Archive for November 2021

Yesterday’s email was all about John Prine. Todd Snider’s stories and song about him. One of those stories was about Prine dancing off the stage as he closed concerts… …with this… Today’s Song  Title: Lake Marie  Artist: John Prine  Album: Lost Dogs + Mixed Blessings (1995) YouTube Link:  youtu.be/vzCjQwt2rgI Here are the Playlists:   Spotify:…

For many, many years John Prine would end most of his concerts with “Paradise.” Daddy won’t you take me back to Muhlenberg County  Down by the Green River where Paradise lay  Well, I’m sorry my son, but you’re too late in asking  Mister Peabody’s coal train has hauled it away   But on his last tour,…

For the second night in a row, I spent an evening in the greatest room in St. Louis — the Sheldon Concert Hall. Richard Thompson on Thursday. Todd Snider last night. So much better than staying home and watching Bachelorette reruns. We’ll get to Todd Snider in a day or two. But first, I want…

During his concert last night in St. Louis, Richard Thompson sang the praises of Sandy Dennis. She was a British folk singer who collaborated with Thompson’s band Fairport Convention. Thompson noted that many considered Dennis the greatest and most influential British folk singer of her day. Fairport Convention was the first (and one of many)…

I just got home from seeing Richard Thompson at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis. Brilliant. When touring paused, he made music in his home studio. He released the “Bloody Noses” EP in July 2020 and the album “Serpent Tears” in May 2021. Here’s one from Bloody Noses. It will remind you what a…

Neil Young writes almost every song on every one of his albums. But on his 1970 masterpiece “After the Gold Rush,” Young slipped in one cover. It’s by Don Gibson, who scored a top-10 hit in 1958 with a jauntier version of the same tune. Young’s reinvents the song. His cover version is a dirge.…

I heard this one on the radio today and remembered how much I like it. From Jenny Lewis’ first solo album way back in 2006. Today’s Song  Title: The Big Guns  Artist: Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins  Album: Rabbit Fur Coat YouTube Link:  youtu.be/VV6BYh0V38E Here are the Playlists:   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xYKtYparrdJRYAjBj9kjx?si=eb6c3ebc30484204  Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/ware-house-concerts-song-of-the-day/pl.u-Ggz26cZlAVLj 

The first time you hear Dan Bern, you may think he’s just some Bob Dylan knock-off. But don’t sell him short. Sure, he sounds a bit like Dylan. But Dan Bern is an original. His first (self-titled) album is one of my favorites. Not one of my favorites by Dan Bern. One of my favorites,…

Conor Oberst is not the guy I turn to when I’m looking for a feel-good, lift-me-up kind of tune. He’s full of angst. But the songs are beautiful. The one today comes from his solo album, Ruminations (2016). The album is a gem. Stripped down acoustic songs, recorded in Oberst’s hometown, Omaha. A year later,…

In yesterday’s email (Neil Young’s “Don’t Be Denied”), I mentioned guitarist Danny Whitten. He was a founding member of Crazy Horse. Most know that band for backing Young on several albums and tours. But Crazy Horse also made its mark without Young. Their debut album “Crazy Horse” is a great one — especially the songs…