New releases for Dec. 13, 2011: “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “Kung Fu Panda 2,” “Fright Night,” “The Walking Dead, Vol. 15″
There are less than two weeks left until Christmas, and for cinephiles, several soundtrack albums and well-reviewed movies are out this week for home listening and viewing.
In the CD section, movie soundtracks dominate, from the score from the blockbuster “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ to Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa’s music from and inspired by “Mac & Devin Go to High School.” Jonsi’s music for “We Bought a Zoo,” John Williams’ for “The Adventures of Tintin” and Hans Zimmer’s from “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” also are due.
Among the new DVDs, most critics praised the sleeper hit “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” the remake “Fright Night,” the animated sequel “Kung Fu Panda 2″ and Chinese director Hark Tsui’s Sherlock Holmes-esque “Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame.”
For comics fans, “The Walking Dead, Volume 15,” Marvel’s “X-Statix Omnibus” and the finale “Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 27″ are among the new selections on the bookshelf.
Here are more options for new CDs, DVDs and books out this week, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Carter Burwell, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, The Score.”
Rammstein, “Made in Germany.”
Anthony Hamilton, “Back to Love.”
John Williams, “Music from the Motion Picture The Adventures of Tintin.”
Charlotte Gainsbourg, “Stage Whisper.”
Hans Zimmer, “Sherlock Homes: A Game of Shadows Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.”
Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa, “Mac & Devin Go to High School: Music From and Inspired by the Movie.”
Smokey Robinson, “The Solo Albums: Volume 6.”
Jonsi, “Music from the Motion Picture We Bought a Zoo.”
DVDs
Circumstance
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
Family Guy: Volume 9
Fright Night
Kill Katie Malone
Kung Fu Panda 2
A Legend Is Born: Ip Man
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
The Smell of Success
Tanner Hall
Books
The Walking Dead, Volume 15: We Find Ourselves by Robert Kirkman
Covert Warriors (Presidential Agent Series #7) by W. E. B. Griffin
D. C. Dead (Stone Barrington Series #22) by Stuart Woods
The Devil’s Elixir by Raymond Khoury
Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 27 by Hiromu Arakawa
X-Statix Omnibus by Peter Milligan
Vampire Academy: The Ultimate Guide by Michelle Rowen
Star Wars The Old Republic Explorer’s Guide: Prima Official Game Guide by Mike Searle
Once Upon a Time: A Collection of Classic Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm
-BAM
New releases for Dec. 6, 2011: Amy Winehouse, Black Keys, Dia Frampton, “The Help,” “Cowboys & Aliens,” “The Debt”
Amy Winehouse’s posthumous album “Lioness: Hidden Treasures,” which features a cover of Oklahoma music icon Leon Russell’s “A Song for You,” is one of the most anticipated albums among this week’s new releases, which also include The Black Keys’ eagerly awaited new record, the seventh volume of show-choir covers featured on “Glee” and the post-”The Voice” debut of Dia Frampton, one of the singers Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton mentored on the first season of the hit reality TV show.
In the movies department, several summer films are getting their DVD and Blu-ray drops just in time for Christmas shopping, including “The Help,” “The Debt,” “Cowboys & Aliens,” “The Hangover Part II” and “Mr. Popper’s Penguins.”
Since I’m a University of Florida fan, I’d like to note that the Young Readers Edition of Tim Tebow’s book “Through My Eyes: A Quarterback’s Journey” is on bookshelves today.
Here are more new CDs, DVDs and books out this week, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Amy Winehouse, “Lioness: Hidden Treasures.”
The Black Keys, “El Camino.”
“Glee” cast, “Glee: The Music 7.”
Dia Frampton, “Red.”
Neil Diamond, “Very Best of Neil Diamond.”
Doris Day, “My Heart (U.S. edition).”
Chevelle, “Hats off to the Bull.”
Korn, “The Path of Totality.”
The Roots, “Undun.”
