Lagniappe Sessions :: Raymond Byron And The White Freighter

Lagniappe (la ·gniappe) noun ‘lan-ˌyap,’ — 1. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit. 2. Something given or obtained as a gratuity or bonus.

Raymond Raposa’s Castanets released a pair of my favorite records in the early-mid 00s; 2004’s Cathedral and First Light’s Freeze the following year. No matter the ever-changing lineup, project name or descriptor (esoteric-country, avant-folk, subversive Americana) Raposa’s vision has remained the constant. This week sees the release of Raposa’s latest full-length, Little Death Shaker – now under the guise of Raymond Byron And The White Freighter.

Here, on the thirteenth installment of the Lagniappe Sessions, Byron/Raposa re-tools a Toby Keith chestnut and then goes on ‘cover’ himself. Raposa, in his own words, below.

MP3: Raymond Byron And The White Freighter :: As Good As I Once Was (Toby Keith)

As iffy and shifty as TK’s, uh, view has been over the last dozen, it’s pretty obvious he can sell some hurt or humor with the better of the best from time to time. That’s on voice alone mind, I’ve got no idea who wrote this one or any of the others. Was considering pairing this with with Tim Mcgraw’s little crusher “Better Than I Used to Be” but ran out of ram.

MP3: Raymond Byron And The White Freighter :: Don’t That Lake Just Shine (Alternate Version)

I recorded this one along with much of the rest of LDS [Little Death Shaker] as solo demos a couple years back the day before a buddy from the label was coming through town. Sort of a how I spent my summer vacation kind of thing. A report sheet? Whatever it is that the folks use to decide which class you’re getting dropped into. One of my favorites from the new record, and in a version here that I care for just as much as the final one. Loose and pocked.

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