One of the great things about summer in the good ole’ US of A is the fact that there is never a shortage of the three ingredients that – when combined – can melt tension away faster than soft-serve ice cream on a 90 plus degree day. Those three ingredients – in case you missed the title – are the blues, tasty BBQ and some good beer.

That is why I have decided to make this theme an annual occurrence here on the goat. This year, not only do I load your player with ten KILLER blues tunes but I offer up an observation that might even keep you flatulence free the next morning.

Ideally you will want to play this podcast while BBQing outdoors with beer in hand – and people you want to impress within earshot – BUT if that ain’t in the cards, then grab a beer, press play and close your eyes, I will take you there.

Press play now!

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Songs heard on this podcast:

Jimmy Bratcher – “The River”
Joe Bonamassa – “Blues Deluxe” (download this tune free on eMusic)
Jimmy Thackery – “That Dog Won’t Hunt” (download this tune free on eMusic)
Eric Lindell - ” Josephine”

Last Years Show:

Check out last years show – Listen to Blues, BBQ and Beer I

Say something…

Related posts:

1. MMP020 – Finger Lickin Blues, Barbecues and Spotted Cow
2. Music Podcast 035 – Acoustic Rock & Country Blues Blender
3. MMP002 – Blues Baby, All Blues

Guest post: Treadmarkz is my brother-in-law, a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and the author of the weblog Treadmarkz.wordpress.com.

Some Country music purists would probably say that anything that warrants the name “Alternative Country” is not really Country. But ultimately it is the domain of the fan to judge what an artist is or is not, to them.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Jennifer Dixon.

A little country sensibility with a style that hovers along the cusp of blues, pop, jazz owing to a stint on Memphis’ legendary Beale Street, and nearly a decade in Nashville, her new CD, “2 Years” is the fruit of experience. She did not come out of nowhere.

Which makes it all the more uncanny that she has been labeled “un-Nashville.”

The intro to “A Little You For Me” sounds like a nod to “I Lie Around” by Paul McCartney and Wings. But this Norah Jones-like tune comes from the heart of a woman who has given all she can give to the world, yet she finds she’s got a little more left for her man if he’ll meet her halfway. Like “I Lie Around” it never really takes off. It threatens to, repeatedly. But when it comes down to it, it’s just right.

“Too Tired To Care” is Dixon, having been there, done that and not doing it again regarding love. When she starts to hear the same old lines, she is just that, too tired to care. It is a mellow funk romp with a lyric delivered in focused rapid fire, highlighted with some sultry vocal inflections.

“Easy Goodbye” seems to be a follow up on the same theme in that, having heard it all before, its easy to let go and move on. These two tracks are the most un-Nashville of the bunch. One can picture many of today’s top female vocalists flagrantly over-doing “Easy Goodbye”, robbing it of its symbolic ease. One of its greatest features is that the musicians, while doing some top-notch work, back off and let the vocals shine.

With these tracks what you get is a many-tiered cynical view of love. In that respect, “If You’re Looking For An Angel” is refreshing. Just when you are expecting something like “Strong Enough” by Cheryl Crow, it turns into something closer to “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt in its vulnerability. For instance, in the chorus, Dixon sings “If you’re looking for an angel…” Having heard a couple of these songs, one may be surprised to hear her continue with “here I am.” It’s sweet, its comforting, and it demonstrates that with a few gentle, sincere words, yes, women can make men, dare I say it, swoon.

Love Me Back” delivers the very subtlest hints of the smoky vocals of Natalie Merchant or Melissa Etheridge, yet tips the scales with those well-executed vocal inflections again.

Dixon finally brings the thunder with “I Need a Man.” It’s gritty, harkening back to Tanya Tucker, matching the vocal strength of Carrie Underwood. Here Dixon is laying it all out on the line as if to say “This is what I need, damn you!”

Four of these tracks can be heard on her homepage www.jenniferdixon.net, and one is featured in the indie film “Shattered”.

