A Blessing and a Curse
Release Date - April 18, 2006 - New West Records
Most of this album was recorded in a couple of weeks up at Mitch Easter's fantastic recording facility The Fidelitorium in beautiful little Kernersville NC back in August of 2005. We finished it, tidied up, cut a couple of extra tracks and mixed it back home in Athens GA at Chase Park Transduction. Most of the album was written around the time it was recorded. About half the songs were recorded within hours of being written. Thanks to our friend Danny Clinch for inspiring the title of the album.
TRACK LISTING
1. Feb 142. Gravity's Gone
3. Easy on Yourself
4. Aftermath USA
5. Goodbye
6. Daylight
7. Wednesday
8. Little Bonnie
9. Space City
10. A Blessing and a Curse
11. A World of Hurt
LYRICS
Feb 14
Flowers flying cross the room
Vases smashed against the floor
Said "I'd rather be alone
Take your chocolates and go home"
Be my valentine
They say time makes things easier but only time will tell
You said we'd go the distance but I guess it's just as well
You're blossoming all over while I whither on the line
I just called to tell you that "I hope you're doing fine"
Be my valentine
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers © Soul Dump Music (BMI)
Clavioline - Mitch Easter / Extra Gtr - David Barbe
Vases smashed against the floor
Said "I'd rather be alone
Take your chocolates and go home"
Be my valentine
They say time makes things easier but only time will tell
You said we'd go the distance but I guess it's just as well
You're blossoming all over while I whither on the line
I just called to tell you that "I hope you're doing fine"
Be my valentine
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers © Soul Dump Music (BMI)
Clavioline - Mitch Easter / Extra Gtr - David Barbe
GRAVITY'S GONE
I went stumbling through the fog trying to find a reason for the things I told her
She woke up sunny side down and I was still thinking I was too proud to flip her over
Between the champagne hand jobs and the kissing ass by everyone involved
Cocaine rich comes quick and that's why the small dicks have it all
So I'll meet you at the bottom if there really is one
They always told me when you hit it you'll know it
But I've been falling so long it's like gravity's gone and I'm just floating
Those little demons ain't the reasons for the bruises on your soul you've been neglecting
You'll never lose your mind as long as your heart always reminds you where you left it
And don't ever let them make you feel like saying what you want is unbecoming
If you were supposed to watch your mouth all the time I doubt your eyes would be above it
Between the champagne hand jobs and the kissing ass by everyone involved
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard
Mike Cooley / Drive-By Truckers © Wayward Johnson's Music (BMI)
She woke up sunny side down and I was still thinking I was too proud to flip her over
Between the champagne hand jobs and the kissing ass by everyone involved
Cocaine rich comes quick and that's why the small dicks have it all
So I'll meet you at the bottom if there really is one
They always told me when you hit it you'll know it
But I've been falling so long it's like gravity's gone and I'm just floating
Those little demons ain't the reasons for the bruises on your soul you've been neglecting
You'll never lose your mind as long as your heart always reminds you where you left it
And don't ever let them make you feel like saying what you want is unbecoming
If you were supposed to watch your mouth all the time I doubt your eyes would be above it
Between the champagne hand jobs and the kissing ass by everyone involved
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard
Mike Cooley / Drive-By Truckers © Wayward Johnson's Music (BMI)
EASY ON YOURSELF
I can't blame you but it's a shame
you can't cover your ass sometimes.
It's that kind of town and you're so far down you can't get up.
I can't tell you what to sell and how to tow the line
and when to just give up.
Calling out to everyone who tried to run. You tried to run.
Don't be so easy on yourself
'cause this one might be all that you have left.
Rearrange the voices in your head and remember what they said.
Don't be so easy on yourself.
You got it down, you been around
and you won't change your life
for redneck cops and traffic stops and residue
but I can't tell you all the hell they'll put you through inside
and what they'll do to you.
Ten years down the road you'll find you're left behind. You're left behind.
Don't be so easy on yourself
'cause this one might be all that you have left.
Rearrange the voices in your head and remember what they said.
Don't be so easy on yourself.
Calling out to everyone who tried to run. You tried to run.
Don't be so easy on yourself
'cause this one might be all that you have left.
Rearrange the voices in your head and remember what they said.
Don't be so easy on yourself.
Jason Isbell © House Of Fame Music (BMI)
Piano - David Barbe
you can't cover your ass sometimes.
