Showing posts with label Miscellaneous. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miscellaneous. Show all posts
The Gourds News: Last Bottle, Last Time
© Joe Ryan
"We've never been so vain as to have picks made with our name [on them]. We're the opposite of shameless self promoters, whatever that is...it's The Gourds is what it is" -- Kevin Russell, 9-26-10, Columbus, GA
The Gourds soldier on as The Gourds News calls it a career
May 28th, 2012
Three years ago today, as my old friend Joe Ryan and I packed our bags to catch a Gourds show in Charlottesville, VA, I was on the verge of starting a pretty ambitious project with no real concept of how it was even going to work. The Gourds News, which ceases production today, drew its initial influence from a paper publication somebody handed me while I was waiting for another bunch of guys to take the stage at Madison Square Garden in the late 80s. And while TGN tried to advance several different ideas along the way, our main goal never changed: To help Gourds fans maintain a relationship with a band they didn't get to see often enough.
Since I couldn't go to every show myself, I ended up being almost entirely dependent on the very people I was trying to help. Fortunately, the response was inspiring enough to keep me going for three years, and I want to take this last opportunity to thank everyone who ever sent me a set list, taped a show, took a picture, shot a video, or dug up a live review on-line. I really couldn’t have done it without you. And I want to extend just as big a thank you to the band itself for trusting my judgment as I gave the people what they wanted.
Of course, the people still want. So if you haven’t already done it, please “Like” The Gourds Official facebook page. At some point in the future, I hope to be posting there myself. For the unofficially inclined, I would recommend the wiki page We Are Cucurbs, which looks to pick up right where The Gourds News blog leaves off. Since it's a brand new site, I hope that all of TGN's trusty field reporters can shift their contributions over there and give We Are Cucurbs some much needed momentum. I've already signed on to cover the New York show in August.
Additionally, there’s the original fan-based facebook group The Gourds.....The band, and the more recent fan-based group cucurbitaceae: The Gourds, Austin, Texas, which is actually the facebook version of the old Yahoo! group that began way back in October of 1998.
Finally, even though this blog won’t be updated with any new information, I’m still very interested in adding anything (e.g., set lists, pictures, videos) that you might have from shows that occurred between 5-28-09 and 5-28-12. If you do have something you'd like to share, please send me an email or a facebook message and I’ll be sure to follow up. Okay. That's it. Thanks again for everything and goodnight.
The Gourds soldier on as The Gourds News calls it a career
May 28th, 2012
Three years ago today, as my old friend Joe Ryan and I packed our bags to catch a Gourds show in Charlottesville, VA, I was on the verge of starting a pretty ambitious project with no real concept of how it was even going to work. The Gourds News, which ceases production today, drew its initial influence from a paper publication somebody handed me while I was waiting for another bunch of guys to take the stage at Madison Square Garden in the late 80s. And while TGN tried to advance several different ideas along the way, our main goal never changed: To help Gourds fans maintain a relationship with a band they didn't get to see often enough.
Since I couldn't go to every show myself, I ended up being almost entirely dependent on the very people I was trying to help. Fortunately, the response was inspiring enough to keep me going for three years, and I want to take this last opportunity to thank everyone who ever sent me a set list, taped a show, took a picture, shot a video, or dug up a live review on-line. I really couldn’t have done it without you. And I want to extend just as big a thank you to the band itself for trusting my judgment as I gave the people what they wanted.
Of course, the people still want. So if you haven’t already done it, please “Like” The Gourds Official facebook page. At some point in the future, I hope to be posting there myself. For the unofficially inclined, I would recommend the wiki page We Are Cucurbs, which looks to pick up right where The Gourds News blog leaves off. Since it's a brand new site, I hope that all of TGN's trusty field reporters can shift their contributions over there and give We Are Cucurbs some much needed momentum. I've already signed on to cover the New York show in August.
Additionally, there’s the original fan-based facebook group The Gourds.....The band, and the more recent fan-based group cucurbitaceae: The Gourds, Austin, Texas, which is actually the facebook version of the old Yahoo! group that began way back in October of 1998.
Finally, even though this blog won’t be updated with any new information, I’m still very interested in adding anything (e.g., set lists, pictures, videos) that you might have from shows that occurred between 5-28-09 and 5-28-12. If you do have something you'd like to share, please send me an email or a facebook message and I’ll be sure to follow up. Okay. That's it. Thanks again for everything and goodnight.
Slackerwood: Ready, Set, Fund
© High Plains Films
"Ready, Set, Fund" is a column about crowdfunding and related fundraising endeavors for Austin and Texas independent film projects.
Ready, Set, Fund: Labor, Gourds, Retirees and Free Radicals
By Debbie Cerda
May 23, 2012
It's only natural that talented acquaintances in the local music scene like Britt Daniel of Spoon or Ian Moore have achieved national recognition for their musical talent. Another success story is that of one of the hardest working bands I've ever known, The Gourds, comprised of Kevin Russell, Keith Langford, Max Johnston, Jimmy Smith and Claude Bernard. In addition to routinely playing at Shady Grove and Threadgill's South, or touring nationally, the Gourds also contributed music to a local short film, Mike Woolf's 2003 documentary Growin' a Beard.
The Gourds themselves are now the subject of All the Labor, a documentary currently funding through Monday, June 11, on Kickstarter. Filmmaker Doug Hawes-Davis is the founder of the annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, Montana, where he initially met the band in 2001. The Gourds played Missoula nearly a dozen times in the last decade and Hawes-Davis attended every show, allowing him the opportunity to meet and convince the band to participate in a film documenting their story.
Mike Woolf is one of the cinematographers providing support in Austin on the film project. Another interesting local connection is that Hawes-Davis' nonprofit was the fiscal sponsor of Winter in the Blood, a new film by Alex and Andrew Smith (The Slaughter Rule) -- Alex teaches at UT while Andrew teaches at the University of Montana. Winter in the Blood had a successful Kickstarter campaign last year.
"Ready, Set, Fund" is a column about crowdfunding and related fundraising endeavors for Austin and Texas independent film projects.
Ready, Set, Fund: Labor, Gourds, Retirees and Free Radicals
By Debbie Cerda
May 23, 2012
It's only natural that talented acquaintances in the local music scene like Britt Daniel of Spoon or Ian Moore have achieved national recognition for their musical talent. Another success story is that of one of the hardest working bands I've ever known, The Gourds, comprised of Kevin Russell, Keith Langford, Max Johnston, Jimmy Smith and Claude Bernard. In addition to routinely playing at Shady Grove and Threadgill's South, or touring nationally, the Gourds also contributed music to a local short film, Mike Woolf's 2003 documentary Growin' a Beard.
The Gourds themselves are now the subject of All the Labor, a documentary currently funding through Monday, June 11, on Kickstarter. Filmmaker Doug Hawes-Davis is the founder of the annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, Montana, where he initially met the band in 2001. The Gourds played Missoula nearly a dozen times in the last decade and Hawes-Davis attended every show, allowing him the opportunity to meet and convince the band to participate in a film documenting their story.
Mike Woolf is one of the cinematographers providing support in Austin on the film project. Another interesting local connection is that Hawes-Davis' nonprofit was the fiscal sponsor of Winter in the Blood, a new film by Alex and Andrew Smith (The Slaughter Rule) -- Alex teaches at UT while Andrew teaches at the University of Montana. Winter in the Blood had a successful Kickstarter campaign last year.
Have a project that you would like to be considered for an upcoming "Ready, Set, Fund," feature about crowdfunding and related fundraising endeavors for Austin and Texas independent film projects? Contact us if you've got a film fundraising project going on you'd like us to know about.
© Slackerwood / The Austin Film Society
© Slackerwood / The Austin Film Society
Houston Press: Towering Townes
Van Zandt, John Nova Lomax, and Lightnin' Hopkins (c. 1968)
Editor's note: The following paragraph was taken from a Dec. 28 review by John Nova Lomax of the Brian Atkinson book on Townes Van Zandt, "I'll Be Here In The Morning". Click here to read the rest of that article.
In Kevin Russell's chapter, the Gourds front man says, correctly, that Van Zandt's finest album is Live at the Old Quarter — as it captures Van Zandt at the peak of his vocal and instrumental powers and is utterly shorn of schmaltz. Russell then goes a little too far when he says it's the only Townes you'll ever need. Yes, the old studio albums were overproduced, but there are quite a few great songs on them nonetheless, many of which are not on the Old Quarter album: "Sad Cinderella," "Colorado Girl," "Quicksilver Daydreams of Maria," to name but three he recorded before the Old Quarter taping, and gems like "Flyin' Shoes," "Snowin' on Raton" and "Marie" that came later. All of that said, if you've never listened to Old Quarter, you've cheated yourself of a chance to truly appreciate Townes. And that goes double if you've been suckered into buying one of the many, almost always ghoulish, posthumous live albums.
In Kevin Russell's chapter, the Gourds front man says, correctly, that Van Zandt's finest album is Live at the Old Quarter — as it captures Van Zandt at the peak of his vocal and instrumental powers and is utterly shorn of schmaltz. Russell then goes a little too far when he says it's the only Townes you'll ever need. Yes, the old studio albums were overproduced, but there are quite a few great songs on them nonetheless, many of which are not on the Old Quarter album: "Sad Cinderella," "Colorado Girl," "Quicksilver Daydreams of Maria," to name but three he recorded before the Old Quarter taping, and gems like "Flyin' Shoes," "Snowin' on Raton" and "Marie" that came later. All of that said, if you've never listened to Old Quarter, you've cheated yourself of a chance to truly appreciate Townes. And that goes double if you've been suckered into buying one of the many, almost always ghoulish, posthumous live albums.
