News
Funky; Folky; Finale: new music in the works
Here’s a heads-up on three upcoming projects we’re excited about.
Good Thang, the new disc from The Soul of John Black, is just around the corner with a June 7 release. – The album explores R&B, rock, pop, and electronica, but it’s all about love: JB’s love for classic soul and blues, love of driving old-school synth-funk bass, and, most important, love for his family. – Check out a “first listen” preview track below.
Mary Flower is also in the studio recording a new album of her inimitable blend of acoustic blues, folk, and ragtime,- which will be available in late summer. – The session sees Mary joined by a series of duet collaborators in what is shaping up to be her most intimate recording yet.
And the Asylum Street Spankers’ swan song, a CD/DVD combo entitled The Last Laugh, is in the works for a fall release. – Stay tuned for a near-future post with details of the Spankers’ finale extravaganza shows next month in Austin.
Eden Brent, Asylum Street Spankers nominated for three Independent Music Awards
Finalists in the 10th annual Independent Music Awards have been announced, and for the 4th year in a row, Yellow Dog Records artists have earned recognition.
Eden Brent‘s celebrated album Ain’t Got No Troubles is nominated for the Blues Album award, while her song “Leave Me Alone” is nominated for Adult Contemporary Song.
Meanwhile, the Asylum Street Spankers‘ “agnostic gospel” album God’s Favorite Band is nominated for the Gospel Album award.
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 songs from these albums and vote! Voting goes through July 11.
- Eden Brent – Ain’t Got No Troubles – Blues Album
- Eden Brent – “Leave Me Alone” – Adult Contemporary Song
- Asylum Street Spankers – God’s Favorite Band – Gospel Album
Eden Brent Nominated for three Blues Music Awards
Congratulations to Eden Brent for earning top honors in this year’s Blues Music Awards! Eden’s new album Ain’t Got No Troubles is nominated for Album of the Year (alongside releases from Buddy Guy and Charlie Musselwhite) and Eden also earned artist recognition in “Koko Taylor (Traditional Blues Female)” and “Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year” categories (the latter, for the third year in a row).
“I grew up listening to Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, and Charlie Musselwhite at the Mississippi Delta Blues Festival in Greenville,” Eden said of the announcement, “and I’m- humbled to now be mentioned among them. What a dream come true!”
The nominations cap a stellar year for Brent.- Amazon ranked Ain’t Got No Troubles its #4 Blues album of 2010 (Buddy Guy and Mavis Staples took the top spots; Eric Clapton was #6). The album debuted at #1 on the iTunes Blues chart. It received glowing reviews, too: USA Today praised Brent’s “raw vocal sound” while NPR Song of the Day called her “irresistibly fresh.”
Brent also received an artist fellowship from the Mississippi Arts Commission; was a featured guest on several nationally syndicated radio programs, including NPR Weekend Edition, American Routes, House of Blues Radio Hour and Beale Street Caravan; and dazzled audiences in major cities across the US with live renditions of songs from Ain’t Got No Troubles.
Congratulations also to Jimi Bott of Woodbrain, who is nominated again for Best Instrumentalist – Drums.
The Blues Music Awards (formerly known as the W.C. Handy Awards) are universally recognized as the highest honor given to Blues artists. And best of all, you can vote in the awards process! Visit The Blues Foundation to join, and then this link to vote once you are a member. Voting is open now through March 1.