Drive-By Truckers, Music Hall of Williamsburg, 3/6/16

June 1, 2016

My musical taste may have started with the Replacements, the Ramones, and Husker Du, but my tastes have evolved to include other genres as well. One of my very favorite bands are the Drive-By Truckers. They are often classified as alternative country and site their varied influences as Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Replacements, the Rolling Stones, and REM, to name just a few. What they bring to music are incredible lyrics, amazing musicianship, and a true heart and soul for doing what they do. DBT is a band that has had up to 3 songwriters, very different in style and content, at any one time. While for most bands this could easily turn into a scattered, incoherent mess, with DBT it melds into something that seems effortlessly beautiful. A marriage of voices, styles, and souls that compares to no other band I know. With the departure of Jason Isbell in 2007 (and his subsequently very successful solo career—Isbell recently won two Grammy awards), the bands songwriting remains incredibly strong and relevant. And although Isbell was a critical part of DBT albums such as Decoration Day, The Dirty South, and A Blessing and a Curse, Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley continue to prove that they are strong enough songwriters to preserve the DBT stories and sound without a third lyricist.

I’d seen DBT before, but only as an opening band for Alabama Shakes in September of 2015. While seeing them as an opening band was certainly better than nothing, my love of the entire Drive-By Truckers catalog made it a priority for me to see them as headliners. I waited patiently until I heard that they were coming to the NYC area on March 6, 2016. Overjoyed, I purchased tickets the second they went on sale.

DBT is a band that is also well-loved by some good friends of mine, so we met in a quirky (and very good) Thai restaurant called SEA a couple of blocks away from the venue. I highly recommend it as a pre-show stop for drinks or dinner.

As always, It was my intention to get there early so that we could stand right up front. I got my wish.

The setlist spanned the long and incredible career of DBT, beginning with the quieter and more reflective “Tornadoes” but segueing into the much louder “Where the Devil Don’t Stay” and then a rendition of “Sink Hole” that made you stomp your feet and cheer.

Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley alternated songs throughout the night, and what struck me is how rare it is to find a band where each of the singer-songwriters is so different in tone, style, and content, but each equally as strong. These guys really are some of the best songwriters out there, but they add to it with how well they play and how well they back each other up. There is no other team out there as cohesive as Hood and Cooley when they’re up on that stage together.

Hood is always a great story teller, and being the progressive woman that I am, I have to say that one of my favorite parts of the evening was when he stepped up to the microphone and said “Mama, I know you’re listening on the internet, and if you vote for Donald Trump, I’m putting you in the nursing home… .” I’d already been smiling from ear to ear because of the quality of the show, and that only added to it. Another favorite moment of mine was when Hood changed the lyrics of “Let There be Rock” to include the Replacements and REM, instead of Ozzy Osbourne and AC/DC. Hood has a very wide collection of musical influences, and this was really reflective of that.

The band had already been playing for almost 2 hours, but I never wanted it to end. They rocked the house down. I don’t think that a person in the audience was spared from having one of the best concert experiences of their lives.

When the band came out for their encore, I hoped for 2 or 3 more songs. I just didn’t want this show to end. And as if they read the mind of the overjoyed audience, the encore set consisted of 6 songs. Beginning with a rip-roaring version of “Birthday Boy” and ending with the subdued “Angels and Fuselage,” the show ended as it had begun. With a beautiful and reflective song, filled with a grand total of 21 high-energy, kick-ass songs in between. It’s not often that a show feels perfect from start to finish. This one really did.

Drive-By Truckers have been together for 20 years, but this band shows no signs of letting up or slowing down.They just keep getting better with age.

 

 

 

 

Forever Wild: An interview with Willie Nile

May 30, 2016
Photo May 28, 12 10 08 PM

Willie Nile and my friend Joe Macbeth before a show at City Winery

Willie Nile is an artist that first started making music in 1980. His first album was so well received that he and his band were asked to open up for The Who just two months later. He counts Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, Pete Townshend, and Bono as some of his biggest fans and has been described by many in the industry as one of the best songwriters of all time. Perhaps Lucinda Williams summed it best when she said “If there was any justice in the world, I’d be opening up for Willie Nile instead of him for me.”

I was lucky enough to interview Willie recently. I found him to be thoughtful, kind, and compassionate. He was soft-spoken and reflective, very different from the super-energetic persona you see up on stage. As he spoke is was very clear that his passion for his music hasn’t wavered.

