Jimmie Dale And The Flatlanders: “All American Music” (1973/2024) CD Review

The Flatlanders formed in the early 1970s, and were together for a very brief time, at least in that original incarnation of Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, Sylvester Rice, Tommy Hancock, Tony Pearson and Steve Wesson. During that time they recorded an album titled All American Music, which was originally released only on 8-track tape in 1973. Seriously. That sounds crazy to me, but I was largely unaware of the popularity of that format because my family didn’t purchase them (we had records and cassettes in the 1970s and 1980s). Apparently, by the time the 8-track was released, the band had already broken up. Well, now the album has received a CD release, thanks to Omnivore Recordings, and it also includes tracks from the compilation One Road More, which was released in 1980. It also includes an alternate take of “Dallas” that had been included on Truckers, Kickers, Cowboy Angels: The Blissed-Out Birth Of Country Rock Volume 5 (1972), a compilation that was released in 2015. All of these tracks were recorded in March of 1972. This disc contains new liner notes by Colin Escott.

The album’s first track, “Dallas,” begins with the question, “Did you ever see Dallas from a DC-9 at night?” This song has a sweet folk-country vibe, with some biting lyrics about that city. It features some nice work on harmonica, and then there is the unusual addition of a musical saw, sort of in the same vein as a theremin, so giving the song its own special sound. That’s Steve Wesson on saw. He also plays autoharp on this album. Jimmie Dale Gilmore is on lead vocals and guitar; Joe Ely is on vocals, harmonica, dobro and acoustic guitar; Butch Hancock is on vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica and banjo; Sylvester Rice is on double bass; Tommy Hancock is on fiddle; and Tony Pearson is on mandolin and vocals. “Dallas” is followed by “The Heart You Left Behind,” a song written by Angela Strehli, and featuring a beautiful, heartfelt vocal performance. “Love is not easy/And time will take its toll/But what good is life/If we must live alone?” This track has a somewhat loose feel, like an impromptu jam session on someone’s porch, which adds to its charm. This is one of my personal favorites.

“She Had Everything” contains some excellent lyrics, such as its opening lines: “She had money, she had time/She had everything in this world that was mine.” Those are lines you’ll likely be singing before the end of the song. I also love this line: “I know you made mistakes, but you made me what I am.” Butch Hancock wrote this one. It’s followed by “Tonight I Think I’m Gonna Go Downtown,” a pretty and moving song, featuring a gentle vocal delivery that is almost in line with some Hawaiian music, that sort of vibe. “My love, my love has gone away/My love, my love, what can I say/My love would never see/This world’s just not real to me.” It too features the saw, keeping things interesting. This is another of my personal favorites. It was written by Jimmie Dale Gilmore and John Reed.

The Flatlanders deliver a great cover of Jimmie Rodgers’ “Waiting For A Train,” the saw adding an eerie element to the sound, giving this train a haunted sort of vibe. And yeah, there is a bit of yodeling. There is also a loose atmosphere here, with a bit of vocal riffing and banter. The track features nice stuff on fiddle. That’s followed by “Rose From The Mountain,” a track that will likely have you feeling good and perhaps eager to head away from the city. There is a bright, cheerful energy to this song. Then “You’ve Never Seen Me Cry” has a pleasant, appealing vibe. “The sunlight came, the sunlight went/The stars came out to see/The way I laughed and the way I cried/At the way you treated me.” There is some beautiful playing here. It has a rather sudden ending.

The fiddle is prominent from the start of “Jole Blon,” that instrument inviting us to come together, to dance, to become more human and live in the moment in a real setting, rather than in this pseudo-reality people dwell in online. There is a loose, lively vibe to this track that is incredibly appealing. Then “Bhagavan Decreed” contains some nice work on mandolin. “Each plant has a root that’s dipped in blood/So later on we’ll all find out we’re just nameless mud/And I’m saying goodbye to those old-time demons, darling.” This song has a great folk sound, with the additional element of the saw. I need this sort of thing now, and I love the closing lines: “You say one day soon we will all stand as brothers/‘Til then, I guess we’ll just stand around.” That’s followed by “Keeper Of The Mountain,” which has a sweet vibe. “And we had no dream/We just lived one.” This track also features some wonderful backing vocal work. The album’s original release, the one on 8-track tape, concluded with a good rendition of the Carter Family song “Hello Stranger,” this version containing some sweet vocal work, plus great stuff on guitar.