It's that kind of town and you're so far down you can't get up.
I can't tell you what to sell and how to tow the line
and when to just give up.
Calling out to everyone who tried to run. You tried to run.
Don't be so easy on yourself
'cause this one might be all that you have left.
Rearrange the voices in your head and remember what they said.
Don't be so easy on yourself.
You got it down, you been around
and you won't change your life
for redneck cops and traffic stops and residue
but I can't tell you all the hell they'll put you through inside
and what they'll do to you.
Ten years down the road you'll find you're left behind. You're left behind.
Don't be so easy on yourself
'cause this one might be all that you have left.
Rearrange the voices in your head and remember what they said.
Don't be so easy on yourself.
Calling out to everyone who tried to run. You tried to run.
Don't be so easy on yourself
'cause this one might be all that you have left.
Rearrange the voices in your head and remember what they said.
Don't be so easy on yourself.
Jason Isbell © House Of Fame Music (BMI)
Piano - David Barbe
AFTERMATH USA
When I crawled out of bed this morning
I could tell something wasn't right
There were cigarettes in the ashtrays
They weren't your menthol lights
There were beer bottles in the kitchen
And broken glass on the floor
Someone must have slipped me something
Passed out a couple days before
The car was in the carport sideways
Big dent running down the side
Never seen anything as frightening
As when I took a look inside
Smell of musk and deception
Heel marks on the roof-line
Bad music on the stereo
All the seats in recline
The aftermath staring me right in the face
I'll get around to breaking even one of these days
My credit cards have all been maxed out
The meat in my freezer all thawed
The IRS laid the facts out
It's all worse than I thought
The welfare lady said enough is enough
The kids ain't been to school in weeks
Crystal-meth in the bathtub
Blood splattered in my sink
Laying around in the aftermath
It's all worse than you think
DBT with David Barbe - Fidelitorium, August 5, 2005 © Soul Dump Music (BMI)
Wurlitzer Electric Piano - Jojo Herman (Thanks to Widespread Panic)
I could tell something wasn't right
There were cigarettes in the ashtrays
They weren't your menthol lights
There were beer bottles in the kitchen
And broken glass on the floor
Someone must have slipped me something
Passed out a couple days before
The car was in the carport sideways
Big dent running down the side
Never seen anything as frightening
As when I took a look inside
Smell of musk and deception
Heel marks on the roof-line
Bad music on the stereo
All the seats in recline
The aftermath staring me right in the face
I'll get around to breaking even one of these days
My credit cards have all been maxed out
The meat in my freezer all thawed
The IRS laid the facts out
It's all worse than I thought
The welfare lady said enough is enough
The kids ain't been to school in weeks
Crystal-meth in the bathtub
Blood splattered in my sink
Laying around in the aftermath
It's all worse than you think
DBT with David Barbe - Fidelitorium, August 5, 2005 © Soul Dump Music (BMI)
Wurlitzer Electric Piano - Jojo Herman (Thanks to Widespread Panic)
GOODBYE
These cities blur before me, a swirl of colors leaned against the sky
Gone so far away and I never really told you good bye
I know it's kind of lame but sometimes things just turn out that way
We were the best of friends and I'll always remember you that way
We started out with nothing, but wild plans and big ideas and dreams
You were quick to swing the hammer and always fast with some ingenious scheme
Sometimes we argued violently but forged it out of bedrock into steel
Our foundations were so solid and our instincts based on something very real
I feel so damned nostalgic every time I think about those times
I forget how it became that I wouldn't recognize you on the line
I start to feel so guilty but goddamn it I swear to you I tried
To bridge between the distances before I left without saying good-bye
I have friends I met last weekend and friends I've had since I was eight
Friends I've said goodbye to and friends who unexpectedly passed away
And nothing is disposable; at least it's never been that way for me
Its not like you were an acquaintance that I could say never really meant anything to me
No we were really great friends and I always thought that it would be that way
Yet I wonder if I'd know you if the guy that I saw last walked in here today
And I swear until I die, I never would have expected you and I
To grow so far apart and leave without ever saying good bye
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers (April 14, 2005 - Ft. Collins CO, back of bus) © Soul Dump Music (BMI)
Wurlitzer Electric Piano - Jason Isbell / Gtr Solo - Mike Cooley
Gone so far away and I never really told you good bye
I know it's kind of lame but sometimes things just turn out that way
We were the best of friends and I'll always remember you that way
We started out with nothing, but wild plans and big ideas and dreams
You were quick to swing the hammer and always fast with some ingenious scheme
Sometimes we argued violently but forged it out of bedrock into steel
Our foundations were so solid and our instincts based on something very real
I feel so damned nostalgic every time I think about those times
I forget how it became that I wouldn't recognize you on the line
I start to feel so guilty but goddamn it I swear to you I tried
To bridge between the distances before I left without saying good-bye
I have friends I met last weekend and friends I've had since I was eight
Friends I've said goodbye to and friends who unexpectedly passed away
And nothing is disposable; at least it's never been that way for me
Its not like you were an acquaintance that I could say never really meant anything to me
No we were really great friends and I always thought that it would be that way
Yet I wonder if I'd know you if the guy that I saw last walked in here today
And I swear until I die, I never would have expected you and I
To grow so far apart and leave without ever saying good bye
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers (April 14, 2005 - Ft. Collins CO, back of bus) © Soul Dump Music (BMI)
Wurlitzer Electric Piano - Jason Isbell / Gtr Solo - Mike Cooley
DAYLIGHT
She's got me tied in a knot. That's what I thought she'd do.
