Memphis Jug Band | Cocaine Habit Blues

Before hippies and flip-flop wearing frat boys were going bonkers over Old Crow Medicine Show's version of "Cocaine Habit Blues" (it talks about drugs, y'all!) the songs was already 80 years old.

Of course Old Crow did the song justice with their version of it, but, there isn't anything quite like hearing a jug being blown on for the bass lines.

MP3: Memphis Jug Band - Cocaine Habit Blues

Old Crow Get "Nard Dawged"

Of late, Ed Helm's character "Andy Bernard" has been my favorite anger suppressing character on the show that has gotten pretty stale. But, he joined Old Crow at a show last night playing banjo and singing. (annarbor.com)

Old Crow Hootinanny

Yep, last night was another great performance by the boys of Old Crow Medicine Show.  The energy from the band was something to behold, the band was playing as hard as they could all night long.  It was also cool seeing a line go all the way around the building into the back parking lot.  The place was packed and it got really hot as the night went on.

Justin Townes Earle was fantastic.  Until last night I had only heard a few of his songs, but I was blown away with how great he was live.   He knows how to work a crowd and put on a show.  I've never seen his dad live, but I'm sure he could give him a run for his money.

I don't know how I can this any other way... Dallas, please shut the fuck up when the band is playing.  It's not an ice cream social and I (and a lot of other people) are there to see the band not listen to you talk to each other.  Thank you, that is all.

You can read my review for DC9 at Night here, and you can see pictures from the show here or here.

MP3:  Old Crow Medicine Show - Caroline

MP3:  Justin Townes Earle - Yuma

Old Crow Medicine Show "Caroline" Video

Old Crow has released a live video for their song "Caroline" off last years Tennessee Pusher.  It combines live shots from their upcoming live DVD release with the studio version of the song.  If you've been to an Old Crow show you'll see that it pretty much captures the energy of the boys show.

MP3:  Old Crow Medicine Show - Caroline

Interview With Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show

Next months Old Crow Medicine Show will make another appearance at the Granada Theater supporting their latest album Tennessee Pusher. I recently caught up with Old Crow frontman Ketch Secor and asked him a few questions. If you haven't witnessed a show by Old Crow you're missing out on one of the best shows around. The band will be at the Granada on May 6. You need to get down there and witness the tent revival that is their show.

Bona Fide Darling: The sound on Tennessee Pusher is a little different from the sound on your previous albums, was that a natural progression or was it the way Don Was led you in the studio?

Ketch Secor: The biggest difference is the originality of material. Having recorded so many traditional, old-time, country and blues songs, we found we required a different arrangement for this new batch. The addition of Jim Keltner brought out the rock n roll in us and the rest just fell in place naturally.

BFD: How did you guys hook up with Don Was? He's a pretty legendary producer.

KS: He called us up out of the blue one day and asked who was making our next record and if it could be him.

BFD: I really like your version of Woody Guthrie's "Deportee" on the Songs of America compilation. ?I think it's an interesting choice considering the way a lot of American's feel about immigration these days, especially here in Texas. Did you choose to contribute that song or were you asked to cover that song specifically?

KS: I enjoyed making my Bajo Sexto debut on that recording. Critter, a South Texas native, has been playing Tejano Accordeon for years and we enjoyed incorporating some Conjunto flair into the track. You know Woody Guthrie never recorded this one, it was dug up when he was deep in the throws of Parkinsons and first cut by Judy Collins. Nashville is a city of immigarants and they are a rich addition to the cultural fabric of our city. So I particularly enjoyed making a stand for solidarity with this song.

BFD: I've spoken to you and Morgan after a few shows and I know that you guys have some interesting choices in cover songs you like to play, like "Purple Rain" and "Soul Rebel." ?Is there any chance you guys will bust out either one or both of those gems when you play the Granada Theater here in Dallas? Is there also a possibility you guys will play "Silver Dagger?" I'm just going to go on record now and request those songs, please.

KS: There's so many great songs that nobody's singing. There's a whole generation of kids unexposed to the richness of the body of American music. "Silver Dagger" we don't play much anymore but we played "Soul Rebel" last night. Lately though it's been a lot of Bowie for our cover choices.

BFD: Tennessee Pusher has been your most successful album to date. ?Do you feel it's due to the exposure from constant touring or more of a tip of the hat to the music itself?

KS: Actually, OCMS far outsold Pusher, but we're still selling the new album steadily. Bands can't count on record sales anymore and we put most of our efforts into being a touring band.

BFD: Your performances are usually just you guys playing two sets with an intermission in the middle. ?Is this how you guys have always performed? Will you still do your shows that way even with Sara Watkins opening up for you guys?

