As we have already established (see the many ‘What is this Americana….‘ articles) the genre that we call Americana is quite broad. Some songs feature twang and depressing songs about break-ups, and some songs have no words at all. Such is the case on today’s track, which is a mind-blower of a take on The Paul Butterfield Blues Band original.
The Third Mind are a genuine supergroup hanging out in California and making music that reflects on the bands and artists that got them excited originally. Says band leader Dave Alvin “Using the Miles Davis technique, there were no rehearsals or written musical arrangements. Just decide on a key, start recording and see what happens. During the sessions we simply sat in a circle and looked and listened closely to each other as we made everything up live on the spot. We chose songs/compositions primarily identified with the 1960s underground scene as a tribute to the open-minded music of that period as well as to the fearless musicians like Alice Coltrane, Michael Bloomfield, Fred Neil and Roky Erickson, who helped create the sounds of the era.”
The Third Mind are led by Dave Alvin (guitar, vocals [but not this time!]), and the eponymous debut album features ‘East West‘ features Victor Krummenacher (bass, vocals), David Immergluck (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Michael Jerome (drums, percussion), with special guest Jesse Sykes (guitar, vocals), and DJ Bonebrake (vibes) and Jack Rudy (harmonica).
The following music video may be hypnotic, the sound is pure awesome.
Highly accomplished album features song of the year contender. Ryan Gustafson had been making music for over a decade, touring as a guitarist with Hiss Golden Messenger and Phil Cook and fronting his own band The Dead Tongues when, in the summer of 2020 and fed up with life as…
Folkier reinventions of a hard-rocking past. This EP (5 tracks) is the debut release from new Scottish outfit, Boulder Fields, consisting of singer/songwriter Cam Fraser, fiddle player Amy Geddes and mandolin player Iain McCleod. It’s a powerful combination of talents, with Amy & Iain both having worked with established roots…
Genre-defying piano/poetry album to calm the soul. How wonderful to have an album that almost defies description. Robin Holcomb is a Seattle-based pianist and singer-songwriter who’s been making music since the term ‘americana’ was originated back in the early nineties. Celebrated and revered for her masterful poetry – her albums…
Sure, I could climb high in a tree, or go to Skye on my holiday. I could be happy. All I really want is the excitement of first hearing The Byrds, the amazement of decades of Dylan's music, or the thrill of seeing a band like The Long Ryders live. That's not much to ask, is it?