Jeff Plankenhorn celebrates the release of “Sleeping Dogs” with an in-store Friday at Waterloo Records and show Saturday at One-2-One Bar. Contributed/Conqueroo
OUT THIS WEEK
Shakey Graves, “Can’t Wake Up” (Dualtone). Austin360/Statesman writer Deborah Sengupta Stith observes of Graves’ new album: “Sonically, it’s a departure for the Americana standout. The folksy sensibility and witty lyricism are still there, but the new songs emerge through a psychedelic haze. No longer the singer-songwriter with a one-man band who charmed audiences at the Hole in the Wall, he’s now making rich indie rock for a full ensemble.” Read her full interview with Graves on Austin360.com. Release show 5 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at GSD&M Back Lawn; pre-purchase of album required either online or at Waterloo Records before the show. Also playing June 16 at Stubb’s. Here’s the track “Kids These Days”:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncm-_O0aSGs&w=492&h=307]
Jeff Plankenhorn, “Sleeping Dogs” (Spike Steel). Transitioning from sideman to center stage isn’t easy, but on “Sleeping Dogs” it’s pretty clear that Plankenhorn was going to make that move sooner or later. A guitar and dobro ace (he even built his own hybrid instrument, naturally dubbed the Plank) for years with Texas greats such as Ray Wylie Hubbard and Joe Ely, Plankenhorn released a debut album 15 years ago and followed with “SoulSlide” in 2016. But he reaches a whole new level with “Sleeping Dogs,” co-produced by Scrappy Jud Newcomb and featuring co-writes with Hubbard, Jon Dee Graham, Miles Zuniga and Gabe Rhodes. Plankenhorn brings his strong and soulful voice to bear on a broad range of material, from the infectiously rocking opener “Sleeping Dogs” to the gentle acoustic ode “This Guitar.” Hubbard joins in on the gritty, bluesy “Tooth and Nail,” and Patty Griffin sings harmony on the soul-seraching ballad “Holy Lightning.” Will Plankenhorn soon be touring nationally under his own name rather than as an accompanist? That remains to be seen, but this album proves he has the goods. In-store May 4 at Waterloo Records, release show May 5 at One-2-One Bar. Here’s the video for the title track:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmO02fpzphM&w=492&h=307]
Various artists, “A Tribute to the Tributes to Gary Floater” (Eight 30). Despite the presence of quality Americana artists such as Band of Heathens, James McMurtry, Kelley Mickwee and Danny Barnes, this “tribute” to a fictional parody apparently created by songwriters Owen Temple and Adam Carroll feels like a hokey in-joke that got way out of hand. There’s far too much worthwhile local music (including many records released by this label) to waste time or money on such a trifle.
COMING SOON
- MAY 11: Marmalakes, “Please Don’t Stop” (Austin Town Hall), release show May 5 at Fine Southern Gentlemen, in-stores May 6 at Breakaway and May 7 at Waterloo Records.
- MAY 11: Johnny Fury, “II,” release show May 11 at Bat Bar.
- MAY 18: Kelly Willis, “Back Being Blue” (Thirty Tigers), release show June 2 at Stateside at the Paramount.
- MAY 18: Jason Boland & the Stragglers, “Hard Times Are Relative” (Thirty Tigers), playing May 19 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park.
- MAY 18: Chris Sensat, “Rye.”
- MAY 20: Paper Moon Shiners, “Illusions of Composure” (Shiner), release show May 20 at One-2-One Bar.
- MAY 23: Christina Cavazos, “Mile Marker” EP, release show May 23 at Sahara Lounge.
- MAY 25: Brownout, “Fear of a Brown Planet” (Fat Beats).
- MAY 25: Patricia Vonne, “Top of the Mountain” (Bandolera), release show May 26 at Continental Club.
- JUNE 1: Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore, “Downey to Lubbock,” release show June 2 at Antone’s.
- JUNE 1: Hooka Hey, “War Cry.”
- JUNE 8: Jesse Dayton, “The Outsider” (Blue Elan).
- JUNE 15: Tish Hinojosa, “West.”
- JUNE 22: Giulia Millanta, “Conversation With a Ghost” (Ugly Cat).
- JULY 13: Jimmy LaFave, “Peace Town.”
- JULY 20: Belle Sounds, “The Sea Within,” release show July 21 at One-2-One Bar.
- AUG. 3: Kevin Galloway, “The Change” (Nine Mile).
READ MORE: Check out all our recent Austin360 On The Record roundups