“Red Hair and Black Leather” One of the things that Pat explored with “Matty Groves” is how such a brutal song managed to endure as a folk favorite down through the ages, partly through it’s ability to provide a compelling … Continue reading →
Richard Thompson. Esq., OBE A Songwriter’s Songwriter You’ll likely note that I’ve been reluctant to dive too deeply into a close reading or textual analysis of RT’s four-verse wonder (I’m still a little intrigued that in the video I linked … Continue reading →
Red Molly and Tenbrooks So, how does a late 20th century English-style ballad about death and motorcycles become the 2002 International Bluegrass Music Association Song of the Year? This is how. Dick Bowden, a friend of Del McCoury and his … Continue reading →
The Making of a Modern Classic Like Steve Earle said about picking which song to start with on his tribute album to Townes Van Zandt, you’ve got to start by fighting the biggest con on the cell block to make … Continue reading →
