Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, and Other Good Stuff

[animaltobacco11 107]

It's amazing how Rich Men North of Richmond is still culturally relevant and uniting people of all walks and demographics in feeling seen and heard. Good for him, I wish him much success.

[animaltobacco11 107]

From the New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/a-close-listen-to-rich-men-north-of-richmond

Anthony may very well be an industry plant sent to our social-media feeds to promote a nativist vision of this country, but, if a collection of right-wing Twitter accounts could boost any song to the top of the charts, Jack Posobiec would be the most powerful record executive in the country. There’s something else going on here that can’t be explained through some silly game in which you match the desires of a population with the words that appear in a song and then declare that a people—in this case the white working class—has found their anthem. Anthony might not be some “authentic” sensation, but that doesn’t mean he’s talentless. More than anything, he reminds me of the type of country singer who sings old songs to great acclaim on “American Idol,” but who may ultimately struggle when it comes time to cut a modern album. For the viewer, the delight comes in seeing someone make it but also in the reassurance that there are talented people all over this country who sing in anonymity and who do not bend themselves to fit every musical trend.

Much like “Idol” contestants, such as Bo Bice or Scotty McCreery, Anthony can really sing. His voice isn’t quite as smooth and virtuosic as the country star Chris Stapleton’s, but it carries a similar depth of tone and his screamy rasp never feels like the affectation of an amateur who is trying too hard, but rather does what it’s supposed to do: communicate emotion. What words are put to that voice are far less important than the nostalgia the music evokes, and, in Anthony’s case, the image of the authentic singer-songwriter.

“Authentic” is a loaded word in music, especially when it comes to country and the blues. It’s one of those things that you supposedly just know when you hear, but there’s a lot of image-making that goes into all that honesty. We commonly see it as a lone man with his guitar, preferably a strange one, standing in a field surrounded by the comforts of rural life. This vision is not only restricted to country. Les Blank’s short documentary, “The Blues Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins,” frames its titular subject in junk yards, on front porches, and in humble living rooms. When Blank’s camera is at its best, all this scenery gets blurred down into a pleasant, saturated bokeh. The video of Anthony performing “Rich Men North of Richmond” trades in these same motifs. We see Anthony standing at a microphone with a resonator guitar. There are three dogs of ambiguous breeds lying in the grass at his feet and, in the background, softly out of focus, we see the greenery of the rural South.

I should say here that I am not immune to these charms. When I first heard Townes Van Zandt, I felt that some truth had been revealed about how life can break and drag, but in a glamorous way. Lyrics like, “Well I used to wake and run with the moon / I lived like a rake and a young man” seemed to gesture toward some truth that sat deeper than most. The documentary “Heartworn Highways” captured Van Zandt in a kitchen with a beautiful woman and an old Black man in a cowboy hat who is reduced to tears when Van Zandt plays “Waitin’ Around to Die.” The markers of authenticity—the wood-panelled kitchen, the woman who alternates between cleaning dishes and smoking a cigarette, the grizzled Black man who, himself, also stands in for authenticity—could be pulled apart and declared problematic by any freshman in a critical-studies class. But they also work.

There are certainly better versions of the revanchist ethos found in “Rich Men North of Richmond,” but Anthony is neither the worst nor the most reactionary artist to sing about the plight of the common man. The pundits who may be trying to turn country music into gangster rap by fixating on a few, and in Anthony’s case, occasionally silly lyrics are vastly underestimating just how many country songs are about old-time feelings while also overestimating just how long a viral trend can last. In a year or two, Oliver Anthony may very well be playing to decent crowds and trying his best to distance himself from “Rich Men North of Richmond” so that he can play the types of folksy, “authentic” country songs that he seems to actually enjoy. I imagine this, ultimately, is what he might actually want. ♦

[UTexasFight 9454]

Not usually a big fan of “back in my day” songs….and this one is no different.

but appreciate the effort, and if this thread had a theme song, it’d probably be this.

