Author: Twangri-La

Review by Harry Kaplan
This is my first review of a comedian. I realize this doesn’t fall in the format of country music, or music of any kind. I am compelled to write a review for a couple of reasons: 1) Lewis Black is hysterical and it was a wonderful evening. 2) This was a benefit for two worthy charities, Pathfinders for Autism and The Maryland Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I don’t want to lose focus of what the purpose of this great event was, to raise awareness and resources for two very important causes. More about the sponsors a little later….

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Reviewed by Harry Kaplan
Soulful, funky and totally groovy. Yes, I said groovy. That’s because this album grooves and rocks. All of the songs have this very understated vibe with comforting sounds. Either it’s the funky back beat, the totally sublime spacey guitar fills, or the heavenly Wurly-esque organ fills, all of these elements compliment Bonnie’s voice like a hand in a tight fitting glove.

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Complicated Life – The Kinks
Dead Flowers – The Rolling Stones
Squeeze Box – The Who
Tulsa Time – Eric Clapton
Song For Bob Dylan – David Bowie
It’s Over – Badfinger
Free Again – Alex Chilton
Brokedown Palace – The Grateful Dead
Ramblin’ Man – The Allman Brothers Band
Little Ole Country Boy – Parliament
Your Cheatin’ Heart – James Brown
I Can’t Be Counted On – The Meat Puppets
Hold My Life – The Replacements
Weary Blues From Waitin’ – The Godz
Promised Land – Chuck Berry

TwangriLa Podcast Number 2: Did Jew Know?
Ride ‘Em Jewboy – Kinky Friedman
Get To Leave – Giant Sand
The 3 Deaths Of Lucky – Howe Gelb
Right Now – Emmylou Harris/Mark Knopfler
Little Bitty Town – Bad Livers
You And Me Instead – Asleep At The Wheel
Jumpin’ At The Woodside – Asleep At The Wheel
Demon In Disguise – David Bromberg
Act Nice And Gentle – The Black Keys
Romance In Durango – Bob Dylan
The Streets Of Baltimore – Tompall & The Glaser Brothers
Pretty Boy Floyd – Country Joe McDonald
Tennessee Stud – Ramblin’ Jack Elliott
I’m Glad I’m Jewish – Mike Bloomfield

TwangriLa Podcast Number 3: Every Day I Got The Booze – The Whiskey Edition

Whiskey Bottle – Uncle Tupleo
Whiskey Bottle – The Golden Boys
Whiskey On My Mind – The Von Ehrics
Whiskey River – Willie Nelson
Women Without Whiskey – Drive By Truckers
Poison Whiskey – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Beer, Whiskey & Diamond Rings – Texas Heat
Let the Whiskey Take The Reins – Old 97s
Whiskey Glass Eye – Slobberbone
Whiskey Down The Drain – Jeff Dahl Group
Waltz About Whiskey – Mandolin Orange
Whiskey Jar – Wrinkle Neck Mules
Me And The Whiskey – Whitey Morgan & The 78s
Tennessee Whiskey – George Jones

TwangriLa Podcast Number 4: Crazy About Country Music
Committed To Parkview – The Highwaymen
The Rubber Room – Porter Wagoner
When Walter Went Crazy – Drive By Truckers
Crazy Mary – Victoria Williams
Crazy Baby – The Blasters
I’ve Always Been Crazy – Waylon Jennings
Acute Schizophrenia Paranoia Blues – The Kinks
Some Depression – Kasey Anderson And The Honkies
No Depression – Uncle Tupelo
Desperate And Depressed – Margo Price
I’m Looking For My Mind – Merle Haggard
Out Of My Mind – Nikki Lane
Psycho – Eddie Noack
Zoloft – Drive By Truckers

TwangriLa Podcast Number 5: Everyday I Got The Booze – The Drinking Edition
Drink Up And Be Somebody – Merle Haggard
Nobody Up Drinking (But Us) – Hard Pans
If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will) – George Jones
Why Henry Drinks – The Drive By Truckers
Let’s All Go To The Bar – Deer Tick
I’ll Never Drink Again – The Far West
Yes I Guess They Oughta Name A Drink After You – John Prine
Reason I’m Drinking – Country Lips
Drink ‘Till We’re Gone – Lucero
Don’t Come Home-A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind) – Loretta Lynn
Hurtin’ (On The Bottle) – Margo Price
Haze Of Drink – Slobberbone
Drinking And Driving – The Business
DUI Or Die – Those Darlins
Another Bender Might Break Me – Hellbound Glory
Many Happy Hangovers To You – Karling Abbeygate

Reviewed by Harry Kaplan
Jason James is in the next wave of great traditional country artists. You’ve all heard of Simpson, Childers, Jinks, Cauthen, Crockett, etc. You’re gonna have to add another name to that list and that name is Jason James. This is tear in my beer country that is praise worthy for it’s authenticity. This is Texas dance hall music that is timeless. And I can’t wait to listen to the whole shebang one more time. 

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Reviewed by Harry Kaplan
I have been listening to this for the better part of a week and I have come to a conclusion: This is sublime. Yes, I said sublime, which is a word I don’t normally use. In this case, a word of this caliber is warranted. In the past two years, Billy Strings has gone from a regional star to being on the cusp of “making it big”. All of his concerts sell out very quickly, which means he will need to play bigger rooms to accommodate the legions of Strings fans.

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Jason James is in the next generation carrying on the great honky tonk tradition. He writes and performs his own original music and really keeps his music full of integrity and honesty. He is also a tireless performer. And by the way, his new album, Seems Like Tears Ago, came out on October 4th. We really hit off well and I definitely made a new friend. We talk about music, barbeque, waking up in a strange hotel, and many other interesting topics.
JJ – Jason James                                         TL – TwangriLa
TL: I’m speaking with Jason James from Texas City, Texas down in the Gulf of Mexico. I hope you made it through the storm okay. (more…)