Mama Zu "Quilt Floor" Album Review / Jessi Zazu / Those Darlins (VIDEO)

Hello, friends and welcome to my latest video. This week, I am reviewing the new album from Mama Zu called "Quilt Floor." This was one of my most anticipated new releases of the year because it features the final recordings from Jessi Zazu from the band Those Darlins.

Those Darlins was a band from Nashville whose mix of country, garage punk, and rock 'n roll made them one of the best new bands of the 2000s. After the band broke up in 2015, it was revealed that Jessi Darlin (aka Jessi Zazu) had cancer. She died at age 28. In between the break up of Those Darlins and her death, she and Linwood Regenburg (also of Those Darlins) recorded some music together. After Jessi passed, Linwood finished the album in her honor.

The project is named Mama Zu and the album Jessi and Linwood made is out now. As I said in an earlier video, I planned to buy this record no matter what. As a fan of TD and of Jessi, it was a no-brainer. As you will see in my review, Quilt Floor turned out incredibly well, and reminds me of why I became a fan of Jessi in the first place.

Interspersed with my review are some photos and video I shot of Those Darlins from 2011-2012.

The Last New Releases of 2023? What's Good for 2024? (VIDEO)

"Welcome back, friends. I'm down here in the bunker preparing my Best of 2023 video. Before I completed it, I wanted to make sure to talk about some of the final new releases of the year. Don't want to miss anything, right? Just as I was getting ready to make this video, I got a bunch of new music scheduled to come out in early '24. These are no ordinary releases, either. Some really big stuff. So, sit back and enjoy..."

Bands/Artists in this video: Superchunk, The Kills, Mitski, Cat Power, The Lemonheads, J. Mascis, Sleater-Kinney, Mama Zu.

New Video - Some New Stuff + BTS of My Radio Show

Here is my newest video. I've been a little under the weather lately, but I didn't want to fall behind on things, so I toughed it out and made a video anyway. In this one, I show off a few new records I've gotten in the last week or so, and then I offer a behind the scenes look at me doing my radio show, New Day Rising. I brought a camera along with me last week, and now you will know what it looks like when I'm presenting you with my three hours of radio excellence every week. Enjoy.

 

Those Darlins Lose a Darlin

Well, this sucks. I just started getting into Nashville band Those Darlins and now one of the founding members quits the band. Kelley Darlin (aka Kelley Anderson), guitarist/bassist/vocalist, announced at the end of last month that she has departed. I thought something might have been up when I saw some live shots from the band's current UK tour, and Kelley was nowhere to be found. I hoped that maybe she was just a felon or something and couldn't travel outside of the US. No such luck.

On its website, Those Darlins posted the following statement: "With sadness, we must announce that Kelley Anderson has decided to leave “Those Darlins” in order to pursue other musical projects and professional ventures. We will miss Kelley but will follow her with excitement at her new website: KelleyAnderson.org. Kelley promises to keep us updated on the Tenth Anniversary of The Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp in Murfreesboro this summer. It was Kelley’s hard work and dedication to the Southern Girls Rock And Roll Camp that brought us together in the first place. Those Darlins will continue to move forward with a lot of exciting news in 2012. We will be recording an EP in May with producer Scott Litt (REM, Nirvana, Patti Smith) to be released this year and will resume touring in March."

Those Darlins new 7". Click to order

I had the good fortune to meet Kelley when TD was in Omaha last Fall opening for Drive-By Truckers. She was very nice and seemed really excited about the state of the band. Oh well, shit happens I guess.

The remaining Darlins have just released a new single for "Mystic Mind" and the b-side is a cover of Rockpile's "Pet You and Hold You." It can be ordered by clicking the picture.

For the uninitiated, here is a video for "Screws Get Loose," the title track to band's most recent album:

 

Drive-By Truckers and Those Darlins Deliver the Goods...And Then Some

Drive-By Truckers' Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley 10/26/11

Saw a fantastic show last night at Slowdown featuring Alt-country heavyweights Drive-By Truckers and Nashville's new indie/garage phenoms Those Darlins. It was fantastic night for rock 'n roll, and if you have a chance to see either band, make it a point to do so. Let's begin with my new rockin' girlfriends (+ 1 gentlemen), Those Darlins.

Those Darlins 10/26/11 at Slowdown

At nine on the dot, Nashville's Those Darlins took the stage, and I have to admit, I was not prepared for how good this band was. I have heard their newest record, Screws Get Loose, and have played the song, "BUMD" on my radio show a couple of times. But the live experience made the music connect with me much more than the record had.

The band mixes garage rock with 60s girl group sounds and adds a hint of country for good measure. All three of the frontwomen sing, and Kelley and Nikki Darlin alternate between bass and guitar. Both are great players. Guitarist/singer Jessi Darlin handles most of the vocals, and is truly mesmerizing on stage. For the past two years now, St. Vincent's Annie Clark has been my rock n' roll crush object, but after last night's show, Jessi Darlin might take the top spot. Congratulations, Jessi. You deserve everything that comes with this high honor. Nudge nudge, wink wink.

Jessi Darlin (left) and Kelley Darlin

Those Darlins seemed like they were having a ton of fun on stage, and really got into their performance. That always makes a difference with me. They played my fave song off the new record ("BUMD"), and enticed me into buying their first album. After the show, I was able to chat for a while with Nikki and Kelley. They were both very nice and generous with their time. I can't wait for them to return.

I made a short video from my iphone of the band's last song. The sound is shit because I was so close, but you get the idea of how energetic the band is on stage. After that video is the band's official video for the title track to the new record.

Last night was my third Drive-By Truckers show, and it was easily the best. Before the show, I had the chance to hang out some with band leader Patterson Hood, as we have a mutual friend. The guy was so nice, and very well informed on a number of things besides rock music. Talking to him gave me more insight into the man, his background, and his music. I consider myself much more of  a fan after last night.

Patterson Hood rocks out in Omaha

It would be hard for me to say what the band did or did not play, as I am very bad with song titles. However, my favorite DBT song, "Aftermath USA," was not played. Still, the set was so good, it is hardly worth complaining. In this day and age, band seem to play no longer than 70 minutes or so. Drive-By Truckers played over two hours, and not a minute was wasted. Powerful show.

After the show, I grabbed a copy of the band's CD/DVD, Live in Austin,. TX, recorded for Austin City Limits. Though the crowd was a little lighter than the last DBT show, I think they made up for it by being extra enthusiastic. I have to imagine that the band noticed and appreciated it. I sure hope so, anyway.

While I am suffering today from all that rocking out last night, I would not have traded the experience for anything. A big thank-you to Those Darlins and Drive-By Truckers. Cheers.