Fiddlefreak Folk Music Blog » swing

Coty Hogue: To the West (MP3)

Stuart Mason — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:02:13 +0000

Coty Hogue

Thanks to Hearth Music for sending me the new record from rising star Coty Hogue of Bellingham, WA. Her new release To the West charted #1 on the Folk-DJ chart in June, for good reason. Coty Hogue sings a lovely, sultry blend of old-time Americana and contemporary songs that connect to the old strain. Her strong, clear voice is certainly the finest example of the American folk tradition right now. Recommended!

To the West

LISTEN: Going to the West

LISTEN: Sugar Moon

Coty Hogue Website

The Belleville Outfit: Time to Stand (MP3)

Stuart Mason — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:01:41 +0000

The Belleville Outfit

Last Tuesday, Austin-based band The Belleville Outfit released their second album, titled Time to Stand. A rowdy romp through sunny fields of swing, country, and gypsy sounds, Time to Stand establishes this band as one to watch as they conquer the major festivals one by one. Fiddlefreak is about follk music, and Belleville features piano and drums along with fiddle, guitars, and bass fiddle, so we hesitated, but not long. What the heck—this is good music, so check it out. According to fiddler and vocalist Phoebe Hunt, “The only music that hasn’t influenced us is the music we haven’t heard.” Well said!

LISTEN: Safe by the Belleville Outfit (MP3)

LINKS:

Band Website

Listen on MySpace

Buy Now

Whiskey Chimp: Barely Right Now (MP3)

Stuart Mason — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:20:24 +0000

Barely Right Now

It has been almost a year since Fiddlefreak reviewed a live show by Whiskey Chimp, calling them “seven deadly sons who are bound for glory, or Hell in a handbasket.” We have been proven prophetic by their brand new third full-length record Barely Right Now (FP Records). On this CD they seem to fuse into each and every track the musical influences (bluegrass, swing, Cajun, punk, rockabilly) that formerly appeared on separate tracks. Born in the sunny time warp of Ventura, it’s a tasty blend that pairs well with Tecate and lime. Add a helping of humor and fold into tortillas with a dash of habanero sauce. Then run like the wind, because if you don’t you will be sucked into the hilarious toilet bowl that is Planet Chimp.

This past weekend I visited with the Chimp at the Parkfield (CA) Bluegrass Festival, where I laughed until my sides hurt. For every funny, edgy, irreverent original song in their extensive repertoire, they seem to have a half-dozen more waiting in the wings. Their wit is razor sharp, their sense of humor is sick, and their musicianship is impeccable — especially the many layers of harmony. Fiddlefreak sez: Whiskey Chimp is king of the jungle!

LISTEN: Loosen Your Bible Belt

LINKS:

WEB SITE

MYSPACE

LISTEN/BUY

BONUS VIDEO: If I’d a Shot Ya Sooner

Bearfoot Live in Paso Robles

Stuart Mason — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:15:07 +0000

What do you call a bluegrass band without a banjo? Fiddlefreak sez: smooooooth. What’s the recipe for this tasty smoothie? Take one part Biscuit Burners, one part Nickel Creek, and one part Crooked Still, blend until creamy, and you get the breakfast of champions, born in the boondocks of our wildest state: Bearfoot.

Bearfoot: The Future of Acoustic Americana

If you’re like Fiddlefreak, you’ve been hearing about this band for a while now: kids from Alaska, met at music camps up there, been picking together for nine years. Last night we finally had the opportunity to see them live, at a tiny venue called Matt’s Music in Paso Robles, California. We walked away amazed at the talent and skill evinced by these brilliant pickers, still in their early twenties. From old-time fiddle tunes to gospel harmonies, Western swing to contemporary folk, these kids move from breakdown to Beatles and back again without missing a beat.

Bearfoot consists of Kate Hamre on acoustic bass, Mike Mickelson on guitar, Jason Norris on mandolin, Angela Oudean on fiddle, and California-born fiddle player and lead vocalist Odessa Jorgensen, formerly a member of The Biscuit Burners, who just joined Bearfoot in September 2008. All members sing, and the focal point of the band is (big surprise!) the three lovely ladies at center stage, with their sweet sister harmonies and double-fiddle interplay. Not that Jason and Mike are the least bit slack—they kept things hopping with sizzling solos and rock-solid rhythm all evening.

Their new record Doors and Windows will be released on Compass Records on April 21 and is available for pre-order now here. All hail Bearfoot, the future of acoustic Americana.

LINKS:

Bearfoot MySpace
Compass Records

BONUS VIDEO: Single Girl, Married Girl

Thanks to YouTube user motnovak

The Johnny Starlings

Stuart Mason — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:26:27 +0000

The Johnny Starlings are singer/songwriter Jody Mulgrew and friends, sometimes changing but always including multi-instrumentalist Yohei Shikano. Their newest release Aiming Too High features the crystal-clear vocals of jazz diva Inga Swearingen on backup harmonies.

The Johnny Starlings with Inga Swearingen

I saw the Starlings on the main stage at the Live Oak Music Festival, where they brought forth a mellow and authentic vintage sound reminiscent of a Honolulu speakeasy back in the 30s. With his ukulele and fedora and high clear vocals, Jody led the band though a selection ranging from sunny California country-pop to acoustic retro swing, and all of them original songs written by Jody.

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from you Jody–what’s next? More of the same, we hope!

Recommended tracks:
Aiming Too High
On The Porch
Light in My Hand
‘Til My Peace Be Made

Johnny Starlings Website (listen)

Johnny Starlings on CDBaby (buy)