Charley Cruz & The Lost Souls

One time it's a slow and tear-jerking ballad about a long-lost love portrayed in melancholy tones... The other a rocking and electrifying uptempo country blues... Charley Cruz & The Lost Souls don't like musical parochialism. Ron Cruz (drums, vocals), DJ Ciggaar (bass, vocals), Jerry Brown (guitar, vocals) and Charley Cruz (vocals, guitar) travel the country-blues-pop-rock road equipped with a convincingly diverse musical outlook.

After the release of their album "Life On The Edge" in 2005 they have gigged almost everywhere in Holland. Successful as the supporting act of Dwight Yoakam, The Hacienda Brothers, The Drams, Chatham County Line, Patricia Vonne, Frank Carillo & The Bandoleros and many, many others.

Their new album "The Last Warrior" has just been released by Sonic Rendezvous.

www.thelostsouls.nl

www.myspace.com/charleycruzthelostsouls

Chris Laterzo

From Colorado’s front range, to Belgium, to Massachusetts, to Washington, DC, to Santa Fe, and eventually on to California, Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Chris Laterzo has never quite settled down. Chris’ songs evoke this same restless spirit- the wanderer, the nomadic soul, and the traveler. He is an artist whose music evokes the open road, and whose style is often described as folk-rock, alt-country, or even American cowboy rock. Chris was drawn at an early age to music by the likes of Elton John, Cat Stevens and Neil Young. By his late teens, Chris had picked up the guitar and soon after began to develop a passion for songwriting.

In 1997, Chris released his debut album 'American River'. Co-produced by Laterzo and Denny Weston Jr, the 'L.A. Music Connection' called it “an engaging collection of American folk rock, and the essence of a rustic album”. After two years of playing the local scene and touring throughout California and the Southwest, Chris garnered solid album reviews, as well as airplay on both NPR and small market stations.

For his 2nd album 'WaterKing', Laterzo teamed up again with producer Denny Weston along with producer Ty Stevens. The core band for this album included notable talents such as Tad Wadhams (Sheryl Crow) on bass, Hank Linderman (America, Timothy B. Schmitt) on electric guitar, and Buck Johnson (Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins) on organ. Released in late 2000, 'WaterKing’s' eleven original songs weave among the boundaries of rock, folk, and alternative country.

Touring over the last few years through the Southwest - and most notably his tours in Europe - has brought Laterzo many new fans. Chris has been a featured artist on ASCAP’s ‘Quiet on the Set’ and the musical guest on the number one national television talk show in The Netherlands ‘Barend en van Dorp’.

The fall of 2004 brought the release of 'Driftwood', Chris’ 3rd album. In realizing 'Driftwood', Laterzo opted to take on full production and engineering responsibilities. Chris admits that in recording 'Driftwood', “the end result is that I achieved exactly what I had envisioned - an album that has a homegrown and live-in-the studio band vibe. I specifically kept the instrumentation simple (drums, bass, guitars, piano, pedal steel) and strictly ruled out layering guitar tracks and the use of all the bells and whistles”.

March 2009 brings the latest album by Chris Laterzo, 'Juniper & Pinon'. Basic tracks for the album were recorded at Sonora Studio in Glendale, California with overdubs being recorded in a variety of locations. “Many of the vocal tracks, including two solo acoustic numbers, were recorded over two days in a suite at The Joshua Tree Inn. For bass and drums on ‘Hacienda’ and ‘Senorita Sunshine’ we returned to Joshua Tree, CA, where we rented a house and set up all the recording gear. The high desert offered an ideal setting for making this record, and we were able to capture some great moments”, Laterzo said.

Co-produced by Laterzo and Jeff LeGore, 'Juniper & Pinon' consists of nine Laterzo compositions and an alt-country version of Elton John’s ‘Holiday Inn’. The album features Laterzo with his band Buffalo Robe, and includes several solo acoustic numbers as well. Some highlights include the electric guitar driven ‘Misfit Child’, the breezy pedal steel laced title track, and the ballad ‘Woman’.

Expect to see Laterzo continue to tour through the Southwest and California, with a return to Europe later in the year.

'Juniper & Pinon' available here.

www.chrislaterzo.com

www.myspace.com/chrislaterzo

Christine Albert

Moonhouse Records is proud to announce the release of “Christine Albert – Paris, Texafrance”. This is the third in Ms. Albert’s acclaimed “Texafrance” series of recordings that celebrate her love of French chansons, European heritage and Texas musical roots. Produced by Albert’s husband/partner Chris Gage (together they are well known as the Austin based Americana duo Albert and Gage), the CD contains songs by French icon Edith Piaf (whose recent biopic film “La Vie En Rose” garnered star Marion Cotillard an Academy Award) as well as two Charles Trenet songs and a Jesse Winchester song with English translations by Christine. Her French music has been called “a waltz across Texas with Maurice Chevalier”. “Texafrance” was released in 1992, followed by 2003’s “Texafrance-Encore!”. “Paris, Texafrance” continues the tradition and further develops the unique sound that Christine Albert has created.

Christine’s grandmother was from Paris, so she grew up surrounded by the French language and fell in love with the music of Edith Piaf at a young age. A Texan by choice for 25 years, her voice is naturally country/folk but with an added dimension in her interpretations of the classic French music of the 40’s and 50’s.

The band for this recording includes Gage on guitar, piano and accordion; Albert’s longtime musical compadre Paul Glasse on mandolin; Shawn Sanders (Strings Attached) on cello; David Carroll on upright bass; and Paul Pearcy and Eddie Cantu sharing the duties on drums and percussion.

“Paris, Texafrance” was recorded in the new and improved MoonHouse Studio, Albert and Gage’s recording studio that was recently moved to a commercial location in south Austin. Ms. Albert said that “singing these French songs in our new space was the prize I kept my eye on throughout five months of sheetrock, wiring, paint and the usual remodeling chaos. It was worth every ounce of effort – especially hearing our new/old Bechstein grand piano on this music.”

"Paris Texafrance" available here.

www.christinealbert.com

www.moonhouserecords.com

Citizen K

Citizen K was born on August 4, 1966. The bastard son of a beautiful go-go-dancer, and a famous rock'n'roll star.

The story goes, that during a few weeks in November 1965, K's mother happened to meet George Harrison, Brian Jones, Syd Barrett, Keith Moon, Dennis Wilson, Gene Clark, John Phillips and Frank Zappa on separate occasions, and she had brief affairs with all of them - 9 months later, K was born. During his childhood, K never knew who his father was. His mother always told him that his father died in a boating accident before he was born, and he never seemed to question this fact.

Two years ago, on his mother's bed of death, the truth was finally known, and K finally understood it all - Where he came from, who he was and what he was destined to do in this life.

Work began on what was to become "Meet Citizen K" - The forthcoming debut album, and tribute to all of his eight possible fathers.

