Folk Music Talk

Inspired by a man walking out of the post office here in Nashville, I knew I could not let this article go unwritten! This man represents what my friends and I want to be: a successful singer-songwriter whose roots are in country, folk, Americana and blues. So naturally, when I set eyes on him my body froze in its place, only to release my moments after he had left the scene. I leaned over to a friend of mine and whispered, “That was Justin Townes Earle!”

Son to musician Steve Earle, and named after his father’s mentor Townes van Zandt, Justin grew up in South Nashville becoming hooked on drugs by the young age of 12. He played in a couple different blues and rock bands in his teens and even played guitar and keyboard for his father’s band the Dukes. However, his hard drug use led to his firing. Since then he has come off hard drugs and is focusing more on his music, heavily touring these past few years at places like South by Southwest, Grand Ole Opry, Bonnaroo, and Newport Folk Festival.

If you own the tribute album Rave On Buddy Holly, an album I also wrote on, you’ll recognize him from his cover of “Maybe Baby.” He even produced Wanda Jackson’s studio album Unfinished Business. Justin currently has five albums released between 2007 and 2012. His latest album, Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, is much more soulful than it is rockabilly like some of his earlier works. It fashions piano, violin,  horns, and female vocals to give a fresh sound to his fifth album. His most popular song from this album is  called “Look The Other Way.” 

This album is something you could easily dance to with its bluesy rhythms and smooth instrumental interludes. I’d also suggest listening to songs like “Ain’t Waitin’” and “One More Night In Brooklyn” from his album Harlem River Blues. Much of his music is focused on love. Even when it comes to his album covers, he has made sure to include a woman on the cover of each album! Being an avid Justin Townes Earle listener, I pride myself on being able to tell someone else about his music and hope you enjoy it just as much as I do.

If you thrive for the sound of bluegrass mandolin, fiddle and banjo, there’s no doubt you will love New Grass Revival. The band consisted of Sam Bush, Courtney Johnson, Ebo Walker, Curtis Burch, Butch Robins, John Cowan, Béla Fleck and Pat Flynn and was active between 1971 and 1989. They were a group of musicians who wanted to show the world what bluegrass instruments could perform beyond the confines of original bluegrass.

They were quite contradictory to the “traditional” attire of bluegrass music at the time, growing their hair out and wearing whatever they pleased instead of matching with short hair cuts. Many people did not like what this group was doing with bluegrass music, even stating that Bill Monroe did not mean for bluegrass to be played that way. While the band never meant to disrespect, Monroe actually enjoyed their spin on bluegrass.

Their music incorporates the sounds of bluegrass instruments but their melodies are much more geared toward folk and rock, with singer John Cowan bringing that sound to the group through his soulful voice that in my opinion is a prime example of someone who truly feels what he is singing and can convince you of it with every syllable he sings. A great example of what I’m talking about can be heard in their song “Love Someone Like Me.” The band’s highest charting single is called “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” I would also suggest listening to “Dark As A Dungeon.” This song is much more on the side of soulful soft rock, but compliments John Cowan’s voice beautifully.

No matter what age you grew up in this music is sure to move you. Their songs prove what diversity music can have, even within what genre they label themselves as, bluegrass. Today you can go watch Béla Fleck and The Flecktones, one of the members of the band, who played banjo. Their performance is jaw-dropping and covered in talent with Victor Wooten, the famed bass player, also performing. Béla plays many songs on banjo and will give you a taste of what you missed out on in the '70s and '80s with New Grass Revival. So go revive yourself of the same old music you always listen to and take on the challenge that New Grass Revival took on, to break the confines of what they knew.

You are probably familiar with Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes with his popular songs “First Day of My Life” and “At the Bottom of Everthing,” but do you know of his project Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band? No?! Then keep reading and start listening beginning with “Big Black Nothing.”

Conor Oberst is known for his sing/talk like voice, but this album is much more vocally melodic in my opinion, and in turn much easier to sing along with. The project includes the voices of other musicians as well, such as Nik Freitas, Taylor Hollingsworth, Jason Boesel and Macey Taylor. 

If you’ve never listened to this album I suggest starting with “Big Black Nothing,” “Air Mattress,” “Bloodline” and “Ten Women” to understand their sound. One of my favorite songs on the album is called “Snake Hill.” It is sung by Taylor Hollingsworth. Although I do not enjoy his voice the lyrics of the song I find to be very quirky and interesting. The song is about a snake who falls in love with a girl. This theme reminds me of Tom Wait’s “Fish and Bird” song, except much more dismal.

I would also suggest listening to Conor Oberst’s other bands, such as Bright Eyes. My favorite album from Bright Eyes is by far I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning due to its very folky singer-songwriter style. Do not hesitate to buy a Conor Oberst album. You will impress your friends with you musical knowledge and can talk about Oberst with almost any young musician today!