FREE Download of “Prohibition Rose” by Ashleigh Flynn from A Million Stars – Due Out May 14, 2013
“This song is about Portland’s own most infamous bootlegger during prohibition, who happened to be a woman… known for shanghaiing unsuspecting patrons.” –Ashleigh Flynn
“Prohibition Rose” Lyrics: Prohibition Rose, knows what she knows, From her hips to her toes – beneath her petticoat! All day and into night, sailors while their time away In her opium dens spending all their pay Swilling her booze as they wait…
From Old Town to Old Shanghai, the boys wake up under another sky! They know how and they can’t ask why When they wake from sleep in their bare feet Shackled on a ship to the Far East.
Stumptown’s fairest queen, a Denizen of the underground scene. Rosie’s got the guile to get you a little high. But not drop of hooch around When the cops bust in like a pack of hounds. Just Rosie readin’ from her bible – With all the Whiskey stashed underneath her skirt…
From Old Town to Old Shanghai…
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Click the links in the above text for a brief history on Prohibition Rose
About Ashleigh Flynn: Portland, Oregon-based Ashleigh Flynn celebrates her latest CD, A Million Stars. Set for national release on May 14, 2013, Flynn’s fourth studio effort on her own Home Perm Records, is produced by Chris Funk, her longtime friend and musical collaborator, best-known as the Decemberists’ multi-instrumentalist. The record features Todd Snider and many of Portland’s most talented musicians including, Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee-Drizos, Nate Query, John Moen, Annalisa Tornfelt, and the Stolen Sweets singers, among others.
“Ashleigh Flynn represents the next generation of true songwriters. She rules!” –Nanci Griffith
“One of my favorite people to perform and hang out with is Ashleigh Flynn. Her lyrics are smart, she’s got a voice full of soul, and she knows how to handle a crowd.” –Todd Snider
Fantastic video of Tara Nevins performing her new Donna the Buffalo song “I Love My Tribe” solo backstage at The Green Parrot, in Key West, FL in Jan 2013. Thanks to Phil Sunkel and Hype-mag.com for coming out to shoot the vid and some great photos from the show as well.
I Love My Tribe by Tara Nevins Unofficial lyrics Debut 3/24/12 Transcribed by Linda Dicus
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See the world from the shape that I’m in See the love that put me here Like a square peg trying to bend Got to make it through that circle again
Chasing time with worries I keep I check the signs only now and then I put my faith yeah in those I believe Yeah I believe in the love of a friend
Chorus: You might say it’s like sitting in the front seat Driving in your favorite car Well mine was stolen it was not broken Now I’m looking for another one
I love my tribe (yeah, yeah) I love my tribe (yeah, yeah) I love my tribe (yeah, yeah) I love my tribe
Straight ahead now I’m blowing off steam Straight up yeah shooting from the inside Lookout now yeah I’m picking up steam Wide open with the heartache of a lifetime
Bridge: Winding up the road I’m searching for a gear that climbs Well the brakes are gonna stop This heart from beating out of time
“I’m a River has vocal echoes of a country cousin version of John Prine, backed by ethereal background vocals courtesy of Jonell Mosser” –Grant Britt, No Depression
When asked what inspired this song, Sam says, “Temptation. I was feeling a bit broke down when I wrote this. Sometimes I wish I could give more and take less. This song is a combination of admittance -that I can sometimes ‘bite off more than I can chew’, an acceptance- that ‘yes, I am aware of this’ and simply a warning.”
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“The album is no doubt a presentation of the artist, but the subject matter weaves a patchwork and tells a story that is relevant to all and the human condition.” –Travis Swann, Mufreesboro Post
“The incredible storytelling … really blossoms into something personal and soulful in I’m a River… shows the depth Lewis went into in creating these 10-songs, never skimping on details, but at the same time never overwhelming listeners with too much, creating an emotional imagery that isn’t too common today. The realness packed into this track, along with the others, instantaneously creates a link between Lewis and other famous singer/songwriters like Amos Lee, John Prine and Henry McCullough.” —Fishbowl Records, Greenberry Taylor
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Lyrics: I’m A River
There’s a valley not far from here, beyond the dam where all the water runs real clear you’ll find everything you’ve been looking for, there was a time when I could offer you much more, would you believe it if ever you were told once I was worth more than my weight in gold, where dreams and promises once flowed with such grace, have all been washed up and dried on these banks
you’d run into me and I’d save your life, I’d have you singing I saw the light, but I’m a river full of heart ache that you’ll never swim, take one step closer and I’ll pull you in I’ve seen trouble and I’ve seen pain, I got beat by the sun and I have drowned in the rain and I’ve found it hard to look straight ahead, all I’ve wanted lies on this riverbed, it’s the gospel I heard a man say, you can’t get back what you don’t give away, with every seed I’ve sewn and love I’ve made stay lord knows that I’m ready for the levy to give way
“”The lyrics on the new recording derive from cinema, art and literature…intricate musical arrangements with witty and literate lyrics.” — Staunton News Leader (VA)
“This is our favorite album we’ve heard all year, hands down.” –Asheville Disclaimer
“[stephaniesid’s] cover of “Life in a Northern Town” brings a joyful bounce to the proceedings, adding in xylophones, horns, and whimsy aplenty.” — CoverMeSongs.com
“Their recent appearance in WNCW’s Studio-B debuted some of the danceable delights from ‘Starfruit’ and shows Stephaniesid is a forward moving force in music today.” — Dennis Jones, WNCW
“’Starfruit’ is a heck of a lot of fun and finds Stephaniesid covering both the Dream Academy’s “Life in a Northern Town” and the theme song to “Laverne & Shirley.” Seriously. Along the way are standout originals “Closer,” “I Like It,” “Starf***er,” “I Like It Too” and “So Low/A Hope.” The aforementioned Dream Academy cover is every bit as powerful as the original.” — Jeffrey Sisk, Daily News (PA)
Think you’ve heard too many covers of “Stars Fell on Alabama”? Well, think again.
