My Nine Favorite Americana Songs of 2013

 

 

So you know that I'm not really a writer.  Maybe I will start improving after a while but my blog is mostly about - I love this, listen! So here are the I love this - listen Americana songs from 2013.

 

 



The Lone Below - You Never Need Nobody

 

I know I can't see them all but I'm bummed that I missed them when they were in Dallas.  I think I will definitely try to catch them the next time they come around.  This is one of my favorite songs of the year.

 

 

 

The Head and the Heart "Josh McBride" my favorite from the new album that they did not play at their show to my eternal disappointment. 

 

 

Aoife O'Donovan "Glowing Heart"  Love the album.  Red and White and Blue and Gold was my summer song this year. 

 

 

Little Green Cars - Big Red Dragon

 

I couldn't decide which song to share because I love, love, love so many of their songs.  They were one of the best shows I saw this year.  I loved their opening.  I love that they invited the audience up on stage.  I just love this band.  Also listen to The Kitchen Floor, The John Wayne, Harper Lee, My Love Took Me Down to the River to Silence Me... listen to the whole album, people!

 

 

Dawes, how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways.  Such wonderful lyrics and a LA band with a soul.  I caught a short set at KXT Summer Cut but would love to see a whole show.  This is "Most People" but the entire album is solid. 

 

 

Jason Isbell -  Traveling Alone - a treasure and one of the best albums of the year.  I know I'm repetitive but I love the albums of everyone I'm sharing with you.  I won't say it again.  Just know it.  

 

 

Fuel the Fire by Sarah Jarosz.  She is amazing!

 

 

Birds and Stars by Elephant Revival - One of the reasons I really want to go to the Old Settlers Festival next year.  I just thought I would throw that out there.  Of course, my friend was accused of being "mean" at their show.  Too funny.  Meanness at an Elephant Revival show - ridiculous!

I must, must, must see Steve Earle in 2014.  He is just too cool.  This is Love's Going to Blow my Way. 

Oh so many more that I love.  That's why I will never run out of things to post.  I love so many songs.  Have an awesome 2014 friends. 

The Head and The Heart at Southside Ballroom Dallas

Ach! Life is passing me by.  I saw The Head and the Heart on Friday night but kept waiting to write this up.  The best reviews are when it's super fresh.  This shall be my short and sweet concert review.

"Sounds Like Hallelujah" a song with interrupted cadence well more of change in tempo but awesomeness whatever you want to call it

The Head and the Heart is a folksy sounding band from Seattle.  I discovered them this past year and fell in love with the song "Lost in my Mind".  I think this is their most well known song and it was amazing live.  When I saw that they were coming to town, I immediately bought tickets.  It was a very young crowd and it sure seemed like a full house.  I have to put in my typical gripe about being too short for GA shows.  It really stinks not being able to see everything.  I guess the rule needs to be that I need to get to the venue early and claim a spot close to the stage.  I really think we should all line up like in grade school pictures with the short people in front and the tall people in back.  Then again I want to be with my tall man and we would be separated.  I guess that brilliant idea will not hold up. 

 

Lost in my Mind - amazing song from the first listen

The band opened with Shake, their first single from their new album which was recently released.  I think actually in November.  They followed with Homecoming Heroes which inspired a "fucking awesome batman" exclamation from my guy who really didn't know the Head and the Heart before we went to the show.  Their music can be unusual.  It doesn't always have the traditional verse chorus verse chorus structure.  I like any band that mixes it up and does things a little differently.  They also have some wonderful heartfelt lyrics.  The problem is that some of the slower, more mellow songs just aren't exciting live.  "Sounds like Hallelujah" was great live.  I don't think I heard Josh McBride which is my favorite song from the new album. 

 

Down in the Valley - I just love songs that build like this.

Here's a partial setlist.  I didn't get them all.

Shake
homecoming Heroes
Ghosts
10,000 Weight in Gold
Let's Be Still
Winter Song
Sounds like Hallelujah
Rivers and Roads
Honey Come Home
Down in the Valley

 The Shake

 

 

 

So The Head and the Heart is a band that I hope to hear much more from.  

 



Little Green Cars at Live Oak

Such an incredibly, awesome show.  I'm so glad I got to be there.  Their opening was the best opening I've seen this year.  Little Green Cars is a band from Dublin, Ireland.  They're described as Americana because they have a bit of a folk influenced sound.  I guess we could go with indie alt description too. 

This was the song that they played for the open.  The curtains open to an empty stage.  No screaming "Hello Fort Worth, We're Little Green Cars".  Just an empty stage.  The band members come out and stand at the front of the stage without their instruments and sing this beautiful song a capella.  Such beautiful harmonies.  It really was an awesome opening.  They then go straight into the second song and though I love their music I was afraid they were going to be one of those bands that takes themselves too seriously.  You know the bands that think they artistes and perform without comment or enthusiasm.  Luckily as the night progressed I realized that I was so wrong about that.  I had to laugh at the bass player who came out wearing a jacket and with his hair combed back then he had his pretty woman rock and roll makeover moment and lost the jacket and started rocking out with the hair in his face.  The guitarist lost his bow tie as the night went on too which was funny but not as impressive. 

They have some very moving, quiet songs but they also have some very upbeat, danceable songs too.  One of my favorites follows, Big Red Dragon.

I think the most moving song was The Kitchen Floor.  Faye is a powerful, powerful vocalist.

 

The penultimate song was their biggest song and the first song I heard by this band, The John Wayne. 

 

 

 

For the John Wayne they invited the audience members onstage with them.  How much fun was that and something that's never happened at another show.  Then for their encore they joined the audience off the stage in the middle of the venue and sang "The Consequences of Not Sleeping".   They were literally right beside me.  Such a great show and a great reason why you need to go see live music.  It is so much more of an experience to see a live performance than to listen to the music at home.  You get to see them, their enthusiasm, hear them talk and tell stories about the songs.  I always come away with a new appreciation of the music after seeing the band live. 

