Profiles: three NEW CDs out today; and LIVE MUSIC tonight; Tues, Aug 27, 2013

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LATE ADDITION...
Tue, Aug 27, on TV:
8-9 pm "MUSIC FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT" is a PBS special filmed live at the White House in 2010. It airs in Los Angeles on KOCE, aka PBS SoCal. (Check.listings elsewhere.) Especially appropriate tonight, since tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the "March on Washington" and DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING's famous "I Have a Dream"speech.
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Here's the edition as originally published...
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It’s a rather rich day for new music in the marketplace! The Guide brings you word of three new CDs, quickie profiles on two and a longer piece on one (the first one).
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PLUS, of course, we have the LIVE MUSIC SCENE across Southern California tonight.
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CDs RELEASED TODAY…
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1)  Missy Raines, "New Frontier," on Compass Records.
2)  Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, "What a Dream It’s Been," on Cow Island Records.
3)  The Coal Men, “Escalator,” on Todd Snider's Aimless Records.
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1)  MISSY RAINES, "New Frontier," on Compass Records

Bass virtuoso Missy Raines finds her voice on "New Frontier," the new album available August 27th, with tour dates to follow.

We’ve always had a special interest in IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Awards) winner MISSY RAINES. Her first radio appearance with her then-new band, THE NEW HIP, was on “Tied to the Tracks,” the long-gone Los Angeles broadcast radio show hosted by the editor.

So, when word came from Nashville that Missy was preparing an upcoming record for an August 27th release, the multi-award-winning bassist had our attention. Raines, one of bluegrass music's most beloved musicians, explores the next step in her musical vision on this new album, redefining herself as a charismatic lead vocalist.

“It was really about boiling it down to what was most important to me in the world, and then finding the courage to go after it. For me, that journey was not just like ‘finding myself’ because everyone is always trying to do that, but it was really more about uncovering the important things, and then staying with it, and feeling the courage to do something like this,” says Missy Raines of “New Frontier,” an album that boldly treads into the worlds of folk and Americana.

“Even though it was going to be something very different than folks were expecting to hear, I had to say ‘This is what I want to do ,and I have to do it,’ she added.”

At first listen to New Frontier, you’d sooner peg Missy Raines as an Americana bandleader, rather than one of the most highly decorated bass players in bluegrass music. For the first time, Raines explores her dusky, emotive alto on each track, layered among the cool grooves and expansive soundscapes provided by her band, THE NEW HIP: guitarist / co-producer Ethan Ballinger, mandolinist / acoustic guitarist Jarrod Walker, and drummer / percussionist Josh Fox.

The album’s ten tracks draw from songs written by Pierce Pettis, Sarah Siskind, Ed Snodderly, and Raines herself, and are driven home with the help of several genre-bending friends, including the iconic Sam Bush, Zach Bevill of the Farewell Drifters, and former New Hip drummer Robert Crawford.

For Raines, the album was a journey to find her voice, figuratively as well as literally. It cuts to the quick, opening with the subtle rock and sweeping reverb of Ballinger’s guitar on “I Learn,” while Raines’ lyrics resound the album’s empowering message: Follow your heart.

It seems to beckon, as if to say, “things will not be easy and will not be painless, but if you do it, it is absolutely worth it.”

Or, as Missy says, “A lot of these songs share a common theme about renewal, pushing yourself out there, taking the past and letting it be the support underneath you, but continuing to go forward. Some days it’s painful, sometimes growth hurts a lot.”

Raines’ journey and consequential growing pains permeate the album. “Where You Found Me,” plays like a diary entry to the singer’s former self. The folky Pierce Pettis-penned “Long Way Back Home” searches for perspective. And the title track teeters on the verge of epiphany and self-discovery: “I’m scared of going / but I know I can’t stay here / I see the light of the morning / the first day of a new frontier.”

Sam Bush lends his mighty mandolin and vocals to the rockin’ “What’s the Callin’ For.” The sparse mandolin on “American Crow” features Raines, Ballinger, and Walker’s sweet harmonies that close the album in a reverential moment of reflection.

Why the change for the bluegrass bass virtuoso who now so comfortably transposes to the Folk-Americana genre? "I don't see it as a change as much as I see it as natural evolution... my bluegrass roots are strong and deep but I've tried to expand my horizons and see what else I can do. Exploration is a great way to put it – ‘Inside Out’ was that for sure, but this is way more focused. I am very open about everything, all the possibilities, and it is a great new place to be,” says Missy.

The sonic landscape is impressive and polished as well – Raines and co-producer Ethan Ballinger wanted to fully utilize their bluegrass instrumentation in a way that resonated with the album’s somewhat heavier subject matter: “Obviously this was going to be about songs and not about hot picking. At the same time the instrumentation was like, ‘how do we make this not sound like some kind of novelty.’ This is the sound we’ve been arriving at over the last few years, it’s the sound of the band,” says Ballinger.