Tara Nevins, a member of the roots-rock band Donna the Buffalo, has created a unique version of the 1934 jazz standard, adhering to the original lyrics but changing the melody significantly.
Her cover, which appears on Nevins’ new solo album, “Wood and Stone,” makes the tune sound like old-time mountain music, with instrumentation and vocals to match.
New Music Video: “Stars Fall on Alabama” by Tara Nevins
Filmed and produced by Jim Torres
From the Album “Wood And Stone” on Sugar Hill Records
American roots traditionalist Tara Nevins’ new release ‘Wood and Stone’ showcases Nevins’ ever-evolving repertoire and was produced by Larry Campbell at the Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY. Featured guests on the album include Levon Helm, Jim Lauderdale, Allison Moorer, Teresa Williams, The Heartbeats, along with the core band of Larry Campbell, Justin Guip, and Byron Isaacs.
CMT writes, “With the wonderful fiddle groove and vividly written lyrics, Nevins gives a glimpse into her roots. Stepping out for a rare solo record (beyond her beloved band, Donna the Buffalo), she meshes her Cajun influences, unique voice, drums and steel guitars for an intriguing look at her heritage.”
One of the songs that stands out is Nevins’s version of the Jazz standard “Stars Fell on Alabama.”
A few years ago, living in Huntsville, Alabama, Nevins was approached by director Jim Torres and was asked to adapt “Stars Fell On Alabama” for the movie he was then directing – “20 Years After” (an MTI Video). Torres states, “I was looking for a song that had romantic lyrics and a geographical reference to Alabama which is where the movie took place. I’ve always loved Ella Fitzgerald and Louie Armstrong’s version of the song, and the lyrics were perfect for the movie, but I needed something a little darker, almost melancholy to match the tone of the film. I met Tara through mutual friends on the film project and we talked. I loved her music, and the thought of adapting a Jazz standard intrigued her.”
Nevins used the original lyrics and rewrote the music in an Old Time Mountain Music style. She created the new melody for the lyrics and wrote a fiddle tune as the centerpiece of the instrumental sections. She then went up to Nashville and recorded the song with Gary Paczosa.
Nevins states, “when the movie came out I put the song up on MySpace. It was also put, with just an abstract picture, up on YouTube. Between the two, the song has had nearly 60,000 views and comments. I continually receive messages from folks who’ve seen “20 Years After” saying it was their favorite thing in the movie and where can they get a copy of my version of the song? I decided to put “Stars Fell On Alabama” on my new record because of that, and because I think it is beautiful and it fit perfectly with the rest of the record.”
Here it is, yet another version of this great Jazz standard – different from all the others with an Old Time Country sound. This version is of interest to anyone who knows the song, and has had a great response from those who have heard it. It’s reference to Alabama has alot of meaning for Nevins personally and this version has seemed to touch the hearts of many listeners living in Alabama.
It seemed like the perfect song from “Wood and Stone” to do a video of. Like Jim Torres says “We wanted the video to stand on its own, and let it support the music – just Tara and her fiddle and a beautiful song.”
Here is what the press is saying about “Stars Fell on Alabama”
“…….. even though I am familiar with at least two dozen other renditions of the song, it’s as though I heard it for the first time. It is stunning in its quietness.” – Amos Perrine, No Depression
“Stars Fell on Alabama” sounds like it fell from her heart and pen too, but Nevins has the capacity to take a well-known standard like this, change the melody, and perform it so ingenuously that it fits in seamlessly to the whole groove of the record.” – Acousticana Journal
“ … it’s a track sounds like it was from the O’Brother Where Art Thou? sessions…. the haunting “Stars Fell On Alabama,” where once again Nevins shows her prowess on the fiddle” – Chuck Dauphin, Music News Nashville:
“Three deftly picked covers include the standard “Stars Fell on Alabama” (from the film 20 Years After),….Nevins works some real magic here” – Hyperbolium
“……… a dynamite reading of “Stars Fell on Alabama,” – The Daily News
The music video for “Stars Fell on Alabama” was created by Director/Editor Jim Torres, Assistant Director Keith Sims, and Cinematographer Daniel Beard in July of 2011 in Huntsville, Alabama.