 

J Your songwriting is often regarded as some of the best in the industry. What really strikes me about it is your genuine understanding of people, what they go through, and how they feel. Have you always been this way? Able to really connect to people’s emotions?

WN I think so. How I feel now is how I’ve always felt. I’ve always had sort of a sensitivity to how people are feeling. It always struck me if someone was feeling sad or lonely—I could always pick up on it. Even as a small child. I feel I have that ability to feel what people are feeling and it’s reflected in my songwriting.

J You took some time away from the industry but have been releasing one really great album after another in recent years. What made you decide that it was time to make new music again?

WN Once I started putting records out on my own label, on my own, and realized that there was such a freedom in doing that. You didn’t have to wait for major record labels to come along and back an album. The record industry has changed so much. Realizing I could do it on my own gave me such a sense of freedom and independence to just put records out. I’m always writing. I realized I could just put them out as my collections came together. It totally freed me.

J  World War Willie is so full of passion and energy and so different from your last album, If I was a River, which was so intimate and reflective. And so different from your other albums. How was it that you decided to take such a turn from your normal sound in that album?

WN I think after I made American Ride, it was very successful and got me to a point where I reached a goal. I had been wanting to make an intimate piano-based album for many years. And after the success of American Ride I felt I had a small window to finally do that album and knock it out pretty quickly. I had all the songs. It was such a labor of love. They all are. I felt that since I had success with American Ride I had the time and opportunity to make a left turn and do something I’d wanted to do for a long time. I’m really quite happy with how it came out. It sounds like a heartbeat. You can hear a heart beating there. I’m really proud of how it turned out. Those songs were just ready to come out and I’m so glad I got to do it.

J Your live shows are a favorite of mine. I recently saw you at City Winery in NYC and as usual, you really brought the house down. Your shows always feel like a party to which the entire audience has been invited. Why do you think your shows have such amazing energy and just inspire the crowd to have a great time?

WN If I wasn’t going to give it my all I wouldn’t walk out there. What would be the point? And if I’m tired or a little bit under the weather, the music and the crowd always picks me up. And the audience picks me up. Life is difficult and I like putting a positive spin on things. I like the crowd to have a great time, my band is absolutely incredible. The audience always makes me feel so welcome and so I get so much back. I give everything I’ve got every single time and I get so much back. I don’t do it to get so much back, but the audience gives me that. It’s always so satisfying and so much fun. If I didn’t think it was special I wouldn’t step on the stage. The audience deserves that. I always tell people if they come out to see my show and they don’t have a great time, I’ll happily give them their money back. One of the best things that I ever hear is when a fan tells me that they had no idea who I was, came with a friend to a show, and became a fan for life. I think the audience can tell when you’re faking. It wouldn’t be fair.

J (Question by my friend, Joe Macbeth) Many of your contemporaries from the ’80s that found mega stardom seem to have peaked and now are more of a novelty act, just playing their hits. You, on the other hand, seem to continue to learn and grow as a songwriter and live performer, perhaps more so than ever. Late bloomer? Patience? Resilience? Despite never really achieving the mega stardom that people like me think you’ve been cheated from? Is this a blessing in disguise as it’s led to such a long and fruitful career?

WN I think it’s sort of a blessing in disguise. I think that not having mega hits, I always had to work really hard and it made me keep my edge. I never got soft. For some reason my inspiration is still very strong. I’m mindful of that, that I’ve had a really good run with new album after new album and the quality is so strong. I’m really happy about that. I think I’m just really lucky and I’ve always just followed my heart. And the music reflects that. I also have an incredible band behind me and the support of a lot of other musicians. And my fans. So I just keep working hard and making music.

J Your understanding of human emotion is clear. In this really ugly time in American politics, connecting through music is more important than ever. Why do you think you appeal to such a wide variety of people?

WN Absolutely. I think you can come to one of my shows no matter what your political leanings or affiliations are and have a great time and help me raise the roof. Classic style rock and roll, it’s real and we give it everything we’ve got and people respond to that. And the content of my music is about compassion and helping one’s neighbors, and “let’s try to make this a better world as best we can.” I don’t beat it to death, but the songs and music can be uplifting. It certainly lifts me up. And if it can make us come together and lift us up, all the better.

People can disagree on this or that. My general feeling is that if everyone had the same information—information we get is so scattered and all over the place—that we’d come to a better understanding. It’s hard to know what to believe. Some people out there are basing things on fear, and while it’s a scary world out there, life is about compassion and looking out for our fellow man and coming together. That’s what we need to get. It’s what life is all about.

J What would you like the world to know about Willie Nile? And your plans for the future?

