Americana Boogie new releases: Nickel Creek, Jonny Two Bags, Leon Russell, Hank III

JONNY TWO BAGS
Salvation Town (Isotone)

Jonny Two Bags, a.k.a. Jonny Wickersham, guitarist for the Southern California punk rock institution Social Distortion, has a great solo debut produced by David Kalish, noted for his long association with Rickie Lee Jones, The material reflects a multiplicity of musical styles and influences. Wickersham’s father, a professional musician who played folk, rock ’n’ roll, and country-rock, instilled in him a love of Southern California musicians like Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon and Linda Ronstadt. Wickersham’s own taste in contemporary performers runs the gamut from Lucinda Williams and Ryan Adams to Calexico. Wickersham adds, “As a third-generation punk guy from Orange County, the kings of the music world for me were The Blasters, Los Lobos and X. That school of musicians was as real as it could ever get. I connected with that really early on.” Session guests include David Hildago, Jackson Browne, Pete Thomas, Greg Leisz and more 

NICKEL CREEK
A Dotted Line (Nonesuch)

As Nickel Creek’s 25th anniversary approached, the band members decided return from their self-described “indefinite hiatus.” They got together to write music in Chris Thile’s apartment last year, ending up with six new co-written songs, along with one tune by Thile, one by Sean, and two covers. “We were excited every day to be there,” Sara Watkins says. “Having grown up singing together, there is something natural about our voices and it’s really fun to harmonize. Our voices have come to match each other’s really well. Sean and I are siblings, and Chris is about as close to a sibling as you could get. ” Sean Watkins continues: “It feels more natural and easy than it ever did, by far. Getting to spend time alone with our own musical personalities has helped us mature. There’s a joyful aspect to Nickel Creek no matter what we’re doing. Things just steer themselves into that sort of place, ” concurs Thile. “We will go poke around in the dark corners but always with a heavy dose of optimism.”

Various Artists
Looking Into You: A Tribute To Jackson Browne (Music Road)

Texas-based Music Road Records (Jimmy LaFave is a partner with the label) has released this 23-song tribute to Jackson Browne and there isn’t a clunker in the bunch! From LaFave’s “For Everyman” to Joan Osborne’s “Late for the Sky,” and Karla Bonoff’s “Something Fine,” Lyle Lovett’s “Rosie.” Some rock heavyweights like Springsteen, Henley and Raitt also check in with nice covers. All in all, this is a terrific collection.

Also new this week…

MATT ANDERSON – Weightless (True North)
JEFF BLACK – Folklore (Lotos Nile)
JON LANGFORD & SKULL ORCHARD – Here Be Monsters (In De Goot)
PETER MULVEY – Silver Ladder (Signature Sounds)
LEON RUSSELL – Life Journey (UME)
HANK WILLIAMS III – Ramblin’ Man (Curb)

Coming out soon… CARLENE CARTER, THE SHOOK TWINS, STEVE DAWSON, BOBBY BARE JR., RODNEY CROWELL, BLACK PRAIRIE, KEB’ MO’ … more new releases. Here’s a link to this week’s Americana Music Association http://www.americanaradio.org/” target=”_blank”>Americana Airplay Chart

Bill Frater
Freight Train Boogie