Sturgill Simpson Releases Cuttin’ Grass Vol 2. (Cowboy Arms Sessions)
That bastard did it again. Just as country and bluegrass fans were just settling in for a long Winter’s nap Thursday evening (12-10), alerts started going off that Sturgill Simpson wasn’t just messing with us when he titled his recent Cuttin’ Grass album Vol. 1. Just as he did with the first installment, Vol. 2 (Cowboy Arms Sessions) has just populated across streaming platforms as a surprise release.
“On Volume 2, we recorded everything I was too afraid to do on Volume 1… It’s hard to deny that this is a much more personal record. I was thinking about my kids, my grandfather, my wife,” Sturgill says of the album. It includes numerous tracks from his Grammy award-winning album from 2016, A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, which he wrote after the passing of his grandfather, the birth of his first son, and includes the song “Oh Sarah” about his wife, first recorded in his band Sunday Valley.
Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 2 also includes a version of the song “You Can Have The Crown” that Sturgill had previously retired from performing, with a slight lyrics change. The album also ends with a song called “Hobo Cartoon,” which Sturgill says was co-written with Merle Haggard. Named after the infamous Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa where Country Music Hall of Famer and producer “Cowboy” Jack Clement plied his craft for many years, the record features and additional 11 songs from the Sturgill Simpson repertoire done bluegrass style.
In a recent interview, Sturgill Simpson revealed his plans to tour with the bluegrass music once COVID-19 restrictions lift.
Simpson challenged his fans to raise money for The Special Forces Foundation and various other charities through May and June, incentivizing them by promising to play a live stream, and release a new record (or records) if they reached certain goals. He subsequently performed a bluegrass set at the Ryman Auditorium in June, and later cut Vol. 1 at The Butcher Shoppe recording studio in Nashville. It was the last album cut in the studio, forcing Sturgill to find a new studio for Vol. 2.
Joining Sturgill Simpson are bluegrass pickers Stuart Duncan, Mike Bub, Sierra Hull, Scott Vestal, Tim O’Brien and Mark Howard. Sturgill’s drummer Miles Miller was also part of the session.
Sturgill appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Thursday night (12-10) performing from The Station Inn in Nashville with the studio band after Kimmel officially announced the new album. Sturgill also teased the release a few minutes before it dropped on Instagram.
The album is being released on High Top Mountain Records via Thirty Tigers. Physical copies are now available for pre-order.
TRACK LIST:
1. Call To Arms
2. Brace for Impact (Live a Little)
3. Oh Sarah
4. Sea Stories
5. Hero
6. Welcome To Earth (Pollywog)
7. Jesus Boogie
8. Keep It Between The Lines
9. You Can Have The Crown
10. Tennessee
11. Some Days
12. Hobo Cartoon
Cackalack
December 10, 2020 @ 10:40 pm
Well hell yes.
Hank Charles
December 10, 2020 @ 10:44 pm
Can’t believe he actually reprised “You Can Have the Crown”. I never thought he’d actually play that song again, let alone re-record it.
The verse change was a nice touch though.
Trigger
December 10, 2020 @ 10:54 pm
Yes, he’s said numerous times that song was retired. But he’s also saying,” “On Volume 2, we recorded everything I was too afraid to do on Volume 1,” so it looks like he got over it.
Kyle
December 11, 2020 @ 5:01 am
Mongo, only pawn in game of life.
Can’t go wrong with Blazing Saddle quotes!
Andreas
December 11, 2020 @ 6:58 am
We are not worthy. Thank you Sturgill for this. A great end to a shit year.
Mat
December 11, 2020 @ 7:51 am
Just curious: did he he say why it was previously retired?
Hank Charles
December 11, 2020 @ 8:49 am
He “hates” the song and “wishes he could have that one back”. It’s his version of a buzzword country song that he wrote mostly as a joke that everyone, myself included, took in earnest and loved. It’s a catchy song made in the same vein as Blues Traveler’s “Hook”, and gained a similar ironic popularity.
He probably hasn’t played it live since 2015, maybe before.
Oh well, no more complaining about the crowd yelling “KING TURD!” between songs.