WN I’m alive and well and on fire making music I care passionately about, and I have one of the best bands on the planet, and I’ll be playing more shows and putting out more music as long as I can. World War Willie came out beyond my wildest expectations. It’s really something I’m proud of. These are glory days for me, no doubt about it.

The shows are so much fun and people that come know that. And the word seems to be spreading about that, which makes me so appreciative.

It’s not your normal story in that I’m an older artist and seem to be at the top of my game. I’m putting out what I think is my best music and these are really inspiring times for me. And it’s not always an inspiring world out there, so if people want to come down and forget that for a while and have a really great time, I think they can do that at my shows. I think they’ll be glad they did.

Album review: WILLIE NILE , “WORLD WAR WILLIE”

May 30, 2016

Willie Nile is among the last of a generation of true rock and rollers. He’s the guy that you’d love to hang out with at the corner bar listening to his story telling all night because it’s just that good. He understands people, music and how to give his audience the night of their lives. This man just gets it. Fans of Willie include musical icons such as Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Paul Simon, Alejandro Escovedo and Lucinda Williams to name just a few. When you listen to his music, you figure out pretty quickly just why this man is so respected among his peers.

Coming just 2 years after the release after his piano album “If I was a River”, which was loaded with beauty, intimacy and reflection, Willie is back to his high energy, driving fast with the top down kind of rock and roll we just don’t see anymore these days. And he makes us remember why we all still need it so desperately.

Willie is the kind of songwriter that comes along only a few times in a generation. His lyrics capture the human spirit and the human condition is a way that squeezes your heartstrings and makes you remember feeling exactly what he seems to be feeling. Nile has an incredible ability to segue from reflective and beautiful into a song that will having you jumping up and singing at the top of your lungs with unadulterated fun and joy. He’s a true classic, but one that seems to be getting even better with age.

At 67, instead of getting soft, his music is getting even more energized. World War Willie proves it.

In a recent interview I had with him, Willie spoke about the fact that he’s never had a true “mega-hit” like so many of his contemporaries and that while many of them are now going through the motions or trying to recreate whatever magic it was that gave them that one hit, he’s never been able to sit back and coast. He’s always had to work hard and its allowed him to never become soft. He believes that maybe never achieving mega-stardom was a blessing in disguise, because his drive, tenacity and energy remained intact. This allowed him to grow as a musician instead of stagnate .

World War Willie shows us Willie Nile at his absolute best. In it we are reminded why so many artists believe that Nile’s inability thusfar to achieve real commercial  success is a travesty. It’s inexplicable that this man isn’t a rock and roll legend to the masses, instead of just those in the know. If you can listen to this album without a huge smile on your  face, then I doubt I’d ever want to listen to music with you. Because musically, you just wouldn’t have a clue. It’s that good.

Willie has joined up once again with his longstanding band-  Guitarist Matt Hogan, bassist Johnny Pisano and drummer Alex Alexander. These guys know how to play together and they know how to make it feel like a party.

From the opening track, “Forever Wild”, the fun begins. This song, full of piano, classic guitar riffs and the undeniable high energy of Willie and his band, it speaks to all of us about trying to keep a sense of our youth. “Sixteen and crazy, we were achin’ to be, we were livin for eternity,”  Who doesn’t remember that feeling? And who amongst us isn’t doing our best to hold onto some of that youth as tightly as we can? Another highlight is the hilarious and high energy “Grandpa Rocks”  Willie, himself a Grandfather of 4, embraces it . “He wears with black jeans and a Clash t shirt, his combat boots are covered in dirt, when he plays guitar his amps up loud, he ain’t dead yet, he still draws a crowd!”

The album isn’t all high energy. Two of its best tracks are “Runaway Girl” and “Beautiful you.” They are true love songs in every sense of the word. And while the lyrics of Runaway Girl are more traditional, Nile’s songwriting ability really comes through in “Beautiful You”.  “Who laughs inside the raindrops and says just let it pour, who navigates my crazy and parks it at the door. Beautiful you.”

World War Willie emphasizes Nile’s innate ability to showcase beautiful and poignant lyrics on the same record as playful, funny and energetic rock and roll. This is a man that understands the seriousness of the world and its problems in songs like “Let’s all Come Together”  which calls on us all to put our differences aside and make the world a better place, but knows we all need to have a really great time once in a while.

The album also includes a touching tribute to Leavon Helm  and finishes up with a really excellent rendition of Lou Reed’s  “Sweet Jane”.

