Before they send me screaming off to the slammer saying “I AM AN INNOCENT MAN” though I may be many things and an innocent man aint one of em, I’d sneak in a playlist to keep me company…
Jail Guitar Doors – The Clash – What do the Stones, Beatles and these boys have in common, besides the Clashing the former on “1977”? All three have seriously reconfigued albums that work perfectly in boh configurations. There is so much good stuff between the two Clash first releases, “Jail Guitar Doors” can get lost in the shuffle. Clang, clang… don’t you let it.
Jail La La – The Dum Dum Girls – They suck so bad live, I gave up on this band. But the debut album is a rock and harmonies of the first order and this track is a keeper.
Jailbirds (Sparrow) – Dustheads – EEK, some heavy drugs kids… hardcore from Don Giovanni records.
Jailbreak – Thin Lizzy – Lynot and co at their best. An early smash that crunchies forward not on its guitar but on its bass. Phil had a perfect hard rock voice.
Jailbreak – Sublime – Rock steady Sublime, from the sort of album that makes you an overnight sensation.
Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley – From the 68 Special, ten years on this doesn’t miss a step and his vocal is even better. Awe inspiring, world changing…
I’m Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail – The Everly Brothers – A Cadence Records B-Side. The song aint much but the harmonies superb.
Jailhouse Tears – Lucinda Williams – People forgive this chick a lotta iffy material because they love her voice. that’s Costello trading lines on the second verse -he sounds like a self-parody. Horrible stuff.
King Of The Jailhouse – Aimee Mann – This is why people shouldn’t write rock operas. Too much fucking exposition.
Prison Cell Blues – Blind Lemon Jefferson – When I say I don’t like the blues, I mean I don’t like self-satisfied fat heads like Tom Petty (or James Taylor who at least has the manners to realize it is ridiculous) and I don’t mean this stunningly single track live take from the rightfully famous cultural lodestone Anothology Of Folk Music which takes T-Bone Burnett’s O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtack, coming, going, and all points in between. i’m just saying.
Folsom City Blues – Johnny Cash – yeah, yeah, he shot a man in Reno just to watch him die…
got it.
Mama Tried – Merle Haggard – I bet Steve’s “Tom Ames Prayer” was inspired by it.
Tom Ames Prayer – Steve Earle – Tom? The Sherrif found Tom stealing chicken and stuff by the time that he was ten. His dad knew what was coming, slipped him a tenner and Tom left without a word of thanks, took up with a crowd at some border town: took to robbing banks. End’s up with all but four shells spent and trapped in an alley in Abilene. Nothing left to do but pray, right? Tom wasn’t looking for a miracle, Lord, just a little bit of luck will do.
I MISS STEVE EARLE.
I ain’t looking for a miracle Steve, just a little country rock will do.