By Jon Stone | @jwstone

grass|roots ep. 8

I’ve been writing this review for the last three weeks. Or at least I’ve been thinking about writing it. It’s taken me some time. And while it isn’t that Daniel Martin Moore‘s In the Cool of the Day is earth shattering or game-changing, it is, for me at least, a very important record. In the Cool of the Day, put out by a relatively new artist on a big indie label, is a decidedly religious album. Even though My Morning Morning Jacket’s Jim James (the record’s producer and contributor) glosses and universalizes the specifics of its unmistakable Christian message (see below), Moore is unapologetic in his mission: curate, update, and re-imagine favorite gospel and “spiritual” standards (and write a few new ones as well).

Here’s the blurb from James in the record’s press release:

It’s a spiritual record that may have come from growing up in one particular tradition, but is built to speak to the heart of any soul, from any tradition or walk of life, to say that God, while sometimes called by one particular name, is anywhere and everywhere one could ever want “God” to be, present always in the love we give to and receive from those around us.

I find it refreshing that Sub Pop and Jim James understand that endorsing a religious record for its artistic and even spiritual merit does not undermine their credibility. As part of a largely secular audience that buy records from Sub Pop and other indie labels, I also understand their desire to couch the release of such a record in terms that make it accessible to a wide potential audience. They make it clear that In the Cool of the Day is a record that can be enjoyed by believers and non-believers alike as far as the notions of God and Jesus can be understood as metaphors for love, service, and overcoming selfishness. I’m OK with that.

That diplomatic gloss, however, is telling of a moment when tension between the faithful and those who have thoughtfully put faith aside has reached new highs even while secular humanists and Christians (and other religious folks) seem to have much in common (arguments of science and politics usually but not necessarily aside). And while the issues that separate and vex them are often important, a little understanding would go a long way.

Maybe that’s what I like so much about Daniel Martin Moore’s record. It is a rational declaration of faith. One that, because of its context and company with other Sub Pop releases as well as Moore’s activist ethos coming off the Dear Companion project (with Ben Sollee), manages to celebrate the traditional even while it implicitly calls for greater human empathy and progressive, ethical tolerance.

All that said, In the Cool of the Day is a truly lovely record with a Sunday-afternoon sweetness. While the entire record could be described as hymnic, those hymns bounce around between utter solemnity and jazzy, celebratory swing. The album begins with several songs in the latter category including “In the Garden” and “Up Above My Head“, both of which remind me of songs folks might want to clap their hands to after a rousing sermon. But it’s the solemn songs on the second half that resonate and demand a searching of the soul. “Softly and Tenderly” is an almost whispered plea for spiritual reconciliation: “Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling… calling, ‘Oh children, come home!’” “Cool of the Day, “It is Well With My Soul,” and “Set Things Aright” all touch on the classic Christian themes of repentance, peace in spite of suffering, and victory over death — all with soft and smart accompaniment: sometimes just Moore and a piano, but often embellished with fiddle, banjo, and bass.

So, with hopes of acknowledging (and counting myself among) Christians still interested in Jesus’ advocacy for compassion, tolerance, equality, and peace, I can’t think of a more appropriate record than In the Cool of the Day for Easter.

Hope yours was wonderful.

-Jon

Buy: Daniel Martin Moore – In the Cool of the Day

The Low Anthem return in 2011 with new eleven track record (mixed by Mike Mogis) Smart Flesh on Nonesuch that was “recorded in a cavernous, vacant pasta sauce factory in Central Falls, RI.” Mark your calendars for February 22nd.

News:

Milwaukee’s Buffalo Gospel gives their new album, The Good Land away as a free download here.

British Sea Power will release their new album, Valhalla Dancehall on January 11, 2011, but they won’t make you wait that long to hear some of it thanks to Rough Trade:
MP3: British Sea Power – “Living Is So Easy”

Cults have signed to Columbia. If you haven’t heard/purchased these two tracks, do it.

