was updating the myspace page and pondered the many various lists of “top friends” that I’ve seen in others. mine’s a collection of family, friends, artists that I know well and a few that I admire. so if you’re in need of some cool new music to get you thru the week, please allow me to introduce a few of my top faves to you:
david rodriguez. former texan singer-songwriter, now based in holland, david’d best-known song is ballad of the snow leopard and the tanqueray cowboy, famously covered by lyle lovett. I got a nice note from him the other day and have just ordered his new album, his first in over a decade (sounds familiar…). check out his daughter carrie, she’s very good as well.
kacy crowley. kacy’s an old buddy from the los angeles late 80’s circuit, even then I knew she had something special. she had a shot at the majors during the ascendancy of alanis, sheryl crowe, fiona apple etc, but somehow managed to slip thru the cracks. kacy’s tunes and vocal delivery are simply great, check out the video for badass.
peter case. I’d first discovered him when he was with his first band, the nerves in the late 70’s. been a fan all thru the plimsouls and his long solo career. he’s no nuevo folkie, he’s just a class act.
kevin welch. I’d been a fan since his 1991 debut and had gotten to know him when I lived in nashville. as much as I enjoy the work he’s been doing as part of the kane-welch-kaplan outfit, his solo work is still my fave. his version of john hiatt’s train to birmingham is sublime.
caitlin harnett. someone to watch, and I mean it. still in her teens, she’s got something magical growing very quickly in her writing and vocals.
paul norton. we were in hillbilly moon together, some of the best times of this phase of my career. his under a southern sky should be our alternate national anthem.
rebecca hancock. we’d almost been bandmates about ‘87 or so, with former saints’ ed kuepper’s band the yard goes on forever, but alas, I opted for the ill-fated solo deal. I’ve just helped bec put her myspace and website back online, she’s wrestling with a few legal issues over her latest album but is working on a brand new set.
duane jarvis. dj and I first met when he was in the odds and I was in sneakers, about ‘79 or so. he’s the guitar slinger to the cool cats, and a hell of a songwriter to boot. his co-writes with lucinda williams (still I long for your kiss) and joy lynn white (love sometimes) are classics.
kevin montgomery. his tune cherokee city is one of my faves. we’re talking with him about getting him to play the new cafe/venue early next year.
shane flew. I’ve known shane since the flood/feral swing cat days, when he was a drummer. he’s picked up guitar and is now performing his own tunes. very cool stuff, great pop sensibility.
morgana welch. not a musical artist as such, but the author of a very cool book called hollywood diaries, detailing her days as a teen rock n roll groupie in early 70’s l.a. great reading about a fascinating time.
so go discover some cool tunes, and tell your friends. music is good for your soul.
and yes, I’ve told my daughter that her profile still has her feb 2007 school pic from balmain high…..