One Long Line
Posted by TFG on February 3rd, 2008
Here’s a Tear Stained Letter from 1984 with what I guess is Scottish Cajun doing the accordion:
Check out the sax players huckin’ and bucking at the beginning. Dang hillbillies…
Here’s an undated version with naught but guitars and rhythm - Thompson goes kind of solo crazy for the last 2 minutes and it’s awesome Guitar God stuff.
A 1999 version - this one I love for the supremely Scottish enunciation and the sax-heavy background:
For comparison’s sake, now, try out this Patty Loveless Grand Ol’ Opry version - the soul’s been sucked out of it, thanks to Nashville. The fiddle is a real good accompaniment for the song, being Scottish and all, and Patty’s got a pretty voice, so it’s not too much of a beat-down:
There endeth the lesson — good stuff.
Now, to wash that out of your brain, here’s Hank 3 doing Straight to Hell, live from what looks like Stubbs in Austin:
And if you click the link, you can find the country song with the filthiest swearing ever in country, and it’s an awesome live version of it. Rock on, pimps…all that Hank 3 live stuff just kicks ass. Makes me want a beer, even here at 11 on the Lord’s Day. “And I’m looking for that gal/about 5 foot 10/I’m gonna take her down that road/of living a life of sin”
February 4th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I think you may be the first person I’ve heard mention Richard Thompson since I left college. Of course, back then it was Richard and Linda Thompson. I’ve heard this song by Jo-El Sonnier, but never by Richard Thompson himself. Thanks!
Also, while Mr. Thompson’s father was a Scot and there are undoubtedly Scottish influences, I believe he himself is an Englishman through and through. Just an observation.
February 4th, 2008 at 9:57 am
If you like Hank III, then you might like Hillbilly Casino. http://www.myspace.com/hillbillycasino or thehillbillycasino.com
February 4th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Charles, that’s kinda funny that you’ve heard the Sonnier version, while I never had. I’m really surprised he’s not native Scots - that accent sounds so Scots. But then, it’s been several years since I heard it native, so WTF do I know?
That Hillbilly Casino sounds pretty good, Glen…thanks for the tip. Do they ever get to Texas?