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In Rockzillaworld's Best of 2001 list, my top two picks were Sugar Hill releases. One of these, Rodney Crowell's The Houston Kid, is represented on the compilation by "Topsy Turvy," the story of an abusive, dysfunctional family sung from the viewpoint of the son who dreams of a better life. I wish some kind of millionaire would come adopt me on
the spot Crowell is an example of one kind of artist that gravitates to Sugar Hill. The Comprehensive Country Music Encyclopedia suggests that Crowell is possibly the most talented country artist of his generation. He's had a series of contracts with major labels and could have conceivably signed with another. Sugar Hill is big enough to provide the major label services required by an established artist like Crowell or labelmate Dolly Parton. Yet they don't have the unreasonable expectations of a major label with pressure to compromise your artistic vision if sales don't rival N'Sync. The record industry might not consider Sugar Hill a major label, but Americana artists should (and do) see them as one. Robert Earl Keen, Jr. is an excellent example of how Sugar Hill has had a knack for finding talented regional artists with big potential. Before signing with Sugar Hill, Keen was a relative unknown. Those aware of Keen probably knew him as the co-writer of "This Old Porch" on Lyle Lovett's self-titled debut. The two were neighbors attending Texas A&M when they collaborated on the tune. Sugar Hill saw in Keen a kindred spirit. He wasn't really folk, not pure country, but nevertheless played music with deep roots. As the liner notes explain, "From the mid-1800s there was a sign people all over the south left hammered on their doors. GONE TO TEXAS." Terry Allen opens the disc with "Gone to Texas," an appropriate beginning for any Texas musical trip as his lyrics set the proper tone. Well I don't need no stinky pinky Allen is one of a handful of Texas artists consistently cited
by his peers as setting the songwriting standard they hope to
achieve. From Hell to Breakfast includes the original version
of Allen's Texas-country-standard "Amarillo Highway,"
which has been covered by Doug Sahm and Robert Earl Keen, among
others. Old friends they shine like diamonds Clark was born in the West Texas town of Monahans. As a boy he moved to Houston and eventually became a fixture on the '60s Bayou City folk scene. While in Houston, Clark met and became a lifelong friend with another singer-songwriter living there, 2002 Rockzillaworld Hall of Fame inductee Townes Van Zandt. Both would eventually move to Nashville where Van Zandt would be the best man at Guy and Susanna Clark's wedding. While Van Zandt is a bit of a cult artist, known by mainstream audiences (if they know of him at all) as the author of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard's 1983 hit, "Pancho and Lefty," his songwriting is respected by those in the know. The brief Van Zandt bio included in the liner notes contains this oft-repeated quote from fellow Texan Steve Earle, "Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." Van Zandt released albums at a furious rate his whole career. Since his death on New Years Day in 1997, this has continued with the release of additional studio material and several live discs. The first Van Zandt selection chosen for From Hell to Breakfast is the title track from his debut disc, The Sake of the Song. This version is from the 1993 release Rear View Mirror, a live recording of a 1979 performance at The Blue Onion in Norman, OK. This heartbreaking tune dances around the narrator's ambiguous feelings about a singer of sad songs. When will she see that to gain is only to lose During his childhood, Van Zandt lived all around the country as his oil worker father moved the family from boomtown to boomtown. As an adult, he continued to be a wanderer. The essence of this bittersweet nomadic life is captured in the poignant "Snowin' on Raton." Little darling thinks the road is soft and lovely The Austin Lounge Lizards sing about "Old Blevins." Blevins is an inarticulate drunk encountered in a bar after fleeing a domestic quarrel. Spending the evening talking to "Old Blevins" provides a glimpse into the future, and the impetus to resolve the conflict at home rather than suffering Blevins' fate. Being the son of an English professor mother and novelist-screenwriter Larry McMurtry (The Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment, and Lonesome Dove for starters) might have pre-destined songwriter James McMurtry to work with words. He addresses the cumulative effect of life's struggles in "Jaws of Life." ("Makes no difference what you thought / Or who you are / You still get caught in the jaws of life") This cut was originally on the Lloyd Maines produced It Had to Happen. Maines also plays lap steel while longtime Austinite and Bob Dylan guitarist Charlie Sexton sings background vocals. Danny Barnes and Mark Rubin originally called their band the Danny Barnes Trio. On their web site bio (headed "Revisionist History") they say the trio was filled out by whichever musician acquaintance would answer his phone the night of the gig. This generic moniker was quickly changed to the Bad Livers. After six full-length releases in more than ten years together Barnes and Rubin decided to go their separate ways. During their run the Bad Livers built a small, but loyal, cadre of fans. Their eclectic acoustical songs attracted roots-music fans with an appreciation for the offbeat and eccentric while their attitude and do-it-yourself ethic appealed to the punk audience. If you can't imagine a tune played on only banjo and tuba then you need a copy of From Hell to Breakfast just to hear the back-to-basics "Lumpy, Beanpole & Dirt." Gonna build myself a mountain cabin home Lee Roy Parnell reminds me of Delbert McClinton, who duets on "South by Southwest" from Parnell's Tell the Truth disc. Another cut from this disc, "Crossin' Over," is the Parnell tune included on From Hell to Breakfast. This blues-boogie tells the story of a group of San Angelo boys planning to "become men" on a road trip to Mexico. Which they do. Just not the way they'd planned. She laughed a little she could tell I was shy Crossin' over that old Rio Grande Kevin Russell is reported to have written "El Paso" (the first cut by his band, the Gourds) "on the spot" while waiting to do a radio interview. The Gourds combine a number of musical styles. This tune has a galloping beat that might be described as Honky Tonk-Rockabilly. Also included is the title track from their Ghosts of Hallelujah disc, which shows a definite zydeco influence. Its supernatural subject seems perfect for a Cajun band playing a dive bar on the outskirts of Lafayette, Louisiana. Our candles are in danger from the way we carry them Wasting time is the crime in "Dreadful Selfish Crime," the first of two Keen tracks included here. His signature song, "The Road Goes on Forever," is apropos as the disc closer. If you aren't familiar with this tune (which seems unlikely), it's the tale of a modern day Bonnie & Clyde and a favorite of everyone from frat boys to death row inmates, and even old guys like me. Some like the song for the one-line, sing-along chorus (see: drunken frat boy). Others appreciate the irony of the ending. They left the lawman lying, they made their getaway It's Main Street after midnight, just like it was before Any true Texas music fan should be familiar with all these artists. If you aren't, this is an excellent introduction to those you don't know. The hardcore fan who already has most of these songs should buy a case to give as gifts. It's a great way to spread the gospel of Texas music to your clueless Yankee friends. *From Hell to Breakfast is available at www.sugarhillrecords.com
Lee Roy Parnell records for Vanguard Records, another label owned
by Sugar Hill corporate parent, Welk Music Group. Visit www.vanguardrecords.com
if you're interested in more about Parnell. |
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