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Free Showcase in Memphis
Then, at 1:45 p.m., Cassie Taylor — just a few weeks removed from her month-plus European tour — brings her blues-soul power to the stage, playing songs from her latest album Out of My Mind and more.
At 2:45, the piano lid gets lifted as Eden Brent closes our showcase with songs from her brand-new Yellow Dog Records release Jigsaw Heart (out May 6). Eden is touring a ton surrounding the arrival of her fantastic new album, so she will be at the peak of her formidable powers as she takes the stage.
It all goes down at BB King’s at 143 Beale Street. This is free and open to the public, so come join us as we bask in these soul-satisfying sounds!
Final Recordings of Counterculture Legends Asylum Street Spankers Unearthed
Asylum Street Spankers Wake Up in the Morning and Find a Butt-Load of Wonderful New Asylum Street Spankers Recordings.- Do Any of You Have Any Idea Where These Came From?
If you know the story of the Asylum Street Spankers, you probably know that the group was founded in 1994 at a booze-filled party at the Dabbs Hotel along the river in Llano, Texas, and for the next seventeen years left a swath of astounded audiences in its wake. Well, it appears that America’s favorite old-time hellraisers have once again musically triumphed over overindulgence and memory loss. Or have they?
Christina Marrs, Nevada Newman, Charlie King and the other Spankers do recall getting together to play their final shows ever in April of 2011. They all remember setting up the three-day “The Last Laugh” finale in their hometown of Austin, Texas at the Cactus Café, Ruta Maya and Spider House Ballroom. But, honestly, that’s the last thing any of them remember.
Look: it’s embarrassing for such an acclaimed band as this to have to admit that they honestly don’t remember where their final album came from. What becomes clear upon listening to these recordings is that none of these songs has ever been recorded by the Asylum Street Spankers before. What’s even clearer is this: the band is in their finest form ever here, living up to their firmly cemented reputation as an acoustic powerhouse. Who else can blend string-band virtuosity, multi-instrumental skills, tight vocal harmonies and counterculture wit like this?
Clearly, these were unforgettable nights for all those who packed the clubs and cheered on their internationally beloved hometown heroes. Hazily, the Spankers figure these must have been some of the most treasured personal moments of their 17-year career. Imagine the satisfaction of taking their fans through one last journey together, from the Tin Pan Alley and vaudeville echoes of their sound, to the country, blues, jazz and swing songs they’ve borrowed and created, all filtered through the punk-rock ethos at their core. “It must have really been something,” Christina muses.
The Soul of John Black, The Claudettes Garner Four Independent Music Award Nominations
Each year, artists and labels everywhere (in a wide range of genres) anxiously await the posting of the IMA nominees. Here at Yellow Dog Records, we’ve learned to feel good about our chances, as we’ve now seen our artists nominated in seven straight years.
In the 2014 R&B category, The Soul of John Black (whose album Good Thang netted an IMA in 2012) has been nominated for Soul Album (A Sunshine State of Mind) and Soul Song (Higher Power). And our piano-drums powerhouse The Claudettes has been nominated for Instrumental Album (Infernal Piano Plot…HATCHED!) and Long Form Music Video (The Claudettes: Live in the Studio). Well done, boys.
The general public is invited to vote in each of these categories for the IMA’s “Vox Populi” award. Visit the links below to check out these songs, albums and videos…and vote!
- The Soul of John Black – A Sunshine State of Mind – R&B/Soul Album
- The Soul of John Black – “Higher Power” – R&B/Soul Song
- The Claudettes – Infernal Piano Plot…HATCHED! – Instrumental Album
- The Claudettes – “The Claudettes: Live in the Studio” – Long Form Music Video