Hugs & Misses: BR-549 And Round 3 Reviewed

Dog Days by BR549 (Dualtone)—This one is hot off the CD pressing machines, officially released just days ago. BR549 has been around for a good number of years, though this is the first record I’ve ever heard from them (Can’t listen to everything!). It’s toe-tappin’ old-timey country fun, featuring the legendary Jordanaires on a track, and a cover of a Dave Edmunds’ song called A-1 on the Jukebox. Can’t go too wrong with that combo in my book. Nothing knocked me out of my seat, but Dog Days is a likeable, quirky CD that should please folks who enjoy this genre (I do!). They remind me a bit of Asleep at the Wheel, and the Redstick Ramblers, both of whom I also enjoy. Let’s give this one 3 ½ bottle caps out of 4.   Round 3 by the Rhode Island Songwriters Association—This isn’t a review since I have ties to this organization. Rather I wanted to spread the word about a fun project that others may want to start among Americana musicians in their community. Round 3 is a collection of songs developed as part of a Songwriters in the Round series developed by singer/songwriter Ryan Fitzsimmons in Providence, Rhode Island (Ryan will tell you he got the idea from a similar series in his hometown of Syracuse, New York.) Essentially here’s how it works: at each Songwriter in the Round evening the audience picks the theme for the next month. Then songwriters involved in the series get busy and write songs around the theme. The next month, they perform the songs. There’s more to it than that, but those are the basics. Anyway, visit the Rhode Island Songwriters Association website for more information. Congrats to Ryan Fitzsimmons and the Rhode Island Songwriters Association for developing this project.

Tags: BR-549, Reviews