DVDs
Big Love: The Complete Fifth Season
A Christmas Wedding Tail
Cowboys & Aliens
The Debt
The Hangover Part II
The Help
Law & Order: The Ninth Year
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Point Blank
The Simpsons: The Complete Fourteenth Season
Spongebob Squarepants: The Complete Seventh Season
The Three Investigators in the Secret of Skeleton Island
Books
Through My Eyes: A Quarterback’s Journey (Young Readers Edition) by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker
Clockwork Prince Exclusive Edition (Infernal Devices Series #2) by Cassandra Clare
Red Mist (Kay Scarpetta Series #19) by Patricia Cornwell
Death Comes to Pemberley by P. D. James
One on One: Behind the Scenes with the Greats in the Game by John Feinstein
The Fire (Witch and Wizard Series #3) by James Patterson
Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars #10) by Sara Shepard
December 1941: 31 Days That Changed America and Saved the World by Craig Shirley
Time to Get Tough: Making America #1 Again by Donald J. Trump
-BAM
New releases for Nov. 29, 2011: Hot Chelle Rae, “Cave of Forgotten Dreams,” “Friends with Benefits,” “The Smurfs,” “Hedy’s Folly”
Just a friendly reminder that there’s less than a month until Christmas.
Here is a list of the new CDs, DVDs and books out this week, in case you need gift ideas:
CDs
Hot Chelle Rae, “Whatever.”
Yes, “In the Present: Live From Lyon.”
Broadway cast, “Follies: New Broadway Cast Recording.”
Kylie Minogue, “Aphrodite: Les Folies” (2 CD + DVD).
Various Artists, “Songs of Anarchy: Music from Sons of Anarchy Seasons 1-4.”
Gorillaz, “The Singles Collection: 2001-2011” (CD+DVD).
Trey Songz, “Inevitable.”
DVDs
30 Minutes or Less
30 Rock: Season 5
The Art of Getting By
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Friends with Benefits
The Future
Hot in Cleveland: Season Two
One Day
Our Idiot Brother
Seven Days In Utopia
The Six Million Dollar Man: Pilot TV Movies & Season One
Smallville: The Complete Tenth Season
The Smurfs
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
Books
Hedy’s Folly: The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World by Richard Rhodes
The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon
The Drop (Harry Bosch Series #17) by Michael Connelly
Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis
Fate’s Edge (Edge Series #3) by Ilona Andrews
Catch Fire: How to Ignite Your Own Economy by Douglas Scott Nelson
Frost Wolf (Wolves of the Beyond Series #4) by Kathryn Lasky
Legend by Marie Lu
-BAM
New releases for Nov. 22, 2011: “The Wayman Tisdale Story” documentary debuts on DVD and CD/DVD
Wayman Tisdale
A story of human courage in the face of adversity, the documentary “The Wayman Tisdale Story” is now available on DVD and CD/DVD from Rendezvous Music/Mack Avenue.
Embodying his life’s approach of compassion, courage, and optimism, “The Wayman Tisdale Story” is a feature-length documentary that offers a detailed account of the life of the late basketball star, jazz musician and Tulsa resident Wayman Tisdale. Told through his own words, “The Wayman Tisdale Story” journeys through Tisdale’s life from this childhood as a preacher’s son to his battle with cancer.
Rendezvous Music complements the telling of Tisdale’s story with a soundtrack featuring 13 tracks, including the previously unreleased track, “Slam Dunk,” produced by Jeff Lorber, and “Cryin’ For Me,” which was written and performed as a tribute to Wayman by fellow Oklahoma musician Toby Keith.
While attending Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Tisdale became one of the most highly touted high school basketball players in the country. After high school he played basketball at The University of Oklahoma, where he became the first player in college basketball history to become a first team All-American in his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons. After winning the gold medal in the 1984 Olympic games, Tisdale decided to forgo his senior season at Oklahoma and entered the 1985 NBA draft. Over the next 12 years, Tisdale became an NBA star while playing for the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns.
A self-taught musician, Tisdale began playing the bass guitar during his father’s Sunday services. “He just always had a strong musical side and it was very important to him,” Michael Jordan explains in the documentary. As his basketball career was ending, he turned his focus to his self-described “first love” with the release of his debut jazz album, “Power Forward,” which climbed to No. 4 on the Billboard’s contemporary jazz charts. In his short musical career, he released nine eclectic jazz albums—”Power Forward” (1995), “In The Zone” (1996), “Decisions” (1998), “Face To Face” (2001), “Presents 21 Days” (2003), “Hang Time” (2004), “Way Up!” (2006), and” Rebound” (2008) and the posthumous “The Fonk Record” (2010)—four of which hit No. 1 on the jazz charts.