 

The following is my  best attempt at a set list.  I didn't actually keep it at the show but tried to remember the next day which is never as good but it will have to do.  I know I'm missing some songs on here. 

 

Red

Angel Owl

Harper Lee

Big Red Dragon

The Kitchen Floor

My Love Took Me Down to the River (to Silence Me)

The John Wayne

The Consequences of Not Sleeping

 

 

 

I also wanted to add that the opening band The Days out of Denton did a good job.  They have a unique, retro sound.  I really enjoyed their show and hope they continue to grow.  Also a note that I love the venue of the Live Oak in Fort Worth.  I love to see a band in a small venue and it's even better when they get a decent turn out.  This was their first performance in Fort Worth and I hope they come back.  If you get a chance to see them, absolutely do it.  

 

Build Me Up From Bones by Sarah Jarosz

Okay, I'm trying again.  I tried to post this fabulous song earlier but the lords of the interwebs were not cooperating.  Okay this is the title track from Sarah Jarosz new album which is wonderful.  I really don't see why this can't be mainstream if Mumford and Sons can be mainstream.  Until everyone else learns to appreciate the awesomeness of this music I will be glad to share it with you,  My other favorite songs from this album are Fuel the Fire and Mile on the Moon.

My newest band crush - Elephant Revival

You know you hear a new song by a new band and its instant love.  Just everything you appreciate, strings, male female harmonies, bluegrass, Americana, This is me and Elephant Revival today.  I listened to one song then another and another and another and I can't get enough of them.  My ears are happy and BONUS they are coming to Live Oak in October.  So I say I can't see every band I love.  I think I will have to find a way.  It's kismet me finding them the month before they play here.  I adore musicians that radiate joy when they play. 

 "Quill Feather Pen"

 

 



"Ring Around the Moon"

 

 

 

 

"Ancient Sea"

 

 

Oh how I missed you!

Oh my little bloggity blog with so few readers, I've missed you.  I need a new computer or my old computer fixed.  Until then it will be few random posts.  I think I shall blow you up with lots of fabulous songs today. 

First up Red and White and Blue and Gold by Aoife (say it like eee-fuh) O'Donovan.  I just love it and it's perfect for July 4th.  It's just perfect anyway.   This is a very mellow relaxing song, a perfect chill in the afternoon summer song.

I've already shared Uncle Lucius' Keep the Wolves Away which I still think is a fabulous song but then I saw them live and realized that they have so much more to offer.  This is Pocket Full of Misery.  They are a great live band and I think everyone should catch them if they get a chance.  I really loved their cover of Help Me Make It Through the Night.  Also Kevin Galloway's beard is much more impressive now and I love the fact that all of the band members are songwriters.  That's unusual and fabulous.

Ah Della Mae!  I love discovering new music and Della Mae is a great discovery.  All female, bluegrass, listen and love!  They are from Boston and have a bit of Celtic influence too.  The song is Empire. 

Another new to me band, the Pines.  I don't know much about them other than I like this song.  The are from Minnesota (I can't say that without hearing it in Jesse the Body Ventura's voice).  Minnesota is the land of hot dish and the Pines.  The song is Cry, Cry, Crow.

Four for Friday

Some new to me music that I'm digging this Friday night.

"Keep the Wolves Away" by Uncle Lucius  Just try to listen to this song and not feel something.  It's a great commentary on those struggling economically and people doing whatever is needed to care for their familes.  This song has heart.  I love that Uncle Lucious is taking donations for food banks at their shows to help struggling Texas families. 

I'm really enjoying Wheeler Brothers new album Gold Boots Glitter.  This is my favorite song "You Got a Lot of Love".  My other favorites are "Straight and Steady" and "Cigarette Smoke".  How can I describe Wheeler Brothers to someone who hasn't heard them.  I have heard like Mumford but I really don't think that.  I say listen and decide for yourself but lets go with folk roots Americana. They are from Austin and will be coming to Fort Worth to the Live Oak on April 27, 2013.  I really wish I could catch them but I'm already going to see BRMC that night.  Hopefully they will be back in the area soon. 

"Six Riders" by the Dirty River Brothers.  I love a song that tells a story and I love Dirty River Brothers sound.  They've been playing this on 95.9 the Ranch and I give it a big thumbs up whenever I hear it.  They will be at the Fort Worth Music Festival in May and will be back in town in July for a free performance at the Capital Bar.  I will be seeing them at both. 

 

 

Another song that 95.9 the Ranch turned me onto.  I love this song.  "Gawd Above" by Jon Fullbright.  This song is amazing.  It's just such a powerful song that I can't believe it's just one man with a guitar and a harmonica. I have to say that as much as this song is amazing I don't agree with Jon Fulbright's jerk of a God.  My God is a loving God.  

The John Wayne by Little Green Cars

It's easy to fall in love...

Milk Carton Kids - The Ash and the Clay

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Love, love, love!!!

Local Love - Left Arm Tan

 

 

 

 

Left Arm Tan is a local Fort Worth Texas Country/Americana band.  They have a new album out which you can check out on Spotify.  Even better they are going to be at the Magnolia Motor Lounge on Friday, March 29 for a CD release.  This song isn't from the current album but is the best video I could find on Youtube.   I haven't quite determined my favorite song from their new album, Alticana.  Right now it's between Bittersweet and 69 Reasons.  So hey wouldn't it be great to hear this band on the Ranch or KXT?  Let's show a local band some love. 

 

Oh and just because I'm shallow I will mention that their singer is quite kissable. He is a handsome, handsome man.  It's those dimples. Who can resist dimples?