TENS LISTWho are your 10 favorite singers?The original topic here was my 10 favorite songs, but as I tried to figure that out (and I would never have been able to narrow it down to 10, believe me), I realized that I’m almost more attached to singers than songs. Most of the music I listen to is Americana, a huge group of musicians who can’t be categorized in genres like country or rock, but who share characteristics with both. So here we go (in no particular order).
1. Steve Earle – Steve Earle is one of the original outlaw alt country artists. Somewhat prickly and irritable, he’s a contrarian to the end. But he’s also the author/performer of so many of my favorite songs: “Copperhead Road,” “Tom Ames’ Prayer,” “Guitar Town,” etc., etc. 2. Emmylou Harris – She’s not an obvious outlaw, but she’s definitely an individualist. Emmylou is usually slotted into country, but she doesn’t exactly fit there. She has one of the most beautiful voices ever and an adventurous taste in music that has her covering everyone from Hank Williams to Bruce Springsteen. My favorites of hers: “Pancho and Lefty” (the best version of them all), “Cattle Call” (what other soprano could do a cowboy song so beautifully), “A Ways to Go,” “Rose of Cimarron,” and I’d better stop because I’ll end up listing everything she’s done. 3. Rosanne Cash – I first listened to Rosanne back in the eighties when she was a country star (yeah, I’m old), but I stuck with her when she transformed into something more. Yes, she’s Johnny’s daughter, but she’s also her own woman, a gifted songwriter and wonderful singer. She doesn’t do many albums, but the ones she does are terrific. Case in point: The River and the Thread, her 2014 album about her southern heritage and one of the most amazing journeys I’ve ever listened to. Favorite songs: “Black Cadillac,” “A Feather’s Not a Bird,” “The Way We Make a Broken Heart,” “Sea of Heartbreak,” and on and on. 4. Joe Ely – One of the many things I miss about living in Texas is the music scene, the fact that the hubs and I could drive up to Gruene Hall on the weekends and hear some of the best musicians around. I saw Joe Ely perform there lots of times, and I loved them all. Joe’s not exactly country, he’s sort of roots rock but not entirely, he’s got a lot of Tejano going on, and he’s probably the best interpreter of Buddy Holly around (they’re both from Lubbock, after all). Pick up one of his live albums (Live at Antone’s is a favorite) to get a taste. Favorite songs: “Gallo del Cielo,” “Me and Billy the Kid,” “Are You Listening, Lucky,” “Cool Rockin’ Loretta,” and on.5. Robert Earl Keen – Robert Earl Keen has a special place in my heart because he was the one who introduced me to Americana music. I got a copy of his album Walking Distance, and I was hooked. He’s mellow, not as prickly as Steve Earle or as cynical as James McMurtry—but he’s covered songs by both of them. If you want an easy-listening intro to Americana, Keen’s the guy for you. Songs I love: “Still Without You,” “Snowing on Raton,” “The Road Goes on Forever” (probably his best-known), and of course the (in)famous “Merry Christmas From the Family”.6. Bonnie Raitt – Another artist I’ve been listening to for a looooong time. I love the fact that she’s still singing blues and love songs as she heads into her seventies. She does a better job of conveying heartbreak than anyone else, and that’s a compliment, y’all. Favorite songs: “Nick of Time,” “Something to Talk About,” “Angel From Montgomery.” 7. James McMurtry – You may never have heard of James McMurtry unless you’re from Texas or an Americana music fan. But he’s a critical smash (I’ve never seen a bad review of a McMurtry album, and he’s been reviewed by everybody from Rolling Stone to the New York Times). McMurtry specializes in character studies, particularly people who are desperate and downtrodden. At the same time, he’s a terrific musician and songwriter, with a dry sense of humor. Favorite songs: “Choctaw Bingo” (of course), “Lobo Town,” “St. Mary of the Woods,” “Red Dress,” and I’d better stop there or I’ll just keep listing. 