Country Songs, by The Bitter Diamonds

Country Songs

by The Bitter Diamonds

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Bucky This is my kind of country music. The new wave of west coast surf bum country bringing a punk rock narrative that incorporates that cosmic steel-guitar twang and soulful outlaw grit. The songs are playful, sarcastic in tone, and undeniably relatable. FFO Sturgill Simpson, Hank Williams Jr. Whitey Morgan and other bad ass CA acts like Hunter & The Dirty Jacks and Robert John & The Wreck. These are, no doubt, ‘Country Songs’ but have their hearts rooted in rock n roll. Favorite track: Better Than Nothing.

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1.	Beach Hike 2027 04:59	buy track
2.	Spots (W. VA Hwy) 05:58	buy track
3.	Better Than Nothing 03:38	buy track
4.	Up On The Stage 03:57	buy track
5.	Country Songs 1 02:27	buy track
6.	Get It Right 04:04	buy track
7.	Idle Wheels 04:44	buy track
8.	Upstairs/Downstairs 04:10	buy track
9.	Keeping Up 06:33	buy track
10.	Country Songs 2 02:04	buy track
11.	O' These Things I've Seen 05:37	buy track

about

Introducing "Country Songs" by The Bitter Diamonds. A departure from earlier work, these songs expand on the accepted ideas of country music. Some recognizable themes are there: a lonely soul counting his days at a trailer park; the country star strutting on stage; a married man working hard to get by. But there are also some alternatives to the traditional narratives, like "How do we enjoy ourselves after the apocalypse?" While "Country Songs" pushes the limits, it is still, verifiably, country music. At the same time, it questions rather directly the very basis of the genre.

credits

released April 27, 2019

Band:
Charles Verlin: vocals, guitar, percussion, piano on CS1
Jody Clarke: pedal steel, banjo, all other keys
Ian Michell: bass, vocals
Mark Grupé: drums
John Harris: lead guitar

Also:
Lisa Marie Johnston: vocals
Mike Rinta: trombone, tuba
Snakebite: saxophone, clarinet
Scott Jensen: trumpet

Engineered by Scott McChane, Ryan Massey and Ben Bernstein
Mixed by Ben Berntein
Recorded at Sharkbite Studios and The Petting Zoo
sharkbitestudios.com, benbernsteinmusic.com
Mastered by Myles Boisen
mylesboisen.com
Produced by Charles Verlin
All Songs by Charles Verlin (Blacktoe Music ASCAP)

Original Paintings by Becky Johson
Wolfsong: ©BeckyJohnson2017
Peregrine Prism: ©BeckyJohnson2015
rainbowsandwatercolor.com

Graphics by John Givens

SPECIAL THANKS: Becky Johnson for her amazing artwork, Mike Saliani for helping to develop these songs over the years, and most importantly our families: Carmen, Jennifer, Nora, Avery, Frankie, Gillian, Maisie and Porkchop. We couldn't do it without your love and support (and permission).

thebitterdiamonds.com
©CharlesVerlin2018

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about

The Bitter Diamonds San Francisco, California

The Bitter Diamonds were born when Charles Verlin finished a thermos of day old coffee in the parking lot of the Say When Casino in McDermitt, NV. Having lost the entirety of cash from his wallet, as well as the better part of the change in his ashtray, he pulled his truck onto the blacktop in search of a liquor store that would cash a payroll check. ... more

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