The Pinstripes

25th Anniversary

(Self-issued)

That the last 25 have been set to hot use hardly warrants disputation. Songs recognizable and arcane brim with equal quantities storm and verve, their fleet arcs making dead-on for checkered flags and stirring up dancing feet in the process. Class this as Rockabilly unleashed by cats who know precisely how.

Recommended: "Seven Nights to Rock," "Devil in Heels," "Runaway," "Where Have You Been All Night," "Put the Blame on Me," "Winner Takes it All," "Runaround Sue"

No related video available, save for this older version: "Runaround Sue"

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the Prowlers

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

(Mad Butcher)

Freshly repopulating bins is this Montreal-spawned Hardcore knuckle sandwich, initially issued in 2001. Boots stomping down the bricks. Oi! reads their banner, hefted above a swarming sea of fists. "We're sons and daughters of the working class." And our music has no brakes.

Recommended: "Tonight Tonight," "We Come Out First," "We Won't Back Down," "We're Taking Back the Pubs," "In Memory," "Smash Them Up," "Hard Times," "Drunken Skinhead"

Videos: "Tonight Tonight"   "We Won't Back Down"   "Smash Them Up"   "Drunken Skinhead" (live)

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Tough Ain't Enough Records

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JR and his blue train

Blue Train

(Backfire)

It takes a heap o' humanity to rock the Blues all through the wee hours, 'til Sol peeps o'er the horizon. Add to that the brobdingnagian hard-life survivin' (plus freight cars of talent) required to pull off original rockin' rocketry in the manner of Blue Moon and Red Cadillac -- and to the comb-back cool degree it merits. Every ounce jitters herein. (Certain of these selections appeared on the combo's previous disc, which in no way diminishes their firepower.)

Recommended: "Beggin," "Crazy 'bout that Woman," "Bop Till Five," "On the Run," "He's a Man," "The Legend of John Henry," "First Time," "Be Your Lovin' Man," "Blue Train"

Videos: "Beggin'"   "Crazy 'bout That Woman"   "Be Your Lovin' Man"

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Carolina Chocolate Drops

Genuine Negro Jig

(Nonesuch)

Nonesuch reissued this 2010 work last January, in vinyl format and with many added cuts. Clap hands, bend knees, and know that it's good to breathe. Raise dust 'round the porch to these upturned hearts anthemizing a jump-down, turn-around people -- and that's all of us, this being a chunk of America's heart. Yesterday/today seamlessness locates actualization via banjos, fiddles, leg percussion, and "computer hard drive 'triangle.'" Humanity steps it down.

Recommended: "Peace Behind the Bridge," "Trouble in Your Mind," "Your Baby Ain't Sweet Like Mine," "Hit 'em Up Style," "Cornbread and Butterbeans," "Why Don't You Do Right?," "Reynadine," "Trampled Rose," "Georgie Buck," "City of Refuge," "Bring it Home," "Here Rattler," "Memphis Shakedown"

Video: "Your Baby Ain't Sweet Like Mine" "Cornbread and Butterbeans" "Reynadine"   "Memphis Shakedown" 

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Nail City Record

Elusive Disc

Collide Records

Lunchbox Records

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Mr. Plow

Pulsates acoustically, with no less inspirational promise than when this author-unknown, slave-stirrer was first transcribed into pew-side hymnals.

Video: "Joshua (Fit the Battle of Jericho"

Around About Dusk

Thin, whimsical Jazz (of the sort that soundtracked early b/w Boop) gambols and somersaults as unfolds a story Grimm indeed.

Video: "The Mouse"

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American Patrol go Ameripolitan

AP General Jerry Sikorski tells me he just entered his group's "I Ain't Never Been a Cheater" in the Rockabilly classification of the Dale Watson-founded Ameripolitan's 2027 Award competition. 

Previous awards winners include Nick Curran, Kyle Eldridge, Jane Rose, The Lucky Stars, and Nic Roulette.

In reviewing AP's recent platter last May, I wrote "Sandburg's line about coming in on 'little cat feet' has no relevance here. Opening track 'I Ain't Never Been a Cheater' makes like a lion with its tail stuck in a wall socket." 

"I Ain't Never Been a Cheater" (live)

The Ameripolitan Awards nomination period is now open, and will remain so until late summer / early fall. Nominees can be put forward not only by bands themselves, but also by peers and fans.

Following the nomination term's conclusion, top nominees will be compiled. Official voting on final nominees will end in October or November. General Ballot Blaster voting will then be open until late December or early January.

The Ameripolitan Awards ceremony is set for February. 

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