Sometimes, when I hear an interesting but unfamiliar song on the radio while I’m in my car, I will try to remember a chunk of the lyrics, and then go home and google them so I can figure out whose CD I need to add to my want list.
One day, I heard a song that I liked, and the DJ identified it as having been performed by Jason and the Scorchers, a band that I had not previously been aware of. I figured they were a kind of obscure or one-hit wonder band, but they put out several albums over the time that they were together.
Unfortunately, too much time had passed and I couldn’t remember any lyrics to the song I’d heard, only the name of the band.
Fortunately, this is the SDMB, where I can find “thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks”. Surely, at least somebody here must be a Scorchers fan and can recommend to me their best work(s).
Not sure about their best but I bought their first one in 1983 (has Absolutely Sweet Marie on it… a Dylan cover I think)and recommend it.
Saw them a couple of times… excellent guitar player named Hodges! I think I have one more CD that came out about 15 years ago but don’t remember mch about it.
Fervor is very good, though just an EP. *Lost & Found * was the album that followed Fervor, and was also very good. That will get you most of their “classic” material. Now, if you want to dig deeper, I’d try Reckless Country Soul, which is more wildly countrified than Fervor or Lost and Found.
I would avoid Still Standing, and later stuff, although if you’re really into them, they’re not bad. I think Thunder & Lightning is OK.
I haven’t heard the live recordings, but my drummer, who’s a huge fan, say’s it’s great. I saw them live a couple of times back in the day, and they kicked ass.
Another recommendation for Fervor and Lost and Found. Fervor, IMHO, is a rare example of a rerelease by a major label that’s better than the original independent version, thanks to the inclusion of “Absolutely Sweet Marie.” (However, EMI did sanitize the band’s name, which was originally Jason and the Nashville Scorchers.) I was a member of the Vanderbilt University class of 1986 and so caught several live shows during my student days, including the band’s first gig at the Exit/In after their signing to EMI. As noted by An Arky, they did indeed kick ass.
Man, side 1 of Fervor just slays me.
Help, There’s a Fire, I can’t help myself!
Tough to beat those 3 in a row.
Fully admit I am biased, but the worst of Jason is better than many bands’ best. Also check out Jason’s solo material.
I’m another old fogey who had the pleasure of seeing the Scorchers on a regular basis while in college at UofI. Never missed a show.