(2022) VA - Americana Railroad  


Review:
This ambitious 74-minute train song compilation – 10 years in the making is an array of traditional & contemporary railroad songs by varied artists. The only thing missing – the late Boxcar Willie who could imitate a great train whistle. The set features artists from distinguished bands – some familiar others not so much. There are 19 cuts like Chip & Tony Kinman (Rank & File) composed “The Conductor Wore Black.” Songs by Graham Nash Curtis Mayfield, John Stewart, Jimmie Rodgers, Elizabeth Cotton & others. The lead-off “Here Comes That Train Again,” with Stephen McCarthy & Carla Olson rides the track swiftly & straight. Rocky Burnette (“Tired of Toeing the Line”) & James Intveld contribute individually – a cover of “Mystery Train.” Both include Barry Goldberg (piano & B3). Mickey Raphael plays harmonica on Rocky’s. While neither are as rustic & primitive as Elvis Presley’s 1955 classic cover of the Junior Parker song Rocky (son of the late rockabilly singer Johnny Burnette) does pour on energy & polish. The collection was primarily produced by Carla Olson (co-produced by Saul Davis) the accumulative talent is impressive on Americana Railroad (Drops June 17-Renew/BMG). It features many interesting covers faithfully reproduced & it’s a good introduction to some under-the-radar artists who provide disciplined performances. Peter Case’s “This Train,” echoes vintage depression-era America. A traditional tune originally arranged by Sister Rosetta Tharpe; Case includes a smoking locomotive chugging harmonica. The late Steve Goodman’s “The City of New Orleans” (name of a train) became a classic by Arlo Guthrie & respectfully covered by John Fogerty & his family. Julie Fogerty produced. John doesn’t go full-throttle CCR vocally. Mickey’s harmonica returns. Gene Clark & Bernie Leadon’s “Train Leaves Here In the Morning,” is an excellent Kai Clark cover with a Byron Berline fiddle. Rocker Gary Myrick offers “Train Kept a-Rollin’” with an incendiary performance by drummer Dusty Watson. Dave Alvin rolls in with “Southwest Chief” co-written with Bill Morrissey. Session musician Freebo (9 years with Bonnie Raitt) performs with Alice Howe (“500 Miles”), which he produced & arranged. Some tunes are more traditionally inspired (Dom Flemons, Paul Burch & Fats Kaplin, AJ Haynes) while others are more modern. Procol Harum’s Keith Reid & Robin Trower’s classic smoker “Whiskey Train,” revived full-throttle by Carla Olson & Brian Ray. Impressive.


         


Track List:
01. Stephen McCarthy & Carla Olson – Here Comes That Train Again (3:14)
02. Robert Rex Waller Jr – The Conductor Wore Black (3:40)
03. Rocky Burnette – Mystery Train (4:19)
04. Peter Case – This Train (2:33)
05. John Fogerty – City Of New Orleans (4:12)
06. Dustbowl Revival – Marrakesh Express (2:55)
07. Kai Clark – Train Leaves Here This Mornin’ (5:19)
08. Gary Myrick – Train Kept A-Rollin’ (2:50)
09. Dave Alvin – Southwest Chief (4:53)
10. Alice Howe – 500 Miles (3:54)
11. Deborah Poppink – People Get Ready (3:36)
12. Dom Flemons – Steel Pony Blues (4:29)
13. John York – Runaway Train (4:06)
14. Paul Burch & Fats Kaplin – Waiting For A Train (2:43)
15. AJ Haynes – Freight Train (2:24)
16. Carla Olson;Brian Ray – Whiskey Train (3:49)
17. James Intveld – Mystery Train (5:20)
18. Robert Rex Waller Jr – Midnight Rail (6:07)
19. Stephen McCarthy & Carla Olson – I Remember The Railroad (3:55)


Media Report:
Genre: americana
Country: USA
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec, 16-bit PCM
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits


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