In 2007, Tisdale began a two-year battle with bone cancer, including chemotherapy and the amputation of part of his right leg. Presented with a debilitating condition, Tisdale used his faith, music, and positive outlook on life to help others through the Wayman Tisdale Foundation, established to assist individuals in need of prosthetic limbs who could not afford them. Wayman Tisdale passed away May 15, 2009 at the age of 44.
Earlier this month, Tisdale was posthumously inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee.
Featured at multiple film festivals throughout 2010, the documentary garnered Best Documentary accolades from the Park City Film and Music Festival and International Christian Film Festival, Best Sports Documentary from the Los Angeles Sports Film Festival, Audience Choice Award Runner-up at the Pan African Film Festival and the 2010 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Award.
To read my review of “The Wayman Tisdale Story” soundtrack, click here.
Here is a list of additional CDs, DVDs and books, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Wayman Tisdale, “The Wayman Tisdale Story” (CD/DVD).
Rihanna, “Talk That Talk.”
Willie Nelson, “Remember Me Vol. 1.”
Nickelback, “Here and Now.”
Daughtry, “Break the Spell.”
The Rolling Stones, “Some Girls: Deluxe Edition.”
Bob Seger, “Ultimate Hits: Rock And Roll Never Forgets.”
Taylor Swift, “Speak Now World Tour Live” (CD/DVD).
Big Time Rush, “Elevate.”
Michael Jackson, “Immortal.”
Kate Bush, “50 Words for Snow.”
DVDs
Carjacked
Conan the Barbarian
The Devil’s Double
Doctor Who: The Complete Sixth Series
The Family Tree
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special
A Madea Christmas: The Play
Perry Mason: Season 6, Volume 2
Prep & Landing
Sarah’s Key
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World
Super 8
The Wayman Tisdale Story
Books
Explosive Eighteen (Stephanie Plum Series #18) by Janet Evanovich
The Forgotten Warrior by Erin Hunter
Longing (Bailey Flanigan Series #3) by Karen Kingsbury
Micro by Michael Crichton, Richard Preston
Lady Gaga by Lady Gaga, Terry Richardson (Photographer)
The Hoarder in You: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life by Robin Zasio
Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo by Betty White
-BAM
New releases for Nov. 15, 2011: R.E.M. box set, Drake’s “Take Care,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”
Thanksgiving and the Christmas shopping season are getting closer, which means an increasing bounty of new CDs, DVDs and books are becoming available.
Here is a list of this week’s new offerings, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Drake, “Take Care.”
R.E.M., “Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982 – 2011.”
“Glee” cast, “Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 2.”
Frank Sinatra, “Sinatra: Best of the Best.”
Andrea Bocelli, Céline Dion, Tony Bennett, Chris Botti and David Foster, “Concerto, One Night in Central Park.”
Childish Gambino, “Camp.”
The Who, “Quadrophenia – The Director’s Cut (Super Deluxe Edition)” (Box set).
Sigur Rós, “Inní” (2 CD + DVD).
Pink Martini, “A Retrospective.”
DVDs
Beginners
Being Human: The Complete First Season
Bellflower
Dreamworks Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury / Book of Dragons
Flypaper
Griff the Invisible
It Takes a Thief: The Complete Series
Larry Crowne
Main Street
The Open Door
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Sanctuary: The Complete Third Season
Books
Cabin Fever (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series #6) by Jeff Kinney
Kill Alex Cross (Alex Cross Series #18) by James Patterson
V Is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone Series #22) by Sue Grafton
Star Wars The Old Republic #3 by Drew Karpyshyn
Devil’s Gate by Clive Cussler
Gabby by Gabrielle Giffords
-BAM
New releases for Nov. 8, 2011: Rascal Flatts’ first live album out today, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2″ out Friday
Rascal Flatts
Country music trio Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, release today “The Best of Rascal Flatts LIVE,” the group’s first live album. Actually, the album is coming out on Lyric Street Records/Hollywood Records, the band’s former record label.
