In a message dated 7/23/09 8:07:42 PM, highbridger@... writes:


> the Lakeside is a nondescript dive. But it has heart and Wednesday night
> it was a great place to be.
>

**Thanks.   Very nice review & I really got the 'vibe' of the place as well
as AR & WE :).

Ed


**************
Dell Deals: Treat yourself to a sweet deal on popular
laptops!
(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1223100673x1201716527/aol?redir=http:%2\
F%2Faltfarm.mediaplex.com%2Fad%2Fck%2F12309%2D81939%2D1629%2D7)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I've been doing some music blogging over at Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn, and I
thought that this piece, which is scheduled to run on Friday, 7/24, would be of
interest to this group.


From the outside, The Lakeside Lounge on Avenue B and 10th Street looks like a
nondescript dive.  Two stores joined in the back in a 1930s' vintage apartment
building, the southernmost store looks like a bar with some signs in the windows
advising of which musician  is playing the place when.  The other store is a
mostly empty room with a bench against the left wall and a few tables and chairs
in front of that.  If you look a bit closer, you'll also see a stage area in the
front.  It's hard to really see that it's a stage because it's only raised about
three inches from the floor.

What you can't really see, though, is the spirit of the place.  Owned by
musician Eric "Roscoe" Ambel (even if you don't know him,you've heard him; he
does the lead parts in Joan Jett's I Love Rock 'N' Roll), the Lakeside is very
musician friendly.  And the one musician who seems to feel that vibe the most is
Amy Rigby.

I've seen Amy play at a number of places in New York city over the years.  But
the one thing that became apparent to me was that Amy's shows at the Lakeside
were invariably her better ones.

So Wednesday night I made my way over to Avenue B for the NYC appearance of
Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby. Last year Amy married Wreckless Eric, one of the
performers on the old Stiff Records back in the 70s.  After that marriage, they
also married their careers and started recording and performing as a duo.

And I have to say that the old Lakewood magic was evident once again.  Eric and
Amy have meshed their sound well.  Eric's lead guitar and bass were quite
pleasing and Amy's rhythm guitar anchored the songs.  She also played keyboard
on a few songs and a what looked to be a brand new electric guitar, which she
should think about playing more.  Their songs for the evening reached back into
the catalog of both Amy and Eric, came from their duo album from last year,
logically titled Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby, and included a few cover tunes as
well.

And there were the zingers: Eric looked at the people looking through the window
at the show and noted that they were too cheap to come inside to see a free
show.  Amy told us about how she went to the bar where her daughter's band was
playing and saw the kid playing bass and rocking out, smoking and drinking beer.
Amy said she was very proud of her, but only for the bass part.

Yes, the Lakeside is a nondescript dive.  But it has heart and Wednesday night
it was a great place to be.

It's been a long time since I've assembled a best-of-anything list at
the end of a year, and I'm not going to start now since I'm not
compelled to stay on top of the latest-and-supposedly-greatest the way
I was 20 years ago, but I still enjoy reading others' lists. The only
one of the below albums I actually have is the Baseball Project, which
is diverting and clever in a boys'-club sort of way, if not a great
album (a little too much inside baseball going on). I much like the
Hold Steady and Steve Wynn, but haven't gone out of my way to pick up
their newest stuff. And I'd have to add Wreckless and Amy's duo effort
to my list (if I had one). Apropos of the recent discussion, I must
say that I like it when musicians step out of their comfort zone and
try new genres, tempos and tricks. There may come the occasional
clunker, but it's much preferable to owning eight albums by one artist
that all sound essentially the same. Even the
if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it Ramones experimented with their sound,
with varying success (although they never surpassed what they did on
their first three or four LPs, I do give them credit for trying).



