Merle Haggard - Working Man's Journey

Cracker Barrel

As a performer and a songwriter, Merle Haggard was the most important country artist to emerge in the 1960's. Haggard became one of the leading figures of the Bakersfield country scene. While his music remained hardcore country, he pushed the boundaries of the music quite far.
Like his idol Bob Wills, his music was a melting pot that drew from all forms of traditional American music--country, jazz, blues and folk--and in the process, developed a distinctive style of his own. As a performer, singer and musician he is one of the best, influencing countless artists to this day. Not coincidentally he was the best singer, songwriter in country music since Hank Williams, writing a body of songs that have become classics.
Throughout his career, Haggard has been a champion of the working man, largely due to his rough and tumble history. Working Man's Journey is a trip down a twelve song dirt road including six new works of good ole' boy writing. If only we were all eating that rainbow stew.
***Shelton's song of the Week: "Workin' Man Blues"***

Forever In Terror - Restless in the Tides

Metal Blade

Five fifteen year-olds, from Ohio, influenced by black metal and thrash, four years, a dozen name changes and a few member shifts later: Forever In Terror emerges.
Restless in the Tides is the impressive new debut from the now seventeen year-olds out of the Midwest. The energy on this album is as intense as their musicianship skills. They have the commitment and drive to become one of the leading names for their generation of thrash metal. They've stayed the course in the midst of high school obligations and typical teenage crisis.

Akon - Konvicted

Upfront/Street/Universal Motown

As if he were to be Moses leading the masses into a R'n'B milk and honey mecca, Konvicted proves Akon's ready to take the helm. His voice is a smoothie from Jersey, Jamaica, and continents beyond (Africa, most notably). His wait-a-beat delivery enhances his high-flying hooks. His attitude reeks of thuggery. He transforms womanizing into something worth spreading around. He's hot and it's not stopping anytime soon, so hold on.
Consider the accolades; Konvicted is racking up a Grammy nod for "Smack That" (featuring Eminem), a No. 1 single with "I Wanna Love You" (featuring Snoop Dogg), his sales reach the sky in the millions. Wind and grind with this album.

Tab Benoit - Power of the Pontchartrain

Telarc

Tab Benoit, the bayou man himself, a native to Houma, LA, is a modern blues gem. His guitar skill has been compared to three blues guitar legends: Jimi Hendrix, Albert Collins and Albert King. His voice is velvety rich. His lyrics are poetic tragedies. His guitar whines and belts out heartbreak after heartache.
A traditionalist and innovator all-in-one Benoit reconstructs the foundation of bayou blues, grafting the elements of soul, funk and rock'n'roll to the indigenous sounds of the bayou. His passion for his homeland is unleashed through his music, which is obvious when listening to Power of the Pontchartrain. Tab Benoit truly is a modern day blues legend comparable to the archetypes of his genre.

Fear The State - Trust Nothing

Self Released

Here's the first full-length album from Fear The State, Trust Nothing. Born of three of Connecticut's best bands, they hit the ground running in 2004 playing their first gig at the legendary Toads Palace in New Haven.
Trust Nothing gives maximum exposure to their individual strengths as well as their symbiotic balance as an entire outfit. They are solid, with riveting lyrics that slowly seep into your mind, then tighten their grasp, commanding you to wrap your consciousness around their poetry.
"If you knew this was your only chance, would you think it through again? If you'd take it then take it, and know that you always can, make another day your gem..." --"Live Again"

Hayseed Dixie - Weapons of Grass Destruction

Cooking Vinyl

The Appalachian bluegrass phenomenon, Hayseed Dixie, are back again with a new album, Weapons of Grass Destruction. Always original, this crazy quartet invoke the gods of moonshine and bluegrass for a wild ride. This album encapsulates more of their live energy than previous releases.
They cover a variety of classics, including "Strawberry Fields Forever," "Paint It Black," "I Don't Feel Like Dancing," and "Breaking the Law," bringing on a firestorm of creative power to old standards. Supreme instrumentalists, they make it clear that they are serious about their music, even if their they come off as a joke.

