3 by Crowell

I've liked (and sometimes loved) Rodney Crowell's music since the '80s. Having just finished reading his uneven but heartfelt memoir, Chinaberry Sidewalks, I've been listening to some of his more recent music online. It reminds me that there is a great difference between the songwriting of veterans who have been through a lot of living and that of the young (however gifted). Here are a few Crowell gems that tell some of the stories from his book, only in the form in which his writing really shines, the country song. All these songs reference stories in the book and ring with the same spirit.

Chinaberry Sidewalks

Well, all I really want to do is read books. When the weather gets nice maybe play some catch, go for some walks, but until then, read.

My mother told me when I was a kid that you could know if you're going to like a book by reading its opening paragraph. I think that's true most of the time.

Which brings me to my latest new arrival: Chinaberry Sidewalks, by Rodney Crowell. I know I'm going to like this one, because I love the opening lines:

The four beer-blitzed couples dancing in the cramped living room of my parents' shotgun duplex were wearing on my nerves. In particular, I didn't like the sound of their singing along with my prized Hank Williams 78s. Coon hunting with my grandfather, I'd heard bluetick hounds howl with more intonation than this nasal pack of yahoos.

Rewviewed at the NYTimes, the LATimes, Washington Post, The Boot, and Book Chase, among many others.

Rodney Crowell

I think Rodney Crowell is a genius. He sometimes achieves a narrative voice within his music that is utterly believable and relentlessly uncompromising. I love his commitment to the story and to telling it well.



After finding this song on YouTube I discovered that Crowell has written a novel, which seems just right. The book is called Chinaberry Sidewalks. I'm going to have to look for this one. He chats about it here:



HT: Music Fog