Don't ask me what's on my mind. I'm fine. I'll push on through.
Not much to see on this angry street, so I'll sleep the day away.
Look past my barnacled mind and in time I'll roll the stone away.
While we still have the daylight, I might look these lessons in the eye.
While we still have the daylight, I might become some brand-new kinda guy.
Brass knuckles and birds on a wire retire but no one gets free.
I'd pay to tear these chains away, this steel sympathy.
Cut bait and cold black forty weight, no one can sing for me.
They fall down with grease in their eyes and cry. How could this come to be?
While we still have the daylight, I might look these lessons in the eye.
While we still have the daylight, I might become some brand-new kinda guy.
Jason Isbell © House Of Fame Music (BMI)
B-3's - David Barbe and Jason Isbell
Don't ask me what's on my mind. I'm fine. I'll push on through.
Not much to see on this angry street, so I'll sleep the day away.
Look past my barnacled mind and in time I'll roll the stone away.
While we still have the daylight, I might look these lessons in the eye.
While we still have the daylight, I might become some brand-new kinda guy.
Brass knuckles and birds on a wire retire but no one gets free.
I'd pay to tear these chains away, this steel sympathy.
Cut bait and cold black forty weight, no one can sing for me.
They fall down with grease in their eyes and cry. How could this come to be?
While we still have the daylight, I might look these lessons in the eye.
While we still have the daylight, I might become some brand-new kinda guy.
Jason Isbell © House Of Fame Music (BMI)
B-3's - David Barbe and Jason Isbell
WEDNESDAY
There was something in the envelope she passed him
That weighed more to him than paper and some ink
It had a hint of something darker and a hint of something sweet
And a little extra glue right on the tip
There was something in the pain that shot right through him
As he climbed up to the place he called his home
They say every man's house should be his palace
But his castle stank of cat shit and alone
So he opened it and found a faded picture
Of a girl he's never me, but somehow seen
Like a memory of a dream from early childhood
Like a virgin's idea of release
She said "I can bend my arms until they're backward
But you can't bend your will to take in mine
And I could hold my breath until next Wednesday
And still be doing fine"
He was sad in ways he couldn't tell her
Though she could make his sadness all her own
He couldn't see the use in spreading sadness
So he took his dark depression and went home
She saw things in him he never bargained
But it wasn't enough to save either one of them
Because she took that sadness one step further
And left him all alone to face the end
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers (Full of chicken, early AM)
© Soul Dump Music (BMI)
That weighed more to him than paper and some ink
It had a hint of something darker and a hint of something sweet
And a little extra glue right on the tip
There was something in the pain that shot right through him
As he climbed up to the place he called his home
They say every man's house should be his palace
But his castle stank of cat shit and alone
So he opened it and found a faded picture
Of a girl he's never me, but somehow seen
Like a memory of a dream from early childhood
Like a virgin's idea of release
She said "I can bend my arms until they're backward
But you can't bend your will to take in mine
And I could hold my breath until next Wednesday
And still be doing fine"
He was sad in ways he couldn't tell her
Though she could make his sadness all her own
He couldn't see the use in spreading sadness
So he took his dark depression and went home
She saw things in him he never bargained
But it wasn't enough to save either one of them
Because she took that sadness one step further
And left him all alone to face the end
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers (Full of chicken, early AM)
© Soul Dump Music (BMI)
LITTLE BONNIE
On the day that she was buried
Her Daddy stood out by the cemetery fence
Prayed to God for forgiveness
For surely all of this is punishment for my sins
They put her in the family garden
Said you could hear his heart breaking miles away
All the men pitched in and bought a marble angel
To mark the piece of land where little Bonnie lay
My Grandma said she would keep her in the mornings
So her Mama could sleep a bit and do the chores and such