Enrique Iglesias - Insomniac

Interscope/UMG

Enrique is one of the most popular latin singers of romance in the world, selling well over a million albums. The man is a smooth romantic crooner and his appeal translates to many different countries in many different languages. He has toured Europe and Latin America gaining a large fan base outside his North American devotee's. He has conquered the American and British market with his sex appeal. Insomniac is brimming with songs to listen to as you become an insomniac, overwhelmed with romance, or the lack thereof.

Jimmy Buffett - Down to Earth/High Cumberland Jubilee

Barnaby/Varese Sarebande/Universal

Jimmy Buffett put his adopted hometown of Key West on the map with a deep catalogue of albums that found him adding a caribbean tilt to his country and folk based songs. His subject matter illuminated the subtropical state of mind that found favor with the fans of both margaritas and sunsets. No matter that Buffett's audience works 9-5's; his songs offer pure escapist fantasies, while his legendary live performances serve as mobile Floridian beach parties.
Buffett's fans, the colorfully attired "Parrotheads"--have become as much apart of the cultural landscape as the man himself. Margaritaville (which isn't on either album here) was the first top 10 hit of Buffett's career and is the national anthem for the Conch Republic (i.e. those who live in Key West or wish they did). His music is Caribbean soft rock with an edge of pure country, as is obvious in his lyrics: "some people say there's a woman to blame/and i know it's my own damn fault,"
Down to Earth was the debut album of a young Jimmy Buffett, released in 1971. It suffered from little success but that didn't hinder him from releasing High Cumberland Jubilee, the second release from Barnaby, but it was not released until 1976, after his breakthrough hit "Come Monday," on ABC Records. Here are the original cornerstones of the legend himself.

Duke Robillard - World Full of Blues

2 Disc, Stony Plain/Navarre

His playing skills are legendary; so is his ability to tour practically non-stop. He has a label that has managed to promote him effectively worldwide and he has released over a dozen albums through them.
He has sessioned with the best of them, including Maria Muldaur, Dr. John, Bob Dylan, John Hammond and dearly missed legends Jay McShann, Ruth Brown, Jimmy Witherspoon, Roscoe Gordon and Long John Baldry.
On his new double-disc release he is backed by an impressive collection of players, his regular lineup and special guests "Sugar" Ray Norica on harmonica and Al Basile on cornet among others. A tour-de-force, World Full of Blues, solidifies that Duke Robillard is a man charged with creative talent causing him to birth unique blues. Robillard is a man in his prime hour.

Sister Hazel - Bam! Vol. I

Croakin Poets/Rock Ridge/ADA

Sister Hazel, the super heroes of American rock music, have released a sweet set of B-Sides. Faithful to themselves--they deliver their signature blend of soaring vocals, intricate guitar work, powerful rhythms and crafty lyrics that we've come to expect from them. Sister Hazel never let's us down, a "Hazelnut" myself I can't ignore their prolific songwriting, and to think, these are the songs that didn't make the cut, till now.

Holly Dolly - Pretty Donkey Girl

Capitol/EMI

Holly Dolly is an animated singing and dancing donkey who was blessed by four angels with the gifts necessary to be an Euro-dance hit maker. Already suffering from a swelling number of European fans, she is joining the ranks of fictional children icon stars like Barney and Barbie.
Holly Dolly sings kid-friendly versions of Madonna's "La Isla Bonita," Chubby Checkers' "Limbo Rock," and Bobby McFarren's "Don't Worry Be Happy." All songs are infectious, dance-driven surefire hits children will love.

