I know it’s been a while since I updated the site. I apologize for that. Life in the real world has come at me hard and heavy the last few weeks. Some bad, most good, but it’s sure kept me busy.

The good news is I’m going to get back to the site this week, promise!  I have some great new stuff for you all and I’m going to start getting to it. So look for some new articles in the next few days.

Thanks for checking in, thanks for reading, and thanks for supporting TropRock music and independent artists!

Ed

In 1991 and 1992 Jerry Jeff Walker hosted a TV show on now defunct “TNN” called “The Texas Connection”. I’ve tried for a long time to find video of these shows, even going as far as calling the folks at Jerry Jeff’s office and asking about them. As far as I’ve been told, nothing much exists or has ever been officially released on VHS or DVD. But, if you do a little searching, there are a few bootleg audio recordings of some shows.

I believe this is the premier episode. But that’s not why I’ve chosen it.  This recording features guests Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson.

Listening to this show, it’s possible that a track is missing from the beginning, the announcer welcomes back Jerry Jeff from someplace. But I’m more inclined to believe Jerry Jeff may have just did some kind of short monologue to open the show. Jerry Jeff, Kris and Willie are great friends and it’s that friendship that helps make this a great bootleg. They sing together, kid around with each other and tell stories. The tracks (below) are all great, and the sound quality is very good. The heritage included with the file suggests it’s possible the recording was taken directly from the soundboard at the time the show was taped, but I’m guessing the show could have been recorded to VHS or cassette as it aired. There is some very minimal his, but not much. I’d give the overall quality an A-.

Jerry Jeff fans, Kris Kristofferson fans, and Willie Nelson fans will all want this for their connection. Favorite tracks include: “Precious Thing”, “On The Road Again”, and “Pick Up The Tempo”. Of course, Jerry Jeff’s signature “Mr. Bojangles” is also included.

*NOTE: I’m going to try something new. For a limited time, you can download this bootleg:

 CLICK HERE (*zip file has been fixed)

The files are in the “flac” audio format to keep the original quality. You will need something to convert them to “wav” or “mp3″. If you’re new to “flac”, check out www.flac.org for help and software. Or check out “Switch Audio File Conversion Software” available for both Windows and Mac OS.

Jerry Jeff Walker – “The Texas Connection – TNN” – April 13th, 1991

1. Me & Bobby McGee
2. Pick Up Truck Song
3. I Can’t Write Anymore
4. My Own Peculiar Way
5. Precious Thing
6. Silver Tongued Devil & I
7. Lovin’ Makes Livin’ Worthwhile
8. Jesus Was A Capricorn
9. Jimmy’s Road
10. Singing Your Song
11. On The Road Again
12. Mr. Bojangles
13. Pick Up The Tempo

I’ve always associated “Sunny Jim” with fun. His music is fun, may of his songs have fun dances or other audience participation (look out for flying monkeys).  Jim’s warm smile and easy going attitude attribute to everyone’s good time and make him extremely approachable to his fans.

Tropicool adds to the fun that surrounds Jim, but there’s no doubt that Jim takes his music and writing very seriously. I was very excited to get this CD and consider it to be some of Jim’s best work to date, with strong writing, great harmonies, and solid production quality.  Some of the tracks on Tropicool let Jim’s rock and blues side show, while always keeping you on the beach under that softly swaying palm tree. With the warm weather just around the corner, listening to this CD will make you want to find your flip-flops, mix up a cold rum drink and enjoy the coming summer sun.  I know I said it before, but I truly think this is Jim’s best studio work to date. Bravo! Favorite tracks include: “Research”, “She Put the Miss in Mississippi”, and “I Dreamed I Was a Beach Boy, Too”.

“Sunny” Jim White – Tropicool
2009

1. Captain Jim’s Drunken Dream
2. Shady Lives in Sunny Places
3. Chili Dog
4. Tropicool
5. Why Don’t We Stay
6. She Put the Miss in Mississippi
7. The Manatee and Me
8. I Dreamed I Was a Beach Boy, Too
9. Blue Bikini Bottom
10. Research
11. The Girls from Texas

Standing over 6′ 8″, one would never expect the gentle, friendly, happy demeanour that Tall Paul possesses. I can’t recall ever seeing Paul without a smile on his face, and even more so when he’s performing. How Tall Paul falls into TropRock one can’t quite explain. His music is more Rock & Roll meets Folk/Bluegrass, I believe he calls it “Rockgrass”. Whatever it’s called, Tall Paul’s unique sound and outstanding writing are what really makes him stand head and shoulders above the crowd.

