New & Notable

New Tracks Worth A Listen. That’s All

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - “Thirteen Days”

From the “reimagining” of the She’s The One soundtrack from 1996 (resequenced and retitled Angel Dream and now rebranded as a proper studio album), “Thirteen Days” is a ferocious cover of a JJ Cale song that originally opened Cale’s 1979 album, 5. On the Heartbreakers’ version, Petty makes us wish he would’ve covered the Okie (and his onetime fellow Shelter labelmate) more often than he did. (Though he did contribute to Eric Clapton’s posthumous tribute album to Cale in 2014 and this song had been a live staple in TP shows dating back decades.)

Tony Joe White - “Bubba Jones”

Found on his Dan Auerbach-produced posthumously-released album, Smoke From the Chimney, “Bubba Jones” harkens back to White’s best late ‘60s and early ‘70s material for Monument, in particular of the “Roosevelt and Ira Lee” story-song camp. The track drips with Tony Joe’s swamp sensibilities and even through you know it’s not White’s guitar on the solo (that’s relative newcomer, soul-filled axeman Marcus King instead), it doesn’t distract from the story or - more importantly - its telling. If you’re not smiling throughout and laughing at the end, then I can’t help you.

The Wallflowers - “Maybe Your Heart’s Not In It No More”

Jakob Dylan returns with his ever-evolving band of Wallflowers with a magnificent new album, which kicks off with this deeply melodically soulful track, featuring backing vocals by the incomparable Shelby Lynne (who also sits in on three other songs on Exit Wounds, the Wallflowers’ first album in close to a decade). Saying I didn’t know I missed them until they returned is the musical understatement of the year.

Shannon McNally - “Black Rose”

We lost the great Billy Joe Shaver recently. This is a tribute to both him and Hoss that would make both of ‘em give a big ol’ Texas grin. From McNally’s fierce new album The Waylon Sessions. Listen with your hind parts. Shannon gets it.

Robert Finley - “Make Me Feel Alright”

With a backstory that’s the stuff of books and movies (seriously, look him up), and with the help of North Carolina-based Music Maker Foundation, then Bruce Watson of Big Legal Mess, and finally, Dan Auerbach, Robert Finley has paid his dues and is deserving of all the praise he’s finally receiving. Here’s an example of why…

Allison Russell - “All Of The Women”

An outstanding track on a fantastic album (the acclaimed Outside Child), “All Of The Women” is the type of song that stops you in your tracks and forces you to listen. With Russell’s commanding vocal, you’re powerless to do anything else but listen. And we must listen.

HIss Golden Messenger - “Sanctuary”

Ok, I’ll admit I was late to the M.C. Taylor party. I know, he’s a fellow Tar Heel; I know, musically, he scratches that mellow soul itch I get quite often; I really have no excuse. Maybe it was the unnecessary second “S” in HIss? Maybe I didn’t get the pun? Maybe I still don’t? Either way, his last two albums have made me a fan. Big time. This is from his new one, Quietly Blowing It. Dig.

Phil Wolff & Monty Warren - “Caravan”

Slapback Backslap, their follow-up to their first collaboration, Two Badasses, sees Wolff and Warren deepening their musical ties, and becoming more adventurous in the process. Unlike most protest songs, “Caravan” isn’t pious, it merely tells a story, with a powerful twist that makes you want to hear it again. A true test of a great song.

The Georgia Thunderbolts - “Looking For An Old Friend”

While so many of today’s artists try to recapture the “southern rock” or “outlaw” thing, this track just bleeds Capricorn circa 1976. ‘Nuff said. Turn it up.

Aaron Lee Tasjan - “Don’t Overthink It”

Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan! is so damn good, I implore you to stop reading this, go buy it, and come back and pick up where you left off. I’ll wait. Done? What? You haven’t left yet? Ok, well, check this out and then go. You’re welcome.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - “Sad But True”

Turning a bludgeoning Metallica track into a North Mississippi rave-up a la Junior Kimbrough during a wild night at his juke joint? You damn skippy.

Now, go forth and jam.