Hayes Carll has always been a songwriter’s songwriter. For over two decades, the Texas troubadour has worked tirelessly to continue the lineage of true artists like Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, and Ray Wylie Hubbard, writing songs that are deep and thoughtful, resonating with people who love to pick apart the meaning of the lyrics. Along the way, he has also rocked, rolled, and twanged, building a formidable fan base. Last year, Carll released his ninth studio album, We’re Only Human, and is currently on tour in support of the album with his Gulf Coast Orchestra. On Tuesday, February 10th, he made his way through Portland, Oregon for a sold-out show at the Aladdin Theater.
Taking the stage and opening with one of his best-known and most beloved tunes – “Drunken Poet’s Dream – Carll and his band immediately set the tone as the crowd sang along and rode a wave of positive vibes. “Faulkner Street” followed with loads of honky tonk swagger before “You Get It All” and “Any Other Way” were fiddle-laced works of country-folk. Carll often tours solo these days, so his band of immensely talented young players provided plenty of sonic textures, giving his songs a fresh energy.
Carll also wasn’t afraid to share his more politically and socially charged material with the receptive audience, like on a version of “Progress of Man (Bitcoin & Cattle)” that sharply cut into our fucked up moment. Of course, his talent as a songwriter shines as much in his poignant observations as it does in his musings on life’s easygoing moments. The lyrical munchies of “High” found Carll and his band basking in a dreamy and soulful haze, while “Stay Here Awhile” stood out for Noah Jeffries’ mandolin and Scott Davis’ impressive slide guitar, and “Blues Be Gone” lived up to its name and featured the band members jiving and romping along. “Hard Out Here” was another highlight, with Thayer Sarrano laying down a heaping portion of piano boogie to complement this country-rock road anthem, and Davis showcased his prowess by injecting sitar-sounding banjo into the early urgent “I Got a Gig.”
The highest and most emotional part of the show came when Carll paid tribute to his musical compadre, the recently departed Todd Snider, with a powerful rendition of Singer’s “Play a Train Song” before sharing a hilarious story of them pranking each other. With plenty of wind in their sails, the band plowed forward with the hard-hitting lyricism of “Nice Things,” a version of “KMAG YOYO” that exploded with fiery rock and roll intensity, and the playful and silly call and response of “Good People (Thank Me).” By the time the band reached the end of their set with the raucous, freewheeling country rocker “Stomp and Holler,” they had the audience singing and bouncing along, providing a welcome reminder that we still have world-class songwriters walking this earth, and Hayes Carll is among the very best.
All photos by Greg Homolka.
