3005 - THE BLACKS - In Sickness and Health (2010) (By Request)

THE BLACKS
''IN SICKNESS AND HEALTH''
MARCH 9 2010
19:33

1. Ten Years/0:56
2. I'm In Love/3:24
3. Can't Explain/5:11
4. Young and Beautiful (Teresa's Song)/3:48
5. Bottled & Flat/2:54
6. If It All Falls Through/3:20

BIOGRAPHY
by Jason Ankeny
The Blacks, a Chicago-based insurgent country band, were formed in 1994 by singer/guitarist Danny McDonough, a former member of psychedelic hard rockers Cornmother, who quit the latter group after discovering the music of Hank Williams, Tom Waits, and Louis Armstrong. Teaching himself basic drumming and trumpeting skills, he began writing songs on a four-track recorder; after several months, he met DePaul University symphonic music student and bassist Gina Black at a local concert, and days later they played together for the first time.
Within weeks Black dropped out of DePaul, and after McDonough adopted the surname Black as well, the couple began performing as the Black Family, making their live debut in late 1995. After going through a series of drummers, the group (now shortened to simply The Blacks) recruited James Emmenegger, becoming a four-piece with the addition of guitarist Nora O'Connor; upon playing hundreds of live dates across the Midwest, the group signed with the Bloodshot label, issuing its Eric "Roscoe" Ambel-produced debut, Dolly Horrorshow, in 1998. Just Like Home followed two years later.

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3004 - THE BLACKS - Just Like Home (2000) (By Request)

THE BLACKS
''JUST LIKE HOME''
JANUARY 1 2000
39:27

1. Head On a String/1:51
2. Call/4:32
3. Fake Out Jesus/2:41
4. How He Cried/3:37
5. I'd Like to Say/4:05
6. Off the Couch/3:05
7. Goin' Out West (Tom Waits cover)/4:25
8. To A Sucker/3:06
9. Valentine's Day/3:02
10. I Asked My Mom/1:35
11. Foggy Minded Breakdown/3:12
12. Rest My Bones/Diablo/3:01
13. Head on a String (reprise)/1:15
All Tracks By Danny & Gina Black

Andrew Bird /Violin
Danny Black /Banjo, Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Musical Saw, Organ (Hammond), Trumpet, Vocals
Gina Black /Bass (Upright), Bowed Bass, Guitar, Organ (Hammond), Piano, Vocals
James Emmenegger /Drums (Snare)

REVIEW
by Tim Sheridan
The Blacks deal in what might be described as country-goth, a rather spooky off-shoot of the alt-country movement. Their second offering is filled with the same moody, ramshackle sprit that made their first album so rewarding. While there is a bit too much reliance on the bull-horn distortion effect on vocals, it's a solid effort overall. Danny Black's impassioned voice helps drive home tunes like "Head on a String" and the clever "Fake Out Jesus." The dull cover of Tom Waits' "Goin' Out West," however, has nothing on the original.

BIOGRAPHY
by Jason Ankeny
The Blacks, a Chicago-based insurgent country band, were formed in 1994 by singer/guitarist Danny McDonough, a former member of psychedelic hard rockers Cornmother, who quit the latter group after discovering the music of Hank Williams, Tom Waits, and Louis Armstrong. Teaching himself basic drumming and trumpeting skills, he began writing songs on a four-track recorder; after several months, he met DePaul University symphonic music student and bassist Gina Black at a local concert, and days later they played together for the first time.
Within weeks Black dropped out of DePaul, and after McDonough adopted the surname Black as well, the couple began performing as the Black Family, making their live debut in late 1995. After going through a series of drummers, the group (now shortened to simply The Blacks) recruited James Emmenegger, becoming a four-piece with the addition of guitarist Nora O'Connor; upon playing hundreds of live dates across the Midwest, the group signed with the Bloodshot label, issuing its Eric "Roscoe" Ambel-produced debut, Dolly Horrorshow, in 1998. Just Like Home followed two years later.

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3003 - THE BLACKS - Dolly Horrorshow (1998) (By Request)

THE BLACKS
''DOLLY HORRORSHOW''
SEPTEMBER 22 1998
37:00

1. Dolly/2:34
2. Teresa Leaves Lonesome Town/3:26
3. New New Waltzing Blues/3:49
4. Dear Little Girl/2:47
5. Horrorshow/4:04
6. Tortured Holiday/3:19
7. Crazy/3:07
8. Moan/2:41
9. Take Me Now/3:31
10. Never Coming Back/2:15
11. I'll Meet You in Church Sunday Morning/2:54
12. He's Gone/2:34

REVIEW
by Tim Sheridan
With a power chord and a plaintive croon, this fine disc is off and running. From the barroom harmonies of "Dolly" to a riveting interplay of lounge smoothness and punk rage on "Horrorshow," the Blacks prove to be one of the more interesting on the "insurgent country" scene. Leaders and multi-instrumentalists Gina and Danny Black create a fine dynamic, backed by Nora O'Connor on guitar and organ and James Emmenegger on drums. The blissfully sinful cover of Bill Monroe's "I'll Meet You in Church Sunday Morning" is perfect for a beer-stained singalong.

BIOGRAPHY
by Jason Ankeny
The Blacks, a Chicago-based insurgent country band, were formed in 1994 by singer/guitarist Danny McDonough, a former member of psychedelic hard rockers Cornmother, who quit the latter group after discovering the music of Hank Williams, Tom Waits, and Louis Armstrong. Teaching himself basic drumming and trumpeting skills, he began writing songs on a four-track recorder; after several months, he met DePaul University symphonic music student and bassist Gina Black at a local concert, and days later they played together for the first time.
Within weeks Black dropped out of DePaul, and after McDonough adopted the surname Black as well, the couple began performing as the Black Family, making their live debut in late 1995. After going through a series of drummers, the group (now shortened to simply The Blacks) recruited James Emmenegger, becoming a four-piece with the addition of guitarist Nora O'Connor; upon playing hundreds of live dates across the Midwest, the group signed with the Bloodshot label, issuing its Eric "Roscoe" Ambel-produced debut, Dolly Horrorshow, in 1998. Just Like Home followed two years later.

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