For Tonight's Listening Pleasure

Prompted by this week's miscue regarding John Prine I ransacked the basement storage room for a box of CD's and came up with a mitt-ful of favourite American musicians. Enough to get me through tonight and Saturday night.

Oh, the reason for having to do the ransack job - we now have two bedrooms worth of furniture spread throughout the house. The first bedroom to get the new hardwood flooring is still empty as the neighbour is still working at completing the fresh paint job. Earlier today, after Lynda arrived home from work, and her brother and nephew arrived to work on the second room, we emptied it of bed, dressers, side tables, etc. They made a start on the job before I came to work tonight and should have it done late today.

Music list -
John Prine - self titled debut - 1971
" " - Great Days Anthology - disc 2 - 1993
" " - In Spite Of Ourselves - 1999

Steve Earle - El Corazon - 1997
" " - Transcendental Blues - 2000

John Mellencamp - Big Daddy - 1989
" " - Whenever We Wanted - 1991

Danny Gatton - 88 Elmira St. - 1991 (autographed)
" " - Crusin' Dueces - 1993

Jennifer Warnes - Famous Blue Raincoat; songs of Leonard Cohen - 1986

Why these ones?? Lemme see.

I've always liked Mellencamp but haven't listened to these two releases in ages; time for fresh ears. His more recent ones have distinctive intrumentation and production so I wanted to see how he arrived there.

If you've been following recent posts you already know I'm on a Leonard Cohen kick. Growing up I was familiar with his poetry and would occassionally hear him perform a song. More often though I would hear his songs covered by other artists so when Jennifer Warnes came out with this compilation that was done so well... I had to have it. It's a long time since I listened to this one, too. Reading the liner notes she is backed by some real talent - guesting on various tracks are Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robben Ford and David Lindley. From Frank Zappa's old band and Jeff Beck's current one - Vinnie Colaiuta does all the drumming.

John Prine is a one of a kind songwriter and performer. The mention of him triggered a ton of memories for me. His debut album was a constant on my turntable for months because it was chuck full of great material. Illegal Smile, Hello In there, Paradise, Donald and Lydia, Sam Stone... it goes on and on. 'In Spite Of Ourselves' is Prine's homage to early country music writers and their songs which he duets with nine of his favourite women singers - new and old. The only self penned tune is the title track.

And Whoa! Danny Gatton, the guitarist's guitarist - what a stylist!! I had the good fortune to meet him after his performance at Toronto's infamous Queen Street West watering-hole, The Horseshoe Tavern back in '92. I had never had the opportunity to see someone so talented, up so close. It was an incredible show. Harlem Nocturne, Sky King, Quiet Village, In My Room. Here he does a moody version of 'Sleepwalk'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt_atAgWH2s&feature=related

Steve Earle's music has undergone a major transition since his early years and sudden success with 'Copperhead Road'. A few albums along that same line, a disconnect, some morphing, underwent some serious problems with substance, did some time in jail and wound up reviving what looked like a failing career. He's one serious dude when it comes to politics and politicrats. His re-emergence with Washington Square Serenade is a musical blessing. Here's a clip from a performance on Bravo - Live @ the Rehearsal Hall. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-0jW1EbRBY