'Rebel' Rod's Ramblings and other things-What a year 2010 has been, but I screwed up bigtime!

Ray Wylie Hubbard

By 'Rebel' Rod Ames

It has really been a great year for music. It started out with a bang with Ray Wylie Hubbard's latest release back in January and has not really let up all year long. 

This little piece is an apology of sorts to Mr. Hubbard. I some how neglected to include his latest release, "A. Enlightenment, B. Endarkenment (Hint:There is no C)". My excuse is, and it is not a very good one, is that January was a very long time ago and I shamefully thought it was one of last years releases when I was writing my top 10 or 20 or whatever it was. 

Honestly, trying to come up with these lists, is probably my least favorite thing to do. There have been so many great records released this year, you hate to leave anyone off. Mr. Hubbard's was left off mine and it should not have been. In fact, this record would be in my top two, just behind Jimmie Vaughan's "Jimmie Vaughan Plays Blues, Ballads, and Favorites". That was my top pick and remains in the top spot. Every one else moves down a notch.

Unfortunately for Blue Giant, they are out of the top ten but if one were to look at the glass as half full, then they would simply be number eleven in my top 20! That is not unreasonable either. On No Depression I did submit a top 20 list, so it does actually exist. I just never got around to listing all 20 hear. The Blogosphere has been saturated enough with these lists. I just didn't see the need to post another one here.

Anyway, that is that. The world is right now. Mr. Hubbard is deservedly number two on my Top 10. I only hope he can find it in his heart to forgive me for my negligence.

Have a very safe and Happy New Year everyone, and thanks for reading my blog. Now go tell your friends!

Now then, why don't we just sit back and hear something from Mr. Hubbard's wonderful "A. Enlightenment, B. Endarkenment (Hint: There is no C) performing Hayes Carll's incredible "Drunken Poet's Dream", courtesy of Music Fog.

'Rebel' Rod's Ramblngs and other things - "Goin Down the Road Feelin' Bad", but feeling better.

Gregg Allman

By 'Rebel' Rod Ames

Sorry folks.

I've been under the weather a couple days and the only words coming to mind were not words at all. Most of the time they were just groans. Today is a new day and I'm feeling like I am might be at about 65% health-wise.

Today's ramblings are just to let everyone know what's going on this coming New Years Day Special Edition of Saturday night's "From Under the Basement" radio show on KOOK 93.5 From 10pm until 2am. 

First, there will be a radio interview with Gregg Allman about his upcoming record "Low Country Blues". From what I have heard so far, this is going to be a great record. The interview will take about an hour and will probably go from about 10:50pm until about 11:50pm. The time is approximate but it should be fairly close. It is surely something you will not want to miss.

After that, the plan is to do something I have been wanting to do since I started doing this back in August of this year. The blues have influenced many artists for many decades. Back in the 60's they influenced many young musicians from the USA and across the pond, better known as the Atlantic Ocean, the British Isles. and gave birth to bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Canned Heat, John Mayall, and countless others. Well, maybe not countless, but too many to list here right now.

I believe you get the gist of things though, and will want to make plans to be there. Just in case you do not get the gist of things, here is a sample of what you will likely experience Saturday night. Please enjoy "All Your Love" (Willie Dixon/Otis Rush) as performed by John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.

See you on the radio. 

'Rebel' Rod's Ramblings, Reviews, & Revelations - "Come On Baby, Jingle Those Bells" & other fun Holiday tunes

By 'Rebel' Rod Ames 

I try. I really do! I really try to get into the spirit of things this time of year. 

This year I have tried to literally force myself into submission to the ideals of the Holiday. I thought I could get into the spirit of the season by giving of myself. Unfortunately, not even this simple act of selflessness could bring me out of my traditional holiday funk. The black cloud continued to loom just over head. It appeared there was no end in sight. I would just need to weather this storm of holiday happiness!

Then it occurred to me, the one thing that has always been able to put a smile on my face has been music. Perhaps a search for some fun seasonal music, the very music that saturates the airwaves this time of year could help. I made it my personal objective to find the funkiest, the most obscure, yet enjoyable Christmas music known to man. Here are the results of my hunt in part.

Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks’ “Crazy For Christmas” album? Really? I was a little more than surprised at this one. Not that it's good, but that Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks recorded one in the first place. There is not a bad tune on that record and it is all done with Dan Hicks’ special blend of psychedelic jazzy funkiness you would expect, but with all the warm fuzzy feelings one would hope to receive from a “Christmas” album. My personal favorite on this record are many but the one I enjoyed the most would probably be "Christmas Mornin'". This record is definitely a must have, even if you are not a fan of this genre; which I could not even begin to fathom.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan received a lot of flack for his Christmas album released last year, but I have to say, I found it to be surprisingly good. I have to admit, when I heard he had done one, my eyebrows went way up and over my forehead, just like you would see on a cartoon character, but I love his rendition of the Christmas classic "I'll Be Home For Christmas". It's all Dylan yet it stays true to the original in just about every way adding an element of magic that lingers though out, not just this song, but the entire record. That being said, I still see this record on many a Scrooge's most hated list. "Bah Humbug!" I guess you can't please everyone. Right?

I also discovered a band called the Superions doing a song called “Jingle Those Bells”. By the end of the tune I realized that the lead singer was not singing about bells at all. This tune is a humorously sensual take on a Christmas song. “Come on Baby, Jingle Those Bells, Santa Claus is comin’”. See what I mean? And that’s just one small part of the song. By the end of the song, you could expect to be “hotter than a Georgia asphalt” as Lula said to Sailor in David Lynch’s wildly enjoyable “Wild At Heart”.

Louis Armstrong

Another one of my favorites and certainly much more on the traditional side of things, is Louis Armstrong’s “Zat You Santa Claus?”. Of course, his gruff, yet velvety smooth voice takes this particular song over the top. When you throw in his exquisitely played trumpet into the mix, you have probably one of the coolest Holiday songs ever recorded.

The Ventures “Feliz Navidad” adds the element of being on a Southern California beach for Christmas flavor to it. The song goes for about four minutes but seems shorter, merely because it’s so damn much fun to listen to it. If you like The Ventures and you like surf tunes, and you like Christmas music, you are sure to love this one even if it does seem to get a little monotonous by the end of the song.

When Duke Ellington jazzes up the classic Christmas tune "Jingle Bells", don't be surprised when you find yourself up on your feet, jitterbugging all through the not so quiet as a mouse house! Who knew one of the already most fun seasonal tunes around could be even more fun that in already was. Then again, Mr. Ellington could turn garbage into treasure if we asked him too.

Lionel Hampton

Lionel Hampton's "Merry Christmas Baby" presents us with the happy blues. This has got to be one of the most uplifting blues song written about Christmas. What the heck though, it is Christmas and only a true Scrooge would want to hear a miserable Christmas tune. Fear not though, this song keeps that bluesy feel intact though out this wonderfully performed tune.

I could literally write a complete tome on Holiday or Christmas tunes but I'll save us all a lot of time and space and stop right here for now. However, you will want to check these songs out and more. Once you get started on your own personal search for festive tunes you will be amazed at the treasures you will find on your journey.

I feel better now. The holiday blues have evaporated into thin air, magically disintegrated by the melodies of many great songs recorded especially to help us escape from the gloomy prisons we sometimes build for ourselves. 

Peace, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings, whatever floats your boat, just be sure to stay safe, and please, keep listening to the music!

'Rebel' Rod's Ramblings and other things - Robert Earl Keen's "Merry Christmas From the Family"

By 'Rebel' Rod Ames

What says Merry Christmas from the state of Texas better than Robert Earl Keen's "Merry Christmas From the Family"?

I think there is hardly a one of us from Texas that cannot relate to at least some part of this song.

So without further delay, and besides; I haven't had anywhere near enough coffee to drink yet this morning to write as much as I already have. Here is Robert Earl Keen's "Merry Christmas From the Family".

'Rebel' Rod's Ramblings and other things - Happy Holidays from Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks!