--- In amyrigby@yahoogroups.com, "Highbridger" <highbridger@...> wrote:
>
> They are in order of goodness (best on top), but you can't go wrong
> with anything listed here.  Yes. I know that these are the top 11, but
> this is from another list I'm on and that's the format we follow.
>
> Albums
>
> Kathleen Edwards � Asking for Flowers
>
> The Hold Steady � Stay Positive
>
> Scott Kempner � Saving Grace
>
> Milton � Grand Hotel
>
> Steve Wynn � Crossing Dragon Bridge
>
> The Raveonettes � Lust Lust Lust
>
> Carrie Rodriguez � She Ain't Me
>
> Drive By Truckers � Brighter Than Creation's Dark
>
> The Baseball Project � Volume 1, Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails
>
> Willie Nile � Live from the Street of New York
>
> Kelly Jones � SheBANG
>
>
> Songs
>
> Kathleen Edwards � Asking for Flowers
>
> Milton � Grand Hotel
>
> Alejandro Escovedo � Sister Lost Soul
>
> Scott Kempner � Shadows of Love
>
> Hold Steady � Sequestered in Memphis
>
> Drive By Truckers � The Righteous Path
>
> Hold Steady � Slapped Actress
>
> Steve Wynn � Bring the Magic
>
> Kelly Jones � There Goes My Baby
>
> Carrie Rodriguez � Infinite Night
>
> The Baseball Project � Past Time
>

I have a lot of jazz albums that would be my faves, but for pop/rock:

Kay Hanley, Weaponize
Jo Carol Pierce, Dog of Love
Innocence Mission, We Walked in Song
Fiery Furnaces, Remember (live one)
David Mead, Almost and Always
Eddy Lawrence (w. Kim lawrence), My Second Wife's First Album
Richard X. Heyman, Intakes
Loudon Wainwright IIII, Recovery
Magnetic Fields, Distortion
Richard Stekol, The Point of Stars

Patty Loveless, Sleepless Nights
Ian Tyson, Yellowhead to Yellowstone and Other Love Stories
Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby   :)
Natasha Borzilova, Cheap Escape
Too Many Strangers, Non Barking Dog (duo of Stephen Stanley-- late of band
Lowest of the Low,
and gal singer/fiddler Carla MacNeil)
Martha Wainwright, I Know You're Married, But I've Got Feelings Too
Susan Cowsill, Live at Carrolton Station, 'Coverd in Vinyl' Vol. 1
Amy Engelhardt, Not Gonna Be Pretty (she's gal singer w. The Bobs-- this a
little different)
Erik Taylor, Hollywood Pocketknife
Honeyhoney, First Rodeo

Ed







**************
One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail,
Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&
icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000025)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

They are in order of goodness (best on top), but you can't go wrong
with anything listed here.  Yes. I know that these are the top 11, but
this is from another list I'm on and that's the format we follow.

Albums

Kathleen Edwards – Asking for Flowers

The Hold Steady – Stay Positive

Scott Kempner – Saving Grace

Milton – Grand Hotel

Steve Wynn – Crossing Dragon Bridge

The Raveonettes – Lust Lust Lust

Carrie Rodriguez – She Ain't Me

Drive By Truckers – Brighter Than Creation's Dark

The Baseball Project – Volume 1, Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails

Willie Nile – Live from the Street of New York

Kelly Jones – SheBANG


Songs

Kathleen Edwards – Asking for Flowers

Milton – Grand Hotel

Alejandro Escovedo – Sister Lost Soul

Scott Kempner – Shadows of Love

Hold Steady – Sequestered in Memphis

Drive By Truckers – The Righteous Path

Hold Steady – Slapped Actress

Steve Wynn – Bring the Magic

Kelly Jones – There Goes My Baby

Carrie Rodriguez – Infinite Night

The Baseball Project – Past Time

yeah, the album sucks.  . Really
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: hypnosisct
   To: amyrigby@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2008 1:16 PM
   Subject: [SPAM][Amy Rigby] new album


   anyone out there think the new album is not strange? Where is amy's
   voice...her sense of humor...her driving rock? If I listened to this
   album without knowing who was the performer and being a long long fan
   of amy, I would not know it is her. the psychedlic layering, the
   voices in the background, the one track running into another. I am one
   of her biggest fan, seen her numerous times, feel she is a "friend" but
   this is very strange. I hope that with a few listenings, it will come
   to me. Except for men in sandals, there is no "normal" amy songs. I
   guess that is what happens when you fall in love LOL





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 12/28/08 11:44:31 AM, highbridger@... writes:


> >>she's been giving that energy to
> her blog, which I for one quite enjoy. <<
>
**I like her 'diary/blog' a lot too.   Some great stuff.

