Lyle Lovett - Natural Forces

Lyle Lovett's new CD is called Natural Forces, and to be sure, he is one of them! What a prolific and ever in-the-pocket artist, and that is seconded by the folks he chooses to surround himself with. And those that are picked, when you ask about Lyle, you can see a loving glint in their eyes, an undeniable respect. This project was produced by Billy Williams with such a talented cast of characters it has to have been a labor of love, what with a core team of greats like Viktor Krauss, Russ Kunkel, Matt Rollings, Dean Parks, Paul Franklin, Stuart Duncan, and Sam Bush.

-Jessie

1. Natural Forces - Easy gaited trail riding under blue skies

2. Farmer Brown/Chicken Reel - Lyle loves his double entendres, swinging this time

3. Pantry - More double entendre front porch pickin'

4. Empty Blue Shoes - Lush, soulful

7. Bohemia - Soft shoe, rich and sweet

10. Loretta - Beautiful TVZ bauble

11. It's Rock And Roll - An editorial comment from the pens of REK and LL

12. Pantry (acoustic version) - Part deux, ahem…

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Chuck Prophet - ¡Let Freedom Ring!

Chuck Prophet's new CD ¡Let Freedom Ring! is out today. It was recorded earlier this year in Mexico City in the midst of the swine flu outbreak, with surgical masks as de rigueur daily wear. Leaving the country afforded Prophet a perspective, to make as he states, "a political album for non-political people." It is rich with hauntingly familiar sonics, and pro-biotic lyrics. For a bit more insight into Chuck's epicenter, check out his just posted list of favorite films, and why, on the Indie Ear Blog at IFC.com. While you are reading, take a listen to these tunes from ¡Let Freedom Ring!

-Jessie

1. Sonny Liston's Blues - tight, dark, dirty
3. Where The Hell Is Henry? - wailing guitars, wielded like machine guns
4. ¡Let Freedom Ring! - can you say Exile On Main Street?
5. You And Me Baby (Holding On) - sweet yet sorrowful
8. Hot Talk - drivin'...insistent
9. Love Won't Keep Us Apart - a country infused pondering
11. Leave The Window Open - man in love philosophic observation

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