Greg Merritt - Dream Through a Leaf

The acoustic guitar sets me up right away. I know I’m going to be listening to something that is not quite mainstream, because the time signature is not your average folk singer heart on your sleeve easy beat. Less than two full measures in when the drummer joins in on the upbeat is when I know I’m in for some true excitement. The song title clued me in that the lyrics might not be standard fare either. Turns out it doesn’t matter because my ears are so pleased with the tempos that I get carried away on the wind by the melody and find it very difficult to focus on the story line. Especially about ½ way through when a violin takes a solo that makes me fall on my face in love. The solo is made even more potent by its short appearance. Like it’s there, then it isn’t. The dream spoken of by the narrator is fully here, complete with a jam ending between the players that fills me with grandiose thoughts of being able to fly way further than I’ve ever reached before. Tasty. I apologize for not giving you a clue as to the story. Simply know that the title is well chosen and I have been able to dream through a leaf and beyond by listening to this cut. Greg Merritt

FileFactory.com

Lowdown Brass Band - Lowdown

“Get up everybody, clap your hands and stomp your feet – it’s time to get funky!” I kid you not, these guys woke me up with a tuba keeping the main beat/rhythm for the first good portion of the song. There’s no way to be lazy when somebody is working this hard to be happy. Fun fun way to start the week – thanks! Foot tapping or body swaying, doesn’t matter which – the week is started with a smile. Shoutout for Move Everybody, Everybody Get Up! High energy brass, with a hilarious drummer who knows how to keep my feet in high spirits, and several reed players who are able to keep the brass on their toes while the rest of us digest this meal with deep pleasure. Lowdown Brass Band

Heavy Water Experiments - Neverlove

Distorted guitars warp my time zone back 40 years. Delicious. The narrator is talking about all the feelings he keeps bottled up inside, which is okay because he layers these feelings with the guitars, bass and drums returning us to a simpler day when we were allowed to educate and be educated without government or corporate interference. Heavy Water Experiment allows me to fantasize what life would be like if psychedelic had won over reality. Shoutout for the very cool wildly colorful instrumental flavorings of Octavian. I am in heaven. Heavy Water Experiments

FileFactory.com

Nawal El Zoghbi - Leh Meshtalek

Strings fade into a percussion dance that welcomes me to a melody that is pulling my ears to the dance floor with my hands in the air and m body twirling as it can only do in dreams. Nawal sings with an emotional longing that is slow and sensuous. Nawal El Zoghbi

Paul Mark & The Van Dorens - Lotta Things to Say

Southeast Texas/Louisiana flavors flirt with my ears as Paul begins his narrative. “Now when I was a schoolboy I was a talkin’ fool, the teacher snapped her ruler and she kept me after school.” Easy to relate. The song grows up to what it was like to tell the boss what was on his mind, which, well as you know will land you on the street. And how about running the yakety yak when you meet a woman? All the stories are here, all with humor and a good dance beat. Fun! “I speak my mind and my mind’s always running away.” And what happens when you meet your match? I gotta lot to say, and the main thing is you have to hear the punch lines for yourself! “Honey hush.” Shoutouts for the bluesy atmosphere of “I’m Still High” and the exciting instrumental treatmeright rhythms of Ruff House. Paul Mark & The Van Dorens

Plain White T’s – That Girl

Right after the drum roll entrance we hear “Do do do!” Amen! “Ba ba ba!” Bubblegum with a vengeance to start off our Friday night at the beach party! “Oh-oh-oh!” Just try to stop your toes from tapping. “La-la-la!” No, don’t – if you do you’ll probably get sick. “Yeah!” Oh, don’t worry, there’s real words too. Mostly about a common thing that happens at Friday night beach parties. “I met a girl and it was easy to see that she was falling hard for me.” It’s a call to get up and dance! “By the time the night was ready to end, she grabbed a hold of both my hands!” We’re not going to change the whole world with this song, but no song ever does. The lives of these two young dancers may change forever, tho, and I hope it’s for the better. Should be, with the help of this great upbeat song to start their rock and roll relationship. Shoutouts for Big Bad World & the humor of Serious Mistake. Plain White T’s

