Doc & Merle Watson - Freedom Park - Charlotte, NC 7/4/80

Around here 4th of July means 3 things...Cookouts, Fireworks, and Bluegrass. So to celebrate, here is an old Doc Watson show with his late son Merle recorded on Independence Day 29 years ago. So break out the watermelon and sparklers, kick back and enjoy this great show by two of the greatest pickers of all time. This set also included one of my favorite songs of all time....The Cuckoo (she never....says cuckoo.....till the 4th day....of July....)

MP3 @ 192

Doc & Merle Watson - Freedom Park

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Down Home Country Blues & The Messenger (Vids)

Got a chance to see one of my musical heroes saturday night when I caught Ray Wylie Hubbard at The Shed outside Knoxville, TN. This here is maybe my favorite song of his, and a great vid of it no less.

Just found this one....f'n love this new one from Ray Wylie. Can't wait for the Soundtrack to Last Rites of Ransom Pride to come out AND a new album coming the first week in Jan. 2010. Also check out his son Lucas, only 16 and lays the groove down thick and nasty.

Uncle Tupelo - Colorblind & Rhymeless (1987 Demo Tape)

In hindsight, I should have probably bundled these three together and called it The Demo Trilogy or some such nonesense. But really where is the fun in that (OK, I'm just covering my ass!)

Big thanks to DownSouth for this one, and thanks to the others who offered. I really appreciate it when you guys "heed the call" so to speak....and so quickly too! DownSouth also provided me with scans from the UT Anthology of the covers of this one and the "Not Forever Just For Now" demo (I have included it in that post for posterity's sake). The artwork was pretty small, so I just incorporated it into the common artwork I did for the other two (hey, I'm lazy like that....wait I mean efficient) .

Not a lot to say about this one except that it was their first demo, and it's actually pretty developed. Can't really find a lot of info on this online either, so I will leave you with a quote from one of the articles over at factorybelt.net (there he goes again with that!)

"To us," Tweedy said, "hard-core punk is also folk music. We draw a close parallel between the two. We'll play both in the same set if we get a chance. We don't have any biases as far as music is concerned."

"We have just as much fun playing acoustic guitars with a whole bunch of people singing along, as we do playing a noisy instrumental."

MP3 @ 127
Uncle Tupelo - Colorblind & Rhymeless (1987 Demo)

Uncle Tupelo - Live & Otherwise (1988 Demo Tape)

Well hell, DownSouth came through on the request for UT's Colorblind & Rhymeless demos and requested this demo tape here. This was Uncle Tupelo's second demo tape. Half of it live and the other half studio, kind of like an Alt Country version of GnR's Lies :P

Listening to these demos are great! Reminds me of how important UT really were. I could only imagine what it was like back in those days in Belleville to see these guys at this era. And while listening to these demos (which are heavier on the punk influence the further you go back) it occurs to me that these guys found the PERFECT blend of country and punk. Other groups tried it in the 80's (you know what they call COWPUNK) but UT really figured out how the two could actually blend, instead of simply playing Hank Williams with powerchords. Just listen to the cover of Black Flag's Gimme, Gimme, Gimme for the prove ;) With this they clearly show that there is not much difference between honest to God country and honest to God punk.....the fundamental commonality being they both rely on three chords and the truth....as the old adage goes.

Anyway, I have rambled on now....I will also say I really like the version of There Was A Time on this one with the harmonica intro. Reading through some of those articles over at Factorybelt.net one of them they state they dropped the harmonicas out of some of their songs so as not to sound too "heartland". Really interesting articles over there....especially check out the one about their mothers.

MP3 @ 192

Uncle Tupelo - Live & Otherwise (1988 Demo)

Uncle Tupelo - Not Forever, Just For Now (1989 Demo Tape)

Here's a slice of music history right here. Uncle Tupelo's last demo tape, assumably the one that got them signed to Rockville (formerly Giant). If anyone has the elusive Colorblind & Rhymeless.....please email me!

So this is very similar to the first UT album, a lot of early versions of those tracks on here. Only a little less polished, a little rougher around the edges. I really like the version of Whiskey Bottle and Screen Door on this thing. I tried and tried to find a picture or something of the original artwork (if there was any) but came up empty handed. I got the pictures used in the artwork from the excellent factorybelt.net. If you want to waste some time peep into the articles section and check out some of the early articles on Uncle Tupelo in there. Also got to love the beer rating article (I liked it so much I put it on the back artwork!).

