If I had a done a favorite songs piece, it would be in there. But I picked songs based on how they fit the overall structure of the column, if that makes sense.
I ignored the Counting Crows when they were popular when I was a kid, but since then I’ve gotten into them through the ‘unified scene’ bands. Gaslight Anthem borrowed the ‘Maria came from Nashville’ line for one of their songs (which I didn’t know at first), they toured with Frank Turner, Gaslight, and The Hold Steady, and The Hold Steady covered A Long December. That cover seriously got me addicted to that song, and the covers by Oceanator and MJ Lenderman didn’t hurt either. I haven’t actually dived into their discography yet, so thanks for the primers.
Steven, great article once again. I became a fan long ago after reading one of your Counting Crows articles.
I am a 51 year old male who shy-fully (or embarrassingly or apologetically) tells people that CC are my favorite band when asked. I have seen them in concert more times than I can count. My wife is a trooper because she hates the live experience when he changes it up and she be cannot sing along - but I LOVE it. My teenage daughters know that on road trips and long car rides, there will be a disproportional amount of CC songs that will be played from my iTunes shuffle of 5,000+ songs from my phone.
I got a text this week from a lifelong friend who wanted me to know there was a new HBO documentary out about my favorite band and my response was - ‘oh I know! just premiered 27 minutes ago!!!’
I have rambled - (ha, like you do about the same subject) but just wanted to say thank you for all you do. It is much appreciated.
Also, since you are posting about useless info - here is mine - the story of how the song for the Rounders soundtrack is lost because of a fire and isn’t released is just crazy.
Recovering the Satellites was also the soundtrack to my first year living away from home in my university dorm. My friends and I would sit around in one of our dorm rooms with this album on repeat and talk about everything and anything. There is such a strong sense of nostalgia every time I listen to any of these songs.
Love Counting Crows and Recovering the Satellites (also my favorite). Saw them live in Ottawa in 2015, while they were touring Somewhere Under Wonderland. Don't know why, but I went in with low expectations and was blown away. Such a great show.
When I was in 7th grade in Oakland in the early 90s, a friend went to see The Black Crowes. The opening act was a totally unknown local band. When we talked about the show the next morning, he said the opening band was full of great musicians, but the singer just wouldn't shut up at any point, to an irritating degree. You can guess who it was, and a few months later Mr Jones was everywhere and the "sha la la" of it all backed up my friend's tale.
I remember the Grantland column vividly. Thanks for bearing the torch for CC all these years - in spite of the <ahem> recent album title/cover, I think they’re as strong a band as ever and some of their latest songs number among my favorites.
So much awesomeness to delve into in here. HOWEVER, I shall never forgive you for not including "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby".
If I had a done a favorite songs piece, it would be in there. But I picked songs based on how they fit the overall structure of the column, if that makes sense.
I've always thought Adam Duritz would be the ideal twink sub for Vladimir Putin as the dom in some gay BDSM porn.
But only because . . .
[snap][snap] Putin on Duritz.
I ignored the Counting Crows when they were popular when I was a kid, but since then I’ve gotten into them through the ‘unified scene’ bands. Gaslight Anthem borrowed the ‘Maria came from Nashville’ line for one of their songs (which I didn’t know at first), they toured with Frank Turner, Gaslight, and The Hold Steady, and The Hold Steady covered A Long December. That cover seriously got me addicted to that song, and the covers by Oceanator and MJ Lenderman didn’t hurt either. I haven’t actually dived into their discography yet, so thanks for the primers.
Didn’t realize Hold Steady had covered that - is there a good version you’d recommend?
Got big into Craig Finn this year because of Always Been. Huge blind spot for me, but he’s a great songwriter.
Steven, great article once again. I became a fan long ago after reading one of your Counting Crows articles.
I am a 51 year old male who shy-fully (or embarrassingly or apologetically) tells people that CC are my favorite band when asked. I have seen them in concert more times than I can count. My wife is a trooper because she hates the live experience when he changes it up and she be cannot sing along - but I LOVE it. My teenage daughters know that on road trips and long car rides, there will be a disproportional amount of CC songs that will be played from my iTunes shuffle of 5,000+ songs from my phone.
I got a text this week from a lifelong friend who wanted me to know there was a new HBO documentary out about my favorite band and my response was - ‘oh I know! just premiered 27 minutes ago!!!’
I have rambled - (ha, like you do about the same subject) but just wanted to say thank you for all you do. It is much appreciated.
Also, since you are posting about useless info - here is mine - the story of how the song for the Rounders soundtrack is lost because of a fire and isn’t released is just crazy.
- Keith Sigler
Check out Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings on Spotify. Last track. :)
"Baby I'm A Big Star Now"?
It's on the UK CD single for Hanginaround. I know because I have it
The movie Burn (not Rounders) - hadn’t had coffee yet - song is Good Luck.
Recovering the Satellites was also the soundtrack to my first year living away from home in my university dorm. My friends and I would sit around in one of our dorm rooms with this album on repeat and talk about everything and anything. There is such a strong sense of nostalgia every time I listen to any of these songs.
Love Counting Crows and Recovering the Satellites (also my favorite). Saw them live in Ottawa in 2015, while they were touring Somewhere Under Wonderland. Don't know why, but I went in with low expectations and was blown away. Such a great show.
When I was in 7th grade in Oakland in the early 90s, a friend went to see The Black Crowes. The opening act was a totally unknown local band. When we talked about the show the next morning, he said the opening band was full of great musicians, but the singer just wouldn't shut up at any point, to an irritating degree. You can guess who it was, and a few months later Mr Jones was everywhere and the "sha la la" of it all backed up my friend's tale.
Thanks for the great article. I am sometimes reticent to mention my love for the Crows, but I am never let down when I hear their music.
I too liked the second album more than the first.
Love this. I saw CC again this summer. No regrets
I remember the Grantland column vividly. Thanks for bearing the torch for CC all these years - in spite of the <ahem> recent album title/cover, I think they’re as strong a band as ever and some of their latest songs number among my favorites.