I am a Todd Snider fan. I've followed him around for the last 20 or so years - I've been to every show that is within a day's drive of where I'm at. One time I drove 6 hours to Stephenville, Texas to see him play, and when he canceled that show an hour after it was supposed to start (long story) I drove 8 hours back to the Hill Country to catch him at Gruene Hall the next night. It was totally worth it. The most recent book I've read is usually his book - I probably read it 3 or 4 times a year. I know more things about Todd Snider than I do about some of my own family members. I share that only because it is the truth.
My favorite thing about Todd has always been the stories he tells in between the songs. They are long and wander around a bunch, but somehow he hits on a truth along the way that makes you think, or laugh, or both. There's one story that goes on for 7 minutes about a time he saw Slash form Guns n' Roses at 7AM in a bar in LA. The entire story is about what Slash was wearing on that particular morning. It's a great story.
Some years ago he started opening shows by saying "Over the course of the evening I may share some of my opinions with you. I don't share them because they are smart, or because I think you need to know them - I share them because they rhyme. I don't come down here to change anybody's mind about anything, I come down here to ease my own mind about everything." Keep that in mind if you check him out.
Here are my top 5 Todd Snider songs (at this moment):
The Ballad of the Devil's Backbone Tavern (live) - Trog is no longer with us, but I feel like I know him... in spirit, you know? Thank you Trog for lending the couch and deciding what to put on the radio, and for riding along with the story.
Spoke as a Child (live) - I love this song so much. Todd was so young when he wrote it, and I swear the oldest person at every show I've seen requests this song.
Is This Thing On? - This song was initially about our country vs terrorism. Now days there's no telling... this song has travelled well and needs no context.
Good News Blues - This is a Billy Joe song, and it rocks. East Nashville Skyline is a wonderful album, perhaps I'll do a blog on the whole thing at some point.
In the Beginning - Todd explains religion in this song, along with how we usually treat each other. This album will also get a full blog at some point... I can't wait!
Rock and roll friends and neighbors,
-Stein
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