DBT #398 Farms & Fields
As I was importing Clay Riness's "Down To The Cellar" 1985 gem of a vinyl; I noted it was much more a theme concept album than I realized back listening to him in the 80's. Combines, kitchens, cellars, dogs, creeks, and of course fields. He brought me back to the old days of visiting relatives that lived on farms. (Yes my God parents were farmers with 13 kids, it was fun to add them in my Ancestry Tree.) So I thought, farming was not a playlist I put together yet. I did not have to work too hard to get my 16 song limit, so there might be a volume two someday. Since we are also headed into Thanksgiving, let us both be thankful for the hard work farmers put in to feed us, and enjoy some of their stories as we ride the highways and see their fields to visit our families.
So let's listen to some music:
Well right off the bat, Clay has no presence in Bandcamp or YouTube to share this wonderful song. You know I needed to fix that since it was the main reason I put this list together. Now I consider Clay a friend since he did play the house concert, and since I'm posting this more as a surprise to him so I'm going to make it a good video. Lori and I always said it was Clay's answer to Stan Roger's "The Fields Behind the Plow" which bookcases this playlist. I know she'll be enjoying this playlist during our drive back to our hometown for Thanksgiving.
Molly Tuttle's bass player is pretty good too.
Very cool.. as of today this is one fresh video... only two days old. Boy she's got some great friends to share a stage.
Ha I found myself flailing my arms around like I was conducting this marvelous trio. (Yikes it's not in YouTube and won't be on the playlist at the end unless I add an audio video, we'll see.)
Oh my, I forgot how much I loved this song. Choking chickens? Lyle a double entendre?
A 2013 addition to the library, and so rare for me to be sharing a video that has 2 million views. I take pride in more obscure independent music; but hey it's a great song and I own it. (right don't forget if I don't own it, it can't show up in my playlists - no stinking Spotify here)
Bought way way back in 2006 (likely when I met Jud in MySpace) and while I'm not sure what the inspiration to share it with a friend. I remember she thought it was such a romantic song and it sure made me blush talking to her about it. "They wore farmer's tans and nothing else"... yikes. This song was no where to be found and knowing how it touched her; others need to hear it. So here's a quick audio video:
With a name like Farmer, he needed to be in the list anyways. Here's a great video of the band live, but Cody (Chicago Farmer) is pretty good solo too.
When I get an opportunity to add a Knopfler song to a playlist, I don't hesitate.
Following a legend with another.
From a legend to a more obscure independent voice I met through Humbird. Yes she is on Bandcamp, but this one I have on vinyl.
A nice studio live cut.
11) MN Farm Girl - Skarlett Woods
I had this in the library from a 2023 Great River Folk Fest songwriter submission. Talented young woman living in the Twin Cities.
I was lucky to host Drew from Michigan for a house concert. All I can tell you is that farming is tough, most of these songs are laments in some form.
Yes I own the original and when I had a choice, I thought this fun cover with brass that needed more plays. Missy Jo is a daughter of some one I graduated high school with back in 1976. Follow her, she's good. Here's why she choose to cover it:
This song in its original Ray Wylie Hubbard form was the anthem of my college years, my friends and I blasting it at our neighborhood bar and yelling at the top of our lungs. This song has been covered so many times, each version sounding similar to the original. So, I decided that Snake Farm needed a sultry indie-rock renaissance featuring hauntingly beautiful trumpet melodies and an infectious beat.
14) Bet The Farm - Whitehorse
I need more from this self proclaimed "Ethereal folk, Space Cowboy twang. Psychedelic spaghetti western" group.
Here they are as a duo... love them.
15) The Farm Needs a Man - Red Molly
Hey if Red Molly needs a man, please call. All kidding aside, this is a great story. Abbey Gardner the dobro player is still in my Bucket List.
16) The Fields Behind the Plow - Stan Rogers
I was going to add this song to my Mixed Tape 80's Folk, but I didn't have it in the digital library. I fixed that for this playlist; it was an absolute must. His death was so unnecessary and took one of the best folk songwriter storytellers ever. I guess he died working like in this farm story.
Here is a one click playlist less the Farm! Farm! song.
Next steps:
- Stop over to the Review page to my other most spinned and loved albums.
- Browse the rest of the blogs by stopping at this "Theme Page."
- Enjoy Tune Tuesday which brings you one song from a past blog post.
- See what other post have been most popular recently with our Stats Page.
- Find out who in the world thinks he has the authority to write this blog in the About.
- Let me answer why you won't find the playlists on Spotify here.
- Finally, the Mission page explains why there is no advertising cluttering the page.
If you use Facebook, we have a page "Like" us there and it will help you remember to read the next post
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