The inspiring message of “New Frontier,” one of exploration and growth, resonates with the listener, imploring each person to listen again and take the message to heart. Raines shares that, “at many levels, you keep doing what you need to do because you have to. Because there’s just no other option. The good news is that if you keep doing it, you will prevail.”

MISSY RAINES & THE NEW HIP will play a string of fall tour dates in support of the new album, including the kick-off CD release show in her home town, at Nashville's Station Inn.
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2)  BIG SANDY & HIS FLY-RITE BOYS, "What a Dream It’s Been," on Cow Island Records
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This outfit celebrates an important anniversary with "What a Dream It’s Been," out August 27. “Twenty-five years, hundreds of thousands of miles, and over 3,000 live performances; what a dream it’s been!” said Robert “Big Sandy” Williams.

Indeed, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys are beloved by many, with fourteen albums of undiluted joyful music pulled from rockabilly, rock & roll, honky-tonk, rhythm & blues, soul and doo-wop. “What A Dream It’s Been,” out August 27 on Cow Island Music, is a collection of the band’s favorite original numbers -- all acoustic, reinterpreted with fresh new arrangements.

“Here I am, looking back at a wild ride that has taken us around the world countless times and put us in front of national television and radio audiences,” said Big Sandy.

He and the band have made three appearances on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” been featured on NPR's “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, and “All Things Considered” with Melissa Block.

“Putting together this new record has brought back a flood of memories. It is our way of looking back at everything that has led us to where we are now. I feel like we’re sounding better than ever and experimenting musically. While it’s a reflection of our past, this album is really a hint of things to come.”
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3)  THE COAL MEN, “Escalator,” on Todd Snider's Aimless Records

“I’m wearing out this new Coal Men record. I think it’s masterful start-to-finish. Dave Coleman is one of Americana music’s great songwriters, and I hope this record gets the attention it deserves.” -- Todd Snider.

DAVE COLEMAN and his band, THE COAL MEN, have released four albums and kept a rigorous touring schedule for more than a decade. Founded in 1999, the well-seasoned outfit is releasing their fourth album, “Escalator,” on August 27, 2013 -- with an accompanying tour with TODD SNIDER in October, as well as a solo tour starting at the end of August. Escalator is a fully-realized showcase for both Coleman’s creativity in the studio and his mastery as a guitarist (having spent time playing on albums for major label studio albums) -- and as a bandleader.

Produced with the help of Joe Garcia, “Escalator’ features guest performances by Will Kimbrough (Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris), Jen Gunderman (the Jayhawks), and Audley Freed (The Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow) – and at its core, this is a stripped-down rock and roll affair.

Presented by Todd Snider's Aimless Records, The Coal Men release “Escalator” ON August 27.

