Tag Archives: Johnny Miles

Album Review: Mason Porter – Story Of The Rifle

December 17, 2010 – 5:04 am

Mason Porter
Story Of The Rifle
(Mason Porter, 2010)

Track List:
01. My Creole Belle
02. Wayfaring Stranger
03. Hotel Yorba
04. Frankie and Johnny
05. Girl From The North Country
06. Dark Hollow
07. Corrina, Corrina
08. Long Black Veil
09. Spike Driver Blues /
— If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
10. Dark As A Dungeon

After a sold out limited run of Story Of The Rifle, during the past Philadelphia Folk Festival, Mason Porter presents to us a new full-length version of Story Of The Rifle with traditional folk songs, cover songs, and 4 new tracks. Although these songs originally belong to other artist Mason Porter infuse their own charm resulting in a very pleasing album. No worries, you’ll still be treated to that Mason Porter goodness that’s found on previous releases like Thunder In The Valley, and Mason Porter (EP). I mean the shared strong lead vocals, pristine harmonies, skillful musicianship, and a felt immense love for creating genuine music.

The song selection on this album is great. There are timeless traditional folk songs but you’re also getting a slightly more contemporary selection from some of the cover songs. Mason Porter adds such a refreshing energy to these songs. “My Creole Bell” is a beautiful start to the album. Mason Porter’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “Girl From The North Country” is incredible. Sure, that’s one of my favorite Dylan songs but Mason Porter honestly does that song justice. “Dark Hollow” has a toe tapping musical arrangement. “Spike Driver Blues” transitions into “If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day” without missing a beat creating an enjoyable song combination. The Last track, “Dark As A Dungeon” is quite touching and perfect. Truthfully, all these songs are done so well and Mason Porter gives them such a proper treatment.

Mason Porter’s Story Of The Rifle is a wonderful listening experience from start to finish and it’s highly recommend that you get your hands on a copy – it’s definitely worth listening to.

[LISTEN] Mason Porter cover “Girl From The North Country” (Bob Dylan) off of Story Of The Rifle

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Also available as a free download on www.masonporter.com

Mason Porter: Website | Facebook | MySpace | Twitter

Mason Porter: album release show for Story Of The Rifle is at 9:00pm on Friday, December 17th, 2010 at World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) | Tickets: $10/$12 | With: Johnny Miles.

Tags album review, Bob Dylan, Girl From The North Country, Johnny Miles, Mason Porter, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Story of the Rifle, World Cafe Live | Permalink | Comment (1)

Videos

Video: Johnny Miles and The Waywards: CD Release Show @ Johnny Brenda’s (Nov 20, 2010)

November 21, 2010 – 10:50 pm

Johnny Miles & the Waywards
When The Saints Sleep — Album Release Party!
Johnny Brenda’s
November 20, 2010

[VIDEO] Johnny Miles & The Waywards – “Hangin On To The Hoping” LIVE (Nov 20, 2010)

[VIDEO] Joshua Park – “Making Castles” LIVE (Nov 20, 2010)
[VIDEO] Joshua Park – “Self-Propelled Organisms Of Fate” LIVE (Nov 20, 2010)

[VIDEO] Liz Fullerton – “I Don’t Live Here Anymore” LIVE (Nov 20, 2010)

[VIDEO] Psalmships – “Slow Heart Snowfall” LIVE (Nov 20, 2010)

Wow, that was such a great show!

Tags Johnny Brenda's, Johnny Miles, Johnny Miles and The Waywards, Joshua Park, Liz Fullerton, Psalmships, Videos, When The Saints Sleep | Permalink | Comment (1)

Shows

Saturday, Nov 20: Johnny Miles and The Waywards – CD Release Party

November 20, 2010 – 9:15 am

Johnny Miles and the Waywards
When The Saints Sleep — Album Release Party!
[read our album review: HERE]
w/ Joshua Park, Liz Fullerton, and Psalmships
Johnny Brenda’s
Sat, November 20, 2010
Doors: 8:00 PM / Show: 9:00 PM
$10.00 | 21+

