Dead Horse

A photo from a few years back, at one of the most stunning drive-up (and a short walk) viewpoints in the U.S., Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah, near Moab:

by wolffkurt

Calexico vs. Giant Sand

Reading a recent edition of Harp, and come across a one pager interviewing Howe Gelb. Never really caught up on the beef between Howe and Joey Burns (apparently Covertino stays mum and has managed to keep friendship with both). My sympathies immediately drew up alongside my loyalty to Howe. Made Joey sound like an overdriven indie yuppie with a lust for indie-rock power. I don't know, that's a one-sided view, so I admit, I'm not being fair. I love Calexico's music -- and I play it way more than Giant Sand or any of Howe's solo recordings, good as that all may be. Joey's talented, and he deserves attention and the growing indie-fame he's receiving lately. But, I can't help it, every time I play them Calexico records, I think of that article. I think of Howe, and the bitter taste left in his mouth. The bitterness of broken friendships.

So long, Buck

California, country music, all of it just doesn't seem the same without you. Nice to see, though, how much attention you've gotten in the press this week, leading up to your funeral (in Bakersfield today). People all over, lots of them, are feeling the loss. Can't blame them. The music had more power than perhaps even most fans knew. The songs were strong, extremely likeable, and they reached far and wide.

Deliver Me

That's the name of the new album by my buddy Tom Heyman, a supremely talented musician who was formerly the guitarist (and songwriter) with Philly's Go To Blazes and is now busting through the briars on his own pathway as a singer-songwriter. His previous album Boarding House Rules did indeed rule, but Deliver Me takes things several steps further. His voice is sturdier, and that title track...whoa. That's some serious songwriting.

Check it out here (there's a free MP3 of the song via that link, too, so don't despair.)

Me 'n Tompall

I keep coming back to ol' Tompall Glaser, the Nebraska kid with the sweet harmonizing voice who hit the charts with his brothers before turning into a Nashville mogul, thanks to a little sing-song ditty ("Gentle on My Mind") that they happened to publish and stars just couldn't stop singing. Waylon's best pal during the Outlaw heyday until they had a fight and stopped talking. Now...where'd he go? Get back out here and sing us another round.

In the meantime, check out "Gideon Bible," from his 1973 solo album Charlie.

A Rio Bravo Moment

Caught this on Spread the Good Word:

Tony Joe White

Saw him in Austin last year, dark and swampy voice, low key and brooding bluesy-soul sound.


"Rainy Night in Georgia" kills me every time. Light out, sink back, let it pour.

Almost Anniversary

Now get this

Nearly a year has gone by and I still haven't figured out how to post a damn song via Comcast. Lazy bum.