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T O P I C R E V I E W
andycole
Posted - 18/08/2009 : 21:50:46 Hi Whisperers Doesn't appear we have a thread directly related to Bob's Country Show. Perhaps we can share our thoughts on what we hear so again Bob can gain some pointers from our feedback.
BHC Thursday 13 August 2009 http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00m020g Firstly I want to give thanks for hearing CALLAGHAN @ 9mins on last weeks show. With many tuning in for the Martina McBride Maida Vale session this was the perfect week to make her Bob Harris debut. I have been a fan of this young lady since late 2006. The band (of the same name) she was in gained widespread UK airplay and Radio presenters enthused over them. Its been great to see Callaghan making progress in her own right as a solo artist on the slow burn. To have this recognition from Bob will give her a huge lift and faith in what she is striving for. Regarding this Bobs comparison to Andrea Glass was spot on.
I was thrilled to hear Bob set up her new song 'Smile' by saying "...I know if you like Martina I think you'll really enjoy this new sound, her name is Callaghan.....I saw Callaghan do a special showcase at the beginning of this year I thought she was terrific....Through a series of different circumstances she met up with Shawn Mullins and between them and they have gone into the studio and produced some tracks with Callaghan and this the first of those its absolutely lovely from the CD London To Lawrenceville, Callaghan and the song is called 'Smile' ".
I notice from the playlist that its linked to some new wiki info etc . There is now a great quote from Shawn Mullins himself: "The world needs more singer songwriters like Callaghan. In a time where mediocrity is seen as brilliant, Callaghan truly shines through as the real deal. Her voice is original and pure, and she is one of the greatest unsigned talents I've ever heard." - Shawn Mullins
On her Myspace it says Callaghan is scheduled to tour the US with Shawn in 2010. The song SMILE is now available to download for FREE for a LIMITED TIME - LINK
I have seen Callagan perform quite a few times at the Foyer in The National Theatre on the south bank. These have all been very enjoyable 90min sets, playing her own material and mixing in her own interpretations of songs by Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, Alison Krauss and James Taylor. She has more dates there later this year. Yes, this prompted me to flag up Callaghan on the 'New To You Talented UK Artists' thread and also concerning The Sound & Vision 2009 Cancer UK Charity night which Bob was patron. I'm delighted she has made the BHC breakthrough following in the footsteps of other UK artists like Two Fingers Of Firewater and Lucie Diamond.
Whisperers - Which new artists have you been following that you feel could get played on Bob Harris Country? Where are the hidden gems?
Martina McBride Session This cetainly lived up to expectations. I wasn't anticipating just Martina and a couple of acoustic guitar players. Such sparse production certainly enhances the power and message in the songs. Also you realise the difficulty of singing Independence Day with some many high notes only someone like Martina can pull it off. I was surprised Bob brought up the subject of her front cover picture on Shape Magazine LOL She looked more fabulous than LeAnn Rimes and Julianne Hough. As Terry Wogan says each time "She's Mighty Pretty"
'Over The Rainbow' was a great session performance. In the latest Maverick Magazine her live review says Martina almost let emotions get the better of her during a chilling performance of that at the Indigo2. Three other standout performances received standing ovations. I hope she will return again to the UK for a full tour. Thanks Bob for the conversation and a great BHC Session.
I've recently heard a few tracks played on Radio Ulster by new artist from Australia called Chloe Hall. She is currently on tour in Canada and is coming for dates right round the UK in the Autumn. One never knows whether an artists music has arrived on the Bob Harris doormat. A name to make a note of. Maverick ( Sept Issue) have an album review and small feature on her.
Whisperers - Are you a regular listener to the Country Show? Which tracks/Albums/sessions have you enjoyed the most so far in 2009? I think for me its been Wine, Women & Song. I would dearly love to hear more new songs from Matraca Berg's CD. More Please Bob.
