Blogs

From the many programmers and all those behind the scene, all of us at KDRT wish you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

For the 250th episode of Jazz After Dark I’m serving up an hour of mainstream jazz from the 30’s and 40’s. Swing with Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Earl Hines, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald, and Duke Ellington.  

Live broadcast Tuesday at 8 pm.

Replays Thursday at 11 pm, Friday at midnight, and Saturday at 9 pm.

Check out the archives at kdrt.org, and look for us on iTunes!

Mariachi El Bronx is the third self-titled LP by Mariachi El Bronx, the alter ego of LA punk group The Bronx, which formed in 2002. In contrast with their hardcore punk, Mariachi El Bronx plays acoustic instruments in classic Latin style. On their latest album, the group does use some synthesizers and electronic elements but largely stays true to the Latin sound they brought to their first two albums. The singer, Matt Caughthran, is quite good, carrying many of the songs with his smooth voice and vague, thoughtful lyrics. While some of the quieter, low-tempo songs are relaxing and soothing, such as the melancholy "Nothing's Changed," the album is at its best when there is a quick beat and the trumpets blare loud and proud, on songs such as "Wildfire" and the infectious "Raise the Dead." While Mariachi El Bronx isn't for everybody, it is a very fun Mariachi El Bronx album that expands their sound while staying true to their Latin roots.

This weeks show features music from an older generation of songwriters to be performed by Dan Dressen. As a teen in the 1960’s Dan Dressen enjoyed music on the radio.  He started playing guitar around the time when folk music was popular.  But in the 1970’s Dan started to hear singer/song writers who were just starting their music careers and who performed at small local venues, like coffee houses and the like.  It was these lesser known musicians, at that time, that influenced Dan the most, artists such as John Hiatt, Guy Clark, Robin and Linda Williams, Tom Paxton, John Prine, Joni Mitchell, Tom Russell and others.Over the years Dan played guitar mostly for his own enjoyment.  His fans say he does “talking songs” or plays ballads but Dan just likes to play songs that tell stories.In 2011 he started to play for others and now plays at the  “The Local Open Mic Circuit.”   This includes the open mics at RootStock and Steady Eddy’s in Winters and occasionally Sophia’s and Village Homes Performers Circle in Davis.  Not being a song writer himself, he plays covers of songs that he fir

This week, DJ Justin, takes us down memory lane, and a great lane this one is. Paul Simon is the second solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon as a solo artist. It was released in January 1972, nearly two years after he split up with longtime musical partner Art Garfunkel. The album represented the definitive announcement of the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel. Originally released on Columbia Records, it was then issued under the Warner Bros. label and is now back with Columbia through Sony. It was ranked No. 266 on the list of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. His first solo album had been recorded in England in 1965 and (except for a brief period in 1969) remained unreleased in the U.S. until 1981, when it appeared in the 5-LP Collected Works boxed set.

Rhett Miller has had a very successful musical career, as a solo artist and as lead singer of alternative-country band the Old 97's. On The Traveler, Miller's sixth solo album, Rhett partners with Black Prairie for a bluegrass- and country-inspired LP. Miller and Black Prairie work well together, making a satisfying and relaxing album infused with high energy. Millers soothing yet raw voice always keeps the album grounded and connected, through songs soft and swift. Some of the LP's tracks play like soft rock ballads, such as "Kiss Me on the Fire Escape" and "Escape Velocity," while others illustrate a bluegrass/country background with solid results, such as "Wanderlust" and "Wicked Things," both of which use the fiddle to fine effect. Overall, The Traveler further demonstrates the talent of Rhett Miller and the skills of Black Prairie. The Traveler is essential listening for fans of either of the album's contributors and very accessible to those with all type of musical tastes and backgrounds.

Jeremy Pinnell will appear on KDRT's Live in the Loam pop-up program from 1:00 to 1:30 pm on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Pinnell is a Kentucky native whose dark brand of honky-tonk country music reveals a weary and lonesome rustbelt quality--a quality that is at once strikingly original and current yet travels the same roads as Hank Williams, Ray Price, and George Jones. His most recent album—called “mind-blowingly good” by reviewers—is OH/KY on Sofaburn Records. Dug Deep Hosts.

After the broadcast, Jeremy Pinnell and the 55s will appear at 3 pm at Berryessa Brewing in Winters. For more information on the artist, visit jeremypinnell.com. For more Live in the Loam, visit the archives.

The KDRT crew broadcasts live from Armadillo Music for 2nd Friday ArtAbout with the amazing Misner & Smith, fresh from their European tour. This event is free, open to all. Stop on by at 6:30 pm, listen to the interview, enjoy the performance, meet the artists! 

Andrew Castro is a Sacramento  based singer songwriter. His new EP "RED HEARTS" is now riding on the EP chart of iTunes. Andrew has been on the show before but now as an up and coming "star" we will talk about his new release. Andrew will be joined by singer/songwriter and producer Casey Groat. Andrew's acoustic upbeat pop styled music is catchy and melodic while providing lyrics that are thoughtful and personal and can relate to anyone who has been in love and out of love in any type of relationship. His live shows are high energy and though he is a solo performer his live looping and the rhythms and sounds created on his guitar provide a sound, power and energy most songwriters don't have.