MP3 @ 192
Uncle Tupelo - Not Forever, Just For Now (Demo Tape)

Afterthought:
Thanks to DownSouth who provided me with a scan of the original artwork for this guy, there it is right there. Also want to point out that this demo was the one that got UT labeled Best Unsigned Band in America by CMJ.

Johnny Cash Tribute - Austin City Limits Festival 9-20-03

Well like I said in my guest post over at High Noon Saloon, this year seems to be the year for tribute and cover albums.....so what better time to post this Johnny Cash Tribute from just a week after his death back in 2003 (damn, has it been that long :( ). I've actually been sitting on this one for a while, but I had no information on it, and it was one long track. I'm not even sure where or when I got it, but it seems to me like I've had it since about late 2003 sometime. After some detective work I was finally able to figure out the venue, then the correct artists, even found a nice little review of the show. It's not the best recording, but I think it's significant enough to matter. I mean where else are you going to get a version of Mike Cooley singing "Give My Love To Rose" (my personal highlight of this set), or DBT and Old 97's on the same show for that matter?

MP3

Johnny Cash Tribute

From The Archives: Todd Snider - Tales From Moondawg's Tavern

Todd's new album "The Excitement Plan" comes out today, and what better way to celebrate than reposting the mother of all Todd bootlegs....the mighty Tales From Moondawg's Tavern. I first posted this almost 2 years ago, and I still think it is probably the best thing to ever grace the pages of A Truer Sound.

This time I seperated the downloads per disc, instead of splitting a rar file. Should make for an easier download. If anyone has trouble, please....let me know, don't want the links on this one to go dead.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now this is a fan-fucking-tastic bootleg. Probably the best Todd boot I have come across, if not the best of any artist. First I need to give proper credit to the guy who collected, compiled, sweated over, and mastered this (that's right, he actually did some mastering to get all the tracks sounding perfect).......Rich Willis.....everybody thank Rich (THANKS RICH!). There is a good write up from him in the accompanying text file where he tells his story about this excellent compilation. If you're not a Todd Snider fan, DOWNLOAD THIS! If you are a Todd fan.....DO NOT HESITATE! DOWNLOAD THIS! If you like good music, specifically story songs and in the vein of John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Loudon Wainwright III, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, etc...(that's some heavy hitting company right there)...DOWLOAD THIS! If you just like good stories told by a master DOWNLOAD THIS! Hell, if you just like good bootlegs download this.....it will not be regretted

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(from the first re-post, 1-17-08)

I've said it before and I'll say it again....this is potentially the greatest bootleg of all time, and certainly the best thing to ever grace the pages of this site. Had a request for this so it's about time I re-upped it. This thing is phenomenal....if your not already a Todd Snider fan then just listen to this. If this doesn't capture your fancy, then i don't know what the hell you doing here.

MP3 @ 192

Todd Snider - Moondawg's Tavern Disc 1 [D1 Alt Link]
Todd Snider - Moondawg's Tavern Disc 2 [D2 Alt Link]
Todd Snider - Moondawg's Tavern Disc 3 [D3 Alt Link]
Todd Snider - Moondawg's Tavern Disc 4 [D4 Alt Link]
Todd Snider - Moondawg's Tavern Disc 5 [D5 Alt Link]

Get your truersound fix.....

So Dangerbird over at High Noon Saloon asked me to do a guest mixtape for him a while back....well I did, and he's just posted it over there. I know I've been sparse with anything over here for a few weeks now (sorry guys, just been busy again), but you can get your fix over there.

It's a covers compilation called Smothered, Covered, and Peppered.....well, just go over there and read my write-up there

Youtube roundup....

