert Jon & the Wreck. The single also included “Hate to See You Go” . After listening to the songs and liking them a lot I checked out their Spotify home page and saw they released a full album Red Moon Rising back in June of this year. So I decided to check it out! I liked it also and this morning it became the soundtrack for my granddaughter  Emma’s walk! Here’s what I discovered about the band.

About Robert Jon & the Wreck

Robert Jon & The Wreck are a Southern California band which has taken the Southern Rock sound and made it their own. The band was formed in 2011 and the members include: Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums, background vocals), Henry James Schneekluth (lead guitar, background vocals), Warren Murrel (bass) and Jake Abernathie (keyboards).

They have played  all over the world and have shared the stage with the likes of bills with talent the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Blackberry Smoke, Peter Frampton, Joanne Shaw Taylor, The Mavericks, Buddy Guy and Rival Sons.

Red Moon Rising is the band’s eleventh release and appears to have a little harder edge than their previous releases. At there website I read that  their release Shine A Light On Me Brother’  lead to a collaboration with Blues Rock icon  Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records. That collaboration  has lead to new and exciting music. Their 2023 release  ‘Ride Into The Light’ is a  dynamic, multi-faceted album. It features material produced by GRAMMY-Award winners Don Was (Bonnie Raitt, The Stones, John Mayer) and Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Blackberry Smoke, Rival Sons), Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, The Black Crowes), along with guitar virtuosos Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith.  Wow! I’ll be listening to that soon!

About Red Moon Rising

Red Moon Rising is a hard driving blues Rock album with lots of great vocals and soaring guitars. It also has some quieter moments, like the closing track  “Give Love” . I slightly prefer the hard driving tracks. Bur I’m sure the slower tracks will grow on me the more I listen to the album.

So Check it Out! (Actually, with 67.2K listeners per month a lot of people already have checked them out!) So check out Red Moon Rising!   As for me, I’ve got a lot of back catalog to check out! Anyone want to recommend where to start?

 

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The Video

Here’s “Ballad of a Broken Hearted Man” from Red Moon Rising  by Rbobert Jon & the Wreck

 

Tab Benoit – I Hear Thunder Soundtrack for a Dental Trip

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I Hear Music Tab Benoit

So, I had a 35 minute drive Monday morning to get to a dental appointment, to have a wisdom tooth extracted. It was a good time to listen to one of the three blues albums that have been in my music rotation. I chose I Hear Thunder from Tab Benoit. And I’m glad I did! The more I listen to the album the more I like it

 

About Tab Benoit

If you are unfamiliar with Tab Benoit he is a Louisiana-based singer, guitarist, and environmental preservationist. His music has a Cajun-inflected blues-rock sound. While he first burst onto the blues music scene with his 1992 release Nice & Warm on the Vanguard label. I think I first  found Tab Benoit’s music around 2010, when I started blogging.

The first album I picked up was Night Train to Nashville. I can remember listening to that album on my way to many a job site for my job. Since part of my job was delineating wetlands his music and actions to protect wetlands struck a chord with me.

Anyway, since then many of Tab’s album  have found their way into my music library. The last one was  Medicine released 13 years ago! Today, as I was researching for this post, I discovered the reason for the gap was tha Tab had to free himself from a horrible record deal with Justice Records.

Justice Records  issued his first five albums. However, the label folded in the late ’90s. Tab’s contract and catalog transferred first to Vanguard, then Telarc, and finally Concord. All without his consent. Finally after releasing Medicine in 2011, he simply refused to issue another album without adequate compensation.

During the time span between Medicine and I Hear Thunder he founded Voice of the Wetlands, an organization promoting awareness of the receding coastal region of Louisiana. In addition,  created Tab Benoit’s Lagniappe Music Cafe, situated in downtown Houma.

For the duration of this period, Benoit still performed at local and regional gigs. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival issued two of his live recordings from the event in 2016 and 20.