Ed





**************
One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail,
Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&amp;
icid=aolcom40vanity&amp;ncid=emlcntaolcom00000025)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I guess it's time for me to add my two cents.  First I'll note that
when I saw Amy and Eric live here in Brooklyn, Amy was absolutely
beaming.  I've never seen her that happy, and I've probably seen at
least a dozen of her shows.

There were a couple of "Amy songs" during the show that I've never
heard her perform better.  The first was Til the Wheels Fall Off.
That song was never a favorite of mine, but Eric absolutely nailed the
lead.  I can't remember the second, Dancing with Joey, probably.

But what Amy has done both live and on the album is to move her style
closer to Eric's.  The other artist I remember doing this is Tom
Waits, whose music changed after he married Catherine Brennan.

All this reminds me of an exchange between Richard Pryor and a fan
which took place some time after Pryor cleaned up subsequent to his
accident while freebasing.  The fan said that he liked Richard better
before when he was angrier and edgier.  Richard said that he liked
himself better now.

I might not like what she's doing musically now as much as I used to,
but I don't get to call the shots in her life.  If she's in a much
better place personally (and I really believe that she is), that's
great for her.

BTW, Amy has said on her blog that she hasn't really had the desire to
write songs much recently, and that she's been giving that energy to
her blog, which I for one quite enjoy.

In a message dated 12/28/08 10:17:08 AM, dudley206098@... writes:


> >>I hope that with a few listenings, it will come
> to me. Except for men in sandals, there is no "normal" amy songs. I
> guess that is what happens when you fall in love LOL <<
>

**I like it-- though certainly a departure.   Some of the stuff like 'Taste
of the Keys' is brilliant
I think, if very different.   I think it does take several listens & maybe an
awareness of
Wreckless Eric's other stuff (which I like too) to get.   Can't say it's my
fave AR compared to her other ones, but an interesting, even 'charming'
departure/sidetrack IMO.   Weirdly enough 'Men in Sandals' tho I like is
probably my
least fave on the album. :).

Ed


**************
One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail,
Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&amp;
icid=aolcom40vanity&amp;ncid=emlcntaolcom00000025)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

anyone out there think the new album is not strange?  Where is amy's
voice...her sense of humor...her driving rock?  If I listened to this
album without knowing who was the performer and being a long long fan
of amy, I would not know it is her.  the psychedlic layering, the
voices in the background, the one track running into another. I am one
of her biggest fan, seen her numerous times, feel she is a "friend" but
this is very strange. I hope that with a few listenings, it will come
to me. Except for men in sandals, there is no "normal" amy songs. I
guess that is what happens when you fall in love LOL

It's good to see people posting to this group again after months of
silence. I suppose it's inevitable that some old fans of Amy would
resent the appearance of Eric on her turf, and vice versa. Me, I like
'Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby' (both the CD and the live act) quite a
bit -- their styles mesh together more seamlessly than I thought they
would at first, and after listening to the record and seeing them play
live in Austin, it's obvious that they get a kick out of each other's
company and making music together, and I'd also say the venture has
creatively revitalized both of them. I don't like every single track
on the record, but the hits outnumber the misses and at its best, it
approaches the best songs from either of their catalogs. Come to it
with an open mind.

Although I'm not as familiar with Eric's stuff as Amy's, I've owned
his LP 'Big Smash' for a quarter-century and to me, he's no one-hit
wonder; he's a funny, profane and nearly always interesting tinkerer
with gadgets and musical ideas.

