Ten crucial Drive-By Truckers songs
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Essential Drive-By Truckers
Here are 10 crucial Drive-By Truckers songs, in chronological order, that will convert anyone.
'The Living Bubba,' (from 'Gangstabilly')
Patterson Hood's memorial to the late Atlanta songwriter Gregory Dean Smalley, who responded to his AIDS-related death sentence by playing music every night he could, even as his body was fast falling apart.
'Let There Be Rock' (from 'Southern Rock Opera')
Crowds can't help shouting along to Hood's raucous Southern rock tribute: 'I never saw Lynyrd Skynyrd, but I sure saw Molly Hatchet/ And .38 Special and the Johnny VAN ZANT BAND!'
'Marry Me' (from 'Decoration Day')
Guitarist Mike Cooley cuts to the heart of the matter: 'Rock 'n' roll means well but can't help telling young boys lies.'
'Outfit' (from 'Decoration Day')
The first stunner from now-departed songwriter Jason Isbell, this moving sketch of working-class pride became an instant Truckers classic. One day, a mainstream country star will cover this song and make Isbell a multimillionaire.
'Lookout Mountain' (from 'The Dirty South')
A Hood tune that dates from 1990. The hero of this guitar jam chooses life (and gnarly solos) over hurling himself off that mountain.
'The Day John Henry Died' (from 'The Dirty South')
Chapter 543 of a great American myth, courtesy of Isbell.
'Danko/Manuel' (from 'The Dirty South')
A spare, thematically complex meditation on the Band's two doomed members (Rick Danko and Richard Manuel), blended with Isbell's thoughts about life on the road. A gutsy triumph.
'Carl Perkins' Cadillac' (from 'The Dirty South')
Almost jangly, Cooley explores the Sun Records pantheon: Elvis, Jerry Lee, Carl, Johnny and 'Mr. Philips.'
'Wednesday' (from 'A Blessing and a Curse')
Hood reminds everyone that he grew up on the Replacements' hooky power pop.
'Aftermath U.S.A.' (from 'A Blessing and a Curse')
Hood unpacks the scene of a crime, using rewired Stones riffs and a wicked hangover.
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