Old Crow Medicine Show: Eutaw

Old Crow Medicine Show's 2001 studio album Eutaw was recently re-released in light of the success of Big Iron World (my top album of 2006). Though lacking the electricity and innovation of BIW, this earlier and earthier recording of mostly traditional tunes was obviously a blueprint for the astounding work to follow.



Songs like the rusty "Raise A Ruckus", jaunty "Tear It Down", and melodic melancholia "Lonesome Road Blues" sound more something to be found on an old-timey compilation from Smithsonian Folkways rather than an aughts release. The disc also includes a lovely almost a capella rendition of the traditional "Silver Dagger", which I know best through Irish band Solas.

The bluesy "Hesitation Blues" and harmonica splashed "Down South Blues" give a glimpse into the OCMS barnstormers to come. A re-vamped and superior version of "Cocaine Habit" was featured on Big Iron World, but this molasses paced quirky kazoo take is also nice.

Old Crow Medicine Show Official Site
OCMS MySpace

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Old Crow Medicine Show Videos & Mp3

Old Crow Medicine Show recorded two songs with Cowboy Jack Clement that can be viewed at producer Don Was' website. The page also has a zip file of the mp3.

You can also see OCMS' Austin City Limits performance of "Minglewood Blues" (from their brilliant album Big Iron World) at their website.


Old Crow Medicine Show - Just A Girl I Used To Know (Video & Mp3)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Minglewood Blues (Video)

Andy Friedman: Taken Man

Taken Man is New Yorker illustrator and singer-songwriter Andy Friedman's debut studio album. The album was produced by musician Paul Curreri and includes special guest appearances by Curreri, Devon Sproule, Jeffrey Foucault, Old Crow Medicine Show's Ketch Secor, Kris Delmhorst, and Melissa Ferrick among others. Friedman's folk-poet grumble is very raw and occasionally monotonous, but you hardly notice because of the intelligence of his lyrics and the beauty of the musical arrangements. As he says in the opening track of Taken Man, "if you think I'm out of tune than you're completely missing the point".



Friedman's sound has already been compared to Lou Reed, Johnny Cash, and Bob Dylan, and I won't be surprised if Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen are added to the list. That's not to say I completely agree with such legendary comparisons, but they are bound to happen due to his deep and often deadpan vocal style.

Songs like "I Don't Want To Die Like Andy Kaufman" and "Self-Portrait In White Knuckle Death Grip" (which references Van Gogh and William Blake among others) are very funny and quite depressing, and in that way his music actually does remind me a little of Cash or Waits...or a Kurt Vonnegut novel.

Paul Curreri supplies backing vocals, electric guitar, and banjitar to the bluesy twang of "Searchers (Brooklyn Boogie)", piano on the almost love song "Probably Shouldn't Call", and plays various other instruments on several other tracks.

Jeffrey Foucault's slide guitar joins Friedman and Curreri on the country howler "Cheat With The Highway", Melissa Ferrick contributes kick drum to the classic country-blues romp "Confusion", and Devon Sproule adds her voice and electric guitar to the harmonica laced title track. Then Curreri, Foucault, and Sproule return for the bluegrass fiddle finale, "One Thing I Want".

Andy Friedman Official Site

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Old Crow Medicine Show: Big Iron World

I don't believe I've ever said this about an album before, but I think Old Crow Medicine Show's Big Iron World is just about perfect. They're another band that played Mountain Stage, and I'm very glad to see them popping up elsewhere. Their music was featured in Transamerica, and they count among their fans Gillian Welch (who plays drums on the album), Norah Jones, and now me.



Old Crow Medicine Show sound just like their name would imply. Their music is a mix of oldtimey country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, soul, Appalachian folk, barbershop quartet harmony, and just a hint of rock. Big Iron World is their sophomore album, and you can probably tell I'm in love with it. So much so I'm finding it difficult to find the words to properly describe how great it is. Just trust me on this.

The opening track, "Down Home Girl", is my new theme song. Seriously. You may have picked up hints that I'm an Appalachian girl, now you know. The countrified lyrics are funny, the vocals are outstanding, and the harmonica is pure blues.

"Cocaine Habit", "My Good Gal", and "I Hear Them All" sound like Bob Dylan singing and playing his harmonica and guitar with a bluegrass band.

"Minglewood Blues" is too awesome to describe in any other way. This is what bluegrass harmony and music should sound like.

"James River Blues" is an old fashioned work song, full of fiddle and banjo. "New Virginia Creeper" and "Union Maid" are upbeat, hootenanny songs. And as the title suggests, "God's Got It" is a gospel tune. The foot tappin', fast paced "Bobcat Tracks" takes the album out with more Dylanesque vocals and lots of banjo.

Big Iron World is a solidly wonderful listen from beginning to end. Even if you don't usually like bluegrass, give it a try. I can't imagine anyone not liking it. But then, I'm not just anyone.

Down Home Girl Video

Old Crow Medicine Show Official Site
Old Crow on MySpace

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