The actual history behind our celebration of St. Valentine is very cloudy. Was he a priest who rebelled against a Roman ruler who declared no Roman soldier could marry? Was he a martyr who helped early Christians escape imprisionment and persecution? Or…was he an imprisoned man who sent the first Valentine to his jailor’s daughter professing his love – and was slain for that “crime”. Who really knows? I do know we’ve got two great tunes on the Flashback tonight!

This week’s Valentine’s edition of Flatlands Flashback focuses on a couple of great “Love” Songs…our first is a favorite from Drive By Truckers. Goddamn Lonely Love is a gritty, hard forged lament belted out and left beating slowly on the floor. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit released a later version of the song, which is also great, but we opted for a live 2006 Jason and the Truckers version. <insert Jason and the Argonauts joke here>

Our second selection a song I’ve always liked – it’s hit in a number of different formats by a number of different artists. It’s a Bob Dylan original and folks from Bob to Garth to Billy to Adele released versions. I like the Adele version, but I really feel this version of Make You Feel My Love by Joan Osborne rendition from 2000. It’s a bare bones re-do with Joan’s smooth voice, some lilting steel, some gravel guitar and some distant percussion.

Enjoy the Flashbacks and we’ll enjoy a Flatlands Valentine’s Day!

Spectacular question – thanks for asking.  I’m a music lover from a rural area in Northwest Ohio.  I love most everything about where I’m from…except for the musical isolation.  Northwest Ohio definitely lives the description of the Flatlands – we’ve got miles and miles of rolling, flat territory – perfect for a travel afternoon with the Americana seeping in from the stereo.

This blog has been rattling around in my head for years – I see it as a way to connect with other folks who love the same music.  People who smile for days when they discover a new band or stumble back on a song they haven’t heard in years.  People who want to sit and share the tunes they’ve found and talk about the people who make that great music.

I love a Flatlands music mix of blues, folk, rock, bluegrass, R&B and even a little bit of country sprinkled in.  That’s what you’ll find here – I’ll drop in new releases from some great artists, some Throwback videos, some of my thoughts on good tunes, and maybe some photography from our little corner of the world.

Americana From the Flatlands might not hit you square in your heart every time, but I really hope I can share some sparks of new music that might light your musical heart.  This is all about building a community, so share with me – share your discoveries, share your thoughts and take what you like with you.

Thanks for visiting me in the Flatlands!  And here’s a view I’d love to have at the Ryman some day!