Son of a gun, we'll have big fun . . .

Speaking of Jambalaya, LD from the great blog, The Adios Lounge, has just uploaded an amazing video on YouTube. His description:

Here's Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Ray Charles at Storyville nightclub in New Orleans in 1986. This isn't the actual released performance, but an interview with bandleader and herder of cats, Paul Shaffer, along with priceless rehearsal footage, all of which puts the historic piano summit into context.

I can only imagine how tough it must have been for Paul Shaffer to run that rehearsal with those legends.

And now here is a video containing the actual performance:



Thanks also to commenter John Waugh for calling attention to this video.

Pick Guitars, Fill Fruit Jars...

Hey folks, head over to For The Sake Of The Song to check out my guest post about Jambalaya.

And here's a bonus version:

The Blue Ridge Rangers (a.k.a. John Fogerty) – Jambalaya (buy album)

More Christgau: What did she say?

I stumbled across this review and it just cracked me up:

Pieces of the Sky [Reprise, 1974]
Abetted by Brian Ahern, who would have been wise to add some Anne Murray schlock, Harris shows off a pristine earnestness that has nothing to do with what is most likable about country music and everything to do with what is most suspect in "folk." Presumably, Gram Parsons was tough enough to discourage this tendency or play against it, but as a solo mannerism it doesn't even ensure clear enunciation: I swear the chorus of the best song here sounds like it begins: "I will rub my asshole/In the bosom of Abraham." C+

This is a great song, but after reading Christgau's review you may never hear it the same way again...

Emmylou Harris - Boulder To Birmingham (buy album)

Links: Cindy Walker @ Harry's Music

I've really been enjoying Harry's Music lately. Blogger Don's latest post is about prolific Texas songwriter Cindy Walker.

Check it out!

Now enjoy a couple of songs penned by Cindy Walker:

Ray Charles - You Don't Know Me (buy album)
The Byrds - Blue Canadian Rockies (buy album)

UPDATE: If anybody has a copy of this album, I would love to hear it...

Anybody here see the fuzzy-wuzzy lovin' cup explosion?

I think we missed it.

The Guess Who - Hand Me Down World (buy album)

[I've been drinking wine again.]

Robert Christgau's Consumer Guide

Are you looking for a fun way to kill a few hours and maybe rekindle your love for some forgotten albums? If so, you have to check out Robert Christgau’s forty years of entertaining album reviews here.

While it would be impossible to agree with all of this takes, Christgau has impeccable taste in music and a very witty writing style. Best of all, his reviews are usually only a few sentences long, so it’s tons of fun (and addicting) just to browse. You can search by artist, by year, or by grade.

Here is a little ditty from one of Christgau’s A+ albums:

The Who - Tattoo (buy album)

[Note: For a cool refreshing drink to accompany your browsing, I’d recommend an Orange Blossom. Worked for me.]

More Info:
Home Page
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/my-tastes-dont-evolve-they-broaden-an-interview-with-robert-christgau/.

Caitlin Rose - Pretty Paper

I know I said I’d be posting only one Christmas song this year, but I didn’t realize that my favorite new country signer was going to be sending a special Christmas song my way.

So here’s one more for ya from Caitlin:

Caitlin Rose – Pretty Paper

Just in case you're new to this blog, here's Caitlin's big hit:

Caitlin Rose – Dead Flowers

Buy Caitlin's music @ Theory 8
Caitlin @ MySpace
Caitlin @ STWOF

Couldn't have said it better myself.

For an excellent review of the long-awaited album Hank Williams: The Unreleased Recordings, go to this post at Harry’s Music. (It tells you exactly why you must buy this box set.)

Harry’s Music is also where I found this great BBC clip:



By the way, it's been too long since I posted a Hank tune, so here goes:

Hank Williams – Pan American (buy album)

(Incidentally, the "Harry" in Harry's Music refers to this fellow. Check out Harry's Music when you have a chance. It's pretty cool.)

20 Essential "Alt" Country Albums of the 1970s, Part 2 of 2

STWOF Mix #2:
01. Gene Clark – Silver Raven (0:00)
02. John Hartford - Back In The Goodle Days (4:44)
03. Paul Siebel – Pinto Pony (7:56)
04. Willis Alan Ramsey– Northeast Texas Women (10:14)
05. Tom T. Hall - Tulsa Telephone Book (14:58)
06. Steve Young – Lonesome On'ry And Mean (17:16)
07. Kris Kristofferson – The Best Of All Possible Worlds (20:50)
08. John Prine – Spanish Pipedream (23:27)
09. Townes Van Zandt – Tecumseh Valley (26:02)
10. Gram Parsons – Return Of The Grievous Angel (30:13)

This is the second part of a two-part series. Read about the series (and see part 1) here.