40 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
The Lew
Posted - 11/05/2013 : 22:38:23 Just played back the John Fullbright session from Thursday. After playing the track Jerico to death over the last few weeks it's add to cart the album FROM THE GROUND UP. The new Ruth Moody will also be a must for me, very nice cover of Dancing In The Dark. Great stuff Bob
andycole
Posted - 27/04/2013 : 21:34:35
quote:Originally posted by Oskarb
Andy, another thumbs up for Jess Morgan and you can see from this video Richard Thompson likes her too
There seem to be a few albums going under the chart radar. The new Kim Richey is a very nice listen. Nice tracks on the new ERIC BRACE & PETER COOPER album. I almost dismissed the Steve Martin / Edie Brickell new album "Love Has Come For You" after hearing one new track. It really is a grower how good is this, FAB!
Posted - 27/04/2013 : 10:42:42 Great Steve Earle session on Thursday, doesn't seem long since his Townes van Zandt tribute album, last time I saw him (at the Sage,Newcastle).
Isobel
andycole
Posted - 22/04/2013 : 21:38:59 Disappointed I missed the second spin for Roses Pawn Shop 2 weeks ago but grateful the Kasey Musgraves special was archived, thank you!
Enjoyed The Kennedys in session last Thursday.
Bob, ref Ashley Monroe, you asked "What Do You Think" - I think she's terrific. I've been a fan of hers since 2006 after one of her co-writing pals Sally Barris tipped me off about her. "Like A Rose" is a glorious track. Its the first time for 6/7 years that Ashley has been played on Radio 2 since Nick Barraclough in some of his latter shows was championing her single and title cut "Satisfied". The album was shelved and Ashley was dropped from SONY's roster. We had to wait 4 years for digital tracks to appear, it never got a proper release.
Congrats to Steve Earle & backing band The Dukes (& Duchesses) "THE LOW HIGHWAY" who debut at No.30 (3,230 sales) on the Official Uk Top 100 album chart and No.1 on the UK Country album chart. He has charted eight albums in the UK, the best placing of number 28 for 2011's I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive.
Congrats too to Kasey Musgraves with "Same Trailer, Different Park" which debuted at No.39 on the Official UK Album (2,630 sales). To put that in perspective she betters C2C superstar Tim McGraw's No.43 debut (2,500 sales) and smashes "O2 megastar" Brad Paisley's "WHEELHOUSE" which debuted at No.69 (1,580 sales) and it has fallen off the Top 100 after just one week. Kasey's Bob Harris Special, "C" Radio 2 playlisting and BBC Breakfast have all helped to break her as a new artist in the UK.
Press Blurb: Following her "stunning performance" at C2C Country to Country last month, award-winning star LeAnn Rimes has announced UK tour dates for September! News announced by C2C Country to Country Dates Announced:- Sat, 14 Sep - Symphony Hall, Birmingham Sun 15 Sept - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow Mon, 16 Sep - The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Wed 18th Sep - Apollo Hammersmith, London C2C fans have access to an exclusive 48 hour pre-sale from this Wednesday. Source - http://www.seetickets.com/tour/leann-rimes
Oskarb
Posted - 02/04/2013 : 15:00:36 Andy, another thumbs up for Jess Morgan and you can see from this video Richard Thompson likes her too
Her recent CD Aye Me was fan supported via Pledge Music and she has just released a new EP for which she's doing a lot of touring at the moment, with a handful of festivals including Cambridge Folk Festival in the summer. Do try and catch this very talented young lady.
Dave
andycole
Posted - 01/04/2013 : 22:09:01 Thanks Bob for a) The Day 2 C2C listen backs and review last Thursday b) Many thanks for playing ROSE'S PAWN SHOP 2 weeks ago and giving a heads up to their remaining UK dates. This was an excellent intro, I sampled their songs on the day, liked what I heard and went to their 17 March gig. It was a very enjoyable evening. A 25-song set, although termed Alt. they sounded really country, a very entertaining band. The support was super too with young singer songwriter Jess Morgan from Norwich opening for them.