World War Willie is an album not to be missed by any of his ever growing legion of fans. And if you don’t count yourself among them yet, do yourself a huge favor and get this album as soon as you can. Rock and roll at its finest.

Willie will be playing at Brooklyn Bowl in NY on July 14, 2016. Don’t miss it!

4.5 STARS

 

 

An interview with Henry Rollins about the importance of Dinosaur Jr.

May 30, 2016

It’s no secret that Dinosaur Jr. is a favorite band among its peers. On any given night, you will be likely to find at least 2 or 3 other musicians who are either in attendance at the show or getting up on the stage to play along with them. There are very few bands in the industry that garner such widespread respect.

Henry Rollins is among Dinosaur Jr.’s biggest fans. He has seen hundreds of their live shows, traveled with them extensively, and touts their excellence whenever possible. Because Dinosaur Jr. was really the band responsible for my writing this blog and immersing myself back into the world of live music, I knew Henry would be exactly the right person to ask about why this band has enjoyed such a long career and why seeing them live, no matter how often, never gets repetitive or old.

I particularly enjoy Henry’s response to the mainstream question. That, my friends, is the real Henry Rollins.

 

J How long have you been following Dinosaur Jr., and when was it that you realized just how special they are?

HR I have been seeing them play since 1986. I thought their first album was one of the coolest first albums of any indie band. I remember when it came out. It was different than anything around at the time.

J What is it about Dinosaur Jr. live shows that make them so incredible?

HR Their songs fill the room very well. It’s a band that’s not just taking up time. They are really putting something across. Their songs are very well written and quite memorable. The band has a signature sound, which is quite rare these days. They crush it live.

J You have seen so many Dinosaur Jr. shows in your life. What about these shows keeps you coming back night after night?

HR It’s a perfect combination. The rhythm section meeting J’s guitar and voice. There’s nothing like it. I will never tire of seeing them, not even close.

J Why is it that Dinosaur Jr. is so well-respected amongst their peers, but have never taken off in the mainstream?

HR They are a band’s band. A career that long would make most bands very envious and most bands will never get it. They get to all the people that they should get to. Screw the mainstream and their half-time Superbowl music. That’s cowpen music for box wine listeners. These people would never get something like Dinosaur Jr.

J What do you think about the new album? How does it compare to previous releases? I’m really looking forward to it.

HR The new album is really good. It seems extremely focused, and in a way, mature. I think it’s a perfect record coming off I Bet On Sky. There are no bad Dinosaur Jr. records, anyway. Give a Glimpse is excellent.

Dinosaur Jr. , Bowery Ballroom 12/6/15

May 30, 2016

Dinosaur Jr. has always been one of my very favorite bands. Their unique sound, quirkiness and lyrics were all something that made this band special. They are also famous for crushing it live. My life was kind of a mess in the fall of 2015, and I remembered my promise to myself; go to more live shows. So when I heard about this tour, which was in honor of the 30 year anniversary of the release of their first album, “Dinosaur”, I knew without doubt that I would be going.

I have a strong dislike for going to shows with people just willing to tag along without really caring about the music. Fortunately for me, I have a few musical soulmates. This is particularly true of a friend who despite being 11 years my junior, is always on the same wave length as I am musically. I got her a ticket for her birthday and counted the days.

While my plan had been to get the show very early and get right up next to the stage (an extremely brave thing to do, considering the outrageously loud volume of a Dinosaur Jr. show!), meeting friends for dinner meant arriving later and having to stand towards the back of the room. All was, good, though. I was at a show with people I cared about and trusted, getting ready to hear one of the best live bands in the world.

Everything started pretty quickly after our arrival. Henry Rollins announced the band from way up high in a balcony overlooking the theatre. While it was great to see Henry, it wasn’t exactly a surprise, given that he follows the band as they tour quite frequently. We knew that some pretty cool musicians had been showing up to play with the band on this tour, but we kept our expectations low. All that really mattered was that we were seeing Dinosaur Jr.

The first set was the album “Dinosaur” in its entirety. And when the first blaringly loud notes of “Forget the Swan” began to play, I knew this night would be something special. It may have been the 3 glasses of wine I’d consumed, But I was at a show with people I cared about listening to one of the best bands in the world. Something happened when I was dancing with my friend and belting out the lyrics to “Repulsion”. I was happy. But it was more than that. I began to feel like me again for the first time in a very, very long time.