One of our favorite albums of this year was the collaborative release, Dear Companion, by Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore. Next year, Daniel Martin Moore will release In The Cool of the Day on Sub Pop (1/18/2011). You can drop your e-mail here and get a free download of “Dark Road” and two other tracks.

Speaking of favorite albums of the year, Pop Matters reviews the beautiful Magic Central from Breathe Owl Breathe.

Matthew Friedberger of the Fiery Furnaces is releasing a series of solo albums in 2011 called Solos, and has made the track “Shirley” available as a free download. You can pre-order Solos here.
MP3: Matthew Friedberger – “Shirley”

Spoon hasn’t closed the door on Transference, offering up a video of “Nobody Gets Me But You.”

I spent a lot of time with The Promise over the weekend. This 21-song collection of unreleased Springsteen jams from the Darkness on the Edge of Town sessions is essential listening for any fan of the Boss. Listen to Ed Norton interview Bruce Springsteen at NPR.

By Jeff Kollath

After walking into the Majestic Theater on Saturday night, I felt like asking the bartender if I was in the right place – there were a grand total of 8 of us in the room until about 10 minutes before the posted show time. With the Final Four, the Easter holiday, and Spring Break in full swing, downtown itself was pretty dead, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise that only 40 of us were in attendance for the final show of the Dear Companion tour. Spreading the word about mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining, Daniel Martin Moore and Ben Sollee, native Kentuckians both, crafted a beautifully written and produced (thank you Yim Yames) album that is sure to be on a number of ‘Best Of’ lists at the end of the year. Touching on folk, bluegrass, jazz, and blues, this music is pure Americana, refining the known and existing and creating something new and unique. What stands out on the record does moreso live - Moore and Sollee’s harmonies, Sollee’s virtuoso cello-playing, the intimacy and passion the songs and their message – but so much more comes to light when you are able to see the process and the interplay between musicians.

The Majestic turned into Madison’s largest living room on Saturday night, as the very small, but lively and appreciative, crowd chatted with the band, asked questions about the songs, and loudly stomped their feet when encore time came around. A rousing version of “Something, Somewhere, Somehow” kicked things off, followed shortly thereafter by Ben Sollee’s ode to his son, “Only A Song,” a hopeful song about sharing the beauty of the land before we lose it all. After Moore’s “The Old Measure,” drummer Dan Dorff left his kit and walked to center stage to lend some percussive foot stomping to the mix, bringing a resounding cheer from the crowd. Later, Moore literally stepped to the fore, unplugging his guitar and leaving the mic behind as he sat on the edge of the stage and serenaded the crowd with a heartfelt version of “Flyrock Blues.” While everyone has something to worry about wherever they may live, no one should have to worry about giant pieces of mountaintop crashing down into their homes from a gigantic TNT explosion.

Sollee, using a borrowed cello picked up Saturday afternoon from a local musician (he broke two cellos on the tour), tore loose with a lengthy solo intro to “It’s Not Impossible,” playing with both the bow and his fingers. Fiddle player Cheyenne Marie Mize and Sollee’s harmonies soared through the room, riding on the crest of the beautiful sounds coming from their instruments. Mize sang, er, destroyed two songs, Nina Simone’s “In the Dark” and “Among the Gold, ” which she recorded with Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Her voice is one that we will be hearing a lot from in the future. The set closed out with the title track, which, for my money, is the song of the year so far, and “Jubilee,” a foot stomping, accapella, hambone-rich, whistle-fest reminiscent of the rural music and culture of the people who are most affected by this type of mining. After a brief standing ovation, the band came back for two more, and left the stage through the crowd, shaking hands and accepting compliments for a fine, fine show. For a record that can be so quiet and understated, the live show brought a sense of urgency and anger to so many of these songs. Like the rocky hills and deep hollers of Eastern Kentucky, there is a ragged beauty to this music when performed live, the veil of production lifted, which makes the sound all the more engaging and true.