Plain White T's on Eartaste

Plain White T’s - Sunlight

“When the storm won’t end on your raging sea, when you’ve all but given up, flow back to me.” A love song with great harmony. Slow, romantic, and special. Each generation needs a song like this to call their own. What’s special about this one is it can capture many generations in its simplicity. Shoutoutfor 1, 2, 3, 4 (“there’s only 1 thing 2 do, 3 words 4 you”). Plain White T’s

Eric Bibb – Get Onboard (album)

“I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on freedom.” A Wednesday night humpday dance prayer-meetin’ with tons of acoustic manners! I am struggling to find the ‘definitive’ cut – this entire album grooves every soulful ounce of my being. The bluesy guest appearance of Ruthie Foster on Conversations is a sultry and hot “picnic by the river”. And anyone who has read me for more than a week knows that I’m going to love any song that reminds us the “God’s Kingdom is in us all.” Hallelujah! “Not just a chosen few, but every one that’s true.” Amen, and another hallelujah for that. “Lookin’ in the mirror, I’m asking am I the change I want to see? You know the world is just a picture of what’s inside of you and me.” This album has everything a soul needs for refreshment – some superb guitar playing, understated percussion, powerful gospel voices, a variety of flavors, and a total spirit-filled experience. “We’re marching on to the promised land. Step by step we’re walking toward freedom.” I have a decent catalog of a dozen Eric Bibb albums, and while I have no problem recommending each and every one as a unique and powerful experience, this new one is sincerely special and worth digging out. “I live for the Spirit I Am.” There’s an extra CD with just Eric and his guitar that has my favorite song about Katrina simply called Water. I’ve heard literally 100 songs about that hurricane, and this is one of the very few that reaches deep into my soul and relives the experience in an honest, non-political manner. The 2nd CD ends with a beautiful instrumental version of I Shall Not Be Moved. Of course, as you can tell, that’s a bit funny because this album has moved me deeply, indeed. Eric Bibb

Ruthie Foster - Heal Yourself b/w Beaver Creek Blues

“You wanna make real music, not just part time, but really use it. But you don't want nobody else to hear it 'cause you think somebody's gonna steal it. You better think 'bout healin' yourself, child” A valuable song about faith, really. What We’re hearing here is that you have to have faith in yourself and others if you want to accomplish anything. Preaching? Maybe a little. But with the good-time soul music sending the message, I can use the preaching. We all need a bit of preaching when we feel like we have to hide our creativity from the world. Besides, if you think that’s preaching, you need to hear the next verse. “You were born in the back seat of America, and you pride yourself in sharing her. Taught to work to please and pray on your knees, you pay for your cheap grace with your nominal fees. Oh, you try to change the news with you TV remote, you got the freedom to choose, but you choose not to vote.” Ouch! And amen. Every song on this album takers a different musical direction, which my ears love. Beaver Creek Blues starts off down on Beaver Creek, and then the drummer joins in with the croaking toads, and when the guitar joins in the action starts rockin’ this day to new heights. “Well, a cup of black coffee’s gonna start my day – I won’t make it any other way.” Great fun! Shoutouts for People Grinnin' In Your Face (“bear this in mind, a good friend is hard to find.”), Up Above My Head (“there’s music in the air”), & Mama Said (“fall on your knees before you fall in the wrong direction”). You will not regret purchasing this entire album, Ruthie’s fifth, and you know how much a fifth can fill your soul with happiness. There’s plenty of soul to be found in these grooves, that’s for sure. Ruthie Foster

If you're new to the soulful voice of Ruthie Foster, then I also recommend Runaway Soul and Stages. If you find the first two albums for sale anywhere, please let me know where you found them.

A second personal note. You can usually find used CDs in ebay for just about any artist. Check out Ruthie Foster on ebay. When I looked, not only could I not find used copies of her first two albums, but I didn't notice any used copies of her newer albums. I think I can tell you why, too. Once people have her album on their turntable, they will never give it up. Not even one used copy on ebay tonight. That tells me a lot - that many people agree with my assessment of this being a great album.