Without further ado, here are my picks for the remaining ten of the 20 essential "alt" country albums of the 1970s:

Gene Clark – No Other (1974)


I sense that appreciation for Gene Clark's excellent body of work is on the upswing, much like appreciation for Gram Parsons' work increased considerably in the 1990s. This founding member of the Byrds recorded a number of great albums in the 1960s and 1970s, both on his own and as half of Dillard & Clark.

AMG Review
Featured Song: Silver Raven
(buy album)

John Hartford – Aereo-Plain (1971)


Just listen to the featured song and you will understand.

Rising Storm Review
Stylus Magazine Review
AMG Review
Featured Song: Back In The Goodle Days
(out of print)

Paul Siebel – Jack-Knife Gypsy (1971)


This is the less celebrated of Paul Siebel's two stellar albums, but it is my favorite (probably because of Clarence White's contributions on guitar). Read about Siebel's other great album at The Rising Storm.

AMG Review
Featured Song: Pinto Pony
(buy albums)

Willis Alan Ramsey – Willis Alan Ramsey (1972)


Here is the one and only legendary album from this artist.

Rising Storm Review
AMG Review
Featured Song: Northeast Texas Women
(buy album)

Tom T. Hall – In Search Of A Song (1971)


Longtime readers of this blog know that Tom T. stands right up there with Hank, Merle and Gram in my pantheon of greats. This album is his best and most consistent.

AMG Review
Featured Song: Tulsa Telephone Book
(buy album)

Steve Young - Seven Bridges Road (1972)


Steve Young is an unsung musical genius with an uncanny knack for avoiding the spotlight.

AMG Review
Featured Song: Lonesome, On'ry & Mean
(out of print)

Kris Kristofferson – Kristofferson (1970)


Thanks in large part to the songs on this album, Kristofferson was a major player in country music scene in the 1970's. The featured song is an instant classic with several great lines: "Well, I woke up next mornin' feelin' like my head was gone, and like my thick old tongue was lickin' something sick and wrong." (Apparently, Kris was often inspired by hangovers--see also Sunday Morning Coming Down). My favorite line from Kristofferson is the refrain: "There's still alot of drinks that I ain't drunk, and lots of pretty thoughts that I ain't thunk. . . ."

AMG Review
Featured Song: The Best Of All Possible Worlds
(buy album)

John Prine – John Prine (1971)


Check out my review at The Rising Storm

AMG Review
Featured Song: Spanish Pipedream
(buy album)

Townes Van Zandt – Live At The Old Quarter (1973)


You couldn't go wrong with any of Townes' 1970s albums, but this live recording from 1973 (released in 1977) is probably the best place to start.

Rolling Stone Review
Featured Song: Tecumseh Valley
(buy album)

Gram Parsons – Grievous Angel (1974)


"Pick it for me James..."

AMG Review
Featured Song: Return Of The Grievous Angel
(buy albums)

Here is the full list in rough chronological order:

1970
Kris Kristofferson – Kristofferson

1971
John Prine – John Prine
John Hartford – Aereo-Plain
Paul Siebel – Jack-Knife Gypsy
Tom T. Hall – In Search Of A Song

1972
Steve Young - Seven Bridges Road
Willis Alan Ramsey – Willis Alan Ramsey
The Flatlanders – More A Legend Than A Band

1973
Billy Joe Shaver – Old Five And Dimers Like Me
Waylon Jennings – Honky Tonk Heroes
Doug Sahm – Doug Sahm and Band
Jerry Jeff Walker – Viva Terlingua
Willie Nelson – Shotgun Willie
Townes Van Zandt – Live At The Old Quarter

1974
Gram Parsons – Grievous Angel
Gene Clark – No Other

1975
Guy Clark – Old No. 1

1978
Butch Hancock - West Texas Waltzes & Dust-Blown Tractor Tunes
Joe Ely – Honky Tonk Masquerade

1979
Terry Allen – Lubbock (On Everything)I'm sorry if I left off your favorite (i.e., Emmylou, Ray Wylie, Commander Cody, Mickey Newbury, Kinky, Bob Martin) If I did, please let me know. This easily could have been a three-part series. Maybe it will be...

(Tip: This podcast together with Part 1 make a really nice CD when burned together on a disc.)

TRS picks reissue of the year: Bob Martin's Midwest Farm Disaster

I wholeheartedly agree with The Rising Storm's selection of Bob Martin's Midwest Farm Disaster as the best reissue of the year. Go there to read about the album and for links to more reviews.

In a nutshell, it's a perfect folk record. Strong songs that grow better with age.

The fact that an album as strong as Midwest Farm Disaster, recorded way back in '72, could exist for so long under the radar really makes you wonder what other masterpieces might be hiding out there still waiting for potential discovery.

I found out about this disk through TRS, for which I am grateful. You should do the same!

Bob Martin – Captain Jesus (buy album)