Related posts:

1. Music Review: Stoner Metal Grunge, Some Outlaw Country and the Record Label that Pimps Them
2. Music Review: The Talented Lubriphonic and Their “Soul Solution”
3. Into the Future – Music Like Water

The Melting Pot is back in action and you, my friend, are not going to wanna miss a single note of any tune present in this compilation. The tunes, like me, are mellow yet upbeat and 100% thought provoking.

Grab a beer, glass of wine or mixer and press play now!

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Songs heard on this podcast:

Say something…

Related posts:

1. Music Podcast 037 – Acoustic Americana Triple Double Featuring Chris Knight, Willy Porter and Rob Anthony
2. Music Podcast 038 – Rock The Phuk Out With Some Hard Rock
3. Music Podcast 036 – Finger Lickin Blues, BBQ and Beer II

If you are anything like me, then you know that there is nothing like the feeling – a small buzz even – that you get when you pop in a new CD and realize immediately that you have stumbled onto to something that you just have to share with everyone. That is what happened to me today.

Early this morning, like any other morning lately, I reluctantly drug my ass out of a warm bed, shuffled my son through our pre-dawn sleepwalk and then headed out the door to what was looking like a long day at work.

I was tired, it was freakin cold and the snow was falling (again). I turned the key in the ignition, backed out of my driveway and this began to play…

Pssst…press play

Song is: Lubriphonic – “Walls”

…Out from the speakers came this mental massage and the feeling of “everything my friend…is gonna be alright.” That massage and that reassurance were provided by a band called, Lubriphonic on their release entitled “Soul Solution.” Like an old freind sitting next to me in the car, that CD hung out with me for the remainder of that day – and the next – and then made its way to these pages.

The band – based out of Chicago – is loaded with road tested musicians who have toured with the likes of Koko Taylor, Buddy Miles, The Ohio Players and Lenny Kravitz.

These pros have put together a disc that has a little bit of everything. If you dig soul, blues, classic rock, great guitar, a little bit of funk and a soaring horn section, you will lap this up.

Oh and I can’t forget to mention the soulful “i’ve been there” vocals, the ultra-nimble fingers that make the guitar and bass flow and groove, and man, the acoustic tunes on this disc are about as honest, as comfy and as real as it gets.

I like almost all of the tunes but make sure you check out “Rain Keep Falling”, “Walls”, “Chalk Talk, “Mexico City Blues”, and “Soul Solution.” I would also recommend ordering the CD so that you can hear the bonus live tunes. They are well worth the wait!

So there you have it, a music review for you and a great start to the day for me. Thanks Lubriphonic!

Now, do yourself a favor, go download ALL of the tunes on “Soul Solution.

Related posts:

1. Music Review: Jennifer Dixon, the Face of Alternative Country’s Uncompromising Future
2. Music Review: Metal ala Deflagration and Acoustic Rock ala Rob Anthony
3. MMP027 – Blue Moon Mellow featuring Collective Soul

Yep, I swore I would never do one of these but hell, why not. These songs are just to good not to share.

Also, I figured it would be an great opportunity for you and I to sit down and have a holiday beverage together.

Lets do it. Grab something to drink, press play and have yourself a merry Christmas.

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Here are the songs heard on this podcast and the links to each artists website;
Geoff Smith – “Some Christmas Higgin and Kissin”
Winzenreid aka Hollywood Drunks – “Here Comes Santa Claus”
Skid Row – “Jingle Bells” (Monster Ballads Christmas)
Tom Kiefer of Cinderella – “Blue Christmas” (Monster Ballads Christmas)
My. Vegas – “Hey Santa”
Rockosaurus Rex – “Auld Lang Syne”

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

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1. MMP030 – The Stress is a Four Letter Word Music Podcast
2. Music Podcast 035 – Acoustic Rock & Country Blues Blender
3. MMP032 – Are These Artists Worthy of a 2009 Grammy Nomination?

Here’s a few artists that you most likely won’t see on stage getting an award or even performing at the Grammy’s BUT certainly could be.

