Yonder (2011)
Kelly Pardekooper returns with his sixth album, Yonder. His first studio release in five years, Yonder was produced by guitar master and fellow Iowan Bo Ramsey. Recorded mostly live at Minstrel Studio in Iowa City, Yonder captures Kelly in superb vocal form with Bo Ramsey leading an ace rhythm section of Marty Christensen and Steve Hayes. Album artwork features another original hand sketching by the uber-talented Gene Flores. Buy this album here and we’ll email you a digital bonus track from the recording sessions…a duet with Kelly and Bo called “Like A Rose” only available here. “For me, the new album Yonder is very much the five year journey from the plains of Iowa and the Midwest to the big city bright lights and strip clubs of Los Angeles.” — KP
Purchase album at CD Baby.
Brand New Bag (2007)
Brand New Bag is Kelly Pardekooper’s fifth studio album. Released, distributed and manufactured by Dutch label Sonic Rendezvous Records, Brand New Bag finds the Iowa native and Los Angeles based singer-songwriter producing his most confident and beautiful work. Recorded and produced in East Nashville by his longtime friend, guitar-slinger and partner in vibe Teddy Morgan, Brand New Bag was tracked to 2” analog tape at Barrio East studio and recorded mostly live. Old friends and new ringers from the bands of John Doe, Junior Brown, and Jo Dee Messina help round out the core players of Teddy Morgan, Richard Medek, and Kelly Pardekooper. Gorgeously packaged with the original art of Gene Flores, Brand New Bag travels from lush to rock to folk to alt-country seamlessly and effortlessly. Track Listing: 1. Brand New Bag 2. Crazy Girl 3. Last Call 4. Mehaffey Bridge 5. Sometimes 6. Someone Cries 7. Forsaken 8. Quiet Tonight 9. Grandma’s Rosary 10. Sleep Now Angel
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Haymaker Heart (2005)
A year in the making, Haymaker Heart is the latest chapter in Kelly’s odd musical journey that has taken him from Iowa City to East Nashville. This near double album, distributed by Redeye, is his most ambitious work yet and a wonderful genre hop from the alt-country of his last two releases. Still plenty of roots on this 20 track opus, but some lush pop/rock goodies as well. An all-star cast of veteran musicians including Dave Moore and Teddy Morgan lend their talents to this new album produced by Kelly and John Svec at Minstrel Studio in Iowa City. Track Listing: 1. Not in Iowa 2. Tell Me (You’re the One) 3. Draw the Line 4. Just Shoot Me 5. Folk This (Kelly Cougar) 6. Wild Love 7. Too Late 8. Goo 9. Drinking Alone Again 10. 21st Century Trailer Park 11. Down 12. Old Car 13. Take Me 2 My Home 14. Your Caboose 15. All Over Now 16. Run Again 17. I Adore 18. I Suppose 19. West Side 20. Young American (Live w/Teddy Morgan)
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House of Mud (2002)
Produced by Teddy Morgan and Kelly Pardekooper, House of Mud marks the creative and touring collaboration of these two artists. Recorded by day while playing at night as the weekly house band at Margaritaville in Key West, Florida. Jimmy Buffet’s Shrimpboat Sound Studio hosted the recording sessions September 7–10, 2001. Musically diverse, the album travels through rock, pop, raw blues and naked folk. Teddy Morgan and Bo Ramsey cook on all things stringed while backbeat all-stars Atom Robinson and Matt Winegardner hold these Pardekooper originals together. Track Listing: 1. House of Mud 2. Drown in Alcohol 3. Whatever It Was 4. Hayseed Girl 5. Tell Me Quickly 6. Highway Home 7. Can’t Go There 8. Tiny Angel 9. Hell’s Kitchen 10. Pray For Rain
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Johnson County Snow (2000)
Kelly Pardekooper & the Devil’s House Band are born on this Dave Zollo produced CD. Kelly, Dustin Busch, Atom Robinson and Matt Winegardner make up this wildly popular Iowa City band circa 1999/2000. JoCo Snow is out and out twang-n-bang rock-n-roll. Guest appearances by Bo Ramsey, Marty Letz and Dave Zollo highlight this lively and energetic album. Track Listing: 1. Fly on the Wall 2. Compromise 3. Kin 4. Mrs. Brown 5. Upside Down 6. Waterloo 7. Young American 8. Sunday Afternoon 9. Long White Dress 10. Johnson County Snow
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- Compromise - (Country) (mp3)
30-Weight (1998)
Kelly’s full-length debut CD. A self produced/recorded singer-songwriter basement affair, 30-Weight is a great introduction to where Kelly begins both musically and lyrically. Stark narratives and infectious electric folk mix with pop, rock and hints of the twang to come. Track Listing: 1. Suzy 2. All She Wanted 3. Black Wearin’ Fellow 4. Dangerous 5. Chorus Song 6. Plain Jane 7. Witness 8. Tell Me Mama 9. Harmony 10. Midnight Train 11. Mehaffey Bridge (early version) 12. Junior’s Motel 13. Rosanna 41
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Out of print. Download at iTunes.