T Bone Burnett – The Other Side
Sometimes our subconscious is more aware than we are, especially when communicating the allegories that play out in our everyday lives. Who better to interpret these stories and appeal to our senses than Grammy-and Oscar-winner, T Bone Burnett.
The Other Side, his first solo album in 20 years, was co-produced by Colin Linden, Mike Piersante and Burnett. The album features Rosanne Cash and an early bandmate Steven Soles, as well as Lucius, Weyes Blood, Dennis Crouch, Stuart Duncan, Jay Bellarose and Rory Hoffman.
“He Came Down,” both title and repeating phrase, kicks off the country blues record with lovely guitar playing. It’s a beautiful pastoral folk song with biblical imagery and legendary archetypes. After playing a few notes for his wife, she liked it very much and encouraged Burnett to go with it.
Burnett’s country blues song craft continues with an ambling guitar track, “Come Back (When You Go Away).” A wilting slide signals the beginning to something mysterious, as the plot begins to reveal a couple that may or may not be here on Earth anymore, and a hope that one day they will return.
Working with gifted artists through his career, Burnett’s altruistic approach has supported them to greatness. Now it’s Burnett’s turn to welcome the accompaniment from folks like his good friend Rosanne Cash, with Dennis Crouch on bass, on the spirited journey on the next song “(I’m Gonna Get Over This ) Some Day.” This melodiousness is immediately reminiscent of classic country and the Everly brothers style.
Additionally, “Waiting For You,” “The Pain Of Love” and “The Race is Won” feature the celestial vocals of duo Lucius accompanying T Bone’s soft singing. Lucius was inspired to create their own magical parts for this. In “The Pain of Love” Burnett accents word plays that pay tribute to Johnny Cash and George Harrison’s songwriting.
The second half of the record continues with “Sometimes I Wonder” and features Weyes Blood and her sweet counter melody lines. It’s an easy blues song that harkens back to Burnett’s first love of music while growing up in Fort Worth.
As you near the end of the record, the mysterious couple takes center stage, spotlighting one man’s search and wanderings as the theme of otherworldliness continues. Driving tension to the netherworld, Lucius returns for The Time That Time Forgot” (I’ve never seen her face / I was always a step behind /
Or maybe she’s here now and I’m just blind”) and the beautiful closer “Little Darling,” completing the album’s tale.
Listeners will experience Burnett’s story through his vast musical landscape and his love of all forms of writing. It’s no wonder he is both a masterful producer and legendary songwriter.
The Other Side, out on Verve Forecast, awakens our spirit through American roots song-writing mastery.
Find more information on his tour dates and more on his website here: https://tboneburnett.com
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: T Bone Burnett “The Invisible Light: Spells”
The album was recorded by Mike Stankiewicz at Pinhead Recorders in Nashville, TN; by Michael Piersante at East Iris Studios in Nashville and The Village Studio Z, Los Angeles; and by Colin Linden at Pinhead Recorders in Nashville. It was mixed by Michael Piersante at The Village Studio Z in Los Angeles; mastered by Gavin Lurssen and Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering; and produced by Colin Linden, Michael Piersante & T Bone Burnett.