It didn't occur to me until today (somehow) how similar Uncle Tupelo's story is to The Jayhawks'. Two bands, each with two frontmen with strong personalities, one leaning more towards marketable rock, the other an inward-driven songsmith with country/folk tendencies. They part ways and people argue for years about who was the bigger talent, when it doesn't really matter. By splitting, they simply doubled the music output - win/win for us. Jayhawks have now reunited...is UT next? Hah, I doubt it.
what i love about jay farrar is he is original. he writes songs that need to be sung for our age. he writes songs that dont rlyme, but paint a lucid picture.
The only reason people are comparing Tweedy and Farrar is that they were in the same band twenty fucking years ago. Anymore, comparing their music is like apples and oranges. Jeff is off into the land of Pop and Jay is still focused on Country. So saying "----- is better than -----" is more a reflection of personal choice than it is of the quality of the musicians. Just shut up and listen to the music.
@MrGrunge99 haha, that's to funny, i love putting people in their place when it comes to music. so many people want to compare and contrast musicians like if they were a bowl of fruit. but that's exactly what they are, "a bowl of fruit" with different shapes sizes and taste, you can't like one more than the other cuz sooner or later you're going to get tired of one of them and go for the other only to come back to the one you originally liked th most.
i like son volt better, but wilcos ok too, hes just got a better voice, and i like jay farrars songwriting style better, he really tells you a story, kindof paints a picture
Son Volt vs Wilco, Farrar vs Tweedy, it is tough to compare them. Wilco is channeling Beach Boys and Beatles. Son Volt is doing what they do best: writing pure american songs. Farrar is a treasure, on the level with Dylan and Woody. Tweedy writes pop songs, and listens to way too much Brian Wilson.
This sounds like it could be an Uncle Tupelo song. Nothing Wilco does or has done since early on could earn that distinction. Jeff evolves, Jay is stagnant.
I see how you can make a case for that. But it could also be said that Jeff is all over the place with every album, while Jay is more consistent. If I had to choose it would be Jay, because of the character of his voice and songs you can really sink your teeth into. But really there's no reason to compare. Two excellent, VERY DIFFERENT bands.
i think son volt shits all over wilco... especially when comparing their latest albums. it's one good song in wilco the album vs. basically all of american central dust. i just like son volt more i guess... no bias.
There's no need to compare and contrast Farrar's and Tweedy's work any longer. Uncle Tupelo ended 15 years ago. It's possible to enjoy both, and realize that they are two different artists with different bodies of work. I love 'em both, and posting things like "Son Volt > Wilco" is pointless.
That said, I saw SV in OK City last month and they were awesome. Can't wait for the new album this summer.
@sachsen1 I agree. Both are brilliant in their own right and both contributed so much influence in what we hear today. Just like Paul Westerberg and The Replacements did and Bob Mould, etc.
I'm going to see Son Volt in a about a week in Louisville. Bobby Bare Jr.'s opening up. He's genius in his own right as well. I really think that this band is having a second birth after years out of the spotlight. It's great stuff.
on its own, this song seems even more powerful with the harmonica. on the album, the horns seemed right, too. either way, there is something that always rings true in jay's marriage of music and voice.
Jay is great! However, his harmonica playing is beyond annoying.
BoyMonarch 3 months ago
It didn't occur to me until today (somehow) how similar Uncle Tupelo's story is to The Jayhawks'. Two bands, each with two frontmen with strong personalities, one leaning more towards marketable rock, the other an inward-driven songsmith with country/folk tendencies. They part ways and people argue for years about who was the bigger talent, when it doesn't really matter. By splitting, they simply doubled the music output - win/win for us. Jayhawks have now reunited...is UT next? Hah, I doubt it.
TheRiversDark 4 months ago
man...i wish i could say the jeff's music is just as good as jay's...cus it ISNT!
jacktala1 4 months ago
what kind of acoustic is that looks like its based on slope J-45
tommycassII 8 months ago
what i love about jay farrar is he is original. he writes songs that need to be sung for our age. he writes songs that dont rlyme, but paint a lucid picture.
jacktala1 8 months ago
My brother plays baskteball with Jay's son, and I live just a few houses down from them. It's a small world isn't it?
midadzafyreman 11 months ago
I DO AGREE WITH JEFF WHEN HE SAID THAT JAY IS A VERRY OLD SOUL. I LIKE BOTH BANDS JAY HAS MORE SUBSTANCE
SONVOLTGIRL55 1 year ago
Really, really good.
hughchiltonfowler 1 year ago
The only reason people are comparing Tweedy and Farrar is that they were in the same band twenty fucking years ago. Anymore, comparing their music is like apples and oranges. Jeff is off into the land of Pop and Jay is still focused on Country. So saying "----- is better than -----" is more a reflection of personal choice than it is of the quality of the musicians. Just shut up and listen to the music.