The next several tracks were released on the 1980 compilation One Road More, beginning with “Down In My Hometown,” a song written by Jimmie Dale Gilmore and having a relaxed pace and vibe. “Now I could sing you a song of inspiration/Or of a new world where everyone is free/But now you know there ain’t no new way to salvation/The time is getting short, my friends, for you and me.” The first time I listened to this album, I was visiting family in my hometown, and partly for that reason this song stood out. It is another of the disc’s highlights. It’s followed by a pretty rendition of Willie Nelson’s “One Day At A Time.” “I live one day at a time/I dream one dream at a time/Yesterday’s dead and tomorrow is blind.”  “Stars In My Life,” written by Butch Hancock, is another highlight, in part because of these lines: “Though this universe collapses on occasion/The stars in my life will stay in place.” Those are excellent lines. This song features the saw and fiddle, and they sound wonderful together.

“Not Long Ago” is an instrumental number, the album’s only instrumental track. It has a pleasant vibe, like friends gathered on a porch or around a fire, striking up a tune. It was composed by Jimmie Dale Gilmore. That’s followed by “I Know You,” which features a moving vocal performance. “You say you’re never sure just who you’re looking for/You’ve never found the one to lay your love before/Well, I don’t claim to be the answer to your only dream/Whatever else you seem/I know you.” Then “One Road More” is a fun number featuring some great stuff on guitar. “Lord, I ain’t got a lick of sense, I got a crazy mind/‘Cause I don’t want to leave and I don’t want to stay behind/Well, at the end of this one last road they say there’s always an open door/And I guess my bare feet will have to carry me one road more.” The disc concludes with that alternate take of “Dallas,” which was originally released on Truckers, Kickers, Cowboy Angels: The Blissed-Out Birth Of Country Rock Volume 5 (1972).  “Well, Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eyes/A steel and concrete soul and a warm-hearted love disguise/A rich man who tends to believe in his own lies.”

CD Track List

1. Dallas
2. The Heart You Left Behind
3. She Had Everything
4. Tonight I Think I’m Gonna Go Downtown
5. Waiting For A Train
6. Rose From The Mountain
7. You’ve Never Seen Me Cry
8. Jole Blon
9. Bhagavan Decreed
10. Keeper Of The Mountain
11. Hello Stranger
12. Down In My Hometown
13. One Day At A Time
14. Stars In My Life
15. Not Long Ago
16. I Know You
17. One Road More
    
18. Dallas (Alternative Take)

All American Music was released on November 15, 2024 through Omnivore Recordings.

The Mekons Announce 2025 Tour

The Mekons had been teasing us for a while with hints and promises of a full-band tour, and the dates were finally officially announced today. There are shows in the UK and Europe in May, and all across the United States in July and early August. We need causes for celebration these days, and this announcement is certainly something to be excited about. Adding to the excitement is the fact that the wonderful Jill Sobule will be opening the five west coast dates that have been announced so far (I’m expecting them to announce a second Los Angeles show, a Wild Honey show, something that was mentioned when Jon Langford and Sally Timms played there in June). I will be catching those shows. There is even more exciting news: the band has a new album coming out as well.