In 2017 he founded  Whiskey Bayou Records. The label currently is home to a variety of artist including: Jeff McCarty, Alastair Greene, Eric Johanson, Dash Rip Rock, Eric McFadden, Damon Fowler, and JP Soars.

About I Hear Thunder

Now let’s get back to the aforementioned, I Hear Thunder. Currently the album is  number  8? On the roots music Report’s Blues Chart. I don’t think it will be long before it will be number 1! It’s a winner all round great songs, great vocals and great guitars. All ten of the tracks are Tab Benoit originals. Four songs were written by Tab alone and the remainder were cowritten with either Anders Osborne or George Porter Jr or both.

While I’m starting to like all of the tracks on the album. After the first couple of listens my favorites were “ I Hear Thunder”, “Still Gray” and “Watching the Gators Roll In”

The bottom line is check it out now! As for me I’m going back and listen to some of the earlier albums I have from Tab Benoit!

You can read a more complete review at AllMusic   Complete Album review at Allmusic

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Here’s the title track from I Hear Music

 

 

 

Zac Harmon was great! The Run not so much

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So more and more I am going to make this more a true Weblog! And by that I mean I’m going to make it more about what’s happening in my life, I will still be writing about books, music and turning back my biological clock. However, I usually struggle with analyzing why I like a book or even an album, so I have a hard time writing a review type post. I don’t like to write a complete analysis of each song on an album or a deep analysis of each book i read. I like to write a little about what the book is about, along with a little about the author. Hopefully, the posts I write may lead the reader to a new author or musician! With all that being said let’s see what happened today!

A Morning Walk/Run 

My last full run was about two weeks ago. When I started the run the plan was to run the 2,5 mile course I ran on that last run. However, soon after I started even though I was doing okt mi, I just didn’t have it. So I chose to walk about mid-way through the first half mile. From that point on I ran a little then walked a little. I ran/walked the first mile in 14:24 and the second in 14:59, Then I walked most of the last .55 mile in 16:19. The overall pace for the run was 15:02. If I had been paying attention I would have picked up the pace a little to get under 15 min/mile pace.

The Soundtrack – Floreada’s Boy By Zac Harmon

Floreada’s Boy has been in my music rotation  for a few weeks now and I like it more each time I listen to the album. Currently, the album made a big jump on the Roots Music Report this week. It rose from number 44 to No 3!Ir wouldn’t surprise me if it was No 1 next week. Zac sums up Floreada’s Boy as follows…

Floreada’s Boy is a reflection of my 50 years of musical performance. From the juke joints of Mississippi to stages all over the world. Not bad for an old countryests on Floreada;s Bo boy.

The Zac Harmon Band includes: Nate Robinson guitar, Gino Inglehart drums, and Corey Lacey on keyboards. Guests on Floreada’s Boy include: Texas Horns, Caleb Quaye, Sue Ann Carwell and Munyungo Jackson.

From Frank Matheis’s Review at Living  Blues

Every song on Floreada’s Boyis a keeper. On the blues side, Harman kicks it into overdrive with slashing guitar and the horns to bring you firecrackers like Big Dog Blues, a deep blues that could take its place right next to the best classics of the genre. There is plenty of funk, as in Let It Slide and Stress.

On the soul side there are five beautiful songs, most notably the languid and slow That’s the Way I Feel about Cha, with a distinct 1970s vibe featuring the great SueAnn Carwell. Never Forget is a gut-wrenching, broken-heart love song that could have fit perfectly on a Marvin Gaye or Ray Charles record. The blues has always had something important to say, and Zac Harmon is saying it as clearly as ever. He closes the album with the stunningly heavy, powerful, socio-critical, anti-gun violence song Stop the Killing. If he had recorded nothing but that poignant and impactful song, so imperative in our time, that alone would stand as a masterpiece, his magnum opus. If only people took it to heart. Stop the Killing should win every songwriting award on the planet if there is any justice. Sing it from the rooftops. Read More at Living Be albumlues

The Bottom Line

Floreada’s Boy is a triple treat for me. First great songs,, Second great vocals and finally great guitar work! So check it out!

