Hyena Records Holiday Sale

Hey Everyone--

With the holiday season upon us and all this talk of "economic crisis," we've put together a great little holiday sale for you all.

Basically, pick up any four CDs from the entire Hyena Records' catalog for $20. What music fan in your life do you know who wouldn't be happy with CD/DVD sets from Thelonious Monk, Dr. John, Bobby Darin and Don McClean in their stocking? Buy Aaron Neville for your mom, Cannonball Adderley for your Dad, Dale Watson for your sister and Grayson Capps for yourself. I could go on, but I'll stop there. It's a pretty diverse selection we've got here, so take a look and give generously the gift of music!

Lots o' Love and Happiness this Holiday Season...

Hyena Records

Hyena Records Update

Unfortunatly, I am still working without my own computer. For some reason I can't figure out how to transfer my graphics to the blog! ARGH! Well, here is some blues news from the folks at Hyena Records. They have some great stuff. I bought my Aces, to Aces, CD/DVD by Bobby Darin from them last year. Check out their stuff!!

Hey All--
Hard to believe that we're staring the beginning of 2009
straight in the face. These are tricky times for lots of folks. But as a
stubborn old school record label, we feel like we've got a responsibility in the
midst of all this uncertainty. When proclamations of crisis are hitting you from
all sides, what better than music to set your mind free? With that being said,
here's what we've got going on here at Hyena Records...
THE BRIDGEBlind Man's
Hill

Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, THE
BRIDGE are a defiant reminder that B-more is south of the
Mason-Dixon line. The band cooks up a stew of New Orleans rhythm & blues,
high & lonesome country pickin' and earthy Southern roots spiked with lyrics
that romanticize locomotives, poison wine, hurricanes and carnival barkers.
Check it out their new album Blind Man's
Hill and you'll be a believer too. They will celebrate the new
long-player with a hometown release party and performance on November 26 at
Ram's Head Live. In January '09, they hit the highway for a cross-country U.S.
tour.
Grab a free mp3 of "Let Me Off This Train."
Better yet, pick
up a copy of Blind Man's Hill here.

The
Bridge Tour Dates
December 4 / The Double Door Inn / Charlotte,
NC
December 5 / The Pour House / Charleston, SC
December 6 / Berkley Cafe
/ Raleigh, NC
December 26 / The Birchmere Bandstand / Alexandria,
VA
December 27 / World Cafe Live / Philadelphia, PA
December 28 / The
National / Richmond, VA (w/ Dark Star Orchestra)
December 29 / The Norva /
Norfolk, VA (w/ Dark Star Orchestra)
December 31 / Sheraton Center City
Ballroom / Baltimore, MD (w/ Rebirth Brass Band)
January 22 / Club Cafe /
Pittsburgh, PA
January 23 / The V Club / Huntington, WV
January 24 / 123
Pleasant Street / Morgantown, WV
January 28 / The Lantern / Blacksburg,
VA
January 29 / Boone Saloon / Boone, NC
January 30 / Smith's Olde Bar /
Atlanta, GA
January 31 / Mellow Mushroom / Tuscaloosa, AL
February 5 / The
Continental / Houston, TX
February 6 / House Of Blues / Dallas,
TX
February 7 / Stubb's BBQ / Austin, TX
February 10 / Winston's / San
Diego, CA
February 11 / The Mint / Los Angeles, CA
February 13 / The
Hopmonk Tavern / Sebastapol, CA
February 14 / Boom Boom Room / San Francisco,
CA
February 18 / WOW Hall / Eugene, OR
February 19 / The Goodfoot /
Portland, OR
February 22 / John's Alley / Moscow, ID
February 23 / Top Hat
/ Missoula, MT
February 27 / Quixote's / Denver, CO
February 28 / B Side
Lounge / Boulder, CO
GRAYSON CAPPSRott 'N' Roll

