52/52 PROJECT: Week 22, Song 22 - Friday Night Fights at Al’s Place (Larry Jon Wilson)
The world lost a great treasure this week. Larry Jon Wilson, who in my opinion is one of the greatest songwriters/storytellers of all time, passed on Monday. He’s been a huge inspiration to me, and I am proud to call him a friend.
“Friday Night Fights” was one of the first of his songs that I was introduced to and I was instantly hooked. The story in the song itself could be either completely true, or some grade-A BS that Larry Jon was so great at delivering… I don’t really care to know either way. It’s part of the allure of his songwriting.
I quickly worked this version up on Monday after hearing of his passing and recorded it Tuesday evening in Brooklyn. It’s not perfect by any stretch, but I had a great time doing it and schooling some hipsters on the wonders of LJW in the process. I hope he would approve.