KS: I think it was Dave (Rawlins) and Gillian (Welch) who taught us the beauty of two sets. Everyone likes and intermission, it gets awful thristy on the dance floor.

BFD: How did you guys land the opening slot for Dave Matthews? ?I would think your music fits in pretty well with his crowd, are you looking forward to hangin' with Dave for a few weeks and getting exposed to a new audience?

KS: Dave, Critter and I are all non-native Virginians. He bartended at the only place that served minors so we've crossed paths a time or two before. It's really a thrill to get to play in front of so many people and to impart upon his fans our brand of music.

BFD: I read an article a while back that called "Wagon Wheel" a new addition to the American standard songbook. ?Do you look at that song as a blessing or a curse in terms of having to play it every night. ?Have you ever gotten to the point where Radiohead was at with their song "Creep" when they refused to play it--is that something you've ever considered?

KS: It's a joy to have a big song that the people sing around the fire and play at their parties, weddings and graduations. I knew when I wrote it I'd be singing it 'til I was dead.

BFD: As much as you guys tour, do any shows in particular stand out to you as a great show or a bad show? ?Come to think of it, have you guys ever been booed?

KS: We were booed a lot during the 2001 Robert Earl Keen tour. Floridians have thrown bottles and stolen instruments. We've had some terrible shows, but not in a while.

KS: Rock on Big "D," look alive the Crows are comin'!

MP3: Old Crow Medicine Show - Soul Rebel (Bob Marley cover)

Old Crow Coming Back To The Granada

Finally, Old Crow Medicine Show is coming back to Dallas.  I knew they would be coming to town sooner or later to promote their latest album Tennessee Pusher, I just didn't think it would take this long.  The best part is they're coming back to the Granada.  I saw them there a few years ago and it was hands down the best show I've been too.

MP3:  Old Crow Medicine Show - Soul Rebel (Bob Marley Cover)

Tour dates:

5/6/09 Dallas, TX @ The Granada Theater

This is part of their performance of "Wagon Wheel" from the Granada the last time they were there.

Under Cover

One of the things I really like about Old Crow Medicine Show is how they can turn a song you know by heart on it's ear.  Case-in-point: Bob Marley's "Soul Rebel."

Obviously these Ithica, NY buskers share little in the way of the hardships known by Bob Marley.  But, their interepretation has a sense that makes you feel like they've lived it.  It still has the gentle strum of a reggae guitar, but the Bluegrass strings added to it give it a down home feel without shedding the original versions sentiment.

MP3:  Old Crow Medicine Show - Soul Rebel

Old Crow Medicine Show - Tennessee Pusher

So, Tennessee Pusher, the latest effort from Old Crow Medicine Show is coming out next week.  I've been listening to this CD for the last couple of months and it still hasn't grown on me like I'd hoped it would.  To say the album is a huge disappointment wouldn't be correct, but, I am disappointed in the album.

After releasing their first two albums with the producing wizardry of David Rawling the Old Crows decided to go with legendary producer Don Was on this album.  Sure, Was has produced some of the all-time greats like Dylan and The Stones--but this album feels like he didn't really get to the meat of what Old Crow really is--and Americana string band.  I'm sure that OCMS was ready to step out in a little bit of different direction musically.  But, the songs don't feel like Old Crow songs.

The album itself is more in a country direction.  This isn't such a bad thing, it's just different and I wish they would've had more of the fiddle and banjo in the mix.  Most of the songs feel over produced and not as "earthy" as previous efforts.  The Old Crow boys did most of the writing on this one and stayed away from the traditional material they had done on OCMS and Big Iron World.  The problem with this is that they tried to make their songs sound like the more traditional songs they had cut their teeth on and didn't quite pull them off.  "The Greatest Hustler of All" is one of their songs that doesn't quite reach their it's full potential.  I do like this song, but at seven minutes long it could really should have been kept to three minutes.  It's in the tradition of old story song, but, it gets kinda tedious around the four minute mark. 

The high point is the opener "Alabama High-Test." It follows in the boys tradition of them ol' drug songs.  So, it should be a good one for all the hippies out there who really like songs like "Cocaine Habit Blues."

I know I haven't really been over the top with liking the album, I do, but I'm just not as impressed with it as I have been their first three efforts.  Who knows, maybe it will grow on me with more listens.  Or, maybe it will an album that I only like a few choice cuts.  Either way, I'm still a supporter of OCMS and would've bought the album anyway.  I can be a homer at times.  

MP3:  Old Crow Medicine Show - Caroline

MP3:  Old Crow Medicine Show - Methamphetamine

Old Crow Medicine Show "Caroline"

Old Crow Medicine Show's new EP Caroline is out today. It will serve as a precursor to the their new album Tennessee Pusher. You can listen to Caroline in it's entirety below.