Links for the Further Exploration of the Blues of Zac Harmon

Artist’s Website
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Here is the closing track “Stop the Killing” the closing track on Floreada’s Boy…

 

Toronzo Cannon Keeps Me Upbeat on My Run/Walk

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So, as I’ve written previously over the last year, particularly from September to June I only ran sporadically. And I’ll tell you that the summer is not an easy time for this 73 year old to start over! Anyway the way that I am trying to restart my running is by both running and walking, Basically, I’ll run about a half mile and then walk a quarter mile and keep that switching going for about 30 minutes or more. It also turns out to be running until my heart rate gets up to about 140 bpm and then walking until it drops back to 110 bpm or lower.  Anyway, here are the runs and the soundtrack Shut Up &Play from Toronzo Cannon

The Runs

Anyway I ran last Friday 7/26 I covered 2.09 miles in 32:27 for a 15:30 /mi pace. Overall, I ran for 14:45 and walked for 17:41. On Sunday I did a little better. I covered 2.68 miles in 39:36 for an average pace of 14:46/mi. The good thing was that my time running was 21:29 and walking time only 18:04. In addition on Friday my average heart rate was 117 BPM  and my max heart rate was 1369 bpm, While on Sunday my average heart rate was 125 bpm with a maximum of 151 (‘ during my old man sprint at the end – lol.  So I know it will take some time to get back running fairly well, but at least if I improve on each run I’ll be happy!

The Soundtracks – Shut Up & Play – Toronzo Cannon

The soundtrack for Friday’s run was Shut Up & Play the latest release from Chicago blues artist Toronzo Cannon.  From his website……

“I want my songs to be heard and experienced, not just listened to,” says cliché-defying, internationally beloved Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon. With his richly detailed, truth-telling original songs, blistering, inventive guitar work and impassioned vocals, Cannon is on the cutting edge of today’s contemporary blues scene and is known as one of the genre’s most creative artists. His sound is inspired by his heroes, including Hound Dog Taylor, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Albert King, Son Seals and Jimi Hendrix. On his third Alligator Records album, Shut Up And Play!, Cannon blazes his own path with 11 emotionally-charged originals. From serious to humorous, his imaginative songs are fueled by his powerful, cathartic guitar solos and his soulfully authoritative voice.

Toronzo wrote all of the twelve tracks on the album and he says this about his songs……

“I write what I know, what I feel,” Cannon says, “I like to put myself in the shoes of the subjects of my songs. This record is about the things going on in my life since 2019–it’s a document of what I’ve seen and been through, but the stories are universal. And it’s my way to get past negative things and keep my own sanity. Listen to the lyrics. I am a Black man in America. These are NOT protest songs. I try to create honest, common sense understanding with my songs.”

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that Shut Up & Play is a terrific album and one that should be in every blues lovers collection, My favorite tracks on the album include: “Had to Go Through it to Get to It”, “Can’t Fix the World”,  “Got Me by the Short Hairs” and the title track. So check it Out!

Links for the Further Exploration of the Music of Toronzo Cannon

Artist’s Website
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YouTube
Amazon

Here’s the title track “Shut up & Play”……

Jack Williams – Across the Winterline – A favorite!

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So I started off Saturday morning by deciding I would listen to some music from each of the music genres I listen to most often. Sometimes it would be new music and sometimes music that,s been in my music library for a long time.

Discovering Jack Williams

I actually picked an album that’s been in my library since the late 90s early 00s. Jack Williams’ 1997 release Across the Winterline. I bought the CD in the bargain bin at Tunes in Mount Laurel, NJ. I bought it at a time when my sons and I would go to Tunes almost every week. They were in their teens and I was getting back into buying music for me!