Posted - 01/03/2013 : 11:07:29 Will catch up with last night's show later. I didn't know about the Kelly Wilis & Bruce Robison new album until yesterday when I noticed it on last week's Billboard Country chart. The Kickstarter album didn't chart on the Top 200 but made #29 on the country album placings selling 2,835 copies.
We've had Hank Williams on the show last week but I think Holly Williams would welcome more BH airplay. Not sure how much she gets in the States as an Inde artist? Her album The Highway debuted at #146 on the Billboard Top 200 selling 3,525 copies. It was #18 on the Country chart then dropped to #41 and this week it is #31.
Ref Mindy McCready - Despite no mention on Bob Harris Country there have been many more tributes from the country artist/songwriter community. At a CRS industry conference in Nashville this week Vince Gill paid tribute to her at the Ryman Auditorium which drew a standing ovation. Her only song to chart over here was "Oh Romeo" written by Gary Harrison and Matraca Berg. She performed it on UK TV.
On February 17, 2013, neighbours called the local Sheriff's Office of Cleburne County, Arkansas, reporting gunshots. McCready was found dead on her front porch, the same place where David Wilson, her former boyfriend and the father of her younger son, had killed himself one month prior. Her death was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.[ She also fatally shot the pet dog that had belonged to Wilson. Her two children remain in foster care and were not home at the time of her death.
andycole
Posted - 24/02/2013 : 23:17:09 There were some great songs on Thursday's show. Holly Williams sold around 3,500 copies in its debut week (#146 on Top 200 and #18 Country album chart) Little Big Town sound more and more like Fleetwood Mac. Their new single is very "Rumours" / "Tango in The Night" Cicadas is one of the best songs ever. "Undermine" is a great song from the Nashville TV series. The music has the vibe of the Civil Wars/ Ashley Monroe and Pistol Annies. Hayden recently charted with "Consider Me" written by Ashley. The music is better than a lot on the Billboard charts
It was Moira Stuart who broke the news of Mindy McCready's death on Radio 2 last Monday on the 7 O'clock news. There was NO mention of it on the Country Show. Checking the playlists she hasn't been spun since 1999. I remember the Naked Nashville series on Channel 4. I don't think that did her many favours, not a personality you warmed too. Her first 2 albums were great and the second was the first ever enhanced country CD. Her first album sold 7,500 copies in its first week and went on to sell 1.3 million on the back of word and mouth and quality. A very different model to today with pre-sale hype for weeks and advertising across the social networks, online music sites, and TV show appearances.
Posted - 19/01/2013 : 22:58:29 Fantastic news - so glad that you've got John Fullbright lined up for a session. He's bringing guitarist Terry Ware with him to the UK. Terry is a mainstay of the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival and hosts the closing Hootenanny, he's also a very talented musician in his own right. You are in for a real treat!
bobharris
Posted - 19/01/2013 : 19:18:05 You're completely right Jela. Another track next week. Session soon! Bob.
jela
Posted - 17/01/2013 : 19:15:48 I am thrilled to bits to see that my favourite album of 2012 is getting some airplay on the show. John Fullbright's FROM THE GROUND UP - the track 'Moving'
Thanks Bob - you are a star!
John is playing a London date on 4th February at the Slaughtered Lamb. Bought my tix as soon as it was announced - he is an amazing young talent with a heck of a future in front of him!
andycole
Posted - 06/01/2013 : 22:20:24 Hank Williams' music isn't my bag but can appreciate his musical legacy and influence on artists that have followed. Bob described him as a "True Master". There have been several 2hr tribute shows this week and input into programmes to mark the 60th anniversary of his death. During his last years Williams's consumption of alcohol, morphine and other painkillers severely compromised his professional and personal life. He died suddenly at the age of 29 from heart failure brought on by pills and alcohol. As I'm not really a traditionalist fan I do find the atention after all these years a little strange. Now the attention is turned to Patsy Cline's 50th year of her passing. Music for me is very much NOW. There are many great artists and songs whose music never gets people's attentions and radio bypass them. Listening to today's Local BBC country shows leaves me shaking my head with ZERO input of new tracks in a NEW YEAR! With the C2C Festival on the horizon aimed at a much younger audience I can only assume that fans are tapping into other sources possibly not country programmes with someone like Carrie Underwood for example?
