What does it sound like?:
This is a public service message as much as a review.
Rodney Crowell has press-ganged various of his chums into providing tracks for a digital only compilation in aid of the Music Health Alliance in the States, which offers support to the music community including critical mental health and COVID-19 support. It’s avaiable on Bandcamp, and for two weeks only – up until the 19th of February, so just a couple of days left.
It’s all in a good cause, but the bonus is that it’s actually rather good. There’s a great list of artists inclduing Ry Cooder, Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Jeff Tweedy and Crowell himself. Most tracks are demos of songs already released – Harris has a lovely rendition of her song ‘Gold’, for example, and Williams contributes ‘When the Way Gets Dark’ from her last album. Taj Mahal performs a great version of ‘Sittin’ On Top of The World’. And there are some songs which as far as I know are previously unreleased, including a terrific one from Costello, ‘Maud Gone Wrong’ (Costello fans can correct me if it is already out there somewhere). Cooder, bless his cotton socks, opens the album with a typically rambuctious song for our times entitled ‘Baby Started Wearing Her Mask’.
All in all it has a pleasantly laid back feel and coheres as an album much better than these things typically do. If you like these artists its certainly worth £11 or so of your hard earned money,
What does it all *mean*?
It doesn’t mean much but it’s one of many examples of musicians helping each other in these times, and Crowell is to be applauded for pulling it off, and doing it so well. The fact that it is entitled Volume 1 suggests there will be more.
Goes well with…
A social conscience and a desire to help some of those musicans out there who are struggling so badly in all of this.
Release Date:
Out now but only until 19 February
Might suit people who like…
Country, blues, folk; Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Rodney Crowell, Elvis Costello, Jeff Tweedy, Taj Mahal, etc – so basically the entire Afterword, amirite?
An only comment is that this would/could stand a physical release: I would be more likely to buy than to download, mainly as it is a compilation and the individual tracks therefore can get “lost”. Plus I love these sort of compilation.
yes, its certainly good enough to release physically. The two week window is interesting – don’t know if that’s to drive up sales by increasing the scarcity value, or part of persuading the artists to contribute their material – or both. Given that limitation I assume it won’t ever get a physical or streaming release.
Here’s an article that tells you more about it, including confirming that he is indeed planning a Volume 2.
https://variety.com/2021/music/news/rodney-crowell-benefit-compilaton-songs-quarantine-1234902523/
Hmm, there is a hint of a later release. I may put some of my paypal wages onto it now, having the taste made stronger by the article. As you say, if not generic AW catnip artists present, certainly to many here.
@retropath2 dont worry Crowell has said there will be a physical release and I for one will be buying it as soon as it is out there . I understand this will be end of March.
ah yes, if I had bothered to read the article I posted a link to properly I would have notived that he does indeed say he hopes to put it out physically.
Good news Steve
Thanks @SteveT. I can relax instead of frantically looking for a download.
Great news, I’m definitely in for a fizzikal release.
@retropath2 dont worry Crowell has said there will be a physical release and I for one will be buying it as soon as it is out there m. I understand this will be end of March.
Not bothered about a physical release. so the FLAC files are downloading as I write. Thanks for the tip @blue-boy.
I yearn for a physical release.
Whoosh!
Very impressive at your age, Mike!
Halfway down the Male Grooming Products aisle in the supermarket, though.
I don’t really like it that much. I loved the free track, ie Rodney Crowell blues thing, and I hoped the rest would be as good. I am not that interested in digital only releases, but heck, it’s for charity, so I bought it. In general, I like demos, because as an acoustic guitar player, I can hear exactly how the song started off, and I copy it.
Charity aside, I think £11 is a bit much for digital demos.
I like some of it, but not as much as y’all like it.