Here are the U.S. dates:

• July 9, 2025: The Fine Line, Minneapolis, MN (opener: Jake LaBotz)
  
• July 10, 2025: Vivarium, Milwaukee, WI  (opener: Jake LaBotz)
  
• July 11, 2025: Fitzgeralds, Berwyn, IL (opener: Jake LaBotz)
  
• July 12, 2025: Square Roots Festival, Chicago, IL
• July 13, 2025: Magic Bag, Ferndale, MI  (opener: Johnny Dowd)
  
• July 14, 2025: City Winery, Pittsburgh, PA  (opener: Johnny Dowd)
  
• July 16, 2025: City Winery, Boston, MA  (opener: Johnny Dowd)
  
• July 17, 2025: Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY  (opener: Johnny Dowd)
  
• July 18, 2025: White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ
• July 19, 2025: Philadelphia Ethical Society, Philadelphia, PA
• July 20, 2025: Union Stage, Washington D.C.  (opener: Johnny Dowd)
  
• July 22, 2025: City Winery, Atlanta, GA
• July 23, 2025: City Winery, Nashville, TN
• July 26, 2025: Lodge Room, Los Angeles, CA (opener: Jill Sobule)
  
• July 29, 2025: Moe’s Alley, Santa Cruz, CA (opener: Jill Sobule)
  
• July 30, 2025: Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA (opener: Jill Sobule)
  
• August 1, 2025: Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR (opener: Jill Sobule)
  
• August 2, 2025: Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA (opener: Jill Sobule)
  

 

The Cowsills: “Global” (1998/2024) CD Review

The Cowsills had quite a bit of success in the late 1960s and early 1970s, recording hits like “The Rain, The Park And Other Things” and “Indian Lake.” In 1978, they recorded an album titled Cocaine Drain, which has still not gotten a proper release (there was a digital release in 2008), and then there was nothing until they regrouped in the early 1990s to record Global. The album wasn’t released until the late 1990s, and then as a limited edition disc, without major label backing. Now it is getting a wider release, thanks to the folks at Omnivore Recordings. The disc’s liner notes, written by Brett Milano and Bob Cowsill, contain some of the history of this album, how it was recorded and why it wasn’t released for so long. When it was released in 1998, three songs were left off the disc, and those are included on this new release as bonus tracks. The album also features new artwork on its cover. The group, as of this recording, is made up of Bob Cowsill on vocals and guitar, John Cowsill on vocals and drums, Paul Cowsill on vocals and keyboards, Susan Cowsill on vocals and guitar, and Robby Scharf on bass. There are also some special guests on certain tracks, including Vicki Peterson, Peter Holsapple and Berton Averre.

It is clear from the album’s first track “What About Love?” that this is not a band trying to recreate its late 1960s sound. When the song kicks in, it takes on a joyful pop rock sound, in line with the power pop groups. “I got my money, yeah, I work real hard/I lead the good life/But when I think about it, I’ve got nothing to hold/So goes the good life/What about love?” This is a seriously good number, sounding like a hit, and the energy increases toward the end, the drumming and the guitar work in particular creating that rise in power. And as you’d expect, there is plenty of good vocal work. As much as I like this band’s early work, this is actually much better. If you’ve only heard the band’s 1960s output, you’re going to be in for a delightful surprise. Berton Averre, the lead guitarist for The Knack, plays guitar on this track. Then Vicki Peterson joins the group on harmony vocals on “Under The Gun.” She might still be best known for her work in The Bangles, but she and Susan Cowsill are also members of The Continental Drifters. That isn’t her only connection to The Cowsills; she is married to John Cowsill (though they were not married when this album was recorded), and they are currently on tour with The dB’s. Anyway, this track features some beautiful, passionate vocal work. And it continues the theme about love with lines like “He wants everything from me/All the feelings that I hold inside/I don’t know if I really want to/I don’t know if I can even try/But what if love’s the answer/What if love is the only out/Maybe someday somewhere somehow I’ll find out/What’s it all about.” There are hand claps during that delicious instrumental section. Another Continental Drifters member, Peter Holsapple is among those contributing the hand claps.