JD
December 11, 2020 @ 9:28 am
Last time I saw it live was April of 2015, he wasn’t playing it when I saw him again that September.
Hank Charles
December 11, 2020 @ 8:56 am
He’s talked about it a few times elsewhere in podcasts and interviews, but the vid below is him explaining it to a crowd overseas during an acoustic set.
https://youtu.be/mrajqbEBR8k
Sarah
December 10, 2020 @ 10:46 pm
Get outta here just listened 💕
The Other Wayne
December 10, 2020 @ 11:49 pm
It’s great, but I do wish he’d done at least one Sound & Fury song bluegrass style
Henning
December 11, 2020 @ 2:21 am
That’s for Volume 3!
plus “The Promise” and “In Bloom” …
Here’s hoping!
D Ray White
December 11, 2020 @ 4:49 am
The Mongo reference was gold. Just about spit out my coffee
Happy Dan
December 10, 2020 @ 10:48 pm
Wow: Welcome To Earth (Pollywog)
Jared S.
December 11, 2020 @ 7:19 am
Yeah. That one is far better than the original.
Jon
December 10, 2020 @ 11:05 pm
Hot Damn. Maybe even better than the last? Keep It Between the Lines COOKS!
Ben
December 10, 2020 @ 11:27 pm
I was listening to vol 1 yesterday and told my brother I thought it would’ve been cool if he’d have done Call to Arms and Brace for Impact bluegrass style, great timing Simpson! Holy smokes what a great year for Sturgill fans, with all the shit going down to at least have these kickass albums coming out rapid fire.
Also….Jesus Boogie 🤯
steve
December 10, 2020 @ 11:31 pm
“Tennessee” is just fucking phenomenal.
Bring on volume 3!
Jay W
December 11, 2020 @ 8:07 am
I’ve been trying to find a good recording of that song ever since I saw the live youtube version 8 years ago, can’t believe he actually recorded it, that just made my 2020!
Curious of the history of the song, I don’t believe Sunday Valley ever recorded it, is it a cover?
mouths of babes
December 11, 2020 @ 9:37 am
The blurb on the record store day website says ‘…two previously unreleased songs, Tennessee and Hobo Cartoon…’ It then goes on to say that Hobo Cartoon was written with Merle.
I’m taking that to mean it’s a new Sturgill song and he is the lone songwriter of it.
jjazznola
December 10, 2020 @ 11:33 pm
I like it more than vol 1. Still I’d rather hear him rock out.
Jack Young
December 10, 2020 @ 11:34 pm
I love Sturgill Simpson. That’s my comment.
EP
December 11, 2020 @ 12:18 am
Hero sounds like it was meant to be done this way all along, and given the context, I suspect it was.
Henning
December 11, 2020 @ 2:44 am
I only just read that “Hobo Cartoon” was co-written by Merle Haggard and Sturgill!
Wobblyhorse
December 11, 2020 @ 8:27 am
I was thinking it sounded like a Merle song!
Blackh4t
December 11, 2020 @ 4:11 am
Nice, this is good music. Will be interesting to see if bluegrass purists pick it up.
Hobo Cartoon sounds like it could become a standard.
JM
December 11, 2020 @ 11:54 pm
I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t, the other artists playing on it well respected in the bluegrass community. Also as far as vol 1 goes, if a bluegrass “purist” tells you a little light, railroad of sin as well as almost all the others isn’t pure bluegrass they clearly don’t know what bluegrass is. Also both albums were recorded with only acoustic stringed instruments which technically by definition makes it bluegrass.
Banjo
December 11, 2020 @ 4:37 am
Trig, you might have to append your “Album of the Year” and “Song of the Year” posts. This album is amazing and “Hobo Cartoon” is an instant classic. And I don’t know if “Tennessee” is a new song or not, but that sounds like Keith Whitley could have sang it…so damn good.
Trigger
December 11, 2020 @ 8:58 am
I definitely think we should consider the ‘Cuttin’ Grass” volumes together as a candidate for Album of the Year, since Vol. 1 is already nominated. I’ll be reviewing the record soon, once I can give it more spins and let it simmer a bit.
