Originally conceived as a compilation of songs that caused me to envision grainy desert scenes and the dry heat of a sun-shriveled day, the concept, as it slept in its cocoon for a year or so, began morphing into a more cohesive cowboy-themed affair, guided by a Spaghetti-Western-esque narrative. You can expect a whole lot of twang and jangles. If you don't care to read the plot synopsis, feel free to just scroll down to the tracklist.
The scene opens with our antihero and his horse in an almost barren land under a scorchingly bright sky. He looks to the South and sees a hawk gliding overhead in the same direction, casting a confirmatory shadow. Galloping toward the train tracks, he sees a brigade of bandits in the distance. Old friends. Heard ever so slightly in the distance, a rushing steam engine. Right on time. After robbing a couple of freight cars, they divy up their loot and each makes his own way from there. Our cowboy heads toward the nearest town, and, upon entering, is greeted by all the usual glances, stares, and obligatory spits. A slow trot or two more down the dusty road and he is in front of a saloon, where he comes to a stop and ties his horse up.
Past the swinging doors with squeaky hinges, the stranger seats himself at the bar, but not before attracting the eyes of more than a few veteran troublemakers. Just as the interrogation starts heating up, his attention is diverted by the husky but honeyed tones of a voluptuous harlot songstress. This sullied dove takes a fancy to this mysterious newcomer and then takes him upstairs to the brothel behind the balcony. With a dozen drinks between the two of them, stories are strewn and confessions laid bare--among other things.
Jolted awake by a brash banging on the door, the hungover cowboy rolls to the side and falls off the bed. The persistent knocking continues, now with the angry voice of one of yesterday's new acquaintances, and, before the door is kicked open, our guy is out the window, dropping from the roof down onto his horse. His successful getaway is also a torturous one, though, followed by the echoed cries of last night's lover in the hand of this morning's enemy.
Initially confident in his strength to survive the wiles of the desert and the painful memory of the woman he left behind, the eye of the sun sets its gaze on him and wears him down until he is crawling across the sandy floor, sure of a swiftly-approaching death. It is just at this moment that he is met by a mirage of his belle accompanied by her haunting intonations, crooning in the slight, dry breeze. He rises from his dusty grave with a new vigor, determined to rescue the one he loves. Mounting his trusty steed once again, he rides triumphantly back to town.
As he enters the city limits, all the citizens scurry indoors. He alights from his horse and walks slowly down the street, a jangling spur with each step. The villain shows himself. His cronies show themselves, too. There is a shootout. Then there is a duel. The villain is shot down. The cowboy staggers, stumbles, and falls. The strumpet runs out into the road and kneels down besides him in tears. After a long pause, he comes to, kisses his belle, and stands, basking in the glory of a fight well fought. After a glass of whiskey at the saloon, he gets back on his horse, and then lifts his lady up too. They ride off into the horizon, a trail of dust behind them. THE END.
Ike and Tina Turner: I Am a Motherless Child Sheryl Crow: Maybe Angels David Vandervelde: Knowledge of Evil The Black Lips: I Saw a Ghost (Lean) Sons & Daughters: Blood The Black Angels: You On the Run Pavak: Cowboy Theme The Black Lips: Veni Vidi Vici Calexico: Fractured Air (Tornado Watch) Neko Case: Hold On Ah Holly Fam'ly: Deadliest Scorpion Garbage: You Look So Fine (Fun Lovin' Criminals Version) Andrew Bird: Way Out West The Blues Brothers: Rawhide (Theme) America: Horse With No Name Portishead: Cowboys The Stooges: Lost in the Future [Take 1] The Raveonettes: Bowels of the Beast Neko Case: John Saw That Number Frankie Laine: Rawhide Cult of Youth: New West Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Ain't No Easy Way Beck: Soul of a Man Devotchka: The Enemy Guns Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros: Kisses Over Babylon Chairlift: Don't Give a Damn
I would like to acknowledge Tyler Howat, the newest victim to suffer through my "talking out" a mixtape. I chose you because I trust you and I knew you would "get it." You were a patient listener the first, second, and third (and fourth?) time, with great advice and good suggestions. And, of course, I must also give a special shoutout to Year of the Ox for coming through, as always, in my last-minute crises, for mixing "Americahead" and "Beck Rebel Motorcycle Club." You are an artist, sir. ( www.mixcloud.com/yearoftheox/ )
