Red Meat- Live at Jack’s Sugar Shack- Ranchero Records

For download or limited edition 2-CD set

https://redmeatcountry.bandcamp.com/releases

By Jack Grace

If you understand legitimate rootsy country music, listening to the band, Red Meat is satisfying in a way not unlike scratching that hard to reach itch way in the middle of your back. They have a deep groove all their own that only a truly committed band with years of seasoning manages to discover.

The band began in a garage in San Francisco’s Mission District in 1993. Basically no one was playing genuine honky tonk country on the California circuit they were working at the time. It was a sincere approach and Scott Young’s lyrics were bringing a new voice that was observing the world of country while still being inside it. Smelley Kelley’s offbeat and hilarious frontman style blended seamlessly with Jill Olson’s playful,  “keeping things under control” style banter. Yes, it was a new kind of country show and they started a movement, but one that would not catch up to them in the 20^th century.

This new release was actually recorded March 20, 1999 live at Hollywood, California’s legendary, Jack’s Sugar Shack (It sadly closed within a year of this performance). Wait a minute, this is one show!  33 songs, I mean it takes most bands 5 shows to put together a 12 song live album.

Red Meat delivers a special moment in time on this live album and you can understand why they still wanted to release it 21 years after it’s performance; genuine heartfelt music often ages quite well.

Here’s the thing, if you have never seen Red Meat live and this recording was your first initiation to the whole operation, you may not pick up on all of the nuances that they bring to the table on your very first listen. But if you give the tracks a chance, you will begin to discover the magic that could very well leave you wanting to know more about a curious operation where two of the members had met in Keokuk, Iowa, one hailed from Ottumwa, Iowa and another was from Lorain, Ohio, and yet all ended up forming a band in a more laid back and non- Google devoured, 1993 San Francisco. These five original members are still together and based in the Bay Area with plans for a new studio album as well. At least some of the world still makes sense.

Jack Grace