Glen Campbell - True Grit

I watched the original True Grit this afternoon to see how it compares with the Coen Brothers' terrific new adaptation.

In the entertaining John Wayne version, Glen Campbell puts in a thankfully rare big screen appearance as La Boeuf, the irritating Texas Ranger that Matt Damon plays much better in the new film.

In my experience most Westerns from the 50s and 60s have songs that play over the opening titles and set up the story about to unfold. True Grit is no exception and part of Glen's contract evidently indulged him to sing this enjoyably cheeseball tune.

MP3: Glen Campbell - True Grit

Buy Rhinestone Cowboy: The Best of Glen Campbell at Amazon

Both versions of True Grit are well worth your time. Having heard the Glen Campbell song I am now disappointed that Jeff Bridges doesn't sing it over the end credits of the new one. You'd have thought after the success of Crazy Heart he'd have loved adding some world-weariness to the song.

Here's Jeff in Crazy Heart performing that film's title song.

MP3: Jeff Bridges - The Weary Kind

Buy the Crazy Heart soundtrack at Amazon

Happy new year to all Carnival Saloon patrons old and new. I hope you'll be pleased to know that one of my resolutions is to start giving this blog more attention again.

Related Links
True Grit - official site for Coen Bros film. Lots of great clips.
Jeff Bridges - the actor's own site is a thing of beauty

State Songs #17: Kansas

I think Kansas might have more famous fictional residents than real ones: Clark Kent, Dorothy Gale, and US marshal Matt Dillon from Gunsmoke call the state on the Great Plains their home.

I'm embarrassed to admit it but I had to be reminded that Kansas City wasn't actually in Kansas so you'll have to wait until we get to Missouri to hear those tracks. Still, I hope you enjoy these, and do let me know your favourite Kansas songs that I've not included.

MP3: The Jayhawks - Wichita

As evidenced from their contribution to my Iowa post the Minnesota-based Jayhawks can always be relied on for songs about the Midwest. Wichita is an "evil land" according this favourite from their 1992 classic Hollywood Town Hall.
More Jayhawks: Fansite | Amazon | 7digital

MP3: Donna Fargo - Manhattan, Kansas

I must confess that while Fargo was evidently a big country star in the 70s I'd never heard of her until now. This tale of a single mother escaping reproachful eyes could be a companion song to Dolly Parton's Down From Dover (see my Delaware post for that one).
More Donna Fargo: Wikipedia | Amazon | 7digital

MP3: The Wedding Present - Kansas (live)

A bit of a cheat this - David Gedge is referencing The Wizard of Oz rather than paying tribute to the "sunflower state" but I never thought the Wedding Present would get a look-in on my musical tour of the states so please let me off. This live version is from the mammoth Complete Peel Sessions box set.
More Wedding Present: official site | Amazon | 7digital

MP3: Glen Campbell — Wichita Lineman

This is possibly another cheat. Apologies. Jimmy Webb was inspired to write the song after seeing a solitiary railway worker in rural Oklahoma. Which Wichita he transposed the story to is up for debate: Withita Falls and Witichita County, both in Texas, are apparently also contenders.
More Glen Campbell: official site |Amazon | 7digital

We return to South next time with a visit to the land of bourbon and bluegrass - Kentucky. See you there!

Neighbouring States
State Songs #6: Colorado - John Denver, Johnny Paycheck, Willie Nelson, Jim & Jesse, Neil Young, Bob Dylan

The Journey So Far
State Songs - links to every post on this musical road trip

State Songs #3: Arizona

Photo © Adamos Maximimus @ Flickr

I spent a few days in Arizona in 1996 mainly to see the Grand Canyon. A tip if you're planning to visit. There's a sign at the top that advises against descending unless you have plenty of water. Take that advice. I genuinely thought there'd be a Wendy's at the bottom.

MP3: The DeZurik Sisters - The Arizona Yodeler

One of the joys of rooting through my record collection seeking songs about specific topics is chancing upon hidden gems like this I barely knew I owned. The DeZurik Sisters, Mary Jane and Carolyn, were Grand Ole Opry stars in the 30s and 40s famous for their yodeling, which, as you can hear, is quite spectacular.
More DeZurik Sisters: Wikipedia

MP3: Glen Campbell - By The Time I Get To Phoenix

The only time I ever got to Phoenix I spent the night on the "Sky Harbor" floor, sharing a corner of carpet with my friend James and an American who I recall was an unexpected Des Lynam fan. This won't be the last you'll hear of Glen Campbell on our journey through the States.
More Glen Campbell: official site | Amazon | 7digital

MP3: Wilco - Hotel Arizona

There's more than a nod to 70s rock'n'roll on Wilco's second album Being There so this I suppose is their 'tribute' to the Eagles. You can visit the Hotel Arizona if you're ever in Tuscon.
More Wilco: MySpace | Amazon | 7digital

MP3: Public Enemy - By the Time I Get to Arizona

The original version is on the album Apocolypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Back and was written in response to Arizona's reluctance to acknowledge Martin Luther King Day in the early 90s (a stance supported by the state's senator John McCain by the way).
More Public Enemy: official site | Amazon | 7digital

MP3: Dimitri Tiomkin - Gunfight at the OK Corral Theme

The actual gunfight at the OK Corral was over in about 30 seconds. It's now recreated at 2pm each day in Tombstone and lasts about an hour. Three-time Oscar winner Dimitri Tiomkin composed dozens of other classic western themes and songs including High Noon and Rawhide.
More Dimitri Tiomkin: IMDb | Amazon

Next time we return to the South with a musical tour around Arkansas.

Related Posts
State Songs #1: Alabama - Cat Power, Billie Holiday, Jim White, Joan Baez, Shelby Lynne and, of course, Lynryd Skynyrd.
State Songs #2: Alaska - Michelle Shocked, Johnny Cash, Port O'Brien, Dan Bern, The Velvet Underground