Tex-Mex Memories: Good for What Ales You!

Claim to fame: If you look close, you can
see my band, Billy Midnight, listed
on the bottom, left column.

A few weeks ago, Adam and I were deep in the rabbit hole. After exhausting afternoons at school we like to challenge each other's knowledge of fabulous music. On this particular afternoon, we were planning an idea for a co-hosted radio show on WMPG (the local community radio station in Portland). The idea was rooted in making musical connections. Cosmic Connections. "We could base a whole show around one band and then dig into their connections!"
"Like the Byrds," I proclaimed. "A whole show exploring their country-rock connections."
"Fairport Convention," Adam responded.
"Yes!" I opined.
Then Adam mentioned, "Have you heard the Sir Douglas Quintet? You've got to check them out. That's a musical root right there! Classic Tex-Mex." They sounded familiar, but I was drawing a blank.

Of course, I ran home and did my homework. I checked out a few albums and then realized I'd stumbled onto something that provided a basis for a deep musical connection which I'd established years ago.

In 2009, my band, Billy Midnight, had played a musical event: Smokin' In The Park (in San Diego, CA). It was an outdoor festival based around roots music and BBQ. Sure enough, we shared the stage with Los Lobos and the Texas Tornados! Doug Sahm (of Sir Douglas Quintet) was one of the founding Tornados (along with Flaco Jimenez, Freddie Fender and Auggie Meyers). Unfortunately, Doug Sahm passed away in '99. When we played with the Tornados, his son (Shawn) was fronting the band. Anyhow, we met the band backstage with Los Lobos and basked in glory. It was a night I'll never forget. I'll always remember catching a glimpse of David Hidalgo (of Los Lobos) sitting on a couch with Flaco Jimenez, engaged in a deep conversation. It was like sneaking a peek of Socrates and Plato in the agora of Ancient Athens. Kind of.

Anyhow, I've been listening to this tune all week. Sarah has now asked me to stop playing it at breakfast (despite its catchy refrain). I couldn't find the Tornados recording (it's on my playlist, if you like). This version with Flaco is classic. ¡Órale!

The Roots of the Texas Tornados

Sarah thinks his lambchops are disgusting. I think Doug Sahm is my new hero.

Nova Scotian Ukelele? Yes!

 I recently found this husband/wife duo by God knows what manner. Isn't the Internet wonderful for warping time and space and landing in unexpected places? Anyhow, they're Canadian (from Nova Scotia, to be exact) and they play an interesting blend of folk, old time, bluegrass, etc. The distinguishing characteristic of their music is the ukelele, which could easily be mistaken for a strange mandolin by most pedestrians. James Hill plays it really well. This cut, Ode To A Frozen Boot sounds good on a mid-February evening as we prepare for more snow, here in Maine (and probably Nova Scotia). Hill's fast picking and Anne Davison's pounding bass are deliciously frosty and crisp. Lighthearted and worth a listen as you drive, walk or bike to buy groceries.

Feeling Like An Older Guy Tonight

I'm feeling like an older guy tonight. Yesterday, a kid at school said, "Are you a dad?" I responded, "Well, yeah. Why?" He snickered, "Because you've got that dad sense of humor. You know, like dad jokes. They're always..." He tilted his head and gave this goofy look. I sipped my coffee and walked away perplexed. No. Not me. Not dad jokes.

On a musical note: I always loved the second Flying Burrito Brothers album (Burrito Deluxe) more than the first. I guess I'm a sucker for the uptempo numbers like Lazy Day, High Fashion Queen, If You Gotta Go and this one, Older Guys. Watch this cryptic video of the Burrito Boys cruising the coast of Los Angeles County and try not to do the following:
1) Giggle.
2) Guess who Gram Parsons had just been hanging out with in France while they recorded Exile on Main St.
3) Feel second-hand embarrassment for Chris Hillman as his head pops out the hatch.

Here's to the older guys. Gram, Chris and me.

Further Tales From The Great White North: Les Hay Babies (New Brunswick)

Queens of the Maritimes music scene

Since moving to Maine, I've discovered a new world of Acadian and Quebecois music. Les Hay Babies blew me away the first time I discovered their debut EP, Folio. It became my road trip album of the summer as I drove back and forth between Old Town and Portland for meetings.

Their music is stripped down and raw. It is both evergreen and deciduous. Banjo, guitar, mandolin and three part harmonies. They sing in French, English and a hybrid Acadian dialect, Chiac. One of these days I'll catch them as they swing down through the Northeast U.S. on a tour. Or maybe I'll take a road trip to Moncton and see them play to a hometown crowd.

In this clip, from some French Canadian TV show, they've got special musical accompaniment. The dude on the snare and the movie star, shaking the shakers, are NOT in the band. The band is the three ladies who look like Annie Oakley in the middle of the stage. C'est avec beaucoup d'enthousiasme et de passion que je vous présente... Les Hay Babies!



Here they are in a stripped down, elevator performance. Horse On Fire is my second favorite tune on the album.

Sounds of the Great White North

Whitehorse first came to my attention by way of my wife, Sarah. She'd heard them playing live on Q with Jian Ghomeshi. She's got a damn fine ear for songwriting and talent. They played this hauntingly romantic cover of Springsteen's "I'm On Fire." We immediately bought their self-titled debut and have since then nearly burned the ones and zeroes off of the CD. It's a great road record. Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland are one of those rare duos who not only write, perform and record music together, but they're a couple too. You can hear it in the harmonies. They've got a deep soul connection. But it's not all golden prairies and savory poutine for this Canadian group. Their music has a bittersweet, dark edge. They've got the essence of Gram Parsons and Emmy Lou Harris all wrapped up with the aesthetics of Calexico (especially on their latest album). Virtually unknown amongst most Americans that I know, Whitehorse are heralded throughout Canada. They've won at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and other national events, plus they've been runners up in the Polaris Music Prize. 

I especially love this song, Broken. It was originally recorded on Doucet's solo album, Broken (and Other Rogue States). While the original is solid, the addition of McClelland's vocals evolve the song to its highest form. Best lyrics: "You can have all your records back. I'll take Let It Bleed. You take Blood On The Tracks." Who can't relate to this harrowing decision? Enjoy Whitehorse. Tell your friends and family about them.

Deep Byrds Jams

At this point in the Byrds' career (1970), Roger McGuinn had lead his fans through so many musical twists and turns (folk, pop, psych, country)... and all in the expanse of 6 years. Bands don't change this radically anymore. I can't imagine who was showing up for a Byrds concert in 1970. But if they did show up, they must have had their mynds blown with this nearly 10 minute instrumental version of Eight Miles High. The dude at 7:40 is channeling a proto-David Byrne dance. I believe some people in the audience might be using mind-altering substances. Possibly.