Tag: al green

The Show On The Road – Allison Russell

Posted on by Shelby Williamson

This week, we launch season 4 of the show with a bilingual banjo-slinging singer-songwriter originally from Montreal and now based in Nashville: Allison Russell.

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After two decades of quietly creating heart-on-her-sleeve roots music in hard-touring groups like Po’ Girl, Birds Of Chicago, and recently the supergroup Our Native Daughters – playing the guitar, clarinet, banjo and singing in English and French – the spotlight finally fell straight on Russell in 2021. With the help of her husband and longtime creative partner JT Nero, she released her visceral debut solo record Outside Child which confronts her traumatic childhood head on.

Rarely has an album struck such a nerve in the Americana community, as songs like “4th Day Prayer” use the slippery soul of Al Green’s best work and Mahalia Jackson’s gospel inspiration to paint in white-knuckled detail how she escaped the abusive home of her stepfather for the graveyards and streets of Montreal. As she tells us in the intense conversation from her home in Tennessee, it was her songwriting hero Brandi Carlile who went to bat for her (a bold Instagram DM set fate in motion,) helping get her raw, unreleased songs to Fantasy Records. Thankfully, they wanted to take a leap. Even President Obama noticed after the songs began to circulate and he put her ominous radio standout “Nightflyer” on his favorite songs of the year list. The album has since been nominated for three Grammy awards.

While Allison may feel like an “overnight sensation” to those just discovering her on AAA radio, hearing her soaring voice shining on stages from Carnegie Hall, Red Rocks and the Late Show With Stephen Colbert, she’s been playing hundreds of shows in small clubs and festivals around the world for twenty-two years and counting. It hasn’t been an easy road, as she often had to her young daughter on the trail with her.

With a new book deal in the works continuing her story where Outside Child left off, there is much more to come from Russell. A champion for the often forgotten victims of domestic and sexual abuse, listening to Russell speak reminds one more of a fiery community organizer than a singer. Did your host try and convince Russell to run for office? Maybe.

Stick around to hear her dive into one of her favorite tracks from the new record, the hopeful clarinet shuffle “Poison Arrow.”

MIXTAPE: Ruen Brothers’ Music & Film

Posted on by Editor

We decided to choose the theme of music and film because, for us, it’s two art forms that go so perfectly hand in hand. Film has always helped inspire our writing and the mood of our songs. A lot of nights have been spent playing our demos alongside our favorite movie trailers. Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch, the Coen brothers, Wim Wenders, and Martin Scorsese have all been big influences on us, so we thought it fitting to create a playlist of music and film. If you dig the music and haven’t yet seen the films, you won’t be disappointed with any of the below. – Ruen Brothers

Chuck Berry – “You Never Can Tell”

Growing up, Chuck Berry was a big inspiration to us. He was one of the first musicians we were introduced to by our father. We performed many of Chuck’s hits at the working men’s clubs and pubs week in, week out. We still play a Berry number or two at some of our shows. We are huge Quentin Tarantino fans – the Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega dance to “You Never Can Tell” is really cool.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – “Red Right Hand”

In our opinion, a haunting Western masterpiece. The song is used ironically as Jim Carrey’s character, Lloyd (from Dumb and Dumber), wanders the streets, sporting a ten-gallon hat and buying junk items, gets robbed by ‘a sweet old lady on a motorized cart…’.

The Statler Brothers – “Flowers on the Wall”

Another brilliant song from Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. Bruce and Marcellus W coming to a head at the traffic lights. The song offsets the tension between the two characters–it’s comedic and cool. There’s juxtaposition there. It’s a great song and one that we play on all of our American tour journeys.

Walter Egan – “Magnet & Steel”

From Egan’s second album, produced by Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, and featured in the Paul Thomas Anderson movie Boogie Nights. A very smooth song, fitting of young Mark Wahlberg’s character Dirk Diggler and his quest to bring a more artistic side to the world of porn.

Al Green – “Tired of Being Alone”

One of Henry’s all-time favorite songs. Powerful music when paired with the death of Chris Tucker’s character Skip from the Hughes brothers’ Dead Presidents. SPOILER ALERT — Skip is found dead, syringe in arm, “Tired of Being Alone” playing out live on the TV in front of him. It’s haunting and tragic, much like the situation the characters find themselves in towards the end of the movie.

Talking Heads – “This Must Be the Place”

Brilliantly crafted, timeless and classic. It helps portray Bud Fox’s love for material possessions as he buys his first home in Oliver Stone’s movie, Wall Street. This Talking Heads song introduced us to the band; a great rhythm and fantastic lyrics.