Digs
December 11, 2020 @ 4:56 am
Sturgill= Artist of the Year
Stork
December 11, 2020 @ 5:18 am
Don’t know where to begin. I’d wager I’ve listened to as much Sturgill as any other human and that’s no exaggeration – I was in college when high top came out and spent my days listening to music constantly – more SS than anything, and he remains my top artist today. Now that I’ve prefaced this with my Stan status, I’ve got to say that this is the first time since I first heard sailors guide that I’ve been moved to tears by music. Two songs off that album stick out – welcome to earth hit me differently because in a few short months I’ll be a father myself, and brace for impact – just wow. I have always understood the theme of that song but I think the production of these versions adds a certain weight to them that is distinctly different from the originals. Same with Jesus boogie, i always thought the protagonist (Jesus) was angry in the original cuts of that song, but there’s a cutting sadness in this version akin to Passion of the Christ (that personification of the crucifiction).
Two more noteworthy tracks, Tennessee floored me. THAT IS A DAMN COUNTRY SONG. I’m so happy to see these old Sunday valley tunes getting proper treatments, and that’s about as deep a cut as there is. And finally Hobo Cartoon, I’m a huge haggard fan as most on this site probably are and I think it fits into the canon of his work so we’ll, especially because of the story and friendship between the two.
Volume 1 was great, but volume 2 is special.
Big Cat
December 11, 2020 @ 5:23 am
Well didn’t take long to shut up all the Volume 2 doubters LOL.
This album is badass!!! Love the arrangements.
First listen, as a stand alone album this might be better than Vol 1. Regardless, if you handpick half +/- the songs from Vol 1 with most of Vol 2, it’s as good as it gets IMO
Big Cat
December 11, 2020 @ 5:44 am
…..and the Merle tracks are perfect
Bill Goodman
December 11, 2020 @ 3:46 pm
I’m not sure why there were volume 2 doubters as he himself said at the Ryman concert he was putting out 2 volumes
Josh Turel
December 11, 2020 @ 6:01 am
Is it too late to nominate Hobo Cartoon for song of the year? Hot damn!
John R Baker
December 11, 2020 @ 6:17 am
I kind of think this came out even better than the 1st one. The Merle Haggard collaboration is a great finishing touch.
Paddy
December 11, 2020 @ 6:19 am
Sturgill must be wondering how things can change. Sound & Fury saw him being castigated and now he is once again in the good books. He is simply a genius. We are lucky to have him. And Taylor Swift has announced a new surprise album. And the vaccine has been okayed. We are having a happy Xmas.
Matt "Mayday" Saracen
December 11, 2020 @ 9:07 am
Taylor Swift AND Ryan Adams
paddy
December 11, 2020 @ 12:31 pm
Just bought the Adams on Qobuz. Thanks for mentioning it.
Crum
December 11, 2020 @ 6:41 am
Love that there are some slightly longer instrumental sections in this one to let these players shine even more, and gives these songs more of that “cosmic” sound. Sierra Hull is easily the MVP of the Cuttin’ Grass series!
Jack W
December 11, 2020 @ 6:49 am
I’ve only listened to the first half so far, but yeah, there’s a bit of a newgrass feel to some of it.
thegentile
December 11, 2020 @ 6:55 am
who was the hater that said he was never going to drop vol. 2 and then sturg goes and does it before the end of the year? lol. this is great stuff.
Paddy
December 11, 2020 @ 9:31 am
As I said earlier, one minute he is an asshole and next minute a hero. He is simply brilliant. Ignore the morons.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
December 11, 2020 @ 7:00 am
Just amazing. Haven’t listened in good speakers yet, but this one appears to sound even better than the butcher shoppe sessions. I love that he did Sea Stories.
I don’t think it can be understated how awesome and genius of an idea this whole project was, both from the charity angle and from a general career standpoint. It also really re-emphasizes how many damn good songs he’s written in such a short career. ….Although, to be fair, that group of musicians could cut Insane Clown Posse’s back catalogue and it would turn out amazing. Whoop whoop!
Kentucky_1875
December 11, 2020 @ 7:03 am
This is awesome!! Thanks Stu!!!