Next Step: I Want It So Bad
What’s Your Next Step?
December 17, 2011
By Kim Reisman
I want it so bad…
One of my favorite bands is the Gourds. They were in Lafayette a few weeks ago & John & I went as we usually do when they pass through. They’ve got a new album out right now call Old Mad Joy. You can check it out on iTunes. One song in particular struck me given that we’re smack in the middle of one of the most commercialized, co-opted by capitalists, holy seasons of the Christian faith – those days leading up to Christmas. It’s called I Want It So Bad & it’s a great swing type tune that John & I immediately had to dance to…
The first time I gazed upon that glorious thing/It made we wanna dance and delightfully sing/I whirled and twirled and laughed til I cried,
I love this song! I’ve been driving around delightfully singing every since I bought the CD. But there’s a little more to it…
I was so ecstatic until I realized/It was not mine nor would it ever be./Then a storm of emotion swept over me/My heart was broken, my hands were tied,/my one desire had been denied.
I want everything...
This time of year we’re bombarded with images of all the things we think we need but probably just want. And often we want those things really bad – that think-we-can’t-live-without-it kind of bad that can end up really messing with our heads…
Maybe it’s a dream, maybe it’s a thing,/Maybe it’s something that you’ve never seen/Maybe it’s happiness, maybe it’s love/Or maybe yer waiting for something to come from above
Maybe it makes you feel like you never succeed,/Maybe it makes you feel like you never get what you need./It’s a feeling that comes from within,/It’s universal between women and men
We just wanna be loved, we just wanna be whole,/We just wanna get back what we feel like was stole/From us as a child when we got schooled./Man that wasn’t fair, that wasn’t cool…
I’m still singing to my CD because this is a really catchy tune & I love to delightfully sing in the car. But here’s the kicker…
There ain’t no rule, there ain’t no law/That says we ever get what we want at all/We all know life ain’t fair/But we forget it when desire becomes despair…
Oops…got me…
I want this… no, I need this… wait, I deserve this. But I can’t have it….. Now what?
[Next Step is a faith formational ministry whose mission is to train, encourage and challenge Christ followers to live more fully as committed disciples of the Jesus way, to share their faith with greater love and boldness, and to impact their world with greater courage and integrity on behalf of Jesus Christ]
The first time I gazed upon that glorious thing/It made we wanna dance and delightfully sing/I whirled and twirled and laughed til I cried,
I love this song! I’ve been driving around delightfully singing every since I bought the CD. But there’s a little more to it…
I was so ecstatic until I realized/It was not mine nor would it ever be./Then a storm of emotion swept over me/My heart was broken, my hands were tied,/my one desire had been denied.
I want everything...
This time of year we’re bombarded with images of all the things we think we need but probably just want. And often we want those things really bad – that think-we-can’t-live-without-it kind of bad that can end up really messing with our heads…
Maybe it’s a dream, maybe it’s a thing,/Maybe it’s something that you’ve never seen/Maybe it’s happiness, maybe it’s love/Or maybe yer waiting for something to come from above
Maybe it makes you feel like you never succeed,/Maybe it makes you feel like you never get what you need./It’s a feeling that comes from within,/It’s universal between women and men
We just wanna be loved, we just wanna be whole,/We just wanna get back what we feel like was stole/From us as a child when we got schooled./Man that wasn’t fair, that wasn’t cool…
I’m still singing to my CD because this is a really catchy tune & I love to delightfully sing in the car. But here’s the kicker…
There ain’t no rule, there ain’t no law/That says we ever get what we want at all/We all know life ain’t fair/But we forget it when desire becomes despair…
Oops…got me…
I want this… no, I need this… wait, I deserve this. But I can’t have it….. Now what?
[Next Step is a faith formational ministry whose mission is to train, encourage and challenge Christ followers to live more fully as committed disciples of the Jesus way, to share their faith with greater love and boldness, and to impact their world with greater courage and integrity on behalf of Jesus Christ]
2 years, 2 months...and 200 shows!
Just wanted to thank everyone who stopped to jot down a tune for us on our way to 200 consecutive set lists!
5-28-11...It's Our Birthday 2, Yeah!
Today marks the second anniversary of TGN's non-stop coverage of The Gourds. We'd like to thank everyone who's been kind enough to contribute a set list, picture, video, or audio recording during the past 24 months, and ask for your continued support as we enter our third and final year of tracking the best band in the business. We simply couldn't do it without you.
The Music Never Stopped: Gourds Producer Squeezes In A Play Date
Editor's Note: During a weekend break from recording the new album, producer Larry Campbell left The Gourds in Woodstock and headed down to NYC to play with some friends at Radio City Music Hall...this is the set list from that show.
Further
Radio City Music Hall
New York, NY
3-27-11
Set I
01. Samson & Delilah (trad.)
02. Chest Fever (Robbie Robertson) *
03. Tennessee Jed (Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunger) * +
04. Friend of the Devil (Jerry Garcia/John Dawson/Robert Hunter) * +
05. Ship of Fools (Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter) + >
06. It Must Have Been the Roses (Robert Hunter) * + > Ship of Fools +
07. Cassidy (Bob Weir/John Perry Barlow)
08. Ripple (Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter) * + &
Set II
09. Throwing Stones (Bob Weir/John Perry Barlow)
10. Sunrise (Donna Godchaux) ^
11. St. Stephen (Jerry Garcia/Phil Lesh/Robert Hunter)
12. What's Become of the Baby (Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter) ^ >
13. The Eleven (Robert Hunter/Phil Lesh) >
14. Uncle John's Band (Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter) >
15. Unbroken Chain (Phil Lesh/Robert M. Peterson)
16. The Wheel (Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia/Bill Kreutzman)
17. Morning Dew (Bonnie Dobson)
18. Sugar Magnolia (Bob Weir/Robert Hunter)
E:
19. Days Between (Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter)
20. Jam &
21. Fever (Eddie Cooley/John Davenport) * + ^ &
22. Attics of My Life (Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter) * + ^ &
Note: Further was joined by guests Larry Campbell (*), Elvis Costello (+), Diana Krall (&), and Theresa Williams (^)
© Dylan Carney
Special thanks to happycat!, sgibson818, Dylan Carney, and deadheadland for the field reports. If anyone has audio/video/photos from this show, please email TheGourdsNews.
0 to 150 in 17 Months Flat
Just wanted to thank everyone who stopped to jot down a tune for us on our way to 150 consecutive set lists!
Something Is Happening Here But You Don't Know What It Is: Your Plastic Jug Mandolin
© quiteallright.blogspot
Editor's note: The following piece describes the Gourd-related dream of one D. Jones on the night of August 1st, 2010. Kevin Russell, who received the story by email just yesterday, enjoyed it so much that he obtained the author's permission to have it reprinted here.
Hey Kevin, I had a really weird and vivid dream last night...
I was at some kind of flea market that I think was a benefit for something. Pretty much everyone there were Gourdheads. It was a nice day, the sun was out, it was nice and warm. The flea market was in a grassy park. How nice!
There was a lady who had an assortment of camping gear that was understood to have been donated by the Johnston family. Mostly it was like old WWII surplus packs and cots, musty smelling green stuff, but tucked in amongst this stuff I found Max's camping fiddle! It was made by Coleman. It was made out of stamped sheetmetal and had the same construction as those old kerosene gas tanks that hang on the side of their camp stoves. It only had two strings, but man, even I could play it! What a great find, thanks Max!
I went home and right as soon as I got there I realized that I was going to miss you guys playing in the park (maybe the one adjacent to the flea market stuff?). Dammit, gotta go back!
When I got back there, mostly all of the flea market people were gone, but there were these two women that were at the tail end of packing up. One of them was holding a mandolin. YOUR mandolin! and she was saying something about what a shame it was that nobody had bought it. It had a masking tape sticker with "160" scrawled in black crayon on it,
Just as I was approaching these ladies, not able to get that 160 out of my pocket fast enough, who should walk up, but Kevin Russel himself, there to pick up his mandolin! You started saying something to me about how you would let me have it for 20, but I would not bargain with you. I absolutely insisted that you take the entire 160. While you handed it to me, you mentioned something about having played a few shows on it.
I got your mandolin! I was so elated! It was wierd, though, because from the front it looked like a mandolin, but from the back it was a clear plastic jug. It was a little greasy and there were remnants of some chile or paprika-tinged oil still left in it.
I was still pretty happy about it.
Blast From The Past: An Open Letter to Gourds Fans
Editor's note: I came across this letter today during my daily Google search and decided it was worth sharing. To give you some sense of context, it appears to have been written about 7 weeks after Haymaker was released and was published in the Forums section of AustinChronicle.com. Enjoy!
An Open Letter to Gourds Fans
by moncul
February 28, 2009
I’d like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to all Gourds fans everywhere for their unflagging support of one of Austin’s—if not the country’s—truly great musical groups. Without it, Kevin, Jimmy, Max, Claude, and Keith would most likely be stuck working for The Man and the world would be deprived of some of the finest Americana music around. Through CD sales, merch sales, and concert attendances, we allow them to continue doing what they do best: dishing out their own special musical gumbo for the “unwashed and well-read.”
That said, I’d now like to touch upon a little-known fact about The Gourds that many fans seem to forget when given the blessed opportunity to see them perform live at a show. You see, The Gourds is a band, a group of guys who write lyrics and play instruments in the studio to create albums and perform onstage to create a live show—that sort of interactive experience where the audience is allowed to inhabit and revel in The Gourds’ musical world for a couple of hours. A live Gourds show is always a fun time, no doubt about it.