Set List: Something, Somewhere, Somehow / My Wealth Comes to Me / Needn’t Say A Thing / Only A Song / The Old Measure / Bury Me With My Car / In the Dark / That’ll Be the Plan / Try / Flyock Blues / It’s Not Impossible / Sweet Marie / Dear Companion / Jubilee / Among the Gold / ?

Previously: If I Wounded You, I’m Sorry. It Happens All The Time.
Daytrotter: Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore (3/4/10)

MP3: Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore – “Something, Somewhere, Sometime”
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Buy: Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin – “Dear Companion”

So far this year my favorite and most listened to album is the Yim Yames produced collaboration of Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore called Dear Companion. The trio of Kentuckians put together a stunning collection of songs to raise awareness of the destructive Mountaintop Removal coal mining process affecting central Appalachia.

Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore are bringing Dear Companion to the Majestic Theatre in Madison on Saturday, April 3rd. We’ve got five (5) pairs of tickets to giveaway. Drop a comment with your favorite 2010 release to date and we’ll notify the winners via e-mail on Monday.

MP3: Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore – “Something, Somewhere, Sometime”
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Buy: Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin – “Dear Companion”

Muzzle of Bees is proud to present some upcoming shows in Milwaukee and Madison, including two showcases celebrating our 5-years blogging, which is basically just an excuse to throw a party with some of our favorite bands. Come out and see some amazing music with us!

On Friday, February 19th we’ll be at the High Noon Saloon with our friends Juniper Tar, Common Loon, Strand of Oaks, and White Pines. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door and in advance soon at the venue’s website.

The following night (February 20th) we’re back home at the Cactus Club in Milwaukee with our friends The Daredevil Christopher Wright, Common Loon, Strand of Oaks, Conrad Plymouth, White Pines and The Small Cities. Tickets are $10 and available here.

On Thursday, March 11th we have Jeremiah Nelson, The Blueheels, Ragadors & Surgeons in Heat at the Up & Under in Milwaukee for $5.

Just last week we were praising the fantastic Dear Companion“>Dear Companion collaborative of Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore. They’ll be playing the Majestic Theatre in Madison on Saturday, April 3rd. Tickets are $15 and go on sale Friday, February 12th.

We are also pleased to present Jason Collett’s show at the Majestic Theatre in Madison on Tuesday, April 6th. Tickets for the show are $10 and on sale now. Jason has a new album Rat A Tat Tat coming March 9th, you can download the track “Love Is a Dirty Word” here.

News:

The Avett Brothers will play the Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield, WI this summer on Friday, July 9th. The Avett Brothers 2009 release, I and Love and You was our favorite album of last year.

St. Vincent released a video for “Laughing With a Mouth of Blood” last week and comes to Milwaukee next week.

I’ve been on a heavy dose of Califone’s All My Friends Are Funeral Singers lately and have been enjoying two videos they did with Yours Truly in San Francisco earlier this year. Califone will open for Wilco at the upcoming sold out concert at Overture Hall in Madison on February 20th.

I really love the new Spoon video for “Written In Reverse.” That Chicago show with Deerhunter on April 1st is looking like a must see.

Baseball: Prince Fielder McDonald’s Commercial 1992

One of my favorite songs so far this year comes from the forthcoming collaboration of Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore, Dear Companion (Sub Pop, 2/16). The song is called “Something, Somewhere, Sometime,” which was introduced to me by Ryan during our podcast last week.

Not only are the songs that follow this amazing album opener top notch, but it’s produced by one Yim Yames (My Morning Jacket/Monsters of Folk) and “a portion of the proceeds from Dear Companion will benefit Appalachian Voices.” A great record helping a good cause. Take a listen:

MP3: Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore – “Something, Somewhere, Sometime”

Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore bring their Dear Companion collaboration to Schubas in Chicago on Saturday, March 13th.

Pre-Order: Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin – “Dear Companion”