Music Spotlight: Hayes Carll "KMAG YOYO and Other American Stories"

Hayes Carll is a real gem on the Texas music scene. He has the a voice that reminds me sometimes of Steve Earle and at other times of Hank Williams Sr. And accessibility from your Garth Brooks fans to hipster college kids. This album is Texas through and through, but stands out with it's sad, unique and often funny lyrics. Carll had some success on the Americana scene in 2008 with the song "She Left me for Jesus" (which is funny as hell, no pun intended), but I knew almost nothing about Carll until a few months when a friend introduced me to his stuff, and within the next few weeks I saw him on Austin City Limits and then Jay Leno playing the song "KMAG YOYO" (which stands for 'Kiss my ass guys, you're on your own"). I was sold on that song right then, so I bought the whole album (KMAG YOYO & Other American Stories) last week and it's been on constant circulation since.
The first time I listened to the album all the way through, sans the songs "Stomp and Holler" and "KMAG YOYO", I was a little bored with the album as a whole. But recalling my first listen to The National's "High Violet", (which almost put me to sleep, but every listen after it developed and revealed itself more and more, and now is one of my favorite records) I decided to give "KMAG YOYO" another shot, and I am glad I did. On that second listen the tracks "Another Like You" and "Grateful for Christmas" jumped out at me and sucked me into the stories Carll was singing. Upon each listen another song or two sticks with me when something new or funny reveals itself in the songwriting.
Hayes Carll is Americana through and through. The sound of this album would be ideally enjoyed driving through east Texas with all the windows down. The electric guitar reminds me of a Drive-By Truckers album on songs like "KMAG YOYO" and "Stomp and Holler" while the piano on "Hide Me" could fit in on a Tom Waits album, and when the choir in the background starts humming, expect goosebumps. "Hard Out Here" could be played on the jukebox at a honkey tonk and fit in with that lonesome moan of the slide guitar and the line "I used to have a heart but the highway took it" swaying with a jingle jangle reminiscent of Dylan's "Rainy Day Women 12 & 35″.
The songs are all good, but sometimes they go on just a little too long. "Chances Are" is a "sad country song" in every sense of the word and very upfront, about 2 minutes in to that song my mind starts to wander a little. The same is true with "Grand Parade", not bad by any stretch, just sort of one-dimensional. But maybe I just haven't listened to the album enough yet. Or it could be that there are just songs on "KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories) that are SO excellent that decent songs lose their luster when places right next to them. Either way, they don't detract from the album as a whole.
Of the excellent songs on the album, the masterpiece is the song "KMAG YOYO". It's a funny, surreal story about a young solider in Afghanistan and his unlikely journey through the military and U.S. government. I laugh out loud a bit every time I hear "slippin' out the back door, gonna join the peace core, tell me I'm a hero so someone else can fight this war". It's bitingly ironic and political, Carll brilliantly lets his sense of humor make a very serious point about the war in Afghanistan. It's pure gold
If you take one thing away from this review, I hope it is: "KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories)" is worth your time and money (don't illegally download, that is just sleazy). It's early in the year, but as of March 22, "KMAG YOYO (& Other American Stories)" is one of the best albums of the year, as far as this humble blogger is concerned.

TV Catapulted Early Rockabilly Musicians To Superstardom

Rockabilly music represented change. It was just one aspect of a rapidly changing world. Post World-War II America as a whole was changing more quickly than it ever had before. The soldiers were home and money was freed up from the war effort to be directed once again into consumer production. And as is usually the case, the war had spurred invention and innovation. As a result, consumers were using many more household gadgets, not the least of them, the television. And this surge in the adoption of the TV in American homes gave rockabilly artists a promotional tool that had never been exploited to such a great extent before.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, there were several well established local and regional radio musical programs. The most famous was of course the Grand Ol' Opry. The Louisiana Hayride was another popular show. Country artists who could earn appearances on these radio programs had great exposure and a serious boost for their careers.
Many rockabilly artists also landed spots on these shows. Although Elvis was rejected by The Grand Ol' Opry in his early years after his initial success in 1954, he appeared on The Louisiana Hayride several times. It was there that he met his first drummer, D. J. Fontana.
But TV offered even more than radio. For the first time, fans could see their heroes as well as hear them. This was especially significant for a performer such as Elvis who was as visually stunning as his music was aurally stunning.
Several popular variety TV shows featured rockabilly acts during the mid to late 1950s. Elvis, Carl Perkins, and other rockabilly greats appeared on shows such as The Milton Berle Show, The Perry Como Show, and if they'd really reached the big time, The Ed Sullivan Show. These shows and others brought the image of these artists to thousands of people who otherwise would never have seen them.
This new vehicle for introducing musicians to a mass audience helped make a completely new generation of pop stars. Those acts that could take the best advantage of the new opportunity--either naturally or by adaptation--could make sudden and astounding advances in their careers. An artist's or a band's visual presentation became even more important that it had ever been. These musicians had to make the best of a TV appearance or it might never happen again. They thus learned to factor a new dimension into their performances.
This new generation of televised musical acts included many rockabilly artists. Along with Elvis and Carl Perkins, The Collins Kids, Wanda Jackson, Gene Vincent, The Burnette Brothers Rock and Roll Trio, and many others found their way onto the small tube.
It was a new era for music and it coincided with a new era in mass media. Just like rock and roll, the television proved to be here to stay. And in the long and rich history of rock and roll music, the TV has played a critical role in keeping our rock heroes in front of our eyes and in our consciousness.

