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''Ain't Living Long Like This'' is the debut studio album by
American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...
country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern United States in the early 1920s. It primarily derives from blues, church music such as Southern gospel and spirituals, ...
singer-songwriter
Rodney Crowell Rodney Crowell (born August 7, 1950) is an American musician, known primarily for his work as a singer and songwriter in country music. Crowell has had five number one singles on Hot Country Songs, all from his 1988 album '' Diamonds & Dirt''. ...
, released in 1978 by
Warner Bros. Records Warner Records Inc. (formerly Warner Bros. Records Inc.) is an American record label. A subsidiary of the Warner Music Group, it is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. It was founded on March 19, 1958, as the recorded music division of the ...
. It failed to enter the
Top Country Albums Top Country Albums is a chart published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine in the United States. The 50-position chart lists the most popular country music albums in the country, calculated weekly by Broadcast Data Systems based on physical sales a ...
chart. The songs, " Elvira", "
Song for the Life "Song for the Life" is a song written by American singer Rodney Crowell and originally recorded by The Seldom Scene. Crowell recorded the song in 1978 on his debut album '' Ain't Living Long Like This'', and since then, the song has been covered by ...
" and "(Now and Then, There's) A Fool Such as I" were released as singles but they all failed to chart within the top 40. Despite this, ''Ain't Living Long Like This'' is considered one of Crowell's best and most influential albums. Brett Hartenbach of
Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
says it "''not only showcases his songwriting prowess, but also his ability to deliver a song, whether it's one of his own or the work of another writer''".Allmusic review for "Ain't Livin' Long Like This" (see infobox) Most of the songs on this album were later covered by other artists including
The Oak Ridge Boys The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet originating in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in Southern gospel during the 1950s. Their name was change ...
and
Alan Jackson Alan Eugene Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for blending traditional honky-tonk and mainstream country pop sounds (for a style widely regarded as "neotraditional country"), as well as penning many o ...
. When the album was re-released in 2002 the font on the cover was enlarged to make it more legible.


