All of Sturgill Simpson’s music is special, but man do I have a soft spot for the acoustic stuff.
Okay, it’s a soft spot for everything acoustic, but man does Sturgill have a way with it.
Back in 2014 he stopped by the NPR Studios for a performance at the iconic Tiny Desk, and man did he drop a crazy-great performance.
Fresh off the release of his second album Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, Stu played two songs from that one and two from his first record, High Top Mountain.Â
Leading off with “Turtles All The Way Down,” he gave the now iconic comment on what the songs about.
“I don’t think anyone’s actually nailed down what it’s actually about, so my fault. Being to cryptic I guess.Â
It’s actually all about drugs… some other stuff, mostly about drugs.”
That sells it a bit short, but point taken…
He goes on to play “Time After All,” then “Life Of Sin,” before closing with one of my personal favorites of his, “Water In A Well.”
Sturgill’s mentioned in the past he believes people underappreciate the story telling in his music, and this is the perfect example of why I couldn’t agree more.
It’s a gorgeously sad song about a couple who’s love might be dying out and drying up like the water in an old well, and man just take it from the man himself you don’t need me to over explain it…
“I know sometimes it can seem like my mind
belongs to a child that’s grown
But somewhere between you and me I’ve lost my way
and I’ve been trying to get home
Trying like hell but it’s too soon to tell
If our love has all dried up like water in a well”
Absolutely freaking love this song and especially this version.
Stu recently announced that his most recent album, The Ballad Of Dood & Juanita, would be his last as the solo artist Sturgill Simpson, however, I’d find it hard to believe that he would be done with music for good. Really hoping to hear some good news from the Dick Daddy soon.
Fingers crossed.
Until then, enjoy this beauty.