For
our friends in Europe, not only are you excited that we've decisively taken
action in the upper echelons of our democracy, but you should also ecstatic
because you're about to get a full on dose of "Rott 'N' Roll" by Grayson Capps
& The Stumpknockers.
It's been awhile since Grayson has been
over your way with his full band that turns supper clubs into roadhouses and
roadhouses into country shacks, but the time has come. In the meantime, here's
what folks have been saying about Rott 'N'
Roll here in the U.S.
"...his most varied offering to date, with
country (of shuffle, ballad and rockabilly varieties), boozy sing-alongs,
slow-burning R&B, hill country blues, ferocious rock, and even spoken-word
poetry." - No Depression
"Although his distinctive sound is rootsy at its
core, a Dixie-fried amalgam of twang-rock, Memphis soul, and roadhouse blues,
Capps' Tennessee-Williams-meets-Charles-Bukowski lyrical style is equal parts
Southern Gothic and Los Angeles noir. His songs are literate, imaginative, and
sometimes magical, his storytelling skills matched by an uncanny sense of
musical history that will grow on you like kudzu vine." - Blurt Online
"Take
the poetry of Texas troubadour Townes Van Zandt, combine with Steve Earle's edgy
attitude and stir with a little cup of the bayou- blues (think Howlin' Wolf) and
you start to get a taste of Capps' scrumptious gothic gumbo." - American
Songwriter
"Essential Listening" - NineBullets
"Grayson Capps & The
Stumpknockers play knock-down-drag-out-whiskey- laced rock and roll as if it
were the last call for their souls to be saved." - Swampland
Pick Up A Copy
Here

Grayson Capps Tour Dates
November 21 / Logjam
concerts / Weert, Netherlands
November 22 / Q-bus / Leiden,
Netherlands
November 23 / Willow Tree Concerten / Bierum,
Netherlands
November 24 / De Schalm / Westwoud, Netherlands
November 25 /
Paradiso / Amsterdam, Netherlands
November 26 / Cobblestone / Oldenzaal,
Netherlands
November 27 / Blues Garage / Isernhagen (Hannover)
Germany
November 28 / Real Music Club Germany / Lauchhammer,
Germany
November 29 / Slotplaats / Bakkeveen, Netherlands
December 2 /
John Dee / Oslo, Norway
December 3 / Tordensjold / Langesund,
Norway
December 12 / The Soul Kitchen / Mobile, AL
December 19 / Variety
Playhouse / Atlanta, GA
January 15 / Smith's Olde Bar / Atlanta,
GA
January 16 / The Nick / Birmingham, AL
January 17 / The Basement /
Nashville, TN
January 31 / Phoenix Hill Tavern / Louisville, KY
April in
Texas (Dates to Come)
BACKYARD TIRE FIREThe Places We Lived

If
you haven't checked Backyard Tire Fire out yet, you're sleeping on
one of the best rock bands out there right now---not to mention one of the best
rock records released this year--seriously!
Watch their new video for "How In
The Hell Did You Get Back Here?"
Also
check out a great acoustic performance of "Shoulda Shut It"from The College
Network, Palestra.net:
Pick Up A Copy Here

Backyard Tire Fire Tour Dates
November 22 /
Chicago Street Pub / Joliet, IL
November 29 / Double Door / Chicago, IL (FREE
show)
December 3 / Mercy Lounge / Nashville, TN (w/ Reverend Horton
Heat)
December 4 / Vogue / Indianapolis, IN (w/ Reverend Horton
Heat)
December 5 / Southgate House / Newport, KY (w/ Reverend Horton
Heat)
December 6 / Majestic Theatre / Detroit, MI (w/ Reverend Horton
Heat)
December 7 / The Intersection / Grand Rapids, MI (w/ Reverend Horton
Heat)
December 10 / Otto's / Dekalb, IL (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December
11 / People's / Des Moines, IA (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 12 / Cain's
Ballroom / Tulsa, OK (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 13 / The Village /
Little Rock, AR (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 27 / House of Blues /
Chicago, IL (w/ Rusted Root)
December 28 / House of Blues / Chicago, IL (w/
Rusted Root)
December 29 / Eagles Ballroom / Milwaukee, WI (w/ Rusted
Root)
December 30 / St. Andrews Hall / Detroit, MI (w/ Rusted
Root)
December 31 / House of Blues / Cleveland, OH (w/ Rusted
Root)
LAFAYETTE GILCHRISTSoul Progressin'

