Jahfin Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 By Paul Saitowitz If the music world had its own Olympics, the flag-bearers marching in front of the alt-country team would probably be Wilco’s formidable Jeff Tweedy and the sometimes likeable, always beguiling Ryan Adams. But while those two have undeniably spearheaded (if not mainstreamed) a genre that was cultivated by folks like Gram Parsons and Townes Van Zandt years ago, there is a third, slightly more anonymous teammate who should be by their side. No, it’s not Rhett Miller. The Old 97’s frontman is certainly a valued member of the squad, but he hangs out a bit too much with the pop-music kids to warrant captain status. Rather, the unsung hero and deserved third standard-bearer is Jay Farrar. You can read the rest of the article here: http://www.sdcitybeat.com/cms/story/detail...r_and_away/6658 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danelectro Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Was there ever any doubt about his importance? Who ever wrote that article is an idiot and needs to remember it was on Jay's back that the modern country rock movement was carried. Well at least on the backs Uncle Tupelo and the Jayhawks. Ryan Adams? Stop it, he came much later and no matter how great he was with Whiskeytown he's no more country sounding than Jay or Wilco is these days, all of those artists moved on a long time ago. It wouldn't surprise me if the author of that article is new to that type of music and is working their way backwards, anyone that was into UT or Son Volt years ago knows it was Jay everyone bowed to, especially after Trace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahfin Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 I agree about the article but I'll take Strangers Almanac over Trace if only by a nose. I love both records. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danelectro Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I agree about the article but I'll take Strangers Almanac over Trace if only by a nose. I love both records. Honestly I don't listen to any of that stuff anymore and haven't for a very long time. Was a time when I lived and breathed it but I burned myself out, though I was never a huge Whiskeytown fan anyway. I actually prefer Ryan's poppier stuff to his countrified stuff, IMO the best thing he ever did was Gold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahfin Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Admittedly I go through phases but that's mostly with different artists, not musical styles. I can go from a Sabbath binge to a reggae binge into listening to country, bluegrass, ska, etc. As for Gold, I like it but I feel it's the most highly derivative of his solo albums, at least to my ears. By the time he got to Cold Roses I could hear the influence of the Grateful Dead but couldn't pick up on chords and vocal imitations like I could with Gold. Then again, he said he wanted Gold to sound like changing channels on an FM tuner back in the 70s. He accomplished that with nods to The Band, Neil Young, Van Morrison, etc. throughout that record. He even throws in some Prince at one point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahfin Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 BOBBY BARE JR ON TOUR Fri Mar 7 Asheville, NC The Grey Eagle Sat Mar 8 Atlanta, GA Star Bar Tue Mar 11 Fort Worth, TX Aardvarks Wed Mar 12 San Antonio, TX Casbeers Fri Mar 14 Austin, TX Yard Dog Gallery (Bloodshot Day Party) Fri Mar 14 Austin, TX Club Deville (SXSW Showcase) BOBBY BARE JR ON TOUR WITH SON VOLT Wed Apr 9 Louisville, KY Headliners Thu Apr 10 Nashville, TN Exit/In Fri Apr 11 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse Sat Apr 12 Tallahassee, FL The Beta Bar Sun Apr 13 Birmingham, AL Workplay Theater Tue Apr 15 New Orleans, LA Tipitina's Wed Apr 16 Houston, TX The Continental Thu Apr 17 Austin, TX Antone's Fri Apr 18 New Braunfels, TX Gruene Hall Tue Apr 22 Knoxville, TN Bijou Theater Wed Apr 23 Charlotte, NC The Visulite Thu Apr 24 Raleigh, NC Lincoln Theatre Fri Apr 25 Washington, DC 9:30 Club Sat Apr 25 Philadelphia, PA The Trocadero Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hammer of the Gods Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I have Uncle Tupelo's Anodyne album, and while I like it decently, I think both of the "side project bands" (ahem, funny because both "side bands" became bigger than the original band) are better. I only own Okemah And The Melody of Riot from Son Volt. It's okay, but it is a bit boring at times. I think Farrar is a solid lyricist though. It's just something about his vocals. Gimme Jeff Tweedy and Ryan Adams any day of the week. Although I've been meaning to purchase Trace for a while now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahfin Posted February 22, 2008 Author Share Posted February 22, 2008 I have Uncle Tupelo's Anodyne album, and while I like it decently, I think both of the "side project bands" (ahem, funny because both "side bands" became bigger than the original band) are better. I only own Okemah And The Melody of Riot from Son Volt. It's okay, but it is a bit boring at times. I think Farrar is a solid lyricist though. It's just something about his vocals. Gimme Jeff Tweedy and Ryan Adams any day of the week. Although I've been meaning to purchase Trace for a while now. If you go back further in the UT catalog you'll find they have a much rawer sound than that found on Anodyne. By the time of Anodyne you could already hear the seeds of Wilco in Tweedy's more refined sound. I find Farrar a bit "dry" at times myself but I think you'll love Trace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jahfin Posted February 22, 2008 Author Share Posted February 22, 2008 Some Farrar solo dates and news of him working on a Kerouac documentary: Jay Farrar solo dates Jay is heading out for some solo dates this weekend. Mark Spencer will be accompanying him. Anders is opening the show at Maxwell's as well as all West Coast dates. Chris Masterson (Son Volt) and Eleanor Whitmore will open in Brooklyn. 2/22: Maxwell's Hoboken, NJ 2/23: Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY 2/25: Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA 2/26: Troubadour Los Angeles, CA 2/27: Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA 2/29: Tractor Tavern Seattle, WA 3/1: Aladdin Theatre Portland, OR Farrar pens music for Kerouac documentary "One Fast Move Or I'm Gone" is a documentary about Jack Kerouac's life as it relates to his novel, Big Sur. Notable actors & historians, family members & love interests lend their voices to this documentary as Jay's original compositions, inspired by the novel, underscore the film. Jay also collaborates with Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) on several songs. You can check out the trailer at: http://www.kerouacfilms.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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