“Then Scrappy said, well, we’ll have a benefit. And I said no. I said a bunch of stuff about self-sufficiency and those-more-in-need and so on. Scrappy said, okay, then asked how many benefits did I think I had played in the last 25 years.â€
If you buy one album this year, consider Big Sweet Life ~ The Songs of Jon Dee Graham. Recorded live in Austin earlier this year, the album and dvd are a fundraiser for Graham’s son Willie.
Willie Graham suffers from Legg Perthes, a degenerative bone disease. When Graham’s insurance company went bankrupt, the family was left without insurance as other carriers deemed Willie’s condition “pre-existing” and refused to provide coverage.
To raise money for Willie’s healthcare, the Austin music community gathered together in a celebration of Willie’s spirit and Jon Dee’s music. Those familiar with Graham’s work will appreciate the varied interpretations of his songs (most notably on the dvd), while those unfamiliar with Graham will enjoy a welcome introduction to a true American original.
The cd was recorded on a single night at two Austin clubs. Stand-out performances include Bob Schneider and James McMurtry, who offer alternate versions of Graham’s “Laredoâ€. Both maintain the song’s raw edge, but Schneider’s solo electric version gives it a swampy feel while McMurtry’s power trio performance gives it an angry rock tone.
Guitar fans won’t want to miss the final jam – a quadruple guitar blast featuring Jon Dee, Charlie Sexton, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, and Alejandro Escovedo – on the Willie Graham-penned “Rock and Roll.†A sonic finale to an incredible event.
Don’t miss the accompanying dvd recorded live on the rooftop of an Austin tv station. The generally acoustic format of the “rooftop sessions” invites greater interpretation of Graham’s songs. Highlights include Patty Griffin’s lovely optimism on “Faithless†and David Garza’s stark take on “Airplaneâ€.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.