Album Review – Ted Russell Kamp’s ‘Get Back to the Land’
If country music was like old-school wrestling (and now that I think about it, it kind of is in a bad way) then Ted Russell Kamp would be one of the good guys. Possibly best known as “Shooter Jennings’ bass player”, this moniker does little justice to the breath of Ted’s talents as a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter. At the same time, Ted’s willingness to just be “Shooter Jennings’ bass player” shows the humility to do whatever it takes to get good music out there, even if it means playing second fiddle and shelving personal projects until the time is right.
Ted Russell Kamp is from LA, and is not afraid to throw the “California Country” label on his music; a label that to some is a pariah. Truth is, most of what you hear on country radio today would probably best be described as California country: mostly rock with a mix of country elements and influences. But instead Music Row markets it as pure “country” or “Outlaw”, with their stupid laundry list lyrics shoehorned between Black Crowes-style riffs that do an injustice to any label the music might employ.
I don’t like when my relationship with an artist is predicated on a lie. If it is country pop or California country, that’s fine, but don’t call it a dog when it waddles and quacks. Ted Russell gets points from me for being honest, even when knowing adding “California” to describe his music will probably inspire grumbles from some folks far away from the West Coast. Be proud of where you’re from, make heartfelt music, and most importantly, call a spade a spade, and it should override most prejudices.
Get Back To The Land and Kamp’s music in general is a cleaner sound then I would normally engage with. There’s not a lot of twang here for sure. But music doesn’t have to have blood and guts to be good, I can tweak my reviewer settings to adjust to a cleaner sound.
This album doesn’t reinvent the wheel or break any land speed records, but it doesn’t try to either, which is refreshing in itself. Ted simply tries to write heartfelt songs and represent them well in the recorded format. What a concept! And in doing so he finds a good balance between visceral and cerebral, accessible and honest.
The strength of Kamp’s music is his songwriting, and his voice. Many signers who try twice as hard are still only half as unique and engaging singers as Ted Russell. It’s this interesting combination of rasp, rolling and ramping between pitches, and control. His songwriting is not spellbinding, but it is solid, and you can tell it is where every song starts–with a meaning or an inspiration that over time is fleshed out with music and instrumentation.
Standout tracks for me were “California Wildflower” which showcased Kamp’s voice brilliantly, the rocking “God’s Little Acre”, and the well-written “Time Is A Joker”. Ted ends with his most twangy offerings “Half Hearted” and “Bottles on the Table”, with the last track being the standout of the album. I would say this is more of a fun album than a soulful album, but “Bottles On The Table” reaches down deep for a little extra something and closes the album out in a very impactful manner. Even if Kamp’s style doesn’t speak to you, you should give “Bottles” an extra chance.
Though I don’t like the sappiness of “Right As Rain”, I could see this song being picked up by a bigger star and becoming a mega hit. There were a few sappy moments on this album that though I will avoid, others might gravitate to.
It’s hard not to cheer for the sideman when he steps into the spotlight, especially when they’re good people like Ted Russell Kamp. Though Music Row might use the “Californication” of music to appeal to wider audiences and the lowest common denominator, Kamp is simply doing what he wants to do, and at the same time going back to the roots of the sometimes maligned “California country” genre–which is fleshing out heartfelt songwriting with country-inspired rock songs that are fun to listen to.
1 1/2 of 2 guns up!
Preview songs and purchase Get Back To The Land
May 19, 2011 @ 8:48 am
I like some of this album. I’ve always been a fan of the “California country” sound. However, I take some exception to your statement that,”most of what you hear on country radio today would probably best be described as California country: mostly rock with a mix of country elements and influences.”
There is a BIG difference between California country and pop country radio. California country mixes elements of Gram Parsons, Neil Young, The Eagles, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Flying Burrito Brothers and even the Grateful Dead. It’s not like Eric Church or some of these douchebags who try to mix AC/DC and Poison with country. California country is NOT pop country. California country is a legitimate historical country sound, stemming from the 60’s and 70’s. It’s a far cry from “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy.”
May 19, 2011 @ 10:49 am
Well, you took the first half of my quote, and didn’t include the second half which says:
“But instead Music Row markets it as pure “country” or “Outlaw”, with their stupid laundry list lyrics shoehorned between Black Crowes-style riffs that do an injustice to any label the music might employ.”
…which seems to be making a very similar point to what you are.
I would agree with the statement “I like some of this album.” There’s some really solid tracks, and some quick punch outs.