See if you agree by pressing play now.

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Here are the songs heard on this podcast and the links to each artists website;
Hype – “Push Me” (Available at CDBaby and iTunes)
Kelly Richey Band – “I Want You” (get it free on eMusic)
John Taglieri – “Booty Call” (get his older stuff free on eMusic)
Pauline Pisano – “Don’t Forget” (get it free on eMusic)
G Tom Mac – “Wish You Well” (get their older stuff free on eMusic)
Daydream On Autopilot – “Better Off Alone” (get it free on eMusic)
Daydream on Autopilot – “Call Me” (Blondie Cover)

Websites Mentioned on this podcast;
Mike Cameo’s Indie Top 10
Social Blend
Mixx.com

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

Related posts:

1. Music Podcast 035 – Acoustic Rock & Country Blues Blender
2. MMP027 – Blue Moon Mellow featuring Collective Soul
3. MMP034 – A Hard, Heavy and Very Metal Resolution

As you will hear in the first tune, it is time to “Give your day the brain off.” Yep, we crack a bottle of wine (or beer or Jack or whatever), lighten it up a bit and realize that, it just isn’t that freakin bad.

For best results, grabs some good Headphones.

Find yourself a nice, relaxing place and press play now.

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Here are the songs heard on this podcast and the links to each artists website;
Supersuckers – “I Don’t Wanna Know”
Darrin James Band – “Thrones of Gold” (get it free on eMusic)
Hello Dave – “Mountains”
James Dunn – “Oak Tree”
Bill Johnston – “Devil on My Shoulder”
Ethan Stone – “Ain’t That the Way”
Jon Nicholas – “Grandmas Getting High”
Great Big Sea – “Straight to Hell” (get it free on eMusic)
Fabulous Hats – “Lets Go to Vegas”
Stuckey and Murray – “Taking A Dump at Work”(get it free on eMusic)

Most of these and a ton of other great artists can be found on the Pod Safe Music Network.

Related posts:

1. Music Podcast 035 – Acoustic Rock & Country Blues Blender
2. Music Podcast 037 – Acoustic Americana Triple Double Featuring Chris Knight, Willy Porter and Rob Anthony
3. MMP027 – Blue Moon Mellow featuring Collective Soul

Guest post: Treadmarkz is a Human Beatles Encyclopedia and author of the weblog treadmarkz.wordpress.com

Jeff Healey, the blues/rock/jazz guitarist who gained fame in the late-80’s with the song “Angel Eyes” passed away Sunday from cancer. He was 41.

The Canadian-born singer-guitarist had retinoblastoma, a form of ocular cancer which first developed when he was one year old, leaving him blind for life.

He began playing guitar when he was three, developing an idiosyncratic style of playing, with the guitar`laying on his lap, which, ironically (as his disability was surely seen as an impediment) allowed him more freedom in chord structure. In recent years, Healey has stepped out of the limelight and embraced jazz music, another love of his.

I cannot say that I was a fan of Healey’s, in fact I did not know much about him at all. But when I went to the internet to listen to “Angel Eyes” tonight, I was instantly transported back to the age of 9 when this song was popular. His guitar solo in “Angel Eyes” is one of such depth, not only does it leave an imprint on your memory somewhere, but it has a texture and shape that you can almost see, feel and taste it. But there can be no more fitting tribute, and no better way to exhibit his sheer talent and flair on the guitar, than to post his version of the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” Enjoy.

Related posts:

1. Beatles Rock Band Set To Go British Invasion on Your Video Game Console in September!
2. The Beatles’ Studio Revolution of 1962
3. Music Review: Jennifer Dixon, the Face of Alternative Country’s Uncompromising Future

Here’s something you don’t see everyday. A video of Jimi Hendrix playing a 12 string acoustic guitar. Very nice. Check it out.

Related posts:

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2. Twenty Fingers and Only One Acoustic Guitar (Video)
3. Music Video For My Memorial Song “Minnesota Got Colder” (My First Video Ever)