Your New Music Monday picks for December 12 showcase Dallas blues, bossa nova meets new wave and the righteous return of Ryan Adams:
For those wondering how Ryan Adams could possibly top 1989, his re-imagining of Taylor Swift’s 2014 smash, wonder no more. The February 17 release Prisoner is Adams’ return to form, while lead single “Do You Still Love Me?” has everything you’d ever want in the way of classic Adams – visceral guitar solos and his heart on his sleeve. It’s always wonderful to have him back.
Dallas is no stranger to stellar blues. From Blind Lemon Jefferson all the way up to Stevie Ray Vaughn, and a host of luminaries in between and after like the late Smokin’ Joe Kubek, Jim Suhler and Wanda King – the blues live and thrive here. And now with their third album, Big D’s Jason Elmore & Hoodoo Witch step out of their strictly blues zone, bringing in touches of rockabilly and swing. Champagne Velvet celebrates this new direction with aplomb, and for a blues-infused Christmas Eve eve, join Jason Elmore & Hoodoo Witch at The Goat and ring in your holiday weekend accordingly.
Hammond B3 – check. Tropical vibes with a soulful, psychedelicized strut – check. Smokey-style vocals – check. Backing vocals from the all-female Mariachi Flor de Toloache – check. Ladies and gentlemen, meet your new favorite song crush for late 2016: “Friendship (Is A Small Boat In A Storm)” from the L.A.-based Chicano Batman. In a world that could use more feelgood and less frazzle, we’re ever so grateful to Chicano Batman for charging to our musical rescue with this one. Freedom Is Free lands in early March 2017, via ATO.
Since 2004, Paris-based Nouvelle Vague has made their mark taking the best of the new wave gems from the late 70’s and 80’s and putting their own bossa nova spin on said gems, yielding some rather bewitching and amusing results. Bands like Buzzcocks, XTC, Dead Kennedys, New Order and The Cramps have all received their loving due, and new album I Could Be Happy not only takes it name from an Altered Images favorite, it also features original compositions from co-founders Olivier Libaux and Marc Collin, for the first time in the band’s history. In keeping with tradition, of course, the lead single is a cover of the Richard Hell & The Voidoids standard, “Love Comes In Spurts.” Can we have an ooh la la and an amen???
Happy listening!
XOXO
Gini.