Anyway I fell in love with Jack’s guitar playing and his songs about life in the south i’ve been a fan since then .

The Music of Jack Williams

From Jack’s website

Jack Williams’ music has its , roots in his native South Carolina. Additionally, it has been shaped by his 65-year career. Along the way Jack has played folk, rock, jazz, R&B, classical and the popular music of the 30s, 40s and 50s.

He is counted among the most dynamic performers of his day– Dave Humphreys of Two-Way Street Coffeehouse in Downer’s Grove, IL.says Jack is“…one of the most enlightened and entertaining performers I’ve ever encountered“

Jack is considered a “musician’s musician”, an uncommonly unique guitarist, a writer of vivid songs with a strong sense of place, and a storyteller in an old Southern tradition who further illustrates each tale with his guitar

Buzz from his website

“…. his artistry… is nothing short of amazing. Dazzling picking, expressive voice, unique and interesting songs. He is a showman in the best sense of the word and just wowed our audience. I think they would have followed him anywhere.”
Rich Warren, WFMT “Midnight Special”, Chicago IL

I posted the above stuff from his website because they can tell you about Jack better than I can! All I can say he’s great and listen to his wonderful music! As for me, I need to check out and get a couple of his recent CDs

Artist’s Webstie
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Jack’s Store

The Video

Here’s Jack performing a song from Across the Winterliine “Mama Lou” One of my favorites>

 

Life is Hard – Mike Zito

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Life is Hard - Mike Zito

So the other day I wrote a out one of the two songs that have been in my music rotation this month, Albert Cummings‘ latest album Strong. The other album is Mike Zito‘s new album Life is Hard. Like Cummings Zito has been a favorite of mine for many years a now. I started listening to his music back around 2010 in when I heard his album Pearl. I think that his last two albums, 2021 Blues for the Southside Live and Life is Hard have been the best of his career.

About Life is Hard

Life is Hard was recorded in September 0f 2023 at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, California. Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith produced the album, Both Bonamassa and Smith worked on the production of Blood Brothers, the critically-acclaimed album Zito recorded with fellow label guitarist Albert Castiglia,. (another favorite) Blood Brothers topped both the Billboard and iTunes blues charts after its release in March, 2023.

Life Is Hard is composed of several Mike Zito originals. In addition Mike makes a variety of blues songs written by more of my favorite artists including: Tinsley Ellis, Walter Trout, Tab Benoit and Fred James.

But that’s not all a diverse assortment of blues/roots music icons music is covered including Little Milton (“Lonely Man”), Stevie Wonder (“Have a Talk with God”) and Reverend Gary Davis (“Death Don’t Have No Mercy”), plus a terrific cover of the Guess Who classic, “These Eyes.”    

Mike has this to say about the album…..

“Life Is Hard is a complete work of art for me,” says Mike Zito about the new disc. “I believe this is the best album I’ve ever made in my life. My wife Laura and I planned this idea of pouring my heart out in music after her death from cancer. Joe, Josh and the incredible musicians were fully aware of the task at hand. They brought a lot of emotion to the music. I am so proud of this album and I know Laura would be proud as well.”     

From Mike Zito’s website.

The Bottom Line

The Bottom line is Life is Hard, like Strong is a fantastic album. In my opinion it is the best album Zito has recorded and it will be quickly climbing the blues charts. Currently it is number 11 on the Roots Music Report Blues Chart.

Mike’s guitar work and vocals are both great throughout Life is Hard. On several of the tracks on the album the keyboard work also shines. When I went to Mike’s website I discovered Reese Wynans was the keyboardist! Here’s the complete musician line-up on the album…..