The album will include “Bob That Head,” “Bless the Broken Road,” “Still Feels Good,” “Here’s to You,” “Stand,” “These Days,” “What Hurts the Most,” “Life Is a Highway” and a medley of “I’m Movin’ On,” “Skin (Sarabeth)” and “Feels Like Today.” For an encore, the album offers the band’s cover version of Boston’s “Foreplay/Long Time” and the Edgar Winter Group’s “Free Ride.”
Rascal Flatts recorded for Disney’s Lyric Street imprint until the label shuttered in 2010; Hollywood Records is another Disney imprint. The trio is now signed to Big Machine Records, which released the Flatts’ latest record, “Nothing Like This.”
The hit-making band will compete for the title of Country Music Association vocal group of the year during the 45th Annual CMA Awards, airing live from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday on ABC. The band also will perform duets with pop star Natasha Bedingfield and R&B legend Lionel Ritchie. Make plans to follow my live blog of the show Wednesday night.
In the movie category, the final cinematic chapter in the adventures of The Boy Who Lived, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Friday.
On the bookshelf, young author Christopher Paolini is releasing the conclusion to his best-selling “The Inheritance Cycle,” while famed horror writer Stephen King is dropping his latest novel, “11/22/63.”
Here is a list of the new CDs, DVDs and books out this week, from Amazon.com and VideoETA.com:
CDs
Rascal Flatts, “The Best of Rascal Flatts LIVE.”
Il Divo, “Wicked Game.”
Various artists, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.”
Rush, “Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland.”
Pink Floyd, “Wish You Were Here – Immersion Box Set.”
The Beatles, “The Beatles With Tony Sheridan: First Recordings 50th Anniversary Edition.”
Willie Nelson, “Building Heartaches.”
David Lynch, “Crazy Clown Time.”
Pink Martini & Saoyi Yuki, “1969.”
DVDs
13
Atlas Shrugged: Part One
Barbie: A Perfect Christmas
Boy Wonder
The Change-Up
Christmas Mail
Doctor Who: Series Six, Part Two
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 – Friday
Life in a Day
Supernatural: The Anime Series
Books
Inheritance (The Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini
11/22/63: A Novel by Stephen King
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Collector’s Edition: Prima Official Game Guide by David Hodgson – Friday
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie
SEAL Target Geronimo: The Inside Story of the Mission to Kill Osama bin Laden by Chuck Pfarrer
New releases: Miranda Lambert follows up “Revolution” with “Four the Record,” Mike McClure drops “Fifty Billion” on iTunes
Country music superstar Miranda Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo, is celebrating the hotly anticipated release of her fourth solo album, “Four the Record.”
The follow-up to her widely acclaimed 2009 effort “Revolution,” “Four the Record” already features a top five hit with the sassy first single “Baggage Claim.” But the new album features 14 musically diverse, finely crafted tracks – Lambert wrote or co-wrote six of them – so expect the Oklahoma transplant to get even bigger with “Four the Record.”
Look for my review of “Four the Record” Friday here on BAM’s Blog, on NewsOK or in The Oklahoman’s Weekend Look section.
Also, Ada-based red dirt musician Mike McClure, frontman of the recently reunited The Great Divide, released today his new album “Fifty Billion.” The album is available via iTunes courtesy his 598 Recordings.
Here is a list of new CDs, DVDs and books, from Amazon.com and VideoETA.com:
CDs
Miranda Lambert, “Four the Record.”
Mike McClure, “Fifty Billion.” (iTunes)
Susan Boyle, “Someone to Watch over Me.”
Justin Bieber, “Under the Mistletoe.”
Florence + The Machine, “Ceremonials.”
Megadeth, “TH1RT3EN.”
Lou Reed and Metallica, “Lulu.”
The Beach Boys, “The Smile Sessions Box Set.”
U2, “Achtung Baby (Super Deluxe Edition).”
Pink Martini, “A Retrospective.”