Content

Three of the tracks are cover songs: * "Elvira" – Dallas Frazier, ''Elvira'' (1966) * "(Now and Then, There's) A Fool Such as I" – Hank Snow(1952) overed by many other artists such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan">Elvis_Presley.html" ;"title="overed by many other artists such as Elvis Presley">overed by many other artists such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves and Lou Rawls] * "I Thought I Heard You Callin' My Name" – Norma Jean (singer), Norma Jean, ''Let's Go All the Way'' (1965) Many Crowell-penned songs have since been covered by other artists. "Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight" was covered by
Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including ...
in 1978 and, a year later, by
The Oak Ridge Boys The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet originating in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in Southern gospel during the 1950s. Their name was change ...
from ''
The Oak Ridge Boys Have Arrived ''The Oak Ridge Boys Have Arrived'' is the third country studio album by The Oak Ridge Boys, released in 1979. "Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight" was previously recorded by co-writer Rodney Crowell in 1978 (''Ain't Living Long Like This'' ...
''. They released it as a single that reached Number One. "Voila, An American Dream" was covered (as "An American Dream") by
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country rock band formed in 1966. The group has existed in various forms since its founding in Long Beach, California. Between 1976 and 1981, the band performed and recorded as the Dirt Band. Constant ...
and was the title track to their 1979 album. Released as a single, the record hit #13 on the U.S. pop charts and #3 in Canada. "I Ain't Living Long Like This" was recorded in 1977 by Gary Stewart for his album, ''Your Place or Mine''., then recorded in 1978 by
Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including ...
for her album, ''
Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town ''Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town'' is the fifth studio album by American country music artist Emmylou Harris, released in 1978. The album reached number 3 on the Billboard Charts, ''Billboard'' charts, with three charting singles: "To Daddy" (wr ...
'', and in 1979 by
Waylon Jennings Waylon Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He pioneered the Outlaw Movement in country music. Jennings started playing guitar at the age of eight and performed at age f ...
for his album, '' What Goes Around Comes Around'', and Jerry Jeff Walker for his album, ''Too Old to Change''.
Brooks & Dunn Brooks & Dunn are an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, both of whom are vocalists and songwriters. The duo was founded in 1990 through the suggestion of Tim DuBois. Before their formation, both members were solo ...
recorded a version in 2003 as a tribute to Waylon.
Andy Griggs Andrew Tyler Griggs (born January 31 1973) 1973) is an American country music artist. He has released three albums for RCA Records Nashville ('' You Won't Ever Be Lonely'', '' Freedom'', and ''This I Gotta See'') and a fourth ('' The Good Life'' ...
recorded a version for his 1999 first album, ''
You Won't Ever Be Lonely You Won't Ever Be Lonely is the debut studio album by American country music singer Andy Griggs, released in 1999 via RCA Nashville. Four singles were top 20 hits on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts be ...
''. "Baby, Better Start Turnin' 'Em Down" was covered by
Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including ...
on her 1983 album ''
White Shoes ''White Shoes'' is a studio album by Emmylou Harris, released in 1983. The album includes a rockish version of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend", a country remake of the Donna Summer hit "On the Radio", and a version of Sandy Denny's "Like an O ...
'' and by Rosanne Cash on her 1979 album '' Right or Wrong''. "Song for the Life" was first covered in 1980 by
John Denver Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, activist, and humanitarian whose greatest commercial success was as a solo singe ...
and in 1982 by
Waylon Jennings Waylon Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He pioneered the Outlaw Movement in country music. Jennings started playing guitar at the age of eight and performed at age f ...
.
Alan Jackson Alan Eugene Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for blending traditional honky-tonk and mainstream country pop sounds (for a style widely regarded as "neotraditional country"), as well as penning many o ...
released his version as a single from his album '' Who I Am'' in 1994 where it became a top ten hit.
Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (197 ...
, Ricky Skaggs,
Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including ...
and
Nicolette Larson Nicolette Larson (July 17, 1952 – December 16, 1997) was an American singer. She is perhaps best known for her work in the late 1970s with Neil Young and her 1978 hit single of Young's "Lotta Love", which hit No. 1 on the Hot Adult Contem ...
sang background vocals on several of the tracks.


Track listing

All tracks composed by Rodney Crowell; except where indicated
Side 1 # " Elvira" ( Dallas Frazier) – 4:26 # "
(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I" is a popular song written by Bill Trader and was published in 1952. Recorded as a single by Hank Snow it peaked at number four on the US country charts early in 1953. Since the original Snow version, "F ...
" (Bill Trader) – 3:14 # "
Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight "Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight" is a song written by Rodney Crowell and Donivan Cowart. The song was initially covered by Emmylou Harris (in whose band Crowell had played during the late 1970s), who included it on her 1978 ''Quarter Moon ...
" (Donivan Cowart, Rodney Crowell) – 3:26 # " Voilá, An American Dream" – 3:53 # "
I Ain't Living Long Like This "I Ain't Living Long Like This" is a song written by Rodney Crowell that was first recorded by Gary Stewart on his 1977 album ''Your Place or Mine'' (with Rodney Crowell and Nicolette Larson on backing vocals). Emmylou Harris then recorded the song ...
" – 5:04 Side 2 # "Baby, Better Start Turnin' 'Em Down" – 4:31 # "
Song for the Life "Song for the Life" is a song written by American singer Rodney Crowell and originally recorded by The Seldom Scene. Crowell recorded the song in 1978 on his debut album '' Ain't Living Long Like This'', and since then, the song has been covered by ...
" – 4:43 # "I Thought I Heard You Callin' My Name" (Lee Emerson) – 3:13 # "California Earthquake (A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On)" – 6:20


