Jay Farrar: Live at Mark Costanzo’s House Feb. 6, 2014 (photos: MJB @ Thunderbird Ranch Ramble)

When Uncle Tupelo split, my gritty dirty desert cosmic cowboy side chose Farrar and Son Volt over Tweedy on principle (and of course his voice).

Uncle Tupelo (circa 1987): Jay Farrar on left, Jeff Tweedy in center… with big (likely warm) Forties

Through the years, Jeff Tweedy’s post Uncle Tupelo band…Wilco, has won my head and heart (fair and square).  That doesn’t mean I still can’t dig Jay Farrar and all that he does.


Lucky for me…I was able to attend Mark Costanzo’s house concert on February 6.  As a warm-up to his City Winery dates, Jay Farrar buzz sawed through new and old songs from his extensive catalog.  With guitar man extraordinaire Gary Hunt in tow… song after song of Burrito Brother spawn music filled the backyard NJ studio barn.


Up close and personal with 80 or so other house guests (THANK YOU MARK!), I was able to see the white (and red) in Jay’s eyes. 





Mark is bringing in Yarn for an intimate show…here’s his website if you can get yourself to Freehold, NJ.


That distinctive voice and pitter patter of the six strings was a thing of beauty.


Simple and straight… Jay Farrar’s playing is just what the doctor ordered after a hard rocking night of The Hold Steady in Brooklyn.

FYW.