The Road To Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions
A Few Insights For The Faithful On A Thursday Evening
3/27/08
Pollen descends here in north Georgia like a thin, dusty layer of yellow powder. Another virgin spring. It's only the beginning...a familiar scent awakens. April creeps as we all feel a certain nostalgia for the season...
Over my home speakers--the blues channel 931 blares Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago"...I let the haunted spirit of ol' Bob drift through the room...I sat down to write this Thursday dispatch to the faithful (and unfaithful) when Charlie Musselwhite's "Mama Long Legs" plays next on the 931 rotation, and I find that coincidental, considering yesterday I discovered--through a reliable acquaintance--Charlie Musselwhite mentioned he was up for an interview.
My old amigo Griffin Bufkin--the Southern Soul Barbecue guru--keeps me in the loop on eateries that might serve as relevant to my Never Ending Soul Food Tour--sent me this link for Georgia Barbecue joints that I thought I'd pass it along.
I anticipate Jim Dickinson's inimitable contribution to Mystery & Manners, as well as his old partner in crime, Stanley Booth.
Late this afternoon I noticed Buffalo's Top Southern Rock albums, and I thought I'd draw up a list of southern music stacked here on the desk. The scattered piles includes: Howlin' Wolf's first record, Townes Van Zandt's-Live At The Old Quarter, Hank Williams' 40 Greatest Hits, The Ultimate Otis Redding, The Louvin Brothers'-Satan Is Real, Muddy Waters 1948-1951, Gram Parsons-Return of The Grievous Angel, Chris Whitley-Dirt Floor, Booker T & The MGs-Green Onions, Johnny Cash-Live At Folsom Prison, James Brown's 20 All Time Greatest Hits, John Coltrane's Crescent and Dr. John's Gris-Gris.
....Now Keb Mo plays in the background and another electric current flashes because he played in John Sayles' Honeydripper. Next, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson on the airwaves. I turn off the music, and still the same stories wait to be written as last night...
Beware of those so-called friends who stand around grinning while you're down...the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Keep on the sunny side. Tomorrow, a dispatch from the Classic City...
James Calemine
JCalemine@swampland.com
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Comments
michaelbuffalo says...
Great list JC. Return of the Grevious Angel is indeed classic. I just saw the Johnny Knoxville movie "Grand Theft Parsons" for the first time and it was pretty cool. The soundtrack rocked. Keep up the great writing man, I am loving it. Also bought WARPAINT on your recommendation and LOVE it. Peace.