By 'Rebel' Rod Ames

Over the last four or so decades I have listened to so many different artists and my personal list of favorites could keep me writing on this blog on into my great- great grandchildren's lives. That being said, the one consistent favorite over all of these decades has been Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks.

There has been, and apparently always will be, a freshness about them that is eternally pleasing to my ears. In other words, I never tire of listening to them.

So, in the spirit of the holidays, I hope you all enjoy this one from Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks performing "Carol of the Bells" bringing his own unique spin on this holiday classic!

'Rebel' Rod's Ramblings and other things-Happy Birthday Cindy!

By 'Rebel' Rod Ames

As those who read my ramblings already know. I put a plug in the jug and flushed my stash 18 years ago and haven't picked up again since. I haven't had the desire too either. It has been removed. I don't want to get into that too much though. That isn't why I'm writing this, but it is relevant in a way.

Due to this action, many new people have been in and out of my life, most of which have been a huge part of my sobriety.

The most important of all of these people is Cindy. My wife of going on 18 years. We have weathered many storms over the years and I like to believe these storms have made us both stronger.

The storms we have weathered have put many new lines on our faces, mostly mine. Here face is as smooth and soft as it was 18 years ago when I first met here, save for a few lines around her lips. They are there I would say it is safe to suffice, due to some of the things I say and do to cause those lips to tighten and pucker, tighten and pucker, in any infinite number of actions that cause her face to convulse into many different expressions directly related to her emotion, ranging from great sadness, to anger, to happiness, and literally everything in between. It's what I do.

We have been through the birth of our child, the death of both of her parents, people we love hurting and getting better. All of it together. 

We most certainly do not always agree! In fact it seems we differentiate in a variety of ways, but when my day is done, there is one thing I can always depend on. Cindy will be there by my side.This one thing has become the one certainty in my life that I know for a fact is going to be there. It never waivers. 

I got her a new desk for her "woman cave" for her birthday. It is hardly representative of what she has given me over the last 18 years.

Love you babe and Happy Birthday to you! Here is my song of the day especially for you.

'Rebel' Rod's Ramblings - On the air in about an hour....

and tonight is a show you will not want to miss.

We will be saying good-bye to Captain Beefheart and Robin Rogers, two artists we just lost. 

In addition, we will be revisiting the country rock sound of the late 60's  and early 70's. We will be hearing from artists such as Pure Prairie League, The Grateful Dead, David Bromberg, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, Commander Cody, and a whole lot more. 

So, tune in to KOOK 93.5 or in Junction, Texas and surrounding areas or just click here to listen on the world wide web. I hope to see you all on the radio.

Peace...RR

'Rebel' Rod's Rememberances - Part II - Singer Robin Rogers passes at age 55

Robin Rogers dead at 55

Press Release from Blind Pig Records - It is with great sadness that Blind Pig Records announces the passing of singer Robin Rogers at the age of 55.  She died at her home December 17 in Gastonia, North Carolina, where she was being cared for by her husband and musical partner, Tony. 

In August the talented singer and harmonica player was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.  Like most musicians Robin and Tony were without health insurance and depended on touring for their income. For years Robin was always ready to donate her time and performances to a good cause. so it was not surprising that there was an immediate outpouring of love and support from the blues community and her many fans.  Benefits and fundraisers were held around the country to raise money for medical bills and living expenses. 

Rogers was deeply moved by the support, and was also buoyed by the success and critical acclaim for her new CD, Back In The Fire, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Blues sales chart, where it remains in the top ten.

Blind Pig owner Jerry Del Giudice said, "Robin always struck me as someone who felt she didn't have a moment to spare. She was constantly in motion.  I became aware that her artistry and her integrity were two things she would not compromise and how genuinely she cared about others in need.  She was diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly before the release of Back In The Fire.  She told me that although she didn't want to carry this burden, it was hers to carry and she would do the very best she could with every moment she had left.

I read a Russian proverb sometime ago that goes something like this: When you are born you cry while everyone around you laughs.  If you lead a good life, when you die you laugh while everyone around you cries.  I'm sure she's having a well deserved laugh. As we cry we have to remember what a wonderful laugh that was and how sorely it will be missed."

