Hayes Carll is releasing a new album, What It Is. He has released the first single with lyrics built around two icons on a velvet painting, “Jesus and Elvis.”
The new track brings in a number of country music tropes. The singer references a son lost in a war, whiskey, redemption, Christmas lights, and a bar with a velvet painting of “the king of kings and the king of rock and roll.”
We do not learn much about the characters in the song, except that the singer seems to find comfort only in the bar, drowning in alcohol, beneath “Jesus and Elvis.” Check it out.
Hayes Carll‘s album on Dualtone Records, What It Is, hits stores and the Internet on Febuary 15, 2019.
While listening to an Oxford American CD that came with the magazine’s Texas music issue, my ear caught “Chances Are,” a song that sounded like a country classic that has been around forever, or at least since the days of Tammy Wynette. So I was surprised to learn that it is a much more recent song, Lee Ann Womack‘s 2014 cover of a song written by singer-songwriter Hayes Carll.
“Chances Are” originally appeared on the 2011 album KMAG YOYO (& other American stories) of Texas singer-songwriter Hayes Carll. Womack apparently recognized the song as an immediate classic and included it on her 2014 album The Way I’m Livin’.
One of the reasons the song sounds like an old country classic is that the lyrics capture a common country theme. Someone is in a bar wondering why they are so alone, looking to heal a scarred heart. Then the person sees someone, and for a moment at least, is able to hope for love and happiness.
And it seems I spent my whole life, Wishin’ on the same unlucky star; And as I watched you ‘cross the bar room, I wonder what my chances are.
We do not know what happens to the singer. The singer and the stranger begin a dance, as the singer seeks healing and love. Maybe it will work out, or maybe it won’t. But for that moment, the singer does something we all have done, wondering what our chances are.
One of my favorite recent CD purchases is This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark (2011), which I have had on repeat play since I got it in December. This One’s for Him is a solid 2-CD collection of songs by the wonderful Texas singer-songwriter Guy Clark. Although tribute albums often are hit-and-miss affairs with an uneven collection of interpretations by various artists, this one maintains a nice consistency throughout. One reason the CDs work so well is the consistency of Guy Clark’s writing, although tribute albums usually consist of well-written songs. Another reason that the listening experience is like listening to a CD by one artist is because the producers recorded live with the band and a limited number of overdubs, giving consistency throughout. Finally, the great collection holds up due to the group of artists assembled for the project. Although there are some famous singers on the collection, the producers clearly opted for talented musicians who love Clark’s music instead of just seeking big names, and the love comes through the music.
It is hard to choose a favorite song, but one of mine is Jack Ingram’s version of “Stuff that Works.” In a video no longer available on YouTube, Jack Ingram talked about his love of Guy Clark’s music, noting that the music feels “like the Truth.” The great thing about Clark’s songs is that he writes beautiful words to go with his beautiful music. Stuff that works, stuff that holds up; The kind of stuff you don’t hang on the wall; Stuff that’s real, stuff you feel; The kind of stuff you reach for when you fall.
Artists on the CD include a who’s who of great singers and songwriters: Rodney Crowell, Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Kris Kristofferson, Robert Earl Keen, Ray Wylie Hubbard, John Prine, and many more. [UPDATE: In a promotional video no longer on YouTube, Hayes Carll, who sings “Worry B Gone” on the tribute CD, talked about hanging out with Clark.]
If you are already a fan of Guy Clark’s music, you will love the CD. But if you are new to his music, the tribute CD is a great place to start. One of my favorite songs of all-time is Guy Clark’s “LA Freeway.” Radney Foster does an excellent job covering the song on the CD. I could not find his version on Youtube, so here is the songwriter’s version. He does a pretty good job too.
If I can just get off of this LA freeway, Without getting killed or caught; I’d be down that road in a cloud of smoke, For some land that I ain’t bought — bought — bought.
“LA Freeway” captures the common longing for running off and being free. Even if you cannot make that kind of escape, you might come a little closer if while you’re on the road you pop in this CD.
“Chances Are” originally appeared on the 2011 album 
of Texas singer-songwriter Hayes Carll. Womack apparently recognized the song as an immediate classic and included it on her 2014 album 
.