Danny Elfman – “Storytime”

As beautiful and enchanting as the picture and story of Edward Scissorhands itself. A piece of music to get lost in while crammed in a subway car in the tunnels of NYC.

Harry Nilsson – “Without You”

As Lester and Ginger plot their escape in Scorsese’s Casino, the crescendoing vocals of Nilsson’s “Without You” hearken as the situation becomes manic and crazed. For us, this is one of Nilsson’s best works and one of the most powerful love songs ever written.

The Delfonics – “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”

The song behind Tarantino’s classic Jackie Brown – the perfect portrayal of Max’s love for Jackie. From the French horn opening and twinkling glockenspiel to the soaring strings, beautiful melody line and smooth harmonies, The Delfonics deliver a beautiful, timeless love song.

Ry Cooder – “Paris, Texas”

Ry Cooder’s Western-drenched instrumental soundtrack to Wim Wenders’ classic film Paris, Texas – probably one of our favorite films of all time. We play many demos alongside the muted trailer of this movie to see if we are hitting the pocket with the mood and tone. The title track is haunting, lonesome and longing, going hand in hand with Travis’ journey throughout the film. Another great one for a late night road trip through Texas.

Roy Orbison – “There Won’t Be Many Coming Home”

Seeing Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight in 70mm while living in London was brilliant. This Roy Orbison song played as the credits rolled. A lesser known song of his, previously heard in The Fastest Guitar Alive. Love it.

Photo credit: Jacob Blickenstaff

MIXTAPE: Red Shahan’s Orange is the New Remodeling

Posted on by Amy Reitnouer

In this edition of “Orange is the New Remodeling,” I cover music the human brain needs to survive a world of DIY home renovations amidst the Whip Cracker herself. Strap on your father’s 1987 radial arm saw and your most valued curse words and join me for your first day of remodel prison while you enjoy the music I’ve selected as my soundtrack. – Red Shahan

The Doors – “Riders on the Storm”

Today’s the day. Your hand is outstretched to the handle of the front door and the only thought you’re clinging to is, “What the hell have I done and who the hell do I think I am?”

Faron Young – “Hello Walls”

You’ve entered the home after nearly losing your life to the wasps that were conveniently located above the door jamb. It’s time to assess the damage you’re about to create. This is the calm before the storm.

Eddy Arnold – “Make the World Go Away”

Imagine yourself flung into a Quentin Tarantino-esque version of This Old Fuc$#%* House as the chorus and the head of your sledgehammer synch up perfectly in a slow-motion battle with the wall you will later regret removing.

Glen Campbell – “Wichita Lineman”

Despite the chaos you’ve just created, the Hiroshima-like living room leaves you with a slight feeling of accomplishment and the thought, “Hell, sing it to me, Glen. I know your pain.”

Melanie – “Brand New Key”

Your first taste of the midday crazies has ensued. Out of the drywall dust appears the neighbor’s dog who lets himself into your home and relieves himself on the ‘70s shag carpet your MeeMee once adorned; but you say nothing and stare in envy as it’s what you’ve wanted to do all morning.

LeAnn Rimes – “Blue”

LUNCH TIME. But this is no enjoyable burger as the only thing in your area is Johnny Wang’s “Sushi, Burgers, and More” while LeAnn plays in the background reminding you of that faded, computer-blue house you just bought.

Seal – “Kiss From a Rose”

Back to work, tough guy! With mustard on your shirt and hate in your heart, the Whip Cracker gives you a sign of approval and a sensual tap on the rear as if to say, “Keep it up and I might let you rub my back tonight….shirtless.”

Tom Waits – “Heartattack and Vine”

If a remodeled house could grow a salty swagger and sing to you while you work, old Computer Blue would have a raspy voice and abundant smell of cigarettes, just like Tom. But this place has the smell of a nasty wax ring under the toilet you just removed. Not even the bubonic plague came close to that stench.

Al Green – “I’m Glad You’re Mine”

Time for the first of many, many return trips to Home Depot. Strap on your gas station-purchased measuring tape, load your freshly-sharpened pencil in its fleshy holding device otherwise known as an ear, and walk into that Home Depot like it’s covered in neon lights and you’re an eligible bachelor ready to peel paint with your swanky presence. Strut your stuff, handy man. (*Needle scratches record) but then Whip Cracker calls to say she’ll meet you there. *leaves suspenders in the Subaru.

The Notorious B.I.G. – “Hypnotize”

You walk back into Computer Blue with your sacks of suggested tools and materials from “Leonard,” the 17-year-old pimple-faced smart-aleck that acts like he hung the handyman’s moon, when in all reality he goes to a school that doesn’t teach cursive and believes in trophies for everyone…. Anyways, with an attitude and a second wind you’re ready to pull up the urine-soaked carpet. *curses loudly* “I forgot to get gloves.”