Mike Zito – Guitar and Vocals
Joe Bonamassa – Additional Guitar
Josh Smith – Additional Guitar
Reese Wynans – Keyboards
Calvin Turner – Bass
Lemar Carter – Drums
Paulie Cerra – Saxophone on “Lonely Man”
Jennifer Kumma and Anna Spina – French Horn on “Forever My Love” and “These Eyes”
Jade Macrae – Background Vocals
Dannielle Deandrea – Background Vocals
Steve Ray Ladson – Background Vocals on “Death Don’t Have No Mercy”
French Horn Arrangements by Calvin Turner

When I was gathering info to write this post I discovered Mike’s wife Laura pasted away in August of 2023. She died after a long battle against cancer.Here’s what Mike writes about the song “Forever My Love”

About the Song “Forever My Love”

“In January of last year, I was considering the idea of making an album about the tragedy of my wife Laura having cancer. I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it, but she was very encouraging of the process. I knew I could not write an entire album about this experience and my feelings, but I wanted to write at least one meaningful song that encapsulated my emotions.

One morning I was sitting with guitar in hand at the dining room table with a coffee by my side. I played a chord and sang “Forever My Love” at the top of my lungs. Laura came into the room and said “What was that? Is that a song you’re going to write?” I said, “I think so, do you like it?”

She had an excited look on her face as she said “Yes, I like it a lot.” It just came to me so I went with it and the rest came so fast and easy. The best songs usually come out of nowhere and are very easy to write, like I am not really writing the song I am just the interpreter. The song was written, but I played it and sang it over and over throughout the year. Every morning I would sit at the table and sing it loud and she would listen.

She would tell me how much she loved the song, she was really proud. We had hoped she would live long enough to hear the finished version, but that didn’t happen. But, she heard me sing this song 100 times to her at our house last year, and she knew you were going to love it.” — Mike Zito

Here’s the video for “Forever My Love”

I also discovered there is a Go-Fund Me site Laura Zito Cancer Support. if you would like to help Mike and his family.

Albert Cummings’ – Strong – Starts March Strong!

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Ok so since September of last year my wife and I have spent most of our days babysitting our 4th grandchild, Emma.  We’re at my daughter’s house from 7 am until roughly 5 pm. The result is I don;t have a lot of time to blog and/or listen to music. But I’ve been trying to listen when I am out and about on the weekends and at night. Lately, the two blues albums that have been in my music rotation are the latest releases from two of my favorites. First came Albert Cummings latest releases Strong.  Then came Mike Zito’s  Life is Hard . 

Both Albert Cummings and Mike Zito’s 2023 releases were among my favorites for the year. Albert’s album Ten was just flat out great. Well,in all fairness, Mike’s Blues for the Southside (Live) was also great! In this post I’ll cover Strong and post about Life is Hard later.

Albert Cummings - Strong

Strong – Albert Cummings

Strong is Cumming’s eleventh release and was produced by Grammy-winning virtuoso Tom Hambridge The album was recorded at Ocean Way Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.

Cumming’s got his first big break In his musical journey, when after hearing hearinglay live, Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton (Vaughan’s Double Trouble) produced and played on 2001’s From the Heart. Since then many of his releases have made their way into the top ten of the blues charts. Several have been produced by the legendary blues guru Jim Gaines. Currently, Strong is number 11 on the Roots Music Report Blues Chart, number 2 on the Billboard Blues Chart and number 9 on the Living Blues Chart

Steve Leggett wrote this about Albert Cummings in his biography at AllMusic…

His playing style weds the chunky, rave-up R&B stylings of Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan to the boundary-less blues-rock improvisation of Jimi Hendrix and Freddie King’s resonant phrasing. Further, he is a powerful vocalist possessed of a rich, expressive baritone

From Albert’s Bio at AllMusic

Every time I Iisten to Strong I like each song just a little better. I’m consistently impressed by Cumming’s guitar work and vocals throughout the album. Rock & Blues Muse says this about the album..

Strong is a sonic exploration of life’s highs and lows, love and heartbreak, delivered with a raw and unapologetic intensity that defines Albert Cummings’ signature style. From scorching guitar solos to soulful vocals, every note on the album is a testament to the passion and dedication Cummings and his band poured into the recording process.

