Well I’m not actually leaving for good, just taking some time off for travel and discovery. And I guess this isn’t an actual gift because if you really want it, you’ll have to pay. But if you are a download type of person it’s only gonna cost you $6.99 today on Amazon. Or you can buy the import at $21.99 if you need more plastic on your shelf. (There’s a My Space page for this and it may also be on iTunes.)
Last night I literally stumbled onto this label sampler and I can’t remember exactly how it came to my attention. And quite possible it’s been written about here but I’m here pretty often and don’t recall seeing it. Clubhouse Records UK is a new label specializing in UK-based Americana, roots and country music and this here is a sampler of artists I’ve never ever heard of and wow…there’s not a bad track in the bunch. It’s interesting that there’s not much information on the label’s website but they have a Facebook page that is chock full of interesting tidbits. Not only is each artist bio there, they offer individual My Space links to explore.
Since it’s easier to cut and past than actually write, I’ll let them do the talking:
The collection contains unreleased material from some of the UK’s most-loved Americana acts including Alan Tyler, Redlands Palomino Company, Southern Tenant Folk Union and The Snakes and The Cedars. There are also some choice album cuts from recent releases by Two Fingers of Firewater, The Barker Band, Mat Gibson and The Epstein. Finally we have included a selection of brand new tracks from emerging talents such as Roseville Grand, Wild Pines, Dusty and the Dreaming Spires and Sparkwood & 21.
If I understand this correctly, it’s Alan Tyler who has put this together. A member of the Rockingbirds, he has a few solo releases as well and also runs his Sunday afternoon music event ‘Come Down and Meet the Folks’ every second and last Sunday of the month at the Apple Tree pub in Clerkenwell, London.
I’ve been going a little “various artist” crazy of late with samplers and tributes, and this is clearly the most interesting one I’ve heard. Here at this site so many of us just live to devour new music and so to discover so much good music in one spot is pretty special.
And now about that much needed summer vacation thing…if all the plans go according to plan, this coming weekend I’ll find myself at the Clearwater Festival on the bank of the Hudson River in New York. This is Pete Seeger’s annual get together and he’s scheduled to play only a short set on Saturday morning, but you never know where he might pop up again. There’s four stages going at once, maybe five if you count the one for dancing, and Steve Earle not only closes the show on Saturday night, he also does a tribute to Odetta with Sarah Lee Guthrie, Johnny Irions and others in the afternoon.
If I can find a computer next week and the spirit is willing, I’ll report back. But they call this thing a vacation for a reason….
Be well, play nice and I’ll see y’all on the trail.