Protecting Your iPod Touch For The Long Run

Thinking of getting the new iPod Touch? With the new features luring you to purchase one, you would probably reward yourself with this gadget. But before you go out and get yourself this portable entertainment device, ask yourself how you will be protecting your iPod touch to make it last longer. Coughing out a few hundred dollars is not a laughing matter. You would not want to waste precious money when you accidentally break or spill liquids on it.
One of the first accessories most iPod Touch owners buy are cases - hard cases, silicon cases, screen protectors, back cover and the likes. Protecting their iPod touch means not having scratches on the screen, on the sides and at the back. If you are one of them, think again. How about if you accidentally drop your iPod? What if you spilled liquids on it? What if you drop it and it is totally immerse in water? What will you do then? Of course you can have it repaired right? Yes, that is right. But how long will they fix your gadget? How much would it cost you? Can they guarantee that you will not encounter problems again? These are all valid questions that you have to ask yourself before getting your touchscreen iPod.
First thing you need to do in protecting your iPod touch is to get a warranty. You should do your research and learn everything about warranties. Apple offers the AppleCare Protection Plan which you can purchase at the same time you buy your iPod touch. A warning though - read the coverage details first before buying AppleCare. It may not offer the coverage you will need in the long run. There are several more warranty service providers that you can check out. It is advisable to do your research and decide on one before you get your iPod touch. This would ensure that your iPod touch is protected as soon as you purchase it.
There are several factors that you have to take into consideration when deciding on the right warranty to get. The first thing you need to know is the coverage details. What does the warranty cover? Does it cover accidental drop? How about spills? Does it cover lost or stolen iPod touch? These are some of the questions you need to ask. Next is the claim process. How easy is it to claim your warranty service? Will they fix your iPod touch or replace it with a new one? How long will it take them to repair or fix your gadget? Third is the price factor. Take note that less expensive warranties does not mean that it is a good buy. An expensive warranty does not mean better coverage. It is wise to compare prices and coverage details side by side and factor in all the advantages and disadvantages.

10 Best Acoustic Guitar Brands That You Will Want To Buy

You can find a number of good acoustic guitar brands in the market. But among the high quality ones, you will find those that can be perfectly suited for you. Below is the list of the best brands out there.
Yamaha
Yamaha is a Corporation in Japan which became the world's major supplier of a full line of musical instrument. Using the finest hand-selected woods and traditional craftsmanship together with subtle new construction finish and wood technology, Yamaha produces acoustic guitars which are both good in quality and creating sound.
Epiphone
Epiphone is an acoustic guitar organization from Gibson Corporation. The sound quality of Epiphone guitars doesn't let Gibson's name down, the price range has been kept to the smallest. It has rosewood fingerboard and bridge that allows you feel more at ease in playing.
Squire
Squire guitars are made by the Fender Business which is famously recognized for their electric guitars from Scottsdale, Arizona. Their acoustic guitar is extremely durable and made to suit for school music program learners and newbies. With a good sound, this brand is known to make low-priced guitar models like SA100 and MA1.
Ibanez
Ibanez is considered to be one of the best-selling electric guitars and bass guitar brands. But, they also produce a quality acoustic guitar for acoustic guitar players. The V series is really popular for newbies, making it one of the best acoustic guitar brands for beginners. Their guitar uses mahogany wood on the neck, and back and sides of the guitar. It also includes a rosewood bridge and rosewood guitar fretboard.
Gibson
Gibson has the biggest standing inside the music industry. The fingerboard in their guitar features the highest grade rosewood which has been professionally graded and qualified by Gibson's group of qualified professionals. Their acoustic guitars provide an extremely smooth and comfortable feeling for playing.
Samick
Samick is a Korean guitar manufacturing company, that is known first for constructing their pianos using imported pieces. The corporation is capable of manufacturing more than one million guitars each year. They have an acoustic guitar with good quality which makes an exceptional sound. The company sell its guitars under its own brands such as Abilene, Silvertone, Greg Bennett, and Samick.
Oscar Schmidt
Oscar Schmidt is a brand of Washburn Guitars. It has smooth fret end, precision low action and resonant quality of sound. The best-selling acoustic guitar of this brand are the OG2 and also OG3. Oscar Schmidt also creates other traditional stringed musical instruments like ukuleles and autoharps.
Taylor
Though Taylor guitars are probably the most expensive, but they certainly produce an exceptional quality of sound. They choose the best wood to use so that the guitar will produce its very best sound quality. Taylor Baby Spruce BT1 or Taylor Baby Mahogany BT2 will work for those who want fine tunes along with a good price.
Takamine
Takamine is a Japanese guitar making company, which has Half a century of historical past committed to innovating and advancement of guitars. Takamine guitars are very pricey but the cost is really worth the sound.
Seagull
Seagull is a Canadian company that produces hand crafted acoustic guitars. It has solid top guitars which offer richer sound, broader dynamic range, and sound becomes better as time pass by. The neck of the guitar of the seagull guitar has either Silverleaf maple or Honduras mahogany. Silverleaf is less permeable than mahogany that provides an incredibly smooth sensation but has an identical denseness. Some really good guitars from the line up of Seagull are Original S6 Cedar, Entourage Rustic S6, and Entourage Rustic CW QI.

Hot Photos of Actress in Jewellery

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