Wail & Ride

Grayson Capps | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: HYENA Records
• ASIN: B000HIVSGU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,158 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Grayson Capps emerges from the celebrated American southern literary tradition, often writing about the South and the idiosyncrasies of its people, landscapes and tempos. His songs evoke a poetic wisdom and take form as steamy, front-porch blues and road-wise Americana. Capps' husky, whiskey-soaked vocals bring to life the down, but never out, characters who reside in his songs. Greasy slide riffs and finger picked steel guitar intertwine with stomp-on-the-floorboard grooves, sanctified funk, earth grown soul and torrid gospel refrains.

Born and raised in Alabama, Grayson Capps moved to New Orleans in his early twenties where he soon became a fixture on the Big Easy music scene, leading bands such as The House Levelers and Stavin’ Chain. He resided there until Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. Since the storm, Grayson and his band, The Stumpknockers, have taken to the road like never before, bringing their self-proclaimed �"Rott ‘N’ Roll�" to all corners of the country. As Razor Magazine recently declared, "Like a whiskey-soaked, back alley poet sired by Tom Waits and Robert Johnson, Grayson Capps' stripped-down sound is rooted in the dark side of the Delta." This is music of the South, written on the outskirts of New Orleans and the backwoods of Alabama, and it’s as real as a deep breath of fresh bayou air.

Product Description

Grayson Capps returns with Wail & Ride, the follow-up to his acclaimed debut album, If You Knew My Mind. First breaking into the national spotlight with four songs on the soundtrack to the film, A Love Song For Bobby Long (starring John Travolta and Scarlett Johansson), Capps quickly built upon this initial exposure with non-stop touring. His electrifying performances would often comprise three-hour marathon sets of Southern rock debauchery and soul-stirring Americana epiphany. The buzz would lead to packed venues throughout the Southern United States, two European tours and an appearance at Bonnaroo.

Tragedy also played its part. In August 2005, Capps was driven from his home in New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, where he’d lived for 20 years. He responded by keeping a stiff upper lip and his eye on the road. He addresses the experience with the poignant song, �"New Orleans Waltz.�" Other stand-out tracks include the black water, back-country blues of �"Wail & Ride,�" the bayou-funk, second-line rumble of �"Poison,�" the country & western gem �"Jukebox�" (which could have come straight from the pen of Hank Williams) and perhaps his most exquisite piece of songwriting yet, �"Daddy’s Eyes.�"

Drawing comparisons to everyone from Lucinda Williams to The Drive-By Truckers, Grayson Capps finds his own niche by splitting the difference between the lineage of the road-wise, ever-seeking poet troubadour and the gritty delta howl of America’s great Southern rock tradition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of Grayson's biggest fans, December 19, 2006

By 

M. Nation (FWB, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wail & Ride (Audio CD)

I've enjoyed Grayson Capps music from the time he was with Stavin Chain. His music is unlike any other musician out there. It bleeds New Orleans flavor and his voice resonates each song's true colors. He's an excellent story teller and this newest album accomplishes that. From the hurricanes and hardships these songs personify a more country, mellow twang than his previous album. I personally enjoyed his previous album slightly more but the songs contained in Wail & Ride are unique in their own way. My personal favorite is "Give it to Me".

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Songwriter, May 28, 2010

By 

Sam P. Robertson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wail & Ride (Audio CD)

There's a scene in the recent Jeff Bridges movie Crazy Heart, where Bridge's character, the fictional country singer Bad Blake, explains that his songs come "from life, unfortunately." From the first notes of this album, it's clear that Grayson Capps songs come from a similar place. On his album Wail and Ride, he tells stories about ordinary people in a style influenced by Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, and Little Feat. The songs range from fast paced country rock and roll to barroom blues and stark acoustic ballads. He sings in a whiskey-soaked, weary voice and when he sings lines like "I need one more day to rise above this hell," he sings with such power that you believe him. With his sincere, gravelly voice and terrific songs about the weary travels and struggles of ordinary people, Grayson Capps is one of the most talented singer/songwriters in Americana roots music today, and this album is a great introduction to his music.

The standout gem on the album is "Daddy's Eyes," which wouldn't have sounded out of place on Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska album with lines like "I got a rusted out Impala with weeds growin out the trunk and nothin ever gets done around here because I'm always drunk." Capps delivers those poignant lines over a gorgeous acoustic riff and spare but powerful lead guitar. "New Orleans Waltz," Capps' stirring lament for his former home New Orleans, is another country ballad, but with more of a band arrangement and strong harmony vocals. "Jukebox" is simply a perfect country rock tune that sounds like vintage New Riders of the Purple Sage. Guthrie Trapp's nifty string bending sounds is eerily reminiscent of David Nelson's guitar playing, and the rough but rich vocal harmonies will have you singing the chorus by the songs's end. Capps injects a healthy dose of gritty soul into country ballads, blues and rock and roll songs and creates a brilliant Americana roots music album with Wail and Ride.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Grayson Capps, May 26, 2009

By 

Angela (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wail & Ride (Audio CD)

Very unique southern kind of music. I love him and his voice. We live in south Louisiana and love to put the C.D. in when we go for a day drive. It just fits with the scenery.