Son Volt - Highways and Cigarettes

[vidclimber]

one of the great alt country bands

[jsniccu]

Jay Farrar recalls what happens when 400 drunk college fans would rather see the opening act. Read more at The Worst Gig (WorstGig.com).

[blindboygrunt13]

harmonica sorta sounds like jeff tweedy's harmonica on sunken treasure. give it a listen you can hear the similarities

[Ciesliktron3030]

@blindboygrunt13

Probably because they're the same key.

[Janux83]

Tremenda canción.

[gasshuffer]

dam!

[chrisjesse420]

Goin to see Jay solo friday in Covington!!!

[CBR7CBR7]

I started listening to Son Volt back when I was younger because of his distinct voice. That tone hasn't died out one bit since the early 90's. The one thing that has changed is my appreciation for Farrar's lyrics. As a California kid, it's nice to get out and enjoy the simple things in life and avoiding the mainstream nonsense that's sponsored and shoved in front of us. There's nothing like having a nice refreshing cruise down the 101 and letting "the wind take your troubles away".

[jacktala1]

fuckin poet

[jeremyclancy]

BLAND - bland - tired and bland - stop wallowing!!!

[garryt37]

@jeremyclancy Go and plugg in your Nickelback CDs

[herockdoza]

Did he just say "Las Cruces" forty five seconds into this song? that's where i live! Crazy, this guy rocks but i've read n heard some real fucked up things about him. I wonder if they are true or just rumor, i can relate to rumor so he gets the benefit of the doubt. his music rocks! If you ever get the chance stop by mesilla new mexico near las cruces, great musicians live and die in this area, such a sight to see!

[tweffjeedy38]

love it...so happy that great music like this is still being written.

[damondrydes]

Real soothing sounds, good stuff

[Tunnelof]

The new Springsteen

[vinylevel]

@Tunnelof oh, not so fast ...

[jczother]

the great one, roots man jay farrar. still calling st. louis home

[Katewrit85]

Do we really need anything other than music and freedom? I miss the road...

[ChadwickRyan]

It's all subjective... I most certainly consider Band of Horses alt-country. I also agree on The Jayhawks... I remember when "take me with you when you go" came on the radio in 1992, but haven't really liked the jayhawks since that album (Hollywood Town Hall). I would definitely consider both of the Earle's alt-country (Justin & Steve). Whiskeytown is a classic and launched the great career of Ryan Adams. I'd maybe add Rhett Millers solo stuff, and Slobberbone. I'd consider Dwight alt somewhat.

[normanhate]

wow

[knottsneffex]

please know that I love Jay but if you close your eyes when he sings and picture the brother from Napoleon Dynamite doing his "technology" song from the wedding, you'll see what I'm chuckling about.

[Gradey3]

thats some funny shit, were u high when u thought of that lol.

[Xclubkid22]

if you think that's funny check out the cover of Goin to Acopulco by Jim James and Calexico and read the comment by the dude who says he pictures Cleveland from family guy singing it, and make sure you're high on weed and pharmacuticals, you'll laugh till your face hurts like a 1990's acid trip

[1984Resistance]

89.3 GREAT SHOW

[confedman]

I saw the in Houston about 6 months ago and his is all they do in concert great music but very little show, luckily the music is strong enough

[JLDB1987]

Guys bands like Jay and Paul Westerberg, Shawn Mullins, Old 97's, etc. define American roots rock. The rock/alt/country hybrid with bright, evocative/catchy lyrics and a guitar hook. Let's keep American roots alt rock alive.

[pitbull8myguitar]

@JLDB1987 don't forget the Drive-by Truckers and Lucero..... they rock

[DinkyBirdMusic]

@pitbull8myguitar don't forget SPARKLEHORSE!

[zekemuffin]

@JLDB1987 I give that a huge HELL-YES! It's not so easily found nowadays but so worth it when you do.

