It was a breakneck sporadic affair...the recording of TJ McFarland's newest full-length rant Apolitical Blues. Produced by TJ and Will Kimbrough (Daddy, Rodney Crowell, Todd Snider) and tracked in two sessions at EMI's basement Studio in Nashville, the aim from the start was one of urgency and turmoil...
"I met with Will at Ru Sans, a sushi joint in Nashville for some preproduction talk and I told him I wanted a band on this record that could make these songs sound like a drunk pawn shop...he replied with a couple names and mentioned he'd bring in some of his old gear...the day we recorded the studio was filled with old Gibsons, Les Pauls, Harmonys, Silvertones, wine and whiskey...only thing missing was a few old guns and some antique wedding rings." -TJ McFarland
8 of the 10 tunes (all written by McFarland) were backed by a diverse group including Kimbrough on guitar and backing vocals, Smith Curry (Kid Rock) on lap/pedal steel and dobro, Billy Mercer (Ryan Adams) on bass and Paul Griffith (John Prine, Todd Snider) on drums, with additional harmonies sung by Bonnie Whitmore and Amanda Williams. The players recorded live, and on most occasions tracks were approved within the first couple takes in an effort to capture the organic soul of records like the Rolling Stone's "Exile on Main Street" or Bob Dylan's "Bringing it All Back Home". On one occasion, the albums opener "Lucinda's Wine", the first run through of the tune was ultimately deemed the master track for the record.
The album concludes with 2 songs in the same vein as McFarland's last release Howlin' Wild. "Almost Like Leavin' Home" with McFarland on guitar and harmonica and the albums closer "Red Wine Blues" a rewrite of the folk traditional standard "Cocaine Blues" played along with Smith Curry on dobro.
TJ is currently on the road performing songs from the new record as well as writing and recording the next one/s.
I'm goin' back to the woods
Goin' back where I belong
I'm goin' back to the woods
Goin' back where I belong
Gonna change my direction
Gonna sing a different song
I got no money for the meter
I got no money for the toll
I got no money for the meter
I got no money for the toll
They done got all my possessions
Now they're comin' for my soul
I done burned my registration
I done gave up on the man
I done burned my registration
I done gave up on the man
I don't wanna be no democrat
Don't wanna be no republican
I'm goin' back to the woods
Gonna go live up in a tree
I'm goin' back to the woods
Gonna go live up in a tall tree
Maybe I'll start believin' in government
When they start believin' in me
Howlin’ Wild is a glance, a shock, a breeze…a daymare belonging to a pack of hungry thieves, murderers, corrupt priests and hobos in holy garb. It’s a first attempt at murder…the murder of that which binds the child-like mind. The “realist” lives in a square leaking house with his plump wilted wife Iris and from a slick leather chair regurgitates out of print sermons to a congregation of two…one fortunately deaf and the other with flees. I am attempting to walk down main street naked…basking in the twilight glow of high expectations and limited options. I’ve seen the ghost and he is becoming more physical with each passing breath. I will give him a copy of this record and I believe he will offer me a toke or a glass of warm Beaujolais. He is always alone and humbled penny-less. He has come to the realization that everyone he’s met including himself is not devoid of hypocrisy, but that is no reason to remain silent. This is imperfection, this is growth, this is honest and revealing. This is also a stone shattering glass in the middle of a dark, dark night. I am not Oscar Wilde…this is more than just a joy ride. -TJ
PRESS:
"Local singer-songwriter T.J. McFarland is going places. Mainly, he’s going wild on the Internet, recently winning first place in a prestigious BMI music contest, where listeners picked his soulful single, “Ain’t Afraid to Die,” over songs from four Nashville singer-songwriters in the country music category. McFarland, also a 2007 Spot Music Award nominee in the singer-songwriter category, is currently in the final stages of completing his next project, “Apolitical Blues,” a full ensemble affair recorded in Nashville and produced by Will Kimbrough (who’s worked with Todd Snider and Rodney Crowell). -Jennifer Chancellor / TULSA WORLD
Howlin' Wild 2007...
TJ McFarland writes small stories of murderers, thieves, and corruption. Influenced by Woody Guthrie and pre-electric Dylan, McFarland continues the tradition of the troubadour or storyteller with his tales of the common man's woes. His rich voice, combining an acoustic guitar and fiddle, allow the words to float forward, focusing on the story. A great step forward from his excellent 2005 release Rosenbum's Gin. (BE AWARE!) -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music
This Tulsa/Nashville native’s new album, “Howlin’ Wild,” is terse and charming. It is John Steinbeck writing a Dylanesque post-millennium epic, replete with tales of Kurt Cobain and a girl slain by a streetcar named Desire. --Tulsa World
Rosenbum's Gin 2005...
"The record was a top seller on such alternative country sites as Miles of Music and Lonestar Music and had significant radio success, reaching 5 on the XM12 Radio Charts as well as being played on various feature shows including the Bob Harris weekly show for the BBC." -excerpt from BMI.com
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Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 171 6903352 Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Info@CountryMusic-Magazin.de
ITS OUT!!!!!!!!! my debut album "My Life on the Radio" hit stores yesterday! you can get it digitally on iTunes or order the actual cd on CDbaby.com heres the link:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/joseygreenwell
Get your copy today!....you'll have to for sure let me know what you think ok?
Online Now!