The fact that The Gourds is a band may seem very obvious to most of us out there—why, it’s staring us in the face as we look onstage and see them play their instruments and sing into the microphones, right?
Perhaps not. For some reason, at every Gourds show I’ve attended over the years, there is a certain segment of the fan base who—caught up in the sheer ecstasy of the experience—seem to forget this basic fact and instead operate under the false assumption that the band with the set list onstage is in reality their very own fucking jukebox that will play any song they want, provided they scream the title at the top of their lungs.
Lemme let this segment of the population in on a little secret: Contrary to what you may believe, you are not at a Chuck E. Cheese and your screaming voice isn’t some magic token you can throw on the stage to make the animatronic Country Bear Jamboree play whatever fucking song you want. See, there’s this implied contract between a live band and its audience, and that is: They Do Not Play What We Want To Hear From Them, We Hear What They Want To Play For Us. This is the Rule of the Live Show, and it includes practically all bands, not just The Gourds.
If this little nugget of Truth makes you unhappy, allow me to suggest a solution that might turn that frown upside down. Since you obviously live in your own solipsistic fantasy world, try this experiment on for size: Slip in a Gourds CD at home and cue up that song you want to hear. Now close your eyes and imagine that you’re front and center at a show at Jovita’s, or Antone’s, or fucking Madison Square Garden for all I care. Now imagine that they’ve just finished up a number and there’s a lull as they switch instruments. Take a deep, deep breath now and scream the name of that song as loud as you can. Scream it a couple times, because in your imagination they didn’t catch it due to all the other fans like you screaming the name of the song THEY want to hear. But yours is loudest! Kevin looks at you, nods his head, then turns to the guys. “1, 2, 3, 4…”
Now hit Play on your CD player. Wow! Problem fucking solved!
You see where I’m going with this? Does it not ever sink into your noggin just how fucking amateur you sound, braying “[insert song title here]!” over and over until you’re completely hoarse, as if you truly believe that the band is going to bow to your demands and play only what YOU demand they play? Do you not realize that they’re NOT a jukebox, NOT an “All Request Live” radio show, and NOT, fer chrissake, your own personal Gourds iPod playlist? Sure, we’d all love to hear “Blood of the Ram.” Hell, as a Gourds fan, I’d love to hear any song they want to throw at me. That’s why I’m at the fucking show in the first place. But I would never be so impudent as to think I’ve got the god-given right to demand that they kowtow to my every puerile desire (see Implied Contract, above).
I’d be remiss if I didn’t end this little rant with the rather obvious inclusion of their quirky bluegrass version of “Gin and Juice.” I love it as much as everyone, but it’s clear to me that the band recognizes it as the (brilliant though it may be) novelty that it is and will play it as sparingly as possible. On the rare occasion they do play it at a show, it’s that much better appreciated—icing on an always-delicious cake, as it were.
So for all you “diehard” Gourds fans who scream for them to play that particular chestnut at every goddamn show:
Please, turn around, exit the venue, return to your frat house, pop in that Dane Cook DVD you love so much, and assume your normal circle jerk position around the TV with your brahs. Thank you for your cooperation.
5-28-10...They Say It's Your Birthday
Today marks the first anniversary of TGN's non-stop coverage of The Gourds (a.k.a., rock and roll's best kept secret). We'd like to thank everyone who's been kind enough to contribute a set list, picture, video, or audio recording during the past 12 months, and ask for your continued support in the coming year. We simply couldn't do it without you.
Secret History of Austin Music: The Gant Family Singers
by Michael Corcoran
Austin-American Statesman
I had never actually heard of the Gants until about six months ago, and I'm pretty well-versed on Austin music history, so I was surprised to see their name on the liner notes for an album by the New Lost City Ramblers. The song was called, "When First Unto This Country A Stranger I Came". In the liner notes it said that it was recorded by John and Alan Lomax in Austin in 1934. So I went on-line [and] Googled "Gant Family Singers" and couldn't find hardly any information aside from the titles of songs that they recorded from the Library of Congress. What I did next was I put a blog up on Austin 360 and I just threw a net out there and just asked if anybody knew any relatives of the Gant family to contact us via the blog. About three months later, I received an email from a Julie Johnson in Florida and she is Ella Gant's granddaughter...and that gave me something to go on.
Since the recordings were made for academic, rather than commerical reasons, the quality was really unimportant to the Lomaxs. They just wanted he songs intact. I was able to find some of the Gant's recordings at the Center for American History. They were on reel-to-reel tapes, and so I was able to get about 16 or 17 songs...and I think in hearing the music, that really inspired me to work on the story because you can just hear so much harmony, and so much glee, and so much joy in those recordings...and I can see why the Lomaxs thought that the Gant family was so special. Once you heard the music it just all made sense.
Since the recordings were made for academic, rather than commerical reasons, the quality was really unimportant to the Lomaxs. They just wanted he songs intact. I was able to find some of the Gant's recordings at the Center for American History. They were on reel-to-reel tapes, and so I was able to get about 16 or 17 songs...and I think in hearing the music, that really inspired me to work on the story because you can just hear so much harmony, and so much glee, and so much joy in those recordings...and I can see why the Lomaxs thought that the Gant family was so special. Once you heard the music it just all made sense.
Note: The above text is a transcription of an audio recording. A related article can be found here.
Harder Than a MF: Snoop Still Likes The Gourds
Do you remember that old video of Snoop Dogg being turned on to The Gourds' version of Gin and Juice? Well, we hope so because it's no longer available on YouTube. If you didn't get a chance to see it, you could always take our word that he's a big fan...but if that's not good enough, just stick around until the 8:20 mark of this new video from Nardwuar the Human Serviette. Apparently, over a decade later, Snoop still likes The Gourds.
In Search Of Lost Songs: Oh Zero Where Are You?
While The Gourds have played 72% of their original catalog since TGN began keeping track in May of last year, the songs listed below received ZERO plays during that same time period. It got us wondering: Of the following 35 songs, which 3 or 4 would you most like to see them pick up again?
Update: The fans have spoken! As of January 15, 2010, at 8:31am, the top four songs requested are...Foggy Blossom (Mechanical Bride) (6 votes), Ham-Fisted Box of Gloves (5 votes), The Bridge (5 votes), and Honduras (4 votes). Just missing the cut with 3 votes each were...Jenny Brown, Dyin' Diamond, Ghosts of Hallelujah, Pickles, and 1st in Line. Here's to their safe and speedy return *clink*
01. Jenny Brown (3 votes) [played 9-28-11]
Update: The fans have spoken! As of January 15, 2010, at 8:31am, the top four songs requested are...Foggy Blossom (Mechanical Bride) (6 votes), Ham-Fisted Box of Gloves (5 votes), The Bridge (5 votes), and Honduras (4 votes). Just missing the cut with 3 votes each were...Jenny Brown, Dyin' Diamond, Ghosts of Hallelujah, Pickles, and 1st in Line. Here's to their safe and speedy return *clink*
01. Jenny Brown (3 votes) [played 9-28-11]
02. Sweet Li'l (1) [played 9-03-10]
03. Money Honey (1) [played 4-03-10]
04. Honduras (4) [played 4-24-10]
05. Pinetar Ramparts (2)
06. Makes Me Roll [played 9-25-10]
07. Stadium Blitzer
08. Coppermine (2)
09. Dyin' Diamond (3) [played 4-26-11]
10. When the Money Comes Rolling In [played 3-03-12]
11. I Ate the Haggis (1) [played 9-25-10]
12. Ghosts of Hallelujah (3) [played 4-23-11]
13. January 6 (2) [played 8-27-10]
14. The Flat Baritone [played 2-11-10]
15. Big Santiago Bust [played 2-15-10]
16. Receipts and Fevers [played 3-05-10]
17. Pickles (3) [played 6-25-11]
18. Bugs [played 12-31-10]
19. Waterbag (1) [played 4-24-10]
20. Turn My Head Around
21. 1st in Line (3) [played 12-31-10]
22. Foggy Blossom (Mechanical Bride) (6) [played 4-03-10]
23. The Bridge (5) [played 4-14-12]
24. Ham-Fisted Box of Gloves (5) [played 4-02-10]
25. The Prayer That Fell Upon the Mirror (1)
26. Sweet Nutty (2) [played 6-26-10]
27. Wired Ole Gal (2) [played 1-08-11]
28. On Time (2) [played 9-17-10]
29. Let Him In
30. Turd in my Pocket (1) [played 2-16-12]
31. Weather Woman [played 1-29-10]
32. Our Patriarch (1)
33. The Education Song (1) [played 2-15-12]
34. Pick and Roll (1) [played 5-03-10]
35. Last Letter (2) [played 2-16-12]
Note: This list only includes original songs from The Gourds' nine studio albums. Please post your picks in the comments section below.
Note: This list only includes original songs from The Gourds' nine studio albums. Please post your picks in the comments section below.
