CDDocumenatary: Ali Farke Toure- Talking Timbuktu (1994)

CDDocumentary, produced weekly for three public radio stations, is a tribute to an album we feel essential to the station's music library.

A collaboration between the finest two guitar players that Mali and the US have to offer. Though neither Toure nor Ry Cooder spoke the other's language, the recording proves that some sort of deeper, more fundamental communication was going on. TALKING TIMBUKTU was originally released on March 29th, 1994, and holds the distinction of being the longest-running #1 album in the history of Billboard Magazine's world music charts.
LISTEN! to CDDocumentary: Ali Farke Toure

ACL Festival Local Artist Spotlight: Guy Forsyth

Friday, Sept. 14th
6:40-7:20pm
BMI Stage
Incredibly talented and difficult to classify, Guy Forsyth has forged many styles of music over four solo albums. Forsyth is a man who probably strummed to Robert Johnson while humming Tom Waits and listening to King Buscuit Flower Hour on the radio while Doctor Demento sensibilites (or nonsenseabilities!) ran through his head. His blues-Americana grit is on display here for all who’ve missed his working man nation-wide tourning schedule in the past.
www.guyforsyth.com
Listen to Guy Forsyth

ACL Festival National Spotlight: Back Door Slam

Saturday, Sept 15th
1:50-2:30pm
Austin Ventures Stage
Back Door Slam opened the eyes of everyone in attendance this year at an early summer gig at Austin's Continental Club. Front man Davy Knowles channels familiar blues-rock vibes that would make a certain Town Lake Trail statue nod in approval. And (duh) you know, a ton of musicians have taken this exact photo, but there have been very few where the picture really does say a thousand words about the talent below the man. Knowles can flat out play the hell out of the guitar. Equipped with the voice of a young Paul Rodgers, the ‘Slam’ will deliver a rousing flavor worth raising more than one cold Lone Star in toast. Pace yourself though. It’s a long weekend.
Listen to Back Door Slam.
www.backdoorslam.com

Austin City Limits Local Spotlight: Sound Team

Saturday, Sept. 15th
12:30-1:30pm
AMD stage
It’s pretty amazing the kind of controversy one negative ("pissy" would be more acurate), review** can generate. During the fallout, the online bloggerati came to Sound Team’s defense of their 2006 release Movie Monster with a vengence. This group is young and rising and their sound is synthetic meets organic in a blissful mash up of brit-like synth pop and Texas alt-rock. One of the leaders of the Austin scene, don’t miss them on the AMD stage or the gig with Spoon and Alright Tonight! Thursday, 9.13.07 before ACL, in what will go down as another Austin classic.
Listen to Sound Team.
www.soundteam.net

**look it up on Pitchfork if you like, CMJ's whiny stepchild.

Austin City Limits National Spotlight: M.I.A.

Friday, Sept 14th
5:30-6:30pm
Dell Stage

Possibly the most intriguing performer of ACL and one you’ve likely never heard of takes the stage at just the right time. M.I.A. (Mathangi Arulpragasm) descends from a Sri Lankan family of intense political activism. She’s a successful visual artist and has collaborated with Elastica and Peaches in her early music career. Combining elements of hip-hop, dancehall, ragga, grime and baile funk, some of her music and videos have been censored for their political content. M.I.A. is a woman with a lot to say, but U.S. radio has found no room for her. An outcast if you will, M.I.A. is a glove-like fit for her first Austin appearance. Make sure to leave work early.
Her new album is due out 8.20.07 in the U.S.
Listen to M.I.A. on Download of Week.
www.miauk.com

Austin City Limits National Spotlight: Willy Mason

Saturday, Sept. 15th
11:45-12:30pm
Dell Stage

Staring off Austin City Limits on Saturday is young and witty Massachusetts guitarist/singer-songwriter, Willy Mason. Keeping true to the classic structures of country and blues, Mason peppers his songs with a keen humor and Dylan-esque lyrical narrative. His singing voice is uniquely his own. Just old enough to enjoy a Lone Star after this gig, Mason’s star potential is rising and is a great compliment to this year’s lineup.
Listen to "We Can Be Strong" on the Download of Week.
www.willy-mason.com
www.astralwerks.com

More CDDocumentaries to come

Hope everyone is enjoying the CDDocumentaries. I'm in the process of migrating all the old pieces to this blog and the file hosting site Mediafire. New next week: Velvet Underground- Velvet Underground and Nico (1968) Making their way here soon: Ziggy Marley- Conscious Party, Liz Phair -Exile in Guyville, Ali Farke Toure- Talking Timbuktu, Uncle Tupelo- Anodyne, James Brown- Live at the Apollo Theater I'd love your comments and feedback on the pieces and if you have suggestions for an "essential album" one should have in his/her library, let me know and I'll get to work.

CDDocumentary :: R.E.M. - Murmur (1983)

R.E.M.s first full length album Murmur, would set them apart for good from the overflow of musical talent coming out of Athens, Georgia in the early 80's. Murmur's sound characterized the quieter, more introverted side of the first wave of alternative rock in the U.S. ...
LISTEN! to CDDocumentary: R.E.M. - Murmur

First aired 1/15/2007

(part 2 of 3) 2007 Austin City Limits music festival lineup: better than skin deep

Part two of a three part series looking at the "3rd" tier of acts at the 2007 Austin City Limits festival.

Column 2 (center)

PHOTO: Austin's Gospel Silvertones

Sound Team- Austin's own. A scathing review of their first album on Pitchfork- that's putting it lightly- sparked a ton of controversy from fans in their defense. Young and energetic, this group wears a lot of their influences on their sleeve- not something to be ashamed of. It was a great first effort and this is their ACL debut.

Charlie Musselwhite- Mississippian sings classic country themes with an honest and genuine grit. If you never got to see Johnny Cash live, Charlie's the real deal too...
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JJ Grey & Mofro- big for fans of Panic, Phish, Leftover and those types. Sings with a strong voice and delivery and if you're into this kind of thing, worth a listen. Surprisingly diverse delta flavoring.

The Dynamites fea. Charles Walker- got the pleasure of having these guys play at a little festival put together in Colorado. Its was their 2nd or 3rd gig ever. Genuine soul and R&B. Talented backing group. Charles can belt it out.

Billy Joe Shaver- recent legal troubles kind of underscore the true outlaw that he is. Greasy blues and country.

Ocote Soul Sounds- union between Antibalas' Martin Perna and Austin's Adrian Quesada, gutarist of Groupo Fantasma (who you should listen to, btw). Latin swankness filled with wind and strings. Great dancing music.

Willy Mason- Young and clever. Dylan-esque songwriter with wit and humor.

John Dee Graham- Austinite plays a rousing set of originals from beer and shot rockers to midtempo balads. Genuine as they come.

Paul Green School of Rock All Stars- I'm not kidding here, this is worth the time. Local music school. I saw one of their performances earlier this summer and it was inspirational to watch 9-17 year old kids rip it up. This will be the best of them.

Guy Forsyth- Plays and sings with a bit of Tom Waits flavor. Austinite is well received all over town and is a great representation of the local scene.

Jones Family Singers- I am always a fan of checking the soul and gospel acts out in the WaMu tent. There is always a fantastic vibe and energy, amenities are close by, the crowd is small and into it all and it always is my favorie stage of the weekend. It's also an easy place to rendezvous with people throughout the day.

Gospel Silvertones- Austin group. see above