Lera Lynn - Is a new name to me, I'll give her a second listen on the iPlayer.
Patti Page - Remember her pop hit as a child. Stunning looking woman in her prime. Shame the CD "Brand New Tennesse Waltz" with recording of many of her biggest songs with assists from country stars is not available or on iTunes. This will now be a collectors item. If you have it Bob any chance of a spin? - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000055ZDO/
Fill in the blank: My favorite Country Music moment of 2012 was ....
Isobelj
Posted - 28/12/2012 : 15:11:05 Loved last night's show
I'm not surprised that Jason Isbell's session was so popular either.
Isobel
andycole
Posted - 24/12/2012 : 11:56:51 I agree with the comment reference Mindy Smith's "Come To Jesus". I must explore the Sarah Jarosz debut album. The track played was absolutely stunning. The Lizanne Knott track has become something of a Bob Harris old seasonal chesnutt.
Its quite hard to find some quality new orginal Christmas tunes this year. Donna Ulisse ALL THE WAY TO BETHELEM is a nice release. Scotland's Yvonne Lyon has a great double "A" side Christmas single. Discovered a fab Aussie album by Tamara Stewart called APPLESEED and then a super Christmas single from last year. It's a shame they haven't filtered through to the Bob Harris Shows. I'm afraid covers of old Christmas favourites from the likes of Country big hitters like Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum and Scotty McCreery (which have all sold over 200K copies in America) bore me to tears in 2012.
Posted - 03/12/2012 : 19:24:56 Country to Country music festival at The O2 Arena (16/17 March 2013:
BBC Radio 2 is the official radio partner, with Bob Harris, King of all things country, supporting the event and will be broadcasting highlights. Bob said: "It's fantastic to see such a great line-up of major Nashville talent performing in the UK. There's a very vibrant music scene in Nashville at the moment and it feels like a particularly exciting time for country music. I'm so pleased that British audiences are being given the opportunity to see some of country music's greatest stars performing live, and am personally thrilled to be able to reflect such a great weekend of music on my Radio 2 country show."
Posted - 02/12/2012 : 22:16:50 Really refreshing to see Lydia Loveless make the playlist cut. Discovered her earlier in the year.
Terrific Lee Ann Womack track. I really believe her next album will be an Americana release.
Exciting to learn this week of the Ashley Monroe new album with a Digital release soon. She's also done a great collaboration with TRAIN and the Pistol annies will be recording again.
Posted - 26/11/2012 : 15:43:52 I really enjoyed the Jason Isbell session last week. Want to listen again
Isobel
ken
Posted - 24/11/2012 : 13:47:28 Alan Cackett speaks the truth. I tweeted to Bob on the way home that I left the gig feeling quite old (I'm 49 and often leave the Stables after gigs feeling relatively young!).
Not only were they singing their songs back to them, they were singing along to one of the songs playing on the PA before they came on. I forget what it was now, something country in nature. It made me wonder whether there was a high proportion of American students in the audience.
TBP are very good at what they do. Can see they've obviously been playing big venues supporting Brad Paisley over the pond. I get a bit tired of the "how ya doing" type shouts mid song to the extent that at one point I thought "just sing the song Kimberly" but I guess that's the whole big venue interraction thing going on. And the youngsters clearly loved it.
Disappointed they didn't play "Walk Me Down The Middle" though. For me it's the best song on the album and I've liked it since they did it on the session earlier in the year. Seemed a bit odd to play "Fat Bottomed Girls" and not that.
But hey, they are very good at it.