do want the Mel Tillis hat though.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D0z2nTQh6mk
 

[UTexasFight 9454]

1 hour ago, animaltobacco11 said:

 

.The documentary “Heartworn Highways” captured Van Zandt in a kitchen with a beautiful woman and an old Black man in a cowboy hat who is reduced to tears when Van Zandt plays “Waitin’ Around to Die.” The markers of authenticity—the wood-panelled kitchen, the woman who alternates between cleaning dishes and smoking a cigarette, the grizzled Black man who, himself, also stands in for authenticity—could be pulled apart and declared problematic by any freshman in a critical-studies class. But they also work.

 

Umm what?

that's also just called “the 70s in Austin”.

[baboso 6056]

The beautiful woman is Susanna Clark, Guy Clark's wife.

[tigol 2398]

3 hours ago, baboso said:

The beautiful woman is Susanna Clark, Guy Clark's wife.

The harmony she adds in the video is haunting.

[UTexasFight 9454]

Such an incredible documentary.

watch it at least once a year.

[Buzzrock 14921]

Probably already posted but it just came up on my Release Radar. Not sorry.

[deadshank 24653]

I really like this guy.  Tulsa's Last Magician is really great.

 

[Buzzrock 14921]

Headed to Stapleton tonight with a huge gang. Gonna be hot as balls. Marcus King opening.

[Al_4_ISU 12464]

On 8/23/2023 at 5:24 PM, deadshank said:

I really like this guy.  Tulsa's Last Magician is really great.

 

Yeah, that whole Peculiar MO album is really, really good.

[hullabelew 3724]

Caught McMurtry in Archer City last weekend with his full band.  Fantastic show.  Played a great new song in his encore with Betty Soo.  The song started off talking about Pinocchio and Geppetto but as all McMurtry songs so, it quickly morphs.  

I had never been to a show at the sight of the old Royal Theater.  They have done a really good job of setting up the room next to the bombed out shell of old theater.  Song and lighting were fantastic.  

 

[Foosters 17858]

Edit: Nvrmnd

Edited August 28, 2023 by Foosters

[BigOrange1 6441]

surprised there hasn't been any mention of the new zach bryan album.  i am greatly enjoying it this weekend.  early on, i think this one is the stand out:

 

[Buzzrock 14921]

Stapleton was great but an almost identical show to 2021. Same stage setup and a lot of the same songs, although one difference is his wife wasn’t there. Marcus King was great, his wife comes out and sings with him too.

[Gil Bang 25961]

 

On 8/25/2023 at 1:30 PM, Foosters said:

Forgot to post this earlier. "Middle of the morning" from Isbell's show at The Greek in July with Shires.

Middle of the morning

link doesn't work and I'm kinda glad, because I had tickets to that show and couldn't go so they were wasted. 

[UTexasFight 9454]

3 hours ago, Buzzrock said:

 Marcus King was great, his wife comes out and sings with him too.

Go on…..

 

 

 

seeing her reminds me I should have been a musician 

Edited August 28, 2023 by UTexasFight

[Dry Elbows 142]

On 8/27/2023 at 10:53 AM, BigOrange1 said:

surprised there hasn't been any mention of the new zach bryan album.  i am greatly enjoying it this weekend.  early on, i think this one is the stand out:

 

Spent a lot of my weekend listening to it and the new Turnpike. I’m a fan of Jake’s Piano, El Dorado, I Remember Everything, Tradesman, and Oklahoma Son. 

[Al_4_ISU 12464]

The new Turnpike has kept me from really digging into the new Zach Bryan. I kinda can’t put it down.

[Kennythetiger 9388]

17 minutes ago, Al_4_ISU said:

The new Turnpike has kept me from really digging into the new Zach Bryan. I kinda can’t put it down.

Harvest is coming up. 

[Al_4_ISU 12464]

22 minutes ago, Kennythetiger said:

Harvest is coming up. 

