This morning I was listening to David Gray’s new live covers album when I was suddenly transfixed by his rendition of the oft-recorded country ballad “Long Black Veil.” I was already familiar with the song via the version on Music from Big Pink, the debut record by the Band, but as I listened to Gray’s [...]
Archive for August, 2007
Long Black Veil
Posted in Movies, Music, Uncategorized on August 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Hats Off to Hank (And Del)
Posted in Music, Uncategorized on August 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Most fans of early rock and roll remember Del Shannon for his distinctive style on two sizable hits, “Runaway” and “Hats Off to Larry.” Few likely realize, however, that Shannon’s brooding tenor was respected enough, and prolific enough, to earn him the kind of cult following necessary to substantiate massive archival reissues such as [...]
Music City, USA
Posted in Music, Uncategorized on August 20, 2007 | 1 Comment »
Last Friday, my father and I made our annual music pilgrimage, this year traveling to Music City, USA. From the hundred-degrees-and-humid open air of Nashville to the chilly, air conditioned halls of country music history and back again, we trekked through the Country Music Hall of Fame, RCA Studio B, Ryman Auditorium, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, [...]
The Portrait Artist
Posted in Music, Uncategorized on August 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
I may have heard Hank Williams and Robert Johnson years earlier, but my love affair with American roots music didn’t begin in earnest until I encountered a much less imposing voice: Peter Guralnick.
Even among those who speak with the pen, Guralnick is soft-spoken. He is also the most honest and loving music writer I have [...]