If you listen to NPR chances are you've heard tracks
from Lafayette Gilchrist's new album, Soul
Progressin', coming in and out of the breaks on All Things
Considered, Weekend Edition and Fresh Air With Terry Gross. They've been all
over this genius pianist and rising star in the jazz world. Gilchrist pushes the
boundaries of his genre in the tradition of Monk, Sun Ra and Andrew Hill. Yes, I
did just mention him in the same sentence as those masters. I'm not
alone...
"4 Stars" - Downbeat
"Gilchrist is a musical visionary." - Beyond
Race
"Gilchrist injects the personality of his hometown into his
compositions, without succumbing to turntables or drum machines. His piano is
lively and rhythmic, but also quite considerate, a trait he might have developed
playing with luminaries like David Murray and Hamid Drake." - Dusted
"There's
a deep determination at work on the pianist's new Soul Progressin'. The swarm of
brass and reeds grinds against the rhythm section, giving the Baltimore
bandleader's New Volcanoes outfit a subtle fury. He's earned lots of kudos as
David Murray's go-to sideman, but this keening date shows just how fierce he is
on his own. Listen to the parade strolling out of his left hand." - Village
Voice
"Soul Progression (Hyena) avant-garde hip and street-smart funk from
the Baltimore pianist and his slamming ensemble, taking flights of piano and
horns into a cinematic, chase scene palpitations." - Positively Yeah Yeah
Yeah
"The D.C. native and Baltimore resident creates a CD of gutbucket intent
with puckish impulses. Think funk and Monk." - Philadelphia Inquirer
"The
pianist's music often exhibits a hardnosed inner-city edge, no doubt reflecting
his being raised first in Washington, D.C., and then in Baltimore, where he
still resides. Mix in Gilchrist's appreciation of D.C. go-go, soul, funk and hip
hop, and the end result is a naturally evolving contemporary vision,
unpredictable and non- cliched." - Jazz.com
"Mentioning that one of his songs
had been used in the epic television crime series The Wire, Gilchrist proceeded
to deploy his impressive range -- Monk motifs, silent-movie accompaniments,
darting single note runs, etc -- just beneath the swagger and howl of the massed
brass and reeds." - Howard Mandel, Jazz Beyond Jazz
Pick Up
a Copy Here

Lafayette Gilchrist Tour Dates
November 21 and 22
/ Twins / Washington, DC
December 6 / 8x10 Club / Baltimore, MD
December
12 / Joe's Square / Baltimore, MD
August 8 / Monterey Jazz Festival /
Newport, RI
COMMON MARKETTobacco Road

Many of you don't associate Hyena with hip-hop, but
much like ISWHAT?!, when we hear something with both that
old school magic and simultaneously modern approach, we're all over it. Tobacco Road is one of this year's biggest
underground hip-hop records.
Check out the video for the first single,
"Trouble Is":
Pick Up TOBACCO ROAD Here

JACOB FRED JAZZ ODYSSEYLil Tae Rides Again

JFJO
are just back from a tour of Europe where they hit a slew of festivals and
turned on a whole new world of fans. At The Cork Festival in Ireland, they won
the Guinness Award for "Best New Band," meanwhile Reed Mathis returned with a
treasure trove of soundboard recordings from the tour, so we might even get a
limited edition release of JFJO in Europe '08. Fingers crossed. Back in the
U.S., look for JFJO to maintain a high touring profile throughout '09. Their
album from earlier this year, Lil Tae Rides
Again, was a musical departure, but then again isn't every JFJO
album. Therein lies the beauty.

JFJO
Tour Dates
December 5 / The Deli / Norman, OK
December 6 / Granada Theater
/ Dallas,TX (w/Stanton Moore Trio)
December 31 / Blank Slate / Tulsa,
OK
Coming up in 2009...

Seth
Walker has put the finishing touches on his new album, Leap Of
Faith. Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Gary Nicholson and including a
guest appearance by the great Delbert McClinton this record is going to blow
folks away. As if he wasn't already bringing an A-game, Seth has stepped up his
songwriting, singing and playing to entirely new levels. We can't wait for you
to hear it. Look for this to drop on March 3!

Mike Dillon's
Go-Go Jungle will return on February 10 with Rock Star Bench Press.
Dillon's been touring the world as part of Ani DiFranco's band, but in between
he's concocted one of the most twisted punk rock meets bebop meets electro clash
records you'll ever lay your ears on--if not the only one. And you can rest
assured that coinciding with its release will be the legendary marathon shows
that define the Go-Go Jungle--as anybody who's ever seen the band late night in
New Orleans will attest.
Lastly, we've got a brand new batch of Hyena
Records' American Apparel t-shirts available for $15. You will look damn
good wearing one, while feeling infinitely better about yourself. I
promise.

Get your t-shirt here.
Well, alright, that's
enough out of me. In honor of my plans to hit the legendary Reuben Wilson's gig
tonight in Brooklyn, write us back and tell us your favorite jazz organist.
We'll throw all the entries in a digital hat and the winner gets copies of Thelonious Monk (Monk 'Round The World), Rahsaan Roland Kirk (Brotherman In The
Fatherland) and Sonny
Stitt (Just The Way It Was). Three masterpiece archival packages
put together by Joel Dorn. It's been almost a year since he left
us, but there ain't a day that goes by where we don't think about how the world
is brighter for his time spent here.
Stay tuned and keep in
touch.
KevinHyena Records

Hyena Records Press Release

Just got this press release in the email from Hyena Records.

