What Are You Listening To? July 2019
- Thread starter Nickyboy
- Start date
- Status
Nickyboy
Staff member
Nobody captures the sound of the Redstart like this Living Series.John Kirby - Songs Of Birds In Britain (1962)
Ojai Sam
Staff member
Watkins Family Hour - Watkins Family Hour (2015)
AMG tells the story:
Born out of a long-term residency gig at L.A.'s popular nightclub Largo, Watkins Family Hour is a sort of variety show and spontaneous jam session hosted by multi-instrumentalist siblings Sean and Sara Watkins, formerly of the progressive bluegrass group Nickel Creek. Since 2002, the Watkins siblings have been offered the Largo stage for one night a month to showcase new songs, collaborate with friends, play random covers, and essentially let their hair down in any way that pleases them. A hotspot for an eclectic swath of musicians and comics, Largo has generated a wide variety of unscripted Family Hour guest spots from people like Jackson Browne, John C. Reilly, Booker T., and Pete Holmes. Over the years the Watkins' show has taken on a loose structure with L.A. veterans Benmont Tench(piano), Greg Leisz (pedal steel, Dobro), Sebastian Steinberg (bass), and Don Heffington (drums) setting up shop as the Family Hour house band. Coming from a roots music background of folk, country, and bluegrass, it's the type of venture that would be right at home in Nashville, but is a bit of an anomaly in L.A., where they're more likely to bump elbows with Largo regulars like Aimee Mann, Michael Penn, and Fiona Apple, the latter of whom joins them on their first studio venture.
This collection of well-chosen covers both familiar and new (at least to me) has the feel of request night at a rootsy club. Lots of steel wafting over folky vocals with rough but effective harmonies.
on the Sam-O-Meter.
AMG tells the story:
Born out of a long-term residency gig at L.A.'s popular nightclub Largo, Watkins Family Hour is a sort of variety show and spontaneous jam session hosted by multi-instrumentalist siblings Sean and Sara Watkins, formerly of the progressive bluegrass group Nickel Creek. Since 2002, the Watkins siblings have been offered the Largo stage for one night a month to showcase new songs, collaborate with friends, play random covers, and essentially let their hair down in any way that pleases them. A hotspot for an eclectic swath of musicians and comics, Largo has generated a wide variety of unscripted Family Hour guest spots from people like Jackson Browne, John C. Reilly, Booker T., and Pete Holmes. Over the years the Watkins' show has taken on a loose structure with L.A. veterans Benmont Tench(piano), Greg Leisz (pedal steel, Dobro), Sebastian Steinberg (bass), and Don Heffington (drums) setting up shop as the Family Hour house band. Coming from a roots music background of folk, country, and bluegrass, it's the type of venture that would be right at home in Nashville, but is a bit of an anomaly in L.A., where they're more likely to bump elbows with Largo regulars like Aimee Mann, Michael Penn, and Fiona Apple, the latter of whom joins them on their first studio venture.
This collection of well-chosen covers both familiar and new (at least to me) has the feel of request night at a rootsy club. Lots of steel wafting over folky vocals with rough but effective harmonies.
on the Sam-O-Meter.
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Peru Ubu - The Long Goodbye (2019)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Ty Segall - Fudge Sandwich (2018)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Ty Segall & Freedom Band - Deforming Lobes (2019)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
The Comet Is Coming - Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery (2019)
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
OutKast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Big Thief - Capacity (2017)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Big Thief - U.F.O.F. (2019)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Titus Andronicus - An Obelisk (2019)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Earth - Full Upon Her Burning Lips (2019)
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Otis Redding - Live in Europe (1967)
Grachan Moncur III - Some Other Stuff (1965)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Khruangbin - Hasta El Cielo (2019)
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Bruce Springsteen - Western Stars (2019)
See, I listen to contemporary music
Well I'm two weeks into at least checking out one 2019 album/week, and, yes, it is a cheating a bit to bring in my old favorite, Bruce.
Actually this is the first Bruce album since I got into him in the 1980s that I didn't rush right out excitedly and play the first day or two. It's actually been out for over a month. I had heard a few early tracks as well as the discontentment of my old high school bud, also a Bruce fan, so a bit of a delay. Not wowed by this - Bruce released this solo album inspired by the California 60s-70s sound with the lushly orchestrated Glen Campbell's of the 60s in mind. It's actually appeared on several "Best of 2019 so far" lists, but Bruce may get a pass as an elder statesman of rock. I tend to like Bruce the rocker more (big surprise) but he has done several ballads and beautiful slow tracks before that I love too - just not too excited about this one. In all fairness, an album like this may require a couple more listens.
See, I listen to contemporary music
Well I'm two weeks into at least checking out one 2019 album/week, and, yes, it is a cheating a bit to bring in my old favorite, Bruce.
Actually this is the first Bruce album since I got into him in the 1980s that I didn't rush right out excitedly and play the first day or two. It's actually been out for over a month. I had heard a few early tracks as well as the discontentment of my old high school bud, also a Bruce fan, so a bit of a delay. Not wowed by this - Bruce released this solo album inspired by the California 60s-70s sound with the lushly orchestrated Glen Campbell's of the 60s in mind. It's actually appeared on several "Best of 2019 so far" lists, but Bruce may get a pass as an elder statesman of rock. I tend to like Bruce the rocker more (big surprise) but he has done several ballads and beautiful slow tracks before that I love too - just not too excited about this one. In all fairness, an album like this may require a couple more listens.
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Earthless - Sonic Prayer Jam (2012)
Christian McBride - Family Affair (1998)
Christian McBride - Vertical Vision (2003)
- Status