New American Standard

NPRs "Here & Now" recently did a segment on “New Standards” in popular music. You know, like Big Band or Jazz standards? C’mon kids! Anyway, the focused on what they believe to be a new standard for string bands, the Old Crow Medicine Show’s instant classic “Wagon Wheel.” I remember when my brother saw OCMS play it on Conan O’Brien four or five years ago and he sent me like 5 text messages at 1230AM. Then won a visit to his place I finally heard them and wasn’t completely hooked until I heard “Wagon Wheel” close out their first Nettwerk disc O.C.M.S. From there I was completely hooked on this bluegrass/country/blues string band from Ithaca, NY.

If you listen to their “Here & Now” segment you will know why I love this song so much. Main Crow Ketch Secor describes how the song went from just a chorus on a Bob Dylan bootleg to a new American classic. I could’ve shown you the main video, which you can watch here; but, in its stead I will show you the short clip from the Granada show I saw them at a few years ago. Unless you just really don’t like music you will see why this song is so great.

You can hear the NPR segment here.

MP3: Bob Dylan - Rock Me Mama

MP3: Old Crow Medicine Show - Wagon Wheel

And just for shit's and giggles:

MP3: Against Me! - Wagon Wheel from PROTECT: A Benefit for the National Association to Protect Children

New Old Crow Medicine Show

My long wait is finally over!  Old Crow Medicine Show have a new CD, Tennessee Pusher, coming out on September 23.  But, like they did before Big Iron World came out, they will also release a 3 song EP featuring fan favorite "Caroline."  The EP also features a exclusive track "Back To New Orleans," which will be available digitally on July 29. 

MP3:  Old Crow Medicine Show - Caroline

By the way, where the f is Critter?  I can't tell if that's Gil on the right or not.  I guess ol' Crit flaked out again.  I don't know.

Tennessee Pusher tracklisting:

1.  Alabama High-Test

2. Highway Halo

3. The Greatest Hustler of All

4. Methamphetamine

5. Next Go 'Round

6. Humdinger

7. Motel in Memphis

8. Evening Sun

9. Mary's Kitchen

10. Crazy Eyes

11. Tennessee Pusher

12. Always Lift Him Up

13. Caroline

Old Crow Medicine Show Add Dates

Old Crow Medicine Show have announced more dates through the summer and fall. Sadly, no dates announced for Dallas. I’m really hoping they come back to the Granada. When I saw them there a few years ago it was “awesome.” So, I’m hoping they make a return visit. As long as they don’t play the House of Blues I’ll be happy.

They are performing at a string of two-night stands at the 9:30 Club in D.C., Webster's Hall in NYC, the historic Ryman Auditorium and The Fillmore in San Francisco.


Old Crow Medicine Show - Soul Rebel (mp3)

6/4/08 Nashville, TN @ Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam
6/5/08 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
6/6/08 Enterprise, AL @ BamaJam Music Festival
6/7/08 Augusta, GA @ Imperial Theatre
6/13/08 Birmingham, AL @ City Stages
6/14/08 Jackson, MS @ Jubilee Jam
7/3/08 Hilton Head, SC @ Shoreline Ballroom
7/4/08 Charleston, SC @ Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park - SOLD OUT
7/5/08 St. Augustine, FL @ St. Augustine Amphitheatre
9/6/08 London, England @ Shepherds Bush Empire
9/19/08 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
9/20/08 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
9/24/08 Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance Center
9/26/08 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
9/27/08 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
9/28/08 Norfolk, VA @ Town Point Park
10/9/08 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
10/10/08 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
10/11/08 Louisville, KY @ Louisville Palace Theatre
10/18/08 Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre
11/6/08 Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theatre
11/7/08 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
11/8/08 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore

What's All The Fuss About?

What’s the deal with the Avett Brothers? I’m not hating on them, I actually think they aren’t bad. However, it seems that all the music blogs think they are the best thing since cutting the cheese. I like their Americana-style crossed with rock n roll attitude. However, I don’t think they are the best at what they do. The best my friend would be Old Crow Medicine Show. And, I’m sure I’m wrong, but, OCMS was the first band I knew about that injected folk-style music with the rock n’ roll attitude.

I don’t know, maybe I missed the boat on the OCMS ovations long ago. But, I just think it weird how blogs or whomever think the Avett Brothers are the best at it. I really dig “Paranoia in B Major” but some of the other stuff is only so-so. But, then again I’m a big OCMS fan and I’m not sure why they don’t get the press love they so richly deserve.

Avett Brothers - Paranoia in B Major (mp3)

Old Crow Medicine Show - Soul Rebel (mp3)

But, it’s all just one man’s opinion.