10-Q For The Songs: The Gourds 2nd Quarterly Report
Hello from TGN Headquarters, where we’ve just finished crunching the numbers on The Gourds’ 2nd Quarterly Report! In this quarter (8-28-09 to 11-27-09), Country Love & Haymaker maintain their stranglehold on the top song & album spots, while eight studio tracks get dusted off for the first time since we started counting back in May (Ringing Dark & True, Boil My Strings, Fine Leather Truck, Rugged Roses, Flamenco Cabaret, High Highs and Low Lows, Meat off the Bone, and Moon Gone Down). On the downside, as if to make room for those eight songs, 10 others that we saw in the 1st quarter have since disappeared (Piss & Moan Blues, Cold Bed, Pushed Her Down, Up on High, Layin Around the House, Arapaho, Shake the Chandelier, Kicks in the Sun, A Few Extra Kilos, and Spivey). Of course, we don’t know if any of this information is actually useful…but that doesn’t mean we plan on stopping any time soon. Oh, and before we forget again, TGN wishes a belated “Happy Holidays” to all of our readers in the United States, Belgium, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Russian Federation, the Netherlands, Australia, France, the Philippines, Germany, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea!
Songs Played Live This Quarter That Are On The Gourds' Studio Albums (N = 438) Here, the total number of times a song was played during the 2nd quarter is followed by the song title, The Gourds album on which the song appears, and the number of times it was played compared with the 1st quarter. For example, the song Country Love from the album Haymaker was played 25 times this quarter, which is 2 more times than it was played during the 1st quarter:
25 = Country Love / Haymaker (+2)
20 = Blanket Show / Haymaker (+5 )
18 = Tex-Mex Mile / Haymaker (+7)
18 = Burn the Honeysuckle / Heavy Ornamentals (-1)
13 = Mister Betty / Heavy Ornamentals (+1)
12 = Ants on the Melon / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig (+9)
11 = El Paso / Bolsa de Agua (+3)
11 = Luddite Juice / Haymaker (-5)
11 = New Dues / Haymaker (-3)
11 = Plaid Coat / Stadium Blitzer (+3)
10 = All in the Pack / Noble Creatures (-6)
10 = All the Labor / Dem’s Good Beeble (+5)
10 = Blankets / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig (+/-0)
10 = Pine Island Bayou / Stadium Blitzer (+1)
10 = “Stab” / Heavy Ornamentals (-2)
09 = Cranky Mulatto / Noble Creatures (+5)
09 = The Gyroscopic / Noble Creatures (+1)
08 = Lower 48 / Blood of the Ram (-7)
08 = My Name is Jorge / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig (+1)
07 = Bean Bowl / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+6)
07 = Hey Thurman / Haymaker (+/-0)
07 = Red Letter Day / Noble Creatures (-15)
07 = Trampled by the Sun / Dem’s Good Beeble (+1)
07 = Web Before You Walk into It / Dem’s Good Beeble (+2)
06 = Flavor on yer Tung / Noble Creatures (+3)
06 = Magnolia / Stadium Blitzer (+3)
06 = Steeple Full of Swallows / Noble Creatures (+3)
05 = Bridgett / Haymaker (+/-0)
05 = County Orange / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+4)
05 = Hellhounds / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig (+/-0)
05 = Hooky Junk / Heavy Ornamentals (+3)
05 = I Like Drinking / Stadium Blitzer (+4)
05 = Illegal Oyster / Blood of the Ram (+2)
05 = Out on the Vine / Noble Creatures (-1)
05 = Pill Bug Blues / Heavy Ornamentals (-7)
05 = Shreveport / Haymaker (+2)
04 = All the Way to Jericho / Haymaker (-4)
04 = Bottle & a Dime / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig (+3)
04 = Caledonia / Dem’s Good Beeble (+1)
04 = Cracklins / Blood of the Ram (+/-0)
04 = Do 4 U / Blood of the Ram (-3)
04 = Fine Leather Truck / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+4) *
04 = High Highs and Low Lows / Bolsa de Agua (+4) *
04 = How Will U Shine / Noble Creatures (-4)
04 = Jesus Christ with Signs Following / Ghosts of Hallelujah (-2)
04 = Ladies Choice / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+1)
04 = (the new way of) Grievin’ & Smokin’ (+/-0)
03 = Country Gal / Haymaker (-1)
03 = Fossil Contender / Haymaker (-1)
03 = Right in the Head / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig (-5)
03 = The Way You Can Get / Haymaker (+1)
03 = When Wine Was Cheap / Dem’s Good Beeble (+1)
02 = Clear Night / Dem’s Good Beeble (+/-0)
02 = Declineometer / Heavy Ornamentals (-4)
02 = Gangsta Lean / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+1)
02 = God’s House / Stadium Blitzer (-6)
02 = Hallelujah Shine / Bolsa de Agua (-1)
02 = LGO / Stadium Blitzer (+/-0)
02 = Maria / Stadium Blitzer (+/-0)
02 = O Rings / Bolsa de Agua (+/-0)
02 = Pair of Goats / Ghosts of Hallelujah (-1)
02 = Promenade / Noble Creatures (-1)
02 = Ringing Dark & True / Dem’s Good Beeble (+2) *
02 = Roll & Tumble / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig (+/-0)
02 = Rugged Roses / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+2) *
02 = Spanky / Blood of the Ram (+1)
02 = Tearbox / Bolsa de Agua (-1)
02 = Tighter / Haymaker (+1)
02 = TTT Gas / Blood of the Ram (-5)
01 = Blood of the Ram / Blood of the Ram (+/-0)
01 = Boil My Strings / Stadium Blitzer (+1) *
01 = Collections / Heavy Ornamentals (-2)
01 = Dying of the Pines / Dem’s Good Beeble (+/-0)
01 = Escalade / Blood of the Ram (-1)
01 = Flamenco Cabaret / Bolsa de Agua (+1) *
01 = I Come Up / Dem’s Good Beeble (-2)
01 = Lament / Stadium Blitzer (-1)
01 = Lowlands / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+/-0)
01 = Meat off the Bone / Bolsa de Agua (+1) *
01 = Moon Gone Down / Noble Creatures (+1) *
01 = New Roommate / Heavy Ornamentals (+/-0)
01 = Valentine / Haymaker (-2)
00 = Piss & Moan Blues (-1), Jenny Brown, Sweet Li'l, Money Honey, Honduras, Pinetar Ramparts, Makes Me Roll [Dem's Good Beeble]; Stadium Blitzer, Coppermine, Raining in Port Arthur, Dyin' Diamond, When the Money Comes Rolling In, I Ate the Haggis, Cold Bed (-1), Pushed Her Down (-1) [Stadium Blitzer]; Up on High (-3), Ghosts of Hallelujah, January 6, My Time Your Time, Son of Bum, The Flat Baritone, [Ghosts of Hallelujah]; Big Santiago Bust, Receipts and Fevers, Pickles, Bugs, Waterbag, Layin Around the House (-2), Turn My Head [Bolsa de Agua]; 1st in Line, Foggy Blossom (Mechanical Bride), The Bridge, Ham-Fisted Box of Gloves, The Prayer That Fell Upon the Mirror, Best of Me, Sweet Nutty, Ceiling's Leaking, Smoke Bend [Cow Fish Fowl or Pig]; Arapaho (-2), Wired Ole Gal, On Time, Let Him In, Turd in my Pocket [Blood of the Ram]; Shake the Chandelier (-1), Weather Woman, Our Patriarch, The Education Song, Pick and Roll [Heavy Ornamentals]; Kicks in the Sun (-2), A Few Extra Kilos (-4), Last Letter, Spivey (-1) [Noble Creatures]; N/A [Haymaker]
*Not played during the 1st quarter
Songs Played Live This Quarter That Are Not On The Gourds' Studio Albums (N = 180) Here, the total number of times a song was played during the 2nd quarter is followed by the song title, the author/authors of the song, and the number of times it was played compared with the 1st quarter. For example, the song Gin and Juice by Calvin Broadus, et al., was played 13 times this quarter, which is 3 more times than it was played during the 1st quarter:
07 = Web Before You Walk into It / Dem’s Good Beeble (+2)
06 = Flavor on yer Tung / Noble Creatures (+3)
06 = Magnolia / Stadium Blitzer (+3)
06 = Steeple Full of Swallows / Noble Creatures (+3)
05 = Bridgett / Haymaker (+/-0)
05 = County Orange / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+4)
05 = Hellhounds / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig (+/-0)
05 = Hooky Junk / Heavy Ornamentals (+3)
05 = I Like Drinking / Stadium Blitzer (+4)
05 = Illegal Oyster / Blood of the Ram (+2)
05 = Out on the Vine / Noble Creatures (-1)
05 = Pill Bug Blues / Heavy Ornamentals (-7)
05 = Shreveport / Haymaker (+2)
04 = All the Way to Jericho / Haymaker (-4)
04 = Bottle & a Dime / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig (+3)
04 = Caledonia / Dem’s Good Beeble (+1)
04 = Cracklins / Blood of the Ram (+/-0)
04 = Do 4 U / Blood of the Ram (-3)
04 = Fine Leather Truck / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+4) *
04 = High Highs and Low Lows / Bolsa de Agua (+4) *
04 = How Will U Shine / Noble Creatures (-4)
04 = Jesus Christ with Signs Following / Ghosts of Hallelujah (-2)
04 = Ladies Choice / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+1)
04 = (the new way of) Grievin’ & Smokin’ (+/-0)
03 = Country Gal / Haymaker (-1)
