Blogs

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. 

This week’s AotW will feature Guy Clark’s quiet little opus The Dark from 2002.  Guy Clark has been writing amazing songs since the early ‘70s and performing regularly up until a few years ago.  His extensive body of work defines the genre of music that has come to be known as Americana.  He’s recorded 20 albums and his songs are finely honed snapshots of everyday folks and scenarios, real and imagined.  Guy Clark’s songs have been recorded by a long list of country music outsiders over the years, including Jerry Jeff Walker, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, and Ricky Skaggs.  He’s also a master luthier, and The Dark is named after one of his guitars.  Though The Dark didn’t spawn any breakout songs, it shows Clark at the age of 60 still at the top of his powers as a writer and performer, evoking quiet moments of reflection and observation.   Dug Deep is this week's host.

Cold weather? Time for bossa nova! Coming up at 8 pm tonight -- Classic performances by: Cal Tjader * Charlie Rouse * Kenny Burrell * Luiz Bonfa, Oscar Castro Neves and Lalo Schifrin * Paul Desmond * Jim Hall * and the master himself, Antonio Carlos Jobim. Vocals by contemporary artists Ana Caram and Eden Atwood, and a selection from a brand new album by Northern California’s own Fabiana Passoni. Jazz After Dark replays Thursdays at 11 pm, and Saturdays at 9 pm.

The Reverend Shawn Amos Loves You is written and sung by Shawn Amos, who delivers classy, old-school blues with a raspy yet soulful voice that sounds like it came straight out of a church choir. The music on the LP is full of energy and refreshingly raw, and the production lets the musicianship and the artistry do the talking. The album has all the blues chords, with a thumping bass, saxophones, and smooth, melodical electric guitar. 

The Reverend Shawn Amos Loves You is so upbeat and energetic at points that it could be mistaken for a Black Keys album, especially on the tracks "You're Gonna Miss Me (When I Get Home)" and "Joliet Bound." However, this is a blues album, and any blues album would be incomplete without some midtempo, reflective tracks like "Days of Depression" and "The Last Day I'm Loving You." Shawn Amos didn't reinvent the wheel with this LP, but it is defenitely good enough to warrant a listen or two, especially for fans of the blues.