Returned on Saturday from my sixth metal cruise. An amazing time was had by all, seeing 32 sets over the 4-day cruise. Only problem is I feel like I need a vacation to recover from my vacation. 
The best band was one I wasn’t expecting at all, Lord of the Lost. They were apparently one of the Eurovision finalists a couple years ago, and absolutely tore the roof off the boat for both sets. Hadn’t listened to them much prior to the cruise, but they were brilliant and just a blast to watch.
A bit more on this. Luke Combs, a country singer I’d never heard of, covered Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” with her permission. I recall hearing it play over the speakers in the supermarket. I thought, “Hey, that sounds like a guy, a country singer, doing ‘Fast Car.’ What’s up with that?” I’d always loved the song, which came out in 1988 or so. I found it haunting and heart-gripping.
Then I heard that there was some very mild controversy about a white Southern man singing this folk anthem to aspiration and desperation, written and made into a hit by a Black woman from Cleveland. I saw the point, but didn’t pay much attention because concern seemed pretty muted.
Then I read that Luke Combs’ cover had been nominated for a 2024 Grammy. It had won the 2024 Country Music Awards Best Song, with Tracy Chapman actually receiving the award. I was happy to see that. Combs says he loved the song growing up and used to sing it with his dad. When he asked Chapmen for permission to cover the song, she reportedly texted him, “Sure, go ahead!”
Luke Combs put out a pre-Grammys video about why he recorded the song:
Then I heard someone, somewhere, say Combs and Chapman might perform together at the Grammy. I thought that was a cool idea. But I didn’t watch the Grammys.
The next morning I saw what had happened Sunday night. Instantly it became probably one of the most iconic performances at any award show ever. Here’s Rolling Stone’s report. The full performance is embedded in the article (the video is restricted due to copyright issues). The whole thing is worth reading:
Here’s Combs’s solo performance. He doesn’t change a thing from the song, even including the first-person lyric about being “a checkout girl.”
The full Grammy’s performance might not be fully available due to copyright issues. I’m sure it’ll come out eventually. But the way those two performers came together, especially in light of the eyebrows that were raised about Combs’s cover, was just magical and healing,
That’s good. Your version seems to have a higher sensitivity, which makes them easier to drive and should provide more amp options.
In honor of tax season. Excellent guitar work by Clapton, and one of my favorite all time Beatles songs.
Judgement Day
I’ve started collecting period-correct cassettes to play in my 1990 car - I’ve managed to find some gems.
Couple of great cassettes in there. Living Colour and Eric Johnson caught my eye!
Pornograffitti…an album that got lost because of “More than Words” which is a great song but surrounded by songs that sound like Frank Sinatra, RHCP, Metallica, and Tower of Power. One of the best albums of the 80s/90s groups but too bad Nuno is so far up his own ■■■.
Just came across this again after a few years. Maybe the best pairing of video with a song that I have seen on youtube.
Maybe chuck in a couple of these! 
Holy crap, I fly for a living, but never in my life would I try that. those guys are frickin nuts !!!
I found the Eric Johnson on Ebay a couple of weeks ago and haven’t had a chance to listen to it all the way through yet. Sounded good when I checked out the audio quality though!
Yes! It’s such an uneven experience. Honestly, bought it for “More than Words” and don’t listen to it much.
The helmet seems a bit superfluous. Won’t do much good in most crash scenarios for him.
Mark Knopfler has a new song. It’s really good.
Mashing in and listening to the oldest bluegrass program west of the Mississippi
Lovely.
Dixie Dregs !!!
