I usually like to celebrate the 4th of July by posting Dave Alvin’s “4th of July” but this year I’m going to break with tradition. Well, at least a bit.
Dave and his brother Phil founded legendary rock band the Blasters nearly thirty-five years ago. The group was born from — and brought life to — the brothers mutual love all forms of American music.
Here’s a fitting song from the Blasters’ catalog to help us celebrate Independence Day in 2014.
We got the Louisiana boogie and the delta blues
We got country, swing and rockabilly, too
We got jazz, country-western and Chicago blues
It’s the greatest music that you ever knew
It’s American music, it’s American music, it’s American music
It’s the greatest sound right from the U.S.A.
(The Alvins have just released Common Ground: Dave Alvin + Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy, a tribute to one of their musical heroes.)
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.