Del i serien John and Robin Dickson Series in Texas Music, Sponsored by the Center for Texas Music History, Texas State University

Pickers and Poets

The Ruthlessly Poetic Singer-Songwriters of Texas

Häftad, Engelska, 2023

AvJoe Nick Patoski,Robert Earl Hardy,Bob Livingston,Tamara Saviano,Peter Cooper,Joe Holley,John T. Davis,Andy Wilkinson,Kathryn Jones,Jeff Prince,Jason Mellard,Jan Reid,Diana Finlay Hendricks,Brian T. Atkinson,Grady Smith,Jenni Finlay,Craig E. Clifford,Craig Hillis

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Many books and essays have addressed the broad sweep of Texas music—its multicultural aspects, its wide array and blending of musical genres, its historical transformations, and its love/hate relationship with Nashville and other established music business centers. This book, however, focuses on an essential thread in this tapestry: the Texas singer-songwriters to whom the contributors refer as “ruthlessly poetic.” All songs require good lyrics, but for these songwriters, the poetic quality and substance of the lyrics are front and center.Obvious candidates for this category would include Townes Van Zandt, Michael Martin Murphey, Guy Clark, Steve Fromholz, Terry Allen, Kris Kristofferson, Vince Bell, and David Rodriguez. In a sense, what these songwriters were doing in small, intimate live-music venues like the Jester Lounge in Houston, the Chequered Flag in Austin, and the Rubaiyat in Dallas was similar to what Bob Dylan was doing in Greenwich Village. In the language of the times, these were “folksingers.” Unlike Dylan, however, these were folksingers writing songs about their own people and their own origins and singing in their own vernacular. This music, like most great poetry, is profoundly rooted.That rootedness, in fact, is reflected in the book’s emphasis on place and the powerful ways it shaped and continues to shape the poetry and music of Texas singer-songwriters. From the coffeehouses and folk clubs where many of the “founders” got their start to the Texas-flavored festivals and concerts that nurtured both their fame and the rise of a new generation, the indelible stamp of origins is inseparable from the work of these troubadour-poets.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2023-12-31
Mått155 x 234 x 15 mm
Vikt477 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
SerieJohn and Robin Dickson Series in Texas Music, Sponsored by the Center for Texas Music History, Texas State University
Antal sidor280
FörlagTexas A & M University Press
ISBN9781648432118

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Craig Clifford, author of In the Deep Heart’s Core: Reflections on Life, Letters, and Texas and other titles, is a professor of philosophy and directs the Honors College at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. With his group, the Accidental Band, he performs and records classic Texas singer-songwriters’ music, along with his own songs. Based in Austin, Craig D. Hillis toured and recorded as guitarist with Jerry Jeff Walker and the Lost Gonzo Band from 1972 to 1976. A member of the Lost Austin Band, he maintains active involvement in the state’s live music scene.

Introduction, by Craig Clifford and Craig D. Hillis 1Part One. The First Generation: Folksingers, Texas StyleToo Weird for Kerrville: The Darker Side of Texas Music 17Craig CliffordTownes Van Zandt: The Anxiety, Artifice, and Audacity of Influence 27Robert Earl HardyVignette—The Ballad of Willis Alan Ramsey 36Bob LivingstonGuy Clark: Old School Poet of the World 39Tamara SavianoKris Kristofferson: The Silver-Tongued Rhodes Scholar 49Peter CooperVignette—Don Henley: Literature, Land, and Legacy 59Kathryn JonesSteven Fromholz, Michael Martin Murphey, and Jerry Jeff Walker: Poetic in Lyric, Message, and Musical Method 61Craig D. HillisVignette—Kinky Friedman: The Mel Brooks of Texas Music 83Craig CliffordBilly Joe Shaver: Sin and Salvation Poet 85Joe HolleyOne Man’s Music: Vince Bell 92Joe Nick PatoskiVignette—Ray Wylie Hubbard: Grifter, Ruffian, Messenger 101Jenni FinlayThe Great Progressive Country Scare of the 1970s 103Craig D. Hillis (interview with Gary P. Nunn)Plenty Else to Do: Lyrical Lubbock 109Andy WilkinsonRoots of Steel: The Poetic Grace of Women Texas Singer-Songwriters 115Kathryn JonesFrom Debauched Yin to Mellow Yang: A Circular Trip through the Texas Music Festival Scene 136Jeff PrinceVignette—Bobby Bridger: “Heal in the Wisdom,” Creating a Classic 145Craig D. Hillis (interview with Bobby Bridger)Interlude: What Do We Do with Willie? 148—I. Willie (An Early Encounter) 148Craig D. Hillis—II. Willie (On Everything) 151Craig Clifford and Craig D. HillisPart Two. The Second Generation: Garage Bands, Large Bands, and Other Permutations“Gettin’ Tough”: Steve Earle’s America 161Jason MellardLyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen: Cosmic Aggies 166Jan ReidVignette—Walt Wilkins: Spirituality and Generosity 174Craig Clifford (interview with Tim Jones)Lucinda Williams: Poet of Places in the Heart 176Kathryn JonesRodney Crowell: Looking Inward, Looking Outward 185John T. DavisVignette—Sam Baker: Short Stories in Song 192Robert Earl HardyJames McMurtry: Too Long in the Wasteland 193Diana Finlay HendricksPart Three. Epilogue: Passing of the Torch?Drunken Poet’s Dream: Hayes Carll 203—I. Good Enough for Old Guys 203Craig Clifford—II. Good Enough for Young Guys 207Brian T. AtkinsonRoll On: Terri Hendrix 209Brian T. AtkinsonFrom Riding Bulls to Dead Horses: Ryan Bingham 212Craig Clifford (interview with Shaina Post)Bad Girl Poet: Miranda Lambert 218Craig CliffordChallenge to Bro Country: Kacey Musgraves 221Grady SmithBeyond the Rivers 224Craig CliffordNotes 231Selected Sources 233Contributors 243Index 251

filled with thought-provoking insights" - The Midwest Book Review"This book promises a tantalizing feast to satisfy avid readers of nonfiction musical history." - Elmore Magazine"Clifford and Hillis have chosen dynamic musical artists as representative of ‘ruthlessly poetic’ singer-songwriters. The essays are written in a manner that is accessible to abroad audience of readers and fosters further examination of Texas singer-songwriters." - Great Plains Quarterly