Sings Like Hell Series #13

Saturday, April 19
Billy Joe Shaver & Kris Delmhorst Billy Joe Shaver has never been a stranger to hard knocks (many, to be sure, self-inflicted), but the past few years have been brutal. Following the loss of his wife and his mother to cancer, he--with the aid of his guitarist son Eddy--wrote and recorded "The Earth Rolls On", an extraordinarily gripping exploration of guilt, regret, devotion, love and redemption that was roundly acclaimed as one of 2001's finest works. But before the disc could even hit the shelves, Eddy succumbed to his long battle with drugs, fatally overdosing on New Year's Eve, 2000. Deprived of his family and numb with grief, Billy Joe carried on with all he had left--his music. Through the first half of 2001, an ailing, hard-traveling Shaver contended with heart and health problems, the neglect of which culminated in a heart attack onstage at Guene Hall on July 4, resulting in the cancellation of his original Sings Like Hell date. After a quad bypass, a rejuvenated Billy Joe has since recorded the brand-new "Freedom's Child" with a dozen new Shaver originals that stand as some of the most spirited and uplifting of his Herculean career. Willie Nelson calls him "The best songwriter that ever came out of Texas...or maybe anywhere." Kris Delmhorst is one of the freshest and most innovative voices to come out of Boston's acoustic music scene. "Combining alluring, rootsy melodies with the intimacy of the urban songwriter, Delmhorst is a significant new folk-pop voice." --Boston Herald

Jesse Winchester When we ask Sings Like Hell subscribers who they want to have back, Jesse Winchester always tops the list. His spare, quietly humorous songs reflect a wry and poignant view of life along with a richly visual vocabulary. He's very funny and then you're crying and then you're thinking about things you haven't thought about in years and you want to get up and call your mom but his guitar playing is so mesmerizing and then the concert is over and you can't believe it, he just started and you can't wait to see Jesse Winchester again. It's pretty much like that every time.

Dave Provost is living proof that Santa Barbara singer-songwriters can get a gig at Sings Like Hell. "The pleasingly leather-voiced Provost has a confident sound, easily riding the cusp of country and rock and song-smithing with brains attached." --Josef Woodard, SB Independent

Damien Rice Damien Rice is the hottest singer-songwriter in Ireland, and his debut CD 'O' has just gone platinum in the UK as well. Sings Like Hell is thrilled to host one of the dates of his first US tour, we predict major future bRagging rights! "O Throbs with sheer humanity and bloody-minded honesty in the face of emotional debris...one of the highlights of 2002." --Hot Press

Darryl Purpose used to be one the top blackjack players in the world. He's had such an unusual life that Hollywood has a development option on the story. As you can imagine, that makes for some very wild songs, and the fact that he can really play the guitar makes for a great performance.

Marc Cohn
Marc Cohn's subtle and emotive songs have found a home in the metal and rap infused pop culture. The songs are instantly captivating: completely unadorned and filled with imagery, accompanied by Cohn's beautiful vocals and piano. Marc Cohn's first single "Walking In Memphis" from his 1991 eponymous debut, kept that album high on the charts for almost a year, crossing all radio boundaries. His subsequent releases have likewise been filled with songs that convey poetic images and pithy realities, but lack the showy and hook-filled aspects of much pop music. In fact, Marc Cohn's music is perfect for Sings Like Hell.

Phil Roy & Danny O' Keefe. Philadelphia native Phil Roy has written so many great songs. They have been recorded by other artists, including Joe Cocker, Ray Charles, Aaron Neville and Widespread Panic. But his own performances of his work are stunning, and both of his CDs have met with almost unbelievable acclaim from critics and from his peers. "A highly accomplished work." -- Leonard Cohen. "This is Phil Roy at his noir best. Eccentric, lush + musical. An atmospheric wicked beauty. Uncommonly smooth, yet strange and curious. Enjoy the Roy." --Tom Waits "He's not the next big thing, He's the now and forever real thing." --Bruce Warren, WXPN
Read More About Phil Roy

Well, let's just get it out of the way: Danny O'Keefe wrote "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" - a song that's been recorded by everyone: Cab Calloway, Elvis Presley, Willlie Nelson, etc. But he's written hundreds of other magnificent songs; many reserved for his interpretation alone. A wonderful storyteller and consumate musician, Danny O'Keefe certainly deserves his place in Hell. Read more about Danny O'Keefe

Friday, August 29
Daniel Lanois & Mother Superior+ Peter Lewis & David West
Sings Like Hell subscribers $25
for your own seats until August 9 at 6pm
Single Tickets $30 advance $35 day of show

Daniel Lanois, revered collaborator, singer-songwriter-guitarist, composer and recording artist, is one of the most influential figures in contemporary music. Although he is most famous for his "sound" - smudgy, atmospheric, vintage- and his own name is more obscure, his production is responsible for the finest of U2's excellent body of recorded work (Unforgettable Fire, Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby), Ron Sexsmith's debut, Robbie Robertson's solo debut, the resurrection of Bob Dylan (Oh Mercy), Emmylou Harris's Wrecking Ball, Willie Nelson's Teatro, Scott Weiland's 12 Bar Blues, and on and on and on. Recording only three albums of his own in over 14 years (who has time?), each has been critically acclaimed and treasured by discerning listeners. His latest release, Shine, has dictated the gathering of a couple of musicians, stars in their own right: bassist and vocalist Daryl Johnson and drummer Brian Blade (whose solo Lanois produced) for a very rare tour, "Lanois and company have perfected a performance that is a study of the space between notes, a precious opportunity to listen to the finest musicians in pop music at the top of their game." Daily Variety www.daniellanois.com

