by BBG

Art for Songs of Townes Van Zandt

After having performed material by Townes Van Zandt solo and through various collaborations on stage over recent years, on solo releases and on random live collaborations, the aptly entitled Songs of Townes Van Zandt brings several songs each from Scott Kelly, Steve Von Till and Scott "Wino" Weinrich together in praise of his deep musical influence on them all. Through a personal contact of the artists, newly-formed label My Proud Mountain was founded specially in order to release this tribute, with Neurot Recordings handling the North American release of the album on June 12th.

These three titans of metal will combine for three songs each on the release, so fans of Scott Kelly, Wino, Steve Von Till, and Townes Van Zandt should keep an eye out for the record. Stream Scott Kelly's cover of "St. John, The Gambler" below.

In related news, Neurosis, which contains Scott Kelly and Steve Von Till, have completed mixing their new album (!) in Chicago. Still no word on album title or release, but its expected to (finally) be released by the end of the year. Stoked. The band also recently reissued the Sovereign EP.

In other Wino news, the Saint Vitus frontman will team with Conny Ochs to play all of his recently released Heavy Kingdom LP at Roadburn this week. Saint Vitus are preparing to release their new LP Lillie: F- 65 via Season of Mist, and have released a new video for "Let Them Fall" Check that out alongside the stream for "St. John, The Gambler" and some Scott Kelly tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Scotty Kelly, Wino & Steve Von Till cover Townes Van Zandt for an upcoming LP; Neurosis completes mixing theirs"

DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Waiting Round To Die (Townes Van Zandt) (MP3)

Alex Winston @ BV-SXSW 2011 (more by Tim Griffin)

Alex Winston's debut album, King Con, has been out for a bit, but as of this week you can also get it on CD via V2/Cooperative Music (it's also streaming it at SPIN). Not available on the CD is Alex's take on Townes Van Zandt's "Waiting 'Round to Die." Download above, Stream below.

Alex has a few shows coming up, one in DC, one in PA, and one on April 24 at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. All dates are listed, along with two videos and the cover stream, below...

Continue reading "Alex Winston 'King Con' CD released, dates scheduled; here's a Townes Van Zandt cover (MP3 debut)"

Ben Nichols (Lucero) @ Maxwell's (more by Tim Griffin)

Seeing that Lucero is about to be in town with a big show at Webster Hall on Saturday night (10/17), and that Chris Denny (last seen on stage with Deer Tick in Prospect Park) is about to make another NYC appearance (including at the free BrooklynVegan day party at Pianos on Thursday, October 22nd), I thought it might be cool to get these two Arkansas musicians (who have met before) on the phone.

It turned out better than I could have imagined. Chris (who recently singed to Partisan Records making him Deer Tick's label-mate) and Lucero front-man Ben Nichols ended up discussing Lucero's decision to go with Universal Records for their new album (1372 Overton Park), drinking, horns, whiskey, marriage, The Pogues, whiskey, Tom Petty, drinking and much more. Check it out, along with all tour dates and some videos and stuff, below...

Continue reading "Chris Denny in conversation with Ben Nichols of Lucero (both in town to play shows very soon!)"

photos by Fresh Bread

Steve Earle and Allison Moorer played one of the first shows at the newly-opened City Winery in NYC on Thursday night (1/8). It wasn't just any show though. It was a "pairing"...

"Pairings is a unique 'blend' at City Winery: an intimate concert series served with fine wine that will take place on City Winery's main stage every Thursday evening, starting in January 2009. Each concert will be preceded by an optional tasting or private dinner, followed by personal performances from some of today's most respected musicians."

Suzanne Vega and Lenny Kaye play the next Paring on January 15th. Then Mike Doughty & Tony Scherr Trio, and then Jill Sobule & Julia Sweeney.

Venue owner Michael Dorf (of Knitting Factory fame) made an introduction, and then Steve Earle's set kicked off with "Christmas In Washington" which included a multiple minute story about Obama and the upcoming inauguration followed by "My Old Friend the Blues." The rest of his 90-or-so minute set was spattered with old ("Copperhead Road", "Jerusalem", "Guitar Town") and new ("Down Here Below", "Tennessee Blues", "Days Aren't Hard Enough").

Allison Moorer opened and then later joined her husband Steve on stage for some songs. Her set ended with a cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" which had everyone cheering, when she said during the intro, "It is nice to have a new president that can...talk."

Earle also mentioned his next CD will be an album of all covers by his friend Townes Van Zandt (RIP) who his oldest son, Justin Townes Earle (also a musician), is named after.

More pictures of the performers and the venue below...

Continue reading "Steve Earle & Allison Moorer @ City Winery, NYC - pics"