The old GOUD’S THUMB boys seem to have come out of hibernation in earnest. First we told you about JEFF KRALL’s new solo disc, now we’re hearing great things from DAN CONNOR’s new GYPSY TAILWIND. Be on the lookout for the release of The Halo Sessions, a highly listenable selection of folk and alt-country rock with lots of great female backing vocals, May 23 at the Big Easy.
One thing you’ll hear on Halo Sessions is a bit of dobro by the JERKS OF GRASS’ CARTER LOGAN. Seems he enjoyed the experience. For the first time in eight years, the Jerks entered the studio this month, with JON WYMAN, to record an album. Now that’s something we’d like to hear.
ERIC BETTENCOURT appeared in the BOB MCKILLOP review last week, and well he should have. The guy’s a comer. He’s mid-way through a solo album you should look for this summer, but that’s just the start. With RYAN CYR (STRANGE PLEASURE), he also co-fronts GIRAFFE ATTACK, which you might have seen playing covers at the usual places, but which also is nearly done with a full-length of originals they’re recording with JACK MURRAY and BILLY SLIFKA. For now, get a taste with the single “Nation.Stonewalled,” which features Cyr’s “Nation,” Bettencourt’s “Stonewalled,” and “I Won’t Hurt You,” a cover of a DAN KNUDSEN tune that was recorded for that Knudsen tribute album from late last year. Finally, Bettencourt is working on a new label, SHINE RECORDS, and developing a full-length disc for Strange Pleasure and EPs for Pleasure’s frontman JOHN CLAVETTE and singer/songwriter KYLA MORSE.
