Saturday, December 06, 2008

New Music December 2008

Lots of music coming to The Promise this month. Here are the first few...

The Ditty Bops - Summer Rains (2008)
I've been telling friends for some time that the new Ditty Bops CD, "Summer Rains", is worth buying just for the packaging. Well, apparently some folks agreed and the CD is now up for a Grammy for packaging. Congratulations ladies! Their eclectic mix of modern folksy swing is just so much fun to listen to. And you can play with the cover for hours (okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit). Check it out here: http://www.dittybops.com
KGSR Broadcasts vol. 16 (2008)
Every year it is the best live CD compilation. Makes you want to just pack up and move to Austin. This years double CD contains music by Pete Yorn, Andrew Bird, Lyle Lovett, Iron & Wine, The Swell Season, Jimmy LaFave, Daniel Lanois, R.E.M.,James McMurtry, Shelby Lynne,Tiff Merritt, John Hiatt, Cowboy Junkies, Indigo Girls, Aimee Mann, Alejandro Escovedo, Carolyn Wonderland, Bob Schneider and many more. You can purchase this limited addition CD at http://www.waterloorecords.com . 
Peter Himmelman - Pen and Ink (2008)
To really get Peter, you need to see him live. Or, get on his mailing list and download this CD for free (while you can). He is a great writer, a great entertainer, and funnier than most comedians on the circuit today. So, go to http://www.peterhimmelman.com today and well, maybe beg him to let you download this very special CD. 
The Baseball Project - Vol 1 Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails. (2008)
This collaboration between Peter Buck, Steve Wynn, Linda Pitmon and Scott Mccoughey is a baseball lover's dream. These are real songs about real people who so many of us grew up with. If you knew that Harvey Haddix threw 12 perfect innings and lost the game and the record books do not show it as a perfect game, this CD is for you. If you knew who Satchel Paige was and understood how Curt Flood changed modern baseball while ruining his own career, then this CD is for you. If you grew up loving baseball, you will love this CD. And even if you aren't a baseball fan, these are good songs with interesting stories. My only complaint? Other than "Fernando", all the stories are east of the Rockies. Still, this was a fun CD to listen to. 
Luke Powers - Texasee (2008)
The title tells it all. Even though Luke is from Tennessee, his music follows in the footsteps of great Texas artists like Townes Van Zandt and Robert Earl Keen. Luke, I think you need to use your middle name. The stories in this CD are witty and wonderful. He continues to have a fascination with those who came before us, this time taking aim with "Paul is Dead". After 2 of Luke's Cd's, I am now looking forward to what comes next. This CD should rank near the top of the indie Cd's I've listened to this year. Check out more about Luke Powers at http://www.texasee.com  . 


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Music Hall Link - Alejandro Escovedo listen