Americana Railroad & The Southwest Chief

I guess it’s my week to be haunted by trains. Last weekend, it was a graveyard of derelicts in Washington; this weekend I got on the track of the forthcoming Americana Railroad.

From producer and performer Carla Olson:

“Growing up in Austin, Texas during the 1950s the fascination with trains was the stuff childhood dreams were made of. Walking home from school the temptation to put your ear to the track to hear if the train was close was a daily routine. We lived five blocks from the railway and heard the whistle of the trains well into the night. For some the call was a way to escape small town blues, for others thoughts of exotic destinations lured many to hop a freight and disappear over the horizon. The Americana Railroad album is a collection of both history and metaphor for your listening and thought provoking pleasure.”

Dom Flemons serves up “Steel Pony Blues.”

I dig John Fogerty ’s take on “City of New Orleans.”

For me, the best part is that Americana Railroad features the voice in my head, Dave Alvin. Over the past two years, Dave has quietly fought — and won, at least for now — a battle against Stage 4 cancer. Every note he plays carries weight for me.

Side A
1. Here Comes That Train Again Stephen McCarthy & Carla Olson
2. The Conductor Wore Black Robert Rex Waller Jr
3. Mystery Train Rocky Burnette
4. This Train Peter Case
5. City Of New Orleans John Fogerty

Side B
6. Marrakesh Express Dustbowl Revival
7. Train Leaves Here This Mornin’ Kai Clark
8. Train Kept A-Rollin’ Gary Myrick
9. Southwest Chief Dave Alvin
10. 500 Miles Alice Howe

Side C
11. People Get Ready Deborah Poppink
12. Steel Pony Blues Dom Flemons
13. Runaway Train John York
14. Waiting For A Train Paul Burch & Fats Kaplin
15. Freight Train AJ Haynes of Seratones

Side D
16.Whiskey Train Carla Olson & Brian Ray
17. Mystery Train James Intveld
18. Midnight Rail Robert Rex Waller Jr
19. I Remember The Railroad Stephen McCarthy & Carla Olson

Drops June 17.