In the very first Eavesdropping Texas column I wrote for the Squawker, I raved about a one man band that oozed a rootsy, bluesy tone and captivated live audiences all over. Well, Konrad Wert, aka Possessed By Paul James, is back and he is seriously better than ever.

With Feed The Family, his latest release on Austin-based Hillgrass Bluebilly, PPJ slightly polishes up his sound, yet loses none of the gritty earthiness that is simply real. There’s a massive difference between being real and sounding real, and Wert doesn’t have to tell anyone abut his authenticity, because it’s plain to hear. Sure, hearing any of PPJ’s music live will generally top the recorded experience, but the warmth and imperfect nature of this album’s tone is exemplary, and rather moving. Whether plucking the banjo, or sawing on the fiddle, Wert masters the sounds that bounce off each instrument, employing them to handle much of the heavy lifting, especially when it comes to relaying the appropriate, stark mood, or jubilant, frenetic pace.

Another record that has caught my ear, unexpectedly,  I might add, is the latest fromTom Vendenavond. Getting some help from string band greats, Larry & His Flask, You Ought to Know Me By Now, is a lo-fi, roots rock gem. Even with plugged-in instrumentation, many of the songs have a down-home nature that scream Bluegrass, even with the volume amped up a tad. Vandenavond’s weary, grizzled vocals seem to fit even more comfortably than the lined flannel work jacket he’s wearing on the album’s cover. Honestly, I’m not sure if this is his third or fourth album (sorry), but whichever one it is, it makes me want to go back and give the previous records a spin or two.

Even better still, both of PPJ and Vandenavond are featured on Hillgrass Blubilly’s superb tribute double disc to both Hank Williams and Ledbelly. Entitled Hiram and Huddie, several alt-blues greats team up to record their favorite Williams and Ledbelly tunes.  Wert handles Hank Sr’s “Banks of the Old Pontchartrain” and Ledbelly’s “Bourgeois Blues”, while Vandenavond tackles Williams’ “I Can’t Help It if I’m Still in Love With You” and “Ha Ha, This Way” from Ledbelly.

There you go. These should keep you busy for a while!

Kelly Dearmore is a freelance writer, mean pot of chili maker and opinionated music lover. To read more about what Kelly is listening to, visit him here on The Squawker weekly or daily on his personal music blog, The Gobblers Knob.

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