SHAKIN' APOSTLES
''MEDICINE SHOW''
SEPTEMBER 8 1998
39:40
1. Medicine Show/3:32
2. Fall on You/2:02
3. Crazy Flowers/4:54
4. Family Band/2:55
5. Hotspur/6:18
6. Black and White Movies/3:36
7. Ain't That Love/4:08
8. After the Opera/3:54
9. Buffalo Skinners/4:27
10. Missing You Tonight/2:15
11. Sailors/3:54
12. Medicine Show Rag/1:49
Ponty Bone /Accordion
J.D. Foster /Guitar (Bass), Producer
Champ Hood /Fiddle, Mandolin
Greg Jackson /Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Keyboards, Vocals (Background)
Pat Kelly /Guitar
Cam King /Guitar, Guitar (Bass), Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals (Background)
Freddie "Steady" Krc /Guitar, Vocals
Lloyd Maines /Pedal Steel
David Moerbe /Vocals (Background)
Marty Muse /Pedal Steel
Van Wilks /Slide Guitar
ABOUT
The Shakin' Apostles have a style that has been described as Electric Western Folk-Rock. Upon first hearing the sounds of this talented Texas band most people are hard pressed to categorize them. There are obvious links to Rock and Roll and a deep connection to the renegade country sound of the Austin area. But the rich and varied backgrounds of the band members leave a unique musical signature that is best left undefined, for the sound is truly theirs alone. The band is fronted by Austin music veteran Freddie Steady Krc. Freddie has been backed by a host of solid musicians on the various releases, including Jerry Jeff Walker's long time lead guitar player, John Inmon. Cam King, the late Danny Thorpe, Greg Jackson and Ronnie Johnson have contributed their well respected talents as well. Many Texas music icons, such as Jerry Jeff, Lloyd Maines, Champ Hood and Ponty Bone make appearances on individual cuts. Concerning the current incarnation of the band, Freddie says "I bumped into Waco Jack McVey at the Saxon Pub a couple of years ago, and asked him to audition on drums. Jack’s band back in Waco, the Java Heads, had just lost their singer, so he brought along Bryan Jaska, his bass player, and his guitar player, Pat Kelly, too. And it’s worked out just great." The self titled Shakin' Apostles debut CD and their second endeavor, "Tucson" were released by ESD Records. Blue Rose Records of Germany released a compilation of these first two CD's titled "Austin, Texas." This album also included previously unreleased tracks and some live recordings. In November of 1997 Blue Rose released a new CD titled "Medicine Show". The European distribution of the Shakin' Apostles material has met with a great deal of success. Critics on both sides of the Atlantic have sung the praises of this uniquely American band. With four quality releases in their saddlebags, the band took "Medicine Show" on the road throughout Europe in April of 1998. "Medicine Show" was released in the US on "Big Tex" records and is distributed by Sundazed Records. This relationship continues with the spring 2000 release of the Shakin' Apostles live recording, "Too Hot For Snakes".
MORE ABOUT
As many other great bands the Shakin’ Apostles are based in Austin, Texas, an inexhaustible melting pot for “Americana Music”. Mastermind of the band is Freddie “Steady” Krc, grown up in Houston, Texas. In the age of ten he began playing drums, two years later he started playing guitar.
At the end of the 70s/beginning of the 80s he played with several bands, i.e. with Jerry Jeff Walker, Butch Hancock, Wes McGhee or Rocky Erickson.
In 1993 the first self-titled album by the Shakin’ Apostles was released on the US indie label East Side Digital. Freddie played rhythm guitar and sang, John Inmon played lead guitar, Danny Thorpe, also on guitar, Ronnie Johnson on bass and David Bender on drums. Shakin’ Apostles was a mixture of rock, country, blues and cajun music.
In 1995 Tucson was released which sounded like the old country rock heroes like Poco, Eagles, Flying Burrito Brothers, Moby Grape or Buffalo Springfield. Great melodies, fine arrangements and part-singing harmony vocals!
These two albums saw the light of the US record market only. In 1996 a compilation album titled Austin, Texas was released on Blue Rose. It contained songs of the two studio albums as well as four live tracks and one unreleased studio track and featured guest musicians like Mike Wilhelm from the Charlatans and John Ike Walton and Ronnie Leatherman from 13th Floor Elevators.
Medicine Show contained another 14 new songs with the same fresh air of their predecessors. Again Krc & Co. are playing the devilish stuff of “Americana Music”, a mixture of country, rock, western folk and rock’n’roll, presented in catchy uptempo rockers and warm ballads.