Banjo
December 11, 2020 @ 7:21 am
I agree…more Stugrass!!
Grant
December 11, 2020 @ 7:06 am
I think what we have all learned here is everything sounds better with a bluegrass composition.
RedDirtCyclone
December 11, 2020 @ 7:08 am
YOU CAN HAVE THE CROWN! YOU CAN HAVE THE CROWN! YOU CAN HAVE THE CROWN!
Also, we’re all jus pawns in the game of life like Mongo. Beautiful.
Di Harris
December 11, 2020 @ 7:47 am
Mongo like candy
John Miller
December 11, 2020 @ 7:20 am
I’m up in Western NY, not exactly a hot bed for bluegrass so it looks like I’ll be traveling to see this. After almost a year with no live music I am so ready to get back to small venues and real musicians. My support for artists has been limited to buying Merch and music, looks like I’m adding both from Stugill’s site after this. My DDSS shirt was a hit with my brothers this summer.
Adam Gump
December 11, 2020 @ 8:05 am
Its great, I love it. I think I like this one a little more than the first one!
FYI, Craig Gerdes released a single today, “You’re not in the picture anymore” and it is perfect if you love them ol’ sad songs. It sounds old school, has all the right instruments in it and of course Craig’s voice is perfect for it.
JD
December 11, 2020 @ 2:03 pm
Thanks, been digging into his catalog today and really dig it!
Thom's Country Bunker
December 11, 2020 @ 8:29 am
Oh wow! He’s actually letting the band solo on this one! It’s cookin’!
Cap Ar
December 11, 2020 @ 8:42 am
That Call to Arms is fire to kick off Vol. 2. Two thumbs way up for this album. The picking is just good ol’ fun. Seems like these albums will really shine for years to come.
Jerry Clower's Ghost
December 11, 2020 @ 8:47 am
Sturgill = laser pointer
Everyone else = the cat
thegentile
December 11, 2020 @ 9:19 am
jerry’s brain = litter box
jerry’s opinion = cat turd
Hank Charles
December 11, 2020 @ 9:48 am
Bought it last night, but finally had the chance to go through it cover to cover.
Vol 2 is what Vol 1 should have been, fewer tracks and more developed songs. There’s a lot of Vol 1 that I thought he should have left on the cutting room floor. I think he just tried to do squeeze in too many songs on Vol 1.
These are great, and seem more polished.
Lewis
December 11, 2020 @ 9:51 am
Fantastic two albums
I’ll confess; personal preference, I wasn’t that wild about “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth.” Thought it was really well-written, but just wasn’t my style. This is such a great way to get back into some of the songs from that album and really enjoy them in a different format.
Digs
December 11, 2020 @ 3:39 pm
Totally agree that this has been my biggest revelation from these albums is how much the ASGTS songs shine in this format.
Dont know if its because the band was more comfortable with each other, but they let the songs breathe a bit more on VOL 2, and in general, i find them a little sharper. Excellent release. Loving it.
Jerry Clower's Ghost
December 11, 2020 @ 9:58 am
What I like most about these records is he’s eliminated most of the marble mouth, and he’s staying on the mic. I can actually understand what he’s saying the majority of the time.
Shastacatfish
December 11, 2020 @ 10:37 am
Boring. I was too bored to say something with vol. 1 but I guess now I will. I was bored when Alan Jackson did it, bored when Dwight Yoakam did, I was even bored when Eric Strickland did it. I am less than bored with Sturgill Simpson doing it twice. With all the other guys, Yoakam and Strickland in particular, I have heaps of admiration and goodwill for. With Simpson, I am over him. All his comments and self-centered drama are even more boredom inducing and detracts from his legitimate achievements. If he ever got back to recording some country music rather then barfing out some sweaty krautrock or rehashing old takes for a buck, I might care to check in and see what he is doing.
Jerry Clower's Ghost
December 11, 2020 @ 11:42 am
Dude, why you gotta bring Eric into this? His last record was fire.
Paddy
December 11, 2020 @ 1:02 pm
This guy says he is bored. Sure went to a lot of bother to make this post. Not that bored.
