Chicken Songs For The Soul

Last year I saw Hayes Carll and Tom Russell in fairly quick succession at the Luminaire. Both performed excellent sets; both sang songs about chickens - one a fighting cock, the other of barnyard-to-plate variety. Which got me thinking...

MP3: Joe Ely - Gallo Del Cielo

I think Joe Ely's version is better known than Tom Russell's original. Like so many Tom Russell songs this is a wonderful evocation of borderline lawlessness.
More Joe Ely: official site | Amazon | 7digital

MP3: Hayes Carll - Chickens

For some reason this song got the loudest cheer at Hayes Carll's Luminaire gig last year. I guess everybody loves chicken.
More Hayes Carll: official site | Amazon | 7digital

MP3: Hellwood - Chicken Shack

Hellwood is the rip-roaring collaboration between Johnny Dowd and Jim White. This is their love song to the finger-lickin' favourite. "When I eat fried chicken I need lots of room." Amen to that.
More Hellwood: Amazon

MP3: Bill Thomas & The Fendells - Southern Fried Chicken Pt. 1 & 2

I know nothing about Bill Thomas except that he evidently loves fried chicken as much as I do. Instead of his "good ol' southern recipe" I highly recommend Matthew Fort's. It takes time but the results are incredible.

MP3: McGee Bros - C-h-i-c-k-e-n Spells Chicken

A gem from the Ghost World soundtrack no doubt culled from director Terry Zwigoff's own collection of old records.

One final recommendation - the photo on this page is from Mark Lewis' brilliant film The Natural History of the Chicken. Watch it!

More Chicken Song Posts
Chicken: Anyone For Seconds?
Clucking Brilliant
Thighs, Wings, Legs & Breasts