There is more great energy at the start of “She Said To Me,” a song that has the delicious sound and vibe of summer. This song seems like it is designed to be a highlight at the group’s concerts, and I hope I get to see it performed at some point. It’s a totally enjoyable song. “I wanna show you the way to make me come alive/While being true to you, yeah, I’m gonna be at your side.” That’s followed by “You’ve Got No Time,” which eases in and soon takes on a rock energy, particularly in the vocal work. “Well, here’s my body when you want it/Here’s my mind that you can feed it/Oh, that’s right, you’re on that you-don’t-see-me trip/Guess you want me to suffer.” Peter Holsapple plays mandolin on this track, delivering some really nice work. If you’re a fan of The dB’s, my guess is you’re going to love this song. Then “Cross That Line” begins with some strong vocal work, those first lines delivered a cappella, great harmonies. “I wanna give you all the love inside/I wanna show you what it feels like/But if you want it all and more/You’ve got to cross that line.” And their voices continue to be the driving force of this song. Seriously, there is some powerful vocal work here, particularly by Susan. John Stamos joins the group on congas for this one.

“What I Believe” is a fun and positive love song with a catchy chorus. “What I believe is love comes around/To help me make it through.” While acknowledging the ups and downs a relationship takes, this song is ultimately a celebration of love, and we certainly need that now. Peter Holsapple plays mandolin on this one. That’s followed by “I Be Low.” “I can’t sleep in daytime/I can’t sleep at night/And it feels like a lifetime/Well, my head was spinning/While I was about to give in to love/I’ve been high, now I be low.” This is a really good rock song, with a positive sound. “I remember when your love was all that I wanted/And I knew that you were the one to rely on/But I don’t anymore/I want to send myself to a place/Where all my troubles seem far away,” The Cowsills sing on “Far Away.” This track contains some good work on guitar in the middle, and Peter Holsapple again joins the group on mandolin.

“Rescue” has a harder rock sound at the start, with that kind of energy to the vocal line as well. “I work at keeping the lid on so that I don’t explode.” There are moments when there is a bit of a Bryan Adams quality to the vocal work; Bryan Adams when he rocks, that is. “Is It Any Wonder?” contains another passionate vocal performance. “She don’t want to love me anymore/She don’t want to be the heart that mine beats for/Is it any wonder?” Cecil Duke is on congas for this one. “If I had a second chance/You know I’d do it all so differently/Oh, but it’s too late to think about/All the could-have-beens and the should-have-beens.” The original album concluded with “Some Good Years,” a song that looks back with some fondness. There is a gentler feel to this one. “Guess that nothing lasts the way it should/All I can say, yeah/How the good shines through/They were some good years.” Both Gary Griffin and Bob Cowsill plays keyboards on this track, and Cecil Duke is again on congas.

Bonus Tracks

The final three tracks were intended to be included on the original release, but when the album was readied for a late 1990s release, it was decided that they should not be on it. The first of those tracks is “Free Fall,” a seriously good, rocking, energetic number with a driving beat. The band is seriously rocking here, and the results are great. It’s a little crazy that this wasn’t included on the disc’s original release. “You see, it’s up to you/You got to see it through.” That’s followed by “Maybe It’s You.” As this one begins, we learn that the relationship in question is problematic, with one person getting on the other’s case from the start of the day. ”Every morning, first thing when I wake up/You start another fight/You tell me every little thing that I do wrong/I never seem to get it right/It doesn’t matter what I do or say/It’s just never quite enough.” Yet, he’s still trying to get her to listen. I don’t know, but from the song’s vibe, my guess is she is not going to change. Does anyone really change? This disc concludes with “Shine,” which has a delicious pop rock vibe that reminds me of some of the better music from the late 1970s and early 1980s. This is another fun number with a great energy. I’m so glad that it was included.

CD Track List

1. What About Love?
2. Under The Gun
3. She Said To Me
4. You’ve Got No Time
5. Cross That Line
6. What I Believe
7. I Be Low
8. Far Away
9. Rescue
10. Is It Any Wonder?
11. Some Good Years
12. Free Fall
13. Maybe It’s You
14. Shine

Global was released on November 8, 2024 through Omnivore Recordings.