She'd read her stories about little girls and magic powers
That would never let a pretty angel hurt
Her Mama's always been a beauty
She's still beautiful to this very day
But they say Bonnie's crystal eyes put the stars to shame
Maybe heaven needed Bonnie's face
My Grandma said she would keep her in the mornings
A swollen angel who never would complain
She'd read her stories about little girls and princesses
Whose Daddy's don't feel punished for what heaven takes away
Little Bonnie never married
Little Bonnie never even made it four
But I grew up in her presence
Even though she was gone before I'z born
Even though she was gone before I'z born
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers © Soul Dump Music (BMI)
E-bow and EchoGtr - Jason Isbell / Lead Gtr. - Mike Cooley
Her Daddy stood out by the cemetery fence
Prayed to God for forgiveness
For surely all of this is punishment for my sins
They put her in the family garden
Said you could hear his heart breaking miles away
All the men pitched in and bought a marble angel
To mark the piece of land where little Bonnie lay
My Grandma said she would keep her in the mornings
So her Mama could sleep a bit and do the chores and such
She'd read her stories about little girls and magic powers
That would never let a pretty angel hurt
Her Mama's always been a beauty
She's still beautiful to this very day
But they say Bonnie's crystal eyes put the stars to shame
Maybe heaven needed Bonnie's face
My Grandma said she would keep her in the mornings
A swollen angel who never would complain
She'd read her stories about little girls and princesses
Whose Daddy's don't feel punished for what heaven takes away
Little Bonnie never married
Little Bonnie never even made it four
But I grew up in her presence
Even though she was gone before I'z born
Even though she was gone before I'z born
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers © Soul Dump Music (BMI)
E-bow and EchoGtr - Jason Isbell / Lead Gtr. - Mike Cooley
SPACE CITY
If I could have one wish right now
I'd be about as half as tough as I pretend I am
Then I wouldn't care how empty this old house feels
I could take her things and take them far away from here
I could make sure no dirt ever got on her name
Cause looking at that stone wouldn't bring me so much pain
I could go into town wearing my finest clothes
I could turn these tears into blood and make it run ice cold
Space City's one hour up the road from me
One hour away from as close to the moon as anybody down here is ever gonna be
And somewhere beyond that big white light is where my heart is gone
And somewhere she's wondering what's taking me so long
My hands are as good to me as they've ever been
And I ain't ashamed of anything my hands ever did
But sometimes the words I used were as hard as my fist
She had the strength of a man and the heart of a child I guess
Mike Cooley / Drive-By Truckers
© Wayward Johnson's Music (BMI)
I'd be about as half as tough as I pretend I am
Then I wouldn't care how empty this old house feels
I could take her things and take them far away from here
I could make sure no dirt ever got on her name
Cause looking at that stone wouldn't bring me so much pain
I could go into town wearing my finest clothes
I could turn these tears into blood and make it run ice cold
Space City's one hour up the road from me
One hour away from as close to the moon as anybody down here is ever gonna be
And somewhere beyond that big white light is where my heart is gone
And somewhere she's wondering what's taking me so long
My hands are as good to me as they've ever been
And I ain't ashamed of anything my hands ever did
But sometimes the words I used were as hard as my fist
She had the strength of a man and the heart of a child I guess
Mike Cooley / Drive-By Truckers
© Wayward Johnson's Music (BMI)
A BLESSING AND A CURSE
When it all comes down
There'll be nothing left to catch you but ground
It's calling your name and filling your head
With delusions of glory
Is that how you're gonna write your story?
Down in your time as a high-flying flame out?
Sucking on what's left of your trust fund?
Sucking on the end of a shot gun?
But there's more here than meets the eye
The real story is under the surface
We're all so in love with the artifice
We don't dare look too close
It's a blessing and a curse
Watch out, Eugene, you don't make things worse
Wild dreams come true, what to do then?
