Turnpike Troubadours – Good Lord Lorrie

At my first Turnpike Troubadours live concert, they performed “Good Lord Lorrie.” A five-minute heartbreak song that somehow managed to remain lively enough for concert audiences.

Turnpike are back, more mature with lessons learned but ready to cause havoc with their latest album, A Cat in the Rain. Their music stands as testament to this resilience.

A Cat in the Rain

This album opens with an eerie chorus of voices underpinned by a sorrowful banjo, an audible sign that we’ve come back home to Turnpike Troubadours; they sound just as good as ever!

Shooter Jennings wisely allows his band members more freedom of expression than on previous recordings, whether that means firm bass grooves driving an explosion of guitar and fiddle on “Chipping Mill”, or warm thick acoustics that underpin heartbreaking ballad “Before The Devil Knows We’re Dead”, this record sounds alive with brilliance that only comes alive at a Turnpike show.

Road-tested tightness is at the core of this record, reflecting their consistency as they have built their fanbase through tireless touring and fiery live shows. The themes on this record span from upbeat redemption tales like ‘Diamonds & Gasoline’ and ‘Seven & Seven’ to more heartbreaking dramas such as ‘Lucille’ and ‘Dance With The One That Brought You’ – everything from upbeat songs about redemption like ‘Diamonds & Gasoline’ to more dramatic works like Lucille’ and ‘Dance With The One That Brought You’ – to dark dramas such as Lucille and ‘Dance With The One That Brought You’.

“Mean Old Sun”

Turnpike Troubadours are one of the few groups capable of successfully merging Woody Guthrie’s populist political folk music with Waylon Jennings’ outlaw styled country honky tonk music like few others can. Their songs transcend mere entertainment; rather they become deeper and richer over time as their meaning becomes evermore intertwined into the lives of listeners to become deeply personal – even downright synergistic!

“Mean Old Sun,” their first new single in six years, is an ideal example. Penned by Evan Felker and featuring guitar work by Kyle Nix and Hank Early, this country rock tune elicits all sorts of musical nostalgia with subtle nods to Cajun music and robust Celtic influence that create an expansive musical palette.

“A Cat in the Rain,” produced and recorded at Muscle Shoals’ Fame Recording Studios by Shooter Jennings and scheduled for release through Bossier City Records/Thirty Tigers on August 25th.

“Mean Old Sun (Remix)”

Evan Felker channels the sorrow of heartbreak into this classic country song from Turnpike Troubadours’ 2010 album Diamonds & Gasoline. Their version of John Hartford’s original has become a fan favorite and generated massive sing-alongs during their recent return to NYC for two nights at Beacon Theater with Hayes Carll.

Oklahoma band The Oklahoman is well known for their tight performances on the road, with Gabe Pearson’s drumming acting as an essential foundation. Producer Shooter Jennings doesn’t shy away from using secondary vocalists like Felker for this song’s melody and its harmony; her unusually sweet tone provides a welcome contrast.

As is typical with Turnpike Troubadours music, its meaning unfolds gradually over time as listeners become acquainted with Evan Felker’s characters that inhabit his songwriter universe. Here Lucille, possibly another recurring character in their catalog – may be lamenting over an overthrown relationship.

“1968”

Turnpike Troubadours are a gritty country-leaning roots rock band rooted in Oklahoma that combine populist political folk of Woody Guthrie with outlaw honky tonk of Waylon Jennings while adding bluegrass, Cajun and straight out rock dynamics for added dimension. Comprised of bassist RC Edwards, fiddle player Kyle Nix, guitarist Ryan Engleman and drummer Gabe Pearson they celebrate modern rural life without becoming ornate revivalists.

Members of the group, who were in Tulsa Civic Center designed for concerts, joked among themselves about rumors of another extended hiatus after having announced one in late 2020. Knowledge regarding their future status among their most ardent fans would prove highly prized; however, according to Felker they will only reveal what information is necessary and willing.