May 19, 2011 @ 11:08 am
I’m starting to like more artist like this. I’ve recently discoverd The Band Of Heathens & The Dirty Guv’nahs which both have about the same sound. Also starting to give Reckless Kelly another listen & I’m likeing there stuff. The only band of this type I don’t care for is The Randy Rogers Band. All of there stuff sounds the same.
May 19, 2011 @ 2:24 pm
Nice review. Glad Ted is getting his due! Good buddy of mine. He will also be on Outlaw Radio on Wednesday, and we will spin some new tracks for those on the fence about buying it right now!
May 25, 2011 @ 5:13 pm
moved to next Wednesday due to Cletus got Shot being live here tonight. Please tune in on June 1st to hear an interview with TRK.
May 19, 2011 @ 2:54 pm
TRK is a great guy. Can’t wait to see him in concert someday. “Bottles on the Table” is a great tune…
May 19, 2011 @ 3:22 pm
i’m listening to ‘bottles’ and gettin almost a Tom Petty feel. much better vocals than tom petty obviously but still a got the same kinda feel to it with the strong 1 strums between lines
May 19, 2011 @ 5:28 pm
I don’t get the label of “California Country” It doesn’t sit well. It’s way too cutesy for me. Someone could easily say Midwest Country, which easily sounds better, unless you’re planning to convert pop country fans. I think Bottles on the Table and Don’t Look Down sound good, from the short previews I heard, and Aces and Eights was interesting. I also think Right As Rain could have been my favorite but something about it seemed off.
Great blog Triggerman.
May 19, 2011 @ 8:44 pm
TRK is great. He has had some great albums over the years. He is also very approachable after Shooter shows. Any guy that can play the trumpet and bass at the same time cant be that bad. (See ‘Old Friend’ on the Wolf) Great guy. He deserves tons of praise.
May 20, 2011 @ 6:49 am
I still don’t understand why we need to be such a slave to labels. If you like it, then you like it. End of story. Who cares if it is Ted Russel Kamp or Antiseen. I say the proof is in the pudding and if you dig it who cares what its called.
Also I’ve seen the Black Crowes comments on numerous pages. Is this a slam on them or just a slam on people apeing thier style. Not that it will effect my opinions either way, like i said, if you like it you like it. But I am curious.
May 20, 2011 @ 8:32 am
I don’t think it’s a slam to the Black Crowes, I think it’s a reference to their lawsuit against Gretchen Wilson for ripping off their song “Jealous Again”.
May 20, 2011 @ 8:51 am
I dont have any problem with The Black Crowes, I love their first three albums. However, if I want to listen to the Black Crowes, I’ll listen to the Black Crowes. I shouldn’t turn on my country radio station and hear a parody of it.
May 20, 2011 @ 10:18 pm
Excellent album. I think someone hit the nail on the head up above when they mentioned the Petty influence.
As far as the ambigious Black Crowes reference goes, I really don’t hear much of the Crowes’ influence in these modern radio rock “country” acts we have come to despise so well. Maybe I’m just being biased because I believe the Crowes to be the greatest true rock n roll band of the past 25 years, but I’d like to think of them as Stones/Faces torchebearers rather than Eric Church and Dierks Bentley torche passers.
Also, I realize you didn’t necessarily say that….but I just got shivers at the sheer passing reference.
May 22, 2011 @ 3:25 pm
Seeing as I am first and foremost a rock fan i dont see the problem with country rock IF its done right. I also like the rocking atmosphere of Eric Churchs concert although it aint very rocking its lacking a whole lot of in your face badass I think he trys too hard to be badass. And the Crowes are no where near the greatest rock band lol Thats funny. Maybe you should listen to Five Finger Death Punch or Shinedown
May 22, 2011 @ 5:11 pm
Black Crowes were a very solid rock band. You surely aren’t trying to say that FFDP and Shinedown are the best of what’s out there today, are you?
May 22, 2011 @ 5:25 pm
Shinedown??? Come on.
May 22, 2011 @ 5:45 pm
No offense, but Shinedown kind of sucks. Just my opinion.
May 23, 2011 @ 1:00 am
Noooo I’m not trying to say 5FDP and Shinedown are the best I’m trying to say 5FDP is the greatest of the past 20 years of course Metallica are the greatest. But there’s a lot better out there than Black Crowes no offense intended but there’s 5FDP, Lamb Of God, Shinedown, Seether, Avenged Sevenfold, Three Days Grace, Slipknot I could do this forever lol and as for Shinedown sucking please explain why I’d like to hear this I mean they did the best ever cover of Simple Man hell they did it better than Lynryd Skynryd themselves did it
May 23, 2011 @ 10:29 am
Jesus Christ, I hope you are being facetious – so many ridiculous statements in such a short paragraph.