The album itself is chockfull of instant pop-classics, choruses that washes over you like a tidal wave, and with hooks as sharp as the evil man in Peter Pan.

“Meet Citizen K” is like nothing you’ve ever heard before, and at the same time, it’s like everything you’ve ever heard - Ever.....

City Fritter

Combining the best elements of country, folk and classic rock, Topanga Canyon’s CITY FRITTER presents “FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT”, their debut full length CD release.

What ARE the best elements of country?
The simple honesty and grit of Loretta Lynn and Buck Owens
Folk?
The storytelling of Bob Dylan and the harmonies of CSNY.
Classic Rock?
The ringing guitars and energy of The Beatles, Byrds and Stones.

What IS CITY FRITTER?
A fried-up tasty mix of all those influences flavored by the experience and creativity of songwriting duo Jewels and Johnny Nation. Incorporating and reflecting all of the varied environments and circumstances that have shaped the band and their sound.Rooted firmly in the present, listening to what’s come before,with eyes to the future - this is timeless music.

“FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT” is like a road movie:
The story of Jewels and Johnny Nation as they came together in music and in life.
The 10 tracks were written in Topanga Canyon and Joshua Tree, California, Baja, Mexico, on Kauai, Hawaii and on the journeys between them. Each song is a little side trip down a different path – internal or external.
One of the songs, the ridiculously catchy “Don’t You Know”, can be heard in the 20th Century Fox film “FLICKA” starring Tim McGraw. Listen carefully during the rodeo scene!

Recorded with producer Eric Corne at Dusty Wakeman’s Mad Dog Studios, headquarters of LA’s rockin’ Americana sound, “FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT” features Johnny’s warm acoustic and twangy electric guitar work perfectly complemented by Chris Lawrence’s shimmering pedal steel, 12 string and b-bender. Jewels’ expressive harmonica accents add a rootsy quality to “See You” and “I Know What To Bring” the latter a pied piper sing along that adds mandolin and banjo on the way. Holding everything together, master drummer Fabian Jolivet kicks out a wide variety of drum styles from dirty Bakersfield shuffles to jazz inflected fills. Eric Corne lends his considerable skill on the bass as well as his incredible ear and knowledge of the vintage Neve 880 board. Jewels and Johnny’s organic harmonies float over the carefully layered instrumentation.

The result?
A beautifully crafted album, each song realized to it’s fullest potential collectively adding up to a whole more than the sum of it’s parts. A complete work - clocking in just under 40 minutes, listeners will want to let it spin and take the trip “FROM THE OCEAN TO THE DESERT” again and again.

“Massively talented” – Jimmie Dale Gilmore

“Wild and fun” – The Sun Runner Magazine

“A feel good cross between alt-country and sonic country rock” – Skratch Magazine

www.cityfritter.com

Claire Holley

Claire Chamblin Holley, a native of Mississippi, was exposed from an early age to the southland's rich variety of musical influences, and from an early age she responded. She took a ukulele to church and sat out in the hot car strumming it between Sunday school and the church service. She ruined her father's classical guitar by replacing the nylon strings with steel strings so she could imitate what she'd been hearing on her favorite record 'Chet Atkins & Merle Travis Traveling Show'.

"Between all my father's records and my mother's collection of musical instruments, there was plenty to learn from. When we listened to music, my father and I would pretend to conduct the orchestra in front of us. I remember my mother showing me how to play the autoharp, and I still have a wooden music box that she played for me when I was a girl. Now I play it for my son sometimes when he goes to sleep; it's a beautiful, melancholy tune." Her grandmother was an accomplished jazz pianist and made sure that Claire took piano lessons for seven years, though it was playing guitar that really interested her. "I was never that good at playing piano, and maybe that's because I didn't practice enough, but I found the guitar fun to play. It wasn't a chore to practice."

She moved to Chicago for college and began performing at coffeehouses and writing songs. At the suggestion of one of her professors, she studied the poems of William Blake and set one of them to music. That, along with two songs she wrote for the college arts CD, 'Kodon', set a nice foundation for recording songs for 'Night Air', her first independent release. She moved to North Carolina, where she collaborated with producer John Plymale on the 1999 release, 'Sanctuary', a visionary collection of traditional hymns and gospel songs which struck a chord with many radio listeners: "Every time we play 'Bounty of the Lord' or 'Come Thou Fount' the phones ring and ring." (Keith Weston, WUNC Chapel Hill, NC). She signed with Yep Roc Records soonafter and her self-titled release from the label was featured on NPR's Weekend Edition with Liane Hansen. Performing Songwriter calls her work on this record, "straightforward, unabashed, and beautiful".

Since then, Claire has established a significant presence as a singer and a songwriter. "…She is graced with a fine voice," says 'Dirty Linen Magazine', "but more than that, she has learned how to use it expressively."

Of her next release, 'Dandelion', also on Yep Roc Records, Claire "displays the instincts of a master short-story writer, crafting vivid, folkie vignettes of everyday folks, eccentric and otherwise." (Harp). "Simulaneously sweet and gruff, she can sing luxuriant, summer-drenched ballads with the best of them, but there's something of the honky-tonker lurking underneath." (Paste Magazine)

These songs and performances display Claire's commitment to staking out new musical ground while still remaining true to her southern song-writing roots. Last year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art used two of her arrangements of seasonal songs for one of their music releases.

Her brand new release, 'Hush', takes you to a quiet, simple place . It combines the authenticity of Mississippi John Hurt with the vocal power and whimsy of Feist. Lyrical storytelling at its finest.

'Hush' available here.

www.claireholley.com

Clare Burson

“If Lucinda Williams grew up on Yo La Tengo ballads instead of Hank Williams blues, she’d sound something like Clare Burson.”—The Riverfront Times

Armed with a voice that The Nashville Rage praises as “a breeze whispering through soft curtains . . . rumpled, a little seductive, and highly musical,” Tennessee native Clare Burson will release her second full-length album on August 21. The new album, Thieves, follows her critically acclaimed 2003 release The In-Between and her two previous Eps, Undone and Idaho.

Inspired by her relocation from Nashville to Brooklyn, Thieves reflects Burson’s newfound perspective on music, centered on the desire to write and perform solely for the joy of writing and performing. Recorded in a friend’s Brooklyn brownstone with the windows open, the album contains an organic and effortlessness sensibility. In addition to the collaboration with Nashville based producer Fognode (Sarah Siskind, Cortney Tidwell), the album also features instrumental contribution from Joe McMahan, James Digirolamo and Travis Vance.

