Graham Reid | | 1 min read
Not many people know about Texan Mickey
Newbury, who died almost a decade ago, age 62. Maybe it's enough
Elvis (who made Newbury's medley An American Trilogy a
cornerstone of his latter performances) did. And that Mickey's songs
were covered by Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson, Joan Baez and dozens of
others.
Often spoken of in the same sentence as
Kris Kristofferson (whose Me and Bobby McGee he passed to
Roger Miller, the first to cover it), Townes Van Zandt, Rodney
Crowell and Guy Clark (whose careers he also promoted), Newbury was a
quiet figure in country music. His literate style told stories but
also evoked moods through fascinating imagery. He also didn't shy
away from orchestration.
His debut album for Mercury in '69, Looks Like Rain, featured atmospheric sounds like rain, thunder and
train whistles. With its weave of integrated songs it sounds closer
in conception to Marvin Gaye's What's Going On or Van
Morrison's Astral Weeks than anything in country. 33rd
of August/When the Baby in My Lady Gets the Blues eases out to
nine hypnotic minutes.
Newbury sang like a less booze-battered
Kristofferson and although he sometimes had a sentimental streak
(putting him close to MOR artists like Bobby Goldsboro) he was in
tune with the times. He wrote the trippy Just Dropped in To See
What Condition My Condition Was In which Kenny Rogers and the
First Edition took to the charts.
A touch of gentle Dylan, and Neil Diamond at his very best, simplicity in the melodies and a vocal ease which seduces by virtue of its warmth and slow delivery.
Nice stuff.
Three of Newbury's late Sixties/early Seventies albums – including that remarkable Looks Like Rain – plus a disc of rarities have been boxed up in An American Trilogy.
It gives you a chance to understand why Will
Oldham, Steve Earle (“his voice blows my mind”) and Kristofferson
(“I learned more about songwriting from him than any other writer”)
are such fans.
Mickey Newbury – waiting to be discovered.
And to do so, you can download a four track sampler from the label's excellent website here.
Like the sound of this? Then check out this.
Peter Huitson - Apr 9, 2013
I have only just "discovered" Michael Newbury and nice to see that he appears in "Elsewhere". I read a review of his music and went onto the Spotify website for a listen. I have always loved "American Trilogy" by Elvis Presley but never realised that Mickey Newbury actually wrote and performed this piece. His version is way more a "back to roots" version and is far more emotional due to its more basic presentation - Mickey's voice is just amazing. I also had a listen to "Shenandoah" which I also like - again, I was blown away by Mickey's version. That was it - I was straight onto the Internet placing an order for a couple of CD's - this guy is well worth a listen - clearly another overlooked gem from the past.
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