The Way Back Home "Review" and meta-criticism

Ghost Town Council had the great honor of opening for Whitney Mann and the Boys' CD release party way back on May 29th at Cafe Alchemy. I have since indicated an interest in reviewing the release here on the Mad Country blog. But since that occurred, I realized that I would be terrible at reviewing an album (given enough listens, I think I would like nearly anything). In fact, I find the whole practice to be pretty miserable. Especially since once personal favorite, Pitchfork.com levied this as a "review" of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's self titled album.

Yet while Hood's unconventionally hoarse yelp attracted twang-wary indie fans and Cooley's gunslinger drawl was irresistible no matter how you felt about country, Isbell's booming, manful voice irredeemably marked him out as the least hip of the Trucker singers for the duration of his stay. Being the overweight guy in the group for a spell probably didn't help either.

Even when Isbell slimmed down considerably, however, he still retained the voice of a guy who takes ham with every meal.

So rather than go into the subtleties of why Andrew Harrison's use of the pedal steel guitar is perfect (yes, perfect), or why Whitney Mann might be Madison's most complete alt-country singer and songwriter, or just how much I appreciate the tightness of the rhythm section, I am simply going to say that this album is fantastic.

It's easy to see how Whitney made it on that Triple M contest Project M, and it's just as easy to see why Whitney and the Boys were invited to Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?. Whitney offers a fresh take on the Madison (alt-)country scene that is already burgeoning with talent. But great sound, high energy, and tight feel doesn't always translate into a great album. But it works here.

The production on "The Way Back Home" is great. I'm not familiar with how Milwaukee producer J. Christopher Hughes put the album together, but the mix is incredible. It has the old time feel of 'put the mic in the room and let the band do it.' From top to bottom, this CD was a great experience. Colorful drums, tight harmonies, perfect pedal steel work (there it is again), solid bass playing, and beautiful singing really makes this album come together and come alive.

The songwriting on the album is enthralling. But it goes beyond handing out a chord progression to a band, and having lyrics set to it. The band understands their role, and they provide for a great trip through this album. My personal favorite: "I Said," is the greatest example of how the band and lyrics weave in and out through one another and present "the sound."

On the negative(ish) side, I will say the album is too short. But honestly, if that's the worst thing that you can say about an album, then really, is it a bad thing? I mean, clearly you want to leave the audience wanting more, and this release does that for sure.

So to Whitney Mann, Andrew Harrison, Kyle Jacobson, and Tim Russell I say well done.

You can pick up "The Way Back Home" at the following url:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/whitneymann

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to support local music.

Edited 7/8/09
Edited 8/19/09

Bad Deacon...No Sacrament...

So, I've been a bad blogger. I truly apologize for the lack of updates. It is really my goal to keep this blog active, unfortunately school has bested me.

The The Kentucky Waterfalls and Boo Bradley show was pretty great.

The Ghost Town Council crew all had a grand excursion out and these guys did not let us down.

Boo Bradley played a great blues inspired set. I'm not much of a Blues-guy (ask Brian), but these guys have it. Delta style blues guitar with a solid rhythm section playing some classic blues tunes. One of the funner tunes of the night was a great Latin groove instrumental. It was a helluva great way to get the night going.

This all gave way to the Kentucky Waterfalls. In terms of musicality and style leanings, this is what country music is all about. Evan and Katie are about pure country. They may be the purest form of country that you can find in Madison. Evan's finger style picking hearkens back to Clarence White, and the harmonies were spot-on all night. The tune "Hello Stranger" provided as a great opener and set the tone that surprisingly (yet, amazingly fittingly) finished with "Every Rose has It's Thorn," and brought the house down. The first set also featured great originals, my favorite of which was "Your Eyes Can't Lie." I'm not kidding when I say this song could easily be inserted into any George and Tammy set.

The Second set was pretty solid, but was a tough act to follow after the first. Their renditions of "In Spite of Ourselves" by John Prine and a soulful rendition of the Splitlip Rayfield tune "Crazy" as a great answer.

Overall it was a great night. The Kentucky Waterfalls will be "Johnny and June'ing it" at the High Noon Saloon on January 2nd. I highly recommend the show!

12/2 at the Frequency

The Kentucky Waterfalls and Boo Bradley will be at the Frequency on Dececmber 2nd. It looks to be a fun show and will start at 8:30. Only $5. If you happen to be around a computer with speakers or an FM transmitter at 9am, check out WORT (89.9) or listen here. The Kentucky Waterfalls will be playing live in the studio to promote the show!