Confusion and glory
A man's got to think it all through
Got to do what you got to do
It's itching to conquer and take you
Itching to make a mistake out of you
It's a blessing and a curse
I wish it didn't hurt so much
I wish it didn't hurt so much
I wish it didn't hurt so much
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers (July and August 2005)
© Soul Dump Music (BMI)
There'll be nothing left to catch you but ground
It's calling your name and filling your head
With delusions of glory
Is that how you're gonna write your story?
Down in your time as a high-flying flame out?
Sucking on what's left of your trust fund?
Sucking on the end of a shot gun?
But there's more here than meets the eye
The real story is under the surface
We're all so in love with the artifice
We don't dare look too close
It's a blessing and a curse
Watch out, Eugene, you don't make things worse
Wild dreams come true, what to do then?
Confusion and glory
A man's got to think it all through
Got to do what you got to do
It's itching to conquer and take you
Itching to make a mistake out of you
It's a blessing and a curse
I wish it didn't hurt so much
I wish it didn't hurt so much
I wish it didn't hurt so much
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers (July and August 2005)
© Soul Dump Music (BMI)
A WORLD OF HURT
Once upon a time, my advice to you would have been go out and find yourself a whore
But I guess I've grown up, because I don't give that kind of advice anymore
Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt
I was 27 when I figured out that blowing my brains wasn't the answer
So I decided, maybe I should find a way to make this world work out for me
And my good friend Paul was 83 when he told me; that "To love is to feel pain"
And I thought about that then and I've thought about that again and again
Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt
"To love is to feel pain" there ain't no way around it
The very nature of love is to grieve when it is over
The secret to a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits
Better role them now before something else goes wrong
No, it's a wonderful world, if you can put aside the sadness
And hang on to every ounce of beauty upon you
Better take the time to know it there ain't no way around it
If you feel anything at all
Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt
So if what you have is working for you, or you think that it can stand a reasonable chance, and whatever's broken seems fixable and nothing's beyond repair
If you still think about each other and smile before you remember how screwed up it's gotten or maybe dream of a time less rotten
Remember, it ain't too late to take a deep breath and throw yourself into it with everything you got
It's great to be alive
Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers (In studio 11PM, June 16, 2005) © Soul Dump Music (BMI)
Pedal Steel Guitar - John Neff / Wurlitzer Electric Piano - Jason Isbell / Lead Guitar - Mike Cooley
I always loved Big Star and The Replacements and side one is sort of our attempt at making that kind of record. (With a little Faces and Blue Oyster Cult thrown in for good measure). We had an agenda and were trying to find common ground at a time when it was a little hard to come by. I can kinda see why some folks hate it and why some folks love it.
Side two is less controversial to me. Space City is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard and A World of Hurt is probably my 2nd favorite song I've written. Wednesday sounds like Adam's House Cat and I always liked that band.
It's hard to write about a cliché without sounding clichéd and the title cut pushes that to the edge. I still don't know if I like that song, but I really love the guitars. Vinyl seems to make the least difference on this one but as I said, side 2 is pretty good.
GUESTS - David Barbe, Mitch Easter, JoJo Herman and John Neff
Most of this album was recorded in a couple of weeks up at Mitch Easter's fantastic recording facility The Fidelitorium in beautiful little Kernersville NC back in August of 2005. We finished it, tidied up, cut a couple of extra tracks and mixed it back home in Athens GA at Chase Park Transduction. Most of the album was written around the time it was recorded. About half the songs were recorded within hours of being written.
Thanks to our friend Danny Clinch for inspiring the title of the album.
Produced and Recorded by David Barbe
Recorded on glorious two-inch analog recording tape.
Mixed by John Agnello
A Blessing And A Curse was mixed by David Barbe
Goodbye was mixed by David Barbe at The Fidelitorium
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, NYC.
Assistant Engineers - Mitch Easter, Billy Bennett, Ben Holst and Marcus Thompson
Intern - Mark Brut
Guitar Technician and Incredible Food - Tim Facok
PERSONNEL:
Management - Mike Luba at Madison House NYC and Boulder CO.
Agent USA - Frank Riley and Matt Hickey at High Road Touring, Sausalito CA.
Agent Europe - Paul Fenn at Asgard Promotions, London England.
Press and Publicity - Traci Thomas at New West Records, Los Angeles CA.
Legal - J. Reid Hunter LLP for Serling Rooks and Ferrara, NYC.
