STAY TUNED: Classic Athens band Ravenstone returned with a new album not terribly long ago named Dirty, Dusty and Divine. This is the band’s first full-length album since 2005’s Back On The Rock, but the new album does indeed contain a drum-driven remix of “Oilman” and a live version of “Dance of Life,” which was recorded back at The Ritz around the time of Back on The Rock’s release. Ravenstone has long been known for the influence early 1970s Detroit-style rock had on its sound. Now, approximately 50 years since forming, the band turns toward a classic Detroit sound, but this time leans more in the direction of that city’s R&B and soul. This is exemplified immediately on the studio version of “Dance Of Life,” which starts the album off. From here, Ravenstone swings into the funky ‘80s street vibe of “Natural Born Slaves” and then the joyously swinging soul of “More Love.” The band’s more heavily rocking side is visited on “Finger Puppets” and, as a nice set of differentiators, the band slows down to acoustic speed on “Gandhi’s Glasses” and “Don’t Pour Water.” Check this out on all major streaming services, and stay in touch with Ravenstone via facebook.com/RavenstoneBand and ravenstoneband.com.
SPACE COWBOY SONGS: HHBTM Records will re-release Love Tractor’s 1988 album Themes From Venus Nov. 19. This was the band’s fourth LP and, similarly to 1986’s This Ain’t No Outerspace Ship, the album was one on which the band stretched its sound out way beyond the Southern-spun instrumentalism of its first two releases. Also similarly, this was one that ushered in new fans while losing some old ones. This will be available as a digital download as well as on compact disc and vinyl. Please see lovetractor.bandcamp.com for ordering instructions and listening pleasure.
VISUAL AIDS: Chunklet magazine publisher, graphic designer and all-around music addict Henry Owings spent the past handful of months soliciting collections of Athens show flyers, handbills, posters, etc. from fans, collectors and others and assembling the images into a huge book that is now published. It’s titled Plus 1 Athens: Show Flyers From A Legendary Scene 1967-2002. The book also features a foreword by Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) and afterword by Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers), as well as essays by Michael Lachowski and Vanessa Hay (each of Pylon) and Arthur Johnson (Bar-B-Q Killers). Owings himself wrote the introduction. This is limited to 500 hand-numbered copies and is priced at $49.99. You can purchase it online at chunklet.bandcamp.com/merch/plus-1-book. In other news, there’s a release party (hell, event!) for the book Saturday, Nov. 13 at 129 Wolfskin Road in Arnoldsville (aka Curtin Crowe of Pylon’s house, which is apparently named Wolfskin). It’s free and kicks off at 3 p.m, runs until it’s over, and featured bands so far include Elf Power, Magnapop, Atlanta band Vangas and, as Henry told me, “many more TBA.”
DOUBLE GRAMMY WHAMMY: The UGA Performing Arts Center is now in the midst of its season and has a pair of Grammy winners on deck for Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Hugh Hodgson Hall. On this night, the center will host South Carolina’s Ranky Tanky which “mixes Gullah culture and Lowcountry traditions with large doses of jazz, gospel, funk and R&B.” Special guest this night is Don Flemons (Carolina Chocolate Drops), who is known for his virtuosity across multiple instruments and his mastery of early American music. Tickets range from $35-$55 and can be purchased at ugapac.evenue.net.
SING OUT!: Songstress Marty Winkler has plans in place to do a soft release to a limited audience of her full-length album Songs I Never Sang for My Father. The date for this is Dec. 5, but there are rough plans for a larger release celebration next February. Largely known as a jazz and pop vocalist, Winkler’s styles are varied but across all of them she excels in delivering her signature helping of grit and elegance. For more information on all this news, please see martywinklermusicacting.com.
FANCY: Atlanta band Lynx Deluxe released its long-in-the-can EP debut Jungleland officially last week and is also the first act signed to the newly formed Drivin N Cryin Records. The band has steadily worked publicity for this release for several months and has gained some traction in this area. Musically speaking, Lynx Deluxe can be difficult to compartmentalize and grab ahold of. Personally, I’ve sat with this for months and have yet to craft a fully formed opinion on it. It’s a drum-heavy record that features tastes of R&B, surf and regular rock and roll. You’re just gonna have to try this one on for size and see how it fits you. If you’d rather hear these songs performed live, then head over to Southern Brewing Co. Friday, Nov. 19 when the band opens for Drivin N Cryin. Find more information at lynxdeluxe.com and facebook.com/lynx.deluxe.
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