03 = Fossil Contender / Haymaker (-1)
03 = Right in the Head / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig (-5)
03 = The Way You Can Get / Haymaker (+1)
03 = When Wine Was Cheap / Dem’s Good Beeble (+1)
02 = Clear Night / Dem’s Good Beeble (+/-0)
02 = Declineometer / Heavy Ornamentals (-4)
02 = Gangsta Lean / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+1)
02 = God’s House / Stadium Blitzer (-6)
02 = Hallelujah Shine / Bolsa de Agua (-1)
02 = LGO / Stadium Blitzer (+/-0)
02 = Maria / Stadium Blitzer (+/-0)
02 = O Rings / Bolsa de Agua (+/-0)
02 = Pair of Goats / Ghosts of Hallelujah (-1)
02 = Promenade / Noble Creatures (-1)
02 = Ringing Dark & True / Dem’s Good Beeble (+2) *
02 = Roll & Tumble / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig (+/-0)
02 = Rugged Roses / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+2) *
02 = Spanky / Blood of the Ram (+1)
02 = Tearbox / Bolsa de Agua (-1)
02 = Tighter / Haymaker (+1)
02 = TTT Gas / Blood of the Ram (-5)
01 = Blood of the Ram / Blood of the Ram (+/-0)
01 = Boil My Strings / Stadium Blitzer (+1) *
01 = Collections / Heavy Ornamentals (-2)
01 = Dying of the Pines / Dem’s Good Beeble (+/-0)
01 = Escalade / Blood of the Ram (-1)
01 = Flamenco Cabaret / Bolsa de Agua (+1) *
01 = I Come Up / Dem’s Good Beeble (-2)
01 = Lament / Stadium Blitzer (-1)
01 = Lowlands / Ghosts of Hallelujah (+/-0)
01 = Meat off the Bone / Bolsa de Agua (+1) *
01 = Moon Gone Down / Noble Creatures (+1) *
01 = New Roommate / Heavy Ornamentals (+/-0)
01 = Valentine / Haymaker (-2)
00 = Piss & Moan Blues (-1), Jenny Brown, Sweet Li'l, Money Honey, Honduras, Pinetar Ramparts, Makes Me Roll [Dem's Good Beeble]; Stadium Blitzer, Coppermine, Raining in Port Arthur, Dyin' Diamond, When the Money Comes Rolling In, I Ate the Haggis, Cold Bed (-1), Pushed Her Down (-1) [Stadium Blitzer]; Up on High (-3), Ghosts of Hallelujah, January 6, My Time Your Time, Son of Bum, The Flat Baritone, [Ghosts of Hallelujah]; Big Santiago Bust, Receipts and Fevers, Pickles, Bugs, Waterbag, Layin Around the House (-2), Turn My Head [Bolsa de Agua]; 1st in Line, Foggy Blossom (Mechanical Bride), The Bridge, Ham-Fisted Box of Gloves, The Prayer That Fell Upon the Mirror, Best of Me, Sweet Nutty, Ceiling's Leaking, Smoke Bend [Cow Fish Fowl or Pig]; Arapaho (-2), Wired Ole Gal, On Time, Let Him In, Turd in my Pocket [Blood of the Ram]; Shake the Chandelier (-1), Weather Woman, Our Patriarch, The Education Song, Pick and Roll [Heavy Ornamentals]; Kicks in the Sun (-2), A Few Extra Kilos (-4), Last Letter, Spivey (-1) [Noble Creatures]; N/A [Haymaker]
*Not played during the 1st quarter
Songs Played Live This Quarter That Are Not On The Gourds' Studio Albums (N = 180) Here, the total number of times a song was played during the 2nd quarter is followed by the song title, the author/authors of the song, and the number of times it was played compared with the 1st quarter. For example, the song Gin and Juice by Calvin Broadus, et al., was played 13 times this quarter, which is 3 more times than it was played during the 1st quarter:
13 = Gin and Juice (Calvin Broadus, et al.) (+3)
11 = Omaha (Billy Joe Shaver/Hillman Hall) (+5)
09 = I Fought the Law (Sonny Curtis) (-3)
09 = Waxy's Dargle (trad.) (+5)
06 = Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way (Waylon Jennings) (+6) *
06 = Gravity Talks (Dan Stuart/Chris Cacavas) (+/-0)
05 = Everybody’s Missing the Sun (Nils Lofgren) (+3)
05 = I'm Troubled (trad.) (+4)
05 = Oh Sister (Bob Dylan) (+2)
04 = Shamrock Bound (Kevin Russell) **
04 = Surrender (Rick Nielson) (-2)
04 = Yoli Found a Possum (Kevin Russell) ***
03 = The Tinys Variety Hour (Claude Bernard/Matt Cook/Travis Garaffa) (-2) ****
03 = Cupid (Sam Cooke) (-3)
03 = Daytime Friends (Ben Joseph Peters) (+3) *
03 = Life During Wartime (D. Byrne/C. Frantz/J. Harrison/T. Weymouth) (+3) *
03 = My Name is John Johanna (trad.) (+3) *
03 = Old Man from the Mountain (Merle Haggard) (+/-0)
03 = Take Me Back to Tulsa (Bob Wills/Tommy Duncan) (+/-0)
03 = The Wait (Chrissie Hynde/Pete Farndon) (+3) *
03 = Up on Cripple Creek (Robbie Robertson) (+1)
03 = Whiskey in the Jar (trad.) (+2)
02 = Balinese (Billy Gibbons/Dusty Hill/Frank Beard) (+2) *
02 = Dooley (trad.) (-3)
02 = Hate & War (Joe Strummer/Mick Jones) (+2) *
02 = Midnight Rider (Gregg Allman/Robert Payne) (+/-0)
02 = Miss You (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards) (+1)
02 = Nitty Gritty (Doug Sahm) (+1)
02 = Pressure Drop (Toots Hibbert) (+1)
02 = Psycho Killer (David Byrne/Chris Frantz/Tina Weymouth) (+2) *
02 = (Somebody Bring Me a Flower) I'm A Robot (Kevin Russell) (+/-0) ****
02 = The Eyes of Texas (John Sinclair) (+/-0)
02 = The Good Ol' Boys (Waylon Jennings) (+2) *
02 = You Really Got Me (Ray Davies) (+2) *
01 = 54-46 That's My Number (Toots Hibbert) (+1) *
01 = 911 is a Joke (William Drayton/Eric Sadler/Hank Shocklee) (+1) *
01 = Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love (E. & A. Van Halen/D. Lee Roth/M. Anthony) (+1) *
01 = Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (Fred Rose) (-1)
01 = Blue Monk (Thelonious Monk) (+1) *
01 = Breakdown (Tom Petty) (+1) *
01 = Cissy Strut (Art Neville/Ziggy Modeliste/Leo Nocentelli/George Porter Jr.) (-4)
01 = Cotton-Eyed Joe (trad.) (-3)
01 = Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (Angus Young/Malcolm Young/Bon Scott) (+1) *
01 = Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson) (-1)
01 = Emotional Rescue (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards) (+1) *
01 = Fannin Street (Tom Waits/Kathleen Brennan) (+1) *
01 = Fat Bottomed Girls (Brian May) (+/-0)
01 = Feelin' on Yo Booty (R. Kelly) (-1)
01 = Fortunate Son (John Fogerty) (+1) *
01 = Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment (Dee Dee Ramone/Johnny Ramone) (+1) *
01 = Goodbye San Francisco, Hello Amsterdam (Doug Sahm) (+1) *
01 = Hang Fire (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards)
01 = How Great Thou Art (Stuart K. Hine from a poem by Carl Gustav Boberg) (+1) *
01 = I Can See Clearly Now (Johnny Nash) (-2)
01 = I've Been Working on the Railroad (trad.) (=1) *
01 = Let's Get Married (Al Green) (+1) *
01 = Lonesome On'ry and Mean (Steve Young) (=1) *
01 = Long Gone Like a Turkey thru the Corn (Lightnin' Hopkins) (+1) *
01 = Louie Louie (Richard Berry) (+1) *
01 = Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) (B. Emmons/C. Moman) (+1) *
01 = Mexican Blackbird (Billy Gibbons/Dusty Hill/Frank Beard) (+1) *
01 = No Sleep till Brooklyn (Mike D/MCA/Ad-Rock/Rick Rubin) (+1) *
01 = Red Barchetta (Neil Pert/Alex Lifeson/Geddy Lee) (+1) *
01 = Rock & Roll (Lou Reed) (+1) *
01 = Rock Is My Life, and This Is My Song (Randy Bachman) (+1) *
01 = Rocky Top (Felice Bryant/Boudleaux Bryant) (+1) *
01 = Take Me to the River (Al Green/Mabon "Teenie" Hodges) (+/-0)
01 = The Titanic (trad.) (+1) *
01 = The Spirit of Radio (Neil Pert/Alex Lifeson/Geddy Lee) (+1) *
01 = Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down (Merle Haggard) (+1) *
01 = Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother (Ray Wylie Hubbard) (+/-0)
01 = We're in the Same Boat, Brother (Lead Belly) (+1) *
01 = What Goes On (Lou Reed) (+1) *
01 = Whiter Shade of Pale (Gary Brooker/Keith Reid/Matthew Fisher) (+1) *
01 = Wild and Blue (John Scott Sherrill) (+1) *
01 = You Can't Always Get What You Want (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards) (+1) *
01 = (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!) (Mike D/MCA/Ad-Rock/R. Rubin) (+1) *
*Not played during the 1st quarter
**Written by Kevin Russell and recorded in the studio by The Gourds, this song was not included with the studio album statistics because it appears on a movie soundtrack
***Written by Kevin Russell, this song does not appear on any studio album to date
****Written by a member of The Gourds, this song appears on a studio album from one of their side projects
Special thanks to all the TGN field reporters who helped keep track of these tunes and to Vince in the graphics department for baking us another lovely pie.
10-Q For The Songs: The Gourds 1st Quarterly Report (with cover songs now included)
Albert Einstein apparently had a sign hanging in his office that read, "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts". Be that as it may, TGN could not resist the temptation to quantify what The Gourds have offered us from the stage since we began keeping track on May 28, 2009.
