Staff Picks for April 2009

In our continuing efforts to highlight what we consider to be good music and give a little insight into our tastes and possibly introduce you to something new and keep things fresh and…we’re starting a new monthly feature. The premise is simple: if each of us only had enough funds in our budget to purchase a single album released in the previous month, which one would we choose. Think of it as a personal recommendation.

We’ll kick off with April and bring the feature to you a little earlier in May. Feel free to leave your pick in the comments along with a reason why you chose it.

Pierce Greenberg

A Picture of Me/Nothing Ever Hurt Me by George Jones

While Dale Watson makes a convincing push with his Truckin’ Sessions, Vol. 2, April’s best CD is actually a reissue of two George Jones albums from the 1970s. Combined on one disc for a low price, A Picture of Me and Nothing Ever Hurt Me are significant in that they mark a maturing in the country legend’s sound. True heartbreak shines through on these mellow songs, especially the title tracks. It’s a must-have for any Jones fan, or a nice way to get started if you’re interested in starting a Jones collection.

Karlie Justus

Country Club by John Doe and The Sadies

Punk singer (of X and The Knitters fame) John Doe’s latest collaboration is about the closest you’ll find me near a punk album–which, admittedly, isn’t all that close considering it’s a tasteful mash up of country classics from the likes of Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette and Kris Kristofferson. Although Doe does Merle Haggard and Hank Williams justice on “Are the Good Times Really Over for Good” and “Take These Chains from My Heart”–a tune forever burned into my brain after hearing my dad hum it every morning before school–by amping up the pace and playing off his Dylan-esque vocals, Country Club’s four original songs aren’t to be ignored.

Jim Malec

The Truckin’ Session, Vol. 2 by Dale Watson

April was a mediocre month in country music, but Dale Watson seldom disappoints. While Truckin’ Sessions, Vol. 2 is by no means a life-altering record, it is a consistent and satisfying collection from one of the genre’s unsung heroes and finest purveyors of contemporary old-school country. And besides, who couldn’t use a little more Ameripolitan in their music library?

Juli Thanki

Gospel Keepsakes by Hank Williams

Is it cheating to pick a “new release” from a singer who’s been dead twice as long as he was alive? Perhaps, but for fans of traditional country and sacred music, this one’s a must listen. The 15 tracks of Gospel Keepsakes, culled from the 1951 Mother’s Best Flour radio shows, range from shape note songs (“Where the Soul Never Dies”) to then-contemporary covers (Johnnie & Jack’s “I Heard My Savior Calling Me”). During his 29 years, Hank Williams was plagued by chronic pain, drink, and demons; here, he sings as though his eternal soul depended on it. Gospel Keepsakes is a starkly beautiful and intimate peek into the life of country music’s troubled patron saint. For my money, there wasn’t a better–or more important–album released in April.

Brady Vercher

The Truckin’ Session, Vol. 2 by Dale Watson

Sara Watkins’ and Newfound Road’s projects are absolutely worth checking out, but for the most entertainment, my money goes to Dale Watson’s The Truckin’ Sessions, Vol. 2. It’s a truckin’ album (obviously) of originals with a variety of material and tempos and Watson’s voice sounds perfect for a trucker character. He even does a bit to help round out the stereotype, featuring the tender “Let This Trucker Go” and a humorous ode to a trucker in drag, “Truckin’ Queen.” If music is supposed to be entertaining, The Truckin’ Sessions, Vol. 2 doesn’t disappoint.

Brody Vercher

The Truckin’ Session, Vol. 2 by Dale Watson

My GMC Sierra is 14 wheels and a CB short of being considered a big rig, but you’d have a hard time convincing me (and that old lady with the new dent in the side of her car) of that when I pop Dale Watson’s The Truckin’ Sessions, Vol. 2 in the CD player. Were there more lyrically-rich albums released in April? Sure (see some of the other picks for examples), but song for song, I found Watson’s the most enjoyable.

C.M. Wilcox

Do Wrong Right by The Devil Makes Three

Sara Watkins was sublime and Newfound Road was a pleasant surprise, but I have to give the nod for April to The Devil Makes Three, whose latest sounds like a breakthrough album. A vintage mixture of string band, ragtime, folk and blues shot through with a youthful vitality, this could be the soundtrack to your next tipsy night on the town. Fans of Justin Townes Earle and Old Crow Medicine Show are particularly advised to pick this one up posthaste.