Many cities are known for certain types of music. But some musicians break the mold. What’s good out of Philadelphia that isn’t Philly Soul? What’s good out of Seattle that isn’t Grunge? What’s good out of Detroit that was never published by Motown Records? What’s good out of Berlin that isn’t Techno? Non-jazz from New Orleans? Non-Blues from Chicago? 1950s-style lounge singers from Tokyo? Nordic Metal bands from Thailand? Let’s hear it!
Celebrate artists who break the mold, like non-country artist Daisha McBride out of Nashville, and thanks for playing.
I never understood why four guys from San Francisco got so hooked into southern swamp rock, much less how they pulled it off so well.
CCR – Born on the Bayou
A two-fer while I’m thinking about it: Four Caucasian kids from NYC put together a kick-ass gospel record back in 2004.
Ollabelle – Before This Time
I always thought it was strange that Journey had such deep roots in the San Francisco music scene. I always imagined they were from…I don’t know where, like the rural Midwest or Upper Midwest or something.
Hawaii has so many great musicians that do Hawaiian music, Slack Key, & Jawaiian but the band that was always my favorite to go see did a weird combo of Afro Jazz, Funk, with a little Reggae thrown in there…
OK, Funkin’ in the Jungle is my new favorite song.
You had to dance when this band was playing! They were so much fun. Played at a small club called Anna Bananas.
I’m kind of fascinated by Nels Cline. He played jazz and then joined Wilco and then played jazz again.
Also, the late Charlie Haden. He was at the very pinnacle of jazz and decided late in life to make a roots album that’s pure Americana.
I’m not if this counts because Japan had a pretty big Country and Western scene at one time. Tomi Fujiyama was a star, I think I’ve posted her here before. She sings in English too.
The Japanese knock me out by how many people there go into deep dives into all kinds of genres of music. And not in a hipster way but seriously caring about what they like.
They sure take their metal serious, especially the ladies!
Philly fellow, not soul or stax