David Dondero - Rothko Chapel

From the acclaimed songwriting troubadour David Dondero comes Simple Love, the follow up to his critically lauded 2005 release, South of the South. Few songwriters have experienced and expressed the sinking depths and uplifting optimism of humanity like David Dondero, and his ability to shine a light on the human condition (his own included) is inspiring. Dondero is best known for his narrative tales of America. Having spent most of his life on the road, Dave uses his staggering lyrical talent to paint tales of life in the US of A through clever word play and sarcastic humor (as represented in the album title) about some of life's most sensitive subjects. Simple Love is a poignant collection of songs woven with sentimentality, contempt, humor, and lust.

Simple Love was recorded and produced by Mike Vasquez in Austin, TX at Sweatbox Studios immediately after the original Sweatbox was burned to the ground. Ringing in the new and celebrating the old, David recruited long-time friend Craig D, Dave's drummer and tour companion, as well as some of Austin's best local musicians to accompany him during the sessions. Recorded on tape with minimal overdubs, the record features many new songs and a handful of unreleased tracks.

Veering away from the acoustic folk arrangements of previous albums, Simple Love, broadens its instrumental library and tackles much darker subjects of loss, lost love and death. Dondero sings "Rothko Chapel" about a non-denominational church in Texas which has blank paintings by Mark Rothko, meant to evoke soul discovery, strung about the walls. Spending an interesting summer in Alaska ("The Prince William Sound"), escaping reality at a favorite spot ("Mighty Mississippi"), feeling "stuck" in Oakland, CA ("Stuck on the Moon"), and an often requested live favorite about a Golden Gate bridge "jumper" ("Double Murder Ballad Suicide") connect the highway lines into a collection of literate, impressionistic, folk-blues mini-epics.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• daviddondero
• rothkochapel
• teamlove

[AvadaKedavraoooo]

David Dondero is one of Conor's biggest influences.

[aricandisgood]

Bright Eyes sounds like David Dondero.

David's been doing this since Connor was in diapers.

[knoxvilleguy2]

This song synchs up w / my personal philosophy almost like a hand in a glove !!

[emmyx99x]

this makes my heart happy.

[Binnithebunny]

This was my 9th grade anthem feels good to listen to this again :)

.

[Armakk]

You hear two notes from this guy and you go "Who the fuck is Conor?"

[ektrules]

Why the fuck is this on the Drive-by-Truckers mix?!?!?!? I'm sorry for anyone that disagrees, but this song is weak. Even though I may agree with the sentiment :)

[d13lzebub]

Amazing song. True, I only found it because Conor Oberst mentioned him as one of his influences. But still, every single line made me want to scream "YES!"

[TheProjectMJ]

I live in houston :DDD

[BrighteyesTele]

the conor david talk isnt even valid anymore, conor has grown into his own voice in his last like, four releases, so people can stop talking about it now.

[kcmac135]

"...at the church of st john coltrane." how splendid. so easy to appreciate great musicians who appreciate great musicians

[cortneylaura]

once i figured out about david dondero after i had been listening to bright eyes, i was like eighteen different shades of disappointed. i was so sad, cos bright eyes, is basically this. but whatever.