This is Gary Bennett (from BR5-49) and his nephew Jason Capps at the Full Moon Saloon in Nashville, TN. They are known as The McNeill's. I didn't take this video, but it's very similar to what I saw last night, when I incidentally discovered Gary Bennett was playing at the bar I happened to walk into in downtown Nashville (same bar as shown here)


This is an old clip but will give you an idea. After leaving the full moon went over to robert's to catch this killer band I've never heard of called Heath Haynes and the 4 Ballers. This vid doesn't really do them justice, and they mostly all have grey hair now. The guitarist was really smokin', I don't think it's the same guy as in this vid



Couldn't find a suitable live Corb Lund vid, but I caught him on tuesday at The Basement in Nashville. He played through his whole new album that they were in town recording. If you like this clip....you will like the new album. (due out Sep. 29th BTW)



This here is a clip from a documentary about The Station Inn, where I spent sunday night. No one special playing, just a killer bluegrass jam with about 25 of the tightest players no one's ever heard of

Truesounds - Spring '09

Man, that cover makes my neck itch just looking at it! Here we have our quarterly Truesounds compilation. Featuring music of the mostly newly released persuasion. As noted in one of the comments of an earlier post....with Flameupload, you have to wait a minute for the downloads to appear. Here be the tracklist:

1. Steve Earle - White Freight Liner Blues
Off his new ode to Townes Van Zandt album aptly titled Townes. A fine collection of tunes I must say, and Steve's best album in years

2. Iris Dement - Big City
well, there seems to be alot of cover albums/songs being released this year, so I thought I would throw this excellent Merle Haggard cover on here to show how it's done. Off the 1994 Merle Haggard tribute album Tulare Dust

3. Todd Snider - Stuck On A Corner (Prelude To A Heart Attack)
If you listened to that Marilyn's on K show then surely you know the story behind this one. Off last years Peace Queer EP

4. Deano Waco - Box Store
Surely you watched the video of this 3 posts down....right....Off the free and good album Deano Meats The Purveyors (look three posts down!!)

5. Slaid Cleaves - Beautiful Thing
I think Slaid is being a tad cynical and sarcastic in this song....well he brings it back around at the end. Off his latest Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away......it's good.

6. The Gourds - Country Love
Funky little song off their latest Haymaker!

7. Tim Easton - Stones Throw Away
"Girls who drink whiskey can charm you out of your mind"....Love that line, off his latest album Porcupine

8. Scott Miller & The Commonwealth - Appalachian Refugee
Well I've already espoused my love for this particular song.....I had to include it on here. Off his latest For Crying Out Loud

9. Doug Paisley - We Weather
Off his latest self titled debut

10. John Doe & The Sadies - The Cold Hard Facts of Life
Cover of the Porter Wagoner classic off the newly released collection of classic country songs Country Club

11. The Fox Hunt - Hang Me
Off their latest album titled Americas Working Hard So We Don't Have To, expect a review of this album sometime soon

12. Gurf Morlix - She's A River
Buffalo's finest and producer extraordinaire Gurf Morlix returns with an album of his own this year called Last Exit To Happyland....it's good.....this song is a good example of why it's good

13. Easton Stagger Phillips - She Was Gone
Alt Country "supergroup" so to speak consisting of Tim Easton, Leeroy Stagger, and Evan Phillips of The Whipsaws. From last years One For The Ditch

14. The Deep Dark Woods - Nancy
Off the newly released Winter Hours

15. The Wood Brothers - Loaded
I think I talked these guys up last year....do not recall....anyway I'm still digging it. Off their 2008 album of the same name

16. Richard Shindell - Get Up Clara
Cool song from folk legend Richard Shindell. Off his latest Not Far Now

17. Old Crow Medicine Show - Tennessee Pusher
Off last years album of the same name, those boys sure do love to sing about drugs

18. Son Volt - Dust of Daylight
Jay Farrar & Co. are back with an incredible album titled American Central Dust due out in July

19. Justin Townes Earle - Halfway To Jackson
Effortless country crooner Justin Townes Earle is back this year with another album of throwback country goodness titled Midnight At The Movies

20. The Felice Brothers - Penn Station
The Felice Brothers also return with a new album titled Yonder Is The Clock

21. Phosphorescent - Reasons To Quit
Did I mention a lot of folks are putting out tribute and cover albums this year? Well this is off one of them titled To Willie, which is....you guessed it, a tribute to Willie Nelson. Pairs great with Chuck Prophet's album from last year Dreaming Waylon's Dreams

22. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - Cigarettes and Wine
Jason & Co. carry the torch for classic memphis soul with their latest self titled release

MP3 @ 192
Truesounds - Spring '09