September 15, 2008

Lee Kernaghan - Spirit Of The Bush (2007)

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Lee Kernaghan is back doing what he does best: celebrating the spirit of regional Australia. Featuring seven new recordings among old favourites, Spirit of the Bush includes Lee’s new version of John Schumann’s legendary track, ‘I Was Only 19 (A Day In The Light Green)’ and Peter Allen’s iconic ‘Tenterfield Saddler’. The inspiring title track, ‘Spirit Of The Bush’, was recorded with fellow country artists Adam Brand, Steve Forde and a chorus of guest artists. All up, the album includes an impressive 17 tracks which will not disappoint fans and newcomers alike.

Australians have rallied in their tens of thousands to support Lee Kernaghan's fund raising project for Australia’s bush battlers, Spirit Of The Bush.

Following its launch at a huge concert in Grenfell on June 30, the “Spirit of the Bush EP” — recorded with Adam Brand, Steve Forde and a chorus of country music stars — has sold bucketloads, reaching the number 1 spot on the ARIA Singles Chart in its very first week.

The hit song, Spirit Of The Bush, has been included as the title track on his brand new album, Spirit Of The Bush, released by ABC Music/Warner Music Australia. The album - inspired by Lee’s desire to capture his passion and feeling of dedication to the bush and its people - is a mixture of the old, the new and the lovingly reinterpreted.

Along with Spirit Of The Bush (included in its full version and as a reprise), Lee’s included an incredibly catchy new track titled Sassafrass Gap, which was written many years ago by Bernie O'Brien and recorded by Saltbush. “The song was floating around in the depths of my memory, and Nick Erby eventually located it in his archives and sent it to me. It’s a perfect start to the album,” Lee said. “Already the fans are absolutely loving it, and we recently performed it on the Today Show.”

Other new tracks on Spirit Of The Bush involved Lee putting his own stamp on some of the classics of Australian music, Stan Coster's wonderful Three Rivers Hotel (listen for the slight variation in lyrics when Stan’s name is mentioned), Eric Bogle’s poignant Shelter, Peter Allen’s iconic Tenterfield Saddler and John Schumann’s legendary and powerful I Was Only 19 (A Day in the Green). Following the album’s release, Lee received an email from John Schumann giving Lee’s version the thumbs up and praising his handling of the song.

“I’m enjoying the fact that, after more than a decade of enjoying success in this industry, I’m in a position to make a difference — both to new artists and to rural Australians, including many people who’ve been loyal fans for years. That’s the most satisfying thing, and I don’t think you can beat the feeling it gives you,” he said.

Track List:

01. Sassafras Gap
02. I Was Only Nineteen (A Walk In The Light Green)
03. Three Rivers Hotel
04. Spirit Of The Bush
05. Diamantina Drover
06. Bare Essentials
07. The Way It Is
08. Spirit Of The High Country
09. Southern Son
10. Shelter
11. When Country Comes
12. A Bushman Can't Survive
13. Mate
14. Tenterfield Saddler
15. Cunnamulla Feller
16. Hat Town
17. Spirit Of The Bush Reprise (My Country)

Quality: CBR 320 Kbps 48000 Joint Stereo
Size: 138.85Mb
Genre: Country

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Whiskey Falls - Whiskey Falls (2007)

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On their debut album, country-rockers Whiskey Falls seem to cover all the bases. They're pop-savvy enough to load their songs up with plenty of radio-friendly hooks, but the production never gets too glossy or overblown, striking an agreeable balance between acoustic picking and bluesy barroom licks. The band's stainless-steel harmonies seal the deal, whether on the single "Last Train Running" or the fist-pumping proletarian anthem "Working Man." When all's said and done, Whiskey Falls seem to have their hearts set on becoming the Eagles of the '00s.

Whiskey Falls is comprised of four accomplished vocalists, songwriters, musicians, and performers - Seven Williams, Wally Brandt, Damon Johnson and Buck Johnson. The band members wrote, co-wrote, or produced ALL the songs on their debut album, Whiskey Falls. Whiskey Falls describes themselves as two sets of ''brothers,'' spinning around a ''Calabama'' axis. Seven and Wally are the California connection, while Buck and Damon hail from Birmingham, Alabama. Whiskey Falls came together when childhood friends, and successful film and television composers/songwriters, Seven and Wally, were talked into writing music for themselves during one of their songwriting trips to Nashville. Comps of the sessions got out and an unsolicited label frenzy commenced. Warming to the idea of putting a band together, they were introduced to Buck. Needing a lead guitar player, they called Buck's friend, Damon, former front man for southern rockers Brother Cane. In a 10-minute conversation, Damon was brought on board as a full-fledge band member, sight unseen. Their successful Film/TV production company called We Three Kings, Inc. is responsible for the themes to: The Simple Life, Shark, Tru Calling, The John Walsh Show, One Ocean View, and many more.

Whiskey Falls: Damon Johnson (vocals, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, unknown instrument); Buck Johnson (vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, piano, organ); Seven Williams (vocals, acoustic guitar); Wally Brandt (vocals, 6-string guitar, 12-string guitar, bass guitar, gangira).

Additional personnel: Cliff Downs, James B Lowery (acoustic guitar); Jeff King, Jerry Kimbrough (electric guitar); Russ Pahl, Bruce Bouton (lap steel guitar); Wanda Vick (banjo); Paul Cartwright, Larry Franklin (mandolin); Tammy Rogers (fiddle); Shane Keister, Gordon Mote (piano); Duncan Mullins (bass guitar); Steve Brewster (drums); Bill Brandt (percussion).

Track list:

01 Falling Into You 03:39
02 Last Train Running 04:00
03 The Night Ain't Over Yet 03:15
04 Highway 59 04:47
05 The Champ 04:14
06 Days Of Birmingham 03:41
07 Better Days Will Come At Last 03:28
08 Working Man 03:25
09 So Much Better 03:49
10 Keep The Light On 04:18
11 I Can't Stop Loving You 04:32
12 Let The Whiskey Fall 03:36
13 Load Up The Bases (The Baseball Song) 03:40

Quality: Average VBR 205 Kbps 41000 Joint Stereo
Size: 73.95Mb
Genre: Country Rock | Alternate Country | Songwriter

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Braxton Bragg - Braxton Bragg (2008)

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Formed in 2005, the foundation of Braxton Bragg is made up of the songwriting and performing abilities of 4 road-tested musicians from the Portland area; namely, Bill McMullen (guitar,vocals), Chris McMullen (drums,vocals), Mark Elmer (vocals,guitar), Joel Munn (bass,vocals).

Their influences mix timeless rock in high-energy original songs mined from the rich vein of southern-style rock. Produced locally at Opal Studios in Southeast Portland, this debut CD is a stunning example of lightening caught in a bottle - true performances where you can feel the devotion to musicianship and the love of a good rock song.

The band picked the name Braxton Bragg after stumbling across a Civil War book and randomly turning the pages in which they found an account of General Braxton Bragg whose nickname was "general incompetence" for his performance during the war. The band thought this historical figure embodied the pig headedness and strong-willed characters of the band.

Track List:

01 - Walter Ego
02 - Lonesome Road
03 - Cherry Stem
04 - Ilikdilikir
05 - Never Run And Hide
06 - Coal Black Heart
07 - Scars
08 - Howl
09 - Tragedy
10 - Sweaty Things

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September 14, 2008

Chop Chop - Red Durt




This is NOT the type of music we will be posting. Someone had already taken the Red Dirt blogspot name, so I had to improvise with Red Durt.

Enjoy the video anyway, as it was shot in the red dirt of Oklahoma City.