Chris Knight - The Trailer Tapes

Drifter's Church

Chris Knight is a singer/songwriter from a tiny mining town of Slaughters, KY, whose self-titled debut which invited comparisons to Steve Earle and John Prine. After six years of perfecting his story-songs about the downtrodden of small-town America, Knight came to Nashville and won a coveted spot on a songwriters night at The Bluebird Cafe.
Critics of the new country sound of the late '90's began to hold out hope that Nashville could return to the purity that it had been lacking for years. That hope was partly rooted in Knight's singing, full of country rock clearly modeled after Knight's hero, Steve Earle, but even more so in his writing.
He has a distinct flair for describing the working class in Middle America, their difficulties making a living and run-ins with the law has touched many a soul. The Trailer Tapes were recorded before he was a star, in the sweltering summer of 1996. Darker than his known hits, these songs are ferociously crafted. They connect you with the people known as the poor, the misfortuned, the broken. Unforgettable, this album is the best country has to offer today. Shelton's Second Song of the Week: "Move On,"

Woody Guthrie & Lead Belly - The Original Vision

Smithsonian Folkways

Weathered, lean and kindly Woody Guthrie's face is the face of American folk music. Born in 1912, this astonishing prolific composer is to the gritty, acoustic story song what Louis Armstrong is to jazz and Little Richard and Elvis are to rock'n'roll--the clearest, deepest source. Writing, according to his friend Pete Seeger, a thousand songs between 1936 and 1954, he recorded with absolute fidelity, and traced the struggles and celebrations of the working class. An Okie leftist, his guitar bore the legend "This machine kills Fascists." He was an activist whose politics were the furthest thing from theoretical.
Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Lead Belly, rose from penitentiary prisoner to beloved folk troubadour in the '30's, when his influence spread far and wide, most notably to Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. It was remarkable enough that a black man achieved such widespread popular acclaim at a time that crossover was a near-nonexistent phenomenon. The songs are even more remarkable and enduring. American's who would otherwise draw a blank at the mention of Lead Belly's name will recognize "Good Night Irene," "Rock Island Line," and "Bourgeois Blues," to name but three of his best-known songs.
Originally prepared in 1988, this Smithsonian Folkways recording was a complement to the album Folkways: A Vision Shared in which well-known artists performed fourteen songs written by Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly. What was missing then was the sounds of the original artists. Now we celebrate the release of the legendary songs on The Original Vision, an instant favorite.

Seth Tiven - Solitude

RaeDell

Seth Tiven, former Dumptruck vocalist/guitarist has released his solo debut Solitude. The album is full of intellectual lyrics set upon a canvas of country and roots with accents of Dumptrucks' signature pop/rock rhythms.
A true labor of love, Tiven recorded Solitude over a period of two years, showing that he is dedicated to the quality of his music. Tiven is not confined to the expectations of his career-long fans, instead he proves that he has progressed into a distinctly different, yet still enjoyable artist.

Christy & Emily - Gueen's Head

The Social Registry

The alchemy of Christy's guitar mastery and Emily's piano exploration is the ultimate combination for inventive pop art. Remember when pop used to be art? Differentiated by the era that birthed them, they know how to produce hooks and they team them with classical production rivaling Velvet Underground.
Christy and Emily really are "thunder and lightning!" Their mixture of the elements, Gueen's Head is an octet of pieces that explore modern classical techniques grafted with pop songs. Highly catchy, the tunes are combined with discordance and dissonance, making an infectious, head spinning album.

Various Artists - Latin Jazz

Putumayo

Putumayo World Music continues its exploration into the sounds of the Latin Diaspora by releasing its first jazz-focused collection. One of the most familiar jazz genres, Latin jazz has achieved global popularity since big bands in the 1940's and '50's started incorporating Afro-Cuban sounds into their arrangements.
This mixture of jazz stylings and Afro-Cuban rhythms come together in a lively collection of songs from genre masters. Latin Jazz showcases crucial legends Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Eddie Palmieri, Poncho Sanchez and others.

Chantel Kreviazuk - Ghost Stories

Nettwerk/Sony BMG

After a four year hiatus, during which Chantel Kreviazuk was penning songs for the likes of Avril Lavigne and Gwen Stefani, she has returned with her highest level of musicianship yet.
Full of strength and a fresh burst of personality, it surpasses her former works. Ghost Stories is exciting and full of rhythm. Rather than maturing into an introspective, melancholy freak, Chantel has broken the mold revealing herself to be confident and enigmatic--a strong composer and songwriter worthy of acclaim.

