Son Volt - Windfall (Austin City Limits, 1996)

[@steverok67]

If I were a "country star" working today, and I saw this, I would be embarrassed to be alive.

[@hagw7439]

Amen brother.....

[@SteveatNSR]

Well said.

[@PhilipCatley]

It is a brilliant song on a brilliant album. Feels like authentic dirt country rather than the glitzy big hat rodeo stuff of mainstream country.

[@tschmid77]

Philip Catley I really think this goes past country and is a brick in the foundation of Americana. Truly inspired. Unmistakably inspirational.

[@diagnolsnakeskin462]

This is the most perfect comment ever made.

[@BassPlayerSusan]

"Sounds like 1963, but for now it sounds like Heaven". One of the greatest lines in pop/rock history.

[@paulboudreau8841]

BassPlayerSusan absolutely. The whole last verse is the prose of a genius songwriter.

[@GeneseeBen]

"A dieing man in a living room" comes to mind

[@richardscrimger3969]

Whole verse is very strong

[@detroitshook]

@@GeneseeBen dying* come on, man.

[@bobkealing9497]

A thousand times, yes.

[@mydiylifer]

One of the few - the very few - perfect songs. Ever.

[@georgefelton669]

I put "Tulsa County" by the late-period Byrds up there with it.

[@reliablyuncomfortable6459]

yes

[@kenkoller478]

Trace is on my list of "if you could only listen to 3 albums for the rest of your life"

[@mpgarr]

Another great Son Volt song. It is too bad that they do not get their due in the music business. I think that Jay Farrar and Son Volt in its various iterations over the years have made some incredible contributions to the Great American Songbook. Some of the best in my book!!

[@Davedidntdoit]

I'm with you on that!

[@timoakes450]

Arn't they allllllll?

[@DukeFame88]

100%...that pop BS is for the birds.

[@denniswood7503]

My wife's favorite Son Volt song. My wife has excellent taste in music.

[@absolutelynonameslef]

My fiancee's as well. Fully converted her to a SV fan during a Sep. 21 live show. It was our first concert since the pandemic and Jay blew the place apart.

[@muzikmind77]

I bet she's got great tits

[@w0mblemania]

"searching for a truer sound". Amen to that.

[@samuelmanzella8262]

"Switching it over to AM Searching for a truer sound Can't recall the call letters Steel guitar and settle down Catching an all-night station somewhere in Louisiana It sounds like 1963, but for now it sounds like heaven" Might be the best lines I’ve ever heard. Writing is unreal. So simple; just truth of a long road trip.

[@Isabel-o2w1t]

One of my favorite voices ever.

[@whiteyfisk9769]

Agreed, if you feel that way then C check out Ian Noe

[@claustin1]

Sounds like 1963 but for now……sounds like heaven. Classic lyric!

[@olebrent]

Kids who grew up in the 80's who listened to classic country

[@Em-mr6wu]

I wish I had written the comment on my mind, 3 weeks ago, when I was on an island in Thailand and was overwhelmed with this song in my mind. I just HAD to listen to it, and it was the most perfect moment you can imagine when listening to the lyrics.....lost time zones, lost generations of music, trying to get lost in between and on the road. So perfect on that island, all alone, and many time zones from my "home". "Never seem to get far enough". But brothers and sisters, may the wind take your troubles away....even just listening to the four minutes of the most beautifully written song. In the perfect place with the perfect song for it....holy shit music can just take you out of it hey? Holy shit edit : 1996! Wow. Hard to believe its been that long I've been loving this song. It's now 2023.

[@dathorndike4908]

God I sure miss the Boquist brothers

[@atticusfinch4687]

Me too! Saw these guys every time they came to the Varsity here in Baton Rouge

[@absolutelynonameslef]

I would donate at least one body part to see this version of the band perform one more time. This is peak and takes me back to a better time.

[@dathorndike4908]

@@absolutelynonameslef Those first three albums they made should be put into a time capsule for future generations.

[@ju2071944]

Gram Parsons would have loved this song

[@wendycopeland100]

GRAMMMMMM :)

[@ShadySidebury]

Oh, absolutely.

[@jpjw8843]

OMG you are right!! Was just listening to GP with Emmy Lou Harris on KZbin. I wish he would have lived longer to reap the benefits of his talent and musical influences.

[@tylerstanley578]

True

[@benlikebike]

Damn straight

[@StephenAndrew777]

Every song on that record is pretty great. I remember playing it over and over again when I was 15.

[@Davedidntdoit]

You have great taste in music, dude.

[@timoakes450]

TRACE is one of the best records EVER -in my humble -self opionioated view

[@davemcelderry7086]

Still is❤

[@StephenAndrew777]

@@squeakeththewheel Nice

[@StephenAndrew777]

@@squeakeththewheel Their singer Jay was like 23 when this was released, so I don't follow

[@dtc343]

Jay is, and has been since his early twenties, one of America's best singer/songwriters.