I was also glad to be able to interview both of them in advance of
their show, for a daily newspaper in Austin (they like to do
interviews while driving between gigs; why not?). I've posted a link
below.


http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/music/entries/200\
8/09/15/interview_with_wreckless_eric.html


If anyone else caught the duo recently, whether in the US, UK, rural
France or anywhere else, I'm sure we'd all be interested in hearing
about it.


Wes



--- In amyrigby@yahoogroups.com, egoodst285@... wrote:
>
>
> In a message dated 11/13/08 1:26:52 PM, dudley206098@... writes:
>
>
> > >>anyone have the new album yet with Eric
> > I hope that he doesn't get in the way. He really is a one hit wonder
> > from the 70s.<<
> >
> **I like-- takes some getting used to but Amy def. strong figure.
It's fun &
>  offbeat.
> You do have to adjust to Eric's wacky/ pub rock style-- but then I
like him
> ok too.   & it is kinda like Stiff Records stuff '80's to some
extent, but I
> like that.   Good album, if not a 'substitute' for AR's own solo
work (or other
> group work either). Ed
>
>
> **************
>

In a message dated 11/13/08 1:26:52 PM, dudley206098@... writes:


> >>anyone have the new album yet with Eric
> I hope that he doesn't get in the way. He really is a one hit wonder
> from the 70s.<<
>
**I like-- takes some getting used to but Amy def. strong figure.   It's fun &
  offbeat.
You do have to adjust to Eric's wacky/ pub rock style-- but then I like him
ok too.   & it is kinda like Stiff Records stuff '80's to some extent, but I
like that.   Good album, if not a 'substitute' for AR's own solo work (or other
group work either). Ed


**************
Get the Moviefone Toolbar. Showtimes,
theaters, movie news &amp;
more!(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212774565x1200812037/aol?redir=ht\
tp://toolbar.aol.com/moviefone/download.html?ncid=emlcntus
down00000001)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

anyone have the new album yet with Eric
I hope that he doesn't get in the way. He really is a one hit wonder
from the 70s.
I will post when I get the cd .
ordered it yesterday from amyrigby.com
$1 more than amazon but it includes ship and I assume she may get a few
more $
JP

In a message dated 4/26/08 5:50:50 AM, highbridger@... writes:


> Amy and Wreckless Eric (Eric Goulding) are getting married this coming
> Wednesday, April 30th
>

**Thanks for posting.   I did note that reading her blog.   Best wishes!!! Ed



**************
Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car
listings at AOL Autos.
       (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Amy and Wreckless Eric (Eric Goulding) are getting married this coming
Wednesday, April 30th, in France, where they have been living for the
past year or so.

In a message dated 8/27/07 7:28:25 PM, luggage512@... writes:


> kind of a blend of funny/ha-ha and
> funny/strange, but it makes me smile...
>

**Thanks.   I'll check on it-- back from trip so trying to catch up. . .   Ed



**************************************
  Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at
http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks to Wes for that link, mostly because that video links to this
video of Amy (solo) at a house concert this past May, singing As Is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe4dzUr93uU&mode=related&search=

Well, sort of. This is kind of a blend of funny/ha-ha and
funny/strange, but it makes me smile...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV5qdDmUSWQ

--- In amyrigby@yahoogroups.com, Michael Fierro <miguelito@...> wrote:

>
> Which entry are you referring to?
>
The entry titled "Ten"

In a message dated 6/18/07 3:04:07 PM, highbridger@... writes:


> interesting, revealing and even poignant new entry in
> Amy's blog,
>

**Thanks.   Yes very informative-- sad bout her mom but I like the honest way
she discusses, not that that surprises me :). Also those kind thoughts bout
Cleveland are kinda poignant. . . Ed


**************************************
  See
what's free at http://www.aol.com.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Mon, Jun 18, 2007 at 10:01:31PM -0000, Highbridger wrote:
> There's a pretty interesting, revealing and even poignant new entry in
> Amy's blog, which you can find at: http://www.littlefugitive.blogspot.com

Which entry are you referring to?

