Greg Brown

It's been about ten years since I first heard the lyrics and voice of Greg Brown. It was one Saturday evening at work, he was a guest on public radio's Prairie Home Companion. He sang a stirring song titled "Rexroth's Daughter," inspired by the poet, scholar and the so called "father of the Beats". I was instantly hooked and his music is never very far away.

Greg sings about rural America in a poignant, melancholy, and joyous manner. He is a singer and songwriter that needs to be experienced. I really like his stuff...here are a few selections I found on YouTube--the first two are videos cut together by fans and the third--"Rexroth's Daughter" performed lived several years ago.

Enjoy.

The Wrestler

I like Bruce Springsteen; especially his later work. Specifically the handful of folk albums he has produced over the last several years starting with The Ghost of Tom Joad in the early 1990s and more recently Devils & Dust and We Shall Overcome. His E Street stuff isn't nearly as interesting, but I'll listen to it too on occasion.

The Boss has a new song--I think he did the entire soundtrack--for the film The Wrestler and it is perfect. It has a deep sorrow and melancholy of working class angst and struggle. It tells a story that anyone can relate to, and more importantly it gives a little light to the human soul. Take a listen. It's really pretty great.

Johnny Cash Does Elvis

This is a great little video of Johnny Cash doing an Elvis impersonation. It is funny, and a view into Johnny Cash's personality--maybe--that we don't often see. Enjoy.

Lo Fidelity Allstars -- "Battleflag"

Johnny Cash -- "God's Gonna Cut You Down"

Greg Brown -- "Better Days"