I was having a discussion about music with myself the other day, and thinking something like “well, Time (The Revelator) is obviously Gillian Welch’s best album, but I find myself listening to Soul Journey and even Revival much more often”. That seemed like a bit of a contradiction to me, so I thought I’d try to explain myself to, uh, myself. I’d like to try to write a series of posts about Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and specifically about the album Time (The Revelator). I’ll start with some background on Gillian and David, and then try to explore a few different aspects of Time.
How do I know Gillian Welch?
Probably from the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. Gillian sings "I'll Fly Away" with Alison Krauss, and "Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby" with Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris. She also has a cameo in the film, as the girl trying to buy the Soggy Bottom Boys single!
Who’s this David Rawlings character?
"We're a two-piece band called Gillian Welch". David plays guitar, sings harmony, and helps write the songs.
What kind of music do they play?
Lots, really, but they’re best known for playing stripped-down folk and bluegrass music, featuring Welch and Rawlings singing in close harmony.
I’m a big guitar nerd. What the heck is that thing David Rawlings is playing?
Me too, apparently it’s a 1935 Epiphone Olympic Archtop.
What else have you got?
• Wikipedia links for Gillian and David
• Their discography at all music
• Their official website, with a helpful biography
How should I get into them?
Maybe start with this video:
And if you like that, check out Soul Journey, then Time (The Revelator), then the rest. It’s probably best to avoid reading too many interviews before listening to the albums. A lot of the material on the later albums is pretty autobiographical, and I always like to think about the lyrics by themselves for awhile before reading too much of the backstory. Alright, enough introduction!
How do I know Gillian Welch?
Probably from the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. Gillian sings "I'll Fly Away" with Alison Krauss, and "Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby" with Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris. She also has a cameo in the film, as the girl trying to buy the Soggy Bottom Boys single!
Who’s this David Rawlings character?
"We're a two-piece band called Gillian Welch". David plays guitar, sings harmony, and helps write the songs.
What kind of music do they play?
Lots, really, but they’re best known for playing stripped-down folk and bluegrass music, featuring Welch and Rawlings singing in close harmony.
I’m a big guitar nerd. What the heck is that thing David Rawlings is playing?
Me too, apparently it’s a 1935 Epiphone Olympic Archtop.
What else have you got?
• Wikipedia links for Gillian and David
• Their discography at all music
• Their official website, with a helpful biography
How should I get into them?
Maybe start with this video:
And if you like that, check out Soul Journey, then Time (The Revelator), then the rest. It’s probably best to avoid reading too many interviews before listening to the albums. A lot of the material on the later albums is pretty autobiographical, and I always like to think about the lyrics by themselves for awhile before reading too much of the backstory. Alright, enough introduction!
1 comment:
i recognized the song before you! :P my screaming will reflect how much better of a fan i am than you :P
Just listening too a sweet quality recording of the Foo's opening show for Bob Dylan in London ON last year... and as you say, listening to the "waves". Pretty sweet.
Rock the show tonight! I'll be screaming from the West coast. ;) I'll probably be in a meeting at the time, so I'm sure I'll get a few interesting looks. =)
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