Song of the Day: “Birds Fly South” from The Mastersons

The Mastersons

There’s something about real-life lovers singing about relationships where you know you have a good chance of getting down to something truthful and raw, as in the best work by bands like Fleetwood Mac. And when the couple is married or in a committed relationship, you know you had better listen. The work by the duo of Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore, otherwise known as The Mastersons, brings some heartfelt lyrics to their great voices in songs like “Birds Fly South.”

“Birds Fly South” is the title track from the 2012 debut album by The Mastersons. In the song about escape, the singer asks “Will you be right by my side?” but later in the song the request turns into a plea. Check out this performance from the Spring 2012 Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s WHQ in Austin.

The Mastersons, who started out in Texas and are now based in Austin, lived in Brooklyn for awhile, hence the reference to escaping the city. They have also played as part of Steve Earle’s band, The Dukes. Their most recent album is Good Luck Charm (2014).

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    Steve Earle Performs “Invisible” on David Letterman and Announces Box Set

    I have been listening to Steve Earle’s new CD, The Low Highway, and enjoying it. I will probably have more to say about it after some more listens, but in the meantime, check out this video. Earlier this week, Steve Earle was on the Late Show With David Letterman, where he performed his new song about the homeless, “Invisible.”

    According to Rolling Stone, that is Chris Masterson playing the pedal steel and Eleanor Masterson playing the violin.

    Steve Earle Box Set In other Steve Earle news, Earle and Shout! Factory announced that on June 25 they will release a box set entitled, Steve Earle: The Warner Bros. Years. The box set will feature his three great post-prison albums from the 1990s, Train a Comin’, I Feel Alright, and El Corazón. The package will also include a fourth CD of an unreleased concert album Live at the Polk Theater from 1995. The Nashville concert was his first after being released from jail. Additionally, the box set will contain a DVD of a 1996 concert at the Cold Creek Correctional Facility in Tennessee, To Hell and Back.

    American Songwriter has the track listings and Billboard has the audio of a live version of “Devil’s Right Hand” from the new set. Because I already have the three previously released albums (and they are among my favorite CDs of all time, I hope they also release the additional material separately.

    What is your favorite Steve Earle song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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