[@andyeis923]

When I listened to this at 20 I was consumed with my own "troubles ". At 30 I started listening. At 40 I think I've let the wind take those troubles away.

[@absolutelynonameslef]

Same here, although my 1995 troubles were nil as a 19yo. This entire album brings back memories of windows down on I-71 through KY at 2am, cranking Trace on repeat and singing along.

[@summerweight]

the first 3 albums after the uncle tuple split are SENSATIONAL - every song. the multi-talented boquist brothers and heywood's steel made jay's songs classics...

[@joemoore4803]

those first three are golden to me, they defined my time living in Austin, TX.

[@summerweight]

there so many great songs on those three albums. it's like jay took songs like "true to life" and "still be around" from the uncle tupelo days and perfected that music into absolutely perfect songs.

[@timbaughman9027]

Still Be Around is perfect already! As are Looking For a Way Out and Whiskey Bottle!

[@dathorndike4908]

Same here. That original lineup was so special. I just wish they could have stayed together longer.

[@DaveJacoby]

You never feel alone. You're really not alone... Always liked Son Volt over Wilco and any friendships I'd lose over that weren't worth having.

[@DaveJacoby]

My love of Wilco reignited after Nels Cline came in , and I love "Impossible Germany" because it is powerful without distortion and because, halfway through, it said "forget being a sad song, we'll be happy without being sappy." But I love Son Volt too, and I loved _Trace_ far more than _A.M._, which is still my favorite Wilco.

[@PFB1994]

Dave Jacoby Hate to get into the 'Son Volt v. Wilco' debate, I don't ask the question. I just think Son Volt, in particular the three albums in the 1990s with the Boquist brothers are the among the best albums ever, period. Son Volt vs. The Beatles or Wilco or Led Zeppelin. I hate to put down, but like to say how great I think Son Volt was, especially in this era.

[@BassPlayerSusan]

Dave Jacoby I do too. Didn't "Trace" actually outsell "A.M."? I was about 17 or 18 when both came out and I loved them. Of course when I was 12 I was already listening to R.EM. instead o NKOTB.

[@giants1749]

Dave Jacoby I was late to the table and I was going from Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot back. I thought Jay was the stronger voice in Uncle Tupelo but Jeff has definitely grown alot and I agree with you that Nels Cline has made Wilco musically stronger. I do love Yankee Hotel Foxtrot but if I had any grip it would be it's lack of guitar.

[@justinhousman7760]

i raise a glass to you

[@bubbakav]

Eric Heywood on pedal steel. Sounds like heaven.

[@georgefelton669]

A fabulous player.

[@daveadams269]

Great song n video keep up hard work and dad's tradition.

[@specialetothed]

sometimes i think "Trace" is the definition of blissful existentialism. pure excellence! thx for posting.

[@miker7795]

"Searching for a truer sound" Man, that's the one right there.

[@jackhaugh]

The harmony between the fiddle and pedal steel is sublime!

[@johnmcintosh7312]

This is the song that started it all for me. It led me back to so much classic music, and forward to the greatest songwriters of our generations. Thank you Jay!

[@mpgarr]

Something about this song--it always makes me have "tear stained eyes!!"

[@mpgarr]

Gonna see them tomorrow night--in Orlando---

[@Davedidntdoit]

Damn right!

[@EdgeAvl1212]

My good friend gave me this album in 1995, it changed my life musically and influenced my tastes dramatically. Love it!

[@bluefunkdawg]

In 2003 I was in Canada and happened upon Bluesfest in Ottawa I saw Kathleen and bought her Hockey skates album. Great days excellent record

[@joejohnston3591]

What an American band, proud to share this time, and Country with such talent!

[@MegCazalet]

This was the song that got me into Son Volt. It was on a Planet Music mix CD featuring promising new artists. I got to see them when they opened for John Mellencamp, I guess in '96. They came out, put down their beers, and rocked. Jay Farrar's voice is wonderfully unique, very poised. And I particularly love the intricate language of Son Volt lyrics. Well, I'll be on a lil retrospective for the next few hours!

[@richholoch8230]

One of the most beautiful and well played songs ever

[@thetruth1862]

The year i graduated and bought this album was a great time in my life.

[@MatthewTomich]

My dad loved this song.

[@CCharlieAngel]

Thank God for providing you the gift to write and record this song! Pure!!

[@Em-mr6wu]

Just the most perfect song....honestly blows my mind. Thank you so much.

[@teresaslatteryamin3059]

What a great driving song!