Yeah, probably next week at this rate.  Plenty of time to dig into all of this.

[4th&Five 41558]

 

[Scraps 13561]

Zachbryanpresale.com to sign up.

I already signed up for Tampa show.

Astros play @ Tampa Aug 12, 13, 14(hopefully day game)

ZB and Isbell on the 14th(night)

Boner

[Scraps 13561]

surprised there hasn't been any mention of the new zach bryan album.  i am greatly enjoying it this weekend.  early on, i think this one is the stand out:
 

I like all the duets. Started listening to a few The War and Treaty songs after hearing them on Hey Driver.

Agree East Side of Sorrow is really good.

I really like Tourniquet

"If you need a tourniquet, or if you wanna turn and quit know I will be by your side"


That fucking bird on Smaller Acts man wtf lol

[PRONG HORN 3146]

 

[Viper 12109]

Does this need it's own thread?

 

 

 

[bluto 4930]

I’ll be damned Isbell (with a hand from ZB) is big enough for stadium shows. Wild

[Shoxthemonkey 1981]

23 hours ago, Kennythetiger said:

Harvest is coming up. 

Haven't you been to the cafe and heard the news? There will be no harvest this year.

[Al_4_ISU 12464]

15 minutes ago, Shoxthemonkey said:

Haven't you been to the cafe and heard the news? There will be no harvest this year.

We still have to drive through those empty corn stalks.

[oSuJeff97 3435]

11 hours ago, bluto said:

I’ll be damned Isbell (with a hand from ZB) is big enough for stadium shows. Wild

I mean, it still blows my mind that Turnpike Troubadours sell out arenas and headline festivals.

The first few times I saw them were at Mercury Lounge. I remember being all excited when they got big enough to play Cain's. 

Now they sell out shows at Red Rocks and shit. Unbelievable. 

[jimmyjazz 45963]

I've seen TT once.  They were playing outside at one of those restaurants on South 1st in Austin that has a big open area with a playground, picnic tables, etc.  I thought they were OK, they seemed a little contrived, and it seems they shifted to a more original, less affected style over the years.

[Pescado_Rojo 19416]

22 hours ago, 4th&Five said:

 

This might make me rethink my personal ban on the state of Ohio. 

[Celery Man 20962]

1 minute ago, Pescado_Rojo said:

This might make me rethink my personal ban on the state of Ohio. 

[Al_4_ISU 12464]

39 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

I've seen TT once.  They were playing outside at one of those restaurants on South 1st in Austin that has a big open area with a playground, picnic tables, etc.  I thought they were OK, they seemed a little contrived, and it seems they shifted to a more original, less affected style over the years.

Their actual first album "Bossier City" which is no longer in print, had a much more standard "Red Dirt" sound that came off more like some of those hokier acts that spend their entire career playing in Texas (Casey Donahew comes to mind, and I legit like a few of his songs).  They played up the accents to sound more Southern and shit like that, and used more standard tropes in their songwriting.

They found their own voice pretty quickly after that.  There's a reason that they've absolutely exploded, and their front man is regarded as one of the best modern songwriters.

[Celery Man 20962]

for someone who has mostly ignored the troubadours, where would you recommend starting?

[Ollie Slatt 289]

5 minutes ago, Celery Man said:

for someone who has mostly ignored the troubadours, where would you recommend starting?

I would start with the self-titled album.  Then Goodbye Normal Street or Diamonds and Gasoline.  There are some great songs on all of the albums, so hard to go wrong. 

[4th&Five 41558]

53 minutes ago, Celery Man said:

for someone who has mostly ignored the troubadours, where would you recommend starting?

IMO they have some great songs but none of their albums are great. If I was giving someone a starter kit it would be a few from each album. My faves:

Every Girl, 7&7, Whole Damn Town, Gin Smoke Lies, Before the Devil Knows We’re Dead, House Fire, Tornado Warning, The Hard Way, Pay No Rent, Down Here, Mean Old Sun

[Al_4_ISU 12464]

1 hour ago, Celery Man said:

for someone who has mostly ignored the troubadours, where would you recommend starting?