Shastacatfish
December 11, 2020 @ 1:54 pm
I like Eric Strickland a lot. A LOT. I just don’t like the bluegrass rehash albums. I am 100% in Strickland’s corner when he cuts another honky tonk record.
Jerry Clower's Ghost
December 11, 2020 @ 2:30 pm
But wasn’t Black and White and Blue all originals? Or am i wrong about that?
I wouldn’t hold your breath for a record like his previous ones. He seems pretty settled into the family and bluegrass life. But i would love to hear new stuff from him, no matter what sound he’s going for.
Benny Lee
December 11, 2020 @ 11:05 am
This is way better than Vol. 1, which was also great, but a little unfocused and simply too long.
The songs from Sailor’s are so much better as bluegrass songs it’s not even funny.
Glad to see more Sunday Valley content, some of those songs are some of his best.
A triumphant return for You Can Have the Crown, with a Blazing Saddles reference thrown in for good measure.
A Merle Haggard co-write that pays homage in its execution.
This could be my #2 for AOTY, it’s that amazing.
Still doesn’t touch Colter Wall’s Western Swing & Waltzes, which breaks the same original content rule as these albums, but whose resurrection of a long forgotten (by most) genre is so much more impactful. Yes, I’m lobbying for it. 🙂
I would agree that these two releases should vault Sturgill onto the shortlist for Artist of the Year, if he’s not there already.
Blackh4t
December 11, 2020 @ 1:41 pm
After listening a few times, I like it a lot but can’t stand Hero. Seriously, drop it with family shit.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
December 11, 2020 @ 2:27 pm
You realize it’s a re-recording of a song that is 7+ years old…
Blackh4t
December 11, 2020 @ 6:27 pm
Yes, but the original had melodramatic music to warn you that the lyrics were cheesy, and there are other songs I dislike on the album, so skipping was ok.
Now its got a lovely intro and then its all family “my dad was the best ever, who cares if its statistically impossible for everyone to be the best ever”
We need more songs like Decoration Day.
Mongo
December 11, 2020 @ 1:45 pm
Mongo impressed. Have deep feelings for Sturgil Simpson
Trainwreck92
December 11, 2020 @ 2:06 pm
JESUS BOOGIE!!! This has been my favorite Sunday Valley/Sturgill Simpson song since January 23, 2011 when SCM reviewed Sunday Valley’s debut (and farewell) record, To The Wind and On To Heaven. While I’m disappointed that there’s no Sunday Valley music available to purchase or stream anymore, Sturgill re-recording those old tunes in a bluegrass style is a hell of a consolation.
Bill Goodman
December 11, 2020 @ 3:49 pm
I’m surprised he didn’t include “Never Go To Town Again”
Kevin Mayfield
December 11, 2020 @ 3:56 pm
It’s interesting that this is the one he says is more personal, and it’s fewer tracks, and ordered intentionally rather than simply thrown in alphabetically.
Listening to it now, and looking forward to seeing how it works as an album.
albert
December 11, 2020 @ 4:27 pm
it seems that a SS fan is an SS fan no matter what musical direction SS takes . great for SS
BUT ….if you are a long time fan of BLUEGRASS music there’s a lot of SERIOUS bluegrass artists to check out here :
https://bluegrasstoday.com/chart/
Digs
December 12, 2020 @ 8:08 am
Maybe Volume 3 will be a surprise release of pickin’ on Sound and Fury?!
Moe
December 12, 2020 @ 2:57 pm
I like this better than vol 1
James
December 12, 2020 @ 7:45 pm
Just went back and read the Sturgill “asshole” article and comments…how fast people changed their view of Sturgill back to positive…
Tango_Whiskey
April 23, 2021 @ 4:09 pm
I really don’t like call to arms. I love it musically and there is a lot of truth in it. However he calls servicemen being mindless drones is ridiculous. A lot of people go into it for the right reasons and some like my dad are forced (Vietnam). Then you see your friends die and this bs political talk is mindless. These guys are there fighting for their lives and thought they were there for their country. Make a song about Lyndon Johnson or anyone who is actually responsible. This is the whole reason I can’t recommend Sturgill to my dad. Sorry but he missed on that song. Awesome album, he is talented.