Finding it impossible to make a reliable distinction between complete versions of cover songs and "teases", TGN initially decided to consider only original songs from The Gourds' nine studio albums (i.e., the 9-07-09 version of this post). After a recent fan request, however, cover songs have now been included, albeit without a corresponding graph.
Songs Played Live This Quarter That Are On The Gourds' Studio Albums (N = 454) Here, the total number of times a song was played during the 1st quarter is followed by the song title and The Gourds album on which the song appears. For example, the song Country Love from the album Haymaker was palyed 23 times this quarter:
Songs Played Live This Quarter That Are On The Gourds' Studio Albums (N = 454) Here, the total number of times a song was played during the 1st quarter is followed by the song title and The Gourds album on which the song appears. For example, the song Country Love from the album Haymaker was palyed 23 times this quarter:
23 = Country Love / Haymaker
22 = Red Letter Day / Noble Creatures
19 = Burn the Honeysuckle / Heavy Ornamentals
16 = All in the Pack / Noble Creatures
16 = Luddite Juice / Haymaker
15 = Blanket Show / Haymaker
15 = Lower 48 / Blood of the Ram
14 = New Dues / Haymaker
12 = Mister Betty / Heavy Ornamentals
12 = Pill Bug Blues / Heavy Ornamentals
12 = “Stab” / Heavy Ornamentals
11 = Tex-Mex Mile / Haymaker
10 = Blankets / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
09 = My Name is Jorge / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
09 = Pine Island Bayou / Stadium Blitzer
08 = All the Way to Jericho / Haymaker
08 = El Paso / Bolsa de Agua
08 = God’s House / Stadium Blitzer
08 = How Will U Shine / Noble Creatures
08 = Plaid Coat / Stadium Blitzer
08 = Right in the Head / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
08 = The Gyroscopic / Noble Creatures
07 = Do 4 U / Blood of the Ram
07 = Shreveport / Haymaker
07 = Hey Thurman / Haymaker
07 = TTT Gas / Blood of the Ram
06 = Declineometer / Heavy Ornamentals
06 = Jesus Christ with Signs Following / Bolsa de Agua
06 = Out on the Vine / Noble Creatures
06 = Trampled by the Sun / Dem’s Good Beeble
05 = All the Labor / Dem’s Good Beeble
05 = Bridgett / Haymaker
05 = Hellhounds / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
05 = Web Before You Walk into It / Dem’s Good Beeble
04 = A Few Extra Kilos / Noble Creatures
04 = Country Gal / Haymaker
04 = Cracklins / Blood of the Ram
04 = Cranky Mulatto / Noble Creatures
04 = Fossil Contender / Haymaker
04 = (the new way of) Grievin’ & Smokin’ / Ghosts of Hallelujah
03 = Ants on the Melon / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
03 = Caledonia / Dem’s Good Beeble
03 = Collections / Heavy Ornamentals
03 = Flavor on yer Tung / Noble Creatures
03 = Hallelujah Shine / Bolsa de Agua
03 = I Come Up / Dem’s Good Beeble
03 = Illegal Oyster / Blood of the Ram
03 = Ladies Choice / Ghosts of Hallelujah
03 = Magnolia / Stadium Blitzer
03 = Pair of Goats / Ghosts of Hallelujah
03 = Promenade / Noble Creatures
03 = Steeple Full of Swallows / Noble Creatures
03 = Tearbox / Bolsa de Agua
03 = Up on High / Ghosts of Hallelujah
03 = Valentine / Haymaker
02 = Arapaho / Blood of the Ram
02 = Clear Night / Dem’s Good Beeble
02 = Escalade / Blood of the Ram
02 = Hooky Junk / Heavy Ornamentals
02 = Kicks in the Sun / Noble Creatures
02 = Lament / Stadium Blitzer
02 = Layin Around the House / Bolsa de Agua
02 = LGO / Stadium Blitzer
02 = Maria / Stadium Blitzer
02 = O Rings / Bolsa de Agua
02 = Roll & Tumble / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
02 = The Way You Can Get / Haymaker
02 = When Wine Was Cheap / Dem’s Good Beeble
01 = Bean Bowl / Ghosts of Hallelujah
01 = Blood of the Ram / Blood of the Ram
01 = Bottle & a Dime / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
01 = Cold Bed / Stadium Blitzer
01 = County Orange / Ghosts of Hallelujah
01 = Dying of the Pines / Dem’s Good Beeble
01 = Gangsta Lean / Ghosts of Hallelujah
22 = Red Letter Day / Noble Creatures
19 = Burn the Honeysuckle / Heavy Ornamentals
16 = All in the Pack / Noble Creatures
16 = Luddite Juice / Haymaker
15 = Blanket Show / Haymaker
15 = Lower 48 / Blood of the Ram
14 = New Dues / Haymaker
12 = Mister Betty / Heavy Ornamentals
12 = Pill Bug Blues / Heavy Ornamentals
12 = “Stab” / Heavy Ornamentals
11 = Tex-Mex Mile / Haymaker
10 = Blankets / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
09 = My Name is Jorge / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
09 = Pine Island Bayou / Stadium Blitzer
08 = All the Way to Jericho / Haymaker
08 = El Paso / Bolsa de Agua
08 = God’s House / Stadium Blitzer
08 = How Will U Shine / Noble Creatures
08 = Plaid Coat / Stadium Blitzer
08 = Right in the Head / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
08 = The Gyroscopic / Noble Creatures
07 = Do 4 U / Blood of the Ram
07 = Shreveport / Haymaker
07 = Hey Thurman / Haymaker
07 = TTT Gas / Blood of the Ram
06 = Declineometer / Heavy Ornamentals
06 = Jesus Christ with Signs Following / Bolsa de Agua
06 = Out on the Vine / Noble Creatures
06 = Trampled by the Sun / Dem’s Good Beeble
05 = All the Labor / Dem’s Good Beeble
05 = Bridgett / Haymaker
05 = Hellhounds / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
05 = Web Before You Walk into It / Dem’s Good Beeble
04 = A Few Extra Kilos / Noble Creatures
04 = Country Gal / Haymaker
04 = Cracklins / Blood of the Ram
04 = Cranky Mulatto / Noble Creatures
04 = Fossil Contender / Haymaker
04 = (the new way of) Grievin’ & Smokin’ / Ghosts of Hallelujah
03 = Ants on the Melon / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
03 = Caledonia / Dem’s Good Beeble
03 = Collections / Heavy Ornamentals
03 = Flavor on yer Tung / Noble Creatures
03 = Hallelujah Shine / Bolsa de Agua
03 = I Come Up / Dem’s Good Beeble
03 = Illegal Oyster / Blood of the Ram
03 = Ladies Choice / Ghosts of Hallelujah
03 = Magnolia / Stadium Blitzer
03 = Pair of Goats / Ghosts of Hallelujah
03 = Promenade / Noble Creatures
03 = Steeple Full of Swallows / Noble Creatures
03 = Tearbox / Bolsa de Agua
03 = Up on High / Ghosts of Hallelujah
03 = Valentine / Haymaker
02 = Arapaho / Blood of the Ram
02 = Clear Night / Dem’s Good Beeble
02 = Escalade / Blood of the Ram
02 = Hooky Junk / Heavy Ornamentals
02 = Kicks in the Sun / Noble Creatures
02 = Lament / Stadium Blitzer
02 = Layin Around the House / Bolsa de Agua
02 = LGO / Stadium Blitzer
02 = Maria / Stadium Blitzer
02 = O Rings / Bolsa de Agua
02 = Roll & Tumble / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
02 = The Way You Can Get / Haymaker
02 = When Wine Was Cheap / Dem’s Good Beeble
01 = Bean Bowl / Ghosts of Hallelujah
01 = Blood of the Ram / Blood of the Ram
01 = Bottle & a Dime / Cow Fish Fowl or Pig
01 = Cold Bed / Stadium Blitzer
01 = County Orange / Ghosts of Hallelujah
01 = Dying of the Pines / Dem’s Good Beeble
01 = Gangsta Lean / Ghosts of Hallelujah
01 = I Like Drinking / Stadium Blitzer
01 = Lowlands / Ghosts of Hallelujah
01 = New Roommate / Heavy Ornamentals
01 = Piss & Moan Blues / Dem’s Good Beeble
01 = Pushed Her Down / Stadium Blitzer
01 = Shake the Chandelier / Heavy Ornamentals
01 = Spanky / Blood of the Ram
01 = Spivey / Noble Creatures
01 = Tighter / Haymaker
01 = Lowlands / Ghosts of Hallelujah
01 = New Roommate / Heavy Ornamentals
01 = Piss & Moan Blues / Dem’s Good Beeble
01 = Pushed Her Down / Stadium Blitzer
01 = Shake the Chandelier / Heavy Ornamentals
01 = Spanky / Blood of the Ram
01 = Spivey / Noble Creatures
01 = Tighter / Haymaker
00 = Jenny Brown, Sweet Li'l, Money Honey, Honduras, Ringing Dark & True, Pinetar Ramparts, Makes Me Roll [Dem's Good Beeble]; Stadium Blitzer, Boil My Strings, Coppermine, Raining in Port Arthur, Dyin' Diamond, When the Money Comes Rolling In, I Ate the Haggis [Stadium Blitzer]; Ghosts of Hallelujah, January 6, Fine Leather Truck, My Time Your Time, Son of Bum, The Flat Baritone, Rugged Roses [Ghosts of Hallelujah]; Big Santiago Bust, Receipts and Fevers, Pickles, Bugs, Waterbag, Meat off the Bone, Flamenco Cabaret, Turn My Head, High Highs and Low Lows [Bolsa de Agua]; 1st in Line, Foggy Blossom (Mechanical Bride), The Bridge, Ham-Fisted Box of Gloves, The Prayer That Fell Upon the Mirror, Best of Me, Sweet Nutty, Ceiling's Leaking, Smoke Bend [Cow Fish Fowl or Pig]; Wired Ole Gal, On Time, Let Him In, Turd in my Pocket [Blood of the Ram]; Weather Woman, Our Patriarch, The Education Song, Pick and Roll [Heavy Ornamentals]; Last Letter, Moon Gone Down [Noble Creatures]; N/A [Haymaker]
Songs Played Live This Quarter That Are Not On The Gourds' Studio Albums (N = 175) Here, the total number of times a song was played during the 1st quarter is followed by the song title and the author/authors of the song. For example, the song I Fought the Law by Sonny Curtis was played 12 times this quarter:
12 = I Fought the Law (Sonny Curtis)
10 = Gin and Juice (Calvin Broadus, et al.)