From 2001-2005, Burson was actively involved in a tight knit group of Nashville producers, players and writers whose credits include Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, John Prine, Matthew Ryan, Josh Rouse, and Alison Krauss. During this time, Grammy® nominated Irish singer Maura O’Connell rerecorded Clare’s song “Hold On” for her 2004 Sugar Hill release, Don’t I Know. Furthermore, Burson’s music has been featured on the ABC drama, “Six Degrees” as well as the WB’s “Dawson’s Creek.”
Burson will begin a nationwide tour in Georgia on July 10.

www.clareburson.com

www.myspace.com/clareburson

Cliff Wagner & The Old #7

Cliff Wagner & The Old # 7 has just recently completed work on their latest album entitled, “Hobo's Lullaby”, which has debuted at #9 on the Euro Americana charts and # 39 on the USA Americana charts in November 2008. The album contains recordings of many of the songs the band performed on “The Next Great American Band” TV show, along with some choice originals. Cliff and the band made this latest record with the gold & platinum award winning producer/engineer, Michael Vail Blum.

“Working with someone with the caliber of talent and experience of Michael Blum, has helped grow, expand and develop the band both as individual musicians, as well as made the band stronger as a whole unit, by ten fold.”

The Old #7 has an original sound that utilizes traditional bluegrass, blues and honky tonk to create an American roots music that people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy.

"If Bill Monroe had started a band with Muddy Waters and Levon Helm, this is what it would sound like".

"Hobo's Lullaby" available here.

www.oldnumber7.net

Count To Fire

Exeter might not have a lengthy rock and roll history, but its isolation from the tired and predictable sounds of the city may have actually helped give the place its first great band. Meeting in Exeter’s Martian Records in early 2006, Count To Fire were formed over a love of bands such as Wilco and My Morning Jacket, and a frustration that their records and gigs never came to town.

Sharing their own self-penned songs, Will Odgers (vocals and guitar), Joe Baxter (bass and backing vocals) and Jake Chivers (drums) realised that they had what it takes to make their own musical magic. Since then, the band, joined by fiddle player Joe Mansfield, have released a self-titled EP to rave reviews, gained a large local following, and played with the likes of Great Lake Swimmers, I Am Kloot and Richmond Fontaine.

Building on their growing stature, Count To Fire have recently released their debut full-length recording – ‘Songs That Remind Me Of You’ to great acclaim - and scored a No.2 slot in the UK Americana Charts featured in Maverick Magazine.

Recorded in Exeter on vintage 1960s equipment, the album builds on the promise displayed in their first EP, delivering a more mature, natural set of original material that draws on influences such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, My Morning Jacket and Cat Power whilst also revealing the band’s own unique voice. Songs That Remind Me Of You showcases a band who prefer subtlety to overblown rhetoric, building layers of violin, chiming guitars and swooping harmonies behind frontman Will Odgers impassioned vocals to deliver a disarmingly affecting collection of music.

These are songs that stick in the mind.

Having played a wide variety of festivals, radio appearances and shows around the UK, Count To Fire are now completing their D.I.Y. journey by self releasing their own album.

www.myspace.com/counttofire

Craig Bickhardt

Craig Bickhardt’s new CD "Brother To The Wind" contains some of the best work he has done in a long career dedicated to ennobling the art of song. One listen and you'll be reminded of the days when artists like James Taylor, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot were pioneering the singer-songwriter genre.

"Music used to change people,” Bickhardt notes. “Records used to be made for careful listeners who read the lyrics and talked about the songs, interpreted their meanings. That’s the kind of music I relate to.” Craig is following in the footsteps of his admired predecessors.

For this project, Bickhardt dug deep into his 800-tune catalog. The record contains songs that have already proven their strength, having been recorded by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, Tony Rice, Charlie Louvin and others.

But Craig is not merely a tunesmith capitalizing on his thoroughbred discography. These songs are highly artistic, and throughout his extraordinary career he has picked up many believers among the better artists of his generation. You can hear them “sitting in” on nearly every cut of the new CD; Janis Ian, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Terri Hendrix, Lloyd Maines, John Mock, Tim O'Brien, Darrell Scott, Maura O'Connell, Rusty Young, Jack Sundrud and a host of others.

"I wanted to include some of the artists and friends I've known and respected on this CD. You get to a point where you realize you don't have forever in this world. It's time to do the things I've put off, and one of those things is to sing and pick with these great people I've met and admired,” Craig says.

The Native Pennsylvanian’s big break came in 1982 when he was chosen to write and sing two songs for Robert Duvall's Academy Award winning film "Tender Mercies". In the wake of that film’s success, Craig made his move to Nashville where his songs found their way onto platinum and Grammy winning CDs by legends such as Ray Charles, B. B. King, Martina McBride, The Judds, and Dianne Schuur. Along with his friends and collaborators Thom Schuyler, Fred Knobloch and Don Schlitz, Craig was one of the original Writers In The Round at The Bluebird Café. He went on to have three hits as an artist when he joined Schuyler and Knobloch to make their SKB CD 'No Easy Horses' for MTM Records, which yielded Craig's chart topper "Givers And Takers".

In 2006 Bickhardt made the bold move to leave Nashville and return to the concert stage and to his roots in eastern Pennsylvania. Since his move he has shared the stage with Kathy Mattea, Judy Collins, Billy Joe Shaver, Livingston Taylor, and Janis Ian among others. His performance at the 2008 Philadelphia Folk Festival prompted the concert’s promoter Jesse Lundy to say, “Craig Bickhardt stands among the giants of songwriting. His main stage show at this year's Philly Folk Festival was absolutely outstanding.”

www.craigbickhardt.com

www.myspace.com/craigbickhardt

Damien Dempsey

Damien Dempsey is from Donaghmede on Dublin's Northside. His earliest musical influences were the post-pub singsongs that his parents used to have at their home when he was a toddler. Good, bad or indifferent, everyone had to sing. Today his unique sound reflects the influence of traditional Sean-Nós as well as his musical heroes: Bob Marley and Elvis Presley.

After completing his secondary education Damien went on to the Ballyfermot "Rock School" for 2 years where he studied musical performance as well as the practical side of the music industry. The school had its own small record label and star students were awarded a release on the label. Damien was chosen for that honour and the EP, "The Contender", was released in 1995.

In 1997 "Dublin Town", Damien's first commercial single, reached No. 18 in the Irish charts. Ireland's HOT PRESS remarked that it was "..an underground anthem for disaffected youth and closet balladeer alike". A re-recorded version of the song appeared on Damien's first album; "They Don't Teach This Shit In School" released in 2000.

His next release, the "Negative Vibes EP", (2002) featured Sinéad O'Connor on the title track and led to an invitation to support Sinéad on her 2002/2003 Irish, UK and European tour.
Damien's second album, "Seize the Day", was released May 2003 in Ireland on Clear Records via Sony and entered the charts first week of release at No. 5. It has since achieved double-platinum sales. Released in May 2004 in the UK on IRL, the album was awarded "CD of the Week" in the Sunday Times and received enthusiastic reviews in the National and music press.

Nominated in 4 categories in the 2004 Irish Meteor Awards, Damien walked away with two, the only 2004 double winner. A documentary, "It's All Good: The Damien Dempsey Story" by independent filmmaker Dara McCluskey, that followed Damien's career progression up to the release of "Seize the Day", was broadcast on Ireland's national TV station RTE and shown at film festivals in Ireland and New York.