The dB’s at Zebulon, 11-16-24 Concert Review

The dB's performing "Love Is For Lovers"

The dB’s are back, celebrating the re-releases of their first couple of albums, Stands For Decibels and Repercussion, with their first tour in many years. Last night they put on a fantastic show at Zebulon in Los Angeles, the first of two nights at that venue. They focused on material from those two albums, but also played some later songs. I had seen Chris Stamey and Peter Holsapple play together a few times, but this was my first time seeing the full band, and it was a serious treat. It was actually a great double bill, the opening act being Vicki Peterson & John Cowsill (and, yes, for those who are immediately wondering, Peter Holsapple did come out and play a Continental Drifters song with them). The show was put on by the good folks at Wild Honey, an organization that does work for those with autism and also organizes some of the best concerts you’ll ever see in Los Angeles.

The show was sold out, and two lines formed outside, those who purchased tickets through Wild Honey and those who did not. Those of us in the Wild Honey line were let in first, and my friend and I took our spots front and center. There were some seats toward the back, and that section actually filled up first by this generally older crowd. It was my first time at this venue, and the place had a pretty relaxed vibe, which I appreciated. At 7:41 p.m., Vicki Peterson & John Cowsill, along with Paul Allen (who played multiple instruments), took the stage. They have a new album coming out in the spring, and focused on music from that, songs by John’s brothers. They opened with “You (In My Mind),” a Cowsills song written by Bill Cowsill, and the room immediately took on a wildly joyful vibe. John then sang lead on “Vagabond,” also written by Bill Cowsill. They followed that with “A Thousand Times,” a beautiful song that for me was one of the highlights of their set. Afterward, Vicki said, “So those are some of the Bill songs that are on our upcoming album.” She then introduced a song that Barry Cowsill wrote, “Come To Me,” such a sweet song. “If you’re thinking times are bad.” Well, they certainly weren’t bad last night. Especially when they played the fun “The Fool Is The Last One To Know,” a Blue Shadows song written by Billy Cowsill and Jeffrey Hatcher. And it turns out those of us in the audience weren’t the only ones having a good time, for after that song, John said, “This is so much fun.” They then played the Action Skulls song “New House,” with Paul Allen on drums.

It was after that song that Peter Holsapple joined them for a wonderful rendition of The Continental Drifters’ “Anything,” another highlight of the set. Peter played guitar, and John played harmonica on that song. If you are not familiar with The Continental Drifters, I recommend checking out the recently published book White Noise & Lightning: The Continental Drifters Story. I was not expecting any Bangles songs last night, but they followed “Anything” with “Manic Monday” (which was written by Prince), delivering a fun version. By the way, it was listed as “Big Wednesday” on the set list, and there was some joking about it being a surf song. “Anybody Here” followed, with Paul Allen somehow playing bass and drums at the same time. That song featured some absolutely beautiful vocal work. Vicki then handed out kazoos to those of us in the audience that wanted them, while John and Paul switched places, John soon starting the familiar beat of “Walk Like An Egyptian.” I saw The Bangles perform this song many years ago, and somehow this version last night was even more fun. Sure, part of it was the crowd participation with the kazoos, which added to the overall joyful vibe. It was a great way to wrap up the set. The set ended at 8:25 p.m.

"The Fight"

At 8:39 p.m., The dB’s took the stage, and without preamble, launched into “The Fight,” one of my favorite songs from the band’s first album. To my thinking, there was no better way to start the set. The song has such a great energy, and is undeniably catchy and fun. With hardly a pause, they followed that with “Cycles Per Second,” another gem from that debut album. I loved watching Chris Stamey during this song, the way he shook his head during certain sections. By the way, in addition to the four original members, the night featured the keyboard work of Wes Lachot. It was after “Cycles Per Second” that Peter Holsapple thanked everyone for coming out, and thanked Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill for opening. Chris switched guitars, and they went into “Big Brown Eyes,” a crowd favorite. I especially loved Gene Holder’s bass line on this one. The first song of the night not from the band’s debut was “Before We Were Born,” which comes from the group’s excellent 2012 release, Falling Off The Sky, and is one of my favorite tracks from that disc. They followed that with another song from Falling Off The Sky, “That Time Is Gone,” the lead track from that album. At one point during that song, the lights went out and the band kept playing. “Wake up, wake up.” The lights were soon back on. The band then returned to the first album for “She’s Not Worried.”

