Hear Ray Wylie Hubbard’s New Song With Eric Church, Lucinda Williams
Texas legend Ray Wylie Hubbard reaffirms his commitment to the joys and agonies of the road in “Tell the Devil I’m Getting There as Fast as I Can,” the title track from his forthcoming new album. This time around, he gets an assist from two other major figures in Americana and country: Lucinda Williams and Eric Church – who famously name-checked Hubbard in the song “Mr. Misunderstood” and brought the singer onstage in Dallas in February to sing Hubbard’s “Screw You, We’re From Texas.”
“My last band covered the Clash, the Kinks and the Replacements,” sings Hubbard, sharing a litany of touring musician’s concerns: gear crammed in the back of a van, ringing ears, and the endless expanses of highway that await any performer who’s in it for the long haul. His salvation proves to be a classic one, in the form of an enchanting woman who’s battled darkness and come out stronger on the other side. Church and Williams chime in on the chorus, riding an easygoing groove that – contrary to the song’s title – doesn’t seem to be in any hurry. In the video, images of all three performers flicker past, playing stages of all sizes and recording in the studio.
“‘Tell the Devil’ is a rock & roll fable about hanging your life on a guitar, holding onto a dream no matter what or how long it takes, wagering your soul in a crooked game and falling in love with a badass tattooed woman. . .hmmm, maybe it isn’t a fable,” says Hubbard.
Tell the Devil I’m Getting There as Fast as I Can arrives August 18th and features additional guests Patty Griffin and psych band Bright Light Social Hour. Naturally, Hubbard’s got a full tour itinerary this summer, with his next stop happening June 1st in Brooklyn, New York.