O’ Be Joyful! isn’t just the name of Shovels & Rope’s latest album, it’s also how I feel when I listen to their earthy, raucous rock-n-roll. They’re a two-piece combo consisting of Michael Trent from Texas and Cary Ann Hearst from Tennessee. They don’t like labeling their music, but if you had to describe it you could call it Americana, alt-country or just plain rock. Harder than your typical folk singer – more barroom than coffee shop.

Recently they recorded a couple of cover tunes for Third Man Records, and it turns out that Jack White’s Nashville label and S&R’s honky stomp make a great couple. Check out their versions of Springsteen’s ‘Johnny 99′ as well as an amazing cover of Tom Waits’ ‘Bad As Me’ on the Third Man website.

These kind of tunes make me homesick for a taco dinner and a Shiner Bock after a long day driving through the Texas hill country. I hope I get a chance to check them out this summer, but if not I’ll make do with a clip from their appearance on David Letterman earlier this year:

Find out more at shovelsandrope.com.

Have a good week y’all!