Lindsey Buckingham - Great Day

The electronic beat, a bit faster than a heartbeat, is a fun method of pulling me up out of bed to dance. I figured out I’ve been writing reviews for 40 years this month, and I’m kind of amazed that artists can still continue to inspire me with a new way of describing a wonderful day in my life. It’s even cooler when it’s an artist I’ve written about most of those 40 years. When you expect them to be old and tired and discover they’re not, well life is great, what else can I say? The beat pulls us up, but he rhythm guitar work here is extra fancy and fun to listen to, and I am thrilled that there’s 2 guitar solos. Short, sweet solos, but still rockin’. Fit it all into a 3 minute record that will teaches "more than I ever learned in school." Lindsey Buckingham

Joan Baez – God Is God

“Every day that passes I’m sure about a little bit less.” Ain’t that the truth. This pretty tune is performed wonderfully by a master of acoustic. The song doesn’t supply answers, but does offer security. “I believe in God, and God ain’t me.” Amen to that. Even folks like me who believe fully that the Kingdom of God is within, do not believe the folly that we ourselves are God. The security lies in the truth that “God is God.” There’s things we understand, much we don’t. There are questions here without answers, because the answers are ones we must make ourselves. How we answer them determines our relationships and actions. Does God truly believe in the individual? I’ve discovered that my answer is yes, but most folks I know believe that God believes only in institutions, not individuals (thus the establishment of religion). Who is right? We’ll know at some point, but not ours to fathom now. As sure as I am that I am right about God desiring a relationship with each person, I know that most other people are just as powerfully sure that religion is the way to know God. And that is how this song approaches the understanding of life. We might not ‘see’ the answers, but we trust that there are people who have seen, who do see. “And once in a while they pass the secret along to you and me.” I love songs that allow us to contemplate, “maybe this is why I’m here on Earth, and maybe not,” and do not supply answers. We need time to have open-ended discussion with ourselves, and we so seldom take it. It’s great that there is music to remind us of that journey. Joan Baez

Rodriguez - Sugar Man

There is a whole story behind this album that you can read at Wikipedia. All I know is I put this album on the same way I do with every album – without reading the stuff. My ear just loves music. I was immediately impressed – the first song on the album is Sugar Man, and I started thinking back to Tommy James and The Shondells, etc because of some of the psychedelic studio tricks and I was convinced I would write this one up positively. Come to find out this guy is super-well known & somewhat of a mystery, and on top of all that the track was recorded somewhere between 1969 and 1970. Almost 40 years ago.

I never heard it before, so for all I knew it was a new release. It sounds like a new release, which is amazing when that is contemplated. The song does have drug references (coke and maryjane), which leads me to believe I did not hear this song growing up because the record company (purportedly Buddha) did not want the intense scrutiny of the feds. Anyone remember Spiro Agnew & his push to make White Rabbit and other songs of our generation “Illegal” to play over the radio? I remember that vividly. To think that that man would have been president if it were not discovered he was a crook before Nixon was. Crazy life. Anyway, the album is great fun, a must-have for any collection whether it was recorded in 1969 or 2008. There are hints that this version of the album has been re-recorded. It could be, the sound is that good. In the long run, it doesn’t matter. Here is the US it might as well be a new release. Shoutouts for Only Good For Conversation and Inner City Blues. Rodriguez

Niyaz - Beni Beni

Putumayo has spoiled me to listen for world music in Friday evenings, to escape the political life of the daily educational grind where we are no longer allowed to educate, but are focused on teaching state mandated formats. The peace in the world we envisioned as children will never happen with state mandates, but such is life. So, I seek out music created that expresses other emotions, artists that have peace in their souls and are willing to emote it to my soul. The new Niyaz album fits this need beautifully. I float above the Mediterranean with the sounds that fill my ears and lift my heart. Beni Beni could mean just about anything, but my mind takes me to beneficial, good, love, peace. I can hear these dances performed at the wedding in Cana when Jesus turned water into wine, and I can hear the music at the wedding feast of the lamb. The music allows me to dance in ever widening circles filled with the knowledge that the kingdom of God is within. Shoutouts for Tamana and Song Of Exile. Beautiful. Niyaz

Ellen Bukstel - Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Me

Any song that makes me laugh always makes it here to Eartaste, that’s a given. Two songs on one album that make me laugh is a rarity, but that happens here. Spitting my tea through my nose hurts a heck of a lot, but gives the song extra points, as if it needed it. Ellen has the gift of leaving my nose sore for several days and not regretting it. The ability to take the subject of menopause and create a folk song out of it is one thing, but this goes a step beyond and leaves us laughing on the floor.

