Hailing from Charleston, SC, Shovels & Rope is the combined creative efforts of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, two solo artists who have found a certain type of musical magic together. Their sophomore release, O’ Be Joyful, is set for a July 31 release date.
As Johnny and June, Dolly and Porter, Loretta and Conway and many more have shown us, country music was made for duets and Shovels & Rope continue in that grand tradition.
I was reminiscing over Old Crow Medicine Show as I listened to Shovels & Rope’s 10-song sampler. Then, of course, they go ahead and write a song about cocaine. So, I find it appropriate to include two songs about cocaine for you!
[audio:Hells Bells.mp3|titles=Hells Bells|artists=Shovels & Rope]
“Hells Bells” by Shovels & Rope
[audio:Cocaine Habit.mp3|titles=Cocaine Habit|artists=Old Crow Medicine Show]
“Cocaine Habit” by Old Crow Medicine Show
Plus, a few other songs of love gone wrong, deals gone bad, down and out characters, liquor-induced shenanigans and the peculiarities of Southern living.
[audio:Boxcar.mp3, Who’s Gonna Raise Babies (featuring Michael Trent).mp3, Magdelina.mp3|titles=Boxcar, Who’s Gonna Raise Babies (featuring Michael Trent), Magdelina|artists=Shovels & Rope, Shovels & Rope, Shovels & Rope]
“Boxcar”, “Who’s Gonna Raise Babies (featuring Michael Trent)” and “Magdelina” by Shovels & Rope