Bobby Bare Jr. took an odd approach to recording
The Longest Meow, the frontmans most recent release. In addition to his usual backing band (the Young Criminals Starvation League), Bare managed to rope in some additional members from My Morning Jacket, Clem Snide, and Lambchop. After this all-star ensemble of
eleven members had been fully assembled, Bare led the crew through a beer-soaked, all-day recording session. Eleven hours later, the eleven tracks that comprise
The Longest Meow were completed.
Bare didnt bring all eleven musicians to his gig at The Mercury Lounge on Friday night, but his four-piece Starvation League played with all the immediacy, fast-paced passion, and sheer
volume of their last recording. Bobby Bare Jrs music is self-conscious Southern rock part Drive-By Truckers, part bourbon, part redneck psychedelia and it all goes down with the fiery smoothness of a Jack-and-coke. Four-part harmonies mix with guitar feedback and organ solos, creating a sound that is faithfully captured on
The Longest Meow (kudos to co-producer Bobby Jones for leaving things wonderfully sloppy) but truly takes off when its played at earsplitting levels.
We left The Mercury Lounge feeling deaf and happy. It was a nice start to the weekend.
