ACL Preview – The Wood Brothers

I have selected the Wood Brothers as my next ACL artist to highlight.  The group is made up of actual brothers Chris and Oliver Wood.  They grew up in Colorado where they both fell in love with music, but as they got older they went their separate ways. Chris headed Northeast to Manhattan where he eventually wound up in the successful jazz trio Medeski, Martin and Wood.  Whereas Oliver went south where he fell in love with blues and began writing as a part of the band King Johnson (named after Freddy King and Robert Johnson).

In 2005, the two brothers decided to join forces to create music that has “a rootsy feel that blends blues, folk, and rock music in a guitar/bass duo.”  The Brothers recently released a mini collection of cover songs, called Up Above My Head.  The album features the brothers playing some of their favorite artists such as The Beatles, Steve Earle, Beck, and The Allman Brothers. Truthfully I was a little disappointed by the record.  Which I shouldn’t be surprised by, because what I love the most about them is their songwriting style.  They have just a great airy blues feel that Amos Lee fans will definitely fall for. Here is one of my favorite tracks off their lates full-length, Loaded.

The Wood Brothers – Lovin’ Arms

From L.A. with Love, or New Amos Lee

Hello Ear Bleeders!!! My name is Micah and I’ll be contributing some thoughts from the west coast. Today—a bit on Amos Lee’s new album, due in stores on June 24!

Living in L.A. can make someone completely insane, and if you’re like me, it will. Nevertheless, I forge on, fighting the superficial masses and taking deep breaths of an air supply (no pun intended) that only a robot could love. Once in a while, though, the city will slap you in the face, reminding you that despite its drawbacks, it is still the entertainment capital of the world. Yesterday was one of these days. I had the opportunity to see the character mold for Pixar’s ‘The Incredibles,’ Jay Leno, live and in-person in Burbank, CA for the Tonight Show. I had a hook-up from a friend for any date to see the show, so a buddy and I decided to go to the showing with Amos Lee to get a glipse of his new stuff.

On the show, Lee performed a track from his new album–entitled “Last Days at the Lodge.” I’ve always loved a little Amos on those dark cloudy days, when I can sip some coffee, eat biscotti, and feel much more cultured than I actually am…or on those late night drives through the city, where the street lights mesh to the sound of Lee’s mellow tone. From his self-titled full length album, my favorite song is “Colors” with Norah Jones. So damn pretty. Anyway, after the show, they were generous enough to give the audience a few copies of his new album, due out in stores on 6/24. After my initial listen, I’ve decided that the new CD has fewer catchy songs, but a bit more instrumental variety.

Even more than the last one, the new album feels destined for the speakers at Starbucks, and will undoubtedly go well with coffee and biscotti. That, however, might be just the problem, if any. Amos is unbelievably talented and plays a very listenable style of music that is accessible to indie kids, 35 yr old mothers of two, and (especially) uptown photographers. Nothing on the CD is terrible or drab, but nothing on the CD really displays the genius of his catchy first album or the flair in some of his songwriting. I do, however, enjoy the album and am looking forward to having it “grow on me.” Does that sound weird? Cheers!

-MTux

P.S. Amos sure looks bummed on this cover…

amos lee – listen (lost during a site crash 7/23)