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A perfect, poetic epic from one of our best songwriters, the capstone of the incredible album Time (The Revelator). Welch weaves an emotionally devastating depiction of longing and loss out of classic Americana, snippets of country music history, and Biblical references. Certain verses read as a eulogy for classic, outlaw country culture, others are just abstract imagery.
Connected in my mind with Dylan's epic Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands (and Isis), but also with Joni Mitchell's Coyote, maybe because of these two hungover and ruminative diner scenes:
Coyote's in the coffee shop.
He's staring a hole in his scrambled eggs.
He picks up my scent on his fingers.
While he's watching the waitresses' legs.
vs
Sunday morning at the diner
Hollywood trembles on the verge of tears
I watched the waitress for a thousand years
Saw a wheel inside a wheel, heard a call within a call
I dreamed a highway back to you
The actual recording is a miracle, one live 14-minute take with no overdubs, Dave Rawlings (her husband) improv-ing along. The sound itself is perfect.
Time (The Revelator) also has Revelator and Everything Is Free, two other all-time classics of American music. Can't recommend it enough!
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Excellent 1976 cinema verite style documentary capturing performances and musings from the likes of Townes Van Zandt, David Allan Coe, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Steve Young, etc. whole thing is kind of a hangout vibe, essential viewing if you’re interested in outlaw country at all
Jan 25, 2024
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So comfy. Feels like being under a warm blanket and reading a fun book about legends and stories of the old west, heroes and horses. The albums John Wesley Harding through Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid.
Favorite songs: The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest, Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You, Days of ‘49, If Not For You (George Harrison also did a great version of this!)
Apr 20, 2024
if you're a TVZ fan, you've probably seen his performances of Waiting Round to Die and Pancho and Lefty from this documentary, but this is the other standout performance in the film imo. haven't found a version of this song that touches Crowell's.
Mar 18, 2024
Top Recs from @djt
Blindsided by this, really sad. The list of Albini's productions is jaw-dropping. Magnolia Electric Company is one of the great pieces of post-industrial Americana, bleak and beautiful. Farewell Transmission is Jason Molina's most powerful recording, but the album (incl. outtakes) is stacked. Heavy & gorgeous, suitable for the moment.
May 8, 2024
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Tearing up right now instead of working. I moved to the city as the last of Williamsburg's artistic energy was spent, and I moved to the edge of the neighborhood after it was already hollowed out. God bless the few places that are still interesting: Spectacle, Union Pool, Ore Bar, Blue Sun, Miriam Gallery, The P.I.T., Baby's, etc.
Are there places in NYC with a real artistic scene now, or did our new way of living end that possibility? Please don't say Hudson, there's no way I can learn to make furniture.
Jan 30, 2024
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More of a look back on the making of the album, no footage from the actual recording, iirc. But great banter, good insights into the process.
The Wilco doc about making Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is good and dramatic, too—I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.
Jan 25, 2024