The band's first live album, Too Hot For Snakes, brings you into the Texas capitols' world of "dim lights, thick smoke, and loud, loud music". You can feel the band shake the walls of Congress Avenues' Continental Club as you are captured by the intricate images of Krc's lyrics in this 1999 live recording. If you missed the performance, then there is no longer reason to fret. Just open the door to the CD jewel case; remember to turn it way up, and step into the night.
All of Krc's formidable talent and love of music is evident on this offering. You can sense the elation that he and his band carried onto stage with them that spring night. These are no "purdy boy" corporate rockers or some "Ken-doll country" hat act. These are real live Texas musicians playing from the gut for the pure love of the song.
Few have loved the song more fully, faithfully and passionately than Krc. His diverse musical interests and influences can be glimpsed through the fourteen songs (plus one hidden track) included on this release. Freddie's days of playing drums for punk legend Roky Erickson are revealed in the ceiling lifting "I've Got Levitation". Lead guitarist Pat Kelly takes the classic 13th Floor Elevators song up a story as he is joined by Krc's own exemplary guitar work. Selections like Moby Grape's "Fall On You", Gene Clark's "Long Time" and The Buffalo Springfield's "Rock and Roll Woman” all give insight into some of Krc's strongest early influences. They also give drummer Jack McVey and bass player Bryan Jaska an opportunity to display their talents.
Krc is not afraid to step back and let his band shine, and shine they do. Krc's original material has become a virtual showcase for his current band. Long time fans will not be disappointed by the live versions of songs from the bands' three previous CD's. This band has been together now for a couple years. They have toured Europe together and are now fused into a tight group that is able to follow Freddie wherever he may dare to go. Those that have witnessed a Krc performance know that you never know where he may turn next. Anything from a Quicksilver Messenger Service rocker to a Burl Ives medley may jump from Freddie's brain, and these boys are able to follow.
The masterful recording of long time Texas soundman Charles Ray coupled with some judicious studio work by the producing trio of Randy Poe, Ray and Krc has produced an impressive recreation of the band's live performance. The energy and power of the night has not been lost. The musicians' performances remain human and tense. Rarely does a live recording capture the character of an evening as well as Too Hot For Snakes. "You should have been there" is a line often uttered about nights at the Continental Club. At least this time, you can get the next best thing.
''MEDICINE SHOW''
SEPTEMBER 8 1998
39:40
1. Medicine Show/3:32
2. Fall on You/2:02
3. Crazy Flowers/4:54
4. Family Band/2:55
5. Hotspur/6:18
6. Black and White Movies/3:36
7. Ain't That Love/4:08
8. After the Opera/3:54
9. Buffalo Skinners/4:27
10. Missing You Tonight/2:15
11. Sailors/3:54
12. Medicine Show Rag/1:49
Ponty Bone /Accordion
J.D. Foster /Guitar (Bass), Producer
Champ Hood /Fiddle, Mandolin
Greg Jackson /Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Keyboards, Vocals (Background)
Pat Kelly /Guitar
Cam King /Guitar, Guitar (Bass), Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals (Background)
Freddie "Steady" Krc /Guitar, Vocals
Lloyd Maines /Pedal Steel
David Moerbe /Vocals (Background)
Marty Muse /Pedal Steel
Van Wilks /Slide Guitar
ABOUT
The Shakin' Apostles have a style that has been described as Electric Western Folk-Rock. Upon first hearing the sounds of this talented Texas band most people are hard pressed to categorize them. There are obvious links to Rock and Roll and a deep connection to the renegade country sound of the Austin area. But the rich and varied backgrounds of the band members leave a unique musical signature that is best left undefined, for the sound is truly theirs alone. The band is fronted by Austin music veteran Freddie Steady Krc. Freddie has been backed by a host of solid musicians on the various releases, including Jerry Jeff Walker's long time lead guitar player, John Inmon. Cam King, the late Danny Thorpe, Greg Jackson and Ronnie Johnson have contributed their well respected talents as well. Many Texas music icons, such as Jerry Jeff, Lloyd Maines, Champ Hood and Ponty Bone make appearances on individual cuts. Concerning the current incarnation of the band, Freddie says "I bumped into Waco Jack McVey at the Saxon Pub a couple of years ago, and asked him to audition on drums. Jack’s band back in Waco, the Java Heads, had just lost their singer, so he brought along Bryan Jaska, his bass player, and his guitar player, Pat Kelly, too. And it’s worked out just great." The self titled Shakin' Apostles debut CD and their second endeavor, "Tucson" were released by ESD Records. Blue Rose Records of Germany released a compilation of these first two CD's titled "Austin, Texas." This album also included previously unreleased tracks and some live recordings. In November of 1997 Blue Rose released a new CD titled "Medicine Show". The European distribution of the Shakin' Apostles material has met with a great deal of success. Critics on both sides of the Atlantic have sung the praises of this uniquely American band. With four quality releases in their saddlebags, the band took "Medicine Show" on the road throughout Europe in April of 1998. "Medicine Show" was released in the US on "Big Tex" records and is distributed by Sundazed Records. This relationship continues with the spring 2000 release of the Shakin' Apostles live recording, "Too Hot For Snakes".