Cheers
Ken
andycole
Posted - 24/11/2012 : 10:58:28 Enjoyed the conversation with Jason IsBell Tift Merritt - Brilliant track and album, glad caught her on tour at that time. Her latest project doesn't resonant as much as ANOTHER COUNTRY did. The Band Perry - Alan Cackett (Maverick Editor) reported on BBC Radio Kent in the week that he was the oldest one there at KOKO in London. It was a young audience (mostly female) and they were singing the words back to the Band Perry's songs. Is country music suddenly hip with the under 25's in the UK?
Posted - 22/11/2012 : 13:41:41 You may just remember Graham that Shawn appeared at a 'Farewell' type concert for Joni Mitchell when it was clear that going to concentrate on her painterly activities around 12 years ago.
Needless to say the feeling is mutual.......
Stock Car G
Posted - 20/11/2012 : 19:23:34 Shawn Colvin can do no wrong to my ears, and MCC is in the same bracket. Even their less-than-great tracks tend to be better than many people's absolute best. Good to hear Joni rates Shawn.
allnewimprovedmindcandy
Posted - 20/11/2012 : 11:04:22
quote:Originally posted by Stock Car G
MC Carpenter and Shawn Colvin: two of my all-time favourite ladies!
Shawn's recorded output is consistently excellent. Lyrically, always engaging and absorbing and, instrumentally, the musicianship of the highest standard.
Joni Mitchell, around a decade ago, when asked who she thought would take over her mantle as the worlds most respected singer-songwriter, admitted her total respect for what Shawn had achieved.
Stock Car G
Posted - 18/11/2012 : 11:22:36 MC Carpenter and Shawn Colvin: two of my all-time favourite ladies!
andycole
Posted - 18/11/2012 : 09:51:50 Enjoyed the Al Booth mix tape show and Shawn Colvin session.
Mary Chapin Carpenter - One of the first country songs I discovered. Back in Nov 19, 1994 she had a #1 country single in Billboard with "Shut Up And Kiss Me" ..happy days when mainstream country had plenty of good stuff. Little Big Town - Took part in fun video with Keith Urban this week, a road trip without a radio. Kasey Musgrave is touring with LBT in 2013! Shawn Colvin - Blew me away when first saw her on a Mary Chapin Carpenter Live at Wolf Trap VHS Tape. Brilliant albums down the years.
Posted - 14/11/2012 : 15:00:15 Good to hear one of my favourite songs of the year with Kacey Musgraves "Merry Go Round". She will play select dates on Little Big Town's 2013 Tornado tour.
Dwight Yoakham's album 3 PEARS is now charting on Official UK Country Album Chart, I expect Bob's spin helped a lot! Sad news regarding The Civil Wars, as Bob said "they had the world at their feet". As of last week Barton Hollow had sold 527,796 copies in America alone
Posted - 05/11/2012 : 23:50:20 Congratulations on your Wesley Rose CMA Award Bob! Mark Hagen & I spotted Al Booth there as well on the red carpet! A Little Big Town Exclusive ! I appreciate the CMA highlights show on Saturday and so much was crammed into the 1 hour CMA highlights Video on the BBC Radio 2 page. Thanks to all concerned.
Posted - 28/10/2012 : 20:37:45 Enjoyed the show Keith Urban - Celebrated a birthday this week. Bob if your looking for a Big Apple retirement pad Nicole & Keith are reporting they are dumping their $13 Million De-luxe New York Apartment Kacey Musgraves - So pleased it got it's Bob Harris debut. I adore the track. Reminds me when first heard Lucy Kaplansky. Kasey name came to my attention in June when she opened for Lady Antebellum Own The Night Europe dates - "I'm gonna bring my Lady-A game!" she said. Matraca Berg - Good session. She still seems concerned on Facebook about tickets: "ticket buyers over the pond...this weekend is important for safety of the band!" The Editors of The UK Country Press sem to be at opposites on the new album. Maverick 5 STARS - http://www.matracaberg.com/2012/10/maverick-magazine-gives-loves-truck-stop-5-stars/ If Country Music People run it then it might be 1 or 1/2 star, their Editor hates it! I absolutely loved THE DREAMING FIELDS. Can't make my mind up yet on LOVES TRUCK STOP. There have been so many atmospheric, mood-pieces, with dark material and largely free of uptempos: Gretchen Peters, Kathy Mattea, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Gillian Welch, Shawn Colvin and Tift Merritt.
