so this morning I found three names on the Roots Music Chart that weren’t familiar so I went to Rhapsody to check them out. The artists were Jason Spooner and the album that Rhapsody had was The Flame You Follow , Will Putman and his album 15 Hours of Driving , and Kim Beggs and her current release BLue Bones.While I enjoyed all three albums I wasn’t particularly blown away with any of them on first listen. (of course I reserve the right to change my opinion after further listening!) A little about each artist.
Jason Spooner is a New England based artist and has won numerous awards including the following:
ason won “Best Singer/Songwriter” in the Portland Phoenix’s annual “Best Music Poll 2008.” Jason also won the International finals of the Mountain Stage NewSong contest held in New York City. He was honored as a national finalist in the Starbucks Music Makers competition in Boston. Jason took part in a tour of the East Coast as a selected member of the Falcon Ridge “Most Wanted” Preview Tour. He was also recently named as a New Folk Finalist in the renowned Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville, TX. Jason and his band returned to both festivals as a main stage act in 2007. Previously, he won the Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Festival songwriting contest in NH and was a finalist in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Other highlights include Jason’s song “Pickup Truck” airing on NPR’s “Car Talk” Program and a national appearance on The Food Network’s “FoodNation with Bobby Flay.
See what do I know! Anyway like I said maybe after a few more listens!
The next artist was Will Putnam and his 2004 release 15 hours of Driving You can read his biography here
Will Putman’s early influences included 60’s folk recordings from his parents’ LP collection. Bluegrass entered his musical life during his Montana years and it was then that he also started writing songs. In 1987 he recorded “Northwords” with Anchorage fiddler and songwriter Shonti Elder. That was followed in 1991 by a second collaboration of original material with Shonti, “Homefires.” In 1996, Will released his first solo CD, “The Middle of Nowhere,” a concept album of original tunes and songs loosely based on the changing of seasons in Alaska. He has since released “Mom’s Picks,” a ‘best-of’ compilation of his earlier work, and in 2004 released his newest album “15 Hours on the Road.”.
On first listen this was my favorite album but there was just something that kept it from really taking off!
Last but not least was the new album from Yukon based artist Kim Beggs Blue Bones. Like the other two albums. Beggs is also an award winning artist and this album had it’s moments.
I liked the cover of “I’ll Be Your Baby, Tonight” and some others caught my attention. Again a few more listens will be required!
This is one of the other songs that caught my attention on Kim Beggs album “Can’t Slow Down Yodel”