Long time readers are aware of my enthusiasm for Willie's work over the years, but at this point it's just getting ridiculous. I mean, The Great Yellow Light (the title is a reference to Vincent Van Gogh's letters to his brother, Theo, and the light that inspired him in Arles, France) is by my count his 15th(!) studio effort since making one of the greatest debut records of all time back in 1980. And the fact that this new one one is of comparable quality -- and in fact sounds, in its brash high-energy and passionate intensity, like the work of some young artist who wasn't even born when that first one came out -- is nothing short of amazing.
I should add that, if you order a physical copy of the album (which you can do over at Amazon HERE or at Bandcamp) you get a little bonus sticker featuring a cameo appearance by your humble scribe.
And I stand by the judgement thereupon. 😎
Oh, I should also add that if you're in the NYC area, Willie and band are going to be doing two (Nov. 26 and 28) early and late career retrospective shows at the Loft at City Winery; the first one, which will feature songs from that aforementioned debut album, will very likely be in the spirit of his legendary gigs at the old Kenny's Castaways. Be there or be square -- a certain Shady Dame and I will definitely be in attendance, and we look forward to seeing you. 😎😎
Okay -- and, for reasons that will be obvious in a moment, that leads us inexorably to the weekend's business at hand. To wit:
...and the post-Elvis pop/rock/folk/soul artist -- solo or band -- who's done the most consistently excellent work over the space of a multi-decade career is...?
Discuss.
I don't really have a dog in this hunt; obviously, Willie would be one of my candidates, but other than him, top of my head I'm not sure who I'd nominate.
In any event -- alrighty then, who would YOUR choices be?
And have a great weekend, everybody!!!
24 comments:
Chuck Prophet. 35 year solo career and still going strong. The consistent quality of his albums is astonishing. And, like Willie, is largely ignored by the world at large.
Richard Thompson
Captain Al
Not everyone's cup of meat, but Tom Waits has cranked out an impressive body of work for over 50 years.
Likewise, love him or just befuddled by him, Jonathan Richman has travelled his own path for about as long.
And I'll second Richard Thompson.
Willie has been rocking quite convincingly for decades, for sure, but nobody has been as consistently excellent as Ian Hunter. And without resorting to covers — or worse, self-covers — albums. Or solo acoustic snoozefests.
What you said. Absolutely. 😎
A third endorsement for Chuck Prophet. In the Australian category - Paul Kelly. Still an all timer and cranking out lifetime-in-three-minute gems. And while in that corner of the globe - Neil Finn and on-off Crowded House are in the mix.
Thank you, Steve! Echoing others, Willie and Chuck still make rock and roll as if it still matters. Willie made a Halley's Comet-esque West Coast appearance earlier this year and was wonderful. I get to see Chuck once or twice every year and he's always absolutely on it - funny and genuine.
Paul McCartney would certainly be in this list. Agree with Tom Waits and Richard Thompson for inclusion as well.
rs
Although it's been a while since he's had a whole album out containing new material, Marshall Crenshaw would be my nominee. He did a bunch of really good records in the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s. He still does 40-50 live gigs a year.
Jackson Browne.
Jai Guru Dave
Can't believe I forgot Richard Thompson. And a strong thumbs up for Paul Kelly too.
Graham Parker ( maybe excepting his last couple albums).
new album out now titled From the Hellhole consists of remixed re recorded obscure tracks not previously available. check it out!
Both Steve Earle and Dwight Yoakam have been consistently excellent for 40 years. Nick Lowe even longer.
- Paul in DK
XTC, though I wish they had done more.
Jim Lauderdale (extra points for smokin' a joint with me in the bathroom at the Mint in L.A.)
Joe Ely
Ry Cooder
Some would argue the Butt
Waits
I'd say Richard Thompson but he went a little wobbly in the 1990's for a while. I did see him live during that time frame and he was always muy bueno. When he played at Little Bridges in Claremont, he kept bitching about bootleggers while glaring at me. I met him earlier in the parking lot of said gig where I was changing out of my bikini and into some more appropriate attire. Weird shit happened.
Zoogz Rift (smile emoji)
David Lee Dickhead (frown emoji)
VR
Willie Nile never was
Oh shit, I forgot Dave Alvin
and for that matter, Los Lobos
VR
Ian's the real deal. His most recent 'Defiance' albums are must listening. We'll forgive him 'Overnight Angels,' which had some redeeming tracks. Long live the All-American Alien Boy!
Their probably now considered legacy acts there are 2 remaining Beatles left -
McCartney @ 83
Ringo @ 85
Ringo's a LV residency of sorts
Paul maybe near a city to you
My top rhree would be Nick Lowe. CJ
Vicki:
You are so correct about Dave Alvin & Los Lobos. I add X also.
Captain Al
Randy Newman (Bad Love is a classic), Loudon Wainwright III and Bonnie Raitt.
The Hoodoo Gurus. Their last album "Chariot Of The Gods" was as good as their early stuff.
if we change the "consistently excellent" term to "creatively and recurrently excellent" over decades then my choice is todd rundgren - spouse and self saw him this spring when he toured as the headlining vocalist in a burt bacharach tribute show "what the world needs now is love"
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