During 2004 Damien toured extensively headlining his own shows as well as supporting Bob Dylan during the Irish leg of his European tour and making his debut appearances at The Fleadh and Womad.
Damien has earned the passionate support of his peers, one of whom is Morrissey who invited Damien to support him on various UK and Irish dates as well as his autumn 2004 US tour. Morrissey went on to sign Damien to his Attack label, and "Seize the Day" had its U.S. release in October 2004.

His third album, "Shots", simultaneously released in Ireland and the UK in March 2005, entered the Irish album charts at Number 1 and achieved platinum status in December 2005. The album was also released in the U.S. on United for Opportunity Records in June 2006 and Damien undertook a coast to coast tour.

In February 2006 Damien increased his Meteor Awards by winning in The Best Irish Male category.
Recorded in December 2005 at Dublin's Olympia Theatre and released in June 2006 in both Ireland and the UK, Damien's first live album, "Live at The Olympia", entered the Irish album chart at Number 10.
For the second year in a row Damien won Best Irish Male at the 2007 Meteor Awards.

His new album, "To Hell or Barbados", released world-wide in June 2007, entered the Irish album chart at Number 2.

www.damiendempsey.com

Dan Hubbard & The Humadors

Born and raised in Central Illinois, Dan Hubbard has been writing and performing original music since the age of 16. He has released four albums since 2003, and he has been consistently touring the Midwest along with a few East and West coast trips since May 2007 when he graduated from Illinois State University. Although touring mostly as a solo act, Dan recently joined up with a new group of players to accompany him on the road, and in late 2008 they released their self-titled debut album "Dan Hubbard & The Humadors" in the U.S.

While Dan & The Humadors choose to classify their music as rock'n roll, their sound displays a variety of musical genres including folk, country, blues, soul, and even a little funk. Dan's ever evolving songwriting is influenced by classic singer/songwriters and rock'n roll front men such as Tom Petty, Jackson Browne, Van Morrison, Neil Young, Ryan Adams, and Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows. Dan's powerful yet dynamic voice has been compared to that of Jackson Browne, Lyle Lovett, and Elvis Presley; and his message is a positive one that all can relate to.

"Everybody needs something to satisfy their soul. I just wanna give a little love, I just wanna play a little rock'n roll."

www.danhubbard.net

www.myspace.com/hubbardsmusic

Daniel Lanois

One of the most distinctive and celebrated producers of his time, Daniel Lanois was also a gifted composer and solo artist; whether performing his own material or helming records for the likes of U2, Bob Dylan and Peter Gabriel, the hallmarks of his singular aesthetic remained the same — noted for his unparalleled atmospheric sensibilities, Lanois pursued emotional honesty over technical perfection, relying on vintage equipment and unorthodox studio methods to achieve a signature sound both viscerally powerful and intricately beautiful. He was born September 19, 1951 in Hull, Quebec; his French-Canadian family was firmly rooted in music, with his mother a singer and both his father and grandfather noted for their prowess on the violin. Following his parents' 1963 separation, Lanois and his mother moved to the English-speaking suburbs of Hamilton, Ontario; there he learned to play guitar, and with his brother Robert began making primitive home recordings on a cheap cassette player. In 1970, the siblings purchased a four-track machine, setting up a recording studio in the laundry room of their home and offering their services to local bands for a $60 fee.

Regularly aiding their clients not only as producers but also as songwriters and arrangers, the Lanois brothers' reputation quickly spread, and as the decade drew to a close, they were able to graduate to larger recording facilities, which they dubbed Grant Avenue Studios. There — after sessions for performers as diverse as Ian Tyson and children's artist Raffi — Daniel first worked with Brian Eno, who in the decade to follow would emerge as Lanois' chief mentor and frequent collaborator. Together, they spent several weeks working on instrumental ambient material, experimenting heavily with sonic manipulation techniques; when Eno eventually returned to the U.K., Lanois remained in Ontario, recording a series of LPs for the local band Martha and the Muffins and, in 1983, producing improvisational guitarist Jon Hassell's album Aka Darbari Java (Magic Realism). In 1984, after working with Eno on Hybrid (a collaboration with guitarist Michael Brook) and The Pearl (another collaborative effort, this time with Harold Budd), Lanois responded to Eno's call to co-produce U2's The Unforgettable Fire; the album was a major hit, and it so impressed another superstar, Peter Gabriel, that he invited Lanois to co-produce the soundtrack to the motion picture Birdy.

Lanois next scored with 1986's So, Gabriel's brilliant commercial breakthrough. However, it was his and Eno's second collaboration with U2, 1987's The Joshua Tree, which launched him to true fame: after the album won a Grammy — and after he subsequently co-produced Robbie Robertson's long-awaited solo debut — Lanois emerged as one of the best-known and most respected producers in contemporary pop music. In 1989, he masterminded Bob Dylan's Oh Mercy — widely regarded as Dylan's best work in over a decade — as well as the Neville Brothers' Yellow Moon, an artistic watershed for the venerable New Orleans group. By this time. Lanois himself was a resident of the Crescent City, setting up Kingsway Studio in a mansion in the heart of New Orleans; there he crafted his own hotly anticipated solo debut, 1989's Acadie. Two years later, he reunited with U2 for the stellar Achtung Baby, and in 1992 re-teamed with Gabriel for the wonderful Us. In 1993, Lanois issued the lovely For the Beauty of Wynona; however, like Acadie, it failed to reap the same commercial awards as his other production ventures. Other albums of note include Emmylou Harris' 1995 masterpiece Wrecking Ball, Luscious Jackson's Fever In, Fever Out, Willie Nelson's Teatro and Dylan's 1997 comeback Time Out of Mind; in between, Lanois also recorded the score to the 1996 film Sling Blade. Lanois sxcored ahain with U2's All That You Can't leave Behind at the end of 2000 along qwith working with Joe Henry and others in a support capacity. 2003 sees the year of his third and finest recording Shine that features guest perfomances from Emmylou Harris and Bono. In 2005 he released the outtake filled, "renegade CD" Rockets through his website, which was followed quickly by Belladonna, a proper album release on Anti.

www.daniellanois.com

“Acadie” and “Rockets” are available here :
www.dotshop.se

Danny O'Keefe

Singer/songwriter Danny O’Keefe began his musical career in the Minnesota coffeehouse scene in the 1960’s In 1969, a meeting with Buffalo Springfield manager Charles Greene led to a telephone audition with Ahmet Ertegun, President of Atlantic Records, resulting in O’Keefe’s first record deal. Atlantic Records released 'O’Keefe' (1972) which featured the top-ten classic hit, "Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues", followed by the classic 'Breezy Stories' (1973).

