“Consolers of the Lonely” – The Raconteurs
Yesterday I drove through TN, a second of VA, and KY… and later through OH and IN. The highlight was seeing buffalo grazing along the highway! When I got to Lexington the sun had come out and I stretched my legs a bit, thanks to a sweet man who gave me directions (and bought my CD on the spot!). Lexington has a beautiful downtown, where the old and new meet as seamlessly as babies and old ladies at a church function. I took a lot of pictures and cloud-gazed in Thoroughbred Park.
The Common Grounds show proved that the generosity and kindness of the aforementioned man is hardly an anomaly in this part of the world. Met some lovely people before packing up and heading on to Indianapolis, where I played this morning. The ride was tough, as I was out late Thursday night and I started slapping my face with an hour left to drive. I listened to the Raconteurs new album, which has been in my CD player since I left for tour, 2500 miles ago. I’ve listened to some French language-learning CDs, a book on tape, and Flight of the Conchords at night when I need to laugh to stay awake (though smiling deliriously has caused some of my fellow drivers to think that I am soliciting their attention… learned that lesson). But ultimately, it’s been Consolers of the Lonely.
After hours of listening I have decided this is one of my favorite albums of all time. I listen to mostly older albums and artists – Dylan, Mitchell, Young, Cohen – and Jack White is really the exception. His vision is so precise and all-consuming that I find myself listening to White Stripes and Raconteurs albums repetitively – something I NEVER do with contemporary albums, which are usually like bad crab cakes, as my sister would say – lots of filler (note: I do not eat crabs or other animals). On first listen I had to restart track 10 several times because the opening riff and drum entrance are so sublime I couldn’t believe my ears. How perfect that the lyric kicks in “Hey, now that you have my attention…” And the ENTIRE ALBUM is filled with moments like that, from Jack’s staccato “If you’re looking for an accomplice…” to the last chord. And it’s not just Jack, of course – what really distinguishes this album from their first (which I absolutely love) is that the band has grown stronger as a whole, and as individual parts -Brendan Benson’s voice is stronger, the arrangements are more sophisticated, the songwriting tighter – I wasn’t planning on this little update to turn into a review, but I cannot say enough about this album. It is such a firm link in the chain connecting rock and roll’s past and future – that is the true mark of genius. And every song succeeds in presenting songs that are raw, soulful, and explosive in a way that is simultaneously contained, controlled, and polished.
I arrived in Indy, thanks to the boys, around 3AM at what was the shadiest accommodations yet. And that’s including last fall and winter tours, too… this place was NOT OKAY. I checked in – immediately regretting it, but I had to perform again in less than seven hours and needed sleep – and some dude loitering in the shadows started following me so I booked it to my room like a squirrel on speed. I bolted myself inside, heart racing, and watched him through the peephole as he waited outside my door for a minute. I immediately thought of Ananda – I had left her in full view in the back of my station wagon, since I didn’t have time to run back for her while making my escape. What to do? My life or my guitar? I thought for a second and decided to go back for her. I expect any good parent would do the same for her baby. We both lived to tell the tale, and I just finished playing here at Lazy Daze.
On to Illinois tonight, for a show at Sleepy Creek Vineyards… I sure like the sound of that…
The Ultimate Road Mix So Far…
1. “Escapade” – Janet Jackson (May 6, 2008)
2. “Cars Trucks Buses” – Phish (May 7, 2008)
3. “Heart of the Country” – Paul & Linda McCartney (May 8, 2008)
4. “Why Georgia” – John Mayer (May 9, 2008)
5. “Runnin Down A Dream” – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (May 10, 2008)
6. “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd (May 11, 2008)
7. “I’m So Tired” – The Beatles (May 12, 2008)
8. “Tennessee Jed” – The Grateful Dead (May 13, 2008)
9. “Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?” – The Beatles (May 14, 2008)
10. “Tennessee Blues” – Steve Earle (May 15, 2008)
11. “Consolers of the Lonely” – The Raconteurs (May 16, 2008)
