Jason Ringenberg of Jason and the Scorchers has released a new solo album, Stand Tall. The album, which includes a tribute to the Ramones called “God Bless The Ramones,” reminds us that in these crazy times we need Ringenberg’s music now more than ever.
“God Bless The Ramones” has some basis in Ringenberg’s memory, as he once opened for the Ramones with Jason and the Scorchers in 1982. He recalls his band being bombarded during their set with all kinds of things thrown from the Texas crowd.
As for the Ramones, Ringenberg only has fond memories of how the band treated them, especially Dee Dee Ramone, who shared chicken wings, beer, and bass strings with the Scorchers. So it is no surprise that Ringenberg sings, “God Bless The Ramones.”
Ringenberg was inspired to write “God Bless the Ramones” while he stood at the base of a giant Sequoia tree named Charles Young after the first African-American commandant of the National Park Service. The connection to the tree and the National Park Service came out of where Ringenberg worked on his new crowd-funded solo album, Stand Tall.
The Album’s Inspiration
Ringenberg created much of the music on Stand Tall while serving as the Artist in Residence at Sequoia National Park for a month. As Ringenberg stated, “It was a life-changing experience. Any time you spend that much time in one of our great national parks, it’s gonna change you, no question about it.” And, according to Ringenberg, the songs soon followed: “It was such an inspiring experience to spend time in the presence of those magnificent giants and songs simply poured out of me.”
It has been awhile since Ringenberg recorded as himself or with the Scorchers. Much of his recent focus has been as an Emmy-winning educational recording artist for children called Farmer Jason. But Stand Tall, Ringenberg’s first solo album since 2004’s Empire Builders, helps re-establish him as one of the most fascinating Americana (or alt-country) artists.
The music on Stand Tall begins with an instrumental title track, which would fit well on an Ennio Morricone movie soundtrack. And then the album goes into “Lookin’ Black Blues,” a rousing swinging danceable Texas roadhouse song.
From there, songs feature John the Baptist (who apparently was a real humdinger), the Ramones, and naturalist John Muir. The music itself spans the country, punk, rock, folk, and even a little Irish dance music in the Civil War epic “I’m Walking Home.”
Ringenberg gathered a talented group of musicians for Stand Tall, including Fats Kaplin on violin and Steve Fishell on lap steel. Richard Bennett, who was a producer on three of Marty Brown‘s great albums, plays a few instruments on “John the Baptist Was a Real Humdinger.” And the band also includes Robert Bowlin, who played fiddle for Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys for several years in the 1990s. If you are unfamiliar with Ringenberg’s music or that of Jason and the Scorchers, listen to a few songs and you will most likely find yourself soon singing and dancing along, entranced by the band and Ringenberg’s voice.
Ringenberg has a unique singing voice, reminding one somewhat of the tenor of the great Jimmie Dale Gilmore (and at the funniest points, a little reminiscent of Weird Al Yankovic). Looking further in the past, you might see a connection between Ringenberg’s voice to The Singing Brakeman Jimmy Rodgers, the yodeling “Father of Country Music.” So, it is a delight that Ringenberg covers Rodgers’ song about a dying hobo, “Hobo Bill’s Last Ride.” The song is one of my favorite tracks on Stand Tall, complete with some yodeling from Ringenberg.
Ringenberg’s experience at Sequoia National Park clearly influenced many of the tracks on the album, such as “Here in the Sequoias” and “John Muir Stood Here” (written in a spot where Muir did indeed stand). But even in the songs without a subject matter directly related to the national parks, the greatness of the big tress and the land reverberates through the inspiration they gave to Ringenberg, seeking something deeper about the this land and this country.
“Farewell Angelina”
Ringenberg ends the album with Bob Dylan’s song “Farewell Angelina,” most famous in Joan Baez’s recording. At first blush, one might think it an odd choice for an album inspired by the singer’s time in the woods. Instead, it is a perfect summary of the album.
Ringenberg used to perform the obscure Dylan song back when he was in college. Here, I do not know Ringenberg’s intent in ending this album with the song. But in Robert Bowlin’s haunting cello work and in the final verse of “Farewell Angelina,” I hear a little of the singer trying to avoid garbage being thrown at him as he opens for the Ramones. And even more, I hear a man seeking peace and joy in a troubled world, whether by taking a break as a children’s entertainer, or by contemplating the woods beneath giant trees, or by returning to the music he loves.
The machine guns are roaring, and the puppets heave rocks;
Fiends nail time bombs to the hands of the clocks;
Call me any name you like, I will never deny it;
But farewell, Angelina, the sky is erupting, I must go where it’s quiet.
God Bless Jason Ringenberg.
What is your favorite Jason Ringenberg song? Leave your two cents in the comments. Photo via Gregg Roth.