Craig Finn: Always Been Lousy with Ghosts (Give the Drummer Some)

The older I get, the more I try to make sense of the present times. Perhaps to be able to read trends so I can position myself to make my twilight years easier since like many Americans my meager retirement savings went to living expenses following Covid. One of the bright spots for me in these darkening days of authoritarian kleptocracy has been the arts, primarily music and literature or a combination of the two. My tastes have always leaned toward things that felt real. Somehow the inherent contradiction of authenticity in a piece of art escaped me. Nevertheless, I have always been drawn to art and artists that are good at maintaining the illusion of authenticity. Hence, I normally prefer non-fiction in literature and blues and its progeny in music. I am always on the lookout for talented singer songwriters. Not that I naively believe they can change the world with a song (kudos to Gary Nicholson for "Drinking Bob Dylan Whiskey") but have always found authenticity, in subject matter and dialogue, help to keep this highly distractable person's attention. When it comes to understanding the zeitgeist of a particular time, perhaps no type of artist is better suited for the task than the singer-songwriter. For a long time now, the geographic center of great singer-songwriters migrated from the North-Northeast following Guthrie (I know, OK native), Seeger and Dylan, etc and the Northeast folk scene to Texas. The dominance of a Texas connection in the singer-songwriter category is so profound that space limitations prevent an exhaustive list here but a few names to drive home the point are: Willie, Sahm, Townes, Clark, Hubbard, Shaver, Earle, Escovedo, McMurtry and the list goes on and on. (I know that I missed many major exceptions to this Texas monopoly, namely Hank and Hinton and Toussaint, the latter being more writer/producer/arranger than singer, but you get my gist.) Which brings me to one of my favorite singer-songwriters/authors of the day and hometown hero who almost singlehandedly is behind a flip in the singer-songwriter poles back Northward, Craig Finn. Finn brought his Band of Forgiveness with opening act and special guest James Felice to the Fine Line in Minneapolis last night. Just six nights into the tour in support of his latest works, 2025's lp "Always Been" and its companion novel, "Lousy With Ghosts". Finn and his Minneapolis based Band of Forgiveness did not disappoint delivering a sublime, if not subdued performance, which perfectly fit the material (and our present times). While some THS fans may have been somewhat confused and eventually going through withdrawls for the adrenaline fix of a frenetic, exuberant THS show delivers, I, for one, have always preferred his more contemplative, detail rich solo work. Although somewhat sonically limited by the small ensemble comprised of keyboard, lead guitar, Finn on rhythm guitar and second keyboardist/ multi instrumentalist who alternated between sax, clarinet and electronic percussion and bass parts. Opening act James Felice (of Felice Brothers fame) contributed nicely on accordion to bring some added rich texture to the Band of Forgiveness' sparse, ethereal sound. The affable Felice not only proved he could perform one of the more difficult tasks in show business, that of the opening act, without being booed or heckled, and sans fraternal accompaniment, speaks volumes of his abilities. SetList October 15, 2025 Fine Line, Minneapolis Fletcher's Bethany Jessamine Luke and Leanna The Amarillo Kid Never Any Horses Holyoke Messing with the Settings I Walk With a Cane Clayton Due to Depart People of Substance Preludes Shamrock God in Chicago Curtis and Shephard I picked up a copy of Finn's companion novelette to his current album, "Always Been". Entitled "Lousy with Ghosts", it made for a quick read while standing at my breakfast counter the morning following the concert. While I did not find it essential to an appreciation of the record, it does illuminate, somewhat, the process behind his compelling writing style that grabs the reader's attention and keeps you turning the pages until the end.

Thank You, Slim: Slim Dunlap Tribute and Memorial First Avenue May 19, 2025

 

The Ballad of American Arts: the History of American Democracy told through Music

 

I think we can all agree that these are difficult times, regardless of one’s political persuasion.
Navigating difficult times can be exhausting, especially when the stakes are so high.  So every once in a while I think both sides should take a respite and contemplate why we are so passionate about this thing we call American democracy and why it is so important, not only to us, but the example we set for the entire world.  

Recently, a musician friend of mine turned me on to this lecture given by #WyntonMarsalis back in 2009 entitled #TheBalladofAmericaArts.  In it Marsalis brilliantly tells the history of American democracy through the lens of our greatest soft power, music.  Timely and inspirational words of wisdom and love that leave you feeling proud and grateful…and who can argue with that.

Nancy Hanks Lecture at Kennedy Center https://wyntonmarsalis.org/news/entry/video-nancy-hanks-lecture-at-kennedy-center via @wyntonmarsalis