Anyone else heard "The Houston Kid?"


The one cd I've listened to the most in the last few months is Rodney Crowell's "The Houston Kid."

I cant write the music, but imagine not being able to get this little ditty out of your head, imagine walking around singing this to yourself (sung by a man): "Turning tricks on Sunset - Twenty bucks a pop - Some out of town old businessman or an undercover cop - I'm living with the virus flowing way down in my veins - Oh, I wish it would rain - I know you've heard my story - Or seen me on the street - Just another cracker gigolo - Dressed up like trick or treat . . ."

Or the next song, about a twin whose brother comes home to die: "I used to cast my judgments like a net - All those California gay boys deserve just what they get - Little did I know there would come a day - When my words would come back screaming like a debt I have to pay - Lean on me I'll be strong you're almost free it won't be long - Wandering boy"

I have never been particularly sympathetic to the sort of characters depicted in these lyrics, but am absolutely stunned by the emotional impact these songs and the whole cd have had on me. (The other songs do not have gay characters, just abusive drunken fathers, suffering mothers and kids growing up.)

Anyone else know/like/dislike this cd?

Paul
paulwp

Showing 4 responses by paulwp

I dont know what you call it anymore. Long time ago, Crowell and others like him were classified as "progressive" country. Soft redneck rock?
No, the characters are fictional or loosely based on people Rodney knew growing up, but he was exposed to characters like the ones in the songs growing up on the Eastside of Houston.
Jim, yes, Rodney produced Rosanne's early lps. BTW, Ex father-in-law John Cash does a cameo duet on The Houston Kid, sings I Walk the Line to a different melody.
Of course it was DDT. Theat's what they used. When I lived there they used to come on the radio and tell you the schedule so you'd stay indoors when they were dusting. Nobody ever dies from inhaling ddt (at least not right away). Ive been a fan since he was a player in Emmylou Harris's original Hot Band, liked his early stuff alot. Still some of my favorite songs- Aint Livin Long Like This, 'til I gain Control Again.