Every now and then, artists abandon their bands and escape to solitary cabins in the woods to work on solo projects in complete seclusion. Jesse Lortz (formerly of the now-defunct Dutchess & The Duke) sort of did that—except he invited a whole bunch of other people to come along and contribute. The joyfulness of being among friends in beautiful surroundings comes through from choruses of vocals combined with the perfect amount of simplicity. Lortz’s first album as Case Studies, The World Is Just A Shape To Fill The Night, is out August 16 via Sacred Bones. Here’s the mix tape he made for MAGNET.
Otis Redding “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”
This is from the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. I love this song overall, but this version gives me chills. Otis Redding is so charismatic and so emotive, and it is so great to be able to watch him. Video
Leonard Cohen “The Stranger Song“
Also ’67, on The Julie Felix Show. His fingers are spiders, and his mouth is like water washing over river stones. Perfect. Video
Nick And Gabrielle Drake “All My Trials“
I can imagine them singing this in the living room. It is probably raining outside. Video
Sibylle Baier “I Lost Something In The Hills“
This song is perfect. Video
Richard Brautigan “One Afternoon In 1939“
This is my favorite story from my favorite book by my favorite author. It is read by his daughter, Ianthe. It is a nice birthday present. Video
Jackson Browne “Our Lady Of The Well“
Feel like a dummy for sleeping on Jackson Browne for so long, but that’s just the way it goes. This song is great, and I probably listen to it every day. Video
Josephine Foster “Trees Lay By“
This song is beautiful. Here is a video of a different song. Video
Graham Nash “On The Line“
Incredible song. It’s on Wild Tales. I like this version a ton, but the recorded version is the best driving sing-along song with some amazing pedal steel. Video
Bob Seger “Fire Lake“
Recently rediscovered this one. When I was a kid, my parents were tavern folk, and their friends Ron and Lou had a pool table and a jukebox at their house. I used to climb upstairs and listen to this and “The Pilgrim, Chapter 33” over and over and over. My friend Jason Morgan in Oakland has a Bob Seger cover band called Total BS, and they completely nail this shit. Video
Townes Van Zandt “Pancho And Lefty“
It seems perfect to see him playing this song in some shitty hotel room. It is perfect. The Waylon and Willie version of this song is garbage. Video
Mark Fry “Mandolin Man“
This record is a great record to screenprint to. Also to take mushrooms and draw to. It is a good record to do a lot of things to. You should get this record. Video
“The Eagle Or The Serpent” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/TheEagleOrTheSerpent.mp3