HYENA Records | November 2007

Hello to Everyone-- Hope this finds you all feeling footloose and fancy free as we hit the last month of 2007. All's well here. The Winter nip is starting to bite in New York City, and as much as I dread the long, cold months ahead, there's something about it that's also quite invigorating. As for this past year, I'm sure you've all heard it's been a tough one in the music business. But we've made it, still standing. The credit goes to the super-inspired artists we have the good fortune of working with each and everyday, as well as, all of you guys out there who know that good music is like sunshine. And you can't steal sunshine off the internet. So speaking of which, onto the music. We've just released three new albums, and in the process, we've welcomed two new artists into the HYENA family.

SETH WALKER Seth Walker There ain't no way to fake it in Austin, Texas. It's one of the greatest music towns in the world. As a musician there you either bring it each and every time you get up on the stage or you find another profession. When artists like Dale Watson are setting the bar, you know what I'm saying is true. That being said, we introduce you to Austin's Seth Walker and his new self-titled album. Seth is a wicked guitar player. He's got a voice that Taj Mahal compared to a "a little white Ray Charles." Most importantly, he writes songs that speak to our hearts. When he sings "Change My Way Of Living" on the album opener, we've all been there ourselves. A song like "Steady" is nothing short of classic. I'd also mention Seth's reading of Tom Waits' "Picture In A Frame." It's stunning. Pick up the whole album here. You can always catch Seth playing around Texas and you'll be seeing him more and more in other parts of the country next year. SETH WALKER Tour Dates for the remainder of 2007: November 30 / Cosmo's / Houston, TX December 14 / Freebird / Jacksonville, FL (w/ Johnny Winter) December 15 / Culture Room / Fort Lauderdale, FL (w/ Johnny Winter) December 16 / State Theatre / Saint Petersburg, FL (w/ Johnny Winter) December 18 & 19 / The Green Parrot / Key West, FL December 20 / The Bamboo Room / Lake Worth, FL December 21 / New World Brewery / Tampa, FL December 22 / Bradfordville Blues Club / Tallahassee, FL

THE BRIDGE The Bridge We caught The Bridge here in New York City earlier this year and by the first chorus of the first tune, we knew this was a band on its way to becoming an institution. They play with that loose tightness that comes from staying out on the road for 250 shows a year. They draw deeply from the entire spectrum of great American music. New Orleans rhythms dance with big harmonies. Laid back California rock comes East and promptly heads South of the Mason Dixon line. Muscle Shoals soul finds room for bluegrass pickin' and jazz improvisation. Here's an mp3 of the opening track "Get Back Up." The album is out now, simply entitled The Bridge. Be one of the first 100 people to order it direct from HYENA and get a free ticket to The Bridge show of your choice. Get it here. THE BRIDGE Tour Dates are: November 21 / Rams Head Live / Baltimore, MD November 27 / Lupos / Providence, RI (with Dark Star Orchestra) November 28 / Revolution Hall / Troy, NY November 29 / The Lion's Den / New York, NY November 30 / 9:30 Club / Washington, DC (with Dark Star Orchestra) December 1 / Whiskey 1803 / Annapolis, MD December 2 / The Norva / Norfolk, VA (with Dark Star Orchestra) December 20 / River Street Jazz Caf� / Plains, PA December 21 / Shawbucks / Jamestown, NY December 22 / The Docksider / Erie, PA December 29 / The Weinberg Center / Frederick, MD December 31 / Museum of Industry / Baltimore, MD January 4-9 / The High Seas JAMCRUISE January 10 / City Limits / Del Ray Beach, FL January 12 / Open Grass Festival / Lake Worth, FL January 15 / Smith's Olde Bar / Atlanta, GA January 16 / Tastyworld / Athens, GA January 17 / The Pour House / Charleston, SC January 18 / Soapbox / Wilmington, NC January 19 / Jewish Mother / Virginia Beach, VA January 25 / Dr. Unks / Greenville, NC January 26 / The Pour House / Raleigh, NC February 1 / World Cafe Live / Philadelphia, PA February 2 / The State Theater / Falls Church, VA February 7 / Castaways / Ithaca, NY February 8 / Higher Ground / Burlington, VT February 9 / Paradise / Boston, MA

