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Ear Candy: Austin Music Vol. 8, The Flatlanders, Porterdavis

By Michael Barnes | Saturday, August 29, 2009, 02:19 PM

For our freshly revived “Ear Candy” micro-picks series, we offer more Austin music, some of which has been out for many weeks …

Various Artists. “Austin Music Volume 8” — Another production of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau fairly represents today’s hot acts, among them Gary Clark Jr., Dan Dyer, Amy Cook, White Denim, Okkervil River, Jeff Lofton and Kat Edmonson. Two old-timers — Jerry Jeff Walker and Tish Hinojosa — feel annoyingly out of place here. Another, Guy Forsyth, however, contributes the sampler’s one true rip-roarer: The devilish “Tattletale.”

The Flatlanders. “Hills and Valleys” — Weatherbeaten West Texans Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock and Joe Ely never sounded more trustworthy than under producer Llloyd Maines’ guidance in this New West blend of politics, guts and rootsiness. (References to Woody Guthrie can’t be ignored.)

Porterdavis. Self-titled. I’ve worn down the digital coding on this deep imprint of Austin Americana from this five-year-old act. I can tell, too, from this and MP3 downloads that they are a dynamite live act. But I still haven’t seen them! Missed the listening party at the Gibson Guitar Showroom and the CD release gig at Saxon Pub, both by my own fault. The omission will not be repeated.

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By Beth

September 2, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this

The Austin Music compilations are for sale at the Austin Visitor Center (who knew?) and online at austintexas.org. No one artist has ever been featured twice - great testament to our musical diversity.

By Trisha C.

August 30, 2009 10:18 PM | Link to this

Volume 8? I'm curious about what was on all the others.

By Jules Ramirez

August 30, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this

I had no idea Kat Edmonson was out of Austin. I guess I should've known...heard her voice for the first time playing in the Blanton gift shop and was instantly hooked. She's amazing...hoping to see her Tues. night at Vinovino.

By James Bingham

August 29, 2009 9:10 PM | Link to this

Another good Austin band (who I discovered at BatFest) is Alpha Rev. Probably one of the freshest local bands I've heard in a long time.

By Sara O.

August 29, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this

This is excellent. Leave it to Austin to create an Austin Music Volume collection. I had no idea it existed.