Tags Johnny Brenda's, Johnny Miles, Johnny Miles and The Waywards, Joshua Park, Liz Fullerton, Psalmships, When The Saints Sleep | Permalink | Comment (0)

Reviews

Album Review: Johnny Miles & The Waywards – When The Saints Sleep

November 20, 2010 – 2:26 am

Johnny Miles & The Waywards
When The Saints Sleep
(TREE Records, 2010)

Track list:
01. When The Saints Sleep
02. Hangin On To The Hoping
03. The Story Of My Love
04. Slow Like My Memories
05. Down On The Ground
06. In Rise And Fall
07. Born To These Bones
08. Sweet Sigh Of Relief
09. Who Could Believe
10. Already Gone Away
11. At Least I Can Dream

Johnny Miles‘ new album When The Saints Sleep is his 3^rd full-length album. This is Miles’ 1^st album with The Waywards a band featuring: Carl Cheeseman (guitars), Nate Gonzalez (keyboards), Al Gibson (drums), and Jeff Hiatt (bass, producer, and engineer). Yes, those are some of Philly’s best musicians. Johnny Miles & The Waywards do a fantastic job on this album.

“When The Saints Sleep” is an attention grabbing title track but “Hangin’ On To The Hoping” provides an almost tangible energetic flow. With lyrics “dreams change, commitments are made, and promises get broken – the most important things are left unspoken.” Miles sounds the happiest on “Sweet Sigh Of Relief”. The recording at the end of “Born To These Bones” delivers part of the album’s message “there’s only one life and this is it.” The other part of the message lies in the beautifully harmonized (thanks in part to Dawn Iulg and Christine Miles) refrain “or at least I can dream so” from the final track with a similar title.

Miles’ songwriting is about everyday people making his music easily accessible, true-to-life rock and roll, with a healthy dose of Americana and folk. This album has moments of solo, seemingly personal refection to moments of finely crafted rock and roll by The Waywards. In the control of those extremes Miles tell his stories so well. I can understand the Johnny Miles to Bruce Springsteen but I have to agree with the Ryan Adams comparisons too.

Congratulations to Johnny Miles & The Waywards on the release of When The Saints Sleep and thank you for filling my and fellow music lovers ears with great music.

[LISTEN] “When The Saints Sleep” by Johnny Miles and The Waywards

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Johnny Miles & The Waywards: cd-release show for When the Saints Sleep is at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 20th, 2010 at Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia, PA) | 21+ show | tickets: $10. With: Joshua Park, Liz Fullerton, and Psalmships.

Johnny Miles: website | Facebook | Myspace

Tags Al Gibson, album review, Carl Cheeseman, Jeff Hiatt, Johnny Brenda's, Johnny Miles, Johnny Miles and The Waywards, Nate Gonzalez, When The Saints Sleep | Permalink | Comments (2)

Shows

Mason Porter to Release Limited Edition ‘Story of the Rifle’ at Philadelphia Folk Festival

August 20, 2010 – 1:24 am

In celebration of Mason Porter’s scheduled performance at the Philadelphia Folk Festival they are releasing a limited edition (only 50 copies available) album, ‘Story of the Rifle’. The new album was recorded live in studio and is a mix of traditional folk and cover songs. You can catch Mason Porter’s performance Saturday August 21^st at 1:15pm on the WXPN stage. While you’re at the festival you can pick up a copy of ‘Story of the Rifle’ at the merchandise tent starting Friday (while supplies last).

I was very excited to download “Creole Belle”, and “Wayfaring Stranger” from ‘Story of the Rifle’ available on the Mason Porter website (www.masonporter.com). Listening to these tracks reminds me how much I enjoy that Mason Porter sound – it’s wonderful!

[LISTEN] Mason Porter – “Creole Belle”

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Also, be on the lookout for some of our other favorite Philly artists that will be gracing a Philadelphia Folk Festival (Aug 20, Aug 21, and Aug 22 at Old Pool Farm near Schwenksville, PA) stage this weekend: The Spinning Leaves, Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers, Johnny Miles, Ben Arnold, and Cheers Elephant.