Jethro Tull - The Best of Acoustic Jethro Tull

Capitol/EMI

Jethro Tull isn't his name, of course, but it might as well be. At the mere mention of this venerable British art-rock outfit, most people flash on the image of flute-wielding Tull front man Ian Anderson. The group has always been progressive folk/jazz artists; Anderson's rasping melodramatic style of playing takes off from multitiered explorations. Tull clicked with young American audiences.
Aqualung combines heavy melodies and moralistic liberal diatribes against church and state. Thanks to twenty years of radio rotation Jethro Tull ranks right up there with many European superstar groups.
The Best of Acoustic Jethro Tull encompasses the acoustic counterparts of Jethro Tull's vast collection. Many classic songs are brought back and presented in light of the lesser known acoustic recordings. Always the "acoustic" band of their time here are the unplugged best of.
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

Sammie - Sammie

Rowdy/Universal Motown

Sammie hit the music industry hard at the young age of twelve. Now more than five years after his debut he releases his self titled record that could be described as further education of himself.
This album is a well mixed blend of hip-hop influenced mid-tempo tracks and soulful R&B ballads. Personally I was thrilled to see that he took a break from his career to attend high school and then came back with new material. He is mature beyond his years and is bound to entertain us with more creative material in the near future.

Asia - Fantasia:Live in Tokyo

2 Disc, Eagle Rock

Formed from the alumni of seventies art-rock bands such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes and King Crimson, Asia became the last true supergroup of that era, creating albums that mixed arty instrumentally joyful ballads with intermittent stabs at pop success.
Their self-titled debut album launched two hits one of which is "Heat of The Moment," and sold over 15 million copies. Follow-up album Alpha contributed the hits "Don't Cry," and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes," another monster success. (Both are featured on this recording.)
Fantasia:Live in Tokyo marks the first time the original lineup of Asia have released a live album. This is the first time they have reunited in well over twenty years. This album is brimming with energy and excitement. Fans will find some of their favorite songs performed with all the gusto of their live show. And as a bonus, a companion DVD will be released later this year.

Stephen Marley - Mind Control

Tuff Gong/Universal

Stephen Marley, one the singer/songwriting superstar sons of the infamous reggae legend, Bob Marley, releases Mind Control. Setting himself apart from all of his namesake-heirs Stephen has that familiar vocal accent, but a completely fresh, experimental style.
He doesn't cling to the family name to make him a name, instead he fuses the explosive free flow of his lyrics and genre melding music to blaze his own path.
He teams up with other great artists like Ben Harper, Julian Marley, Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Maya Azucena, Mr Cheeks and others, bringing the best, upbeat songs that are sure to become fast hits and reggae classics in time. ***Love's Song of the Week: "The Traffic Jam,"***

[Intro/Chorus]
Bush and Hussein together in bed
Giving H-E-A-D head
Y'all motherfuckers heard what we said
Billions made and millions dead

[repeat 8X]
Work it out; set it up

[Chorus] - 2X

[Boots]
In a land not very far away from here
George W. Bush was drinkin beer
His daddy was head of the CIA
Now listen up close to what I say
The CIA worked for Standard Oil
And other companies to whom they're loyal
In a whole 'nother land by the name of Iran
The people got wise and took a stand
to the oil companies, ay ain't shit funny?
This is our oil, our land, our money
CIA got mad and sent false info
to Iraq to help start the Iran/Iraq wo'
Pronounced war if I have to be proper
The CIA is the cops that's why I hate the coppers
Saddam Hussein was their man out there
They told him to rule while keepin people scared
Sayin any opposition to him, he must crush it
He gassed the Kurds, they gave him his budget
Said you gotta kick ass to protect our cash
Step out of line and feel our wrath
You know the time without lookin at the little hand
Time came for them to cut out the middle man
Children maimed with no legs and shit
Cause the "Bombs Over.." you know the OutKast hit
And they really want you to hate him dead
When just the other day they made him head
War ain't about one land against the next
It's po' people dyin so the rich cash checks