--
Michael Fierro                                  miguelito@...
Y! Messenger: miguelito_fierro                           AIM: mfierro1
http://biffster.org                           http://weightjournal.com
--
Peri: You're still a little... unstable.
Doctor Six: Unstable? Unstable!? UNSTABLE!?! I am as stable as you
will EVER see me!
Peri: Oh, that's reassuring.
      - Doctor Who


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

There's a pretty interesting, revealing and even poignant new entry in
Amy's blog, which you can find at: http://www.littlefugitive.blogspot.com

In a message dated 1/8/07 5:17:24 PM, highbridger@... writes:


> Amy has started a blog.
>

**Thanks.   Glad to hear she'll maybe be writing more   (hope music not out
of the question in
France. . . !). Ed


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Amy has started a blog.  You can find it here:

http://littlefugitive.blogspot.com/

In a message dated 1/5/07 10:40:43 PM, highbridger@... writes:


> Amy and Eric have moved to France.  There's a long write up of it here:
>
**Geez. Quite a deal-- the stuff of legend!! (or at least a song or two).
Bonne chance, Amy & Eric! :). Ed


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Amy and Eric have moved to France.  There's a long write up of it here:

http://www.wrecklesseric.com/news.htm

I love those Steve Wynn & Miracle 3 albums too-- love that band!!!   I was a
little disappointed by The
Dixie Chicks album-- though I like a few tracks.   Overproduced for me &
somehow not as thrilled with
Natalie's voice here & sev. songs kinda fell flat for me.   But 'brave' they
did new format & their own songs this time.   I like that Rosanne Cash album
too.   I think Sasha Dobson is kind interesting too-- I like her more than
Norah definitely.   A lot of my faves this year were jazz/classical albums (I
listen a lot to those genres), but among other ones:

1.   Annie Gallup, Half of My Crime.   Very distinctive 'folk'
singer/songwriter who does almost folk/rap.   But nearly spoken word at times--
this one has
somewhat more trad. song structure but very intriguing imagery.

2.   Tom Russell, Love and Fear.   More personal than some of his albums--
kinda country/folk/pop.
Strong singer & lyrics-- gretchen Peters (underrated Nashville
singer/songwriter IMO) on a couple too.

3.   ThaMuseMeant, Never Settle for Less.   Interesting 'string jam' band
orig. from Santa Fe, but now
Portland OR.   Interesting blend of male/female vocal & kind wry lyrics by
Nathan Moore.   Very fine playing too.   A little pop, elements of Dylan, Townes
Van Zandt, Tom Waits, a touch of Fairport Convention & Continental Drifters.

4.   The Gourds, Heavy Ornamentals.   'Wacky' Austin band but also some
serious elements in a way.
NRBQ meet The Band on magic mushrooms plus country elements.   Sound on this
one is esp. great,
though I love all their albums-- if ya gotta get used to voices. I think
they're fine players too.

5.   Amy Allison, Everything and Nothing Too.   Yeah, she has "Emmylou Harris
on helium' voice, but I
think she's more comfortable here than previous ones. Nice duet of her dad
Mose's "Was" w. him on piano too.   She's a great songwriter I think-- I like
all her other albums too.

6.   Bob Dylan, Modern Times.   I don't always like Dylan-- at times his
voice bugs me.   But here really
strong, reflective and interesting songs, with elements from folk/blues/Tin
Pan Alley & his own
work. Moving, if in a way a kinda looking at life from the autumn of his
years, so even not so far from
Sinatra's "September of My Years" oddly :).   Or something.   Great band
too-- often understated.

7.   Melissa Stylianou, Sliding Down.   This is by Canadian jazz singer now
living in NYC.   I mention it here 'coz much of her own material & songs & way
band set up akin to mid-late '70's Joni Mitchell.   Elegant, thoughtful songs
that I think do effectively strattle jazz and pop. Some fine guitar work by
a trio of players too.

