Nathan Irwin: The Soundtrack

Apropos of nothing – and because I’m seriously busy, now that “The Fantasticks” has opened – I offer this reflection on some of the songs I’ve been playing most heavily on my iPod. If you subscribe to theory that a person’s personal play list, or the books on their bookshelf, provide an insight into their personality, have at it.

This list may be a little skewed by the fact that I put many of these songs into a play list I built while rehearsing for and performing in “Autobahn” – songs that either use car metaphors, or seemed to capture the attitudes of the scenes in the show. I cycled through that play list a lot back stage, so the songs show up pretty high on my “most played” list.

Steve Forbert, “Born Too Late”

I blame my cousin, Steve Irwin, for this one. Ten years ago, on the way back from a family reunion in Michigan, he popped Steve Forbert’s “The American in Me” into his tape player, and introduced me to this musician. When I got home, I quickly went out and got the CD, and it was one of the first ones I ripped into my iPod. I love Forbert’s style of roots rock, particularly the combination of driving rock and jaded lyrics in this song.

Johnny Cash, “I Won’t Back Down”

From the five-disc “American Recordings” series Cash released in his final years. This is a cover of a Tom Petty song, and I actually think that Cash’s version is better than the original. Cash brings a kind of gravelly last-act-of-defiance feel to it, from a man who sings like he has one foot in the grave. Petty, by comparison, seems like an aging pop star copping a rebellious attitude from the comfortable safety of his major-label record deal.

Uncle Tupelo, “Give Back the Key to My Heart”

When I was in college, my friend Kurt tried to turn me on to this band, and its subsequent spin-offs, Son Volt and Wilco. I assumed Kurt was out of his mind, I was wrong. So now, fifteen years too late, I’m having a lot of fun discovering the alt-country genre.

The Bodeans, “Good Things”

This band had a brief run in the mid-nineties with their single “Closer to Free.” That’s about the time I was getting started in public radio, and covering a Triple-A shift every few months. I moved on, but the Bodeans are still at it ten years later. Last month, I caught their performance on the Peoria Riverfront, and they’re still amazing. They’re a great band, and it’s a shame their moment in the sun didn’t last longer.

Gin Blossoms, “Hey Jealousy”

Another fantastic band I’ve only just come around to (sensing a theme, here?) I’ve found a few of their singles on compilations, and every one I’ve heard so far has been amazing. Apparently, they only put out two full-length CDs, then faded into obscurity. I haven’t had time to pick them up yet, but once I get through all the un-listened-to music I already have, this band is at the top of my list.

John Wesley Harding, “I’m Wrong About Everything”

From the “High Fidelity” soundtrack – a great movie, by the way, especially if you have a fondness for the romantic fumblings of hapless protagonists overlaced with the pronouncements of self-appointed music snobs. I remember listening to Harding a little, working at the aforementioned Triple-A station, then promptly forgot about him for ten years. The song is a great confessional from a deeply flawed, but repentant character. It has an oddly catchy, up-tempo pop hook.

Lyle Lovett, “If I Had a Boat”

My ex-girlfriend, Becky Beth, came home one day with a Lyle Lovett single called “Church,” which had one of the best gospel grooves I’ve ever heard. She put it on a mix tape we listened to in the car for about a year. Why I never followed up to check out the rest of his music is beyond me; it’s probably that I’m just an idiot. I like this song for the simplicity of it’s texture – barely more than a guitar and percussion – and the wistfulness of the lyrics.

Steve Forbert, “The American in Me”

Another Steve Forbert. Damn you, cousin Steve! This song is more down-tempo than “Born Too Late,” but I love the way the lyrics convey a mid-life anomie, using cars and driving as a central metaphor.