[Chorus] - 2X

[repeat 16X]
Work it out; set it up

Political Article: A Little Nordic Sanity: Actually Doing What You Say By: Rick Salutin Back To Top I squandered a chunk of my life this week watching U.S. congressional hearings on ÒprogressÓ in Iraq, and media follow-ups. In case you didnÕt waste your own time, let me share some of my loss. There are supposedly two sides, for and against the war. Yet they sound the same. California Democrat Tom Lantos, whoÕs against the war, started the hearings by saying ÒourÓ strategy is building national institutions and seeking Òa political settlement.Ó A ÒRepublican strategistÓ asked, in The New York Times, ÒHow do we get to political stability?Ó Pro-war Senator John McCain, on the Straight Talk Express, his campaign bus, said Òif we leave, there will be chaos and genocide.Ó ItÕs all about the good of the poor Iraqis. But what evidence is there that any of them ever had those interests at heart? U.S. policy egged Iraq into eight years of bloody war with Iran. Then Washington applied a decade of sanctions that sapped ordinary life and ensconced Saddam Hussein. And now this occupation. Suddenly they care? U.S. policy-makers have other motives and Iraqis know it. Forty-six per cent, by this weekÕs polling, think civil war would be less likely if the U.S. just got out, chaos or not; only 35 per cent think itÕs more likely. Seventy-nine per cent of Sunnis and 59 per cent of Shiites have no confidence in U.S. and British forces. They donÕt take the benevolent talk seriously-why should anyone? Or take troop withdrawals. What troop withdrawals? Presidential candidate Barack Obama, staking an extreme anti-war position, says heÕd withdraw all troops but leave a force of unspecified size Òto strike at terrorists, train Iraqi soldiers and protect American interests.Ó Huh? IsnÕt that what theyÕre doing now? ThatÕs a stay, not a leave. How is it different from the Bush position? What makes him think, perhaps correctly, that no one will notice? Is it because this is the fantasy realm of foreign policy? The only time my eyes unglazed during the hearings came when the Code Pink protesters stood on their chairs screaming ÒliarÓ until they were ejected under the stony gaze of the (anti-war) chairman. They were reacting rationally, even if they were frantic. It was probably unavoidable. They were trying to tell the truth in a sea of nodding liars. Why is foreign policy such a swamp of deceit and inanity? Is it because in domestic matters, people have benchmarks by which to judge? If youÕre told the economy is great, you can check it against your bank account or job; the same goes for schools and ERs. That isnÕt the case in foreign affairs, so the mythology flows freely. Canada is not exempt. We said weÕd devote 0.7 per cent of GDP to foreign aid, then turned around and said we wouldnÕt. We use the typical bilge as reasons for joining the occupation of Afghanistan: achieve stability, build national institutions. But Wednesday, I watched Adrienne ArsenaultÕs report on CBC news from Sweden. TheyÕve taken 30,000 refugees from Iraq and will add 20,000 this year. Canada took fewer than 400 last year, and plans 1,400 this year. The city of 80,000 she reported from took in twice as many Iraqis as the whole United States. They get health care, language classes, income support. Wait, this doesnÕt fit the mould. It isnÕt grandiloquent talk, itÕs action. They seem to mean what they say, as do other Scandinavian countries. If foreign policy is a crock, a cover for self-interest, how do they pull this off? Is it their relative marginality, strung across the top of Europe, that has kept them somewhat immune from great power politics? The general absence of an imperial past? Their social-democratic heritage, through which they built fairly egalitarian societies and didnÕt have to justify or deny cruel disparities? Absence of racism? I wish I knew. They are oddly like Canada, those places. You fly endless hours and get off the plane in Helsinki and feel you never went anywhere because it looks like home. But not in foreign policy. Rick Salutin was The Globe and Mail media columnist from 1991 to 1999 and is now an op-ed columnist with that paper.

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