8.   Christine Collister, Love.   UK singer with very fine dusky, contralto
voice.   She's best known still maybe for her duo work with Clive Gregson-- has
many nice solos too.   Like a folkier Alison Moyet in a way, but her own
style.   This one except one song is all covers-- esp. noteworthy one of Leonard
Cohen's "Hallelujah" & Joni's "Amelia," & thoughful one of even The Hollies's
"The Air that I Breathe."

9. A Case of Case.   Various-- Amy contributes to this of course (great track
too).   I like the whole 3 CD set.   I don't always like tributes, but this
one effective & some nice new light on Case's songs-- if I like him often too.

10.Linda Ronstadt and Anne Savoy, Adiieu, False Heart.   Sorta folk/cajun.
Beautiful singing by both & interesting choice of songs.   Very ballady but e
ffective-- beautiful playing esp. by Andrea Zorn on violin too.   They sound
good together & some of Linda's best singing in over 10 years I think.
Ed



8.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

OK, no Amy Rigby record out last year, but there was a lot to listen
to.  Here's what I thought the best of what I found in 2006 might be
of interest:

1. Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3 - …tick…tick…tick
Officially released in the US in 2006, this record is as strong a rock
record as you are going to hear.  Steve is able to write quiet,
introspective songs as well as total harmonic freak outs and you find
those and everything in between here, including the stalker song to
end all stalker songs (with lyrics by mystery writer George
Pelecanos).  The Miracle 3 rhythm section of Linda Pitmon (drums) and
Dave DeCastro (bass) played with Amy st her live shows before they
moved over to play with Steve.

2. Matt Mays & El Torpedo
Released in Canada in 2005, this record produced a huge hit there for
the band in Cocaine Cowgirl.  Finally released in the US this past
Halloween, this CD is straight ahead rock in the Neil Young – Tom
Petty school.  And the fact that MM&ET may just be the loudest band
I've ever seen live is, in my book, a point in their favor.

3. Gin Blossoms – Major Lodge Victory
After what seems to be eons, this band came back this year with this
CD just chocked full of power pop goodies.  I don't think there is a
truly bad cut on this album.  It just doesn't let me put it away.

4. Golden Smog – Another Fine Day
While 15 cuts are really too many to pack on to an album, that number
means that even if there are a few cuts that don't make it, you end up
with a pretty satisfying CD, which is what this is.  The best things
here sound like they would have made it onto the next Jayhawks album
if there was going to be a next Jayhawks album.  The addition of
drummer Linda Pitmon, probably the best drummer out there these days,
only helps to make this album stronger.

5. Willie Nile – Streets of New York
The best record Willie has ever made, period.  Drummer Linda Pitmon
said that these guys live blew her away.  I didn't have the heart to
tell her that the show she saw wasn't even one of Willie's better ones.

6. Raconteurs – Broken Boy Soldier
Low-fi, but when Jack White is involved you know that going in.
Still, this one was on my mp3 player all summer. For those folks who
like their rock straight ahead and unadorned, this is a very good
album indeed.

7. Sasha Dobson – Modern Romance
This album goes through the same neck of the woods as Norah Jones, but
don't write Sasha off because of that.  Sasha is a very skilled
vocalist (she's been doing this professionally for 15 years and she's
only 27) and her songs here are a varied lot, with jazz inflections
and Brazilian rhythms abounding.  Most of the songs here are co-writes
by Sasha, but her cover of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Modern Romance is
absolutely inspired.

8. Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3 – Live Tick
A full live show of Steve and the band, 21 songs in all on CD and DVD.
  The songs here cover all of Steve's career, from his Dream Syndicate
days to this year's …tick…tick…tick.  This is probably the best live
band out there, and you can get to see them in the comfort of your own
home.