Visit www.TaraNevins.com for more information about the album, a gallery of images, videos, music, and lyrics.
On Saturday, February 12, at 9: 00 pm, local musician Angi West will celebrate the release of her new album, Opportunity Cost, at the Grey Eagle. She will also be celebrating her 30th birthday, with the evening culminating in a dance party with DJ Kipper. For this show, West will be joined by an impressive band – Seth Kauffman, Michael Libramento and Evan Martin, all members of Floating Action.
Produced by Seth Kauffman, Opportunity Cost is West’s third release. Though the album makes a sonic departure from her previous recordings, the songs have the depth and beauty she is known for. Opportunity Cost has a darkness that is also uplifting, and West’s unapologetic lyrics are stunning.
“Most of Angi’s previous albums are piano-based, so I wanted this one to have minimum piano on it,” Kauffman explains. “Usually things are more compelling when you’re out of your comfort zone.” A creative producer, Kauffman varied his approach, “She brought in a few songs on harmonium and banjo, so we tried to fully realize those with live, almost field-recording-like takes. This batch of songs was very original and had some cool elements we tried to bring to the forefront; using unique, sometimes bizarre instrumentation and production.” For example, “I have this weird, 1970’s Baldwin Discoverer organ, that cool drum machine beats and Beach House-esque sounds. Most of the songs feature that organ, with her singing and playing live, all on one track.”
Overall Kauffman says, “The album was cut in quite a relaxed, organic nature. Angi usually got songs on their first or second take. I added some overdubs, and she did some of the vocals at Brian Landrum’s Synergy Dynamics studio, the whole album took less that a week total.”
Chicas Malas, the most recent until today, Jar-e record, was inspired in Mexico but born in Asheville, NC, where Jar-e returned after his travels and convened an all-star group to help him realize his musical visions. In the year and a half after his first release, War Songs and the Muse (2004), Jar-e’ and his band earned a reputation in the Southeast for adventurous, genuine shows that always get a crowd on its feet.
Jar-e’s third album, Blood of the Summer was released today, November 2nd, 2010. On this new effort he trades in some of the world rhythms that have become his signature for a bigger, more oceanic sound. Produced by Danny Kadar (My Morning Jacket, Avett Brothers, Band of Horses) and recorded in Asheville at Echo Mountain Studios, the album features more open spaces, higher highs, lower lows.
Instead of the danceable multi-cultural collage he created on his previous two albums, the songs on “Blood of the Summer” are character-based narratives exploring the darker sides of the psyche with a direct, bare frankness. Delivered by Jar-e’s masterful voice, a bold tenor saturated with both hope and despair, the lyrics and stories are poetic in their clarity and universal in their stark detail.
Video of Donna the Buffalo’s Tara Nevins & Jeb Puryear at Shakori HillsFestival. This is Tara’s NEW Song “Snowbird” and is going to be on Tara’s NEW solo album that she’s been recording in Levon Helm Studios with Larry Campbell–Set for a Spring release!
Also Check out this interview with Galen Kipar by the Mountain Times in Boone. GKP plays The Lexington Ave Brewery in Asheville tonight 10/7 and then Canyons in Blowing Rock tomorrow 10/8.
“I guess it’s kind of like a slew of genres,” front man Galen Kipar said.
Add in elements of classical composition with a dash of Americana and you have a sound that, while hard to classify, is just eclectic enough to work.
The Asheville-based crew can’t help but play off what they were given: Majestic mountain scenery.
“It’s influenced the imagery of the music and the lyrics,” he said. “I am a supporter or believer that art is a reflection of your immediate culture or your immediate environment. This environment and community have definitely channeled through in the music.”
A musical background doesn’t hurt either.
“I started playing music, I guess it was 1991,” Kipar said. “I found an old classical guitar in my mother’s closet, and a friend had just gotten a guitar, so we were kind of playing chords.”
A music education from Brevard College and several tour dates later, Kipar is thrilled to be back in the High Country.
Portland, Oregon-based Ashleigh Flynn celebrates her latest CD, A Million Stars. Set for national release on May 14, 2013, Flynn’s fourth studio effort on her own Home Perm Records, is produced by Chris Funk, her longtime friend and musical collaborator, best-known as the Decemberists’ multi-instrumentalist. The record features Todd Snider and many of Portland’s most talented musicians including, Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee-Drizos, Nate Query, John Moen, Annalisa Tornfelt, and the Stolen Sweets singers, among others.
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