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Live on Soundcheck
On Soundcheck, you'll find in-studio performances by everyone from indie rockers to string quartets to jazz ensembles.
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Two big names in alternative music are joining forces to pay tribute to Jack Kerouac, the godfather of alternative fiction. Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and Jay Farrar of Son Volt join us to talk about and perform songs from their soundtrack for the new documentary, One Fast Move or I’m Gone: Kerouac’s Big Sur looking at Kerouac's life post-On the Road.
Comments [11]
Though I too love jazz and Kerouac's relationship with that style of music, I AM perplexed--how is folk-based music NOT appropriate for this story? Some of the critiques here seem founded on some orthodox idea of Kerouac-as-jazz.
Remember--Kerouac's novel begins with a reference to a popular Irish FOLK ballad ("I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen"). In their songs, Gibbard/Farrar sound both instrumentally and lyrically the right notes of tentative optimism and resignation to make them work. Also--watch them in the context of the film...
This is definately not sentimental schmaltz... this is the documentation musically of a man descending into drunken madness... as all acute alcoholics have their few moments of blinding clarity, combined with moments of utter despair, so did Jack. He was luckily for us, concious enough of it to give us a narrative of that descent. Read the book, watch the documentary, listen to the album..... then critique
This is fantastic. Jay Farrar has had a stellar year with this album and the release of American Centeral Dust. I wish he got more credit on the nationally scene, but for those of us who have been following him since his Uncle Tupelo days know just how talented this guy is.
Nevermind...I see it now.
Is this archived somewhere?
yeah, it's funny to hear people say that it needs to always be bebop jazz with anything associated with Kerouac. I mean i guess i get it - "On The Road" MUST be set to that soundtrack.
But dude..."Big Sur" definitely needs something dark, folksie, melancholy, etc. The book goes into some dark places of the psyche. It's the "anti beat" book.
Besides i hear that Jack actually did dig some folk, so...
Paul, Have you read Big Sur, the book?
You think some happy, boppy jazz tracks make sense over Big Sur, the doc?
I'm listening right now and actually work down the street from the NY studio, but grew up in Carmel, Ca and am so happy to hear something about Big Sur and what is one of the most beautiful, breath taking and humbling places in the world. It's nice to hear talk and songs about my home, when I'm living so far away. Thank you...
I’m sooo over these guys. Kerouac has inspired everyone. Big deal. Everything Ben Gibbard writes sounds the same. Please, give us something more creative/innovative/unique or something…..
Just listening to "Big Sur".
With all due respect Jack would have hated this
music. Too weepy and sentimental... a far cry from the hard bop riffing in "On the Road.
Any plans for an appearance on a late night show or two?
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