[billyannecrews]

Jay Rocks! - BAC

[valverdista]

You don´t understand me, when I say country music it´s in a good way, just how country should be, and how I like.

[ChadwickRyan]

Right, it's what I refer to as "alt-country", ie. Band of Horses, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, Deer Tick, Bill Callahan, etc etc. Son Volt just has a really good American sound, a sound that was developed in more rural areas and now has reached a mainstream.

[davemann36]

Funny you should say that, I hear no country whatsoever, just heartfelt music that is'nt overproduced...what music should be, in my opinion

[steinmauer1234]

whatever

[valverdista]

When I listen this voice I only think in one thing, Country Music.

[GenericUser19xx]

Saw Jay in concert back in 2001 when he was on his first solo ablum with Mark Spencer from the Blood Oranges. It was a great show, and that was a great album. I spun that disc almost daily for a solid year. I'd like to see Jay in concert again, but missed his recent stroll through my neck of the woods.

[davebest2001]

Zzzzzz. Give me Tweedy's music any day

[dgarner23]

Yeah, the masses will always ask for candy over substance. Just watch TV and you'll see the public's taste

[dgarner23]

Stay true Jay

[mackayand]

god damn Jay Farrar can sing like no one else. what a voice....

[Othaepia]

beautiful.....

[Gerzzo]

Whatta goddamn song!!!

[janidars]

real music. like the jayhawks.

[70mjc]

I am straight and I would throw my underwear at Jay just to meet him! Not to mention I have some things I think he could do wonders for. He's such an under-rated songwriter. He's in the league of John Prine and Paul Westerberg and that is not an easy undertaking.

[jerryfrankh]

Yeah. Too much information about you.

[maybeidontneedone]

i hope the man singing this song knows how important he is to people

[witchman1]

I love the down syndrom guy lol

[Katewrit85]

Come one, come all...let's rent a VW van and drive from coast to coast. The weather is perfect for it now. We'll take only the clothes on our backs and enough money for gas and food and get lost for a while.

[lewisthecollard]

..that was a beautiful thing to say.

[punkfish79]

we need money for wine and smokes and I AM WITH YA GIRL... ALL THE WAY...

[Katewrit85]

Can't forget booze and cigs.

[schoonmakerge]

@Katewrit85 I'm with you kate... right there with you... my job ain't worth much anyway except putting just enough in the bank to last a month or so....of course, you gotta bring yr son volt albums for the trip to burn a hole in yr stereo :)

[stefanodelmondo]

@Katewrit85  Yessssssss..... When are we leaving???? :)

[bl8tmate]

@Katewrit85  Not in this economy LOL!

[Cenotaph205]

@Katewrit85 how about no, lets all start reading more and not watching television and becomes architects, scientists, engineers and artists. Help to create a new master society and a better future for your children instead of reminiscing about just how bad the good bad days were. Do not let the hippy free thinking brain rot mentallity infect you.

[Katewrit85]

@Cenotaph205 If you know your history, hippies also brought forth change. They were a large presence in the Civil Rights and Anti-War Movements. I like the idea of riding around the country. I've done it before. I also believe that there is something to learning through experience and not just from books. Despite all that, I am busy working on getting a college degree. It's just a dream. How about you don't take everyone's right to dream away.

[skatepunkzero]

@Katewrit85 Ill take a Chevy Prerunner insted of a VW

[yamon98]

@Katewrit85 add some marijuana, enough to go around, and i'm in!

[footballgeak10]

damn.....  so real it hurts.

[jmokorea]

this song make me want to get in the car and just drive...

[SEXICUBAN25]

I miss being home in Saint Louis, Mo :(

[jczother]

@SEXICUBAN25

Still here, always loved Jat for staying true to his roots

[dogchewtoyboy]

this is as real as it gets

[lsdmadman]

simple down home and wonderful..thanky for this

[zyrthec]

ohoho Jay, you are a one inspiration!