Web - Col. Jenn Bryant at Knuckle Sammitch, Athens GA.
Business Management - Tom Scott CPA and Robert Bachman CPA at TWSPC, Athens GA.
John Agnello managed by Sharon Agnello at Steel Toe Artist Management
A&R - Peter Jesperson at New West Records, Beverly Hills CA.
Road Manager and Mule Wrangler - Patrick Kerr (The Talent)
Live Sound Engineer - Matt DeFilippis (The Matador)
Lighting and Mule Maintenance - Ryan Dowd (Silky)
Stage Production and Monitor Assistance - Tim Facok
Additional Support - Brian Spett, Leslie Riddle, and Jim Wilson
Art Direction - Lilla Hood
Artwork and Paintings - Wes Freed at Willard's Garage, Richmond VA
Willards Garage maintained by Jyl Freed
Band Photography and Title - Danny Clinch
DBT would like to thank Ansley, John Ross and Lucas Spencer Cooley, Rebecca and Ava Ruth Hood, Kimberly Morgan, David, Amy, Annabelle, Winston and Henry Barbe, Patrick Kerr, Matt and Kelly DeFilippis, Tim Facok, Ryan Dowd and all of our beloved families and friends.
DBT would like to thank J. Reid Hunter, Mike Luba and Madison House, Frank Riley, Matt Hickey and all at the High Road office, Paul Fenn, the folks at Asgard and our family of support at home and abroad. We couldn't do anything without you.
DBT would like to thank Wes and Jyl Freed, Lilla Hood, Danny Clinch, The Beautiful and Historic Alabama Theatre.
DBT would like to thank Peter, Cameron, George, Traci, Steve, Kat, Mary, Claire, Jay, George Jr. and all the other incredible folks at New West Records for working so hard for the Rock and treating our music with tender loving care.
Thanks to Jenn Bryant, Dick Cooper, Jay Leavitt, Linda Phillips and Nuci's Space, The Fabulous 40 Watt Club, Centro-Matic, Don Chambers, Andrew Colvin and Shout Booking, Bug Music, BMI, Jeff Cook, House of Fame, Mitch Easter and Shalini, Barr Weismann, James P. Felter and Krissie Marty, Josh and John Moore, Jo2Go, Chuck Atall, Jojo Herman, David Schools, Widespread Panic, Trey Allen, Robert Bachman, Ryan Repetske, Kristi Reed, Mary Beth Justus, Flicker Bar, Greg Calbi, John and Sharon Agnello, Luther Dickinson, and the almighty John Neff.
DBT would like to thank you (very much).
But I guess I've grown up, because I don't give that kind of advice anymore
Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt
I was 27 when I figured out that blowing my brains wasn't the answer
So I decided, maybe I should find a way to make this world work out for me
And my good friend Paul was 83 when he told me; that "To love is to feel pain"
And I thought about that then and I've thought about that again and again
Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt
"To love is to feel pain" there ain't no way around it
The very nature of love is to grieve when it is over
The secret to a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits
Better role them now before something else goes wrong
No, it's a wonderful world, if you can put aside the sadness
And hang on to every ounce of beauty upon you
Better take the time to know it there ain't no way around it
If you feel anything at all
Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt
So if what you have is working for you, or you think that it can stand a reasonable chance, and whatever's broken seems fixable and nothing's beyond repair
If you still think about each other and smile before you remember how screwed up it's gotten or maybe dream of a time less rotten
Remember, it ain't too late to take a deep breath and throw yourself into it with everything you got
It's great to be alive
Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt / Gonna be a world of hurt
Patterson Hood / Drive-By Truckers (In studio 11PM, June 16, 2005) © Soul Dump Music (BMI)
Pedal Steel Guitar - John Neff / Wurlitzer Electric Piano - Jason Isbell / Lead Guitar - Mike Cooley
COMMENTARY
Our most controversial and polarizing album. I'm frequently told it's someone's favorite one of our albums. Then ten minutes later someone tells me how much they hate it. I've been through periods of both emotions at different times myself. Upon listening to it 2+ years later I still have decidedly mixed feelings.I always loved Big Star and The Replacements and side one is sort of our attempt at making that kind of record. (With a little Faces and Blue Oyster Cult thrown in for good measure). We had an agenda and were trying to find common ground at a time when it was a little hard to come by. I can kinda see why some folks hate it and why some folks love it.
