Two Sets on Tap from Son Volt

By Barry A. Jeckell

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Veteran alt-country act Son Volt will have a new album, a retrospective disc and a live DVD available in the near future.

On July 12, the Jay Farrar-led group will release "Okemah and the Melody of Riot," its fourth studio album and first in seven years under the Son Volt name. The album will be issued by Transmit Sound/Legacy in DualDisc format with interviews and video content.

Recorded in October 2004 in St. Louis, "Okemah" was produced by Farrar, who sings and plays guitar, piano and harmonica on the set. The musicians rounding out the group are making their first appearance on a Son Volt studio release, although drummer Dave Bryson (Damnation A.D.) has been a member of Farrar's solo backing band for some time. Bassist Andrew Duplantis has logged time with the Meat Puppets and played with Richard Buckner, while guitarist Brad Rice was a member of the Backsliders and has also recorded with Ryan Adams.

"We didn't know what we were capable of as a band," Farrar says. "Since none of us knew exactly what to expect, the recording session was unconstrained and spontaneous. I think we found a creative flow."

Son Volt kicks off a European tour April 22 in Belgium. A handful of U.S. shows will precede a proper tour planned for September.

"Okemah and the Melody of Riot" will be the follow-up to 1998's "Wide Swing Tremolo" (Warner Bros.), which debuted at No. 93 on the Billboard 200. Since then, Farrar has released three solo studio albums and the 2004 live set "Steel, Stone & Bright Lights," all through Artemis.

Before the new material arrives, Rhino will release "A Retrospective 1995-2000." Due May 24, the 20-track set includes such favorites as "I've Got To Know" and "Rex's Blues." Also included will be five previously unreleased tracks, including four-track demos of "Tear Stained Eye" and "Loose String," and a live version of "Medicine Hat."

Son Volt's 1997 appearance on the PBS series "Austin City Limits" will be released May 10 on DVD via New West Records. It will mark the debut for the band's full performance, as the session was edited to 30 minutes for its original airing, when it was paired with a separate performance by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.

Reuters/Billboard

i'm still hoping that Farrar has another great album in him. Trace is one of my favorite albums ever, and his solo shit show promise but ultimately bore me to tears.

Didn't it seem like Farrar was gonna have a tremendous career.

Obviously he needs a habit.

I can't put my finger on why I don't like "Tremelo" like I do "Trace," cause it's still a really good album. Hope this one will be good.

I like all of Son Volt's stuff but was not at all impressed with Farrar's solo stuff. This new incarnation doesn't seem to have any of Son Volt's former members except Farrar so fingers crossed it's not just a backing band for more dull music.

I agree, but Farrar solo stuff seemed so close to being to good, but just didn't quite make it. Like something was missing that I could never quite put my finger on.

Hopefully what was missing was bassist Andrew Duplantis and guitarist Brad Rice.

Terroir Blues is the only solo Farrar I own and Trace is the only Son Volt I own. I think I've been scared away from buying more by all the negative comments around these parts.

I should buy more though because I'm probably the only here who thinks:

Terroir Blues >>>>>>>>>>>> YHF >>>>>>> A Ghost is Born

Took me a while to really like Terroir Blues but it clicked after seeing Farrar play it with Canyon backing him. I really like it.

I've also realized that the reason why Anondyne is my least favorite UT album is its the one where Tweedy steps up into a stronger co-writer role. Not to say that I don't like Tweedy and Wilco. I've just come to realize I like Farrar much more.

I think mcaputo may be the only obner who will agree with me but oh well.

np: Andrew Bird "...eggs"

spot on billy.
Terroir Blues contains some of Jay's best since 'Trace'.

As much as I like Jeff...
Farrar >>>> Tweedy

np - teenage fanclub - man-made

I always liked Farrar better as well, he just hasn't given me much to like lately

and need to check out Terroir Blues

How are you listening to this right now? I can't wait to hear it.

I think Farrar has a more unique sound than Tweedy but I'm definitely a bigger Tweedy fan.

The file was posted by a fellow Obner a few weeks ago via yousendit.
btw - it's an effin' great record.

-MCaputo

I don't get why he's calling it Son Volt when he didn't invite anyone from Son Volt into the actual band.

Oh, yeah, that's right - he's instantly doubling his audience.

I'm kind of cynical. I'm still kind of annoyed with him for that 2nd Son Volt album that was all dirge-y.

Not true.
The original line-up consisting of the Boquist brothers & Uncle Tupelo drummer Mike Heidorn had already gotten together and recorded a track for the Alejandro Escovedo benefit record. According to the band they had so much fun doing it they decided it was time to record another full length. Unfortunately when the time came to enter the studio the four members were unable to reach terms (financially I presume) everyone was happy with. Hence the new band.

The Boquist brothers (Jim & Dave) contributions on those records loom large and without'em it just won't be or 'sound' like a Son Volt record.




Wow. annoyed ?
Straightaways (record #2) might even be better than 'Trace'

The live Farrar album is terrific.

There's obviously something wrong with me for disagreeing with both billy g and caputo, but I feel exactly the opposite. Anodyne is my fave UT album because of Tweedy's increased roll. Farrar was alway too sullen and mopey for my liking, whereas Tweedy brought exuberance and melody, all of which initially panned out as expected with their respective bands. I know I'm one of the few, but I prefer A.M. to Trace - and right up to YHF it seemed that Tweedy would always eclipse his former bandmate when it came to my personal preference. But time passes, and these days Tweedy is getting his mope on while Farrar seems to be loosening up, so maybe I'll come around yet.

I thought uncle tupelo was getting better with each album. To this day Being There is probably my favorite of all of Uncle Tupelo/Son Volt/ Wilco music. However Trace is second.

I love both Trace and Tremelo... played Trace over and over so often until my dogs could hum along. I definetely thought Farrar was the greater talent in UT until Summerteeth came out. I had occasion to see them both solo about that time (although JF had a guitarist). There was absolutely no comparison to me after that Tweedy was brains, heart, craft, chops, a fountain flowing deep and wide.... with some really good handshake drugs floating to the surface. JF was limited. Limited. One note... a very good note, but one fucking note.

His solo albums have been irrelevant.

But because of my addiction to Trace... I await the new one ever hopeful... what would be really nice if JF joined Wilco.

"Jet Pilot" kicked my ass yesterday. I wasn't really a fan before that, so I gotta check this out. AMG seems to love it as well, not that that says much.

Translation: noodle noodle noodle.

"Windfall" = a perfect song.
Can't wait to hear this new one!

Surprise! This new one was boring.

I heard a little bit of the new one and thought it was pretty good. Jet Pilot does kick ass. It sounds more like Son Volt than his solo stuff. It isn't as good as Trace but not much is.

I'll definitely agree there. To me, its one of those timeless songs. When I Farrar live a few years ago and was at the time still ignorant of most SV records, I thought he was covering some old standard. It just seems too great to be written in the past 15 years.