American I

So I've noticed a trend. People outside of the United States don't particularly like any of the truly American non-urban forms of music. Country, Folk, Bluegrass, Delta Blues or any genre that bridges these forms of music are shunned by most international music affiliates. Beloved American bands like The Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, Woody Guthrie, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young rarely register on most international music fans palates. Which is a dying shame.

Recently though, a slew of Rock stars have bridged the gap between Rock and Americana. Most notably Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Van Morrison, Norah Jones have all hit it big on the Country charts, while Neil Young has a folky/country sounding new album, Mark Knopfler (former lead singer of Dire Straits) teamed with Emmylou Harris for a new album, and Jewel has returned to her folk roots with what might be her best album since her debut Pieces of You.

While Bon Jovi's entry into the Country music genre is limited to his duet with Country Pop Star Jennifer Nettles, his New Jersey compatriot Bruce Springsteen has set the charts afire with his tribute album to Pete Seeger entitled We Shall Overcome: The Seegar Sessions. Pete Seeger was one of the most prolific folk and protest music singer/songwriters of the 1950's and 60's. His hits include "Where Have All the Flowers Gone", "If I Had a Hammer", and "Turn, Turn, Turn."

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen, or simply, The Boss, pays homage to his American Hero by recording over a dozen of Seeger's songs in true Springsteen style. The gritty, soulful album is filled with the songs that made Seeger famous and the sound that made Springsteen a legend. After over 30 years recording music, Bruce's voice still holds as strong and as powerful as ever. "Eyes on the Prize" comes through as a Western ballad, the type of song that was sung by cowboys roaming through the Louisiana Purchase, fitted accordingly with a longingly slow fiddle solo. "O Mary Don't You Weep" starts with a 40's style jazz big band sound before relaxing into a gospel-style anthem. Other songs, like "Old Dan Tucker" and "Erie Canal" are more Bluegrass, while "Shenandoah" and "We Shall Overcome" are standard sounding folk/protest songs.

If terms like fiddle, Bluegrass, Western ballads and protest music have got you confused, then maybe its time to expand your musical vocabulary to include the music that breeds in the American flatlands and is gestated in the American gut. The Boss is a clear place to start, his voice is gruff and his attitude is ferocious. No man alive can compare to his career both in terms of longevity and quality. In fifty years don't be surprised if someone like Ben Harper records a tribute album to him.
Recommended Songs: O Marty Don't You Weep, Eyes on the Prize, Old Dan Tucker and We Shall Overcome. And while we’re on the subject listen to classic Springsteen hits like The River and Born to Run.

I can tell you personally, I was very excited when I heard that Mark Knopfler was teaming up with Emmylou Harris to release an album. Knopfler, who is best known for his genius guitar work with his band Dire Straits, seemed like an odd match for Emmylou, who made her mark in music by writing songs that defined 70's style folk and country. If anything the mesh of 80's era guitar pop and 70's era folk hardly sounds like a match made in heaven, and if this album is any indication, won't be a new music fad.

Maybe it's because the guitar aficionado instead of the career lyricist wrote 10 of the 12 songs, or maybe it's because I was expecting the typical Knopfler guitar sound, but either way, I was very disappointed by All The Roadrunning. While genre bending is often a great way to relaunch a career, most artists do it in a way that plays to their strengths. This album does not do that. Emmylou's voice sounds as good as ever, especially when she breaks out her classic country twang, but the strength of this album should focus on Mark's guitar playing and Emmylou's penmanship. Sadly, this project got away from that. It's a shame, both musicians are talented enough to come out with a better album.
Recommended songs: Beyond My Wildest Dreams and Right Now (which is the only song that comes close to playing to their strengths)

To Be Continued…