Sourdough Slim & Robert Armstrong
New CD
"Oh, Sweet Mama!"
"These two musical time-travelers have captured the sound of early 20th century rural America and made it their own. Authentic as hell!" - Bill Wisemen, Los Angeles Times "there are few better times in Western music....also astonishing musicianship behind the fun. Oh, Sweet Mama is a good'n!" - Rick Huff, The Western Way magazine.
Sourdough Slim & Robert Armstrong are passionate about the music they play and the culture from which it springs and their new CD, "Oh, Sweet Mama!", let's you know from the first bars of their opening song "My Last Old Dollar" to the last wistful strains of their phenomenal re-creation of Stan Jones immortal "Riders In The Sky", that they are proud torch-bearers of our roots music heritage. Their fascination with the music of the 1920's, 30's and 40's has been a lifelong pursuit and this delightful selection of 16 songs is steeped in the country blues, western, folk and hillbilly tradition of those times. Their enthusiasm and the obvious good time they are having shines through on every cut. Sourdough does all the lead vocals and Armstrong chimes in from time to time with well placed harmony. Acoustic instrumental accompaniment includes standard guitar, steel guitar, six-string banjo, accordion, soprano and baritone ukulele, harmonica, mandolin and standup bass. Highlights also include Slims' trademark yodeling and Robert's phenomenal rendering of the musical saw.
Sourdough Slim and Robert Armstrong have been performing together, off and on, at festivals, fairs and concert venues for the last 10 years. This is their second CD together following the 2009 "Live From The Strawberry Music Festival." The new CD was recorded in two days last April at Foxtail Sound in Dixon, California. Recorded live in the studio, many of the songs on the first take.
A marvel of musical ingenuity, showman extraordinaire Sourdough Slim and string instrument wizard Robert Armstrong joyously rekindle the country blues, western classics, vintage jazz and string band repertoire of pre-WWII America. A fast-paced performance of music and humor that showcases their seasoned gift for connecting with audiences. Whether capturing the haunting refrain of a Jimmie Rodgers blue yodel or swinging out a hot novelty number, everyone one gets caught up in the fun these two cut-ups have on stage. Long time fans will remember them as founding members of two of California's favorite acoustic combo's, "8th Avenue String Band" and "R. Crumb's Cheap Suit Serenaders." Between them they share a provocative array of period instruments including: flat-top guitar, national steel guitar, baritone and soprano ukulele, musical saw, accordion, six-string banjo and harmonica.
Well traveled veterans of stages ranging from Carnegie Hall and The Lincoln Center to The Strawberry Music Festival, The National Cowboy Gathering and Prairie Home Companion, these modern day vaudevillians capture a sound and moment in time that consistently delights fun loving music fans wherever they perform.
REVIEWS
"First rate entertainment. A delightful show..... real deal Americana."
- Liz Baines, Seattle Times
"You won't find better authentic Country or Western music being played anywhere."
- David Barnes, British Archive of Country Music
"Much more invigorating than 9/10ths of the stuff you hear from the current cadre of Western revivalists." - Ronald Lankford, Jr., Sing Out! magazine
"Good Stuff!" - Dallas Dobro, Strawberry Music Festival
"A must see for those that love to be thoroughly entertained."
- Charity Maness, Calaveras News
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