The Long Ryders were an underrated group with country, folk rock, and even punk roots that hailed from Los Angeles via the South. Featuring excellent instrumental and vocal work from leader Sid Griffin and Stephen McCarthy, the group also included Greg Sowders (drums), Barry Shank/Des Brewer (bass), and finally Tom Stevens on bass. During their heyday, the group produced three LPs, several EPs, and a smattering of singles that defined their alt-country-fried folk rock sound. Resident in those golden licks were traces of Bob Dylan, The Byrds, The Clash, Buffalo Springfield, The Everly Brothers, and The Beach Boys. They were also a mainstay in The Paisley Underground movement, along with Green on Red, The Dream Syndicate, and Rain Parade. By any measure, this was a band ahead of its time, and this box set is long overdue and welcome. It contains their three studio albums and is stuffed with rarities and live material. The entire project was overseen by Sid and Tom Stevens and remastered by Andy Pearce. Extensive liner notes include an introduction by famous Rolling Stone scribe David Fricke and a track by track breakdown by the entire band.
So once again, I have opted to review a box set, a massive undertaking by any stretch. Rather than laying down an exhaustive review of every track (there are 76), I will touch on the highlights for each disk. I’ll tell you straight off that Disk 1 is my flat out favorite, containing the entirety of the band’s great 10-5-60 EP plus Native Sons. In my mind, this is their best work, but I’ll definitely stroll through the entire box and throw down comments on what stands out for me. Please realize that every fan has different tastes and I can honestly say that there is something for everyone here, so let’s crack open the box and take a tour together. “Join My Gang” opens things up, and it’s a bouncy, Byrdsian stomp that never lets up on the energy. “You Don’t Know What’s Right, You Don’t Know What’s Wrong” veers more toward Flying Burritos territory with deftly played pedal steel and fun lyrics. “10-5-60” is another fun tune that will get your feet tapping, kind of like a cross between The Flamin’ Groovies and The Clash. “And She Rides” is one of the band’s finest songs, containing all the hallmarks that elevated the band above others mining this territory. Produced by Earle Mankey in his kitchen, this features well-played guitar and pedal steel on top of a driving beat and evocative melody.
“Born To Believe In You” is dominated by autoharp and very Beatlesque vocals and was a favorite track of Sid Griffin’s late mother. “Final Wild Son” (named for a Nick Tosches book on Jerry Lee Lewis) really kicks butt, and I imagine it smokes in a live setting. “Ivory Tower” was recorded with the great Gene Clark on vocals and sounds like you would expect. “Run Dusty Run” channels Chuck Berry mashed with Buddy Holly and is another great toe tapper. “Wreck of the 809” is a “death” ballad that’s like a melange of The Stray Cats and The Clash. “Too Close To The Light” shows why the band was enmeshed with The Paisley Underground, as it reveals a psychedelic sensibility that was not always evident in their other work. As stated in the liner notes, they were like a ‘buckskin Rain Parade’. Kudos to them for showing a different side to their work; the song is excellent and has been a staple on my radio show throughout the years. “I Had a Dream” is another Byrdsian gem, and has a cool, driving beat along with chiming Rickenbacker guitar. “Masters of War” is a Dylan standard, and the words have incredible power and relevancy today. Some live numbers are tacked onto Disk 1, and are fun, lively numbers, especially the acoustic Stones-influenced “Black Girl” (author unknown) and a cover of Sir Douglas Quintet’s “The Rains Came”.
Disk 2 charges out of the gate strong with “Looking For Lewis and Clark”, an uptempo rocker with all the right elements for a hit. The band considers it a signature tune, but it never made the charts.
It is followed up by the Flamin’ Groovies inspired “Lights of Downtown”, complete with sweet harmonies and chiming guitars. “WDIA” is a bluesy number about the first African-American oriented and operated radio station back in the not so good old days of segregation. The station gave many bluesmen work as DJs, including B.B. King and Rufus Thomas. “Good Times Tomorrow, Hard Times Today” has a good Dylanesque vocal paired with a head bopping melody. “Two Kinds of Love” is a pensive ditty married to 12-string guitar and delving back into Byrds territory, something this band does incredibly well. “You Can’t Ride the Boxcars Anymore” is another fast number and reminds me the most of the Groovies. “Capturing the Flag” features Will Birch (The Records), who produced “State of Our Union”, the album this was originally drawn from. It is a fine slice of power pop with a cool banjo line. “Southside of the Story” is a fun road song, which the Long Ryders plan on including in their reunion shows to support this box set. “If I Were a Bramble and You Were a Rose” features Debbi Peterson (Bangles) on vocals and the late Will Glenn (Rain Parade) on violin. It is a pretty yet bittersweet song, realizing that people of our generation are quickly falling away from us. This disk also has live rarities, including a reprise of “Looking for Lewis and Clark” recorded live for the BBC’s show Whistle Test.
“Gunslinger Man” starts off Disk 3, and is meant to be a follow-up to “Looking for Lewis and Clark”. It fits into the same mold, and has a great guitar solo from Stephen McCarthy. And ooh, I really dig the NRBQ cover “I Want You Bad”, with two Bangles on backing vocals. I am a sucker for big harmonies, ringing guitars, and a killer melody. This fills the bill on all fronts. “A Stitch in Time” is an anti-war song written after the invasion of Grenada but could easily fit into today’s chaotic and violent world stage. “Man of Misery” is a cheerful sounding song with a dark heart, describing the fallout from battles and shell-shocked veterans. “Ring The Bells” is short and fast, and has chimes and horns added to the mix. This disk also has a bunch of demos, such as the standard Chuck Berry stomp of “Basic Black”, the fun, danceable number “Sad, Sad Songs”, and a cool cover of Davie Allan and the Arrows, “Blues Theme”, recorded at a rehearsal by producer Ed Stasium.
The final disk is a live show from The Netherlands, recorded in 1985 and revealing what a kick ass live band these guys were and still are. The Flamin’ Groovies vibe is alive and well with the opening track “Mason Dixon Line”, followed by the equally hot tune “Time Keeps Traveling”. These guys play precisely and exceedingly well, showing off all their road experience to an appreciative audience. “Run, Dusty Run” is enhanced in a live setting, with some rough-edged guitar and it’s like Cyril Jordan and Buddy Holly joined the band on stage. The Groovies cover “I Can’t Hide” is greatly appreciated by this writer, and it’s no surprise that the Ryders do a terrific job with this awesome song, right down to the guitar solo at the heart of this song. The remaining songs are all solid and will please fans. To close, this box set is worth picking up for both old fans and new fans interested in a great 80s band that more people should know about.
