ARI HEST at Cactus Cafe 4-2-09

After seeing BRUUUCE last night, it's hard to write about anybody else, but here goes.
Ari is out on tour in support of his latest, 12 Weeks. He had been traveling with a full band through the Midwest but once headed southward, the band went home. Instead, he had the opening act, Amy Kuney, help out on several songs, one of which they co-wrote.
First things first. The opener, Amy, is a 23 year old who was born in Oklahoma, at thirteen moved to Honduras and several years later came back to America, Hollywood! As you may imagine, she has stories to tell. Thoroughly enjoyed her. You seldom see opening acts who sell many cds after they play but she sold every single one she had with her. Good lyricist, writes well beyond her years and a cool voice. Plays guitar and piano.
Ari did a good 2 hour show. That guy can hit high notes you just can't believe. He really has a wide range. After the show Amy's manager asked him how he can possibly hit those notes and he replied "you just scrunch your nuts together and go." Makes sense to me! He and Amy singing together sound terrific. I hope they continue to work with each other.
Ari's songs are very introspective. I know you aren't supposed to assume the songwriter is writing about their life or themselves all of the time but I believe he does, for the most part, write what he lives. They seem awfully personal when he sings them.
The new record is a pretty cool thing. He spent 2008 writing a song a week. Think about that! If you were or are, part of his fan club, you can download all of them for $20. He then took 12 of those weekly songs and made an album.
So...for $12 we got to hear a really good, new young artist and then spend a solid couple of hours with an old favorite. Can't beat it.

FLATLANDERS at Waterloo

 
 

JOE ELY

 

JIMMIE DALE GILMORE

 

BUTCH HANCOCK

 

FLATLANDERS

 

FLATLANDERS at Waterloo Records 3-31-09

The Flatlanders have recorded their first record together in 10 or 11 years, I believe. It's called Hills And Valleys. We were lucky enough to get an in-store on the release day. They were leaving town afterward to start a national tour in support of the album.
I'm familiar with Joe Ely much more than I am the other 2, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock. Joe's a heckuva writer.
Earlier in the day they were on KUT live and played several songs. All sounded good but one of them I fell in love with right away, After The Storm. They told the story of how it was written. They had decided to sit down together and start writing. Well, they got together at the same time Katrina was hitting New Orleans. They said they couldn't write because they were watching on tv all that was happening. This song came out of that experience. When I heard it on KUT it stopped me in my tracks. One of those. I was sure hoping they would play it at Waterloo and they did!
The first 3 songs from the new record were played in order at Waterloo. This was perfect as each song had a different lead singer. I got lucky and picked those 3 songs to video. You can see them here:
youtube.com/DownThunderRoad
They played for about 40 minutes, I think. It was great! Their full band was with them so it was a fun little set. Their sound is so pure Texas country with some Mexican and Woodie Guthrie influences thrown in for good measure.
Speaking of the album, I have played it a couple of times now and have fallen in love with it already. That song, After The Storm? On the album, Lloyd Maines slaps this crying peddle steel on it which is just perfect. Nothing like steel for a sad song.
This was as crowded as I've seen Waterloo for an in-store and that includes when Willie Nelson was there.