Who knew that a collaboration between the MTA and Jack White could be so Soulful? Many of you probably know about Jack White's label Third Man Records, but probably more for the fact that it's run by one of the most eclectic and busy people of the music buisness, not to mention the founder of the White Stripes and the Dead Weather. If not that, then probably for its "Stunt Records," like the peach scented record, Texas Sized 13" record, the Triple Decker Record, and most recently the Reggie Watts Hair Record (Jack's expression in that vid as he tried to play it was priceless!).
But Third Man is also a Label that releases some seriously good music. Although many of it's releases sit in the Garage and indy rock camps (themselves broad categories), they also release fine examples of country, Spoken Word (Conan's record is now on my record list. . .), Folk, and, of course, Soul.
Which brings us to today's record. Transit is a Band consisting of Nashville Metro Transit Authority workers. While its unsurprising that many of the bus drivers and workers are musicians, this being Nashville and all, the fact that they all got together and decided to make some soul is amazing (look next time you are on the bus, and you may see one of them). As the Bands bio points out, it's very much "part of a long-standing folk tradition of people coming together to make something beautiful out of a shared external circumstance. From the Detroit Sanitary Worker’s Band or the American Watch Company Band, there is deep history of music that reflects employee’s shared experiences and brings them to the wider attention of the public at large." (1)
The music itself is a shining example of modern Soul. Based in the church and wanting to spread joy, the vocals are strait out of the choir, at first sitting over a guitar and organ foundation, coming in after a tasteful Sax solo, before building into almost a march (and if MTA doesn't use this song in their advertising, they are fools). After the first chorus, the guitar, organ, and sax trade solos as the bass groove comes in, moving us out of the march for a second until the song modulates up and moves into the outro. Jacks production really helps keep this 45 from becoming too cheesy (as it is really easy to do with modern Soul music), keeping it a little rough around the edges sonically.
Side Two, After Party, starts out nice and smokey, kinda like being in a good bar late at night, as Transit asks us to keep going tonight and head to the After Party (Transit Party!). The Organ is the main instrument this time, adding a hell of a moving motif behind the chorus, and stabbing us during the verse. High energy drums keep us rolling throughout, like the drummer can't wait to get to the party to let it all out. If this was the after party, I have to wonder what the first party was like!
Thus far, this is the only release by a solid group, a decision that I have to question. Come on, Jack! How about an album?
(1) Third Man Records
Get it Here
Sorry, no Sample this time.
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