From Rock & Blues Muse

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line is Strong will be in my music rotation for a good long while in 2024. I’m sorry about this but Strong is a very strong album from a great bluesman, Albert Cummings. So check it out!

Links for the Further Exploration of the Music of Albert Cummings

Artist’s Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Amazon Here;s “Live Strong” from Strong Enjoy!

Coco Montoya at his Best on Writing on the Wall

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Writing on the Wall - Coco Montoya

It always amazes me that at one point in John Mayall’s storied career, both Walter Trout and Coco Montoya were Bluesbreakers ! (Watch Them  Here) Throughout the years, I listened to more music from Walter than Coco. However, Coco is closing the gap based on his last three  albums. And while I admit to not having heard all of Coco’s albums, his recent release  Writing on the Wall may be my favorite.

About Writing on the Wall

Throughout Writing on the Wall Montoya’s vocals are as strong as his impeccable guitar playing. Additionally, the album is the first to feature Coco’s touring band.

Writing on the Wall is the second  Coco Montoya album Grammy Award-winner Tony Braunagel (Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal) has.produced. In addition, Tony provides drums on four tracks. The band’s keyboardist  Jeff Paris (Keb’ Mo’, Bill Withers).co-produced and recorded at Jeff’s Garage. Other members of the band include bassist Nathan Brown and drummer Rena Beavers.

Musicians joining Coco and the band on the album include: guitarists Ronnie Baker Brooks, country star Lee Roy Parnell, and Dave Steen.

Of the 13 tunes that comprise the album five were  composed or co-written by Montoya. Steen wrote four and Paris one. All three together they co-wrote the title track .

The Bottom Line

The following quote found at the top of Coco’s biography on his website pretty much sums up Coco’s music:

“Blistering contemporary blues…piercing attack, funky, shivery guitar tones and aggressive, soulful vocals” -Blues Revue

While the following advice from Albert Collins seems to be taken to heart on Writing on the Wall...

’Just play what you feel, be real about it, and enjoy yourself.’ That’s what Albert Collins taught me,” 

It seems that bringing in his touring band to create this album has been a real success and produced one of Coco’s best if not the best albums. From the start of his solo career Montoya has incorporated the  lessons he learned from his mentors, both the iconic Collins (for whom he originally drummed), and UK legend John Mayall,

His first solo album in 1995 won him the Blues Music Award for Best New Artist. And from that point forward Montoya has been one of the top blues artists in the world. But he hasn’t rested on his laurals, but continues to find new ways to improve his music! And sharing the songwriting with his band along with the top-notch producing of Tony Braunage in the creation of Writing On The Wall  have  done just that!

The bottom line is Writing on the Wall is an A+, so Check It Out!  AllMusic writes the following about Coco and I totally agree!

“One of the most prodigious and gifted electric bluesmen on the planet…a deeply soulful singer and incendiary guitarist [with] a seemingly endless penchant for invention.” –AllMusic

Links  for the Further Exploration of the Music of Coco Montoya

CocoMontoya.com
CocoMontoyaBand.com
Facebook
Bandcamp
Amazon

Here’s the title track “Writing on the Wall

Nick Schnebelen – What Key is Trouble In? Powers a Great Run

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Nick Schnebelen - What Key Is Trouble In? Cover
Ok so I have been moving forward in many ways and also feeling my age (71) in others. I have been moving forward in my battle with my ADHD, as I try to do more thing that I’ve thought about doing. While doing others when I think about them, rather than putting them off ! And so far it’s working! One of those things I didn’t  put off was this morning’s run!

The Run

I’ve been running on a regular basis over the last few months. Today I was torn between a 3.1 and a 4 mile run. I chose the 3.1 mile option. In addition I told myself I needed to take it easy.

Even though I thought I was taking it easy, my time for the first mile was 11:30. Ok so I thought I’ll take it easy through the rest of the run.