CMA's - Bob, You'll be cheering on Will Hoge (Even If It Breaks Your Heart) and Eric Church (Springsteen)! For a moment I thought we had the Radio 2 live broadcast back which was exciting. So highlights show next Sat 8pm. I think Jason Albean good well win Entertainer, Male Vocalist - I'm not a fan! He has #1 Billboard Top 200 album. Maybe Bob you'll bump into UK band McKay. They are attending and are being "bigged up" over here. They open for Brad Paisley/Band Perry in Europe and have backing of Garth Brooks, TBP and Brad's management.
Taylor Swift tonight has her first #1 UK Album on the Official Chart but it doesn't show on the UK Official Country Album Chart. It still show's Lady A at #1. It's very confusing? Likewise will Taylor be #1 on Billboard Top 200 but no longer on Billboard Country Album Chart.
Posted - 22/10/2012 : 11:37:31 Loved the Country show last week, great session.
Isobel
andycole
Posted - 20/10/2012 : 22:08:38 Thanks for the Time Jumpers session this week. Iris Dement - Her second week sales for SING THE DELTA was 2,544 copies with a total now 6,210 and hangs onto a Top 200 place at #189
Vince Gill - It came as no surprise that he left his longtime label home this year. He seemed dissatified with the way it was promoted, lack of radio airplay and lack of sales compared to glory days of the past. He still keeps himself busy though. He was on stage with Darius Rucker this week for Rucker's Grand Ole Opry induction. Vince also won 2 awards at the 18th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards. It will be 4 years since that 4-CD Box release which had everything!
Bob, Perhaps you could mention Matraca Berg's UK Tour dates, On Facebook she wrote this week: seems ticket sales need a boost.Seems I am so close to Chapin and Shawn Colvin's show. dear friends. but need to spread word about my tour. help appreciated
"Come back regularly...it's constantly changing. And let us know your thoughts!"
I've done that and the heavy mob have appeared to 'undermine' my thoughts.
Yes those were words I think Bob used again this week. I don't use TWITTER but that's what Bob means about the constant changes and sharing of links to impart information. I did pay attention to your thoughts and people seem happy about the blog links. Is there anything country music wise that excites you right now? Album, single, Gigs ?
Ref to this weeks show Little Big Town - 2 of its members have birthdays this week. Mary Chapin Carpenter - That was the first country album I came across and "Only a Dream" is truly superb. The highlight of the first show when I saw her at Hammy Odeon (circa 1995). You could hear a pin drop, magical. Gretchen Peters saw her too at the HOF Awards, first time in years. I'm sure they share the same UK fanbase! Iris Dement - Her new album is #124 on the Top 200 with sales ranging from 3K to 4K and gains a #8 slot on The Billboard Folk Album. The Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart has had a facelift! It's all change for the best or not? Personally I think its good counting in sales
Posted - 13/10/2012 : 12:10:51 Old Raver, that sounds sad I think it's a great chat forum and some really good links posted here, plus info about musicians of course. It seems welcoming to me, people can have disagreements but it's a very friendly forum.
Hope you cheer up, sad to feel unhappy visiting here. I haven't got here much recently and really miss keeping up with it.
Isobel
leskneeling
Posted - 12/10/2012 : 18:49:39 Daniel...is that you?
I think it's a great chat forum and some really good links posted here, plus info about musicians of course. It seems welcoming to me, people can have disagreements but it's a very friendly forum.