Peter Lewis was a founding member and lead guitar and vocalist for the seminal San Francisco rock band Moby Grape. Their 1967 eponymous debut remains Rolling Stone's #1 Rock Album of all time (#2 is Sergeant Pepper). Peter Lewis's solo career has existed primarily in Europe, where he records very rarely for Taxim. His 1995 release garnered this praise, also from Rolling Stone: "In 1967 the great, ill-fated Moby Grape made one of the truly perfect debut albums in rock. 28 years years later, Lewis turns up with an equally exquisite solo bow...rich in luminous vocal harmonies and sweet folk-rock lyricism. The listener is landed at a place and in a time where albums are made of pure quality-track by track-and in their entirety may be called timeless." David West has partnered Lewis throughout his solo career, both on recordings and tours, but he is best known as one of the original members of the Cache Valley Drifters, for his playing with the late Kate Wolf, and for his production of the endless "Pickin' On..." series of CDs for CMH Records. www.davidwest.com

An Evening with Dougie MacLean Scottish superstar Dougie MacLean is the most widely acclaimed folksinger in the British Isles, guaranteeing sold out concert halls and festivals. His songs are disarmingly simple stories and his playing and singing are superb. Anyone who has seen him even once is a serious, lifetime fan.

MEDIA RELEASE- JUNE 2003 AN EXCITING TWO WEEKS FOR DOUGIE MACLEAN IN THE USA !! DOUGIE on The Thistle & Shamrock¨ - this week Dougie is interviewed by Fiona Ritchie whose award winning radio programmed delights listeners to more than 350 National Public Radio member stations in the USA. For show airing times across the states go to Fiona's The Thistle & Shamrock¨ website www.npr.org/programs/thistle/index The show features the on-air debut of a very special recently recorded version of Dougie MacLean's song "This Love Will Carry". There's also lots of chat between Dougie and Fiona about his recent album "Who Am I" and tracks featured include, "Not Fall Down," "Mary Queen of Scots," "Charlotte," and "Nothing To Do With It" among other Dougie music. From Friday afternoon (20th), US Eastern time, the special "This Love Will Carry" is offered as a free mp3 download (it will stay live for 3 months) from The Thistle & Shamrock¨ website where there will also be a photos of the recording of the song, lyrics and a link to Dougie's website! This is the very first free mp3 download from the USA's National Public Radio site...amazing to think that it all began in a wee village in Perthshire, Scotland! This Internet Event is described well by NPR. ãThe Thistle & Shamrock host, Fiona Ritchie, will thank loyal fans with an NPR first -- a free MP3 download. Fiona joined her family and friends, and those of well-loved Scottish musician Dougie MacLean to record MacLean's "This Love Will Carry," in Perthshire, Scotland. The song is a gesture of friendship across the sea, and a "thank you" to listeners for 20 years of listening. Download the song from http://thistle.npr.org todayä DOUGIE at the SMITHSONIAN Folklife Festival!! Washington DC www.folklife.si.edu/CFCH/festival2003 Dougie MacLean is one of Scotland's musical ambassadors at this very special festival of culture 2nd- 6th July- Appearances Daily at the Feis Stage and/or the Ceilidh Stage. During the Festival, call (202) 633-9884 to hear a recorded description of daily events. Dougie is also appearing as a Special Guest on Friday July 3rd at the Kennedy Center Concert with Phil and Johnny Cunningham. (6:00-7:00pm) Described a few years ago in the USA as "Scotland's best kept secret!" (Wall Street Journal) Dougie MacLean is in fact Scotland's foremost singer-songwriter and composer. American audiences have discovered this man's meaningful songs, unique voice and enigmatic performance, and now he seems to be selling out every venue! "Strong yet subtle, hauntingly evocative yet contemporary in feel, this music demands listening to over and over again."(Time Out, UK) His values are admired, his songs genuinely touch lives and his lyrics relate to modern dilemmas that are faced by us all, his music is for thinking people of all ages. MacLean has recently returned from an 8 concert tour in the USA. He Îsold out' at all the fine venues from Camden, Maine to Kansas City. The demand from promoters is such that his USA and Canadian tours are now being planned into 2005! On returning to his home base in Dunkeld, Perthshire he performed at two Scottish venues· Loch Lomond Shores Theatre and The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen on, both concerts were sold out well in advance. Apart from appearances at the Stonehaven Festival (July 10th), Celtic Fusion Festival in Northern Ireland (August 9th) and the Fylde Folk Festival (August 31st), MacLean will perform in concert at The Queen's Hall during the Edinburgh Festival (August 15th & 16th) as well as Eden Courth Theatre, Inverness (28th August) and Perth City Hall (August 29th) the rest of his summer will be spent composing and recording. To download high resolution promo photos go to: www.dougiemaclean.com/promopictures/index.htm or for full press clippings & biography, to arrange an interview or for further photos/transparencies please contact : DUNKELD RECORDS Tel: 01350 727686 E-mail: admin@dunkeld.co.uk Websites: www.dougiemaclean.com or www.dunkeld.co.uk TOP