Customer Reviews

Looking For Lewis And Clark: The Long Ryders Anthology

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The California music scene of the late-seventies and early eighties produced numerous roots-rockers: Rank and File, the Blasters, Dream Syndicate, the True Believers. One of the finest was was the Long Ryders, founded by Kentucky native and Gram Parsons devotee Sid Griffin.

In the album's liner notes David Fricke says, "The Ryders sang about fading ideals and stubborn idealists...with a wide-angle vision of the American musical experience, one in which Stephen Foster, Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Gram Parsons, the Velvet Underground and the Ramones were not just equals but righteous brethren."

This 2-disc release includes all 5 tracks from their debut EP 10-5-60, plus key selections from their three studio albums, along with live tracks, demos and b-sides from their all too short career.

"Looking for Lewis and Clark" is the single that should have broken the band to a wider audience. That single is included here in its extended 10" version along with the loving "If I Were a Bramble and You Were a Rose," a non-album b-side. [It would have been nice to include the other two non-album b-sides from that same single.]

The combination of punk attitude, Parsons-era Byrds and Burrito Brothers and traditional country (they covered Mel Tillis' "Sweet Mental Revenge") made for some memorable and authentic music. Griffin and Stephen McCarthy were the bands principal songwriters and played guitars, autoharp, mandolin, harmonica, banjo and steel guitar.

"I beleived this band NEEDED to be here," says Griffin in the liner notes. "We needed to play this music. There wasn't anything pre-fab or dishonest about this band." And indeed there wasn't as the 40 tracks on this collection will attest to. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

For some reason, The Long Ryders always seemed more popular in the UK than the USA. I still remember hearing 'Looking for Lewis and Clark on breakfast radio and thinking "What a great riff!" I even managed to catch them live once, in a poorly attended nightclub gig in Bristol. This double CD brings it all back. From the early classics like Run Dusty Run through the material from State of our Union and beyond, every track is a gem. I was particular impressed with the unreleased demos - if these are demos, the final versions would have had a lot to live up to! The closing Neil Young cover "Prisoners of Rock'n'Roll" kind of sums up the band's career - locked in an unappreciative world, fighting against the forces of bland music!

With hits like "Gunslinger Man" and "And She Rides", the Long Ryders have always fed my intellectual appetite for country punk with intelligence.

Pop Kulcher Review: Gram Parsons, often credited for his groundbreaking merger of country and rock (in his work with the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Bros., as well as on his own), still boasts a huge following. And "alt.country" bands like Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Son Volt, et al, have their own fanatics these days. So it's hard to understand why the Long Ryders still wallow in relative obscurity. The Ryders were a college radio fave back in the early '80's, but, aside from some moderate success in Europe, never made much of an impact here. And it's a shame, because a lot of their music (particularly their debut LP Native Sons and preceding EP 10-5-60, both of which are contained nearly in their entirety on this compilation) puts the whole No Depression scene to shame.

They started out combining elements of the Byrds, late 60's garage/psychedelic rock, and modern country, while sharing a poppy guitar jangle sound with early 80's Southern guitar bands (most notably Chronic Town-era R.E.M.). The result was rollicking, foot-stomping bar-band music which was nearly impossible not to charm the sh*t out of the most diehard country music foe (myself included). Sure, there were times where the country twang and Western imagery went too far, but their first two albums -- which dominate the first disc of this 2-disc set -- are unheralded classics.

Their later two albums got a bit too polished, replacing some of the garage band fun with a heavier, roots-rock sound. Still, there were plenty of gems to be found, including the rousing anthem "Looking for Lewis & Clark" among others. If you're at all excited about anyone from Tom Petty to R.E.M. to Uncle Tupelo, you owe it to yourself to pick it up -- you won't be disappointed.

Sid Griffin let's it all hang out as he bangs out tales of lost heroes of yesteryear. Pioneers Lewis and Clark set out from Sid's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky in an effort to find the Northwest Passage. The exploration of Lewis and Clark symbolizes Sid's pioneering spirit - he take music into uncharted territory, yet never forgets his background in classic rock that he learned with his first basement band - The Frosties. Biting riffs, pounding rythyms, and a relentless, driving beat are Sid's hallmarks. I've gone through a lot of music over the years, and when I get in the car, and really want to party, I reach for the Long Ryders. Drinking and driving may be out of vogue, but it's still fun as hell. In Kentucky, we're still known to light up a little wacky-tobaccy for an added kick. So when you come to Sid's town, and you see a half crazed stressed out ex-Frostie turned businessman barreling down Frankfort Avenue, laughing and shouting, spilling beer as he swerves, hailing the Long Ryders as the greatest rock band of all time, you'll know why: Taking chances and having fun are what the Long Ryders do best. They never grow old or worn - lost heroes for Sid are found again with this CD.

Why is this wonderful two cd set out of print? It's such a great overview to the Long Ryders' career! PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!