Rogers, winner of the 2009 "Best Female Artist" Blues Blast Award, was announced just this week as a nominee for a Blues Music Award for "Contemporary Blues Female Artist"  by the Blues Foundation.  And just last weekend Robin was featured on National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition Saturday," where she told host Scott Simon that despite battling cancer and the effects of chemotherapy, she felt "blessed."  To listen to the full interview, click HERE.

Rest in peace, Robin.

'Rebel' Rod's Rememberance - Captain Beefheart - Gone at 69

Don Vliet AKA Captain Beefheart dead at 69

By 'Rebel' Rod Ames

Death.

We all know this day will come one day. It is inevitable. It is the only actual guarantee there is in life; the only thing every human being has in common, is death.

A great one left us yesterday.

Don Vliet, AKA Captain Beefheart, was legendary and a cohort and lifetime friend of another departed legend, Frank Zappa. Captain Beefheart could have sold his soul like so many did when they got a taste of fame back 60's and 70's rock, but Captain Beefheart seemed to like it just outside of the spotlight. 

Don't misunderstand. He was a performer, an artist, but he would have never sold out. His life's work proves that. Just peruse the internet for 10 minutes, or perhaps more importantly, take an album or two of his off  the dusty shelf, any album, and give it a listen. You will certainly agree.

Multiple Sclerosis took him much too soon from us, but at the same time, he has left us a legacy of incredible experimental rock. Enough, in fact, to get us through several lifetimes.

Much has already been written about Captain Beefheart, first in life, and now in death. I just do not know what else I could possibly say about this great artist. Instead, just listen to a small sample of his work.

'Rebel Rod's Ramblings, Revisitations, Recollections, Reviews, & Other Things - Including Shameless Plugs for my radio program.

The Grateful Dead

By 'Rebel' Rod Ames

At last, it's Friday!

For a change, I've been working a little each day this week, when time permitted, on my show this Saturday night from 10pm until 2am on KOOK 93.5 in Junction, Texas and streaming on the WWW like it always does unless I push the wrong button or forget to push the right one! Anyway, there is my shameless plug for the week. 

No it isn't! That is just my show. There is great roots country played on this station nearly 24 hours a day 7 days per week. My good friend Big 'G' is there every morning, Monday - Friday from 6-10 am with his great selections. I'm listening as I write this and if you are not, well, you should be.

This Saturday night, were are going to go back in time to the early 70's. I'll be playing some great classic country rock from that era. We will hear from artists I have been writing about this week. Artists like David Bromberg, Pure Prairie League, The Marshall Tucker Band, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, The Grateful Dead, Jesse Winchester, and many others.

Here's a taste. Please enjoy The Grateful Dead performing "Uncle John's Band".

'Rebel' Rod's Revelations - Netherfriends share an Ice-T cover, reflect on the 2010 leg of the 50 Songs 50 States Tour and looks ahead to 2011

Netherfriends has spent the last eight months traveling from Florida to Maine, California to Alaska on the 50 Songs 50 States touring adventure.

Along the way, Netherfriends was asked to participate in a mix tape for an art show and recorded a cover of Ice T's "Cop Killer."

Listen to the Netherfriends' interpretation HERE.

The 50 Songs 50 States tour has seen Netherfriends on the road since April. Now home in Chicago for the holidays, Shawn Rosenblatt looks back at the cities visited, tracks recorded, friends made and amazing shows performed. 

Below is a list of cities visited with dates when songs were recorded for the project as well as highlights from the past year including Netherfriends' turn at the Pitchfork Festival where Shawn met Chicago legend Ratso and recorded an interview for Chic-A-Go-Go  and the release of their debut LP Barry and Sherry through the Lateral Label.

From the 50 Songs 50 States Tour

Live video from a tour stop in Richmond, VA

Netherfriends trusty van blew up in New Jersey - here's the van's final resting place.

 The Onion interviewed Shawn about the 50 Songs 50 States project.

