Atomic Power (1991 Longview Farm Acoustic Demo) (Bonus Track)
I Wanna Be Your Dog (1991 Longview Farm Acoustic Demo) (Bonus Track)
Moonshiner (Live 1/24/1993) (Bonus Track)
After ripping it up on No Depression and Still Feel Gone, their first two albums of twangy punk rock, Uncle Tupelo unplugged for this remarkable tribute--half originals, half political and religious covers--to the band's o... more »ld-time influences. While the new songs of frontmen Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy are consistently strong here (especially Farrar's "Grindstone"), the album's haunted covers of old folk songs are the true keepers. Tweedy's apocalyptic version of "Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down" and Farrar's earnest readings of the beat-down "Moonshiner" and the labor song "Coalminers" are as frightening, beautiful, and passionate as anything the band ever recorded. The 2003 expanded and remastered edition adds three unreleased demos, a live version of "Moonshiner," and an instrumental B-side. --David Cantwell« less
After ripping it up on No Depression and Still Feel Gone, their first two albums of twangy punk rock, Uncle Tupelo unplugged for this remarkable tribute--half originals, half political and religious covers--to the band's old-time influences. While the new songs of frontmen Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy are consistently strong here (especially Farrar's "Grindstone"), the album's haunted covers of old folk songs are the true keepers. Tweedy's apocalyptic version of "Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down" and Farrar's earnest readings of the beat-down "Moonshiner" and the labor song "Coalminers" are as frightening, beautiful, and passionate as anything the band ever recorded. The 2003 expanded and remastered edition adds three unreleased demos, a live version of "Moonshiner," and an instrumental B-side. --David Cantwell
"Uncle Tupelo went unplugged on their brilliant third album, March 16-20, 1992. Produced by R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, the album features six cover songs of mostly traditional folk music. The band's signature sound is stripped down to the skeletal remains of acoustic guitars with a dash of percussion and strings. The songs have on overt political nature and the band throws in some religion as well. The overall starkness of the album recalls Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska. Unlike that album which found Mr. Springsteen singing from a first person point of view, Uncle Tupelo act as troubadours, telling the tales of the downtrodden. The album shows the band's versatility and Mr. Buck's subtle production is first-rate."
American and Essential
Justin Mclaughlin | Minturn, CO United States | 01/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a fine roots album if ever there was one. Before Wilco, before Son Volt, there was Uncle Tupelo. And of all the Uncle Tupelo discs, this, in my mind, stands supreme. The songs alternate vocals between Jeff Tweedy and Jar Farrar. Farrar, in his preacher's baritone, tends to sing more politically oriented songs, songs of the early twentieth century, socialist songs focusing on coal miners unionizing or the ills of capitalism on the small man. Farrar's version of Moonshiner is like a priceless relic suspended in amber. Tweedy (his voice sounds younger and more contemporary than Farrar) also tackles some good old Americana in "I wish my Baby was Born" and "Satan, Your Kingdom must Come Down." Overall Tweedy leans more toward the personal and emotional while Farrar seems more comfortable with traditional ballads. Most of the songs are traditional tunes - folk songs, blues songs, spirituals. The guitar work is strong, with both men playing acoustic to fill out the sound. On some songs there are mandolin and violin - but it's really an acoustic guitar driven record. The band does a superb job of capturing the timelessness of the older music, and does well to blend their tunes with such a venerable canon. This is folk music as it was meant to be - raw, intense, masculine, topical. There is nothing cheesy on this record - and "Atomic Power" is probably the standout cut on the disc. Buy this music - you won't be disappointed - I guarantee!"
Necessary.
spanishjohnny | Sydney, Australia. | 05/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Watershed release from seminal rockers come crooners come whatever. Produced by R.E.M' s Peter Buck, March... sees Jay and Jeff respectively trading blows of genius. Highlights include Farrar's protest ditty "Grindstone" and Tweedys brooding "Black Eye" but perhaps most significantly the two combine on this record for unbelievable results. Most notably the breathtaking "Moonshiner" and the instrumental "Sandusky". A classic in every sense of the word. The re release features early demos of "Grindstone" and "Atomic Power" as well as a live version of "Moonshiner"."
Worth every penny of the asking price...
Frank Garon | Breinigsville, PA United States | 08/18/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If all this CD contained was "Fatal Wound", "Sandusky", "Wipe The Clock" and the live version of "Moonshiner", it'd still be worth what Amazon wants for it and then some...
Throw in all the other tracks here, and you have a killer CD that you'll play over and over and over (like I am as I type this review).
I don't know exactly why I like Uncle Tupelo so much, but I do. I think it's just such good music, great lyrics, talented musicians that play "raw" enough for my tastes (no major overdubs or polishing", but whatever it is I love it and I just wish they had made 10 more CDs of equal quality. The other 3 are equally as good, each in their own way, but I still need more!"
Definitely my favorite uncle tupelo album
Booth Tarkington | 04/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The other three Uncle Tupelo albums each have some good songs, but don't really hold together that well as records. "March" does, beautifully. Recording at a crossroads in music history when underground bands were getting mainstream radio airplay, Uncle Tupelo's popularity might have exploded if they had stayed where they were for "Still Feel Gone." This is one case, however, where you'd rather not think about the might-have-beens, as this album, all acoustic and roughly half traditional folk covers, is one of the rare albums that nearly defines "rocking." Tweedy is at his finest with the simple, sadly meditative "Black Eye," and Farrar contributes "Criminals," a song with a social conscience that manages to not seem dated. The folk songs are all beautiful, and the instrumental "Sandusky" is flawlessly executed. Though recorded in the short span of time noted in the album title with only acoustic instruments, this album manages at once to be timeless and to be eminently of its own time."