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ummerour annual tradition of offerlivesing ] up our Ear Bliss favorite s goingalbums of 2021. Now onto e don’tthis week. Consider Texas showsnative Hayes Carll one of amaz-the upper echelon singer/
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puts onIt’s a group that includes um sololate legends like Townes Van
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bringsa special way with words showswhen it comes to songwriting. He’s one of those cats that can tug a tear from your
eye in one instance and have you belly-laughing in the next. His latest album called You Get It All features all the touchstone qualities that have established him as one of the best singer/songwriter types there is on the Americana circuit. His new one is in the spotlight with the latest offering from a certified music legend, Willie Nelson. The album, called The Willie Nelson Family, is a gospel-leaning family affair featuring Nelson along with sister Bobbi, sons Lukas and Micah, and daughters Paula and Amy. Let’s get to it.
Hayes Carll You Get it All Dualtone Music
If you ask me, I’d say the Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Hayes Carll is on a roll when it comes to making quality record albums. His latest called You Get It All certainly keeps the streak alive. A Texas native with a style that recalls Lone Star greats from Townes Van Zandt to Guy Clark to Robert Earl Keen, Carll’s new album embodies all the qualities – humility, self-deprecation, tenderness, humor –
that have enamored him to a growing legion of fans over what with the release of this latest is eight albums dating back to his 2002 debut Flowers & Liquor. Says Carll, “I like to tug at heartstrings, find commonality with others, reflect on my own life, and sometimes I do it in a lighthearted way,” says Carll. “A lot of musical styles found their way onto this record, but my first and most formative influences came from country music. This is a country singer-songwriter record. It’s just unapologetically me.” The album follows his critically acclaimed 2019 album What It Is. The songs touch topics aplenty from messy relationships (the beautiful country waltz that is “In the Meantime” which features co-writer of the song Brandy Clark on vocals with Carll) to the rambling country rockin’ escapist story that is “To Keep From Being Found” chock full of beers and cigarettes and to where the retreat is a trashy motel room low budget comforts, to boot, to the incredibly moving “Help Me Remember” co-written with Josh Morningstar and the subject of which is someone who’s slowly drifting away from dementia. (Carll’s grandfather suffered from Alzheimer’s dementia.) Consistency in the music business is not an easy fete, but Hayes Carll on You Get It All hits yet another homer. Visit www.dualtonestore. com.
Willie Nelson
The Willie Nelson Family
Legacy Recordings
Still going strong. That is just one of many takeaways from the new album from iconic country music artist and star Willie Nelson. Less than two years shy of 90 years of age, the new The Willie Nelson Family album is trademark Willie from his warming voice to his plucking on his trusty (and equally iconic) old guitar, Trigger. The “Family” in the equation are sons Lukas and Micah, daughters Paula and Nelson, and sister Bobbi. They are joined by venerable Nelson sidemen Mickey Raphael, Paul English, Billy English, and Kevin Smith. A mostly stripped-down, acoustic affair, the dozen songs lean mostly in a spiritual direction featuring songs from such esteemed tunesmiths as Hank Williams Sr. (“I Saw the Light”), Kris Kristofferson (“Why Me”), A.P. Carter (“Keep It On The Sunny Side”), and a bit of a curveball, and a good one at that, with the inclusion of a cover of George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” featuring Lukas Nelson on lead vocals. Those selections are in addition to a half-dozen wellknown compositions from the pen of Nelson himself including his revered classic “Family Bible” which Nelson, in need of money, sold to long-time associate Paul Buskirk in the late 1950s and which was first covered by Claude Gray in 1960. The Willie Nelson Family album marks the first recorded family collaboration from Nelson and his brood and the musical chemistry between all of them is obvious. It also marks the final recordings with Paul English on the drums. English began working with Nelson in 1966 and remained a vital member of the “Family” until his passing in February of 2020. Visit www.willienelson.com.
LIVE SHOTS:
The holidays are here which typically means many venues slow down or take time off, just like the rest of us. A reminder that those venues in action are continuing to maintain COVID-19 restrictions, so please visit their respective web sites for the latest information. Beginning in South County and nearby spots, the Courthouse Center for the Arts in West Kingston takes a break until January 7 when the legendary Steve Katz of the band Chicago performs a solo show with talented singer/songwriter Kala Farnham opening. The group Rave On performs 50’s and 60’s rock & roll on January 8. Pump House Music Works on Kingstown Road in Peace Dale is off on Friday and Saturday, but returns with an open mic on Sunday
at 5:30 pm. Make New Year’s Eve plans to head to the United Theatre in Westerly (5 Granite Street) where
G. Love & Special Sauce will perform from 9–12:30.
The Knickerbocker Music Center in Westerly (35 Railroad Ave) presents singer/ songwriter Jake Hunsinger next Thursday night. Mystic Dead performs at The Knick on New Year’s Eve and
Johnny & The East Coast Rockers kick off 2022 on January 1. Up North, Chan’s Restaurant in Woonsocket presents a special holiday weekend performance with
Beardogz “Home for the Holidays” show on Sunday evening. Ring in the new year with the Fat City Band on New Year’s Eve next Friday night. The Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland is on its winter break with music resuming on January 15 with Boston-based Celtic group Fellswater. The
Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket returns to action on New Year’s Eve when they welcome the fellow known as “Sal the Voice” with Sal Valentinetti and the Black Tie Brass for an 8 pm performance. Beatles tribute act
1964 The Beatles is there on January 8. The Met Café in Pawtucket next offers music on New Year’s Day, January 1, with the Ryan Montbleau Band headlining an evening of music starting at 8 pm.
Askew (150 Chestnut Street) in Providence presents The Dick Clarks New Year’s Eve show with Tanya McIntyre & the Professors opening.
The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River presents long-time faves
NRBQ and with a new album, to boot, for its annual holiday period appearance on Wednesday night. The
Funky White Honkies kick off 2022 with a show at the Narrows on January 1.
Dan Ferguson is a freelance music writer and host of The Boudin Barndance, broadcast Thursday nights from 6 – 9 pm on WRIU-FM 90.3.