The Weekday Ramble is a daily dose of sports, music, culture, and more from Rambling On founder Erik Ritland. For more information check us out on Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, or at our website.
Wednesday August 5, 2015
#AlbumTracks week continues with Stephen Stills, Carl Perkins, and ZZ Top.
Jesus Gave Love Away for Free – Stephen Stills
from the 1972 LP Manasses
He did have some help from his friends, including Byrds bassist Chris Hillman, CSNY drummer Dallas Taylor, and Stones bassist Bill Wyman (who said he'd leave his more famous band if Manasses became a full time project). Jerry Garcia also claimed to play on the album without receiving credit, and if he did it was probably on "Jesus Gave Love Away for Free." No real hook on this one, but it's a laid back piece of country/rock that would have made Gram Parsons proud. Lovely harmonies, but that's to be expected.
One More Loser Going Home – Carl Perkins
from the 1973 LP My Kind of Country
In the early 1970s country became cool. Cash's Folsom Prison LP, Dylan's Nashville Skyline, and the Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo paved the way for excursions like Carl Perkins' 1973 effort My Kind of Country (he was also following about a decade worth of country hits from Sun label mate Jerry Lee Lewis). Sad, down home country weeper "One More Loser Going Home" is straight up honky tonk.
Beer Drinkers and Hellraisers – ZZ Top
from the 1973 LP Tres Hombres
Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. His blog and podcast Rambling On features commentary on music, sports, culture, and more. He was also Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.