DVDs
Bunraku
Californication: The Fourth Season
Cars 2
Crazy, Stupid, Love
An Invisible Sign
The Last Mountain
Luther 2
The Nutcracker: The Untold Story
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Tabloid
Trespass
Water for Elephants
Books
Blue Nights by Joan Didion
Diary of a Player by Brad Paisley
The Next Always: Book One of the Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy by Nora Roberts
Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero by Chris Matthews
Zero Day by David Baldacci
Lost December: A Novel by Richard Paul Evans
The Time of Our Lives: A Conversation About America by Tom Brokaw
The Meatball Shop Cookbook by Daniel Holzman, Michael Chernow, Lauren Deen
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
-BAM
New releases for Oct. 25, 2011: Vince Gill, Toby Keith, “Captain America,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “House of Night”
I haven’t even stocked up on Halloween candy yet, but with all the high-profile new CDs, DVDs and books coming out, it’s undeniably getting closer to Christmas.
For music fans, several hotly anticipated new albums actually dropped Monday, including “Guitar Slinger,” the first album in five years from Oklahoma native and Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill, and “Clancy’s Tavern,” the latest CD from Oklahoma country music superstar Toby Keith. To read my interview with Gill about his new album, click here; to read my review of “Guitar Slinger,” click here. To read my interview with Keith about his new album, click here; to read my review of “Clancy’s Tavern,” click here.
There are some great movies debuting today on DVD and Blu-ray, including the summer blockbuster “Captain America: The First Avenger” and a faithful return to the Hundred Acre Wood with “Winnie the Pooh.” To read my “Winnie the Pooh” movie review, click here.
On the bookshelf, Tulsa mother-daughter writing team P.C. and Kristin Cast are releasing today “Destined,” the latest in their young-adult paranormal series “House of Night.”
Here is a list of new CDs, DVDs and books due out this week, from Amazon.com and VideoETA.com:
CDs
Vince Gill, “Guitar Slinger.”
Toby Keith, “Clancy’s Tavern.”
Coldplay, “Mylo Xyloto.”
Michael Bublé, “Christmas.”
Tom Waits, “Bad as Me.”
Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger.”
Brian Wilson, “In the Key of Disney.”
She & Him, “A Very She & Him Christmas.”
John Prine, “The Singing Mailman Delivers.”
DVDs
Atrocious
Attack the Block
The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Volume 4 Thor’s Last Stand
The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Volume 3 Iron Man Unleashed
Captain America: The First Avenger
Elektra Luxx
Faces in the Crowd
Father of Invention
Jurassic Park Trilogy
A Little Help
Pearl Jam Twenty
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
Robot Chicken: Season 5
Shaolin
Tom & Jerry: Golden Collection Volume One
Winnie the Pooh
Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings
Books
Destined (House of Night) by P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami, Jay Rubin, Philip Gabriel
The Litigators by John Grisham
Giving 2.0: Transform Your Giving and Our World by Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
The Snow Angel by Glenn Beck, Nicole Baart
-BAM
New releases for Oct. 18, 2011: Graham Colton delivers “Pacific Coast Eyes Vol. 2″
Graham Colton
Oklahoma City singer/songwriter/musician Graham Colton released today “Pacific Coast Eyes Vol. 2.” The follow-up to “Pacific Coast Eyes,” which he released in April, “Vol. 2″ features three new songs and three alternate versions of previously released tunes.
For more information, go to www.grahamcolton.com.
Here is a list of new CDs, DVDs and book out this week, from Amazon.com and VideoETA.com:
CDs
Graham Colton, “Pacific Coast Eyes Vol. 2.”
Jane’s Addiction, “The Great Escape Artist.”
Chris Isaak, “Beyond the Sun.”
Casting Crowns, “Come To the Well.”
Sting, “Best of 25 Years.”
The Smiths, “The Smiths Complete” (Box set).
Shelby Lynne, “Revelation Road.”
M83, “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming.”
Dave Koz, “Ultimate Christmas.”