[@David-fu7mt]

I used to listen to this one over and over again during the fall of '03 - was living in the Midwest at the time and never was one for the cold weather that I knew was coming. All I really wanted was some time to myself on an open road somewhere in the desert southwest.

[@PSKFoundation]

Having seen this from five feet away.... speechless.

[@jpjw8843]

Saw this heavenly lineup in Detroit circa 1996. Happy to have seen them through all personnel changes to 2019. Friendly guys, usually available for photo opps after the concert. Son Volt still delivers a great musical and soulful concert.

[@absolutelynonameslef]

I would give anything to see SV with the Boquist brothers. I've seen a solo Jay show and saw SV last year with Jason Isbell, but it didn't have the magic of this lineup.

[@dathorndike4908]

@@absolutelynonameslef - Agreed. Plus Eric Heywood's steel guitar was such a huge part of their sound. He was basically a fifth band member for those early records.

[@jerichothedrifter60]

This song always makes me want to let go a little bit and actually be OK with myself...

[@tschmid77]

You’re OK. Actually, no. You’re better than OK.

[@jmarks73-STL]

I'm so God Damn tired of people "choosing" Wilco or Son Volt from the demise of Uncle Tupelo...and this comes from a guy that is literally wearing an Uncle Tupelo shirt as I type this. Some of what made Uncle Tupelo an explosive and genuine band was the conflict between Jay and Jeff. I got two AMAZING bands out of them and there is no "better" or "worse". They are, like Jay and Jeff are,....different. Celebrate differences and don't be so closed-minded.

[@gar949]

yep!

[@kingfishblues59]

Except Jeff said that Jay sucked as a musician. I suspect that fed into it. That said I feel the same way when people compare Jimi & SRV.

[@makebabidotes]

​@@kingfishblues59 When? He has nothing but positive things to say about him as a musician in his autobiography

[@willfromyadkinville]

i love them all! and you can not change my mind!

[@DelightfulNanotechnology-sf7kh]

All three bands were absolute badasses each one of them at one time where my favorite band Uncle tupelo started it all

[@matthewgelfer4955]

This song is timeless.

[@DrLawyer284]

". . . catching an all-night station / somewhere in Louisiana / it sounds like 1963 but for now . . . it sounds like Heaven." I've experienced this often as a life-long Louisiana resident.

[@dpittman70]

The first time I heard Son Volt was on KLSU (91.1 FM) on a show called "The Truer Sound". I immediately went out and bought the album.

[@DrLawyer284]

@@dpittman70i loved that Sunday afternoon radio show when i was at LSU in the 90s

[@hman1025]

This is one of the best of all time

[@ldlumpkin6676]

Just heard this song for the first time today on Outlaw radio. Looks like I've got a lot of catching up to do. Awesome band and song!

[@uncbbfblives]

uncle tupelpo,sunvolt ,wilco! huge smile! from me!

[@Davedidntdoit]

Damn right!

[@ceejay1794]

Me too😁

[@ScottKauz]

Another favorite. It's so short I always play it twice.

[@w4t3rw4g0n]

Who the hell would give this thumbs down? Why would you be watching this video if you weren't a fan of the band or song?

[@user-bf1dc5mc2z]

I hear so many different influences in there I can't name them all- just fantastic

[@gentlemanplanter]

How can this be 20 years ago...? Getting older

[@sylvandebra]

+gentlemanplanter Feeling it, brother. Exactly.

[@valentynabelofsky9374]

Well at least your not one of us kids who didn't have the pleasure of being alive when this song came out!

[@valentynabelofsky9374]

I'm sort of kidding XD

[@absolutelynonameslef]

19 year old me absolutely wore this tape out in 1995...Trace remains one of my all time favorites today. I wish Jay was still this inspired.

[@wasabihansen]

i've watched like 1000 times the acl performance of "catchin' on" and every time i've watched it i was like "wow, i really wish i could see the entire performance", thanks for uploading the rest of the songs

[@pauldavis7962]

This is their best live performance of this song I've found on YT. Thanks for posting.

[@bostoncady1]

makes me smile and look towards 2014. happy new years to you all!

[@TeresaLaing]

This is my favorite version, thank you!

[@monkeyboy4746]

"Switching over to AM", da da da da da , "searching for a truer sound". (they fixed it, thank you)

[@johnlockhart9389]

Thanks do much for posting up this show.

[@kylem.7466]

Such a beautiful sound

[@molloyxx1]

Stands up on iron legs, tapping the soul of authentic country just perfectly

[@rallabhandiprabhakar4750]

You can not go wrong with Son Volt when you are in mood for some face melting alt country melancholic or hard hitting

[@BrianStL21]

Wilco, UT, and Son Volt are all so incredibly awesome.

[@tylerhulsey982]

So true!