Since its initial thrust onto the airwaves, "Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues" has been recorded by Elvis Presley, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie McCoy, Cab Calloway, Earl Klugh, and Chet Atkins among others. Mel Torme performed it on the hit television series, "Night Court" and, most recently, it was recorded by Dwight Yoakam for his 'Under The Covers' release, and featured in the film 'Wild Things'.

Between l975 and 1979, O’Keefe recorded a third album for Atlantic Records and two albums for Warner Bros: 'So Long Harry Truman' (1975, Atlantic), 'American Roulette' (1977, Warner Bros), and 'The Global Blues' (1979, Warner Bros).

In 1985, O’Keefe released 'The Day To Day' (Coldwater Records), which was re-released in 1989 as 'Redux' (Beachwood/Chameleon Records). The singles, "Along For The Ride" and "Someday" were charted in both the NAC and the AC charts. A video of "Along For The Ride" was aired on VH1. Throughout the 1970s and into 80’s, O’Keefe toured with many well-known artists and friends including, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffet, Jessie Colin Young, Maria Muldaur, Linda Ronstadt, Loggins and Messina, and the Hollies. He has also performed on the same bill with acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Yes, Tom Waits, John Hammond, Little Feat, Rita Coolidge, Dr. John, The Beach Boys, and others.

Many of O’Keefe’s songs have been recorded by well-known artists such as Jackson Browne, "The Road"; John Denver, "Along For The Ride" (co-written with Bill Braun); Judy Collins. "Angel Spread Your Wings"; Sheena Easton, "Next To You" (co-written by O’Keefe and George Merrill); David Lindley, "The Jimmy Hoffa Memorial Bldg. Blues," "More Than Eva Braun", "Well, Well, Well" (co-written with Bob Dylan), and “Jody” (co-written with Bill Braun) ; Jesse Colin Young, "On The Edge" (co-written with Young) and "Catfish"; David Mallett, Molly O’Brien, and Alison Krauss, "Never Got Off The Ground" (co-written with Mallett). The sensational young bluegrass group, Nickel Creek, recorded O’Keefe’s and Tim O’Brien’s, “When You Come Back Down” on their first Sugar Hill release. Tim O’Brien has recorded both “When You Come Back Down” and O’Keefe and Fred Tackett’s “Into the West”.

Recently Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama recorded the O’Keefe/Dylan composition for their Grammy award-winning CD, “There Will Be A Light”. A live CD recorded at the Apollo Theatre has recently been released. Bonnie Raitt has recently released a cd/dvd recording of her VH1 special with a performance with Ben Harper of “Well, Well, Well”. Alan Jackson’s release “Like Red On A Rose” has a song written by Danny and Tim Krekl called “Anywhere On Earth You Are”. It was produced by Alison Krauss.

O’Keefe is as well known in environmental circles as he is in musicians’ circles. His inner music naturally led him to an appreciation of songbirds, which have inspired both his music and his activism. In 1998, O’Keefe founded the Songbird Foundation, which seeks to protect songbirds and their habitats that are being destroyed by deforestation caused by non-sustainable coffee growing practices in Latin America. The Foundation educates and encourages coffee-drinkers to drink sustainably grown coffee rather than sun-grown coffee. Sustainably grown coffee is shade grown, organic, and Fair Trade.

The new CD "In Time" is now available. Order the CD at www.dannyokeefe.com

www.myspace.com/dannyokeefedotcom

Dare Dukes

The songs that make up Dare Dukes’ new album, 'Prettiest Transmitter Of All', are a striking combination of incisive intelligence and sweet, doleful hooks. Looking past the shiny surfaces of American life, the Savannah, GA-based singer-songwriter chronicles the everyday world, mining the margins for the eccentric characters and bizarre events that are the heart of his music.

Born and raised in the exurb of San Jose, California, Dare grew up as the state blossomed into what he calls, "exit-ramp culture" — a maze of smoked-glass franchises and cookie-cutter subdivisions that took root along the vast network of interstate freeways. "Everyone knows the clichés about suburbia: It's a stark, sanitized landscape, pretty much soulless,” Dare explains. “No one needs to remind us of that. I'm more interested in the poetry I see there - the weirdness, the anomalies, the resistance. Even in this unlikely grid you can find courageous people and precious things."

Moving to Minneapolis in his twenties, Dare began playing music as bands like Soul Asylum, Babes in Toyland, and the Jayhawks were emerging to define that city's post-Replacements sound. Influenced by seminal post-punk groups like the Pixies and Fugazi, and musical raconteurs like Tom Waits and Kurt Weill, Dare fronted the Penelopes, a frenetic quartet that was a fixture in the city's rock clubs. After moving to New York City, Dare took a hiatus from music to focus on writing and theatre, but began playing out again, backed by friends and expert musicians Mark Boquist and Paul Garisto. This collaboration led to the bulk of the arrangements for the songs Dare produced for 'Prettiest Transmitter Of All'.

"America is a crazy, scary, and fascinating landscape," Dare says. "The reality is a lot more interesting to me than what the nightly news depicts. The way I see it, it's a place filled with eccentric characters, all on their own strange mission - some nuts, some saner than the rest of us. These missions, these people, they are what my music is about."

"The Ballad Of Darius McCollum," a burning uptempo number inspired by actual events, makes clear Dare's skills as both songwriter and producer. The song captures the insouciant compulsion of a Lower East Side man with Asperger Syndrome who, obsessed with the subway system, impersonates a conductor and commandeers a train, driving it several stops before being caught. With his high, lilting and plaintive voice, Dare wistfully inhabits McCollum, while the grind of the rhythm section, the crunch of guitars, and an ethereal keyboard line join together to push the song to near perfection.

"Bakersfield," which Dare describes as "the closest thing I have to a traditional song," is heartbreaking in its spare depiction of lonely desperation. Minimally arranged, the song builds measure by measure, as visually arresting lyrics describe a man's search for his lost lover. By the time trumpet and trombone blow in to announce the protagonist's arrival in Bakersfield, the song has enveloped the listener.

www.daredukes.com

www.myspace.com/daredukes

Darren Deicide

"If any proof is needed that the power of blues is easier to find than ever, look no further than Darren Deicide", says The Aquarian Weekly.

Darren Deicide was born on Halloween in the rhythm'n'blues-filled environment of Chicago. With his self-taught playing style, trademark vocals that one review said "makes Satan himself feel as if he is not sinister enough", and a stomping foot, Darren Deicide delivers a contemporary style of roots-influenced rock that has been described as "John Lee Hooker meets Johnny Rotten" and "raw, bluesy punk by a one-man dervish".

Like his own multi-cultural background, his music is an eclectic hybrid of many blues-based styles, but remains, as described in another review, as "good, pissed snot-infested rock n roll". Always a fixture on the independent music scene, Darren Deicide would ultimately ramble his way to New Jersey.

