I love finding bands like this. The Continental Drifters remind me that some of the best music never reaches the Top 40. This song has the sound of musicians who have nothing left to prove and are simply making the music they believe in. If you like The Band, The dB’s, or early Americana, I think you’ll find yourself coming back to this song again. I listened to two of their albums and you get a variety. You get female-driven songs like this, and you get male-driven songs like Mezzanine.
The band is made up of musicians who had already built impressive careers, including Susan Cowsill of The Cowsills, Vicki Peterson of The Bangles, The Dream Syndicate, Peter Holsapple of The dB’s, and several outstanding New Orleans musicians like Carlo Nuccio, a great New Orleans drummer and singer/songwriter. Everyone in the band could write songs, sing, and play multiple instruments, which gave them a rich sound without ever becoming cluttered. They never became a hit band, but musicians and critics knew just how special they were. Although they formed in Los Angeles, they eventually settled in New Orleans, and you can hear both musical worlds in their sound.
Some songs grab you the first time you hear them, and then some songs slowly work their way into your head. This one did that for me. I was drawn in by the title first. Then the guitars kicked in, and it had that loose, rootsy sound that reminds me of The Band. It feels like you’re riding down an endless highway with the windows down, even though the story underneath isn’t nearly as carefree.
The song was written by guitarist Vicki Peterson, formerly of The Bangles, and she also takes the lead vocal. She based it on a difficult cross-country trip with fellow band member Gary Eaton during a time when their relationship was coming apart. Instead of writing a typical breakup song, she wrapped it in the image of traveling across America. The result is a song that sounds hopeful on the surface but carries just enough sadness to make it memorable.
Without a major label, they released a song as a single in 1997. It served as a preview of the sound that would soon appear on Vermilion, the album that many fans consider their masterpiece.
I also wanted to give you another song by them called Mezzanine. Carlo Nuccio, a great New Orleans drummer, singer/songwriter, wrote this song and is singing the lead vocal.
Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway
It took two hours to drive out of post-quake l.a.
Where the freeway is sliced up like sheet cake
Got new tires I’m not gonna worry
Got three days to go so I’m not in a hurry
Get into tucson and what do I find
I’m having some trouble just keeping my mind
On the 10.
Driving by that detour we took
To watch the sunset at the scenic overlook
The light was lovely but to my surprise
The most violent colors were in your eyes
All the reds and yellows, black and blue
It’s what I remember from driving with you
On the 10.
On the 10.
Whoa oh, white noise and lightening
Ooooo on the radio, oh no.
Looking up a tree like a georgia o’keefe
And the texas stars are in high relief
University road, you think I’d have learned
So many new ways to get bitten and burned
At the devil’s river inn at three a.m.
Hey, give me those keys I gotta get
Back on the 10.
On the 10.
Whoa oh, white noise and lightening
Ooooo on the radio, go robert, go!
Feeling unbound of heart and breast
Got the visor down and I’m headed west
A little wiser now, I’m unimpressed
By the secret you and I confessed
On the 10 (whoa oh).
On the 10 (whoa oh)
On the 10 (whoa oh)
On the 10 (whoa oh).
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Mezzanine sounds a lot like the band Son Volt.
It does…it has that alt-country sound.
A couple familiar names, including Sussn Cowsill. Bought her solo album at least I think she only did one. But this set up is new to me. Great stuff Max.
Thanks Randy…for me as well. Her and Vicki Peterson make a great duo on songs.
I like it! Thanks for the intro, Max!
Thanks for giving it a try Dana!
On my playlists now!
Nice music, Max. Interstate 10 is an east-west highway running from Jacksonville, Florida to Santa Monica, California, passing by Tallahassee and Pensacola, Florida, Mobile, Alabama, Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles, Louisiana, Beaumont, Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso in Texas, Las Cruces in New Mexico, Tucson, Mesa, and Phoenix in Arizona, and Palm Springs, San Bernadino, and Los Angeles in California.
Holy Cow! I never knew it went on near all of those cities.
When we did a road tour out of phoenix I thiiiiink Prescott is on the 10. Anyway we stopped in and had a nice meal with an Aunt of mine who was living there. It must have been about 20 or so years ago. My, don’t the time fly.
I had no clue it reached that far…that covers a lot of ground.
Happy July 4 to you!
When I saw the title I thought ‘why do I know that band name’ then reading it of course I remembered it was Peterson’s post-Bangles band. This sounds fairly good, her voice reminds me a bit of Linda Ronstadt a bit when she was rockin’. Some good talent in the group.
I may have heard of them through you…I’m not sure. But I thought you would know them having her in that band. I think that is cool…her and a Susan Cowsill…both have really good voices.
New to my ears
Mine as well Glyn…
What a great find, Max. To start with, Continental Drifters is a cool name. More importantly, based on the two songs you highlighted, they sound great! “Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway” with its driving vibe is a perfect driving song. “Mezzanine” sounds mighty sweet as well and reminds me a bit of Steve Earle.
In any case, I think I’m going to listen these two songs and some of their other music during the 30-minute car ride it takes to pick up my wife and son from a hotel later today. Last night, we had a power outage in my area following a short but severe thunderstorm, so my wife got us a room where we could spend the night comfortably with A/C. Luckily, power was restored a couple of hours ago.
Thanks man! I really like this band! I figured you would like this. They have a dual sound with a male and female singer. Sorry about the outage man…especially now that it’s so hot! Glad you got a room and everything is back on.
Thanks, Max. Yeah, I just refilled two gas canisters since we may get some thunderstorms again tonight. And, yep, Continental Drifters sound like they should be right up my alley, so I’m looking forward to further check them out! 🙂
Yea we are getting some as well…hope not…I’m going to 3 parties this afternoon lol.
Hope you’re staying cool. Most of all, please be safe!
It is HOT! But yea we are going to two of them shortly and then the neighborhood shoots off fireworks.
I’m currently watching FIFA soccer (France vs. Paraguay), now that the friggin’ power is back. Can you imagine playing outdoors in a 100-plus F?!
Uh NO. Baseball players do this everyday…I don’t see how…on a field it is sweltering…I’ve done it before.
I like the harmonies a lot, and the musicianship. Tight band. Great lyrics.
Thanks Pam!!!
Agreed. Not a weak point in the band, all very cohesive.
I can lock into this band all day long. Lots of shifts and changes which I like but always in the ballpark.
The pure variety they give you is awesome….the two female singers hold their own down really well…
The gals are a big part and add that Band element of 3 or 4 different vocals. This band could make quality music for a long time with what they have going on. Good responses from your gang on this one. very cool Max
Oh yes…very good response…thanks CB…this band has some known people…I don’t get why they weren’t heard more.
Just the way the mop flops.
I was going to hit like…but no…I have to remember that phrase.
And yet another stellar band that the general public miss out on. Life as a musician eh? Not every band gets the fame and fortune they deserve. And even more galling is when some half-assed talent gets a number one with some novelty tripe of a song about too sexy shirts or goody two shoes. Fame and fortune can be such a crap shoot.
I totally agree.. it does seem like the ones that should make it many times don’t….but sing about a duck that does disco…and you have made it.
Lol. And then some little Ray of sunshine goes off on a way too long winning Streak.
Thanks for the intro to this band. Columbus grabbed me from the first notes.
Glad you liked it! This album grew on me in the past week.
Ive heard the name since I like a lot of the parent bands, but hadn’t heard them before. Sounds good, i like Peterson in that roots-rock context.
I would have never pictured her in a band like this…it works well.