[@toddfischer4853]

And just like that I’m 37 again love❤

[@El_Jackalope]

The original wave of alt.country was so good. Ten years of great bands. It was the last time I was passionate about anything new.

[@PaulAdamietz]

Very beautiful music

[@dmitryfedorov2053]

It seems like I'm the one in whole Russia who knows 'bout Son Volt and enjoy it))) But you guys are so chill)) And your melodies sound far from US

[@Highpinesnow]

Yes you are far away but distance is short when the love of this music brings the world together..."God bless "Son Volt and AMERICA!

[@Davedidntdoit]

And the new Russia & you Dimitry.

[@dmitryfedorov2053]

Five years past, still enjoying it. It does feel nice to be a part of something bigger, not caring about distance or time.

[@squeakeththewheel]

@@dmitryfedorov2053 - Yes, Dmitry, we are still listening too, and we here in the US are still searching for the truth and peace. Together we who love music will someday prevail over those who traffic in war and chaos.

[@benzuckerman]

Cheers to a friend in Russia!

[@steviiiii]

sweet and flowing..!!

[@halguterman4157]

The most perfect alt-country song ever written.

[@40thCapeRifles]

It never ceases to amaze me just how many instruments Dave Boquist is absolutely AMAZING on. I just found out he and Jim have a brother who was in a band called 34 Satellite, and it's crazy how musical that family is!

[@dathorndike4908]

Mark Boquist also played drums on a few of Mark Lanegan's solo records

[@livy1962]

This guy has got more killer lines (turns of phrase) than anyone since BOB!! . . .May the wind take your troubles away, indeed!

[@johnloftus6043]

Great mix. I really enjoyed the addition of Rocknroll Doctor and Take Five

[@Sonofspam1972]

Best song on the album !

[@davidwoodworth6229]

Truer words have not been spoken here. Well said Brother. and OH YEAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURTNEY !!

[@rokndady]

Where's this band been all my life?

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Awesome song! A great song for road trips. :)

[@gsmith207]

Don’t know why I never say this. Awesome! Love these guys. Thank you youtube algorithms! Now I need to go find drown...

[@BassPlayerSusan]

Awesome! I'd love to have it.

[@RevPete4324]

GREATNESS!!!

[@docfloydmusic]

Colin Quinn killing it on that steel guitar

[@philipwillis6781]

Extra solid cover of a great song

[@juliangrant8358]

just great

[@michaelturner795]

Great song.

[@jimmy2sticks]

goddamn this is such a great song

[@stephenrichards8688]

oh my, ive just found my new favorite band

[@terryfriend16]

Excellence in the best of ways.

[@summerweight]

As I said, the first three albums are as good as any albums of that era IMO

[@Northerntransmissions]

always preferred Son Volt, Jay solo as well.

[@mpgarr]

Me too--back in the days of Uncle Tupelo--it was the songs written by Jay Farrar I preferred and still do--even though WILCO is a great group--I go with Farrar and Son Volt any day!!

[@PeterblueGrajo]

Country-Folk de amplios e íntimos horizontes

[@timgaudette3385]

so damn good

[@multicaruana]

Pretty darned good.

[@valentynabelofsky9374]

Jessy Greene really needs to play with these guys, and this is an awesome song!

[@rayvance14150]

may the wind take your troubles away

Who knew Jim Halpert was in a band and could sing so well?

[@terrichic1970]

Perfection

[@spireet3160]

Live and Pure Texas....

[@eddycree8]

I read an article where he spoke about it. Seems he suffers from the "Barbra Streisand Syndrome"; he suffers such anxiety before a show that he started getting physically ill. He was only talking about it because the rumors had started that he had a drinking problem. People thought he was either drunk or "baked". He started seeing someone, and doesn't get physically ill anymore... (the article didn't state how he beat it.)

[@suludance9935]

Why are you all arguing about who's better? Enjoy the fact that we have all this great music from both Jeff and Jay.

[@berylgreen1973]

The death of Uncle Tupelo was one of the saddest moments in American music.

[@davidholton9667]

How are you? So sorry for the infringe on your privacy. Beautiful song

[@aishwaryatiwari6894]

More bands like this? Anyone, please? I just got obsessed, I guess.

[@soundmethod]

Check out the JayHawks.

[@rickyg.4004]

Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams, Neko Case.

[@PhilipCatley]

I’ve gone through them all, and I love Jayhawks etc, but there’s nothing else quite like Farrar, and this song stands alone.

[@georgefelton669]

@@rickyg.4004 Late-period Byrds with Clarence White. Some gems there.

[@jetr61]

Drive by truckers

[@th3_g0dz_of_Vict0ry]

sublime

[@theski25]

Mumford, Trampled. etc.. can all thank Wilco and these guys..

[@themovenstore]

I kneel in awesome

[@jmrivera5390]

❤