There he initiated Ever Reviled Records, a collectively owned and run record label that releases counter-cultural music and became vocalist and guitarist for the now defunct, politically-charged rock band Hopeless Dregs Of Humanity from whose remnants emerged his solo project.

He maintains a continuous touring schedule and has played with a diverse array of notable artists all over the American east coast, south, and midwest that has spanned from Dead Prez to Danny & The Juniors.

'The Jersey Devil Is Here', his third full-length release, was recorded in analog reel-to-reel and is available now on Ever Reviled Records.

www.darrendeicide.com

www.myspace.com/darrendeicide

Dave Gleason’s Wasted Days

There's a jukebox in heaven where the honky tonk heroes gather each afternoon to drink a little poison and swap stories of Bakersfield and Nashville. Charlie Rich laughs it up with Gene Clark while Buck Owens shows off his latest Nudie suit. In the background, Dave Gleason's Wasted Days sings about soul and suds, a jubilant celebration of California country rock that makes the bygone ramblers smile.

Back here on Earth, Gleason's twangtastic reveries rub shoulders with Tom Petty and Dwight Yoakam. The wonderfully tousled Gleason carries the torch for what Gram Parsons called Cosmic American Music, where country mingles with rhythm & blues and good ol' rock 'n' roll. Tunes like "Midnight,California" and "Sad Violins" have a gut level sway that's perfect for truckers, young lovers and anyone else who likes a good time or an honest cry. Gleason's songwriting gifts come to the fore on his latest release, Just Fall To Pieces, an endlessly winning song cycle destined to burn off boot leather in barrooms from Tehachapi to Timbuktu.

Formed in 2000, the Wasted Days move with the confidence and abiding skill of Music Row's best. In their hands, Gleason's heartfelt road songs and beating heart laments swing hard. The current line-up includes Mike Therieau (bass, vocals, songwriting), Pat Johnson (guitars, vocals), John Kent (drums) and Gleason on lead vocals and guitar. A blessed mix of loose and snap tight, Gleason's Wasted Days Band compare nicely with The Paladins, The Jayhawks and Marty Stuart's Fabulous Superlatives. Veterans of the Northern California club circuit, most weekends you'll find some configuration of these guys playing any stage that'll have 'em just for the sheer joy of it.

"Constantly gigging in a music scene where the odds are really against that AND getting to meet and play with many musicians who I'm BIG fan of still amazes me on a regular basis," says Gleason, who's shared the stage with Jim Lauderdale, Chuck Prophet, Bill Kirchen, Albert Lee and The Mother Hips. The band has opened for the likes of The Derailers, North Mississippi All-Stars, Wanda Jackson, Tony Gilkyson and Susan Tedeschi.

Gleason and his boys drink in every encounter like a hungry sponge. Their unabashed love of deep-rooted country, shines through every track on ‘Just Fall To Pieces’, which features guest appearances from guitarists Albert Lee & Jim Campilongo, Red Meat's Michael Montalto, pedal steel whiz Joe Goldmark, keyboardist Dan Eisenberg (Tift Merritt), and Thom Moore of The Moore Brothers.

www.dave-gleason.com

David Gogo

“Acoustic”, as the names suggests, is Juno-nominee David Gogo’s exciting new ALL ACOUSTIC CD (ok, he did plug his 1915 Gibson acoustic into an amp on two songs!).

This is his seventh album with Cordova Bay Records and is part of the “Official Bootleg Series – Volume 2.”

The album features ten brand new tracks that are steeped in the blues, roots and folk tradition that have influenced the two time Maple Blues “Guitarist of the Year” throughout his career. Recorded at his home in Nanaimo, BC in between his extensive tour schedule, Acoustic offers fans an intimate and personal look at the acoustic side of his talents as singer, songwriter and guitarist. Acoustic spans the full spectrum of David’s career with songs like “Years Since Yesterday”, a Paladins tune he first performed when he was 19 years old and “As The Crow Flies”, a Tony Joe White song David indicates “I first heard on a Rory Gallagher record. It’s funny how you get turned on to North American music through European musicians dating back to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.”

One of David’s five originals, “She’s Breakin’ Through” is pure Canadiana. Based on a true story and facts he researched through history books, David tells the tragic tale of his Great Grandfather, who was one of nineteen men killed in a 1915 mining accident in the Black Track mines in South Wellington, near Nanaimo.

While David performed most of the work at home, he did make a trip down to Nashville, TN to write “All I Can Do” with one of the top roots songwriters in the world, Gary Nicholson. Gary has written award winning hits for the likes of Willie Nelson, The Dixie Chicks, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton and most recently Los Lonely Boys amongst many others. “The great connection with Gary was immediate” states David. “It was like meeting someone who is really successful but very cool and talented and with similar influences.”

The impetus for Acoustic draws from his first acoustic CD Bare Bones but was re-inspired by a couple of very successful acoustic performances that David played with Colin James and Colin Linden in 2005. “People really like the acoustic show and as a player, it keeps things interesting and challenges you” says David.

Like a true troubadour, David is looking forward to hitting the road and performing solo in support of the new record and sharing his passion for the music with the world at large. With the broad range of material on this release, it will no doubt appeal to a wide audience.

www.davidgogo.com
www.cordovabay.com

David Mead

Born in New York, singer-songwriter David Mead's family relocated to Nashville where he spent the majority of his formative years, honing his craft in pop bands such as Verdant Green, Blue Million and Joe, Marc's Brother. Mead eventually ventured out on his own, collaborating on a demo of his songs with local keyboardist Jason Lehning. The recording subsequently landed him in the offices of RCA Records where he performed his tunes alone with a guitar. The label signed him shortly thereafter. With the aid of Lehning (credited as associate producer) and producer Peter Collins (Jewel, Brian Setzer), the 25-year old Mead was given a relatively free hand on his 1999 debut for RCA. The resulting album, The Luxury of Time, is a collection of well-crafted tunes that tap classic writers from George Gershwin and Cole Porter to Lennon and McCartney and Paul Simon for inspiration without ever coming across as contrived or less than fresh. Mead, who moved back to New York at the time of his first recording, cites his years in Nashville for his growth as a writer and for his appreciation of the proverbial three minute pop song. The follow up Mine and Yours was released in early 2001. Indiana surfaced three years later.

www.davidmead.com

”Wherever You Are” is available here:
www.rootsy.nu

"Tangerine" is available here:
www.dotshop.se

Dean Owens

‘Every time he sings a song, he means it and feels it with every fibre of his being. Now that is something special – Scotland’s most engaging and haunting singer-songwriter’ – Irvine Welsh

On February 24 Edinburgh's Dean Owens releases 'Whisky Hearts', his first album on Navigator Records. Recorded in Nashville with a stellar cast of Stateside guests, it sees Owens buoyantly expanding his creative & expressive horizons.

The eloquently emotive singing, incisively pared-down lyrics & Americana stylings that have long been his trademarks feature here alongside a range of influences stretching from classic Scottish pop, summery 60s vibes to Celtic-tinged folk.