“There is designer estrogen the doctors could prescribe,
But the recent tests are showing that the rats did not survive”

The shoutouts include the hilarious Gimme Gimme about motherhood and the truth of raising kids in a materialistic society. Hysterical fun. “I had two more kids while I was using birth control. Must’ve been the diaphragm that had a large pinhole. Now I have three children and they’re good company, whining and complaining now in three part harmony!” The other two shoutouts are included below in video format. Somebody’s Child is poignant and reaches deep into the heart of our nation. They Lost My Vote prepares us for another election where our votes really won’t make much difference.

Our school buildings are 50 years old, and have classrooms that were built way before the age of technology. No one thought that electricity would be needed in the classroom. Bids to do the $100,000 job have reached the regions of $5 million from the cheapest bidder. Why? Because it’s “government” money and the contractors look at it as money without true meaning. Everyone seems to forget that this money eventually comes out of the pockets of our grandchildren. No one cares. I don’t see either party caring – there’s none of them talking about money for the infrastructure of education, just the tests. And more tests. Why? Because a few very rich people are making easy profits off of printing a test for 30 cents and selling it for $60.00. Point is, we all want to vote for honest government, but no one is running on that platform, and anyone who has an honest vote simply finds out its lost.

As Ellen says in the song – we can land a roving camera on mars and get video back, but they can’t make an honest voting machine. “I lost my faith in the government when they changed the rules without my consent.” Ellen has a variety of flavors, as you'll see by sampling the two videos. A fine collection. Ellen Bukstel


They Lost My Vote:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Somebody's Child

Linda Geleris - If I Only Had a Minute

“Who will run the universe and keep it all in order if I push myself away now from this list of things to do?” I love the humanity of the lyrics and the voice that is performing the humanity. How many people will find excuses not to touch the reality of the life around them because of the “list”? Ha! No sense in lying. You’re the one reading this, and I’m just as guilty as you are. It is so easy to let our relationships slide into the background as we complete these lists which seem so important today. The performance is gentle with us, not preaching, not chiding, simply stating truths we really don’t want to face. With a touch of humor, too. “The dial on the wash machine says ‘normal’ and it makes me laugh. I have to clean my conscience but clean clothes will have to do.” The story continues, real life happens, and it magnifies, with candor, that the demands we place on ourselves are truly trivial in the grand scheme of things. A song to share with loved ones, that’s for sure. Linda Geleris

Mark Geary - See-Saw (Houpacka)

“Your words, they don’t call, they imply.” This pleasant album with the acoustic background and tender vocalist does not go out of its way to explain what the narrator wants us to come away thinking. The tone is introspective, and since there are no stories this allows the listener to drift away into their own stories. I won’t tell you mine, I know you’ll have plenty of your own. As the song says, there’s things implied here, but the implications will be different for each listener. Not easy to pull off, but Mark has done a good job. “I’m sure there’s a lot you don’t show.” So true. Shoutouts for Atrophy (“I’m here inside, I’m wrapped too tight”) & Cold Little Fire (“All I desired was your embrace”). Mark Geary

3OH!3 - Dont Trust Me

“Tell your boyfriend, if he says he's got beef, that I'm a vegetarian, and I ain't fugin' scared of him.” From time to time someone challenges me. This is a song that really bothers all my sensibilities. The way the narrator demeans women, the way he decides to incur the wrath of folks who are deaf and blind, the way he simply takes on the world like a nasty little 12 year old barf-bag. That’s when I started to see the humor – when I realized the narrator is simply taking on the persona of one of the middle class white wannabees – and succeeding at that while making music that is just plain fun to hear. I’m sold, go ahead, challenge my old sensitive self. “Shush, girl! Shut your lips! Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips! I said shush, girl!” LOL! Great fun. The shoutout is much more serious, I'm Not Your Boyfriend Baby. The persona taken on here is one of a masochist who has no problem hurting little children. Lots of pain released in this song, and its very existence will call for some discussions around dinner tables that need to be had. Some very angry discussions, I hope. This is the nature of good writing, it has the ability to dig deep. Even as I dance. 3OH!3

