With his new Son Volt record The Search, front man Jay Farrar diverges from a well-worn path of Neil Young-inspired folk-rock songs to explore more varied sonic influences, such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Beck, psychedelia, and swamp rock. The band has even enlisted a soulful horn section. Duly impressed by the album’s diverse sources and sounds, we asked the St. Louis-based artist to list his top ten favorite tunes.
1.“Tears of Rage” by The Band
Bob Dylan wrote the lyrics and Richard Manuel the music to this popular lament, The Band’s version appearing on its 1968 release, Music From Big Pink. Farrar describes it as, “Richard Manuel sings the apocalypse.”
2.“Town” by Richard Buckner
Says Farrar: “Richard B. and Raymond Carver take over the earth.”
3.“Strange Apparition” by Beck
This track is from Beck’s 2006 release, The Information. Farrar describes it as, “Beck channels Mickeith.” Note: Think Brangelina and Tomkat.
4. “Shiloh Town” by Mark Lanegan
This song appears on the Screaming Trees’ front man’s 1999 solo album, I’ll Take Care Of You.
5. “Just Got To Be” by The Black Keys
Like Farrar, this Ohio-based duo draws on varied influences—funk, blues, rock, soul, even organ music. “Just Got To Be” is from the 2006 release Magic Potion.
6. “Loving Arms” by Jimbo Mathus
This honky-tonk number is from the Squirrel Nut Zippers’ founder’s 2005 release, Knockdown South.
7. “Be Real” by Doug Sahm
The legendary amalgamator of Texas country, blues, and rock recorded this track with The Sir Douglas Quintet in 1970.
8. “A Thanksgiving Prayer” by William S. Burroughs
This poem, recited with accompaniment by jazz musician Frank Denning, was purportedly written on Thanksgiving Day, 1986, and dedicated to John Dillinger.
9. “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl” by Loretta Lynn
Released in 1960, this was Lynn’s debut single.
10. “Bhajan de Jugalapriya en Sanskrit” by Lakshmi Shankar
Ravi Shankar’s eighty-year-old sister-in-law, Lakshmi, borrows from various Indian influences. This Sanskrit-language song was released in 1987 on her album, Heures Et Les Saisons: Season & Time.
Son Volt plays First Avenue on April 9; for more information call 612-332-1775 or visit www.first-avenue.com
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