Several of the artists featured on 'Whisky Hearts' have worked with Owens on previous projects, including pedal steel legend & former Gram Parsons cohort Al Perkins, guitar ace Will Kimbrough, Mavericks drummer Paul Deakin & his bassist band mate Robert Reynolds, as well as Owens' longtime sidekick from home, Kevin McGuire, also on bass. It was through this network of connections that the remaining guests came on board, among them Flecktones saxophonist Jeff Coffin, ex-Jayhawk Jen Gunderman on keyboards, singer-songwriter Thad Cockrell plus producer Elijah ("Lij") Shaw.

'Whisky Hearts' represents a kind of artistic homecoming for Owens. Nowadays, he's the proud owner of a vintage Airstream trailer, which he keeps in California's Joshua Tree country, & where several of the new songs were written, during sojourns there in 2005 & 2006.

Despite the depth & weight of its subject matter, though, Whisky Hearts is a winningly upfront & approachable album, replete with hummable hooks & deftly layered arrangements, centred around the burnished colours, masterly phrasing & vibrant timbres of Owens' singing.

www.deanowens.com

http://navigatorrecords.co.uk

Delaney Bramlett

Delaney Bramlett's musical history spans three decades making it difficult to pinpoint in such a short space his contributions to the world of music. Known as a great songwriter, singer and musician, he has also been a mentor to some of the very best: Eric Clapton, George Harrison, JJ Cale and Bobby Whitlock to name just a few.

From modest beginnings in Pontotoc, Mississippi, Delaney worked his way to the top, but not before a few side adventures. Life in his hometown wasn't for the budding music man and the only way to survive was to pick cotton or join the Armed Services. Delaney joined the Navy for three years and said goodbye to Mississippi. After his release from the Navy with Mississippi in his heart and his feet in Los Angeles he moved his family to be with him, where he has remained ever since.

Living in Los Angeles now, he became a regular on the TV show Shindig as a Shindog, the house band. He was already busy writing with the likes of Joey Cooper, Mac Davis and Jackie DeShannon. Over the years, some of his songs have reached "standard" status such as "Superstar", "Never Ending Song of Love" and "Let It Rain”, among others.

After Eric Clapton joined Delaney on tour he produced and co-wrote songs for Clapton's first solo LP. Due to contractual obligations he relinquished the writer credit to his then wife, Bonnie Bramlett enabling him to keep them in the family. Clapton still credits Delaney for pushing him to sing and teaching him the art.

George Harrison had his first slide bottle placed in his hand by Delaney who quickly taught George how to play slide and write a Gospel song. Out of that lesson came "My Sweet Lord".

He has produced an assortment of artists such as Etta James, Dorothy Morrison (on "Happy Day") and wrote for and produced Elvin Bishop, John Hammond, Bobby Whitlock and the Staple Singers.

He did the late great King Curtis's last LP and taught Curtis to sing, out of which two hits came, "Teasin"' and "Lonesome Long Way From Home". King Curtis kept a room at Delaney's and they spent hour after
hour playing and recording together.

The term "Friends" was coined by Delaney to describe his band and soon the world became his friend. Those involved with Delaney over the years have been many. Joe Cocker sang on the "Motel Shot" LP and Jimi Hendrix joined the "Friends" for a couple weeks of touring. Clapton, Harrison, Duane Allman, Dave Mason and Billy Preston all have been friends too. John Lennon and Delaney collaborated together and Delaney played the friend role as a member of Lennon's Plastic Ono Band. Jerry Lee Lewis requested Delaney's presence during the recording of his famous "London Sessions" album in England. But Duane
Allman and Delaney became best friends sharing ideas, musical licks and a never-ending friendship which to
this day he remembers fondly.

Legendary producer and founder of Atlantic Records, Jerry Wexler says some of the best music he ever heard was played by Duane and Delaney on his back porch. They played many nights there, doing old Robert Johnson and Jimmy Rogers tunes

A few of the artists who have recorded Delaney compositions are Luther Vandross, Ray Charles, Chrissie Hynde, Phoebe Snow, Staple Singers, Sonic Youth, Osmonds, The Carpenters, The Everly Brothers, Crystal Gale and even Lawrence Welk used "Never Ending Song of Love" as an opener for one of his shows.

Over the years songwriting partners have included longtime friends like Spooner Oldham, Leon Russell, Steve Cropper, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Billy Burnette, Dorsey Burnette, George Harrison, Mac Davis, Tony Joe White, J.J. Cale, Gary Nicholson and Dennis Morgan.

There isn't a singer or musician in the world that doesn't feel comfortable with him, regardless whether it's on the front porch, in the studio or playing in front of thousands.

Delaney Bramlett has always attracted the best and had the magical ability to make them even better. It's easy to say every musician under the tutelage of Delaney has become a "Superstar".

The new album "A New Kind Of Blues" was released in 2008 and "Rise Up" will follow soon.

Delaney's world is music.

www.delaneybramlett.com

Dennis Kolen

One of the best and most productive singer-songwriters from Holland has just released his new album. In the last five years Dennis Kolen put a new record on the market every single year, among which his two solo albums: the highly acclaimed “The Jinx” (2005), recommended by Dutch pop guru Leo Blokhuis, and the beautiful “Wild Oats” (2007). Now, a year later, he brings us “Hard Road/Muddy Track”.

‘We recorded the album live within four days in the Rotterdam-based studio Excess. The perfect place to capture the pure emotion of a performing band. ‘It’s all about the magic of the moment’, according to an animated Kolen, who started his career as the leader of the Dutch pop formation Wyatt. This band, that released their debut album “The Big Picture” (2001) with a record deal under its belt, gained a lot of fame by supporting Dutch rock acts such as Kane, Anouk and The Golden Earring.

Three years later Wyatt signed with major label Warner, who released the record “The Last Of Great Fireworks” (2004). After the creation of the third album “Miracle” (2006) the band fell apart and Dennis decided to continue as a solo artist.

His abovementioned solo debut “The Jinx” (2005) received great reviews and was called ‘ludicrously beautiful’ by Dutch pop professor Leo Blokhuis! The sequel to this record, “Wild Oats” (2007), was already in the making at that time. This album, filled with intimate songs, was chosen as record-of-the-week at the Dutch national radio station Radio 2, and stood at the beginning of a very successful theatre tour. Through a range of up close and personal live concerts Dennis managed to create a dedicated audience.

