Exile in Dunganville

I knew this week would be an interesting one - especially as we approached Katrina's one-year anniversary. Every news outlet, if they haven't already, will probably do their obligatory one-year after story.

Anniversaries are good and bad for that I suppose. I mean - if it weren't for anniversaries - would we ever go back and revisit the past?

Today - mass media has a big problem with A.D.D. Once the flood waters subsided - it was onto to the next topic.

However, Hurricane Katrina came and went. Government failed on all levels. And while that is not a new thing - it would have been nice to see if the Feds made good on their promises to rebuild the gulf states. Maybe this week we will hear something.

Since the media will move on after this week (the five-year anniversary for 9/11 is in two weeks), it's our job as citizens of this country to keep abreast of the rebuilding taking place down south.

So what's my point?

#1 - Remember Katrina, not just this week, but in the months and years to come. Listen to the locals that live there or who left because of the storm. Hear their stories. I was in New Orleans last month. I spoke to the people there and walked around the city. Make sure you check out my thoughts and pictures of the area.

#2 - A wave of Katrina-inspired music is out there and more is on the way. Artists like Allen Toussaint, Tab Benoit, and Dr. John have written about the event. New music is being released every week. Keep your eye out for a new records by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Grayson Capps (his new video single is below).

While surfing around last Saturday night, I found a new video by Grayson Capps that caught my attention This song is not a lyrical masterpiece by any means. The lyrics are a straightforward and to the point view of Katrina and the after effects.

Capps caught my ear last year when I was reviewing new music to put on the air over at WSGE. His record received some moderate airplay last summer and fall. After seeing this new video and knowing what he is capable of, I am safely say I am looking for ward to his new album that will be released in late September. And on it of course will most certainly have some strong Katrina/New Orleans themes in it.

Enjoy the video!

One of the few public radio stations to get it right over the past few years has been Baltimore's WTMD. With a small staff, yet a huge passion for the music, they have been able to successfully run one of the most innovative radio stations in the country.

WTMD just recently counted down the Top 50 blues artists of all time. I am not sure what their criterion was, or who was or wasn't allowed to vote, but the bottom line is that the votes are in.

Taking the No.1 spot is Muddy Waters. Whether you agree or disagree is not the point of this blog. The main point is that a public radio station that is programmed by a bunch of like-minded individuals took the time to pay tribute to an American art form that needs to be preserved for future generations to come.

Just another reason to support public radio!

(The following column first appeared in the Charlotte Folk Society August 2006 Newsletter)

by Dennis "Cuz" Frost

The year started slowly in terms of great new releases, but things have really picked up steam in the last two months or so. Three of my very favorites have one thing in common ‑ they blend the best in song‑craft with soulful vocals and gutsy, virtuoso instrumentals.

Long time favorite Darrell Scott has just released perhaps his finest recording with The Invisible Man. The songs throughout this recording have the effect of holding a mirror up to us as a people and a nation, asking the question, "What do you think?"

Another favorite, Lost John Dean, comes from the trio Kieran Kane (remember the O'Kanes?), Kevin Welch, and instrumental wizard, Fats Kaplin. If you like thoughtful lyrics and an acoustic sound that has a rockin', old‑time groove, this one is for you.

Finally, Dave Alvin has always been connected to the folk, blues, country and rock 'n' roll of California that has seeped into the fabric of the national roots scene for more than thirty years. His new release, West of the West, pays tribute to some of his favorite songs and songwriters: Merle Haggard, Tom Waits, Kate Wolf, Tom Russell, Los Lobos and others.

There are many more and here are a few picks:

• For you more traditional fans, you should consider Throw Down with MerleFest favorites, The Wilders ‑ lots of old time romps and a batch of Hank Williams tunes done at a breakneck pace.

• For you newgrass fans, Sam Bush's Laps in Seven and John Cowan's New Tattoo are both keepers ‑ John's CD may be his best to date.

• The Waybacks' Pasture to the Future is just plain fun.

• Check out Johnny Cash's last recording, American V: A Hundred Highways and the intimate Personal File recordings of Johnny with just his guitar, singing his favorite songs in the privacy of his studio.

• Mark Knoffler and Emmylou Harris's All the Road Running is also a keeper.

• Just in and perhaps not in stores yet, is the new one from Guy Clark - Workbench Songs. With Guy's recent health problems, I was pleased to discover that this is as good (or better) than anything he's done.

Well, there are many more, but I guess I'm out of space. Guess I'd better close with my theme, which is "too much music, too little time." Get out and support live music!

The following column will appear in the September 2006 edition of Gaston Alive:

This just in...Bill Noonan is back.

This breaking news may not mean much to many of you, especially if you haven't experienced the area's recent explosion of local music in the last few years.

For those who are in the know, you may remember the name Bill Noonan from when he was the leader and chief songwriter of the band "The Rank Outsiders". Bill, along with Gigi Dover, and the rest of the band turned heads and wowed crowds for over 10 years playing roots-rock to crowds all over the region.

Now Bill is back, fresh with a new band, creating the great country rock he was known for in the 90's. With a brand new album, entitled Catawba City, slated for mid-October release, it seems Bill is set to re-emerge as one of the elite bands in the area's music scene.

Three new tracks from his forthcoming release are now available for download on his MySpace page. These songs and more are available on his website at www.billnoonanband.com. Listen for yourself and see what you think.

The mayor of Concord, NC, Scott Padgett, recently attended one of Bill's shows and described his sound this way: "It's sorta rock, it's sorta country. Who cares? It's good music. Just enjoy it and have a good time."

Listen to Bill now, so you can have a good time when he comes to a venue near you.

Listen now on Rhapsody!

For the third week in a row, Johnny Cash is still king of the proverbial Americana mountain once again. Nearly three years since his death, Cash is still one of the godfathers of the Americana movement - as he was one of few artists who had a way of making all genres of music seem "cool". Whether it was country, rockabilly, gospel, or folk music - Cash had a delivery unlike anyone in the history of American music.

I was first exposed to Johnny Cash's "coolness" when he teamed up with Irish rockers U2 to record the song "The Wanderer" on their 1993 album Zooropa. It was a song that was written by Bono, but it had a Johnny Cash vibe written all over it.

AMA Album Chart (week ending 8/6)

1) Johnny Cash - American V: A Hundred Highways (American Recordings/Lost Highway)

2) Ray Wylie Hubbard - Snake Farm (Sustain)

3) Darrell Scott - The Invisible Man (Full Light)

4) Mark Knophler & Emmylou Harris - All the Roadrunning (Warner Bros.)

5) Sam Bush - Laps in Seven (Sugar Hill)

6) Slaid Cleaves - Unsung (Rounder)

7) Dave Alvin - West of the West (Yep Roc)

8) Derailers - Soldiers of Love (Palo Duro)

9) Kieran Kane, Kevin Welsh, & Fats Kaplin - Lost John Dean (Dead Reckoning/Compass)

10) Todd Snider - The Devil You Know (New Door/Universal Music Enterprises)