Song of the Day: January 25, 2005
From Native Sons, Frontier Records LP, 1984
The Long Ryders, like a hundred other bands you could name, got shafted by time. It is entirely possible that had they emerged in the early aughts instead of the mid-80s they might be recognized as the prime purveyors of country-influenced roots rock that they were. They made a solid EP and a great LP for Frontier before moving to Island Records to make a couple of LPs that possibly overplayed their desire to be the new Buffalo Springfield a bit, but in retrospect, stand head and shoulders above most of the stuff you'll read about in No Depression. (Speaking of reading, singer/guitarist/songwriter Sid Griffin is a frequent contributor to mags like Mojo, and is acknowledged as perhaps the leading authority on Gram Parsons and the Byrds.) They also got a lot of flak for appearing in a Miller Beer commercial, a sin that would hardly draw a raised eyebrow today when scads of hipster artists are allowing their incredibly personal, heartfelt works to sell SUVs and diapers.
By the way, didn't Frontier Records release a batch of great albums? Thin White Rope, American Music Club, Pontiac Brothers, Three O' Clock...What are your top five?
The Picture sleeve is from the Zippo Records (UK) 45.
4 Comments:
Holy crap. Jay Farrar owes that singer at least a "vocal coach" credit or something.
I can see why this went over like a lead balloon in the 80's.
Thanks to this and the Gangsters cut, I have been dancing around the living room like a little monkey for the past ten minutes.
Wonderful ..Like a Gene Clark Byrds with balls .. Thank You.
I've been trolling around your site for awhile, so thought I should at least post something. First, thanks for some memories and some great new finds. Second, this is a particularly good page - The Donkeys are one of the better forgotten UK bands out there (not from Ireland, btw, from England), the b-side to the "No Way" single is good too, "You Jane," isn't it? Gangsters, and this is a great track from the Long Ryders - a staple from my college days.
Third, yes, Frontier was great - Circle Jerks, Adolescents and The Three O-Clock - how can you go wrong? My fave, though, has to be Heatmiser's first album - found it in a cut-out bin for a buck, bought it just because of the name (Year Without a Santa Claus - remember? I'm as old as you are). Way before anyone had heard of Elliot Smith.
Anyway, thanks!
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