Glen Campbell - Jesus

This song comes off so naturally it makes me wonder why Lou’s song wasn’t performed by Glen 40 years ago when it was first released. Would have re-written history for everyone. Be that as it may, it is a fine performance of the classic Velvets tune, and worth digging out and listening to it many times. Beautiful for those of us who feel that what Jesus taught is quite different than the preachers claim. Glen, thanks for bringing a bit thought to my Sunday. Glen Campbell

Blackmore's Night - Prince Waldecks Galliard

A guitar plays in the background as a feast is laid out for the king of eartaste. I ask the song be put on repeat as the meal continues for another 30 minutes. Filling and satisfying, I am in the midst of a movie about King Richard and King John. Blackmore's Night

The Old 97’s - No Baby I

“Here’s a toast to no good Friday. I was bound to do it my way, wrong. Strum it on a telecaster, sing it like a train disaster song.” The beat lends itself to a dance. The narrator is a true jerk. He doesn’t even try to have a sense of humor, just sings about his pure callousness. Hey, we all know people like this. The song is only 3 ½ minutes long, but here’s what I get from the story. This guy’s at a funeral with a girl, he gets really nervous about being around death, and has a gig to get to anyway. So he sneaks out, gets on stage and writes this tune about how he didn’t want to hurt her, but he couldn’t handle the tears. There’s no attempt to paint this guy in a good light, which makes the song fun to listen to. Shoutouts for I Will Remain (“I wonder why I'm so all alone while I'm so close to you”), and Color Of A Lonely Heart (Is Blue). The Old 97’s

Blind Pilot - One Red Thread

“Oh man, of man, you can do what you want.” Think about it. A band has a hard enough time touring in good times. I remember traveling 200 miles to play in front of 6 people. Sometimes there were more people in the band than in the audience. It’s not easy. Now, fast forward 30 years to gas prices at $4 a gallon. What to do? Ah! Bikes! I’m not kidding, these guys may be nuts, but they’re also good musicians. “I had the itch to fly and I flew.” Check out their blog.

You have to accept the fact they’re not touring on bicycles with 50,000 watts of sound system, so if you guessed these guys are an acoustic act, you guessed good. I’m not dancing with sweat pouring off my body, but I am am dancing through the humidty with nice guitar work, subtle percussion and beautiful harmonies. Shoutout for Two Towns From Me (“let me want that mystery.”) Blind Pilot

Treva Blomquist - I Could Get Used To This

“If I had a penny for every kiss” the narrator sings after an acoustic guitar vamps and a fiddle quicky introduces us to an elegant acoustic setting for a dinner under the stars. “Hold me while dancing on the rooftop in the mist.” Start thinking this over and I could see how any human being could join in this vision of reality and sing along with the main theme, “I could get used to this.” A wonderful dream relationship with kissing and dancing for the main course – what more could one ask for. A nice slow Thursday night dance, very flavorful for this eartaster. Treva Blomquist

Nushu – Spill b/w Alexander Zabriel

This hump day dance gets started with a pogo-like opening – try not to spill your margaritas! This is joyful pop, and it’s fun to look at what causes all the joy. I hear so many songs where the boy loses the girl and he gets the blues. Well, in this song, the girl loses the boy and she is ecstatic. Such is the difference in viewpoints, lol! The two singers harmonize wonderfully on “cross my heart and hope to be free of you and misery.” The chorus is adamantly smiling as the singers chant “Leave me alone!” Fun dance rhythms, garage-sounding guitar work, exciting drums, steady beating bass. “Noisy sounds that fill my head play to every word you said. Quit spilling on me! You’re dragging me down!” The shout-out flipside is a fascinating southern California flavored caribbean beat keeps the party hopping up and down with smiles wider than the humongous margarita glasses at this party. “Hearing music somewhere around possessed me body going up and down. I couldn’t stop me feet - drove me wild with each beat.” The main protagonist in this story could either be Alexander or a cheetah, and it’s very possible both are the same. You decide. I enjoy the mystery and the magic of the happy rhythms, despite the complaint of the narrator, “Me feet were finally aching and me back felt out of place. This dancing is like a devil with a tail I’ve got to chase!” Lol!!! Thanks for the bubblegum punkpop! Nushu

