Worth Reading: April 23, 2007

Too much good stuff out there to wait.   Here’s what’s caught my eye around the net today:

Slant Praise for Dale Watson, Twang Nation Joins CMT Awards Backlash

One week after awarding four stars to Pam Tillis for Rhinestoned,  Slant writer Jonathan Keefe is similarly enthused for the new Dale Watson album:

From The Cradle To The Grave is an album of remarkable depth and complexity (that is, with the exception of the atonal “Hollywood Hillbilly,” a shout-out to Johnny Knoxville), tackling issues of spiritual and intellectual resonance. And, with only one of its 10 songs exceeding three minutes, it’s also an incredibly dense record (Watson puts more into a single line than most Music Row acts put into a whole career’s worth of albums), making it just that much more forceful a gut-punch.

I’ll be checking that album out tomorrow on his recommendation. Keefe also slips in a jab at the CMT Music Awards last week, calling it a “vile, hateful spectacle.”   That’s tame compared to Baron Lane’s take – CMT Music Awards: Still Blows –  over at alt-country haven Twang Nation:

There was a moment of true grace and emotion on the program, but it had nothing to do with the three-ring pyrotechnic circus of bland performances by Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts. It was when Rosanne Cash presented Kris Kristofferson the Johnny Cash Visionary Award. Kritofferson was visibly moved, gracious and his amazing life and legacy was briefly detailed before he accepted. It was a brief moment of sincerity in an otherwise facile showcase of mediocrity.

While you’re checking out the archives of that awesome blog, take note of his recent review of the new Elizabeth Cook album, Balls – as in, “Sometimes it takes balls to be a woman” –  and his opinion of  Shut Up and Sing, a documentary about three Texas women with some pretty big balls of their own.

More Reviews at The 9513, iCF Music

The 9513 has chimed in with a review of Bucky Covington’s debut CD – Brady gives it three stars –  and a fascinating write-up of Dale Watson’s show at the Broken Spoke which is as much a celebration of the artist as it is the venue.

The spotlight turns to Waylon Payne over at iCF music, where “Her” from Payne’s 2004 album Drifter is discussed in depth.    The format at that site has inspired a new feature here called Choice Cuts, which will spotlight album tracks from older albums.    I’ll refrain from pimping a Pam Tillis cut until iCF covers her first!

Oddity of the Day

For further proof that the earth is a wee bit off her axis, read about the verbal smackdown that occurred between sometimes-country rocker Sheryl Crow and presidential adviser Karl Rove:

In his attempt to dismiss us, Mr. Rove turned to head toward his table, but as soon as he did so, Sheryl reached out to touch his arm. Karl swung around and spat, “Don’t touch me.” How hardened and removed from reality must a person be to refuse to be touched by Sheryl Crow? Unfazed, Sheryl abruptly responded, “You can’t speak to us like that, you work for us.” Karl then quipped, “I don’t work for you, I work for the American people.” To which Sheryl promptly reminded him, “We are the American people.”

For the record, I’d never say “Don’t Touch Me” to Sheryl Crow, but I wouldn’t ask her to sing it, either.