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Souther Rises Again |
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SINGER-SONGWRITER JOHN DAVID SOUTHER is a Southern California music legend——though few people know him by name. One of the founding fathers of the California country-rock sound, Souther co wrote nearly a dozen songs for the Eagles, including “Heartache Tonight,” “The Best of My Love,” “New Kid in Town,” “The Sad Café,” “Victim of Love” and “James Dean.” He also wrote hits for Linda Ronstadt (“Faithless Love”) and many others, and enjoyed his own solo success in 1979 with the chart-topping “You’re Only Lonely” and his duet with James Taylor on “Her Town Too.”
But in the mid-1980s, he shocked everyone when he walked away from his performing and recording career. Never enamored of fame or record-company demands, Souther chose to focus on songwriting, penning tunes for such artists as India.Arie, Brooks & Dunn, Jimmy Buffet, Glen Campbell, Joe Cocker, Crosby Stills & Nash, Diamond Rio, Dixie Chicks, One Flew South, Roy Orbison, Bernadette Peters, Bonnie Raitt, George Strait, Brian Wilson, Trisha Yearwood and Warren Zevon.
Most recently, the reunited Eagles, with whom Souther remains on good terms, chose his rocking protest tune “How Long” as the debut single from last year’s Long Road Out of Eden, the band’s first full studio album in 28 years. The song, which Souther recorded 36 years ago on his first solo record, was a crossover smash that scored the Eagles a Grammy this year for best country performance by a duo or group with vocals. The success of “How Long” put Souther back on songwriting’s “A” list——not that he was ever really off it.
In a rare interview, Souther, 63, who was born in Detroit, grew up in Texas and lived most of his adult life in Los Angeles before moving to Nashville a few years ago, shares some of his fond memories of singing in San Diego in the late ’60s and early ’70s. He says there’s “no simple explanation” why he gave up his solo career——or why he recently got the urge to sing and re cord again. “I was never real good at producing songs on demand, but when I’m inspired, I’m totally committed,” says Souther, who in October released If the World Was You, his first solo album in 25 years.
A reflection of his lifelong musical influences——from the improvisatory jazz of John Coltrane and Miles Davis to the Texas radio-friendly songs of country and rock pioneers Hank Williams, Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison——Souther’s new record is an atmospheric gem that takes a characteristically literary look at life, love, even politics. It marks the tardy but welcome return of a sensitive, gifted singer/songwriter with a heartbreakingly plaintive voice.
In support of the new record, Souther’s first tour in more than two decades brings him to Acoustic Music San Diego in Normal Heights in December. “I’m looking forward to playing in San Diego again,” says Souther, who gigged here frequently with longtime friend and Eagles cofounder Glenn Frey in their country-rock duo Longbranch Pennywhistle, before the Eagles took flight. “We were completely broke. Every trip to San Diego was an adventure,” he recalls. “We played at the Belly Up, Candy Company, festivals in Balboa Park, any place where you heard folk music.”
He’s also looking forward to seeing his old friend Jack Tempchin, the Encinitas-based songwriter who has written his share of classics. “We used to crash at Jack’s place back in those days,” Souther remembers. “Jack is officially the nicest man in show business.”
Although Souther’s had a remarkably accomplished music career, he was as surprised as anyone when the Eagles picked his tune to lead off their album. “I wrote that song way back in 1971 because I was upset about the Vietnam War,” he says. “I got an e-mail from Don [Henley] after the record came out saying, ‘Hey J.D., Glenn [Frey] really sang the heck out of that one, didn’t he?’ I agree. I love their version. Needless to say, the song’s back in my set.”
Souther appears at Acoustic Music San Diego on December 10. For tickets, call 619-303-8176 or go to acousticmusicsandiego.com.
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