Peace,
The Deacon

Ghost Town Council Rides Again (for the first time, and soon to be second time)

Thanks to all that made it out to EVP on Saturday. We had an amazing time and never could have dreamed that it would go as well as it did. There's pics and a video available on our myspace page seen Here.

Now onto new business. Ghost Town Council got word today that our Second show will be at the High Noon Saloon (THE High Noon Saloon) on December 4th, opening for Nationally Renowned act Split Lip Rayfield! I don't know (or care) how it all happened, but we are just amazed at this opportunity. So come out and see Split Lip Rayfield and Ghost Town Council on December 4th at the High Noon!

Update from the High Noon Website:
When Split Lip Rayfield guitarist Kirk Rundstrom died after a long bout with cancer in 2007, legions of fans and friends were filled with sorrow. Then the boys decided that the best way to honor Kirk would be to keep on playing, and now they've released "I'll Be Around," their fifth full-length record. "The fearsome foursome of Split Lip combines a traditional bluegrass sound with the blazing speed and energy of punk rock, and in the process manages to improve on the formula." --(Tucson Weekly) Also playing: Ghost Town Council will open the show with an expressive, heartland country-rock sound.

Big Week!

This Saturday November, 22nd at the Crystal Corner Jim James and The Damn Shames do a Hank Williams (Jr. Sr. and III) tribute set, Danny Paris and The Shiners do a Buck Owens tribute set, and The Brown Derby does a George Jones tribute set. It's going to be absolutely huge...But I won't be there. Instead, my band Ghost Town Council will have our first show at EVP West! Show starts at 7 and some beer will be available. So east, west, no excuses. Get out and see some live music this weekend. And now some indulgent Concert posters for my show. Special Thanks to Juliette, and Lisa! They are early favorites for a Madi next year in the category of poster design.

The Big Damn Show Last week

Wow. Sorry it took so long for this update. But I wanted to have some time to devote to it. The show was awesome! And how truly fitting that it takes place the same night as the CMA awards show (as noted by Spooky of Pupy Costello's Big City Honk Tonk: Country My Ass!). After the show a small assemblage of the Madison Country Scene was represented at the Crystal Corner where The Brown Derby was doing what they do. Katie from The Kentucky Waterfalls, Danny Paris of Danny Paris and the Shiners, Pupy and Spooky of Pupy Costello & His Big City Honky Tonk, and of course Myself and Brian of Ghost Town Council (Show on November 22nd).

So in honor of the CMA's, I'm starting what will be at least a one-year tradition: the MCBA (Mad Country Blog Awards) Each winner will receive a mention in this Blog post and a Bronzed Madi (my lawyer has advised me to tell you that nobody gets a bronzed Madi)!

Best Game Face:
A close one between Earl Foss and Reverend Peyton, but the edge goes to Reverend Peyton of Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band!



Best Big City Honky Tonk Band that Performed the Haggard song "Driving Nails in my Coffin":
Pupy Costello & His Big City Honky Tonk!!!




Best Harmonica Solo while rocking the Neil Young Head Gear:
James Travis of Jim James and The Damn Shames!!!



Finally the Big one you've all been waiting for...Best Song about this drinking life....and the winner is..."This Drinking Life" by The Brown Derby featuring Brian Knapp on yelling!!!



Really, we had a great time. Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band was a great intense show. If I had to describe it, I'd say it would be the kind of show you'd expect if Gordon Gano, Les Claypool, and Joey Ramone had a kid that grew up in Appalachia learning how to play the Slide Guitar and could sing like some Delta Hobo. That's really as close as I could come. Pupy Costello & His Big City Honky Tonk had a GREAT set of Honky Tonk country and really struck a great balance between Jim James and The Damn Shames (who did an awesome job opening the night) and Rev. Peyton and His Big Damn Band (who closed it). Plus the Crystal was hopping and a great time to boot!!!

They need no introduction.

The Pale Young Gentlemen.

Anyone who has their ear to the ground in the Madison music scene has heard them, heard of them, maybe even know some of the gentlemen and ladies in this band.

The only reason I feel the need to busy myself by posting is this, besides sucking time, is that I finally broke down and purchased their most recent record, "Black Forest (Tra La La)"<~~~~insert your Thee Silver Mt. Zion joke here.

Wow. I'm glad I got this record. I've heard it a few times at work, but that really isn't the venue for such a beautiful record as this.

My name is Ian. Hopefully I will have something to contribute to this fine folksy piece of a blog.

Upcoming record of note: Charlie Louvin "Sings Murder Ballads and Disaster Songs" comes out December 9th. Check it.