9. Cindy Bullens – Live
Cindy had a bit of a hit back in the late 70s and then disappeared to
have a family.  She's been back making music again for at least the
past seven years and I picked up on her again last year.  She put out
a great live album this year which I found on eMusic, and is also
available in Europe.  Cindy says her profession is "rock n roller" and
this album proves it.

10. Joan Osborne – Pretty Little Stranger
The best thing that Joan has done in a decade.  This album was
recorded in Nashville and has some covers and some originals.  But it
is when Joan sings her own songs that this record really shines.  Cuts
"Pretty Little Stranger" and "Who Divided" are real standouts and keep
switching on and off as my favorites.

11. The Dixie Chicks – Taking the Long Way
You know the story: lead singer Natalie says "We're ashamed that the
President is from Texas" in March, 2003 and a smear campaign taken
right (make that far right) from the Joe McCarthy playbook is launched
to kill the careers of the Dixie Chicks.  It does kill all radio play,
and a good portion of their ticket sales, but they come back with this
album.  Produced by Rick Rubin, with songs written by the band and
co-written with Gary Louris, Peter Yorn and the ubiquitous Sheryl
Crow, this CD has some good and powerful material on it.  If I had
gotten to this earlier in the year, I might have even rated it higher.

12. Dion – Bronx in Blue
Dion said that the first songs he learned growing up in The Bronx were
these blues songs.  He came from a different neighborhood than me, so
I never heard anything like this during my time in that borough.
Still, this acoustic album (just Dion, an acoustic guitar and some
subtle percussion) is never less than a pleasure to listen to.

13. Neil Young – Living with War
I feel that I was present at the creation of this album.  Neil was the
keynote speaker at this year's South by Southwest.  One of the
organizers introduced Neil, and mentioned how Neil was able to get
"Ohio" out about a week after the Kent State Massacre.  He then turned
to Neil and said "Neil, I think we need another song."  We got a whole
album this time.  OK, I'll grant you that this CD is good but not
great, but it's good enough,  and I'll take good enough Neil any day
of the week.

14. Rosanne Cash – Black Cadillac
You know what you are going to get from Rosanne Cash: well-crafted
melodies, thoughtful lyrics and production which fits and is never
over the top.  This album, which Rosanne wrote in the wake of the
deaths of her father, step-mother and mother is all of that.  It could
have been a downer but isn't.  My only gripe is that this material
needs a bit more of the spark which Rosanne is able to give it in concert.

15. The Little Willies
A bunch of New York City musicians who all hang out together thought
it would be cool to come up with a band so that they could all play
together in public.  So was born The Little Willies.  With Norah Jones
as one of those musicians, they had no trouble getting a slot at the
Living Room every week.  The music here is mostly quiet and soothing
and the vocals are handled by Richard Julian or Norah.  But they
certainly have a sense of humor, with the last song on the album
questioning whether Lou Reed was the guy tipping over cows one night
out in the boonies.

16. KT Tunstall – Eye to the Telescope
I first saw KT at a record store in Austin where, using a bunch of
electronics, she was able to recreate the back up singers on her song
"Black Horse and The Cherry Tree."  I'm not sure what was more
astonishing, the electronics or the soulful bluesiness of  this woman
from Scotland.  A great live performer who made a really nice record.

This was posted a couple of days ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EyP05W2Xjg


Leave it to the Dutch to appreciate good music (yes, I know that
according to Amy, Hos en de Mannen are Swedish, and I suppose she would
know). This is a band called No Target covering "Why Do I" at some
Dutch guy's 50th birthday party -- a pretty odd choice of song
considering the event, but then I don't know the birthday boy; the
group does a very nice job of it, and there's even a laser show of
sorts!

By the way, this was recorded in Westdorpe, at the complete other end
of Holland from where the first video was made...anyway, enjoy.




Wes

Amy has now posted the link to the Hos en de Mannen video on her
website.  She read it here first???

Also on amyrigby.com is the story about her day job way back when that
Amy told during her recent Diary of A Mod Housewife shows.  Here's the
link: http://www.amyrigby.com/diary/waytogoamy.html