GRAYSON CAPPS Songbones About two years back, Grayson gave us a CD with early acoustic recordings of songs like "Slidell," "Guitar," "I Can't Hear You" and "Psychic Channel Blues" that he cut at the 9th Ward Pickin' Parlor in New Orleans prior to the creation of what became his debut album If You Knew My Mind. The tracks feature just Grayson playing guitar and harmonica with his old friend and gigging partner Tom Marron on fiddle. He passed it on without the intention of it ever being released, but just for us to listen. I found myself going back to this collection all the time. For me, it was like being transported to a front porch on a summer night in Louisiana. His songs in this stripped-down setting were humid, immediate, personal and, I'd go as far as to say, absolutely timeless. After bugging him for awhile, finally this August, Grayson gave us the green light to offer it as a limited edition release as something to hold folks over while he works on his new studio album, which will be a double disc set coming out sometime in 2008. So here it is, SONGBONES. In the meantime Grayson and his band The Stumpknockers sing for their supper down South...which strangely enough resonates for some people, including myself, like going to church. Thanks to all our friends in the UK who made his solo tour such a resounding success. Grayson Capps' Tour Dates are: November 23 / Old Auburn Ale House / Auburn, AL November 24 / Pirate's Cove / Josephine, AL November 25 / Callaghan's / Mobile, AL November 29 / WorkPlay / Birmingham, AL (Solo) November 30 / Monsoon's / Mobile, AL December 6 / WUWF / Pensacola, FL December 7 / Le Bon Temps Roule / New Orleans, LA December 8 / Odom's Bar / Century, FL December 9 / Callaghan's / Mobile, AL December 28 / Monsoon's / Mobile, AL December 29 / D.B.A. / New Orleans, LA December 30 / Callaghan's / Mobile, AL January 18 / Pirate's Cove / Josephine, AL January 20 / Callaghan's / Mobile, AL January 24 / Smith's Olde Bar / Atlanta, GA (Solo) January 25 / The Nick / Birmingham, AL

HYENA HOLIDAY SALE Buy Any 3 HYENA CDs and Get 2 FREE!!! After adding 3 CDs to your shopping cart, simply list the 2 FREE CDs you would like in the "Special Instructions" box of the "Check Out" Form. We'll add the 2 FREE CDs to your order when we mail it to you. Visit the HYENA Store Here

Alright, that should catch you up on what we've been up to here at HYENA Records. Just a few other quick asides: --For James Blood Ulmer fans out there, check out Living Blues Magazine this month for a cover story. And if you haven't yet picked up Bad Blood In The City: The Piety Street Sessions, why wait any longer...

--Tune into NPR's World Cafe with David Dye on December 12 for an interview and in-studio performance with Dale Watson talking about his most recent album, From The Cradle To The Grave. And if you're wondering where the video for "Hollywood Hillbilly" went, let's just say the oh-so-precious cardboard cutout appearing alongside the "Hollywood Hillbilly" Johnny Knoxville got a little persnickety, so the video will be re-released with the far hipper Rip Taylor.

--Mushroom's new album with Eddie Gale called Joint Happening continues to buzz among musos. I have to mention this because this is a dope record very much worth adding to your collection. A reclusive collection of musicians, they'll make a rare live appearance on December 13 at The Starry Plough in Berkeley.

--And finally, Bethany & Rufus wrap 2007 and kick off 2008 with a number of shows: December 7 / Cellar Stage / Baltimore, MD Dec 8 / Dawson's Concerts / Silver Spring, MD Dec 9 / Blue Moon Series / Sheperdstown, WV January 19 / Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center / Alexandria, VA Jan 26 / Broward Center / Ft. Lauderdale, FL Jan 28 / Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center / Tampa, FL Feb 16 / Arden Guild Hall / Arden, DE Mar 1 / Hurdy Gurdy Folk Club Presents / Fair Lawn, NJ Mar 15 / Musical Lairs / Davids, PA

Thank you as always for supporting independent music coming to ya straight from the soul...not from the board room...hell, we don't even have a board room. Keep it real. Much love to you all this Holiday season... Stay tuned and keep in touch. Kevin HYENA hyenarecords.com myspace.com/hyenatherecordlabel p.s. Just as we were about to hit send on this email, we confirmed that we'll be bringing you the brand new studio album by Marco Benevento entitled Invisible Baby in early 2008--the tracks will be available at iTunes on January 8, the CD will be in record stores on February 12. He made this record with the help of some amazing musicians, including our very own Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey's Reed Mathis on bass and drummers Matt Chamberlain and Andrew Barr. We've got the tune "Atari" available to you here. We can't tell you how stoked we are to be working with Marco. The mixes are pure ear candy! More info on Invisible Baby coming soon. xoxoxo MARCO BENEVENTO Invisible Baby *** at iTunes on Jan. 8th & Record Stores on Feb. 12th ***