Brandon Jenkins "The Perfect Slave"

I scratch my head sometimes in wonder as to why the pecking order is what it is. It mystifies me why some artists have not yet connected with a larger audience, when I know that audience would relate to their music if only they knew it existed. So it is with Brandon Jenkins. His is an iconic image, appearing as an imposing figure; bald, bearded, tattooed. He is an everyman, a sensitive rough guy, a poet inhabiting a dockworker's frame. He is a gentle giant, a steely voice writing acerbic social commentary. When I watch him, I yearn for the day when he will be regarded as the important generational voice that he is. It makes me crazy more people don't know about him!

Brandon Jenkins comes from the Red Dirt. He brought the song craft, the tradition, and the attention to detail with him when he moved to Austin. It is steeped in his soul. The soil here nurtures him though, as do all his ex-pat brethren, be they Oklahoman, Texan, or kindred spirits that the wind blew this way. He is quite frankly political. A populist. This song, "Perfect Slave" will be on his next CD, set for release this April. We filmed him during MusicFest 2011 in Steamboat Springs just a few weeks ago, in what I think was his first time recording this song acoustically.

- Jessie Scott

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers "Marie"

"The revolution will not be televised." So says the famous 'statement' song from Gil Scott-Heron, way back when in 1970. That sentiment is out the window, as we are watching the Egyptian protests and demonstrations devolve. Last weekend, it was on the hotel's monitor as we were setting up for our Paul Thorn concert, but the marching was peaceable then. Now the situation in Cairo has turned violent. It is an effort to democratize, to get out from under a dictator, to move toward a more perfect union. We wish the Egyptian people deliverance and Godspeed, no matter what God they worship. I saw a quote on TV a couple of days ago from a man on the street, "Without democracy, what is life worth?" And what is it worth without peace? But you just hate to see it reduce to conflict and chaos. And I don't know about you, but when I watch this rage on TV, I always wonder if it could happen here one day.

Photo Credit: K. GrippRoger Clyne and the Peacemakers' music is saturated with the pathos of struggle. There is something about the infusion of that layer of Mexican flavor that speaks to conflict. It is a quickening, a flash of eye and teeth and temper. Afterwards, when the peace and the sweetness come, it means that much more for the intensity of the troubles. Ah Life! We were so happy to have Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers visit our studio in the Steamboat Grand during MusicFest. A long time ago, we recorded them at the State Theatre in Falls Church, but it was just a direct patch from the soundboard. We wanted the opportunity to have Aaron do his magic music mix the next time around. And so it was, when they played MusicFest in Steamboat Springs. We bring you a brand new tune, forthcoming on the spring release from the band. Accompanying Roger are PH Naffah, Jim Dalton, and Nick Scropos. Here is "Marie."

- Jessie Scott

Will Kimbrough "I Don't Like It"

It has been a process. The Music Fog crew left from two different cities to converge on Muscle Shoals, Alabama for the Paul Thorn Band in concert at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa this past Saturday night. We LOVE those guys, and, as always, it was a pleasure working with them. While cruising around the hotel, the common areas had about the best music on their PA system than I have ever heard in a commercial establishment. And all the stuff they played was recorded there. We got to meet Jerry Phillips, son of legendary Sun Records guiding light, and the father of rock and roll, Sam Phillips. I am so taken with the mysteries of the South, how American music grew out of here in its most unique way. It transcends this rural landscape; this unselfconscious, unassuming land. What, you don't know about Muscle Shoals legacy? In the early 1960s, Rick Hall brought FAME Recording Studios there. Artists like Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Osmonds, Mac Davis, and Duane Allman came to lay it down. It was just a couple of hours south of Nashville. Not too hard to get to, yet far enough away to plant you in a different world, one with its own definitive cadence, mixing rock and country, rhythm and blues, black and white, sacred and profane.

Photo Credit: Stacie HuckebaAmericana MVP Will Kimbrough grew up on the other side of the state, on the Alabama coast, within earshot of New Orleans radio. He ingested a broad palate of sounds; rock, country, jazz, gospel, blues, folk, and punk rock. If today's era was like the musical landscape during FAME's reign, Will Kimbrough would be a household name. Let's face it, the man can do everything with grace, style, substance, and soul. He sings, he plays, he writes, he is an amazing performer. His songs have been recorded by a list of luminaries including Jimmy Buffett, Little Feat, Jack Ingram and Todd Snider. He has been onstage with another illustrious list, including Rodney Crowell, Mavis Staples, Rosanne Cash, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Gomez, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Billy Joe Shaver...you get the idea. Honestly, the credits go on and on, and Will brings it whenever we see him. Though we still have tunes to bring you from his full band Americana Fest set with us, we had him come visit us solo during MusicFest at Steamboat in January. "Operator, give me Jesus, give me Elvis," I think Sam Phillips would have loved this. "I Don't Like It," originally on the Daddy album At the Women's Club. Oh yeah, and PLAY IT LOUD!

- Jessie Scott