[bigskydeadhead]

does it get any better? great song, great voice....go get em jay

[hippietrucker67]

going to see jay and the boys in fayetteville, ar on the 28th...looking forward to it..."the search" feels like a return to form, of sorts...

[Rauoul]

Jay is awesome! From Uncle Tupelo to Son Volt to his solo stuff. Awesome

[boardroomjimmy]

What a talent. Deep and catchy rarely walk hand in hand and I think his career reflects that. Many talk about keeping it real but too few do. Keep at it, Jay.

Left a Slide IS a great song. I get much the same response from "Going, Going, Gone". Haunting.

[anodyne7777]

'Going..." is one of my favorites too. He also amazes with his soul-searing covers of folks from Charlie Pride to Bob Dylan to Robert Plant to Neil Young. He did "Like A Hurricane" as the final encore at the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville back in '03 and truly rocked that legendary house. Watching people's blown-away expressions as we left was a high I will never forget.

[LowLightYield]

what kind of guitar is this? been looking everywhere for the type

[djs11]

Bill Bonanzinga, a luthier looks like a gibson though, j-50

[LowLightYield]

oh man thank you i would have never found it

[straighaways]

Bredlove, made in Oregon

[LASKOSOUND]

GOOD SHIT

[R2Khimself]

SCREW JAY FARRAR, JEFF TWEEDY RULES! Ok, i'm just kidding. Farrar is amazing, and if it hadn't been for Wilco, I might not have discovered Son Volt.

[9midwestern9]

All the great poets/songwriters of our time have written from a similiar place. Jay definitely fits in that catagory himself. He talks about universal themes and expresses his own personal insight in a uniquely poetic voice all his own. His last two Son Volt records have been deeply political. Okemah about Bush and The Search about society and more personal politics. In his way, he is speaking out as Guthrie and Dylan did before him about the larger picture.

[anodyne7777]

Being a diehard Jay fan, let me say that I unexpectedly appreciated the comments of brotherseamus7 and dsacmac below. I will always feel that Jay is among the top tier of songwriters in the past 50 years. But, I love to hear objective analysis expressed as it is here-by people who could write for magazines if they wish. So, I wonder if anyone here has heard the song, "Left A Slide", on Son Volt's "Straightaways" cd. I would love to hear intelligent commentary on this song for a certain reason.

[redbeakman]

Left A Slide is one of my favorite SV tracks, Windfall topping my list along with Ten Second News. Left A Slide is a song about the slow and inevitable death of a relationship. It's a fairly universal human experience that has a deep personal impact on an individual. I'm a huge Jay fan but I will say that sometimes he lyrically relies on cliché too much, Left A Slide is packed with them but in its case they work perfectly.

[anodyne7777]

I agree about his use of cliche. I often cringe when I hear one of his far-fetched metaphors. But his thoughtful, deeply-felt poetry more than makes up for a few lapses in creativity. My best interpretation is that they are examples of the unpolished character of Americana. The reason I asked about Left A Slide is that the second time I heard it, it took over my life. I was listening to it many times in a row every day for over a year. I jonesed for it. I had never experienced anything like it.

[brotherseamus7]

I love Jay and all those he has inspired etc....but this piece leaves me cold. Is this an attempt by someone who hasn't worked a day in the past 20 years to somehow relate to the working class? Or emulate Woody? Woody takes the same theme and inspires me...so does Tom Waits. Seems like he is discouraged by the entire human struggle. Help me out here, I'm open to poetic ramblings. This one just doesn't ramble.

[dsacmac]

I see where you're coming from but I disagree. I think he's writing about himself pretty honestly here, which is actually somewhat unusual for him. I think it's all about a travelling musician...and travelling across this big-ass country and playing shows every night is probably a lot harder work that most of us can imagine. Anyway, I'm more in agreement with you about lots of his other songs. I like them, but they seem more immitative than genuine. This one seemed to come from the heart...imho.