“Fast Beneath My Feet” is Tall Paul’s second studio release and features mostly original music with a few covers for good measure. The CD is a good mixture of high energy songs (High Wire) and deep meaning Ballads (Crazy Love).  At either end of the spectrum, Paul’s writing always seems to carry a message. While this often seems to be the case with TropRock artists, the difference is you always believe Paul’s sincerity. This is a collection of great music, you’ll sing and dance with each tune. This CD belongs in every TropRocker’s collection. If you already own it, dig it out and give it another listen, it’s probably been too long anyway. You’ll thanks me! Favorite tracks include: “Last Train To Kitty Hawk“, “High Wire“, “Back In Style“, and “Crazy Love”

Tall Paul – Fast Beneath My Feet
2002

1. High Wire
2. Last Train To Kitty Hawk
3. Crazy Love
4. Never Say Never
5. Left Behind
6. Back in Style
7. Driftin’
8. She Knows How It Feels
9. Now I Know
10. Kaemari
11. Romeo & Juliet
12. Everything I Do Goin’ Be Funky

When Todd Snider performs solo, he is (in my opinion) one of the last great Singer/Songwriters/Storytellers.  While the music is great, the stories are just as entertaining. This show does not disappoint. Todd tells stories about how, when and why he wrote “Lonely Girl”, about living in Austin with “Trog”, hearing Jerry Jeff Walker for the first time, almost playing in Luckenbach, TX, and a great story about meeting NASCAR Driver Bill Elliott. I guess you could almost classify this side of Todd as Folk or County/Folk. Folks like Jerry Jeff and Gary P. Nunn like to call this kind of artist a “Picker” in reference to some of the technique used to play the guitar. Whatever you call it, there are fewer and fewer artists who perform like this, but artists like Todd (I hope) can carry it on to the next generation. His writing is often humorous and most always carries meaning or tells a story. Todd has a lot to say in his, and you’ll want to hear it all.

The recording itself is very good. It’s clearly recorded directly out of the soundboard, possiblily even digitally. There is just enough mix from the audience, applause, cheers, laughter and bar sounds, to make you feel like you’re sitting at a table right in front of the stage.  Todd’s voice always has a bit of a rough edge, and it sounds like he may have been a bit tired for this show, but it gives the performance even more color. The guitar rings through perfectly and is mixed well with the vocals and the background. The levels are a little low, but overall, I wish more bootlegs were recorded as well as this one was.

If you’re not familiar with Todd’s work, this could be a good place to start. This is another one of those shows that I feel belongs in any one’s collection due to the content as well as the quality. Favorite tracks include: “Yesterdays and Used To Bes“, “Ballet of The Devil’s Backbone Tavern“, ”D.B. Cooper“, and ”Alright Guy“. Also note that Todd does a very rare cover of  Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Stony“.

Todd Snider – Canal Street Tavern, Dayton, OH
January 29, 2006

1. Ballad of the Kingsmen
2. Just Like Old Times
3. [Lonely Girl story]-Lonely Girl
4. Incarcerated
5. Play a Train Song
6. [Austin/Trog story]-Ballad of the Devil’s Backbone Tavern
7. Statistician’s Blues
8. Happy New Year
9. Anywhere (With You)
10. [Bill Elliott Story]-Easy Money > It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (Rolling Stones)
11. Can’t Complain
12. Yesterday’s and Used to Be’s
13. Keep Off the Grass
14. [Tension intro] > Tension
15. Doublewide Blues
16. That Was Me
17. Enjoy Yourself
18. D.B. Cooper
19. Good News Blues (Billy Joe Shaver)
20. Back to the Crossroads
21. Helpless (CSN&Y)
22. Alright Guy > [Guidance counselor story]
23. Encore: Conservative Christian…
24. Encore: Very Short Time (Keith Sykes)
25. Encore: Stoney (Jerry Jeff Walker)

www.toddsnider.net
www.myspace.com/toddsnider
Support Todd.
Buy his records.
Go to his shows.
DO NOT SELL BOOTLEG RECORDINGS!

Every time I think I finally have the genre nailed down, a band comes along that totally rewrites the book. This happened when I first heard “Young Rebel Goombas”.

I think the best way to describe the Goombas sound is as a jambalaya of rock, cajun, calypso, jazz, reggae and ska. The best part is it works! It works because the Goombas seem to know exactly how to take the best parts of each ingredient and cook up original songs with their own original sound. When you add in the natural charisma the Goombas bring to their live performances, you can’t help but have a good time. Goomba means family, and that’s just how they make you feel, like family.

The original tracks on this CD will definitely get you out of your seat. You can’t help it, it’s out of your control, it just happens. Before you notice, you’re dancing, singing, and having a great time. You pop the CD in your player and poof! Instant Sunshine… Instant Beach…  This is the Goombas first CD, I can’t wait for the next. Favorites include “Cajun Band”, “Summer Whine”, “Tonight”, and “Sing-Along”.

Young Rebel Goombas
Young Rebel Goombas – 2008

1. Tonight
2. All Day
3. Library Book
4. Cajun Band
5. Daydream Smile
6. Summer Whine
7. You Must Love Me
8. Feather
9. If I Woulda Loved You
10. One Love
11. Sing-Along
12. Ignition Remix