A Sequestered Singer / Songwriter Celabration
All Things Considered
NPR National Public Radio ALL THINGS CONSIDERED
Reporter: Craig Havighurst Listen Here
One of the most consistently popular bands in Nashville does not play country music, has no lead singer and doesn't plan to release an album. Instead, The Long Players perform classic albums, from beginning to end, before a live audience with all-star guest vocalists. Their shows have become a sensation in Music City.
The core of the band is Bill Lloyd (of the Nashville Country duo Foster & Lloyd), Steve Allen (of the LA Power Pop band 20/20), and Steve Ebe (of the Memphis Rock band Human Radio).
And for singers, the band has used many, from Allison Moorer when they did Neil Young's After the Gold Rush to Kim Richey and others for Sergeant Pepper's. Adrian Belew was part of the Blonde on Blonde show - with special guests Al Kooper and Charlie McCoy, who backed Bob Dylan on the original. The Long Players also have performed The Pretenders' self-titled album; The Band's second album; and Elvis Costello's My Aim Is True.
Many in Nashville say this is a different generation of players, who get together to blow off steam after 10 hours in the studios - a far cry from the days when Chet Atkins and Homer and Jethro used to lead jazz jams.
-- Craig Havighurst reports.