I think "A Long Ways From Your Heart" is their best album.  All of their 5 proper albums are A- to A levels for me, personally.  There are probably less than 5 songs in their whole catalog I skip, and I can't say that about anyone.  They've maintained a remarkably consistent and high quality output.

Prior to the current album, I made the following 12 song playlist for a friend that had never really "got" Turnpike:

Winding Star Mountain Blues

Good Lord Lorrie

Tornado Warning

Ringing In the Year

Long Drive Home

Morgan Street

The Funeral

Whole Damn Town

Pay No Rent

Diamonds & Gasoline

The Bird Hunters

The Housefire

Edited August 29, 2023 by Al_4_ISU

[bluto 4930]

Now a primer on Zach Bryan as I’ve totally been blindsided by his ascent?

[Brew 3049]

On 8/27/2023 at 10:21 PM, UTexasFight said:

Go on…..

 

 

 

seeing her reminds me I should have been a musician 

Saw them Thursday night, she may as well have just come out naked because there wasn’t much left to the imagination. They did a couple of songs together including Landslide which was pretty good, but the visual of them side by side is the most entertaining part.

Signing up for the Foxborough presale, daughter wants to see Zach Bryan and I’m always up for Isbell.

[jimmyjazz 45963]

Forgive me if this has been posted, I don't keep up with this thread but sporadically.  I love Elle King's cover of Tyler Childer's "Jersey Giant".  Her voice is perfect for the song.  She's a really interesting artist, totally genre-bending, almost moreso that gals like Miley or Kacey.

 

[Al_4_ISU 12464]

1 minute ago, jimmyjazz said:

Forgive me if this has been posted, I don't keep up with this thread but sporadically.  I love Elle King's cover of Tyler Childer's "Jersey Giant".  Her voice is perfect for the song.  She's a really interesting artist, totally genre-bending, almost moreso that gals like Miley or Kacey.

 

When that came out last fall, I listened to it for nearly a week straight.

[jimmyjazz 45963]

7 minutes ago, Al_4_ISU said:

When that came out last fall, I listened to it for nearly a week straight.

It's totally captivating.  She was mostly raised in southern Ohio, so it's not like she's faking the country music thing, but it shocked me when I first heard it.  I mostly knew her for "Ex's and Oh's".

[NWBuck 8570]

1 hour ago, Brew said:

Saw them Thursday night, she may as well have just come out naked because there wasn’t much left to the imagination.

Talk about being appropriately named... Here's her Insta (with new last name) for ..uh.. research purposes.

[Al_4_ISU 12464]

56 minutes ago, NWBuck said:

Talk about being appropriately named... Here's her Insta (with new last name) for ..uh.. research purposes.

This, right here, is why men learn to play guitar.  You truly love rock and roll - many of us do - but this is why you bother to attempt making it.

[Celery Man 20962]

it's like a troll doll fucking a barbie, it's just too wide of a gap

[Kennythetiger 9388]

Maybe he’s like me and has an outstanding personality and extraordinary lovemaking abilities. 

[NWBuck 8570]

2 hours ago, Celery Man said:

it's like a troll doll fucking a barbie, it's just too wide of a gap

Oh, it's going to widen that gap alright.... Probably dislocate a hip or something.

[BigOrange1 6441]

23 hours ago, bluto said:

Now a primer on Zach Bryan as I’ve totally been blindsided by his ascent?

honestly you may just wanna start with the new album.  i can't stop listening to it and every time through end up liking it more and more.

[tbone_ 14127]

honestly you may just wanna start with the new album.  i can't stop listening to it and every time through end up liking it more and more.

I just downloaded this and American Heartbreak. That’s a lot of songs.

Give us 5 to start with.