-- Kim Fowler.
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TONIGHT’s LIVE MUSIC…
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Tuesday, August 27, 2013
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Tue, Aug 27, in Downey:
5:30-8:45 pm  Monthly “DOWNEY COMMUNITY FOLK MUSIC JAM” in the town where Dave Alvin started, is led by Bea & Jim Romano, and it’s a dulcimer-friendly traditional folk music jam, at Barbara J. Riley Senior & Community Center, 7810 Quill Dr, Downey 90242; 562-861-7049; www.Celticana.net
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Free event. Bring your dulcimers and other acoustic instruments and voices and join in. All levels welcome. Visitors welcome ,too. Percussion instruments available.
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Tue, Aug 27, in Burbank:
6 pm "TRIBUTE TO STEVE SMITH" is "a big show" with BIG SANDY & HIS FLYRITE BOYS, DAVE STUCKEY, ROBBIE RIST,CODY BRYANT and performances by two surprise Los Angeles music legends, at Viva Cantina, 900 W Riverside Dr,  Burbank 91506.
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Allen Larman & Ronnie Mack's Barndance present this special tribute to the great photographer and friend of the Los Angeies music scene, the late Steve Smith, who passed away last May. Music starts at 6 pm.
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Park free across the street at Pickwick Bowl (same owners).
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Free admission. All Ages.
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Tue, Aug 27, in Ventura:
6 pm  Twice-monthly “VENTURA BLUEGRASS JAM” led by mighty impressive players, at  Zoey's Café, on Santa Clara St, Ventura 93001; 805-652-0091; www.zoeyscafe.com
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Tue, Aug 27, in VC (T.O.):
6 pm  Monthly “THOUSAND OAKS SONG CIRCLE” at the Greenhouse Café, 652 Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks 91360.
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Tue, Aug 27, in San Diego:
6:30 pm  Monthly “BLUEGRASS NIGHT” sponsored by the SAN DIEGO BLUEGRASS SOCIETY at the Boll Weevil Restaurant, 7080 Miramar Rd, San Diego 92117.
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Tue, Aug 27, in VC (Camarillo):
6:30 pm  SONGMAKERS monthly “CAMARILLO SONG CIRCLE” in Camarillo 93010. Location & info at www.songmakers.org 
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Tue, Aug 27, in Arcadia:
7 pm  Weekly “SONGWRITERS SERENADE” showcase brings recording artists and performing host JC HYKE all playing acoustic at Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant & Bar, 145 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006.
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Tue, Aug 27, in Signal Hill:
7 pm  Weekly “BLUEGRASS SOUP JAM” at Convert-A-Tape, 2420 Gundry Av, Signal Hill 90755.
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Tue, Aug 27, in Pasadena:
8-9:30 pm  CLOSING NIGHT for "CITIZEN TWAIN," the stage show with VAL KILMER as Mark Twain, at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S El Molino, Pasadena 91203; tix, 626-356-7529; www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/box-office/mainstage/citizen-twain
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Famous for his portrayals of iconic characters such as Jim Morrison (The Doors), Doc Holliday (Tombstone) and Batman (Batman Forever), Val Kilmer inhabits the spirit of legendary American figure Mark Twain in his acclaimed one-man show CITIZEN TWAIN. Exploring the famed author’s wry humor from politics to death, love to money, racism, cats and everything in between Val Kilmer reveals the wit and wisdom of the man considered to be America’s greatest storyteller and first stand-up comedian. Each performance ends with a live post-show Q&A with Val Kilmer. VIP Meet & Greet Pass with Val Kilmer is available for an additional $25 per person.
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After tonight, the show moves on to other venues.
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Read the review at www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-kilmer-twain-20130722,0,4734710.story
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Tix, $30-$75.
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Tue, Aug 27, in Altadena:
8 pm  SHELBY & TIEG, plus Sacramento's "Best Musician" and "Best Lyricist" JUSTIN FARREN, play a special low-cost, ten-buck show at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av,  Altadena; Reservations (10 am-10 pm) 626-798-6236.
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After many special guest appearances opening for a variety of nationally-touring acts, tonight Shelby & Tieg headline here for the first time.
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So much of the music young people listen to, write and perform today is dark and even nihilistic. Then along comes a gleam of light in the form of Shelby & Tieg, a singing-songwriting folk-pop duo from Los Angeles, of all places. This is the kind of music your mother would love to have you love if you were thirteen. It’s also music that is so fresh and beautiful that your mother –- and father,for that matter — will be enchanted with it, as well.
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Armed with gorgeous voices and only an acoustic guitar, they create tastefully enchanting harmonies. Both are trained musicians. Shelby is a studio singer and Tieg a guitar teacher. In their concerts, they perform original songs and covers, including “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” and a few Disney classics like you’ve never heard them sung before.
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"Anyone, particularly young people who aspire to a singing career, should not miss Shelby & Tieg. They will show you how it’s done. Their work might be summed up in one word – no, two: refreshing, and beautiful!" -- Deborah Hand-Cutler.
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Plus,
Justin Farren, opening. Justin has played numerous shows on California's West Coast and opened for nationally-touring artists Bret Dennen, Hot Buttered Rum, Matt Costa, Jackie Greene, Bhi Bhiman, and Amber Rubarth. He was voted "Best Lyricist" in 2010 by Sacramento Magazine and "Best Musician" in both 2009 and 2010 by the Sacramento News and Review. Justin's song "Midnight at The Fair" was voted the "2012 SONG OF THE YEAR" at The West Coast Songwriters' "State-Wide Grad Playoff Event" at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, and he was a 2012 Regional Finalist in the Newsong Mountain Stage Competition,one of the premier showcases of emerging performing songwriters in North America.
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Tix are $10, much lower than any other show here.
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Tue, Aug 27, in West Hollywood:
8 pm  THE BROTHERS COMATOSE plus NICKI BLUHM & THE GRAMBLERS play The Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Bl, West Hollywood 90069; 310-276-6168.
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Tue, Aug 27, in SFV (Toluca Lake):
8 pm  Weekly “TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at Timmy Nolan's Tavern & Grill, 10111 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake 91602; 818-985-3359.
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CONTACT US / Questions / Comments / SUBSCRIBE to our notices, etc., all at
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Contents copyright © 2013,
Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks.
All rights reserved.
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The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community, and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules of performances in Southern California venues large and small. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kids o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to proto blues.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. We’re on it.
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A fresh NEWS & REVIEWS edition is coming soon.
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