I mean, I thought we were talking about rock n roll. But, if we are indeed discussing cockrock and lame metal, then I’ll yield to your argument.
May 23, 2011 @ 6:59 pm
Greatest ever- CCR, Black Flag and Black Sabbath
Greatest of the past twenty years- possibly the Black Crowes, but there are a lot of other worthy candidates as well, namely Rage Against the Machine, the Drive-By Truckers, North Mississippi Allstars, Fifth on the Floor, Titus Andronicus, The Gaslight Anthem (who are also a little too polished for my taste in most cases, but I recognize talent), System of a Down, etc.
I checked out Shinedown’s cover of “Simple Man,” and like 5FDP’s slaughtering of “Bad Company,” it’s contrived, predictable, overproduced bullshit. The same quality as Brittney Spears’ cover of Joan Jett, just aimed at a slightly heavier audience.
May 24, 2011 @ 8:14 am
One of my good friends and I maintain a running list of “Worst Song of All Time.” About a month ago, he sent me a very convincing email that perhaps 5FDP’s “Bad Company” cover should be at the top of that list. I can’t say I disagree. My god it is awful. I do like Lamb of God, though. I’m looking forward to their new album.
May 24, 2011 @ 8:51 am
Good list, Adam. CCR would get my vote for best American rock n roll band of all time. I’d replace Black Sabbath with Led Zeppelin, though. Still, I absolutely love those early “Ozzy years” albums. I remember hearing Henry Rollins suggest that the weather event known as El Nino needed a mire ominous name. As a replacement, he suggested “the first four Black Sabbath albums.”
Thought the Ronnie Van Zant led Lynyrd Skynyrd was another all-time great American band and I am extremely skeptical of any claim about another band doing a better version of Simple Man (Simple Man, of all songs! Good gravy!).
Some other favorites bands of mine over the last twenty years or so are Los Lobos, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Cowboy Junkies, Gov’t Mule, White Stripes (first four albums were great, remaining ones uneven) and the Black Keys.
May 25, 2011 @ 7:02 pm
I would recommend Down and Graveyard… I dig LOG but that shit ain’t rock, and therefore can’t be compared to Black Crowes. CKY is bad-assed as well. I find it funny that someone on an underground country site only lists mainstream rock bands among his/her favorites. I believe that mainstream rock is in worse shape than mainstream country… Well, maybe not, but it’s close.
May 26, 2011 @ 6:41 am
Good point on mainstream rock. I never listen to the radio as long as I have a working CD player in the car, but if the choice was between a mainstream rock station and a mainstream country station, I’d say it’s pretty much a tossup. Maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll hear a RATM, Soundgartden or SOAD song for old time’s sake, but for the most part, it seems pretty bleak. Mostly my reaction is “who gives a fuck?” If you have to listen to the radio, best to go with the classic rock station, where you’ve got a better chance of getting lucky (Black Crowes rock block, for example) . Or you might hear Takin’ Care of Business or Jet Airliner for the millionth time.
May 26, 2011 @ 7:44 pm
Yeah, you’d think with a “classis rock” station and 40 some years of tunes to pick from they’d be able to come up with more than 50 or 60 songs to rotate between.
May 22, 2011 @ 10:03 pm
lol shinedown
May 21, 2011 @ 7:32 pm
Country my ass.
May 22, 2011 @ 8:49 am
Country my elbow. I think he’s missing his black bandana and leather vest!
May 22, 2011 @ 9:22 am
Ted certainly never claimed to be a country artist.
May 22, 2011 @ 6:12 pm
California Kamp!
May 25, 2011 @ 3:20 pm
Triggerman, thank you for a great and thoughtful review. Too often, I see reviews (of my albums and others) written by people who dismiss them too early based on a label or without listening past the first song or two. I appreciate the support and criticism along with your opinions and without b.s. That is what a good review is. And it’s nice to see that you started some conversation about it too. safe travels.
May 26, 2011 @ 10:15 pm
WHASSUP TED! 🙂
Great album, u know i think that tho.
Gonna tune in Wednesday for JashieP’s show…
Proud of ya!
May 31, 2011 @ 12:42 pm
I love all Ted’s stuff…and BTW, I think he should keep cultivating his young Powers Booth look he has on the cover…put a cowboy hat and a red kerchief around his neck and he’d look like Curley Bill Broashus in TOMBSTONE…:)