[dsacmac]

...also, leaving aside the lyrics completely, I just love the feeling of the song. Very few songwriters are truly great poets (Townes Van Zandt...maybe one or two others); I'd put Jay and the like on a second tier of people who make really good songs.

[brotherseamus7]

Townes.....just the mention of his name sends chills....gonna watch "Be Here To Love Me" for the 367th time.....This song is actually growing on me-reminds me of wicked early REM. His vocal intonations do, anyway.

[airoff]

When did anyone get the idea Jay writes these songs from his own experiences?

He's always stated the opposite.

[brotherseamus7]

Well put.

Much of Terrior Blues was written as recollections and reflections on the life of his father. Since when do songs get written by writers (good ones anyway) that don't reflect upon the writer's experience? Topical commentary is fine, but great songs come from somewhere else. So to answer your question, I got the idea from Jay's own mouth. Which is why this song left me cold....wasn't his song...but something else...in other words, it wasn't inspired.

[Noggles47]

Jay lives just a few streets over from me in south St. Louis, I see him at the grocery store a lot. I empathize with a lot of the emotion in his songs, coming from the same crappy area as him.

[marky5421]

what crappy area is this?

[elliottspitzer]

midwestern329 - i was with you but now i am a believer - i can't wait for new stuff to come out.

to the op - thanks!

[MEXICANBOI111]

YEAH!!!

[yaboy3k]

Beautiful, just beautiful. And Anodyne quad-7 is right-he's one of the best songwriters of our generation, at least if you're from the midwest. Tupelo to now-dude just has that intangible "it".

[midwestern329]

Great clip- nothing like Jay and his guitar stripped down like this. Never thought I would be a fan of the "new" Son Volt, but they have proved me wrong twice. Here's hoping that the new album won't suffer from the loss of Brad Rice.

[teethingp]

Jay is still the man...can't beat that voice.

[bipll1]

c'mon y'all..the Tweedy vs. Farrar battle is so dead. They're both talented but different musicians. Thank goodness for musical diversity and intelligent music fans like anodyne7777!

[jpandt0]

wow true talent

[deadman30]

so called aliens

[Mntgoatsfan]

Did Anodyne say anything wrong? wtf! I think Jay is glad that he has inteligent fans..I'm ashamed that cunt's like you even listen to this kind of music. Eat shit! It that low brow enough for youP

[DirkLaguna]

WOW anodyne, can the soapbox you're standing on bear the sheer weight of your pretentious and pompous attitude?

[anodyne7777]

WOW, Dirk and zephyr, can you be any meaner? I was just expressing my opinion. Didn't intend to start bitter personal exchanges.

[ThurloBerry]

you make some better music fucking bitch!

[anodyne7777]

Jay is the primo songwriter of his generation. No one I've ever heard in his age group matches him for his deep understanding of our unique 21st century pain with its roots in corporate greed and our government's highest-level disregard for working people. He joins a long line of beloved minstrels who have chronicled America's history from the point of view of the strong and good people who have built this nation literally from the ground up, and yet who still do not share freely in its fruits.

[zephyr849]

you must have no friends as you bore everyone away with your overt insights

[PFB1994]

I agree. Jay Farrar is an amazing musician. This or any other generation. He can make a great statement, but the music is always perfection.

He's an all-time great.

[robbiezims]

dude, your opinion is right on. i write songs too and i listen to jay and i'm blown away. my buddy and i talk about how superior he is to ryan adams and tweedy. rock & roll

[kimmsa555]

This is great!

[Beremith]

Great song and performance.

[oily666]

Kris Kristofferson would be impressed....probably is. Thanks so much.

[bootzilla123]

Love it. Farrar is unmatched in this genre.

[ragreen13]

Well done Jay! One of the best song writers of a generation and most people don't know of him.

[aaronbees]

that song's great poetry

[matthijsros]

Nice song!

[cementhead6]

Good job ~~reminds me of some "Neil Young" great song writing