OUT THIS WEEK
All ATX, “Back to the Armadillo.” The fifth installment of this annual compilation-CD series featuring local bands is probably the most wide-ranging collection to date, largely because the Armadillo World Headquarters theme reflects the impressive breadth of artists who performed at the legendary 1970s Austin music venue. Standout tracks include My Jerusalem’s atmospheric take on Guy Clark’s “L.A. Freeway” (with Amy Nelson adding harmony vocals); Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison’s exquisite roots-pop reading of Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work”; A. Sinclair’s heavy, fuzzed-up psych-out on “Bell Bottom Blues,” a Derek & the Dominoes nugget co-written by Eric Clapton and Austin’s own Bobby Whitlock; Jack Ingram’s perfectly plaintive “A Song for You” (the Leon Russell classic, not the Gram Parsons tune with the same name); and the Peterson Brothers’ delightfully funky turn on the Talking-Heads-via-Al-Green staple “Take Me to the River.” Best of all, though, is the father-son team of Charlie & Marlon Sexton, who took on 10CC’s one-hit-wonder “I’m Not in Love” and turned it inside-out with layers upon layers of synth effects while still staying true to the song’s memorable melodic hooks. There’s lots more, from Fastball, South Austin Moonlighters with Chris Gage, Eric Tessmer, Leopold & His Fiction, Jane Ellen Bryant, Night Drive, Ray Benson, Patrice Pike and Water & Rust, Ruby Jane & the Reckless, Monte Montgomery, Jon Dee Graham & William Harries Graham, Charlie Faye & the Fayettes and Beto & the Fairlanes. The cover design, especially the old-school-jukebox-styled track listing, is a work of art worthy of the Armadillo’s graphics legacy (and it incorporates some of Jim Franklin’s original AWH work), though the song-by-song liner notes in the booklet could have used a little more care and craft. Proceeds from sales of the disc benefit Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, the SIMS Foundation, Black Fret and the Austin Music Foundation. Here’s a short clip of the Peterson Brothers doing “Take Me to the River” at last weekend’s All ATX concert at Auditorium Shores:
RELATED: Review of All ATX concert at Auditorium Shores
Brian Pounds, “Southern Writer.” Following his 2010 debut “After You’re Gone” and the 2015 EP “Strikes and Gutters,” Pounds — who performs before Bob Schneider’s Lonelyland most Monday nights at the Saxon Pub — further establishes his presence as a rising Texas troubadour with this nine-song effort. A veteran of NBC’s “The Voice,” Pounds is an easy-to-appreciate singer, with a natural sweetness that helps richly melodic tracks such as “Mississippi Highway” and “I Swear I’m Losing You” shine. Release show Nov. 16 at Cactus Cafe. Here’s a recent live version of the album track “Odessa”:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL3DRBOJbqY&w=492&h=307]
Drew Kennedy, “At Home in the Big Lonesome.” The fourth album from the New Braunfels-based regular on the Texas country circuit tends toward a laid-back vibe and easygoing grooves. Recorded in Nashville with producer Dave Brainard, the set features 10 Kennedy originals plus an album-closing cover of Austin mainstay Walt Wilkins’ tune “Walnut Street.” Playing Dec. 12 at Gruene Hall. Here’s the video for the track “Open Road,” a song he’s called “my love letter to West Texas”:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbQtkKacq8M&w=492&h=307]
COMING SOON
- NOV. 9: Poly Action, “Baby’s First Rock N’ Roll,” release show Nov. 9 at Hotel Vegas.
- NOV. 17: Golden Boys, “Better Than Good Times” (12XU)
- NOV. 17: Reveleros, self-titled, release show Nov. 17 at Good Shepherd on the Hill.
- NOV. 18: Texas K.G.B., “Welcome Home,” release show Nov. 18 at Mohawk indoor.
- NOV. 22: Strahan & the Good Neighbors, “Twilight Drifter,” release show Nov. 22 at ABGB.
- NOV. 24: Sour Notes, “Darkest Sour,” release show Nov. 24 at Hotel Vegas.
- FEB. 1, 2018: Good Field, “Surface Tension.”
- FEB. 9, 2018: Jerry David DeCicca, “Time the Teacher” (Impossible Ark).
- FEBRUARY 2018: Sharks in the Deep End, EP.
