Here’s what’s going to happen: I’m going to get shirty. I’ve been quietly ignoring these be-hatted troubadours who want to sing about their trucks and beer then add insult to injury by insinuating that these are the very traits that drive women to distraction. Lads – stop it now, it’s not big and it’s not clever.
I thought about all this as I was listening to Brandy Clark this week. Honest, funny and heartbreaking she really is the real deal. She’ll be a guest soon and I can’t tell you how good that session is going to be…..watch this space for details. We’ll remind you of why Brandy had two nominations at the Grammys recently with a sample from her excellent album, 12 Stories. Not only does she write real songs about real people she’s also responsible for these lines…
So mister, here’s my twenty bucks,
Don’t play no songs about trucks or trailers or tailgates or tractors,
I’m gettin’ drunk, but not in a pasture
This bar stool is right where I’ll stay stuck
Yeah, I’ll have another beer, but I don’t wanna hear,
No songs about trucks.
…..you’ll like this Brandy Clark session when it comes very soon.
If you’ve been following my tweets this week you’ll also know that I’ve been very excited about the first new song from Alabama Shakes from, what our US cousins like to call, their sophomore album. (I played it three times yesterday!) I defy you not to access the iplayer.
We’ll also have some smashing new things from Houndmouth, Glasgow’s own Martha Healey and look out for our new faves Awna Teixeira and Robin Ickes & Trey Hensley. (crazy names, crazy guys country lovers…)
In amongst these fine records, a smattering of warm crackly old vinyl and significant anniversaries we’ll also sweep the floor to make way for the significant talent that is C Duncan. A graduate of Glasgow’s Royal Conservatoire Christopher studied composition there having mastered piano and viola from an early age. Later on he learned drums, bass and guitar. All those aspects have come together in his debut album which, remarkably, was all recorded in his bedroom. You can get an idea of that record when he previews tracks from the album in our BBC Introducing session this Friday on Another Country.
Before that…..Mr Murdoch and I have collaborated to bring you the Celtic Roots of Country for BBC Radio 2‘s dedicated Country 2 Country pop-up digital station. (You can spin your DAB dial and you’ll see Radio 2C) From 11p.m. this Thursday, 5th March, you can hear why Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Doc Watson, Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings …oh…..and my old dear pal Gary Clark singing Burns are all brilliantly Celticly Connected. It will also be on the iplayer for another 30 Days. We humbly suggest you might well like this.
If you can’t join me on the pop-up show do be there on Friday when we’ll be live from Studio One with C Duncan and lots more from five past eight on BBC Radio Scotland.