Side two is less controversial to me. Space City is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard and A World of Hurt is probably my 2nd favorite song I've written. Wednesday sounds like Adam's House Cat and I always liked that band.
It's hard to write about a cliché without sounding clichéd and the title cut pushes that to the edge. I still don't know if I like that song, but I really love the guitars. Vinyl seems to make the least difference on this one but as I said, side 2 is pretty good.
CREDITS
DBT - Mike Cooley, Patterson Hood, Jason Isbell, Brad Morgan and Shonna TuckerGUESTS - David Barbe, Mitch Easter, JoJo Herman and John Neff
Most of this album was recorded in a couple of weeks up at Mitch Easter's fantastic recording facility The Fidelitorium in beautiful little Kernersville NC back in August of 2005. We finished it, tidied up, cut a couple of extra tracks and mixed it back home in Athens GA at Chase Park Transduction. Most of the album was written around the time it was recorded. About half the songs were recorded within hours of being written.
Thanks to our friend Danny Clinch for inspiring the title of the album.
Produced and Recorded by David Barbe
Recorded on glorious two-inch analog recording tape.
Mixed by John Agnello
A Blessing And A Curse was mixed by David Barbe
Goodbye was mixed by David Barbe at The Fidelitorium
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, NYC.
Assistant Engineers - Mitch Easter, Billy Bennett, Ben Holst and Marcus Thompson
Intern - Mark Brut
Guitar Technician and Incredible Food - Tim Facok
PERSONNEL:
Management - Mike Luba at Madison House NYC and Boulder CO.
Agent USA - Frank Riley and Matt Hickey at High Road Touring, Sausalito CA.
Agent Europe - Paul Fenn at Asgard Promotions, London England.
Press and Publicity - Traci Thomas at New West Records, Los Angeles CA.
Legal - J. Reid Hunter LLP for Serling Rooks and Ferrara, NYC.
Web - Col. Jenn Bryant at Knuckle Sammitch, Athens GA.
Business Management - Tom Scott CPA and Robert Bachman CPA at TWSPC, Athens GA.
John Agnello managed by Sharon Agnello at Steel Toe Artist Management
A&R - Peter Jesperson at New West Records, Beverly Hills CA.
Road Manager and Mule Wrangler - Patrick Kerr (The Talent)
Live Sound Engineer - Matt DeFilippis (The Matador)
Lighting and Mule Maintenance - Ryan Dowd (Silky)
Stage Production and Monitor Assistance - Tim Facok
Additional Support - Brian Spett, Leslie Riddle, and Jim Wilson
Art Direction - Lilla Hood
Artwork and Paintings - Wes Freed at Willard's Garage, Richmond VA
Willards Garage maintained by Jyl Freed
Band Photography and Title - Danny Clinch
DBT would like to thank Ansley, John Ross and Lucas Spencer Cooley, Rebecca and Ava Ruth Hood, Kimberly Morgan, David, Amy, Annabelle, Winston and Henry Barbe, Patrick Kerr, Matt and Kelly DeFilippis, Tim Facok, Ryan Dowd and all of our beloved families and friends.
DBT would like to thank J. Reid Hunter, Mike Luba and Madison House, Frank Riley, Matt Hickey and all at the High Road office, Paul Fenn, the folks at Asgard and our family of support at home and abroad. We couldn't do anything without you.
DBT would like to thank Wes and Jyl Freed, Lilla Hood, Danny Clinch, The Beautiful and Historic Alabama Theatre.
DBT would like to thank Peter, Cameron, George, Traci, Steve, Kat, Mary, Claire, Jay, George Jr. and all the other incredible folks at New West Records for working so hard for the Rock and treating our music with tender loving care.
Thanks to Jenn Bryant, Dick Cooper, Jay Leavitt, Linda Phillips and Nuci's Space, The Fabulous 40 Watt Club, Centro-Matic, Don Chambers, Andrew Colvin and Shout Booking, Bug Music, BMI, Jeff Cook, House of Fame, Mitch Easter and Shalini, Barr Weismann, James P. Felter and Krissie Marty, Josh and John Moore, Jo2Go, Chuck Atall, Jojo Herman, David Schools, Widespread Panic, Trey Allen, Robert Bachman, Ryan Repetske, Kristi Reed, Mary Beth Justus, Flicker Bar, Greg Calbi, John and Sharon Agnello, Luther Dickinson, and the almighty John Neff.
DBT would like to thank you (very much).