Chris Gaffney Earns an All-Americana Farewell
Here's a cool album that Americana listeners are going to flip for - The Man of Somebody's Dreams: A Tribute to the Songs of Chris Gaffney. He's probably best known as the late co-founder of the Hacienda Brothers, an intriguing alt-country ensemble that found inspiration in slow-burn soul music. For this project, Boz Scaggs submits an exquisite rendition of "Midnight Dream" while Los Lobos offer a melancholy version of the title track. I am particularly drawn to Jim Lauderdale's sensitive take on "Glasshouse," a brooding ballad about surviving a heartbreak. When the song winds down, Lauderdale whispers, "Love you, Chris." That sentiment is echoed throughout this engaging album with musical testimonials by best friend Dave Alvin, esteemed songwriter Dan Penn and many other Americana icons, all offering a fine tribute to one of their own.
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Redmaz says:
A wonderful tribute CD to a music legend, and for a good cause as well. Rest in Peace Chris Gaffney, and long live AMERICANA Music.
solongsowrong says:
All these complaints about Mainstream artists on these blogs, yet how many of the complainers will take the time to check any of the artists mentioned here? How many will even bother to read this blog?
Mark says:
Whats up with the CMT Awards? I fully get the recent additions of rockers who’ve inspired some of our younger Country singers. And have enjoyed some of those “get togethers ” on stage. But now we’re seeing Ted Nugent for no particular reason other than he’s a hunter and hunting somehow coinsides with country music(?).I grew up a Ted Nugent fan ( I still am ) but don’t bring him on unless theres some connection. And atleast let him play “Free for All” to accentuate the economic disasters that loom large.And what ,pray tell, was a rapper with his “Big Ass Chain” doing there?. There is no connection what so ever with rap and country ( or rap and music for that matter).We should’ve seen country greats giving awards and giving performances ,such as Radny Foster, Dwight Yoakam,Hal Ketchum just to name a few. By the looks of things ,I think it’s time for Charlie Rich to come back and announce John Denver as a winner.
solongsowrong says:
Mark: This blog is about Americana music. Roots music where the traditions of Country, Bluegrass, Folk, Rock and the Blues is honored and respected. Complaining about Pop Country on here, will only get a response of why are you wasting your time looking for traditional Country music in a Pop format. The artists you mentioned at the end of your post along with many others, have long since joined the Americana ranks. If you want to continue hearing them, I suggest you do the same, and look for the the kind of music you want to hear, where it is going to be found…. in the growing Americana genre, where the music comes first.
Redmaz says:
Mark, No respect for a dead man, and a music legend? You’re a punk…go blow.