8. Band of Heathens – A group that has three male lead singers, all gorgeous BTW. They’re big in Texas, but they’re also very popular in Colorado where I live now. They’ve done lots of rocking toe tappers along with some beautiful ballads, and a talking blues version of the Odyssey (no kidding). They’re another group that’s a lot of fun to see in person. Favorite songs: “Hallelujah” (their own, not the Leonard Cohen one), “Cornbread” (raucous and definitely R-rated), “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” “Unsleeping Eye,” and that’s just a sampling.9. Amanda Shires – Some singers’ voices just grab you the first time you hear them. Amanda Shires was like that for me. The first time I heard “Look Like a Bird,” I turned the radio up so I could listen more closely. She’s married to Jason Isbell, and he plays backup on many of her songs. She has one of those odd, raspy, engaging voices that stand out. Favorite songs: “Look Like a Bird,” “Deep Dark Below” (a truly scary song), “Mineral Wells,” “Eve’s Daughter.” 10. Shovels and Rope – A husband and wife duo who manage to sound like an entire choir sometimes. They love to build the intensity in their songs so that by the end you’re gasping (“Tickin’ Bomb” is a great example). Favorite songs: “O Be Joyful,” “Cavalier,” “Oh Lonely,” “St. Anne’s Parade” (which has a lovely video), “Evil.” Another impossible to categorize couple of singers.So that’s it. I hope you find a couple of singers who are new to you and whose stuff you like. Enjoy!
Unseenby Meg Benjamin
GENRE: Paranormal romance
BLURB:
Teran Richter is in Animas, Colorado, to find members of the Folk, a simple task. But the annual Animas Fall Festival brings hordes of tourists and daily celebrations that make it frustrating. Things begin to look up when Teran meets Marika Sager. Marika’s business partner Eva seems to be a member of the Folk, only it’s Marika Teran’s attracted to, particularly after a local witch’s brew sends the two into a memorable night of passion.
But there are sinister forces at work in Animas. Teran’s attacked and his assistant is kidnapped. When Marika also disappears, Teran’s forced to confront the truth: someone is out to sabotage his mission and destroy anyone who tries to help. With an eccentric team of magical allies, Teran must rescue Marika and fight off those who want to destroy both him and the Folk. But can he find a way to confront the shadowy forces while keeping himself and his lover safe from harm?
EXCERPT
The flash of heat zapped along Teran’s backbone, branching out into the nerves along his shoulders, then into his arms. He jerked with the force of it, and the heat ripped to his sides and out. The fog glowed red as his power crashed into it.
It thinned before it gathered once again.
They pushed forward quickly, but not quickly enough.
“Can you increase the voltage?” Reynard muttered.
“If I knew what I was doing, I might be able to. Since I’m playing it by ear, I don’t know. I’ll try once more.” He took a deep breath, then concentrated. This time the power snaked through his body more quickly—he felt it all the way to the back of his head. For a moment he felt as if he were glowing, and then the blast flew outward into the mist.
And shot back toward them.
“Holy crap,” Reynard cried, throwing himself flat on the ground.
Teran had time to hunch over, protecting his head. The power blast washed over him like a superheated wave. It felt like he’d singed his hair.
Terrific. What the hell kind of Seelie singes his own goddamn hair with his own goddamn power blast? A reluctant Seelie, obviously.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Meg Benjamin is an award-winning author of romance. Her newest series, the Folk, is a paranormal trilogy set in Colorado. Meg’s Konigsburg series is set in the Texas Hill Country and her Salt Box and Brewing Love trilogies are set in the Colorado Rockies (all are available from Entangled Publishing). Along with contemporary romance, Meg is also the author of the paranormal Ramos Family trilogy from Berkley InterMix. Meg’s books have won numerous awards, including an EPIC Award, a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers, the Beanpot Award from the New England Romance Writers, and the Award of Excellence from Colorado Romance Writers. Meg’s Web site is http://www.MegBenjamin.com. You can follow her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/meg.benjamin1), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/megbenjamin/), Twitter (http://twitter.com/megbenj1) and Instagram (meg_benjamin). Meg loves to hear from readers—contact her at [email protected]. Unseen is available from Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/2E06sEoGIVEAWAY
Meg Benjamin will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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