David Rawlings is a monster

[Dave Hicks]

Some cover tunes by DR and others.

 

[elihu]

"Honey Now" also has the distinction of being perhaps the raunchiest song in their catalog.

I think Georgia Road is a contender.



The thing that's amazing to me is that Gillian is able to write believably from a man's point of view. How the hell does she do that? I knew a gastroenterologist who used to book acts into a classy room in Fort Worth called Upstairs at the White Elephant. He and I went round on David vs Gillian-who was the most talented? His take was that without David, Gillian was nothing. David was the show. My take was that she's one of the most talented writers ever and what good is a great accompanist without a great song?
Nowadays I think they're both amazing and together they're more than the sum of their parts etc...but I still think that Gillian doesn't get the respect she deserves sometimes.

Who can write a more perfect song about writing a song than this?

 

[sloppychops]

Yeah, seems like Epi tried to cash in on his success - unfortunately, those Epi Masterbuilt "archtops" must be some of the worst guitars of this millennium - they look nice from a distance (that matte finish looks extremely plastic-y up close...), but sound like they are made from wet cardboard - which is no wonder, since there is almost no arch to the pressed top.
Also, piezo pickups (like on these Epis) sound even worse in archtops than in flattops.

I was really excited when those were released - and really disappointed when I got to try a couple... My cheapo Loar LH300 sounds sooo much better it isn't even funny.

I must not have been the only one who felt like this - Epi discontinued them after a really short production run, and you can still find plenty of those in stores, usually heavily discounted - seems like almost nobody wanted to buy one...

I respect your opinion, and having an LH300 and a reissue Zenith (with round hole), have to agree that the Loar sounds much better. But the Epi I have is a pretty nice guitar with a unique "in between" tone, shows impeccable build quality, and is just plain beautiful. I've thought about selling it various times, but whenever I pick it up again I just can't follow through. If they had just built these reissues with a solid, carved top, they would have been killer.

I thought they were discontinued, too, but I keep seeing new ones on Reverb. I don't know if they're old stock or what. The ones listed as "new" are asking "new" prices.

 

[sloppychops]

Gillian looks like she just got off the wagon in the Dust Bowl. Rawlings is a walking Marlboro ad.

I mean that in a good way.

They really embody Americana, musically and visually.

 

[Alex W]

I think Georgia Road is a contender.



The thing that's amazing to me is that Gillian is able to write believably from a man's point of view. How the hell does she do that? I knew a gastroenterologist who used to book acts into a classy room in Fort Worth called Upstairs at the White Elephant. He and I went round on David vs Gillian-who was the most talented? His take was that without David, Gillian was nothing. David was the show. My take was that she's one of the most talented writers ever and what good is a great accompanist without a great song?
Nowadays I think they're both amazing and together they're more than the sum of their parts etc...but I still think that Gillian doesn't get the respect she deserves sometimes.

Who can write a more perfect song about writing a song than this?

I don't know who is the more talented of the duo but IMO the combo is more than the sum of the parts. They have this much in common with Gary Louris & Mark Olson, and Lennon & McCartney. One thing that has impressed me multiple times is how they can write a new song that I initially perceive to be an old standard. I don't know what qualities that entails, perhaps that elegant simplicity that makes a song seem like it's always existed? I dunno but I love it. Some examples: Orphan Girl, Barroom Girls, Red Clay Halo





another electric guitar GW song:

 

[_MementoMori_]

One thing that has impressed me multiple times is how they can write a new song that I initially perceive to be an old standard.

I 1000% agree. And the number one song that I think of in regards to this is By the Mark. It sounds like a 150 year old gospel song.

 

[Alex W]

I 1000% agree. And the number one song that I think of in regards to this is By the Mark. It sounds like a 150 year old gospel song.

Yes!

Here is the other electric song I had been trying to think of before:

 

[sloppychops]

I 1000% agree. And the number one song that I think of in regards to this is By the Mark. It sounds like a 150 year old gospel song.

Wait, you mean it's not?

 

[_MementoMori_]

Wait, you mean it's not?

You'd be forgiven for not knowing. No pun intended, haha.

 

[tfarny]

He and I went round on David vs Gillian-who was the most talented? His take was that without David, Gillian was nothing. David was the show. My take was that she's one of the most talented writers ever and what good is a great accompanist without a great song?
Nowadays I think they're both amazing and together they're more than the sum of their parts etc...but I still think that Gillian doesn't get the respect she deserves sometimes.

I don't know how you can really separate and compare them, I don't think I have ever heard them make any music without the other one right there by their side singing harmony. Their music is a product of their collaboration. Which is the essential and best part of a bowl of corn flakes, the corn flakes or the milk?

 

[Geoff738]

Nashville Obsolete is my favorite, Poor David's Almanac not far behind; Friend of a Friend ain't bad, either.

Nashville is mostly long songs in the shaggy dog mode, Poor is mostly his/their take on Appalachian trad music, and Friend is a mix.

D.H.

Just ordered Nashville Obsolete.

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[Mike M]

Great cover

 

[elihu]

I don't know how you can really separate and compare them, I don't think I have ever heard them make any music without the other one right there by their side singing harmony. Their music is a product of their collaboration. Which is the essential and best part of a bowl of corn flakes, the corn flakes or the milk?

The link of mine you just quoted has Gillian singing solo.

I’ve heard in Dave in interviews say that a large part of his style came from fleshing out Gil’s songs. They’ve been making music together a long time.

 

[Mike M]

The link of mine you just quoted has Gillian singing solo.

I’ve heard in Dave in interviews say that a large part of his style came from fleshing out Gil’s songs. They’ve been making music together a long time.

She is a great songwriter, but his playing adds so much

His simple, yet elegant playing here just elevates this to another level. The solo could not be more understated and perfect.

 

[Dave Hicks]

No big DR solo in this one (just a short one), but it's pretty hypnotic. The staggered vocal entry on the refrain really makes this arrangement compelling.

D.H.

 

[billy logan]

gosh. Gillian Welch

I knew of "By The Mark" sung by Dailey and Vincent - I sure would've lost my bet BIGTIME, being so sure "By The Mark" was from time immemorial or at least from back in Albert Brumley's era

Gillian Welch is ON to something

 

[David Barnett]

It's bad enough that David and Gillian are supremely talented, but to make things worse they're also very nice people.

 

[Geoff738]

Nashville Obsolète just arrived and I’ve popped it in the CD player. Yes, I still buy CDs. The Weekend kicks things off nicely.

Cheers,
Geoff