Saturday, August 24, 2013

Don Nix - Hobos, Heroes And Street Corner Clowns (1973)

"Hobos, Heroes And Street Corner Clowns" is an excellent third album by Don Nix. Laid back, soft, mellow Southern Rock? Call it what you will. Just remember in 1973 musicians weren't much occupied by the thought on what Southern Rock should sound like. The good thing about that, is that it results in a creative approach to the music we all love so much. Don had his roots in Blues and Soul, and that's pretty much what you get here, albeit it with a definite Southern touch. Also some pretty slick arrangements on some of the mellower songs. Good stuff. Very good rip too (not mine, thanks to whoever did this ;-)). Hear that Black Cat Moan...

Friday, August 23, 2013

Billy Crain interview

We had, last year, the pleasure of talking with Billy Crain on the release of his first solo album and he's now already back with a second CD, and also with the new Outlaws album...

English version of Bands Of Dixie interview

The Cooper Brothers: Southbound
(Interview by Michalis Limnios)


Canada's premiere Country Rock band from the 70's through the mid 80's, the Cooper Brothers first gained international attention when they signed a major recording contract with Capricorn Records. Over the next few years the Cooper Brothers released two albums under the Capricorn label, the selftitled, The Cooper Brothers and Pitfalls Of The Ballroom.
 
At the height of their career, the band toured extensively with such diverse artists as The Doobie Brothers, Joe Cocker, Charlie Daniels, Atlanta Rhythm Section, McGuinn, Clark and Hillman and AC/DC. In addition, the band worked with some of the most prolific musicians of the day including Chuck Leavell. After Capricorn Records folded the brothers released two more albums before disbanding in the mid-80s. In October 2006, The Best of the Cooper Brothers was released and the band performed for the first time on stage in over twenty years. This prompted a series of sold‐out live dates including a memorable Ottawa Bluesfest concert, opening up for James Taylor in front of 30,000 people. In February 2010, a new Cooper Brothers album was released, featuring 12 brand new songs penned by Richard Cooper. Entitled In From The Cold, the new CD was produced by Colin Linden in Nashville and featured a number of guest artists including Delbert McClinton, Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy and Chuck Leavell.

In August 2013, the Cooper Brothers released their brand new CD called SOUTHBOUND. The album was recorded at the Tragically Hip's studio in Bath, Ontario and is produced by Colin Linden.  Southbound was made at a leisurely pace over the course of a year, with the relaxed, smalltown atmosphere at The Bathouse suiting the brothers working methods and laid back temperaments well. 

Dick Cooper talks about the Capricorn Records, music industry, his book, the Beatles, Charlie Daniels, Southern Rock and Blues music.

Interview by Michael Limnios

On this blog: Cooper Brothers - Learning To Live With It (1981)