Each week Release Day Picks profiles new LPs and EPs Team JamBase will be checking out on release day Friday. This week we highlight new albums by Amanda Shires & Bobbie Nelson, M. Ward, Albert Hammond Jr., Devon Allman & Donavon Frankenreiter, Andy Hall and Little Feat. Read on for more insight into the records we have all queued up to spin.
Amanda Shires & Bobbie Nelson – Loving You
Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Amanda Shires and the late pianist Bobbie Nelson recorded a collaborative album, Loving You, that was released today through Silver Knife/ATO Records. Bobbie Nelson, a longtime member of her brother Willie Nelson‘s Family Band, died in March 2022 at age 91. Shires first met Bobbie Nelson in 2013 through their mutual friend, harmonica player Mickey Raphael. In April 2021, when Shires was recording her album Take It Like A Man with co-producer Lawrence Rothman, she contacted Nelson to come to the studio to record the Willie Nelson-staple “Always On My Mind,” because, as Shires explained, “the only piano that fits that song is Bobbie’s.”
“I first saw Bobbie playing when I was 16 or so at some festival somewhere in Texas where I grew up,” Shires stated. “I saw her perform many times over the years and always admired the way she played so effortlessly and with so much strength and confidence. She radiated music. Much of my path seemed possible because I saw a woman working and making a career of music at a young age, and that woman was Bobbie Nelson.”
Shires and Nelson ended up recording an entire album of songs that have served as inspiration for the pair of musicians and included the recording of “Always On My Mind,” on Loving You.The album was recorded at Arlyn Studios in Austin, Texas. The studio is owned and run by Bobbie’s son, Freddy Fletcher, who also played drums on the album. Willie Nelson appeared on the lead single, a cover of the Gershwin classic, “Summertime.”
M. Ward – Supernatural Thing
Renowned singer-songwriter M. Ward released his first album with new original material in three years, Supernatural Thing, today through ANTI- Records. The guest-filled LP features contributions from First Aid Kit, Shovels & Rope, Scott McMicken, Neko Case, Jim James and more. Ward previewed Supernatural Thing with the title track, which was inspired by a dream he had about Elvis Presley, along with “new kerrang” featuring Dr. Dog’s Scott McMicken and “too young to die” featuring First Aid Kit. Along with eight Ward originals, the 10-track record also contains two covers: David Bowie’s “I Can’t Give Everything Away” featuring My Morning’s Jacket’s Jim James along with highly influential musician and artist Daniel Johnston’s “Story of an Artist.” Ward further detailed his new record:
“The title comes from an early thought as a kid that radio traveled the same airwaves as messages from supernatural things — and music, especially remembered music, is somehow tied up in this exchange. The sending and receiving of messages from memory and dreams seem to move along this same often broken-up wavelength. I see this new record as an extension, 18 years later, of my ‘Transistor Radio’ record, but this new record is better because its more concise and has more voices and more moods — the way my favorite radio was and still is.”
Albert Hammond Jr. – Melodies On Hiatus
The Strokes’ Albert Hammond Jr. issued a new solo album, Melodies On Hiatus, via Red Bull Records. The guitarist/singer-songwriter co-wrote the LP’s 19 tracks remotely with Los Angeles-based songwriter Simon Wilcox. Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air, M83, Metric, Chromeo) mixed the album while Dave Cooley (Paramore, Spoon, Tame Impala, Jimmy Eat World) handled mastering. Melodies on Hiatus — the follow-up to Hammond’s 2018 solo effort, Francis Trouble — features guests contributions from GoldLink, Steve Stevens, Matt Helders and Rainsford.
“I’m going through changes and these songs reflect behaviors and moments of mine that—as time has gone on—have taken shape and become universal,” Hammond Jr. stated. “I get asked about the meaning or big picture of this album, but it’s just that writing songs and creating is who I am and feels like why I exist. My goal is to have my music be part of someone’s life, part of their fabric, and this feels like the best collection of music I’ve made and my best attempt at achieving that.”
Devon Allman & Donavon Frankenreiter – Rollers
Singer-songwriters and longtime friends Devon Allman and Donavon Frankenreiter will attempt to set the Official World Record for the fastest time to play a show in each U.S. state later this summer when they embark on their The See It All American Tour. The pair, aiming to beat the current record of 50 days by one day, are previewing the trek with Rollers. Produced by Luther Dickinson, the collaborative EP is out today via Allman’s Create Records label.
“This 6-song EP is a reflection of two friends collaborating on songs thinking about doing 50 shows in 50 states in 49 days,” explained Frankenreiter. “As the first single [“Calling All Your Riders”] says, we are going to see it all and as the second single describes, we are calling all you riders. It’s the musical soundtrack to our world record attempt.”
“These songs aren’t rockers, they’re rollers…the perfect soundtrack for you to roll from town to town on a summertime road trip,” added Allman. “These songs’ moods are very special to us. They are part muscle/part mystical.”
Andy Hall – Squareneck Soul
The Infamous Stringdusters dobroist Andy Hall is back with the new solo album Squareneck Soul, a collection of 10 instrumentals that arrived today through Americana Vibes. Hall, who put out the ambient album A Universe Within in 2021, returns to his bluegrass roots. Guests include guitarist Billy Strings, mandolinist Sierra Hull, guitarist Bryan Sutton, banjoist Wes Corbett and bandmate Travis Book on bass. Andy discussed the new LP in a press release, stating:
“Squareneck Soul is truly a project from my heart and my soul. A slide guitar record 15 years in the making. It’s a collection of original instrumental tunes designed as a template for bluegrass improvisation. I think of it as a musical playground for some world-class pickers!”
Little Feat – Sailin Shoes & Dixie Chicken 50th Anniversary Deluxe Reissues
Veteran rockers Little Feat released deluxe reissues of their albums Sailin’ Shoes, which originally came out in 1972 and Dixie Chicken, which marks the 50th-anniversary of its release this year. Little Feat’s second LP, Sailin’ Shoes was recorded by singer/guitarist Lowell George, drummer Richard Hayward, keyboardist Bill Payne and bassist Roy Estrada. The album’s follow-up, Dixie Chicken, was the first with new members, guitarist Paul Barrere, percussionist Sam Clayton, and bassist Kenny Gradney who took over for Estrada. Remastered and re-released by Rhino Records, Sailin’ Shoes expands to include a live performance taped in 1971 and Dixie Chicken is filled out with live recordings from 1973. Both reissues also come with “Hotcakes, Outtakes, Rarities” recordings comprised of several unreleased tracks and demos.
Compiled by Scott Bernstein, Nate Todd and Andy Kahn.