Darrell Scott - Urge for Going

It’s fascinating to hear a song you know very well in a brand new context. Not quite a new song, but a definite new experience. Darrell takes this beautiful song and makes totally it his own. It helps that he has a great band backing him with many bluegrass flavors. When Joni sings her song it feels like poetry. When Darrel sings his version it feels like life itself. “Now the warriors of winter they gave a cold triumphant shout. And all that stays is dying, all that lives is getting out. See the geese in chevron flight flapping and a-racing on before the snow. They've got the urge for going, and they've got the wings so they can go.” Shoutout for a beautiful version of Guy Clark’s That Old Time Feelin', which “rocks and spits and cries like and old lover rememberin' the girl with the clear blue eyes.” Darrell Scott

Guitar Red - Box Car No 9

Better than any alarm clock, Box Car No 9 is a fine wake-up song. This album tastes like a story. It feels like a record company owner was walking down the street and heard a guy singing and playing his guitar on the corner. Not having any gigs lined up for the day, he asks the street musician to come into the studio and play. Old street musician says, no way – you’re planning on ruining my music. The record company owner promises he won’t touch a thing, plus he’d buy a bottle of whiskey after the gig. After a few more back and forths, the skeptical street musician agrees to it. The record company owner, true to his word, records the musician warts and all. Something was honest here. Too honest for people to ever listen to. But, it was vital and had to be done. None of this is true. That’s simply what it feels like to me.

Kinda like 100 years ago when I heard George Thorogood singing One Bourbon One Scotch and One Beer. The old song that I had enjoyed so many times before sounded fresh, new, and like it was written on the spot in the studio. It still sounds that way to me. God acting. Guitar Red may also be a great actor, but it doesn’t matter because he exudes honesty the same way George did in his day. Some of his is carried out on the final track, whereon a “hidden track” Guitar Red says "This is what I need, the freedom to express myself. Creativity to be who I am." And it sounds real. Warts and all. I’m sold on the act that calls itself Guitar Red, and I bet if you take the opportunity to seek out his purity and fresh approach at slapping me silly with the direct approach of “me and my guitar will sing you all the truth.”

Life is so great. I’m glad that Guitar Red is now a part of my world. This Monday wake-up has made a promise of sincerity with a great week to come. Shoutouts for Three Legged Dog Blues and Lightnin' In A Bottle. Guitar Red

Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Arabia

If you've ever been to a restaurant and ended up ordering several of the appetizers instead of dinner, and came away satisfied & full, then you have experienced the sensations this album provokes. Putumayo has released a great Sunday afternoon CD. I often review the Putumayo disks on Fridays because of the party atmosphere, and this one could also be shared at a party – an afternoon party that allows some moments for reflection. For example, Les Orientales presents Alger, Alger with a good tango beat with some flamenco thrown in to stop and pay attention to (“Algiers has a beauty that makes us insane”). As usual, the world music in Putumayo is a focus on one culture who has willingly accepted the sounds of other cultures into their pop music. Fine collection of many flavors, including jazz, accordions, and many more to have your palette enthralled for a full hour. This eartaster is completely satisfied. Shoutouts for the performances of Jamal Porto (“sing for everlasting happiness”), Rasha ("Does my love recall the past we shared?”), Charbel Rouhana and Hani Siblini, and an old favorite, Souad Massi (“that’s life – bitter and sweet”). Many albums here that will be sought out for my collection due to the appetizers offered here. Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Arabia

Putumayo on Eartaste

Learn about folk music from North Africa

Mark Stary & The Whiskey Roses - No Excuse

Today was a holiday here in the US, known as labor day. So, it called for an extra night of partying, which of course leads to excuses. Honesty in music always attracts me, as does energy, and this song has both. “Sorry I got so drunk last night, what was I thinking? Didn’t mean to wake you up while you were sleeping. Some ruffians were at the bar I couldn’t say “no” to. Believe me, baby, you know me, I’ve got no excuse.” Fun presentation. I do have one question, a minor point. If the narrator drank as much as he said he did, where’s he get all this energy? I want some of whatever he’s got! “There was Merle on the jukebox, whiskey on the shelf. Pool for a quarter and an old friend drinking by himself.” Yee-haw! You know how impolite it is to let a friend drink by himself! This song does double-duty. It works fine as a Monday morning wake-me up, and also works great as an excuse to play for the wife when you have no real excuse. Mark Stary & The Whiskey Roses