I recently heard “The sweet and
sultry sounds...” of a podcast called “The Fish Tank” by David
Rodriguez, Hansel Orozco, and Brian Menard. They had an interesting
two part episode called “Top Ten Desert Island Albums”. After I
heard it I couldn't help but to think of the 10 albums I would take
with me on a desert island to listen to. Later that night I was
texting my best friend and professional musician, Jess T. Mills IV, about how hard it was
picking these albums out. We came up with the idea of doing our own
top tens on our blogs. We can do commentary on each others blogs
during this. We decided to go one album at a time to delve more
deeply into them. Also, if we pick one from an artist it can be the
only one from that artist. Otherwise we might end up with 2 or 3 from
such artist as Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, or The Eagles.
So that brings us up to speed. Hope you enjoy it (although I know you
won't enjoy it more than me and Jess), let's begin.
My number 10 album is a recent one,
“Harlem River Blues” from Justin Townes Earl. It was released in
2010 by Bloodshot Records.
Let me give you a little history about
Justin before I get in to the album. He is the son of
singer/songwriter Steve Earle who made his name in the mid 80's with
such hits as “Guitartown” and “Copperhead Road”. Steve was a
protege of legendary songwriter Townes Van Zandt, whose songs
including “If I Needed You”, “To Live Is To Fly”, and “No
Places To Fall” are still considered standards in the genre.
Carrying not one but two name sakes Justin Townes Earle had a lot to
live up to.
Live up to it he did with an album that
really explored his depth as a musician and songwriter himself. By
the second song on this album, “One More Night in Brooklyn”, I
got hooked. The song a beautiful base line that runs through the
whole song.
The album hits a sad and powerful point
in the song “Slippin & Slidin”, a song about drifting down
into addiction. As an addict himself Justin really let's you feel the
downward slide, emphasized by the horns going down. I
think he said it all with the lyrics:
Why do I try my luck?
I should never touch the
stuff.
But it shouldn't make any difference.
As long as I keep up
appearances.
What might be my favorite
song on the album is “Chirstchurch Woman”. It is a song of hope,
a hope for a better life represented in a woman that may or may not
exist. I think I love most the change in attitude through the song. At
the beginning he's “doing all right”, by the end:
I should be in my room,
man I should learn how to forget.
Well she maybe pretty, but
one day I'll get sick of her shit.
I put as the video a live
version instead of the album, because I believe it shows some of the
style of the album.
That's my number ten, what
do you think Jess?
Jess: I enjoy your choice at number 10. It is best album of his that I have heard. I think his singing on the album "Midnight at the Movies" was better, but his songwriting and arranging are masterful on "Harlem River Blues".
Caleb: I agree with the singing, but I think he changed his way of singing searching for his own style.
Jess: I can definitely see that. One of the hardest things about being a singer/songwriter is finding your own sound; you have to do it for both your voice and your songwriting style. Not an easy task! One of the intriguing things to me on that album is the almost triumphant gospel tone on the title track, which is a song about suicide.
Caleb: I've always wondered about that. Something I would ask him about if I ever got to meet him. It is an odd combination.
Jess: His strength seems to be writing songs that speak to everyday emotions and
Caleb: I think that is what pulls me to his music so much. I have always connected to the the songs of struggle and strife. Those and sad songs about love have always been my favorite.
Jess: I remember when I first heard about him from you; you wouldn't stop raving about this new guy you'd found. I thought it'd be worth checking out, and I'm really glad I listened to you. I didn't listen to "Harlem River Blues" first, but when I did I could tell why you were so impressed. How did you hear about them?
Caleb: My brothers wouldn't stop telling me about them, but I had been in a Alterntive Rock mood for weeks so I wouldn't listen to the album. When I final did I was at work and put the album on a loop for about 6 hours. I just couldn't stop listening.
Jess: Awesome, great first album, Caleb.
Caleb: Thanks!
Can't wait to hear your number 10. If any of you reading are
interested, check Jess's blog, Jester's Journal, at http://jessmills.blogspot.com/
and
check back hear in a week to see my #9 Desert Island Album.