MORE ABOUT
As many other great bands the Shakin’ Apostles are based in Austin, Texas, an inexhaustible melting pot for “Americana Music”. Mastermind of the band is Freddie “Steady” Krc, grown up in Houston, Texas. In the age of ten he began playing drums, two years later he started playing guitar.
At the end of the 70s/beginning of the 80s he played with several bands, i.e. with Jerry Jeff Walker, Butch Hancock, Wes McGhee or Rocky Erickson.
In 1993 the first self-titled album by the Shakin’ Apostles was released on the US indie label East Side Digital. Freddie played rhythm guitar and sang, John Inmon played lead guitar, Danny Thorpe, also on guitar, Ronnie Johnson on bass and David Bender on drums. Shakin’ Apostles was a mixture of rock, country, blues and cajun music.
In 1995 Tucson was released which sounded like the old country rock heroes like Poco, Eagles, Flying Burrito Brothers, Moby Grape or Buffalo Springfield. Great melodies, fine arrangements and part-singing harmony vocals!
These two albums saw the light of the US record market only. In 1996 a compilation album titled Austin, Texas was released on Blue Rose. It contained songs of the two studio albums as well as four live tracks and one unreleased studio track and featured guest musicians like Mike Wilhelm from the Charlatans and John Ike Walton and Ronnie Leatherman from 13th Floor Elevators.
Medicine Show contained another 14 new songs with the same fresh air of their predecessors. Again Krc & Co. are playing the devilish stuff of “Americana Music”, a mixture of country, rock, western folk and rock’n’roll, presented in catchy uptempo rockers and warm ballads.
The band's first live album, Too Hot For Snakes, brings you into the Texas capitols' world of "dim lights, thick smoke, and loud, loud music". You can feel the band shake the walls of Congress Avenues' Continental Club as you are captured by the intricate images of Krc's lyrics in this 1999 live recording. If you missed the performance, then there is no longer reason to fret. Just open the door to the CD jewel case; remember to turn it way up, and step into the night.
All of Krc's formidable talent and love of music is evident on this offering. You can sense the elation that he and his band carried onto stage with them that spring night. These are no "purdy boy" corporate rockers or some "Ken-doll country" hat act. These are real live Texas musicians playing from the gut for the pure love of the song.
Few have loved the song more fully, faithfully and passionately than Krc. His diverse musical interests and influences can be glimpsed through the fourteen songs (plus one hidden track) included on this release. Freddie's days of playing drums for punk legend Roky Erickson are revealed in the ceiling lifting "I've Got Levitation". Lead guitarist Pat Kelly takes the classic 13th Floor Elevators song up a story as he is joined by Krc's own exemplary guitar work. Selections like Moby Grape's "Fall On You", Gene Clark's "Long Time" and The Buffalo Springfield's "Rock and Roll Woman” all give insight into some of Krc's strongest early influences. They also give drummer Jack McVey and bass player Bryan Jaska an opportunity to display their talents.
Krc is not afraid to step back and let his band shine, and shine they do. Krc's original material has become a virtual showcase for his current band. Long time fans will not be disappointed by the live versions of songs from the bands' three previous CD's. This band has been together now for a couple years. They have toured Europe together and are now fused into a tight group that is able to follow Freddie wherever he may dare to go. Those that have witnessed a Krc performance know that you never know where he may turn next. Anything from a Quicksilver Messenger Service rocker to a Burl Ives medley may jump from Freddie's brain, and these boys are able to follow.
The masterful recording of long time Texas soundman Charles Ray coupled with some judicious studio work by the producing trio of Randy Poe, Ray and Krc has produced an impressive recreation of the band's live performance. The energy and power of the night has not been lost. The musicians' performances remain human and tense. Rarely does a live recording capture the character of an evening as well as Too Hot For Snakes. "You should have been there" is a line often uttered about nights at the Continental Club. At least this time, you can get the next best thing.
No comments :
Post a Comment