Daniel Romano: "Middle Child"

To continue our 2 post Caitlin Rose theme, Ms. Rose turned us on to the fantastic writing of Daniel Romano several months ago. Continuing in the somewhat odd tradition of Canadians composing excellent Americana music, Romano channels vintage Parsons and Gene Clark, and in-turn (of course) Sweetheart-era Byrds. With a melancholic deadpan vocal and stellar production, Romano captures the elusive sadness of true country all the while remembering to always keep that pedal steel and fiddle uplifting, no matter how dire the lyric. A true standout writer. Come Cry with Me comes out Jan 22 on Normaltown Records, an imprint of New West.

Old 97s Announce New Album

Super exciting news today, as The Old 97s announce their new album, their eighth studio record, The Grand Theatre Vol. 1 - due October 12 on New West. We're just taking our first spin now... From the press release:

The band, who Rolling Stone says have “evolved...into master-class rock & roll songwriters,” recorded over two dozen brand new songs during studio sessions and will be releasing a second volume
in 2011.

The Grand Theatre Volume One was predominantly written during Rhett Miller’s 2009 solo tour abroad. The lyrics are filled with character studies while the sound – expertly rounded out by band members Murry Hammond, Ken Bethea and Philip Peeples – is Garage-Rock-meets-60s-British Invasion without abandoning the classic 97’s sound

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Steve Earle Pays Tribute to Townes

If I ever did one of those Facebook 25 things posts (I won't), one of the facts would be that Townes Van Zandt is my favorite songwriter of all time. In my short career, I've also had the privilege to work on one of Steve Earle's records, meet him, and see him live a few times. That Steve Earle would record a tribute album to friend and hero Townes Van Zandt comes as no surprise to anyone who has heard Earle's now infamous quote: "Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." Needless to say, I'm really excited for this record, even though Earle's last outing Washington Square Serenade left me feeling a little shaky about the direction of his music. Luckily, Dust Brother John King produces only one tune "Lungs" on which Tom Morello guests. Yeaaah. But it's ok, most of the other tracks feature bluegrass favorites and even Justin Townes Earle's first appearance on one of dad's records. Townes comes out May 12 on New West. See the full track list (which is great) after the jump. Pitchfork is streaming "Lungs." Whoo. Weird cover art though.

"This may be one of the best records I've ever made. That hurts a singer-songwriter's feelings. Then again, it's some consolation that I cherry picked through the career of one of the best songwriters that ever lived."

Townes:

01 Pancho and Lefty
02 White Freightliner Blues
03 Colorado Girl
04 Where I Lead Me
05 Lungs
06 No Place to Fall
07 Loretta
08 Brand New Companion
09 Rake
10 Delta Momma Blues
11 Marie
12 Don't Take It Too Bad
13 Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold
14 (Quicksilver Daydreams of) Maria
15 To Live Is to Fly