06 = Cupid (Sam Cooke)
06 = Gravity Talks (Dan Stuart/Chris Cacavas)
06 = Omaha (Billy Joe Shaver/Hillman Hall)
06 = Surrender (Rick Nielsen)
06 = Yoli Found a Opossum (Kevin Russell) *
05 = The Tinys Variety Hour (Claude Bernard/Matt Cook/Travis Garaffa) **
05 = Cissy Strut (Art Neville/Ziggy Modeliste/Leo Nocentelli/George Porter Jr.)
05 = Dooley (trad.)
05 = Promised Land (Chuck Berry)
04 = Cotton-Eyed Joe (trad.)
04 = Nuevo Laredo (Doug Sahm)
04 = Waxy's Dargle (trad.)
03 = Amazing Grace (John Newton)
03 = I Can See Clearly Now (Johnny Nash)
03 = Oh Sister (Bob Dylan)
03 = Old Man from the Mountain (Merle Haggard)
03 = Take Me Back to Tulsa (Bob Wills/Tommy Duncan)
02 = ABC (The Corporation)
02 = Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (Fred Rose)
02 = Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson)
02 = Everybody’s Missing the Sun (Nils Lofgren)
02 = Feelin' on Yo Booty (R. Kelly)
02 = Inchworm (Frank Loesser)
02 = Let's Work Together (Wilbert Harrison)
02 = Magic Carpet Ride (John Kay/Rushton Moreve)
02 = Midnight Rider (Gregg Allman/Robert Payne)
02 = Motherless Children (trad.)
02 = Ramblin' Man (Dickey Betts)
02 = The Eyes of Texas (John Sinclair)
02 = Up on Cripple Creek (Robbie Robertson)
02 = (Somebody Bring Me a Flower) I'm A Robot (Kevin Russell) **
01 = Aqualung (Ian Anderson/Jennie Franks)
01 = Baby Don’t You Do It (Lamont Dozier/Brian Holland/Edward Holland Jr.)
01 = Beat on the Brat (Joey Ramone)
01 = Call Me the Breeze (J.J. Cale)
01 = Casino Boogie (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards)
01 = Church on Fire (Kevin Russell) **
01 = Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Robert Lamm)
01 = Dueling Banjos (Arthur Smith/Don Reno)
01 = Every Little Thing She Does is Magic (Sting)
01 = Fat Bottomed Girls (Brian May)
01 = Fire (Jimi Hendrix)
01 = Fire on the Bayou (L. Nocentelli/C. Neville/G. Porter Jr./Z. Modeliste/A. Neville)
01 = Fly Like an Eagle (Steve Miller)
01 = Freedom Of Choice (Mark Mothersbaugh/Gerald V. Casale)
01 = Give Me Back My Wig (Theodore "Hound Dog" Taylor)
01 = Hang Fire (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards)
01 = Hangman (trad.)
01 = Hello It's Me (Todd Rundgren)
01 = I Found You Among the Roses (Carter Family)
01 = I Know I'm Not Wrong (Lindsey Buckingham)
01 = I'm Troubled (trad.)
01 = Lookout Joe (Neil Young)
01 = Lord, Got Tomatoes (The Bahamian Blind Blake)
01 = Low is the Way (Kevin Russell) *
01 = Miss You (Mick Jagger/Keith Richards)
01 = Nitty Gritty (Doug Sahm)
01 = Oh Zero (Jimmy Smith) **
01 = Ohio (Neil Young)
01 = Old Man Will Your Dog Catch a Rabbit? (Lead Belly)
01 = Pressure Drop (Toots Hibbert)
01 = Rock Is My Life, and This Is My Song (Randy Bachman)
01 = Rock Salt and Nails (Utah Phillips)
01 = Saturday Night Special (Ed King/Ronnie Van Zant)
01 = Soul Man (Issac Hayes/David Porter)
01 = Take Me to the River (Al Green/Mabon "Teenie" Hodges)
01 = The Ballad of John and Yoko (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
01 = The Hungry Wolf (John Doe/Exene Cervenka)
01 = Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother (Ray Wylie Hubbard)
01 = Wabash Cannonball (J.A. Roff)
01 = When I Need You (Albert Hammond/Carole Bayer Sager)
01 = Whiskey in the Jar (trad.)
01 = Will the Circle be Unbroken (Ada R. Habershon/Charles H. Gabriel)
01 = WKRP in Cincinnatti Main Theme (Tom Wells/Hugh Wilson)
*Written by Kevin Russell, this song does not appear on any studio album to date
**Written by a member of The Gourds, this song appears on a studio album from one of their side projects
Special thanks to all the TGN field reporters who helped keep track of these tunes and to Vince in the graphics department for baking us a lovely pie.
Gimme Some Luddite Juice [part I]
© Joe Ryan
“The old analog is going away. It's pretty sad, they took my Polaroids away and now they're taking my tape away. I just don't know what to do. I saw some petition the other day about trying to get Fuji or somebody to keep making the Polaroid film. I don't know if that's going to fly or not. It's the same thing, these technologies kind of fall out and stuff you were never able to afford hits rock-bottom prices. I mean, I found a Land camera probably 12 years ago, and it was $2 in some pawn shop that was being heated by an oven, in Lubbock or somewhere. And I'm like, ‘I can't believe this contraption is $2,’ because they're well-made. Then I wasn't sure I was going to find film and sure enough, that's where you ended up having to pay, the $20 for the 10 pictures. But the way they came out, if you nail a shot, there's nothing that looks like it” -- Jimmy Smith, April 2, 2008
After seeing this quote for the first time just two weeks ago, I thought about the Polaroids Jimmy used to take in the mid to late 90’s and emailed him to see if any had survived. I didn't hear anything back, though, and had all but forgotten about it when this reply turned up in my mailbox this morning, complete with some of those old photos attached:
'digi gonna take my poloroid, digi gonna take my poloroid, digi gonna take my poloroid away…digi gonna take my poloroid, leave this boy with no photo, digi gonna take my polaroid away.' so be it, maybe china will pick up the cuastic paste production, and feed my land camera. tills' that time here's a dozen keepers from album/archives past, con capciones.
Note: These photos can also be viewed as a slideshow
Special thanks to Joe Ryan for putting the video together.
'digi gonna take my poloroid, digi gonna take my poloroid, digi gonna take my poloroid away…digi gonna take my poloroid, leave this boy with no photo, digi gonna take my polaroid away.' so be it, maybe china will pick up the cuastic paste production, and feed my land camera. tills' that time here's a dozen keepers from album/archives past, con capciones.
Note: These photos can also be viewed as a slideshow
Special thanks to Joe Ryan for putting the video together.
This Space Is Getting Hot: Kevin Russell Won't Rule Out Potential Grateful Dead Cover
Despite the continuous presence of Deadheads in their audience since the mid-90's, and a Missoula visit from Rock Scully himself*, The Gourds have yet to make good on a single fan-request to play a Grateful Dead cover. Strictly speaking, they have worked in two verses**, but those off-the-cuff teasers may have only served to raise false hope among the faithful.
As evidence of this, one fan recently suggested that The Gourds called up "Promised Land" at the Oregon Country Fair to honor the Grateful Dead, who opened their legendary 8-27-72 show at the fair with the same song. In Cucurbitaceae message #82,313, Kevin Russell quickly put that fantasy to rest, but also seemed to open up other possibilities:
"Promised Land is Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley and Tail Gators. I barely know the Dead. Not saying anything negative here. This is just the fact though. If we did a Dead song we would feel fake. Cuz we don't really listen to them or think about them. I have heard more [of them] this year than ever before in my life. So, who knows? Somebody make me a comp or something" (July 16, 2009).
Editor's Note: Grateful Dead compliation cd's can be handed directly to Kevin Russell the next time you see him on tour.
*Rock Scully attended the Wilma Theatre show on 4-25-08, and spoke briefly about The Gourds with road manager Jeff Cook. In Cucurbitaceae message #73,515, sbord426 reports: "Rock was indeed at the show. He was in Missoula to teach a class I'm in at the University. He had a great time from what he told me and was very impressed with the size of crowd the Gourds draw" (April 29, 2008).
