On the Shelf 202: Rodney Crowell

You probably don't need an introduction to Rodney Crowell, but here's one anyway.

 

In the 70s he was an aspiring songwriter. Like Steve Earle, he was mentored by Guy Clark and influenced by Townes Van Zandt, and appeared in the film Heartworn Highways. He would play with Emmylou Harris, and to a successful career as a country musician and songwriter.

 

If you know me, I am nostalgic for that mid 80s era of country that had such wonderful music like Randy Travis, Roseanne Cash, Dwight Yoakum, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Earle, and Crowell. My nostalgia reawakened by the recent Ken Burns Country Music documentary, which made it sound sweeter than maybe even it was. In any case, those years really hit me.

 

Even slightly before that, I caught a listen of Crowell's new album. Like Roseanne Cash (his ex-wife), he continues to record quality music. It's just a bit harder to find.

 

Needless to say, I am on a bit of a Crowell kick. Going back to his singles from the 80s, they are so good. "I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried", "If Looks Could Kill" and "Above and Beyond", to name a few, are such great songs, even today.

 

I still picture Crowell as the Nashville poster boy, so the older Crowell (almost 70) cuts an impressive figure, and it suits him.

 

The new album is obviously trying to get noticed with its list of A listers- Earle, Ringo Starr, Vince Gill, Billy Gibbons, Lyle Lovett, LeeAnn Womack, Willie Nelson, Ronnie Dunn, and Randy Rogers. It is a theme album that certainly covers its title (Texas) well.

 

I think Crowell's chart success sometimes puts him at a disadvantage, but I think this album helps put him in the conversation with Prine, Hiatt, and Jim Lauderdale, as one of the grand old men of Americana.

"Rodney Crowell and Steve Earle perform "Brown And Root" on Outlaw Country" (Watch on YouTube)