2008 In Music: Drive-By Truckers

There is no denying that this album was one of 2008's best, even though there are a couple tracks I usually skip.



Nothing yet has topped the epic Southern Rock Opera, but at times Brighter Than Creation's Dark approaches that level. First off - "3 Dimes Down" has one of my favorite Truckers lyrics ever - ♪Totally screwed, while chicken wing puke eats the candy apple red off his Corvette.♪ The Truckers can go from lighthearted & funny to depressingly serious, and I love that their songs have real characters from all walks of life. When I listen to them, I really focus on the lyrics. From the alcoholic in "Daddy Needs A Drink" to "The Righteous Path" with a blue-collar family guy trying to keep it together - ♪got a grill in the backyard and a case of beers, I got a boat that ain’t seen the water in years, more bills than money, I can do the math, I’m trying to keep focused on the righteous path.♪

"That Man I Shot" is just effing awesome for lack of a better description. It didn't stand out to me on the first couple of plays, but when I saw it performed live, I then had to hear it everyday. If I wanted to introduce someone to the Drive-By Truckers, "That Man I Shot" would definitely be one of the songs I played for them. "Goode's Field Road" is another that didn't hit me until I saw it in concert. The emotion in Patterson's delivery made me really pay attention to the story. Once the light bulb came on, I realized just how big that song really is. My other most-listened tracks on the album are "Check Out Time In Vegas" and "A Ghost To Most" - which are both Cooley songs, and I think some of his best to date. "A Ghost To Most" brings another of my favorite lyrics - ♪skeletons ain’t got nowhere to stick their money, nobody makes britches that size.♪

Where the album falls short for me is with Shonna's songs. I'm sorry - I think they're well-written but her voice is just not for me. I don't mind her on back-up vocals, but I've tried and "I'm Sorry Houston" and "The Purgatory Line" usually get skipped. "Home Field Advantage" does the trick, though. I do enjoy that one. So out of 19 tracks, skipping 2 is a pretty good ratio.

Drive-By Truckers - Live 6.22.07 - Richmond, VA

Drive-By Truckers
Brown’s Island in Richmond, VA
June 22, 2007; 6:00 PM
Opening Act: Patty Hurst Shifter

The Drive-By Truckers kick ass. This was my first time seeing them, but it will definitely not be the last (if I can help it). Why did it take me so long? Well, stupidly, I steered clear of these guys (and gal) for awhile. I wrongfully assumed I wouldn’t get into them because of the twang and storytelling, figured it was too much country for my liking. Then a couple years back, a friend played Southern Rock Opera for me. I did a complete 180. I had to burn a copy immediately.

To get me in the mood, I jammed out to The Dirty South on my drive down the mountain to Richmond. The weather was lovely on Friday night, warm with a nice breeze. We missed most of the opening band, Patty Hurst Shifter, while in line for wristbands and beer. Luckily, the crowd was small enough that we managed to stake a spot up front, center stage. At about 8:00 pm, the Truckers came out, passing a fifth of Jack Daniels while they tuned their instruments. Patterson’s big ‘ole grin is instantly engaging and infectious. “I love you too, fucker,” he replies to a cheering fan as they launch into the first song.

SETLIST:
Bulldozers and Dirt
Uncle Frank
After The Scene Dies (NEW – Patterson)
A Ghost To Most (NEW – Cooley)
The Living Bubba
Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife (NEW – Patterson)
Marry Me
Self Destructive Zones
Tales Facing Up
18 Wheels Of Love
Zip City
The Story Of The Road Cases
Road Cases
Shut Up And Get On The Plane
Let There Be Rock
Angels And Fuesalage
Buttholeville->State Trooper->Buttholeville

The highlight of the night for me was the second half of the set – especially “18 Wheels of Love”, a song that’s rarely played. Patterson told a hilarious story of the song’s history – how his mother went to work at a trucking company, met Chester the truck driver, and this song was Patterson’s wedding gift to them. “They were married at Dollywood – I can not make this shit up,” he said. He then told the crowd that Chester has been quite sick as of late, and he was dedicating the night’s performance to him and a speedy recovery. Keep him in your prayers. “Road Cases” was another great one, introduced with a story about the rise and fall of the Atlanta Rhythm Section. “Let There Be Rock” had the whole crowd screaming along with fists raised in the air, “Bon Scott singin’ let there be rock!!!”

It was also cool to hear some of the new material. Patterson revealed that they had just started working on the album a few weeks ago, and they’d be back in December when it was finished. Scott Baxendale, custom guitar extraordinaire, joined the stage for the encore of “Buttholeville” into “State Trooper”.

I was sad to see them go after just one set, but I have no right to complain when it’s free!