Harry Dean Stanton is a major badass actor. His career in film has spanned over 50 years! From cult films like Repo Man, to indie films like Seven Psychopaths, to major studio films like Cool Hand Luke, The Godfather II, or The Avengers. His latest escapades involve a documentary which dives into the amazing life of Harry Dean Stanton and his untapped career as a folk musician. He breathes new life into classic folk songs, giving them a piece of his raw soul. The music comes out as both wondrous and heartbreaking.
This album is majority cover songs, but they display a level of raw painfulness that Harry Dean Stanton's voice just nails. Opening the album is a bit of banter talking about how this is just a raw recording, which just makes Blue Bayou even more magical, giving you the feeling of that the recording is happening right in your living room, really capturing a Roy Orbison feel to it. Next is a cover of Fred Neil's Everybody's Talkin' which has been covered numerous times (most noted is Harry Nilsson's version which was used in Midnight Cowboy), his version stays a little truer to the folk sounds of the original. She Still Thinks I Care was made popular by George Jones, by was covered by the likes of Elvis and the Moody Blues. Harry Dean Staton's voice really gives this song it's resonating feel of hiding hurt feelings. The Mexican Cancion Mixteca has a very poetic intro as it goes into beautiful spanish lyrics. The song was used as the theme to a film he stared in called Paris, Texas. When I Get My Rewards is a very bluesy country song, made popular by Levon Helm with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. On the flip side, Promised Land (Chuck Berry) delivers more umph to the album. He'll Have to Go is a beautiful rendition of the Jim Reeve's song. Help Me Make It Through the Night was originally preformed by his friend Kris Kristofferson, giving this sad ballad a bit of glee. Roy Acuff originally preformed Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, but Willie Nelson made it famous, and this version is soulful whisper. Tennessee Whiskey (David Allan Coe) is a hopeful song you could share with someone tender. No Hands On The Wheel isn't the Schoolboy Q track, it's Bill Callery, and it's as somber as it's peaceful. Closing the album is the classic Danny Boy, which is the unofficial Irish national anthem, and he is able to pinpoint the poetic aspect of the song.
Perfect for a rainy day, or maybe you are one of those people that like to listen to sad songs when your sad. Either way, you should not miss this album. First few pressings are done on an orange vinyl. Consider it a great compilation album if you are just getting into folk and country music. You can find it on Amazon for $18 ($12 used). Don't miss out!
PAIR WITH:
Obvious choice, check out the documentary! Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction played at the Los Angeles Film Festival last year. Throw it on your Netflix queue, or watch it now.
Not a fan of documentaries? Why not check out Harry Dean Stanton breakout movie Paris, Texas. With a Rotten Tomato score of 100% Fresh, 94% by Audience, it's a sure hit. You can rent it for 2.99 on iTunes! Low on dough? Check out Harry Dean Stanton's other works on Netflix and Prime!
Speaking of films about growing up in Texas, have you seen Boyhood yet? You really need to get out there and see Boyhood! I'd love for this soundtrack to come out on vinyl.