"Ask For Jill"

They then dipped into the second album, Repercussion, starting with “Living A Lie,” another of the set’s highlights. “All right, this is about as retro as you can get,” Chris said in introducing “Ask For Jill,” also from Repercussion. For the lines that are the one side of the phone conversation that we get near the end of the song, Chris held up sheets of papers with those lyrics, which was kind of adorable.  Chris then switched guitars again for “Lonely Is (As Lonely Does),” a song from the band’s third album, Like This, and one that featured Will Rigby on backing vocals. Chris once again switched guitars for “Happenstance,” and delivered some excellent guitar work. This was another of my favorites. “Think for yourself.” Peter then asked the audience, “Are you ready?” And the band went into “Love Is For Lovers.” The crowd was excited to hear it, no one more so than the woman next to me. Apparently, “Love Is For Lovers” was her wedding song (and during the encore, she actually asked Peter Holsapple to play it again). After that song, Peter took a moment to thank Wild Honey and Paul Rock in particular.

"Neverland"

 

“From A Window To A Screen” was yet another highlight of the set, in part because of the wonderful harmonies, but also because of Peter’s guitar work. Peter then introduced the band, saying that Gene Holder is on bass “where he belongs” and Will Rigby is on drums “where he belongs.” Will then kicked the next song into action on drums. “I’m In Love” had a tremendous energy, and Chris played a short bit on harmonica during it. “Neverland” followed, and Chris finally took off his jacket. It was a cold night, but a hot room. They followed “Neverland” with “Dynamite,” a song from the first album, and one whose vocal work I’ve always loved. And then we got “Amplifier,” one of the band’s coolest songs. If you haven’t heard it, you should make a point of checking it out. The lyrics might surprise you. They delivered a fantastic rendition last night, featuring some great stuff by Wes on keys. The dB’s wrapped up the set with “Black And White,” perhaps the band’s most popular song. It was a whole lot of fun last night, with a delicious energy. The crowd, by the way, was totally into the show from beginning to end, and not at all shy about shouting things out and interacting with the band.

"My Little Red Book"

Moments later The dB’s returned to the stage for the encore. There were shouts for “Bad Reputation” from several people in the audience, but the band started the encore with “We Were Happy There.” “It was a long, long time ago.” Yes, maybe it was, but these guys still have the spark, the energy, the joy. Nothing seems diminished, and I hope they will perform together more often. “We Were Happy There” was followed by another of the show’s treats, a cover of “My Little Red Book,” with Will on lead vocals. This was great fun. In introducing “In Spain,” Peter said it was dedicated to David and Michael, who requested it. After that song, Peter told the crowd, “We’ve got one more, then we’re going to turn it over to Gloria Gaynor,” referring to the fact that another event was scheduled at the venue after the show, a DJ playing dance songs. That final song was “(I Thought) You Wanted To Know,” taking us back to the band’s earliest days. This song was released as a single in 1978 under the name Chris Stamey And The dB’s. What a great way to conclude the show, which ended at precisely 10 p.m.

The dB’s Set List

1. The Fight
2. Cycles Per Second
3. Big Brown Eyes
4. Before We Were Born
5. That Time Is Gone
6. She’s Not Worried
7. Living A Lie
8. Ask For Jill
9. Lonely Is (As Lonely Does)
10. Happenstance
11. Love Is For Lovers
12. From A Window To A Screen
13. I’m In Love
14. Neverland
15. Dynamite
16. Amplifier
17. Black And White

Encore

1. We Were Happy There
2. My Little Red Book
3. In Spain
4. (I Thought) You Wanted To Know

"The Fight"

"Cycles Per Second"

"Big Brown Eyes"

"Before We Were Born"

"She's Not Worried"

"She's Not Worried"

"Living A Lie"

"Lonely Is (As Lonely Does)"

Zebulon is located at 2478 Fletcher Dr., in Los Angeles, California. The dB’s are playing there again tonight.