This sounds incredible: On May 3rd, Donovan Woods will release The Other Way, stripping down his JUNO Award-winning album Both Ways to its acoustic essence. Donovan enlisted producer and ace guitarist Todd Lombardo to artistically overhaul the arrangements, changing the chords and song structures. Rising country star Tenille Townes also joins Donovan on The Other Way via the tender duet “I Ain’t Ever Loved No One,”.
It just keeps growing in my estimation. I'm pissed I didn't put it in my top five last year, at this point.
After I damn near wore that record out I discovered "They Are Going Away" and listened to the full EP like 4-5 times a day. "What They Mean" is one of his best songs.
Oh yeah, that one is fantastic. Dude it establishing a habit of leaving some of his all-timers off his full-lengths. I still can't believe "That Hotel" isn't on an album. Potentially a top 10 song of the decade for me.
It's just an incredible piece of writing. Every time I listen to it I think "Shit! I wish I'd thought of this concept."
Uhh so I’m listening to this right now and it’s incredible holy shit.. If this was the first version to come out it still would’ve been AOTY material. The versions of “Another Way” and “Build That Bridge” are improvements over the originals.. Seriously this might be a better full version of this album. Regardless, I’m SO excited to have this. Seriously blown away all over again.
I've only listened once so far. It was fun to hear alternate takes, though I can't say I thought any of the songs were markedly improved. Both of the songs you mentioned are among my favorites on the original album, and I still prefer those takes. Also, as much as I like Tenille Townes, the original version of "I Ain't Never Loved No One" is just so perfect that it's hard to hear it a different way.
This is probably the best place to post this, but these new Luray songs are great. Fronted by Shannon Carey, sister of S. Carey, who also produced the album and features on it: I've been known to run at night headlights, neon stripes I've been known to dig in, finish strong, long strides Hands on my hips And I'm totally fixed to the floor If I stay real still Hands on my hips And I'm slow to admit when I'm wrong I learned it from you I'm not immune to us I'm not immune to what could make this dangerous I'm not immune to you And what could make this kind of moonlight made for us Does it feel like this?
I put this on and was stunned by how beautiful "Tomorrow" was. That feeling persisted for the next 30 minutes. Thanks for the rec!
forgot to mention it here but Tyler Lyle's record The Floating Years came out recently and it's been the most moving soundtrack of the year for me. right place right time thing, and I also just love his voice and songwriting. here's the song "Golden Gate" from it, a late summer windows down nostalgia drive:
Have been anticipating the new Madison Cunningham album for so long. Easily up there with my favorite songwriters/electric guitarists. Just so good.