Netherfriends 2011 Tour Dates

Jan 6 - Subterranean - Chicago, IL

Netherfriends' last Chicago date until May

GigMaven and Heavemedia.com present
w/ The Loneliest Monk, Dozens, Wolf In a Spacesuit
Jan 16 - Emo's - Austin, TX    

w/ Royal Baths

Some thoughts and reflections on the 50 Songs 50 States Tour

Alaska

Played a house show the night of my birthday in a huge log cabin with a spiral staircase in the middle and slept in this crows nest at the top of the cabin looking out over Fairbanks.

Seattle, Washington

Being a bum for a month and staying/meeting some amazing new friends. Riding a brake-less bike that my friend let me borrow was a terrible idea.

Oakland, California

The last minute shows are the best. We played a backyard BBQ on Labor Day with fireworks being shot off by the neighbors. In Sacramento getting paid way too much.

Mobile, Alabama

Running out of gas in at 3AM caused me to miss recording in the state. Got handed a bag of mushrooms for playing "a decent set."

Casper, Wyoming

Playing a steak house with Chad Lorne the tap dancing/beer on the head balancing act. INCREDIBLE! Taking that dude on the road at some point.

 North Carolina

We got asked to take a picture with a bunch of dudes because they thought we were famous and then causing a handful of teens to do the same. When they asked who we were, we told them that we weren't really allowed to say, but they will find out soon.

Chicago, Illinois

Returning to Chicago and being without a home in the city where I had lived for the last 5 years.

For more on the 50 Songs 50 States project and to follow Shawn's progress,

check out his blog, chart his progress on Tumblr and follow him on Twitter.

50 Songs 50 States So Far
4/14/10 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4/17/10 Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
4/19/10 Richmond, Virginia
4/20/10 Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
4/21/10 Boone, North Carolina
4/22/10 Atlanta, Georgia
4/23/10 Tallahassee, Florida
4/25/10 Frankfurt, Kentucky
4/26/10 Morgantown, West Virginia
5/1/10 Washington, DC (bonus state)
5/8/10 Minneapolis, Minnesota
5/21/10 New Haven, Connecticut
5/25/10 Brooklyn, New York
5/27/10 Portland Maine
5/28/10 Providence, Rhode Island
5/29/10 Montpelier, Vermont
5/30/10 Dennis, Massachusetts
6/4/10 Columbus, Ohio
6/6/10 Kalamazoo, Michigan
8/10/10 Madison, Wisconsin
8/11/10 Des Moines Iowa
8/12/10 Omaha, Nebraska
8/13/10 Rapid City, South Dakota
8/14/10 Missoula, Montana
8/18/10 Seattle, Washington
9/4/10 Portland, Oregon
9/8/10 Los Angeles, California
9/10/10 Reno Nevada
9/16/10 Fairbanks, Alaska
9/22/10 Nampa, Idaho
9/24/10 Casper, Wyoming
9/26/10 Fargo, North Dakota
10/8/10 Baltimore, Maryland
12/5/10 Asbury Park, New Jersey
12/8/10 Keene, New Hampshire

Netherfriends have created two lovely stop-motion videos for tracks off of debut LP Barry and Sherry.

Watch "Bret Easton Ellis Novel"

  and "Lead You Through the Misty Fog of Milwaukee Ave." 

http://www.myspace.com/netherfriends

http://twitter.com/Netherfriends

http://netherfriends50songs50states.tumblr.com/

http://netherfriends.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-50-states-and-50-songs-project.html

'Rebel' Rod's Revelations - Drive-By Truckers announce new tour dates in support of Go-Go Boots, out February 15th

Athens, GA – The Drive-By Truckers announce the first leg of their Go-Go Boots tour. The band will kick of the 15 dates on February 25th with a two-night stand in Chicago, IL at the Vic Theater; they will also do two-night stands in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO. The Heartless Bastards will support through March 18^th.

ATO Records will release Go-Go Boots, on February 15, 2011.  Go-Go Boots is their eleventh record and was produced by their longtime producer, David Barbe (Deerhunter, Bettye LaVette, Sugar). In conjunction with Go-Go Boots, they’ll also be releasing their documentary The Secret to a Happy Ending, directed by Barr Weissman, on DVD.

