So with my 40th High School reunion coming up on Saturday, this morning I decided to listen to some music from around 1970 and for some reason Tarkio Road by Brewer and Shipley popped into my head. I’m pretty sure I didn’t buy this album until I was in college, but the album was released in 1970 so it counts! Anyway, it was an album that I enjoyed and listening to it today reminded me why I liked it. Great voices, music and fun lyrics some with a message! I visited their website today and found out that they are still performing and have a more albums than the couple that I knew about! Here’s how they sum up their career:
Michael Brewer and Tom Shipley have created timeless music that has spanned 40 years, 50 states and many countries. Two guys, two guitars, two great voices, Brewer & Shipley are truly a part of Americana.
The tracks that I best remember and are now stuck in my head include: “One Toke Over the Line” the hit!, “Tarkio Road”, “Fifty States of Freedom” But it was also good to hear songs like “Oh, Mommy” check out the lyrics here , “Don’t Want to Die in Georgia” and “Seems Like a Long Time”.
So while out the website in addition to 1993 and 1997 Brewer and Shipley albums. I saw that Michael Brewer has recorded three solo albums. The latest It Is What It Is was released this year! So I headed over to Rhapsody. They only had his 2004 release Retro Man so I put it on the mp3 player and gave it a listen and it’s a great album. Like a Brewer and Shipley album the music is good and the vocals and lyrics are great! Check out the lyrics on the first song “Rolling with the Punches” and the second song takes the listener on a trip along “Freedom Avenue” from the 70’s through today! Other top tracks include the title track “Retro Man” and “The Truth Train”. Which starts with these lyrics:
The government lies they just won’t quit
The suits keep shoveling the same old sh*t
All the corporate gods blow kisses
While they slit your throat
and the lyrics get better from there! Oh heck the writing on all the tracks is great and the musical arrangements are interesting. It’s just a great album and I know it’s going to stay on the player for a while!! So check the album out and maybe even take a listen to Tarkio Road while you’re at it it’s worth the trip and I have some of those other Brewer & Shipley albums to find!
Here’s a current performance of The Hit!
Originally posted at Me, Myself, Music and Mysteries.com