Michael Jackson – “Smooth Criminal”

The sun is setting and your mind is telling you to go home but it’s winter solstice and only 5 p.m. You know Whip Cracker expects a solid 22 hours of labor or you can bet she’ll overcook Rachael Ray’s “Peach Bellini Chicken Thighs” because she’s too busy pacing the house with outlandish ideas. So suck it up, buddy, and let Michael moonwalk you into that kitchen you’ve been turning a blind eye to.

Joe Cocker – “With a Little Help From My Friends”

There comes a time in a man’s life when he deciphers the difference between his friends and his brothers. Just imagine peering out the window after hearing three car doors shut. To your amazement while shedding a slow tear, the “Regulators” show up with some Keystone tall boys and some judgments like slander to help you finish the day. Despite the endeavor you blindly took on and the lies you told the Whip Cracker, where there’s a will there’s a way. And when your light switch turns on the refrigerator and you’re slinging nachos at the Cowboys when they don’t make the playoffs, just remember the music that got you to that point. But for now, it’s just day one, sucka.

MIXTAPE: Dustbowl Revival’s Myriad Musical Influences

Posted on by Editor

We’ve always liked stirring the pot in the Dustbowl Revival — bringing a lot of genres into our own out-of-left-field soul-roots sound. With our unconventional eight-piece instrumentation (a string section with a brass section) and two lead singers (and a lot of cooks in the kitchen), deciding what songs would make it when we were going into the studio in January was quite a challenge. 

Luckily, we reached out to Ted Hutt, a lovely British producer now living in our hometown of L.A. and he jumped in to steer the ship. As one of the founders of Flogging Molly and a Grammy-winner for producing bands we love — like Old Crow Medicine Show and the Dropkick Murphys — Ted was like having a really pleasant pirate calling us on our bullshit and bringing forth the bluesiest, funkiest, and most emotional tunes we’ve ever laid down. While there is a soul flavor to a lot of these songs, we think it was more about finding the raw root of each story and getting after it. Here are some tunes that I was inspired by when I wrote much of the album. — Zach Lupetin

Old Crow Medicine Show — “Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer”

This song is kind of how we found Ted to produce the record. He did several of Old Crow’s albums, and I love the fatness to the sound on this — the bass is just thumping so sweetly and the mean groove contrasts with the winking humor in the lyric. We pretty much asked him, “Can get some of THAT on our record, too?”

Al Green — “Love and Happiness”

It’s a tune I can never get enough of, honestly. As the soul theme started to permeate the songs we were linking together on the record, I kept thinking I wanted something like this Al Green classic. “The Story” definitely comes from this. 

Shovels & Rope — Tiny Desk Concert

Liz and I aren’t married like these guys, but I always try and match the deep connection that can happen between male and female vocals totally in sync. Every time I see them, I get goosebumps.

The Meters — “Fire on the Bayou”

Josh, our drummer, always encourages us to listen to these classics, and I always love the repeating groove here. “Call My Name” which opens our album was a straight 12-bar blues until we twisted it around and funkafied it. Ted loved the “row your boat” repeating refrain as a call to arms … and we rolled with it.

Creedence Clearwater Revival — “Born on the Bayou”

Also one of my all-time favorite tunes, it’s hypnotic and mean and catchy as hell. CCR seemed to always merge spooky folk and blues elements into their own sweet stew, and our tunes like “Leaving Time” and “Don’t Wait Up” definitely spring from this. If I could have one voice, it would be Fogerty’s. 

Wilco — “How to Fight Loneliness”

Being from Chicago, I was lucky to have Wilco as one of my favorite groups from like age 16 on. Jeff Tweedy’s imperfect voice always sounds equally sly and vulnerable to me — and this tune always hits me hard. The way Wilco incorporates electronic and ethereal elements into folk songs always inspired me. 

Amy Winehouse — “You Know I’m No Good”

As I started writing tunes for Liz to wail on, I kept thinking how awesome and complex the compositions were for Winehouse, mixing vintage soul with her own vulnerable approach. The way the horns sneak in and out on this track is so cool. 

Mary J. Blige — “Family Affair”

I probably had this song in my head for like five straight years. When we were brainstorming on a groove for “If You Could See Me Now,” we went out of the box a bit and thought of this groove. So nasty good.

The Cavaliers — “Oh Where Can My Baby Be”  

There is definitely a morbid fascination in old country and rock songs with young people dying or losing each other. I’ve always wanted to write a mournful type of song like this, but one that questions the tragedy … like how could something so sweet like being young and in love go so wrong so fast? 

The Dustbowl Revival — “Debtors’ Prison”

This is how it all comes together.