MrGrunge99 1 year ago 10
@MrGrunge99 haha, that's to funny, i love putting people in their place when it comes to music. so many people want to compare and contrast musicians like if they were a bowl of fruit. but that's exactly what they are, "a bowl of fruit" with different shapes sizes and taste, you can't like one more than the other cuz sooner or later you're going to get tired of one of them and go for the other only to come back to the one you originally liked th most.
herockdoza 1 year ago
Great!
Tunnelof 1 year ago
i would rather sit and listen to him with nothing but his guitar, harmonica and voice then many full bands anyday..
katnell01 1 year ago
i like son volt better, but wilcos ok too, hes just got a better voice, and i like jay farrars songwriting style better, he really tells you a story, kindof paints a picture
Gradey3 2 years ago
Son Volt vs Wilco, Farrar vs Tweedy, it is tough to compare them. Wilco is channeling Beach Boys and Beatles. Son Volt is doing what they do best: writing pure american songs. Farrar is a treasure, on the level with Dylan and Woody. Tweedy writes pop songs, and listens to way too much Brian Wilson.
altcountyemo 2 years ago
This sounds like it could be an Uncle Tupelo song. Nothing Wilco does or has done since early on could earn that distinction. Jeff evolves, Jay is stagnant.
Danielauthier 2 years ago
I see how you can make a case for that. But it could also be said that Jeff is all over the place with every album, while Jay is more consistent. If I had to choose it would be Jay, because of the character of his voice and songs you can really sink your teeth into. But really there's no reason to compare. Two excellent, VERY DIFFERENT bands.
19solar67 1 year ago
I would have to say after listening to both for years I would have to go with Jay
ThomBuckwalter 2 years ago
i think son volt shits all over wilco... especially when comparing their latest albums. it's one good song in wilco the album vs. basically all of american central dust. i just like son volt more i guess... no bias.
burningbuddhist 2 years ago
Jay is amazing.... so much better than Jeff could ever be....
Scoot
scootermeagher 2 years ago
Jay is great isn't he?
However, He's not better than Jeff. He's just not.
joshscobey 2 years ago
I like your music man, you'ra a genius, Ciao Marco
marcoferrikito 2 years ago
brillant musican
Tunnelof 2 years ago
Always loved sun volts music,kinda hits home for me
sbfl45 2 years ago
love this band! alot of there songs hit home for me
sbfl45 2 years ago
Comment removed
punkguitarist610 2 years ago
What? They both have pneumonia?
dav7boz 2 years ago
Great singer/songwriter
Tunnelof 2 years ago
There's no need to compare and contrast Farrar's and Tweedy's work any longer. Uncle Tupelo ended 15 years ago. It's possible to enjoy both, and realize that they are two different artists with different bodies of work. I love 'em both, and posting things like "Son Volt > Wilco" is pointless.
That said, I saw SV in OK City last month and they were awesome. Can't wait for the new album this summer.
sachsen1 2 years ago 20
Well said
indyau 2 years ago
@sachsen1 I agree. Both are brilliant in their own right and both contributed so much influence in what we hear today. Just like Paul Westerberg and The Replacements did and Bob Mould, etc.
robino0821 1 year ago
@sachsen1 1 more up from me.
couldn't agree more. bands are difficult relationships.
GNARLSON 7 months ago
man...jay's voice just has this quality that cuts right to your soul...love it.
hippietrucker67 3 years ago
Jay you Rule!!!!
waterdoggz 3 years ago
i love alt country
zyrthec 3 years ago 2
Farrar's voice is awesome, man. Great song.
Shotgunnova 3 years ago 2
Jay sounds better with just his voice and an acoustic than the album version, beautifully done!
ChaosStreams 3 years ago
Son Volt > Wilco
Uncle Tupelo > Everything
DirtyRamires 3 years ago
perfect
mlfdavis30 3 years ago
Thanks for posting. I went to the Louisville show and it was great, Jay seemed to have a good time even. Can't get enough of them...
3sheets 3 years ago
Jay can take most any song and turn into something better than it was to begin with. I actually prefer this to the album version.
midwestern329 3 years ago
The Search > Sky Blue Sky
mateus2 3 years ago
I'm going to see Son Volt in a about a week in Louisville. Bobby Bare Jr.'s opening up. He's genius in his own right as well. I really think that this band is having a second birth after years out of the spotlight. It's great stuff.
teethingp 3 years ago
awesome, I love everything Jay does. Thanks for the video!
pharm30 3 years ago
this is an awesome song! Jay is a tremedous songwriter!
pochee27 4 years ago
this dude rocks...Bob would be proud....
JOSECLAVO 4 years ago
thanks for posting - it's a great version
alexandanu 4 years ago
89.3 The Current is the best!
crazygolfer333 4 years ago
beautiful
jorgezi 4 years ago
on its own, this song seems even more powerful with the harmonica. on the album, the horns seemed right, too. either way, there is something that always rings true in jay's marriage of music and voice.
brudeinbelleville 4 years ago