DBT will be releasing a series of Go-Go Boots episodes directed by Patterson Hood and Jason Thrasher. The first episode and acoustic version of the song “Go-Go Boots” can be viewed on the band’s web site: http://drivebytruckers.com/episodes.html.

The band is also offering a free download of “Used To Be A Cop”. The track is available via the link above or the embedded code below.

DBT will end 2010 with a bang, playing at Terminal 5 in New York City for New Year’s Eve. For those of you that’s can’t make it to the Big Apple for NYE you can tune in to Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country (Sirius 63, XM 12) and hear the band’s performance live starting around 9:45 pm EST.

The Drive-By Truckers are Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley, Shonna Tucker, Brad Morgan, John Neff and Jay Gonzalez.

###

Tickets for all dates go on sale Thursday, December 16th at

12pm EST at http://drivebytruckers.baselineticketing.com/

Go-Go Boots Tour:

Wed Feb 16 York, PA PULLO CENTER @ PENN STATE UNIVERSITY

 Thu Feb 17 Peekskill, NY PARAMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Fri Feb 18 Washington, DC 9:30 CLUB

 Sat Feb 19 Washington, DC 9:30 CLUB

 Fri Feb 25 Chicago, IL VIC THEATER w/Heartless Bastards

 Sat Feb 26 Chicago, IL VIC THEATER w/Heartless Bastards

 Sun Feb 27 Omaha, NE SLOW DOWN w/Heartless Bastards

 Wed Mar 02 Reno, NV KNITTING FACTORY w/Heartless Bastards

 Thu Mar 03 Las Vegas, NV SILVERTON CASINO w/Heartless Bastards

 Fri Mar 04 San Francisco, CA FILLMORE AUDITORIUM w/Heartless Bastards

 Sat Mar 05 San Francisco, CA FILLMORE AUDITORIUM w/Heartless Bastards

 Wed Mar 09 Eugene, OR MCDONALD THEATER w/Heartless Bastards

 Thu Mar 10 Portland, OR WONDER BALLROOM w/Heartless Bastards

 Fri Mar 11 Vancouver, BC COMMODORE BALLROOM w/Heartless Bastards

 Sat Mar 12 Seattle, WA SHOWBOX AT THE MARKET w/Heartless Bastards

 Tue Mar 15 Missoula, MO WILMA THEATER w/Heartless Bastards

 Wed Mar 16 Boise, ID KNITTING FACTORY w/Heartless Bastards

 Fri Mar 18 Denver, CO OGDEN THEATER w/Heartless Bastards

 Sat Mar 19 Denver, CO OGDEN THEATER w/TBA

*There will be a limited number of 2-day tickets available for Chicago and Denver. Details will be posted to the band’s site.

Previously announced dates:

Thu Dec 30 Brooklyn, NY BROOKLYN BOWL SOLD OUT

 Fri Dec 31 New York, NY TERMINAL 5 w/special guests including acts from the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, David Hood, Kelly Hogan, horns and more!

 Sat Jan 01 Philadelphia, PA TLA

 Thu Jan 13 Athens, GA 40 WATT w/2^ND Sons

 Fri Jan 14 Athens, GA 40 WATT w/Don Chambers and Goat and Henry Barbe

 Sat Jan 15 Athens, GA 40 WATT w/David Barbe and The Quick Hooks and The Camp Amped Band

 Thu Jan 20 Ft Lauderdale, FL CULTURE ROOM

 Fri Jan 21 Tampa, FL THE RITZ YBOR

 Sat Jan 22 Orlando, FL HOUSE OF BLUES w/John Bell & Friends, Nickel and the Polar Bears

 Sun Jan 23 Jacksonville, FL FREEBIRD LIVE w/Futurebirds

 Wed Jan 26 Pensacola, FL VINYL MUSIC HALL w/Futurebirds

 Thu Jan 27 Huntsville, AL CROSSROADS w/Futurebirds

 Fri Jan 28 Oxford, MS THE LYRIC w/Futurebirds

 Sat Jan 29 Nashville, TN CANNERY BALLROOM w/Futurebirds