The second set started with “Bulbs of Passion”. This was followed by Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo joining the band for a very good rendition of “Little Fury Things”. Matt Valentine from the band MV+EE  made a guest appearance during the song “Start Choppin’”. The only disappointment of the evening came when Pussy Galore’s Julia Cafritz came out to sing “Budge”. It may be just my opinion, but her screeching rendition of this classic song did it no justice.

We had already witnessed a handful of musicians join the band, and truthfully, after “Budge” I kind of hoped that the rest of the night might be just Dinosaur Jr. playing alone. But suddenly, the volume in the room went way up. And the people around me cheered. And it took me a few minutes to even comprehend what I was seeing up there on that stage. But then I heard the first chord to my favorite Dinosaur Jr. song of all time. And my eyes we not deceiving me. There on that stage stood Bob Mould. My musical hero. He had a smile from ear to ear and was belting out the chords to Freak Scene harder than anybody who is 55 years old could ever be expected to do. I knew that I had to get up to that stage. Suddenly, my friend grabbed my hand and somehow, miraculously parted the sea of people and there we were, up against the stage watching Bob Mould play “Freak Scene” with Dinosaur Jr. When the song was over, J. Mascis switched to drums and the band played an outrageously good version of Husker Du’s “In a Free Land.”  After this song, my friend headed back into the crowd to join our other friends. Maybe it was my screaming and obvious joy at seeing Bob Mould up there, but as I started to walk away one of the sound guys grabbed my arm and yelled “Don’t go, Bob is coming back for the encore”. So I stayed.

The final song of the evening was a version of Neil Young’s “Cortez the Killer”. On stage were Dinosaur Jr., Lee Ranaldo, Fred Armisen and Bob Mould. The night could not have ended any better. I don’t think I stopped smiling for a week.

December 6, 2015. That was the night I woke up. And became myself again. Thanks Dinosaur Jr. and Bob Mould. It’s all because of you.

Album Review: BOB MOULD, “Patch The Sky”

May 30, 2016

Full disclosure. Bob Mould is probably my favorite artist of all time. From his early days in Husker Du, to his time fronting his band Sugar and throughout his many years as a solo artist, his music has always echoed precisely what was going on in my life at the time. Because of this, I’ve always felt an incredible affinity and toward Bob and his lyrics. Somehow, the man always seems to be speaking directly to my soul, and kicking me in the gut while doing it.

“Patch the Sky” is the last album in an unofficial trilogy of albums that included 2012’s  “Silver Age”and the incredible “Beauty and Ruin”, which was released in 2014. The songs in this trilogy have addressed the growth of this man, his failures, heartaches, losses and epiphanies. But what strikes me about Mould is that while it’s clear that he is a man always battling against his demons, he always makes it through to the other side. Bob may never let go of his angst, but he seems to be coming to terms with his life and who he is. He appears to be growing more comfortable in his own skin.

In “Patch The Sky”,  Bob does what he does best. Marries loud guitars and angry lyrics with catchy melodies that seem to take some of the sting out. Joined again by his longtime band, bassist Jason Narducy (Verbow, Split Single, Superchunk) and drummer Jon Wurster (Superchunk, Mountain Goats, Split Single), the trio has melded into a perfectly cohesive unit. They just work beautifully together.

Bob is a man that reflects on pain, but always seems to hold onto hope that love and salvation are out there. This is evident on the track Hold On  (“Lovers I’ve lost, friends I’ve abandoned, it’s how I reclaim my darkest fears”). He seems to believe hope is there, even if it requires a pleading “Will you help me, please?”. Hope can also be found in the track “Losing Sleep” where he sings ” I keep hoping, searching,waiting for the sun that shines so bright on everyone”. You may have to dig around for it, but hope is there.

In “Pray for Rain”, the contradictory nature of some of Bob’s lyrics show up again. “I need you, release me, make me feel again.” Haven’t we all had a person in our lives that made us feel that way? I certainly have.That kind of trust, faith and understanding can be the most beautiful thing there is. Despite the darkness. And Bob, as usual, gets it.

The most reflective song of the album may be the opening track. In “Voices in My Head”, we hear a much more mature Bob Mould taking responsibility for the voices he chooses to believe. “Now I’m very conscious of the Voices in My Head, They multiply and amplify the fear. I can play the victim or get on with life instead, by finding resolution as they clear.”

While Bob Mould, at 55, has nothing left to prove, this album is a clear indictation that his guitar shredding and heart ripping lyrics are not something of the past. But coupled with the joyful noise he makes, maybe he’s finding a balance.

“Can I find some truth within the noise?” Mould asks. The answer is a resounding yes.

5 stars.