Music Reviews: Joni Mitchell’s ‘The Asylum Albums (1976–1980),’ plus Little Feat, David Serby, and Steve Dawson @jonimitchell @davidserby @littlefeat_official @stevedawso #jeffburger @americanahighways #americanamusic #newmusic2024 #americanahighways #musicreviews #charliemingus

A Box Set Collects Four Notable Joni Mitchell Albums The third in a series of box sets of Joni Mitchell’s studio LPs includes four trailblazing LPs: Hejira, Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter, Mingus, and Shadows and Light. Called The Asylum Albums (1976–1980), the box comes with a new appreciative essay by Meryl Streep. Like the earlier The Reprise Albums (1968–1971) and The Asylum Albums…

REVIEW: David Serby “Low Hanging Stars” @davidserby @blackbirdrecordlabel @americanahighways #americanahighways #americanamusic #lowhangingstars #newmusic2024 #fishtailcadillac #musicreviews #johnapice

David Serby – Low Hanging Stars This L.A. country artist has a great reputation & to my ears a glorious laid-back style that doesn’t compromise his thrust in his well-written, literate fun songs. Especially “Fishtail Cadillac.” David doesn’t have a quirky voice like Lyle Lovett, an authoritative voice like Elvis or Waylon Jennings, or a thin voice like Willie Nelson. It might be easy to dismiss…

One of the great things about music is that we all have different things which draw us in. Some listen only for how well the singer belts it out. Others may prefer to listen to how the guitar player rips it up. Then there are some of us who just like a well written song, regardless of how well it is sung.

For his third release, David Serby provides a little of everything for the listener to enjoy. “Honky Tonk and Vine” includes 13 songs, all written by Serby, which take the listener on a trip through a mixture of traditional country, western swing, and a bit of the Bakersfield sound as well.

While it must be said that Serby is not going to be compared to any of the great vocalists of the past, he still has enough to keep your attention. It is his writing talents that truly shine in this release. The songs are lyrically addictive, plus well supported by toe-tapping instrumentals.

Serby opens the record with the hard driving “Get It In Gear,” which certainly has a Junior Brown feel to it. Other strong highlights include the heart wrenching “I Only Smoke When I’m Drinkin’,” and equally adept “Permanent Position.” Serby has a keen ability to paint a picture of despair with his music. He describes the woes of love gone wrong so well, one can easily picture him standing at the end of the bar with a cold one in his hand drowning his sorrows.

The call back “The Grass Is Always Bluer” would make Bob Wills proud, with a definite western swing that is done very well. “Don’t Even Try” is another well written song that will definitely have you tapping and singing along.

It's tax time, and you know what that means -- distractions! We know how much you are avoiding the brutal task of culling together all your financials... so why don't we offer you another plan to take your mind of the doom? This Wednesday is yet another installment of Desert Nights, our weekly gathering of acoustic sets held at the Cactus Lounge in The Standard Hollywood. Here's the 3 acts performing this week. (P.S. don't forget to call for that extension)

(Listen to Bryce Wayt at TheWarChildren or TheGT35)

Bryce Wayt is a rock and roll singer and guitarist. Most recently, he sang with, and played lead guitar for The Allstars, the house band at Pappy and Harriet's, near Joshua Tree, CA. It was there where he began playing with talented, well known performers such as Victoria Williams, Band of Horses, Mark Olson (Jayhawks), and Tim Easton. He also plays lead guitar for the Los Angeles based band War Children. His road-worn sound is reminescent of artist like Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, and Gram Parsons, but has a distinctive quality.

(Listen to David Serby here)

There's old-time poetry to David Serby's songs. Each song tells a story. Chris Morris of the Los Angeles City Beat Magazine states "this unassuming Illinois-born neo-honky-tonk musician is currently writing songs as full of brilliantly observed detail as those penned by his obvious model, Dave Alvin. I shit you not. And at every live show, he seems to pull yet another magnificent new song out of his bag. Nice guy, too". 

(Listen to Kip Boardman here)

Raised in the northeast on a healthy diet of Jimmy Webb and Rolling Stones, and drawn by the warm California sun, Kip Boardman began messing with the piano when he was five or so, and much to everyone’s chagrin and disappointment, never really let it go. A longtime bass player with many angeleno stalwarts, Kip has lately turned to the lonely art of songwriting and the more complementary piano and guitar. Mostly preoccupied with dusty and obsolete forms of country, folk and pop, Kip has released two previous solo albums, 2003’s Upon The Stars on Ridisculous Records and 2005’s Hello I Must Be… on Mesmer Records. Kip continues to play the occasional show with his favorite musician ever, Tony Gilkyson and has recently toured with The Watson Twins.

The Long Weight, Kip Boardman's 3rd and most ambitious album-to-date was produced by Eric Heywood (Ray LaMontagne, The Pretenders, Son Volt) and also features members of Ray LaMontagne’s Pariah Dog backing band, Jennifer Condos on bass, Jay Bellerose on drums and Ryan Freeland on accordion. Along with Patrick Warren on keyboards, David Ralicke on horns and and a dream team of first-call singers comprised of Gia Ciambotti, Claire Holley and Kristin Mooney. Earthen and halcyonic, The Long Weight mines the rich musical landscapes of a distinctly American songbook with shades of Nilsson and Toussaint. The Long Weight is a step into late afternoon sun and promises to be one of the most intriguing discoveries if not one of the best albums of 2011.

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