Month: August 2011
Join me in St. Louis for the Independent Music Marketplace in St. Louis, MO September 9-11, 2011
Join me in St. Louis for the Independent Music Marketplace in St. Louis, MO September 9-11, 2011
Warnings of a Storm to Come
I was greatly disturbed by news that large groups of African-American teenagers attacked whites randomly outside the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee last week, but …
Hearing Colt Ford on a studio album is one thing, but hearing him live, with the enthusiastic cheers of his fans and backed by his first-rate band is something altogether different. Recorded at a live gig at the lovely Suwannee River Music Park in 2009, Live at Suwannee River Jam shows Ford at his best, comfortable in a backwoods outdoor venue performing for an appreciative audience. Most of the songs are familiar to anyone who has heard Ride Through The Country, but the cover of Charlie Daniels’ “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” is noteworthy, as is “Saddle Up”, on which each band member takes a solo. “Dirt Road Anthem” is here, too, of course, and the overall feel of the album is an odd mix of love of God, love of country and love of raising hell. But it’s great fun, and you’re left with the feeling that Colt Ford really loves the country, really loves his fans, and means every word he raps. And that’s ultimately what it’s all about.
Hearing Colt Ford on a studio album is one thing, but hearing him live, with the enthusiastic cheers of his fans and backed by his first-rate band is something altogether different. Recorded at a live gig at the lovely Suwannee River Music Park in 2009, Live at Suwannee River Jam shows Ford at his best, comfortable in a backwoods outdoor venue performing for an appreciative audience. Most of the songs are familiar to anyone who has heard Ride Through The Country, but the cover of Charlie Daniels’ “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” is noteworthy, as is “Saddle Up”, on which each band member takes a solo. “Dirt Road Anthem” is here, too, of course, and the overall feel of the album is an odd mix of love of God, love of country and love of raising hell. But it’s great fun, and you’re left with the feeling that Colt Ford really loves the country, really loves his fans, and means every word he raps. And that’s ultimately what it’s all about.
At the Dj Zirk 2 Thick Records Block Party at the Bear Cave, Memphis, TN, August 6, 2011
At the Dj Zirk 2 Thick Records Block Party at the Bear Cave, Memphis, TN, August 6, 2011
2 Thick Records Orange Mound Block Party @ The Bear Cave 2011
Yesterday, DJ Zirk held his first annual 2 Thick Records Orange Mound Block Party, moved indoors to the Bear Cave on East Parkway, presumably because of the excessive heat warnings. Unlike last week’s rambunctious Orange Mound Block Party, this was a smaller and quieter event, with Memphis rap veterans like Tom Skeemask and DJ Care Bear making an appearance. Unfortunately, the air conditioning was malfunctioning, and the extremely crowded room was hotter than a sauna, but we enjoyed some great Memphis rap and R & B from newcomers and veterans alike.