What’s the deal with Johnny Ace?
A modest figure in R&B history (“Pledging My Love”), Ace achieved some level of pop immortality due to his untimely death in a gun accident on Christmas Day 1954. Nonetheless, he’s inspired two outstanding songs about his demise: Paul Simon’s “The Late Great Johnny Ace” and now Dave Alvin’s “Johnny Ace is Dead.”
Alvin’s song is as much journalism as songwriting, detailing Big Mama Thornton’s reaction to the shooting and post-death efforts to exploit Ace’s career.
“Eleven Eleven”, Alvin’s new album is full of such gems.
Alvin channels a proud former union member on “Gary, Indiana 1959,” sings the distinctly unsubtle seduction song ‘Dirty Nightgown” and duets with the late Chris Gaffney on the buddy song “Two Lucky Bums.”
It’s a diverse album, packed with compelling narratives and a driving spirit.
2 comments for “Dave Alvin: Eleven Eleven”