DVDs
Attack on Leningrad
Bad Teacher
Batman: Year One
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest
A Better Life
The Captains
Grave Encounters
Hellraiser: Revelations
The Howling: Reborn
Kevin Smith: Too Fat for 40
The Last Circus
Monte Carlo
Page One: Inside the New York Times
“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”
Red State
Star Wars The Clone Wars: The Complete Season Three
Thundercats (2011): Season 1, Book 1
V: The Complete Second Season
Books
Van Gogh: The Life by Steven Naifeh, Gregory White Smith
The Tehran Initiative by Joel C. Rosenberg
Rescue America: Our Best America Is Only One Generation Away by Chris Salamone, Gilbert N. Morris
Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025? by Patrick J. Buchanan
-BAM
Jason Boland & the Stragglers stay down-to-earth with new album “Rancho Alto”
A version of this story appears in Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Jason Boland & the Stragglers stay down-to-earth on “Rancho Alto”
The band, which has its roots in Stillwater’s red dirt music scene, tells stories of the common man on its earthy new album.
With their new album “Rancho Alto,” Jason Boland & the Stragglers hearken back to their days on The Farm in Stillwater.
The band’s frontman and primary songwriter hears a more earthy folk tone to their music on their sixth studio album, which takes its title from the Spanish for “High Ranch.”
“I don’t think we’re trying to have all the explosions and bells and whistles,” says Boland, who was born and raised in Harrah. “You know, we’re not really trying to emulate pop music, so it keeps getting in some ways almost more acoustic. But I would think within the songs, there’s a little bit more of a social responsibility and there’s also, I think, in a way more sweetness and more love in it.”
In some ways, the songs on “Rancho Alto,” released Tuesday on Boland’s Proud Souls Entertainment, brings the band full circle to Stillwater, where the band formed in 1998.
“That’s not to say that then it’s complete again. “You know, it may have come back around this time, but not to say that we’re not gonna go out and do anything crazy and different again,” says Boland in a recent phone interview from Austin, Texas, where he now calls home.
“I think we’ve got to a place now where we can sit back and just capture what’s happening right there, right then, and not overthink it and just let it be. And I think that’s how we sound the best. And that’s what we’ve done with this record.”
Besides his deep devotion to the kind of old-school country music Nashville hasn’t made in quite awhile, Boland says growing up, getting older and surviving life’s hardships influenced the songwriting and musicianship of “Rancho Alto.” On their last studio effort, “Comal County Blue,” Boland, 36, dealt frankly with his struggles with alcoholism on several songs. The day the 2008 album was released, the singer-songwriter underwent microsurgery to remove a potentially career-ending vocal cord polyp and then endured a long, trying recovery process.
“You’re just trying to always get better at what you do … and that’s writing songs that get to the heart of things and the heart of emotions,”and being able to contact those emotions and get ‘em out through your music,” says Boland, who will return to his home state for annual Thanksgiving weekend shows at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa and the Wormy Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City.
“I think they’re all stepping points. It depends on where you draw your songs from, of course. I do most of the songwriting, so it is going to reflect a lot of times what I’m specifically going through. But you always notice at the same time it seems in so many ways, even if it’s only metaphorically, the people around you are going through the exact same thing. It may be a little different but … it seems like we’re never really alone and the music ties us all together.”
In the great red dirt tradition, “Rancho Alto” shares stories of the common man. The album’s toe-tapping opening track, “Down Here in the Hole,” centers on a miner stuck in a cave-in, while the dancehall ballad “Between 11 and 2” reminds the unlucky in love “if you think you’re all alone, there’s somebody out there right next to you that thinks they’re just as alone as you.”
With “False Accuser’s Lament,” Boland retells the 1959 country epic “Long Black Veil” from the viewpoint of a witness, a poor farmer paid off to frame the innocent man convicted of murder.
While he wrote or co-wrote eight of 11 tracks on “Rancho Alto,” Boland closes the album with Checotah singer-songwriter Greg Jacobs’ “Farmer’s Luck,” a story song about a farmer whose land is taken by eminent domain and turned into a recreational lake. Boland also pays tribute to his red dirt roots with “Woody’s Road,” an ode to Woody Guthrie penned by the late, great Bob Childers.
“Growing up in Oklahoma, you can’t help but be influenced by that spirit of the hopefulness for the plight of the common man. That’s part of what the folks in Stillwater that coined the ‘red dirt’ term had in mind.”
In concert
Jason Boland & the Stragglers Thanksgiving weekend shows
When: Nov. 25.
Where: Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main, Tulsa.
Information: www.cainsballroom.com.
When: Nov. 26.
Where: Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan.
Information: www.wormydog.com.
-BAM
