Venerable Video: the everybodyfields - "Can't Have It"

How awesome is this picture? I cannot find who to credit it to. I remember it from their website back in the day.

Before The Civil Wars there was the everybodyfields. Before The Civil Wars broke up (or whatever is going on with them) the everybodyfields broke up. And it seemed to occur right when they were on the verge of very big things. Their slow but steady rise in roots music seemed to follow a similar but softer trajectory as then label mates The Avett Brothers (Ramseur Records). I am not saying they were destined to be as big as the Avetts, but the potential and talent was certainly there. Even Jill Andrews' solo project The Mirror seemed to be marketed in a manner such that she would find a home perhaps on VH1 among rising female pop stars like Sara Bareilles.

The musical and songwriting chemistry between Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews was always undeniable, even as behind the scenes turmoil was apparently brewing. Earlier this year the group performed at the Rhythm 'n Blooms festival in Knoxville, TN and filmed a few excellent live videos with the team at Live and Breathing. I don't want to venture into hyperbole and say that it's almost too difficult to watch these videos, yet watching one can't help but feel like some great magic was lost when they decided to go separate ways. Watching them it is obvious they've still got that nameless thing many other bands (even good ones) lack, and I can't help but think that one day they will record and tour together again. We can only hope. If not, I guess that's what albums and performance videos on the internet are for. They last forever.

"Can't Have It" is the eighth track on the group's second LP Plague of Dreams. In the video they are backed by a great band that includes frequent collaborator (with both Quinn and Andrews) Josh Oliver on electric guitar. Jill Andrews is as stunning vocally and visually as ever and Sam Quinn's strangeness is as apparent as ever (well, there are some other videos on the internet that might take that cake, but still, check out those socks). And nobody does harmony quite like the everybodyfields. The Civil Wars comprises a couple of vocal powerhouses, to be sure, bending notes around impossible corners--and I enjoy some of their songs--but give me these two (Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews, if you aren't paying attention) any day of the week. Or of the year. Or of my lifetime. Just get back together already (respectfully). I'm confident that after you watch them perform this great song you will see why I'm so keen on a band that has been broken up for years.

Walk walk white sock to sock, I wonder why these people all deceive me again

Venerable Video: "Ain't No Ash Will Burn" - Jill Andrews and Josh Oliver

Former co-lead singer and songwriter of pre-Americana-explosion Americana/folk/true-country act The Everybodyfields, the beautiful and talented Jill Andrews teams up with former Everybodyfields band member, musician, and talented solo artist in his own right, Josh Oliver, for a no-frills rendition of the song "Ain't No Ash Will Burn." The song, written by Walt Aldridge, has been covered by many artists throughout the years, but Andrews' and Oliver's take is the first one I've come across, and I was immediately struck by it. There is nothing quite so moving to hear as uniquely talented singers harmonizing over the simple melody of chords strummed on an acoustic guitar. Gracefully ignoring the brief mic feedback that occurs around the thirty-five second mark, Andrews and Oliver take this song about love lost and not easily rekindled and turn it into something transcendent and even uplifting. Plus, you can't go wrong with a sad love song that references coal.

   

I have seen snow that fell in May
And I have seen rain on cloudless days 
Some things are always bound to change 
There ain't no ash will burn 

Love is a precious thing I'm told 
It burns just like West Virginia coal 
But when the fire dies down it's cold 
There ain't no ash will burn 

You say this life is not your lot 
Well I can't be something that I'm not 
We can't stoke a fire that we ain't got 
There ain't no ash will burn 

 In every life there comes a time 
Where there are no more tears to cry 
We must leave something dear behind 
There ain't no ash will burn 

There is one lesson I have learned 
There ain't no ash will burn

Lyrics courtesy of www.bluegrasslyrics.com.

Playlist For Election Day 2012

In celebration of Election Day, here are some songs I've enjoyed over the years that touch on various aspects, both specific and general, of the American political system:

Reckless Kelly - "Pennsylvania Avenue"

 What about a man's worth, what it used to mean

Before the radio waves and big screen

You talk about hard work and a steady hand

We put our trust in you, you better stick to the plan

Derek Webb - "A Savior On Capitol Hill"

You can always trust the devil or a politician
To be the devil or a politician
But beyond that, friends, you’d best beware
’Cause at the Pentagon bar they’re an inseparable pair
And as long as the lobbyists are paying their bills
We’ll never have a savior on Capitol Hill

The Everybodyfields - "TVA"

I don’t need no dam or no damn FDR
Making power for some other factory
They can have their reasons, whatever they are
And take them back to their authorities

God the Father said Jesus Christ,
I don’t know about this electricity
I use the day to steal the nights
And make my waters rise
They’re trying to take my job away from me

Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore - "Only A Song"

I've been thinking about Providence

And craving a root beer float

I didn't make these rules

But it's time for us to row this boat

And on the horizon 

I see windmills sprouting up in rows

There's young folks farming

And a few that are gonna vote

But this is only a song, it can't change the world

Chatham County Line - "Birmingham Jail"

It was early December in the year of '63

George Wallace defied what the federal courts they did decree

They said make your school doors open for the child of black white

Wallace clenched up both his fists and he called out for a fight

Drive-By Truckers - "Puttin' People On the Moon"

Another Joker in the White House, said a change was comin' round
But I'm still working at the Wal-Mart, Mary Alice in the ground
And all them politicians, they're all lying sacks of shit
They say better days upon us but I'm sucking left hind tit
And the preacher on the TV says it ain't too late for me
But I bet he drives a Cadillac and I'm broke with hungry mouths to feed

Grayson Capps - "New Orlean Waltz"

Let's not complain about Mayor Ray Nagin

I think that he's done the best that he could

I just wish people would stop pointing fingers

And rebuild the levee 'cause the levee's no good

Chris Knight - "In The Mean Time"

Well I'm pretty sure that the government ain't gonna save you

The good Lord helps the ones that help themselves

You wanna stand on your own two feet

And use some backbone

Don't go crawling on your knees and begging for help

It'll do ya good in the meantime 

 John Prine - "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore" 

Your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore

They're already overcrowded from your dirty little war

Now Jesus don't like killing

No matter what the reason's for

And your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore

 Over the Rhine - "If A Song Could Be President"

They would show us where our country went wrong
Strum their guitars on the White House lawn
John Prine would run the FBI
All the criminals would laugh and cry
If a song could be president

 Ryan Bingham - "Too Deep To Fill" 

And I'm going to New York City

I'm going to see if I can find out why

Them boys on Wall Street

Stole the shoes right off of our feet

And left us without food for suppertime

I'm going out to join the protest

I'm going to stand up a sing

It's time once again to stand up and demand

That this land was made for you and me

 The Steeldrivers - "Sticks That Made Thunder"

(from the perspective of a tree during the Civil War)

Some were the color of the sky in the winter

And some were as blue as the night

They came like a storm with the light of the morn

And fell through the whole day and night

The colors flew high and they danced in the sky

As I watched them come over the hill

And then to my wonder were sticks that made thunder

Such a great number lay still