Cold as the Clay
Encyclopedia
Cold as the Clay is the second solo album by Bad Religion
's vocalist Greg Graffin
released on July 10, 2006 in Europe, and the following day in the USA. It was released on the label ANTI-
(a sublabel of Epitaph
). It follows on from Graffin's 1997 release of American Lesion
.
Graffin has described the album as "honor[ing] the legacy of American music. [...] Traditional songs that helped form the 18th and 19th century American cultural landscape. The modern songs are inspired by my love of country rock
in vein of Gram Parsons
, The Band
, Neil Young
". It was produced by fellow Bad Religion member, Brett Gurewitz
(Mr. Brett), and features appearances by Jolie Holland
, and members of The Weakerthans
, in contrast to American Lesion, where Graffin recorded the entire album by himself.
website gives the tracklisting as:
Tracks #1, 3, 5, 6, 10 written by Greg Graffin, tracks #2 ,4, 7, 8, 11 are traditional
songs with many versions and unknown writers, track #9 by Dallas Frazier
& Earl Montgomery.
Another track, Footprints in the Snow, was originally announced as the 12th track of the album, but was removed during production.
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
's vocalist Greg Graffin
Greg Graffin
Gregory Walter Graffin, Ph.D. is an American punk rock musician, college professor, and author. He is most recognized as the lead vocalist and songwriter of the noted Los Angeles band Bad Religion, which he co-founded in 1979 and is the band's only constant member, even though it now features two...
released on July 10, 2006 in Europe, and the following day in the USA. It was released on the label ANTI-
ANTI-
ANTI- is an American record label founded in 1999 as a sister label of Epitaph Records.While Epitaph's focus has shifted over the last decade from mostly punk rock, nowadays ANTI- has a more diverse roster, ranging from country , hip hop , reggae , Soul , folk , rap-rock , indie rock...
(a sublabel of Epitaph
Epitaph
An epitaph is a short text honoring a deceased person, strictly speaking that is inscribed on their tombstone or plaque, but also used figuratively. Some are specified by the dead person beforehand, others chosen by those responsible for the burial...
). It follows on from Graffin's 1997 release of American Lesion
American Lesion
American Lesion is a solo album by Greg Graffin, the lead singer of the punk band, Bad Religion. Like the album Into the Unknown, this album is a massive departure for Graffin, whose songs generally revolve around loud guitars and harmonies...
.
Graffin has described the album as "honor[ing] the legacy of American music. [...] Traditional songs that helped form the 18th and 19th century American cultural landscape. The modern songs are inspired by my love of country rock
Country rock
Country rock is sub-genre of popular music, formed from the fusion of rock with country. The term is generally used to refer to the wave of rock musicians who began to record country-flavored records in the late 1960s and early 1970s, beginning with Bob Dylan and The Byrds; reaching its greatest...
in vein of Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons
Gram Parsons was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Parsons is best known for his work within the country genre; he also mixed blues, folk, and rock to create what he called "Cosmic American Music"...
, The Band
The Band
The Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
, Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
". It was produced by fellow Bad Religion member, Brett Gurewitz
Brett Gurewitz
Brett W. Gurewitz , nicknamed Mr. Brett, is the guitarist and a songwriter of Bad Religion. He is also the owner of the music label Epitaph Records and sister-labels ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, Fat Possum Records, and Hellcat Records...
(Mr. Brett), and features appearances by Jolie Holland
Jolie Holland
Jolie Holland is an American singer and performer who combines elements of folk, traditional, country, rock, jazz, and blues...
, and members of The Weakerthans
The Weakerthans
The Weakerthans are a four-piece Canadian indie rock band.-History:The band was formed in 1997 in Winnipeg, Manitoba by John K. Samson, after he left the punk band Propagandhi to start a publishing company. Samson joined forces with bassist John P...
, in contrast to American Lesion, where Graffin recorded the entire album by himself.
Track listing
The Epitaph recordsEpitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
website gives the tracklisting as:
- Don't Be Afraid to Run (mp3) – 4:12
- Omie WiseOmie WiseOmie Wise or Naomi Wise was an American murder victim, who is remembered by a popular murder ballad about her death.-The song:Omie Wise's death became the subject of a traditional American ballad...
– 3:53 - Cold as the Clay – 3:19
- Little SadieLittle Sadie"Little Sadie" is a 20th Century American folk ballad in D Dorian mode. It is also known variously as "Bad Lee Brown", "Cocaine Blues", "Transfusion Blues", "East St. Louis Blues", "Late One Night", "Penitentiary Blues" and other titles. It tells the story of a man who is apprehended after shooting...
– 2:35 - Highway – 2:34
- Rebel's Goodbye – 3:52
- Talk about Suffering (with Jolie HollandJolie HollandJolie Holland is an American singer and performer who combines elements of folk, traditional, country, rock, jazz, and blues...
, mp3) – 3:36 - Willie Moore – 3:56
- California Cotton Fields (with Jolie HollandJolie HollandJolie Holland is an American singer and performer who combines elements of folk, traditional, country, rock, jazz, and blues...
) – 2:32 - The Watchmaker's Dial – 2:30
- One More Hill – 3:02
Tracks #1, 3, 5, 6, 10 written by Greg Graffin, tracks #2 ,4, 7, 8, 11 are traditional
Traditional music
Traditional music is the term increasingly used for folk music that is not contemporary folk music. More on this is at the terminology section of the World music article...
songs with many versions and unknown writers, track #9 by Dallas Frazier
Dallas Frazier
Dallas Frazier is an American country musician and songwriter who had success in the 1950s and 60s.-Biography:Frazier was born in Spiro, Oklahoma but was raised in Bakersfield, California...
& Earl Montgomery.
Another track, Footprints in the Snow, was originally announced as the 12th track of the album, but was removed during production.
Personnel
- Greg Graffin – vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
- Jolie HollandJolie HollandJolie Holland is an American singer and performer who combines elements of folk, traditional, country, rock, jazz, and blues...
– background vocals - Brett GurewitzBrett GurewitzBrett W. Gurewitz , nicknamed Mr. Brett, is the guitarist and a songwriter of Bad Religion. He is also the owner of the music label Epitaph Records and sister-labels ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, Fat Possum Records, and Hellcat Records...
– background vocals - Stephen CarrollStephen CarrollStephen Carroll is a Canadian rock guitarist, currently a member of the indie rock band The Weakerthans. Originally a member of the punk rock band Painted Thin, he appeared as a guest musician on the first Weakerthans album, Fallow, and became a permanent member after Painted Thin broke up.He also...
– guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
/slide guitarSlide guitarSlide guitar or bottleneck guitar is a particular method or technique for playing the guitar. The term slide refers to the motion of the slide against the strings, while bottleneck refers to the original material of choice for such slides: the necks of glass bottles... - Joe Wack – guitar
- Chris Berry – guitar, banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
- David Bragger – fiddleFiddleThe term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
, banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single... - Greg SmithGreg Smith (musician)Greg Smith is a bassist and vocalist.Greg was born in 1963. He grew up in Valley Stream, New York and attended Valley Stream Central High School.He has collaborated with Wendy O...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Jason TaitJason TaitJason Tait is a Canadian musician. He is the drummer for the Canadian indie rock band The Weakerthans, and has also been a contributing member of Broken Social Scene and The FemBots. He also played drums for the Painted Thin album Small Acts of Love and Rebellion, released in 1995...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....