If It's Really Got To Be This Way

Bill Kirchen at The Waiting Room, Omaha

My wife and I were lucky enough to catch a recent Sunday afternoon show by Bill Kirchen, one of the modern masters of the Telecaster. Kirchen led his trio through two smokin' hot sets of Truckabilly, Texas twang, and Honky tonk thunder. I've seen a whole lot of guitar players over the years and Kirchen is easily one of the very best. Kirchen's band takes a minimalist approach, even with their gear, but although they travel light, they get more sound out of less equipment than many other bands. The best explanation for that is that they are journeymen musicians who can really play, and since they don't need to rely on much outboard gear for their sound, it's about as pure and clean as you're gonna hear. And yes, Kirchen played a rip-snortin' extended take of "Hot Rod Lincoln", which really got the crowd wound up.

Many of you may recall Kirchen as the guitarist of Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen. Bill now carries that legacy forward, infusing his repertoire with Rockabilly, Country, Americana, and good ol' Rock n' Roll. Here's a 5 minute video of Bill Kirchen with guitar tech Dan Erlewine, that features Bill demonstrating some his signature guitar techniques. Bill also talks a bit about his guitar's custom features and construction with Dan. Gearheads, take notes.

One of the songs Bill and his band played for us was a slightly off the cuff rendition of "If It's Really Got To Be This Way", a song written by Arthur Alexander. Bill had recorded it in 2007 for his album "Hammer Of The Honky Tonk Gods", and the song closes the album. During a break, Bill told me that he'd simply heard Arthur's recording and liked it enough to do it himself. Simple as that.

I do find it interesting that Arthur Alexander chose that same song to open his 1993 album, "Lonely Just Like Me", which turned out to be his final recording. It sets up the tone for the album as a statement of purpose. Along with Alexander, the album features performances by legends of the Muscle Shoals sound, including Reggie Young, Dan Penn, Donnie Fritts, and Spooner Oldham.

Alexander's best known work appeared in the early 60's when, as was common then, British Rock bands were busy educating American kids on their own music; predominantly Soul, Chicago Blues and Rhythm & Blues. Two of Arthur's songs, "Anna" and "You Better Move On" were recorded by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, respectively. It's possible that John Lennon's song "All I've Got To Do" was his way of copping Alexander's writing and vocal phrasing, as was the Jagger/Richards tune, "Congratulations". Both Paul McCartney and Keith Richards have often cited Alexander as an inspiration in various interviews over the years.

Other successful songs of Arthur's include "Every Day I Have To Cry Some", which was a hit for both Dusty Springfield and Ike & Tina Turner, and "Set Me Free", covered by both Esther Phillips and Joe Tex. More recently, "Soldier Of Love (Lay Down Your Arms), which The Beatles did for the BBC way back when, was revived by both Marshall Crenshaw and Pearl Jam. Bob Dylan recorded "Sally Sue Brown" on his 1988 album "Down In The Groove", and "Go Home Girl" was done by Ry Cooder on his great 1979 album "Bop Till You Drop". Alexander's influence is still felt in songwriters like John Hiatt, who said "Arthur Alexander is really one of my all time favorites. His singing has such a beautiful, sad quality which builds as he goes along. It's country sounding, stately and wonderful".

Arthur, Dan Penn & Donnie Fritts, in rehearsal.

Along with his contributions to Rock 'n Roll, Alexander also played a large role in the development of the Southern roots music that became known as the Muscle Shoals sound. Arthur was not merely a participant in the pioneering of Muscle Shoals, Alabama as a center for recording and songwriting, but helped the town to emerge as a haven for interracial artistic collaboration during an often hostile climate of segregation.

"Lonely Just Like Me" was Arthur's first album in 21 years. He had signed a new recording and publishing contract in May of 1993, but suffered a fatal heart attack the following month, three days after performing in Nashville with his new band. Arthur had endured some hard miles along the way and was just at a point of discovering some newfound peace and stability in his life. He had just turned 53 when he passed.

Here's Arthur Alexander with "If It's Really Got To Be This Way". This is Soul. Feel it.

There is a very good and highly recommended expanded edition of "Lonely Just Like Me" available on Amazon. You can also find several collections of Arthur Alexander's classic earlier recordings as well. No serious Rhythm and Blues or Rock history fan should be without these. For you more casual fans, try this one from the great UK reissue label, Ace Records, which can be had, used, very affordably. It's the real deal.

Bill Kirchen's music is available through his Website Store. It's also at Amazon and very likely, your local indie music shop too. You guitar aficionados who like their Tele with a zesty splash of twang sauce should be on this like cheap on a suit. Go getcha some.