However, my pace hovered around 11:30 and I was running fairly comfortably over mile two. subsequently, I ran that mile in 11:26. I thought can I finish with an average pace less than 11:25 which would be my fastest time for the year!

I ran the last mile in 11:21! And with an old man sprint of 9:52 pace over the last .12 miles of the run, I finished with an average pace of (drumroll please!) 11:22 min/mile! Yeah me!

The Nerdy Details

Total Dist: 3.12 miles Time  35:28. Pace: 11:22 min/mile

Splits

Mile 1 11:31 Mile 2: 11: 27 Mile 3 11:21 Mile 0.12 9:52

Avg HR 145 Max HR 161 Cals Burned: 370 Cals

All in All a great morning!

The Soundtrack – What Key is Trouble In?  -Nick Schnebelen

What Key is Trouble in? has been in my music rotation for a while now and it may be my favorite blues album for 2023.

Nick Schnebelen is a multiple Blues Music Award Winner. Nick joined the elite of the blues community in 2008 as a founding member of the Kansas City band Trampled Under Foot.
Nick and His siblings Danielle and Kris, overwhelmed the competition to win that year’s
International Blues Challenge. Nick won the Albert King Award for “Best
Guitarist”. While the band later won the “Contemporary Blues Album” Blues Music Award.

In 2014 Nick left the band. What Key is Trouble In? is his fourth solo album. The album is comprised of 13 original blues rock  tracks that showcase Nick’s great guitar work.

His band mates include Adam Hagerman (drums), Cliff Moore (bass), Red Young (keyboards), Buddy Leach (saxophone), Aaron Mayfield (organ).

The album was co-produced by Chris Hardwick.

Links for the Further Exploration of the Music of Nick Schnebelen

Artist’s Website
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Amazon

Here is Nick and his band performing “Ten Years After, Fifty Years Later” the opening track of What Key is Trouble In? 

 

Paul Siebel – Looking Back Woodsmoke and Oranges

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Paul Siebel - Woodsmoke & Oranges

 

Discovering Paul Siebel

Continuing with yesterday‘s thread on the Facebook Record Collectors Group, I have Paul Siebel‘s album Woodsmoke & Oranges spinning on my turntable tonight. I bought the album, when it first came out in 1970, based on the glowing review about the album I read in some music magazine. Additionally I may have been convinced to buy the album, when I saw that the following musicians played in the album…

…. guitarist David Bromberg, violinist Richard Greene, and steel guitarist Weldon Myrick –

Paul Siebel was part of the Greenwich Village folk scene in the mid to late 60s. At Wikipedia I found the following….

An article in The New York Times on February 14, 1970, written by Mike Jahn, described Siebel as “a folk singer with a country and Western bias … a 32‐year‐old native of Buffalo and musically a product of the Greenwich Village folk scene” and said that he “sings in high nasal and hillbilly manner, rather like Bob Dylan’s singing in his early days”, referring to his songs as “uncomplicatdiscographyed country and folk songs, with occasional thoughts about such things as suburban living and raising children”.

Paul Siebel’s Discography MinimaI but Impactful……

Paul Siebel only released two albums Woodsmoke & Oranges and Jack -Knife Gypsy. But several of the songs from those albums have been covered by….

….among others, Bromberg, Willy DeVille, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Jerry Jeff Walker, Kate Wolf, Mary McCaslin, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Rick Roberts and Leo Kottke.

Jerry Jeff Covers Three Favorites

Over the years Jerry Jeff Walker has covered my three favorite songs from the album. They are: “Louise”, “Long Afternoons” and “Then Came the Children”

Sadly, After 1971, his songwriting production stopped. Siebel became depressed and developed drug problems. He passed  away in 2022.

The Playlist

Now  l could just play any of my three favorite songs from Woodsmoke & Oranges but here’s those three songs from both Paul and Jerry Jeff Walker! Enjoy I know I will…..