And now there’s “Hard Road/Muddy Track”, an album that, as the title suggests, has its roots in Americana. Influences like Paul Simon, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Bob Dylan & The Band, and The Rolling Stones during the period of “Exile” are clearly recognizable. Still, the new album remains a pop album with melodies that are authentic to Dennis, and which remind one of The Beach Boys and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

‘The title of this album stands for the long road that every musician has to travel to discover his creative identity, and with that, also his audience,’ says Dennis. ‘My goal is to make records I really believe in. Because of the theatre tour, I found out how intimate a performance can be, and what kind of effect my songs have on people. The positive reactions of the audience are overwhelming.’

www.denniskolen.com

www.myspace.com/denniskolen

Doc Schneider

Doc Schneider is an Atlanta lawyer by day and night, and a songwriter in between. Doc grew up on Long Island, New York (in Massapequa Park), and did his undergraduate work at the United States Naval Academy and Auburn University. He met and married Alabama beauty, Helen Schroll, in 1977 and has been in the South ever since.

Doc began playing the guitar at age 14, under the heady influence of the singer-songwriter movement, with James Taylor, Carole King, Elton John, Cat Stevens, Paul Simon and Don McLean in the lead. At age 19, while attending the United States Naval Academy Prep School in Newport Rhode Island, Doc penned his first song – “Coming Home Again”.
Never envisioning himself as a songwriter, Doc pursued other interests in English Literature and the law, graduating from Mercer University's School of Law in 1981. Doc joined the renowned law firm of King & Spalding that same year, and he has been a trial lawyer at that firm for more than 25 years. The firm now has offices in Atlanta, GA, Washington DC, New York, Houston, London and Dubai. In between a booming practice and the exciting national and international growth of King & Spalding, Doc stumbled on the music of David Wilcox in 1992, discovering Dar Williams shortly thereafter. These great new songwriters inspired Doc to return to the songwriting arena (where he had only dabbled off and on in the intervening years). In 2003, Doc released "Choices and Chances", a collection of 20 songs that he recorded at Songbird Studio in Atlanta.

In 2004 to 2006, Doc collaborated with Jeff Jacobs (keyboard player for Foreigner), Ben Wisch (famed producer of Marc Cohn, Bebo Norman and numerous others) and Eugene Ruffolo (singer songwriter and recording artist whose most recent release is "The Hardest Easy") and released “Second Chances” - a new collection of his songs performed by a stellar lineup of musicians and performers, including Eugene Ruffolo, Lucy Kaplansky, Jon Allmet, Josie Aiello, Jeff Jacobs, Cheryl Wilson, and Greg Ferguson. Amazingly and because they started very young, both “Choices and Chances” and “Second Chances” were released after Doc and Helen became grandparents! Doc and Helen have two daughters and four grandchildren.

www.legalguitarist.com

Doghouse Roses

Guitarist Paul Tasker and singer Iona Macdonald formed Doghouse Roses in late 2005 after one too many nights listening to old music whilst drinking red wine. They soon developed a sound that lies in the spaces between Pentangle and Fairport Convention, with a nod to Gillian Welch on the way. Doghouse Roses have released two EP's to date and their full length debut, “How’ve You Been All This Time” will be released on March 10. 2009.

The first Doghouse Roses EP was recorded in their kitchen after gigging extensively around Scotland, England and Holland. Released in September 2006, this EP featured five original songs, one instrumental and the traditional folk song “Nottamun Town”, previously recorded by such legends as Bert Jansch, Fairport Convention, Jackie Leven and Roger McGuinn.

In September 2007, Doghouse Roses released a second EP, “Folk & Blues Part 1” and embarked on a 25 date European tour with US “folk-noir” band, the Willard Grant Conspiracy. Tasker & Macdonald appeared as Doghouse Roses in the support slot and played as members of the headlining Willard Grant Conspiracy at sold out shows. Doghouse Roses have since returned to Germany for their own tour as headliner, and performed at a Popkomm showcase in Berlin in October 2008.

Both Tasker and Macdonald are accomplished performers in their own right - Paul Tasker began playing the guitar after hearing legendary guitarist Bert Jansch in a Glasgow working men’s club in the early 1990’s. He has played hundreds of gigs, from backing fiddle players to playing a telecaster in a “folk techno fusion band”, and in 2004, as songwriter and guitarist for Sal, Paul won a coveted Danny Kyle Award at the Celtic Connections festival.

Iona Macdonald has gained acclaim as a distinctive and accomplished singer with “vocals reminiscent of such folk luminaries as Sandy Denny and Linda Thompson” (Americana UK, Feb 2007). Her growing reputation has led to Macdonald being much in demand as a session singer, and recently performed with Howe Gelb and featured on the 'Willard Grant Conspiracy Pilgrim Road Tour'.

She and Tasker recently spent time in the studio with 60's icon Nick Garrie, working on his new album “49 Arlington Gardens” This album, his first in 40 years since the release of the “lost classic”, ‘The Nightmare Of J B Stanislas’, also features Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub and Duglas T Stewart of the BMX Bandits. Tasker & Macdonald also appear on the critically acclaimed WGC album, “Pilgrim Road” where they have been singled out for praise in reviews for their contributions.

The duo recorded their album of 10 original songs, “How’ve You Been All This Time” with producer/composer Malcolm Lindsay, who has previously written and arranged for The Delgados and The Willard Grant Conspiracy, and, among numerous credits for TV and film music, scored the Ewan MacGregor film, “Young Adam”, with David Byrne.

The new album available here.

www.doghouseroses.org

www.myspace.com/ukdoghouseroses

Dropkick

"Country pop touched by the hand of God" - Americana UK

Dropkick is a Scottish band who play catchy, countrified pop music with great harmonies and melodies that will stick in your head forever.

Imagine Buddy Holly playing "duelling banjos" with Paul McCartney and you’re halfway there. They were formed at school in a small town in Angus in 1995 by drummer/singer Andrew Taylor, guitarist Alastair Taylor (brothers) and bassist Ian Grier. At this time the band played original punk-pop songs but over the years, Dropkick's sound has gradually evolved from its punky origins into a much more mature alt-country style, yet without losing any of the punchy simplicity and immediacy of the songs.

The Taylor brothers have played with a variety of different musicians over the past decade including Martin Black (guitar) and Craig Hendry (who now plays drums for the Sugarbabes). Founding member Ian Grier also had several lengthy spells in the band, most recently playing guitar and mandolin from September 2005 to August 2006. The current line-up is completed by cousin Stuart Low and the unrelated Roy W. Taylor.

Dropkick have written over 600 songs and most of these have been recorded in some form or other. They have released 6 albums and and an EP on their own Taylored Records label. The latest Dropkick album, “Patchwork”, shows off their songwiting skills and multi-instrumental talents to the full. It is by far their most diverse album.

For the past few years Dropkick have received regular airplay on Scottish radio, including BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal, Moray Firth FM, Heartland FM, Deveron FM, Sunny Govan Radio, Black Diamond FM, Leith FM, Fresh Air FM, XFM Scotland and Loch Broom FM. They have also had significant airplay across the world, including Holland, Belgium, Spain, Serbia and USA. The band has also played 2 live sessions on BBC Radio Scotland's Tom Morton Show.

New album "Patchwork" available here.

www.dropkickmusic.co.uk/

www.myspace.com/dropkickmusic