After reading your commentaries about this album I am reminded of a classic June Cleaver line, "Gee, Ward, don't you think you were a little hard on the Beaver last night." Ken pitches an easy going outlaw country album by four of the greatest musicians America has to offer, and then writes it up like a far-left diatribe in the Washington ComPost. You shot your own pitch down with that rant with woke politics. This is not a classic album, but is a good album to play to soothe Sunday morning hangovers. I think that is why God made Kristofferson - to smooth out the wrinkles after a hard Saturday night. It is the live version, Mitch, that gets you in the shape needed for Sunday morning. CJ is right, they didn't do a very good job on Against the Wind (who could beat Seger?), and kudos to his creative bullet line, but there were other good songs on this album. I particularly liked The Last Cowboy Song and Desperado's Waiting for a Train. Is it Newberry material - possibly not, as I'm not a big country fan anyway, but you guys kicked it out the entrance to Newberry way too hard, particularly given the talent on that album. I'll pick it up off the street and put it at the back of Webber Way.
Our musical argument was clear: don't get us excited about outlaw legends teaming up and then deliver corporate Nashville product. No disrespect to the artists - it's just not a great album and it sure ain't outlaw country.
Ken beautifully retold the real story behind the song "Deportee" and connected it to our society's undeniable challenges in treating ALL people with respect, equality and humanity. Your hostile reaction is more a reflection of your political perspective than ours.
That said, if you're looking for people to tell you about the nobility of family separation, or how women don't deserve control over their bodies, or lies about stolen elections or vaccines then your place is probably Fox News, not the music blog of a bunch of Jews from Boston.
“Love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt”
My hostile reaction? I didn't realize I stumbled on to woke guys from Boston when I joined this blog. Ken's "beautiful retelling" was a hit at political differences and had no business in this blog, unless it was meant just as your groups personal fiefdom. In an earlier response, he made a comment about Eric Clapton as well.
Then there's your "ALL people" and "Fox news" comments, as if liberals somehow have the moral high ground. You boys should have been more honest and stated you were liberal guys from Boston, and would insert your ideologies wherever you want, but if someone objected they are to be shunned and shown the door. My understanding this was about music, not your groups politics. I was obviously wrong.
I'll take your advice for a place among Fox News and not follow or participate in this blog.
"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight."
Alan, you're always welcome here. As you know, it's impossible to hide your true self when writing, and we write about albums, culture and our personal experiences. We make no attempts to bring our political beliefs to the forefront but we also don't hide them. The fact that we're from Boston is obvious from the name of the newsletter, and Boston is clearly the greatest city in the history of the world, especially when it comes to sports and roast beef sandwiches.
The line "Bob Seger put a silver bullet in his head" classic! :)
Thank you, Jon! I was especially proud of that one
This record reminds me of parents trying to get their kids(s) to try new things by saying "but you like everything that's in it!"
On paper, I should dig this record--to varying degrees, I enjoy the work of everyone on it-- but...I just don't.
Maybe Mitch is right and it's too Nashville-y. Or maybe I should give it another listen...
No, I think you got it right the first time
After reading your commentaries about this album I am reminded of a classic June Cleaver line, "Gee, Ward, don't you think you were a little hard on the Beaver last night." Ken pitches an easy going outlaw country album by four of the greatest musicians America has to offer, and then writes it up like a far-left diatribe in the Washington ComPost. You shot your own pitch down with that rant with woke politics. This is not a classic album, but is a good album to play to soothe Sunday morning hangovers. I think that is why God made Kristofferson - to smooth out the wrinkles after a hard Saturday night. It is the live version, Mitch, that gets you in the shape needed for Sunday morning. CJ is right, they didn't do a very good job on Against the Wind (who could beat Seger?), and kudos to his creative bullet line, but there were other good songs on this album. I particularly liked The Last Cowboy Song and Desperado's Waiting for a Train. Is it Newberry material - possibly not, as I'm not a big country fan anyway, but you guys kicked it out the entrance to Newberry way too hard, particularly given the talent on that album. I'll pick it up off the street and put it at the back of Webber Way.
Our musical argument was clear: don't get us excited about outlaw legends teaming up and then deliver corporate Nashville product. No disrespect to the artists - it's just not a great album and it sure ain't outlaw country.
Ken beautifully retold the real story behind the song "Deportee" and connected it to our society's undeniable challenges in treating ALL people with respect, equality and humanity. Your hostile reaction is more a reflection of your political perspective than ours.
That said, if you're looking for people to tell you about the nobility of family separation, or how women don't deserve control over their bodies, or lies about stolen elections or vaccines then your place is probably Fox News, not the music blog of a bunch of Jews from Boston.
“Love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt”
My hostile reaction? I didn't realize I stumbled on to woke guys from Boston when I joined this blog. Ken's "beautiful retelling" was a hit at political differences and had no business in this blog, unless it was meant just as your groups personal fiefdom. In an earlier response, he made a comment about Eric Clapton as well.
Then there's your "ALL people" and "Fox news" comments, as if liberals somehow have the moral high ground. You boys should have been more honest and stated you were liberal guys from Boston, and would insert your ideologies wherever you want, but if someone objected they are to be shunned and shown the door. My understanding this was about music, not your groups politics. I was obviously wrong.
I'll take your advice for a place among Fox News and not follow or participate in this blog.
"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight."
Alan, you're always welcome here. As you know, it's impossible to hide your true self when writing, and we write about albums, culture and our personal experiences. We make no attempts to bring our political beliefs to the forefront but we also don't hide them. The fact that we're from Boston is obvious from the name of the newsletter, and Boston is clearly the greatest city in the history of the world, especially when it comes to sports and roast beef sandwiches.
*Portland Oregon has entered the chat*
Love Portland!
Best city on Earth (and almost called "Boston" to boot!), but I'm hopelessly biased.