In House #1847: Ron Franklin's City Lights; Blues Traveler in Pocatello Tonight

There's not a wealth of information around about singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ron Franklin. He's been in a few bands, managed to play with some Memphis legends here and there, and self-released a handful of albums. Though some sources call him Memphis-based, others describe a permanent itinerant, spending time far and wide in whatever towns his fancy takes him. Franklin's general demeanor is little help. He's unforthcoming with personal details in interviews, from his early background to his exact age, in the process creating a bit of mystique around this guy that sings something like early Dylan and plays a mix of country, blues, gospel, boogie woogie, and R&B. City Lights, his first release with a proper label, distribution, and promotion, was released earlier this year on Memphis International. In addition to the songs themselves (nine originals, an arrangement of a traditional, and Chuck Berry's "Thirty Days"), the album is impressive in its production values, or decided lack thereof. The result is a true "oldness" to the sound, primal, sincere, almost as if recorded by accident. In the mix is none other than the legendary player and producer Jim Dickinson, lending his considerable talents to keys. Franklin, meanwhile, seems to be a man out of time, with one foot on Leadbelly's porch and the other in The White Stripes' garage.



Also today, music from Blues Traveler, playing tonight on the campus of Idaho St. University. First rising to fame in the mid-90's on the strength of songs like "Run Around," and "Hook," the band has maintained a loyal following of fans despite a diminished presence on commercial radio. The band is fronted by the heavily armed John Popper, who also knows his way around a gob iron. Showtime is at 7:30 in Holt Arena.

In House #1847.
Airdate: 4/12/07
Focus: Debut full-length from Ron Franklin, City Lights, plus Blues Traveler plays Idaho St. University in Pocatello tonight. Also, new music from The Mother Hips, Wilco, Tori Amos, and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Ron Franklin, from City Lights:

"Little Suzie" (MP3)

The Detroit Cobras, from Tied & True (due 4/24):

"As Long As I Have You" (MP3)

PLAYLIST

In House #1843: Guitarist Bill Mize Live; Iris Dement in Montana







In House #1843.
Airdate: 4/6/07
Focus: Guitarist Bill Mize live In House and in Pocatello tonight. Plus, Iris DeMent plays Montana this weekend, and new music from Lucinda Williams, Richard Thompson, and more.


PLAYLIST

In House #1824: Rocky Votolato in Boise, Provo; Bigsby Jones in Pocatello

With a fifth solo full-length coming later in the year (the brag & cuss is due out June 19th on Barsuk), singer-songwriter Rocky Votolato plays venues in Boise and Provo this weekend. While fronting the emo-tinged Waxwing, Votolato released his self-titled debut in 1999, an album made up of quiet indie-folk tunes that revealed another side to his muse. Last year's makers, his first solo effort since the disbanding of the band in 2005, showed Votolato walking even further down the country road, with flourishes of harmonica and pedal steel backing up mostly voice and acoustic guitar arrangements. Songs like "White Daisy Passing," and "Uppers Aren't Necessary," displayed his skill for matching soft harmonies with contagious melodies, and the album skirted territory claimed by M. Ward and Bright Eyes while achieving a certain ragged charm of its own. The word on the new album is that it veers even further into classic country territory, fleshed out by a full band that includes Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter's Bill Herzog and Pedro the Lion's Casey Foubert (who also produced the album), among others.


Also today, music from the full-length debut by Bozeman, Montana's Bigsby Jones. The quartet released memories & dreams just this week, and make their Pocatello debut tomorrow night at the First National Bar. There are plenty of influences evident in the band's sound, due largely to the fact that they consist of four contributing songwriters. One hears the roots-leaning rock of Neil Young alongside the alt.country of Uncle Tupelo and jamband sounds of Leftover Salmon. Showtime is 9:30, downtown Old Town.


In House #1824.
Airdate: 3/9/07
Focus: Rocky Votolato in Boise tonight and Provo tomorrow night, plus Bozeman, Montana's Bigsby Jones in Pocatello tomorrow night. Also, new music from Willy Mason, Ferraby Lionheart, and more.


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #272

In House #1819: Graybeard Live; Todd Snider in Boise This Weekend

It's a localized edition of the show today, as Pocatello's Graybeard stops by the studio for a performance and interview. The long-running quartet's new full-length, Trailer Trash American Dream, is full of the rhythm & blues-country-folk-rock mixing kinds of songs they've become known for in the region. The band celebrates the new album tonight at Portneuf Valley Brewing in Pocatello.


Also today, music from Todd Snider, who plays the Egyptian Theatre in Boise this weekend. He released his eighth studio album, The Devil You Know, last year on New Door recordings.


In House #1819.
Airdate: 3/2/07
Focus: Graybeard live In House, plus Kate MacLeod & The Pancakes tonight in Pocatello and Todd Snider tomorrow night in Boise.



BONUS MP3s-
Graybeard, from today's live in-studio set:

"Man In the Moon" (MP3)

Todd Snider, from East Nashville Skyline:

"Conservative Christian, Right-Wing Republican, Straight, White, American Males" (MP3)

PLAYLIST