The first step in the construction of the website is now completed. It took two months (sigh). All articles from cdrunda.se have now been translated, revised and migrated (I have also written a completely new article about Elliott Brood). The next step is to fill the sections Artists, Albums and Lists with a content. However, it was time to make a choice here. It's possible to use simple tables and manually fill them with content, but it's hard work and very time-consuming. After consulting my friend Mikael (site architect and advisor) he found a product already designed for the task. It's called Extended DB Music (see picture left) from jVitals Digital Technologies Inc. Extended DB Music gives you the ability to add artists, albums, album covers, release date, record company, pictures, videos, description, tags etc. You can use Extended DB Music to create a default view or easily make custom views. The product would really meet my requirements. However, after installing the product there seems to be a software bug in the Extended DB Music. It's not possible to link albums to an artist (a very basic relation). I hope the problem will be fixed soon. As always, the Devil is in the details.
Wovenhand is releasing their seventh album "Refractory Obdurate" on April 25th 2014. On the three lastest albums "Ten Stones", "The Threshingfloor" and "The Laughing Stalk" Wovenhand have moved away from their introvert and enigmatic sound towards a much harder style. According to prior information on the Internet "Refractory Obdurate" is their hardest album (so far, that is). After pre-listening to the songs "The Refractory", "Field of Hedon" and "Hiss" I'm inclined to agree in the assessment. I prefer their introvert and enigmatic style, but it's still Wovenhand to me (and of course I will buy their album). The current lineup features David Eugene Edwards (vocals, guitar and banjo), Ordy Garrison (drums), Chuck French (guitar) and Neil Keener (bass). Wovenhand will follow up the release of the album with a month of touring between May 15th to June 13th 2014 in Europe (Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Sweden). Actually, the tour ends in Stockholm at Debaser Medis.
The other day I stumbled over a new (at least for me) concept, namely “authenticity fetishism”. Without knowing anything about the concept I directly knew that I was afflicted. The symptons are as follows: 1) a quest for purity and committment in the country genre, 2) a very low tolerance for poses, mannerisms and fake expressions3) a romantic view on a artists struggle for recognition (and to make a living for that matter). After a quick test: I ticked in all three boxes. I didn't just suffer from "authenticity fetishism”. I fully embraced it. However, the "disease" doesn't create any problems in my day-to-day business. On the contrary, it creates rules and guidelines that helps me to cope with all the elevator music that is imposed on me and others. It's also resembles of a AA-meeting: Hello, my name is The Ambassador and I am an “authenticity fetishist”. Guilty as charged. And it feels really good.
Derek W. Dunn's "Poisonous Serpents" has arrived. He sent a note on his FB-page: "US Customs is a bitch" and warned everyone who ordered from outside of the US that it could be a while. Well, all is well that ends well. You can buy the album physically or digitally in the format of your choice at CD Baby, just click on this link.
I must admit that I had my doubts whether "Poisonous Serpents" would come true. Ever since .357 String Band disbanded in november 2011 Derek W. Dunn has been working on the EP. New information and timetables have followed upon each other. But now it's here. Let me start by saying it was worth waiting for. Another very pleasant surprise is that .357 String Band are almost reunited on the album. Billy Cook, Joseph Huber and Rick Ness plays on five, five respectively four of total seven songs. The songs "Let The Bones Be Burned" and "Poisonous Serpents" were destined for the uncompleted fourth album from .357 String Band. However, this is not .357 String Band. Not even .357-nostalgia. It's Derek W. Dunn's album. No question about that. All songs are written and arranged by him and they are all solid. The sound is also partially different from .357 String Band. Despite the fact that he tours and works very hard and ought to be pretty worn-out by now, he brings newness and energy in to the album. The music is varied. There are fast and well-written songs like "Let The Bones Be Burned", "Roll On" and "Hell In Your Cold Cold Heart". In songs like "Snow In The Pines", "Pressure", "Feels Like I'm Blue" and "Poisonous Serpents" he shows great singer-songwriter abilities in the old-school country vein. The lyrics to "Poisonous Serpents" are brilliant (therefore I include them below). The sound quality is also excellent. What more can you wish for? A full-length album from Derek W. Dunn.
Poisonous Serpents
"I've been handling poisonous serpents. I can feel their poison in my mind Been mislead by a million false prophets. Been seduced by wonders, and by signs And I been drinking deadly things. I can feel the poison in my veins I been breathing fire and brimstone, trying to kill the den of vipers in my brain I put my faith in all the wrong places. Tried to cure my head to heal my heart Got to lost to find my way home, and walked in circles right back to the start So now it's time to fight fire with fire. Now it's time to face what I fear most Cause, I ain't ready to come home yet, Lord - I ain't ready to give up the ghost So get behind me, Satan, I cast thee out! Now it's the time to cast out devils. Now it's time to speak in brand new tounges Now it's time to be re-born and breath new air through these burned out lounges And they say these signs shall follow - me, I'm still waiting to believe So for now I'll cast out my own demons; put my faith into what I can see I'll pluck out the eye that offends me; turn a deaf ear to all their wicked tounges I'll cut off the hand that offends me; now I know that the hour has come And now I know it's now or never; I do believe that I can make this change Placid waters or lakes of fire; it's my choice, I'm going to drown either way So get behind me Satan, I cast thee out!"