**[1]. San Francisco, CA, 2-09-08: All in the Pack > Touch of Grey (Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter) > Cissy Strut (Art Neville/Ziggy Modeliste/Leo Nocentelli/George Porter Jr.) > All in the Pack [2]. Bend, OR, 8-02-08: Truckin' (Jerry Garcia/Bob Weir/Phil Lesh/Robert Hunter) > Caledonia
**[1]. San Francisco, CA, 2-09-08: All in the Pack > Touch of Grey (Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter) > Cissy Strut (Art Neville/Ziggy Modeliste/Leo Nocentelli/George Porter Jr.) > All in the Pack [2]. Bend, OR, 8-02-08: Truckin' (Jerry Garcia/Bob Weir/Phil Lesh/Robert Hunter) > Caledonia
Special thanks to Tomski, Ducktaper, sbord426, and Credo Vines for contributing to this story.
The Live (Low dB) Music Capital of the World
I. In Cucurbitaceae message #81,471, City of Austin Acting a Fool, Kevin Russell writes: "We had a huge crane in operation above the trees Thursday while we played Shady Grove, building some huge, ugly thing. And while the crane swooped overhead like something from an H.G. Wells novel, the fire marshal came and cited Shady Grove for a sound ordinance violation. The irony was not lost on me. I am ready to make some noise about this" (6-07-09 12:16 pm).
II. In the Inkhorn Piepowder post, Austin's Noisy Laundry, Kevin Russell writes: "I know lots of you think Austin Texas is the greatest thing since live music began. And, I would not argue with you on the merit of the music alone over the last 40 years or so. One could say that the live music scene and all of its feathers give this peacock its plumes. Many cities can claim similar musical histories, some more colorful, some more productive. But, none can really stand toe to toe with Austin as a brand. Once we claimed the 'live music captial' moniker it was just a matter of time before we were on the lips of music fans around the world. And, now Austin more than anywhere besides maybe New Orleans has set up home right there in the middle of the chaotic musical landscape with South By Southwest, Austin City Limits Festival and its many artists and bands traversing the globe.At the same time the city has undergone phenomenal economic growth through high tech and real estate sectors. Once it was obvious the city was booming leaders began an ambitious plan to attract residential development downtown. The intention was good. After watching their Texas cousin cities go through massive growth and unchecked development Austin seemed determined to do it a different way. All along there has been an effort among many to try and 'preserve' a way of life much loved by all. The obvious challenges are myriad and complex. And as we enter the new world of downtown density cultural clashes are erupting. A series of complaints and city legislation to appease all parties involved has lead to a group of confusing laws serving mainly the private property rights of the residential occupants over the will of the greater citizenry. For years old Austin institutions have been falling like the walls of Jericho as the march of progress takes its toll. Taken at face value it almost seems like the drive is towards a city of enlightened affluence and lots of new things. In my opinion we have fallen prey to the developers and their easy money like every other sprawling southwestern city. I would probably have a hard time finding many that agree with this though. Life has been good here for most of us, myself included. Lately though I can sense a change in the attitudes of the city that could signal a threat to my way of life here. I am speaking of course of the recent rash of citations for sound ordinance infractions.It was the understanding of most that the going Db level was 85. But, somehow some other zoning ordinance has been overriding this and causing out-door restaurants to be capped at 70 db. From experience I can tell you that it is impossible to satisfy a large crowd of 200 or more people with a db level of 70. And in Austin this is even more frustrating. We have a huge audience of music lovers who want to feel and hear the great music coming off the stage. This is a given at any music venue on any given night.I read that things were in the works to change the low db level to help out our many local out-door restaurants. But, still last Thursday as my band, The Gourds played to a packed house at Shady Grove a fire marshal trotted in and cited them for a sound ordinance violation. At the same time a huge crane moved silently over head building a monstrous residential complex next door. The irony was not lost on me. It made me wanna make some noise about this issue. I think it is high time the Austin Music Community come together to flex a little political muscle just so we get respect and keep respect when we needed it most.The city council is apparently 'hard at work' trying to figure out a way certain restaurants in residential zones can eclipse the 70 db level designated for them. Normal venues/cocktail lounges have an 85 db level. Some restaurants are considering changing their zoning designation to 'cocktail lounge.' But. many neighborhood zoning plans will not allow cocktail lounges in their hood. The neighborhoods in Austin, it should be understood, are very powerful. City Council will rarely go against their wishes. I normally appreciate this aspect of our city government. But, there must be exceptions for long standing iconic businesses on major thoroughfares. To me it is common sense. And as Councilman Martinez says, 'it's not about a db level, it's about compatibility.' What this means to me is that the wants of the few do not out weigh the needs of the many, at least as far as live music goes. If all of the out door restaurants stop having live music, then it takes money out of musicians pockets. Like it or not this city has created a musical economy that must be maintained" (6-07-09 7:30pm).
II. In the Inkhorn Piepowder post, Austin's Noisy Laundry, Kevin Russell writes: "I know lots of you think Austin Texas is the greatest thing since live music began. And, I would not argue with you on the merit of the music alone over the last 40 years or so. One could say that the live music scene and all of its feathers give this peacock its plumes. Many cities can claim similar musical histories, some more colorful, some more productive. But, none can really stand toe to toe with Austin as a brand. Once we claimed the 'live music captial' moniker it was just a matter of time before we were on the lips of music fans around the world. And, now Austin more than anywhere besides maybe New Orleans has set up home right there in the middle of the chaotic musical landscape with South By Southwest, Austin City Limits Festival and its many artists and bands traversing the globe.At the same time the city has undergone phenomenal economic growth through high tech and real estate sectors. Once it was obvious the city was booming leaders began an ambitious plan to attract residential development downtown. The intention was good. After watching their Texas cousin cities go through massive growth and unchecked development Austin seemed determined to do it a different way. All along there has been an effort among many to try and 'preserve' a way of life much loved by all. The obvious challenges are myriad and complex. And as we enter the new world of downtown density cultural clashes are erupting. A series of complaints and city legislation to appease all parties involved has lead to a group of confusing laws serving mainly the private property rights of the residential occupants over the will of the greater citizenry. For years old Austin institutions have been falling like the walls of Jericho as the march of progress takes its toll. Taken at face value it almost seems like the drive is towards a city of enlightened affluence and lots of new things. In my opinion we have fallen prey to the developers and their easy money like every other sprawling southwestern city. I would probably have a hard time finding many that agree with this though. Life has been good here for most of us, myself included. Lately though I can sense a change in the attitudes of the city that could signal a threat to my way of life here. I am speaking of course of the recent rash of citations for sound ordinance infractions.It was the understanding of most that the going Db level was 85. But, somehow some other zoning ordinance has been overriding this and causing out-door restaurants to be capped at 70 db. From experience I can tell you that it is impossible to satisfy a large crowd of 200 or more people with a db level of 70. And in Austin this is even more frustrating. We have a huge audience of music lovers who want to feel and hear the great music coming off the stage. This is a given at any music venue on any given night.I read that things were in the works to change the low db level to help out our many local out-door restaurants. But, still last Thursday as my band, The Gourds played to a packed house at Shady Grove a fire marshal trotted in and cited them for a sound ordinance violation. At the same time a huge crane moved silently over head building a monstrous residential complex next door. The irony was not lost on me. It made me wanna make some noise about this issue. I think it is high time the Austin Music Community come together to flex a little political muscle just so we get respect and keep respect when we needed it most.The city council is apparently 'hard at work' trying to figure out a way certain restaurants in residential zones can eclipse the 70 db level designated for them. Normal venues/cocktail lounges have an 85 db level. Some restaurants are considering changing their zoning designation to 'cocktail lounge.' But. many neighborhood zoning plans will not allow cocktail lounges in their hood. The neighborhoods in Austin, it should be understood, are very powerful. City Council will rarely go against their wishes. I normally appreciate this aspect of our city government. But, there must be exceptions for long standing iconic businesses on major thoroughfares. To me it is common sense. And as Councilman Martinez says, 'it's not about a db level, it's about compatibility.' What this means to me is that the wants of the few do not out weigh the needs of the many, at least as far as live music goes. If all of the out door restaurants stop having live music, then it takes money out of musicians pockets. Like it or not this city has created a musical economy that must be maintained" (6-07-09 7:30pm).
III. In the Austin Chronicle letter, Sound Ordinance Hurts Live Music, Kevin Russell writes: "Dear Editor, On Thursday evening [June 4] between 8 and 10pm my band the Gourds performed a free show at Shady Grove on Barton Springs Drive. As a crane pivoted overhead like something from an H.G. Wells novel, Shady Grove was cited for a sound-ordinance violation. The irony was not lost on anyone there. In its race, which is already lost, to move people Downtown, this city is going to lose something that cannot be replaced. Music in Austin is a well-known quality-of-life element that draws unique people and businesses to live here. It is remarkable that up until now we have been able to maintain such a vibrant musical scene with the artificially overvalued real estate market. Before we lose control of it, the sound ordinance needs to be replaced by neighborhood-specific agreements between businesses and residents. In a rapidly growing city like ours, the police and fire resources wasted on call and response to this nonissue is ridiculous. And when it is more acceptable to have cranes undertaking major construction projects than it is to have a local band playing music for the citizens of Austin, I think we are at a serious crossroads. I hereby call on all musicians, music industry professionals, and supporters of local music to make some serious noise about this issue. If we do not, then those who call it 'noise' will have their way. And all will be lost. Kevin Russell The Gourds/Shinyribs" (published 6-08-09).
Note: Related articles can be found here and here. Also, the crane pictured above is not the one mentioned in the story.
Update: "Sound Ordinance Hurts Live Music" went on to win Letter of the Year honors from The Austin Chronicle.
Update: "Sound Ordinance Hurts Live Music" went on to win Letter of the Year honors from The Austin Chronicle.
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