I fell in love with you, and out of love with you, and back in love with you (all in the same day)
When I was in Nashville last month, I stumbled upon Brendan Benson and Cory Chisel playing an afternoon set to a packed crowd at Grimey’s record store (surely one of the coolest music meccas on the planet). There was free beer (Magic Hat?) being handed out for the price of free, and it was as if I had slipped over to heaven for an hour there amidst the music.
Brendan Benson is noted these days for his role in The Raconteurs, and I had only ever seen him in that lineup, never solo. But his solo music tends towards the irresistibly solid power pop, never silly, always completely delicious and substantial. I took some videos for y’all that I’m just getting around to uploading on this sunny Saturday:
A Whole Lot Better – Brendan Benson
(rad opening track off his latest album, My Old, Familiar Friend)
And an older one that I’ve loved heartily…
And finally – covering Tom Petty’s “American Girl”! Brad Pemberton (of Ryan Adams’ Cardinals, Patty Griffin‘s band, and the Alternate Routes, among many others) rocking the drumkit, too.
I didn’t go to Benson’s show that night at the Exit/In, but ended up across the street. Standing on a rainy sidewalk outside the venue, I could see in past the packed crowd to watch him play “What I’m Looking For,” before we ran off into the night. It was a fine capper to a wonderful weekend.
Name: Heather Browne
I was just listening to his album wondering why he is such an unknown.
MP — January 16, 2010 @ 2:11 pm
Ah, Grimeys! One of the highlights of my USA trip last year. Saw the Fruit Bats there, and attended a Labor Day cookout that ran out of food!
last year's girl — January 17, 2010 @ 5:36 am
Thanks Heather. I just heard “A Whole Lot Better” the other day on the radio, but had no idea who it was. Just jumped over to Amazon and was happy to find My Old, Familiar Friend (mp3) for $5. I purchased and am enjoying it right now.
Matt — January 17, 2010 @ 11:33 pm
Love this post. He’s under discovered..
IAMROGUE — January 18, 2010 @ 1:29 pm
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Tweets that mention I fell in love with you, and out of love with you, and back in love with you (all in the same day) | Fuel/Friends Music Blog -- Topsy.com — January 19, 2010 @ 10:45 am
I first fell in love with Brendan from a song I heard on the ‘Zero Effect’ soundtrack called ‘Emma.’ Been a fan ever since. Great movie, btw.
kt — January 19, 2010 @ 10:00 pm
If you ever get another chance to see Brendan Benson in someplace other than a record store – DO IT.
In a club, his songs retain all their pop friendliness and singability, but the band pumps them full of rock muscle – which is pretty much all you can ask for, right?
Mike — January 28, 2010 @ 5:34 pm