The Roots of Keith Richards

Posted by Lance Davis - May 26, 2014 - Billie Holiday, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, Keith Richards, Lester Young, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Otis Redding, Robert Johnson, Rolling Stones, Slickers, Slim Harpo, Smokey Robinson, Warren Zevon

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I recently finished Keith Richards‘ autobiography, Life (2010), and I don’t know why, but I was surprised at the pathos, honesty, insight, and sense of history. The Rolling Stones have turned into a corporate-sponsored pirate ship, so I think I internalized my disappointment in what their legacy had become. I put off reading Life […]

Jay Farrar & 8-Track Heavana

Posted by Lance Davis - March 29, 2014 - Bernie Leadon, Bob Dylan, Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, Jay Farrar, Jimi Hendrix, Michelle Shocked, Ramones, Rolling Stones, Uncle Tupelo

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Did you know that Jay Farrar of Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt fame published a book last year? Falling Cars And Junkyard Dogs was issued by indie Soft Skull Press and while it’s autobiographical, it’s not a straight linear narrative. In fact, there’s not much narrative at all. It’s autobio through a series of vignettes […]

Like Burning Fire Shut Up In My Bones

Posted by Lance Davis - July 5, 2010 - Alex Chilton, Bernadette Carroll, Big Star, Booker T, Chips Moman, Dan Penn, Eddie Floyd, Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, Spooner Oldham, Stax, Teenage Fanclub

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“His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones/And I was weary with forbearing and I could not stay.” –Jeremiah, droppin’ lyrical science in King James 20:9 Today we connect the dots between Alex Chilton and a few of his southern contemporaries in the late ’60s and early […]

Just as Long as the Guitar Plays

Posted by Lance Davis - May 23, 2010 - Bill Monroe, Chris Hillman, Country Gazette, Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, Manassas, Rolling Stones

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A few days ago, the Rolling Stones released a remastered version of Exile On Main Street. I’m supposed to be excited about this, what with my lifelong membership in the “Exile Might Be The Greatest Album Ever” fan club. Meh. Financially, it makes perfect sense. I’m actually surprised its taken this long for the […]

Willin’: LA’s Country-Rock Origins

Posted by Lance Davis - December 22, 2008 - Byrds, Chris Hillman, Clarence White, Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, Linda Ronstadt

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Through a fortuitous set of circumstances, this morning I happened upon a 2007 BBC documentary called, Hotel California: From The Byrds To The Eagles. While the title was promising and the documentary well-made, it covered the SoCal folk scene I’ve never much cared for (Neil Young excepted), it seemed to talk around, rather than […]