CASS MCCOMBS, the American singer-songwriter is one of those artists whose music falls into country, folk, and roots, as much as it does indie.
In this he could be said to be like those other American singer-songwriters Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and Bill Callahan, but conversely, like them, he is also quite the singular talent. He released his debut album A in 2003, and has followed this with PREfection (2005 ), Dropping the Writ (2007 ), Catacombs (2009 ), Wit’s End (2011 ), Humor Risk (2011 ), and Big Wheel and Others (2013 ).
Cass is coming to next month’s Galway International Arts Festival to play the Róisín Dubh on Thursday July 24 at 8pm. Here are five of his finest songs to give you a taste of what the man and his music are like:
1. ‘Home on the Range’
From Big Wheel and Others, this epic ballad is either a manifesto into McCombs’ beliefs or an ode to 19th century life in Kansas.
2. ‘Brighter!’
Also from Big Wheel and Others, this song with Karen Black on vocals, cheekily and deliberately lifts a lyric and melody from Lou Reed’s ‘Satellite Of Love’.
3. ‘County Line’
An in concert video of this slow, lazy, country styled number from Wit’s End.
4. ‘When The Bible Was Wrote’
An anti-Christian rant, but a catchy one with a real earworm of a chorus.
5. ‘You Saved My Life’
The video for this song, directed by Eric Fensler, was one of Pitchfork’s Best Videos of 2012. Good song too.
Tickets are available for Cass McCombs show through www.giaf.com