Personnel

* Rodney Crowell – vocals, acoustic guitar


Additional musicians

* Brian Ahern – acoustic guitar, percussion * Byron Berline – fiddle, violin * Hal Blaine – drums * James Burton –
Dobro Dobro is an American brand of resonator guitars, currently owned by Gibson and manufactured by its subsidiary Epiphone. The term "dobro" is also used as a generic term for any wood-bodied, single-cone resonator guitar. The Dobro was originally ...
, electric guitar, acoustic guitar *
Ry Cooder Ryland Peter "Ry" Cooder (born March 15, 1947) is an American musician, songwriter, film score composer, record producer, and writer. He is a multi-instrumentalist but is best known for his slide guitar work, his interest in traditional music, an ...
 – acoustic and
slide guitar Slide guitar is a technique for playing the guitar that is often used in blues music. It involves playing a guitar while holding a hard object (a slide) against the strings, creating the opportunity for glissando effects and deep vibratos tha ...
* Donivan Cowart – background vocals *
Hank DeVito Henry M. "Hank" DeVito is an American musician and photographer known primarily for his pedal steel guitar work and songwriting. Biography After high school, DeVito attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He studied graphic arts and ...
 –
steel guitar A steel guitar ( haw, kīkākila) is any guitar played while moving a steel bar or similar hard object against plucked strings. The bar itself is called a "steel" and is the source of the name "steel guitar". The instrument differs from a conve ...
*
Dr. John Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019), better known by his stage name Dr. John, was an American singer and songwriter. His music encompassed New Orleans blues, jazz, funk, and R&B. Active as a session musician from t ...
 – keyboards *
Amos Garrett Amos Garrett (born November 26, 1941) is an American-Canadian blues and blues-rock musician, guitarist, singer, composer, and musical arranger. He has written instructional books about music and guitar. Garrett holds dual citizenship and was rai ...
 – acoustic and electric guitar * John Goldthwaite – electric guitar *
Emory Gordy Jr. Emory Lee Gordy Jr. (born December 25, 1944) is an American musician, songwriter and music producer. A former member of Emmylou Harris' backing band The Hot Band, he is best known for his association with country singer Patty Loveless, to whom ...
 – bass guitar * Richard Greene – strings *
Glen Hardin Glen Dee Hardin (born April 18, 1939) is an American piano player and arranger. He has performed and recorded with such artists as Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris, John Denver, and Ricky Nelson. Career Hardin was born in Wellington, ...
 – piano *
Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including ...
 – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals *
Jerry Jumonville Jerome Noel Jumonville (December 5, 1941 – December 7, 2019), better known as Jerry Jumonville, was an American jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll saxophonist, arranger, and composer. He began playing the saxophone as teenager. Jumonv ...
 – horns, saxophone * Jim Keltner – drums *
Nicolette Larson Nicolette Larson (July 17, 1952 – December 16, 1997) was an American singer. She is perhaps best known for her work in the late 1970s with Neil Young and her 1978 hit single of Young's "Lotta Love", which hit No. 1 on the Hot Adult Contem ...
 – background vocals *
Albert Lee Albert William Lee (born 21 December 1943) is an English guitarist known for his fingerstyle and hybrid picking technique. Lee has worked, both in the studio and on tour, with many famous musicians from a wide range of genres. He has also mai ...
 – electric guitar, mandolin, piano, acoustic guitar, background vocals *
Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (197 ...
 – background vocals *
Mickey Raphael Michael Siegfried "Mickey" Raphael (born November 7, 1951) is an American harmonica player, music producer and actor best known for his work with Willie Nelson, with whom he has toured as part of The Family since 1973. He has performed or reco ...
 – harmonica * Tom Sauber – banjo * Ricky Skaggs – fiddle, violin, background vocals * John Ware – percussion, drums *
Larry Willoughby Larry Willoughby (February 24, 1950 – January 14, 2021) was an American country music singer-songwriter and the vice president of A&R at Capitol Records. Biography Willoughby's debut album, ''Building Bridges'', was released in 1984 by Atlan ...
 – background vocals


Sources

* CMT *
Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
*
AOL Music AOL (stylized as Aol., formerly a company known as AOL Inc. and originally known as America Online) is an American web portal and online service provider based in New York City. It is a brand marketed by the current incarnation of Yahoo! Inc. ...
{{Authority control 1978 debut albums Rodney Crowell albums Warner Records albums Albums produced by Brian Ahern (producer)