Pierce Pettis

Pethead, you speak so highly of him that I'd like to listen to a few albums of his. Which 2 would you recommend I begin with?

His best is Chase the Buffalo, but it’s not available on any streaming site I’m aware of. His later stuff is all on Spotify and, I think, YouTube. I’d start with Everything Matters because it’s widely available, but honestly, all of his albums are fantastic.

Pethead wrote:His best is Chase the Buffalo, but it’s not available on any streaming site I’m aware of. His later stuff is all on Spotify and, I think, YouTube. I’d start with Everything Matters because it’s widely available, but honestly, all of his albums are fantastic.

Thanks! I'll start with EM on YouTube Music. If I enjoy it I'll definitely pick up CtB.

Speaking of Pierce, he’s actually going to be near me next month. I am obviously planning on attending and might take the sleeve of his first vinyl for him to sign. He said last time I saw him that no one had his first album. He underestimated my fandom.

Yeah, I'm a fan. Got him to sign all my CDs too.

Those experiences are what brings color and uniqueness to life! Very cool.

I am really enjoying Everything Matters! Pierce is very similar to my favourite Christian folk musician from the Canadian prairie provinces, Steve Bell. I love finding these less well-known musical gems, and it's even better when they are Christian!

Here's a song of Steve Bell's to highlight their similarities. It's from his first album in 1989.

Also, I skimmed his Wikipedia page and saw that he was influenced by Mark Heard and collaborated with him. I've heard great things about Heard, but never listened to him back in the day because I "had" to listen to heavy, fast music. So I'd like to give Heard a listen to now as well.

Glad you're liking Everything Matters! I'd check out these next, since they should be widely available: Making Light of It (probably the closest in sound to EM), State of Grace, and That Kind of Love. After that, I'd go for Great Big World and Father's Son. Of course, his first 4 are amazing, but kind of hard to find. 

I like that Steve Bell song a lot. 

Definitely check out Mark Heard. Start with the Fingerprint Trilogy: Dry Bones Dance, Second Hand, and Satellite Sky. Satellite Sky is my favorite, but Second Hand is the closest in style to Pierce. 

Some of Bruce Cockburn's stuff is great folk too, especially Dancing in the Dragon's Jaws.

Sounds great! I'm listening to a ton of music now, much more than a year ago. And it's good; one reason I wasn't listening as much was because I was kind of worn out listening to the same music again and again. 

I was introduced to Bruce Cockburn through Steve Bell!! Steve covers quite a few of Bruce's songs throughout his albums including Can I Go With You, All the Diamonds, Foxglove. And then he did an entire album, called My Dinner With Bruce, of Cockburn covers. Although it's really enjoyable and well done, I do like the originals better. I felt Steve over-produced them slightly; I really like the raw sound of Cockburn (at least the albums I've listened to). I haven't listened to DitDJ, so I'll check that out as well. Of the ones I've listened to, I like the 1970 s/t the best; I just love it!

I find Pierce mostly boring, too subdued but really like Cockburn and Heard.

You also like modern Overkill and The Brave’s last album. 

Some of Heard’s early stuff is good, too. Some of it even has a Tom Petty sound (e.g. Victims of the Age and Mosaics).

You are the first thrash fan I've heard not like modern Overkill.

Black Rider wrote:You are the first thrash fan I've heard not like modern Overkill.

One man with courage makes a majority.


That doesn’t explain me, it’s just a nice statement.

To be fair, I don’t dislike modern Overkill. It’s just kinda meh to me. I actively dislike the Brave’s last album.

Pethead,

I can't find anywhere to buy a digital download for Chase the Buffalo. Can you help me out?

Sevenoneself wrote:Pethead,

I can't find anywhere to buy a digital download for Chase the Buffalo. Can you help me out?

I don’t think it’s available digitally, only physically, because it’s out of print.

I didn't see it really available on CD either, not even on his website. Any suggestions? If not, I'll email him directly.

Sevenoneself wrote:I didn't see it really available on CD either, not even on his website. Any suggestions? If not, I'll email him directly.

It’s on Amazon, if they ship up there to Polar bear-land.

https://www.amazon.com/Chase-Buffalo-Pierce-Pettis/dp/B000008JFA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1O0IQLA1V31GS&keywords=pierce+pettis+chase+the+buffalo&qid=1675030389&sprefix=pierce+pettis+chase%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-1

Here’s a fun one from his first album which, as far as I know, was only released on vinyl. (Yes, I have it).

I do like his cover of Nod Over Coffee.

Black Rider wrote:I do like his cover of Nod Over Coffee.

He’s got a lot of good Mark Heard covers. Mark Heard was a fantastic songwriter.

Have you heard Orphans of God? Great album of Heard covers.

Black Rider wrote:Have you heard Orphans of God? Great album of Heard covers.

Yeah, I’ve got it. You can really see how strong his writing was by how well his songs work in different styles.

I ordered a used one off of Amazon.com. $15CA with shipping. A new one was close to $35 with shipping. I like to support the indy guys, especially Christians. I was listening to a bunch of Steve Bell, Pierce, and Phil Keaggy this weekend, resting in their peaceful ministry.

Sevenoneself wrote:I ordered a used one off of Amazon.com. $15CA with shipping. A new one was close to $35 with shipping. I like to support the indy guys, especially Christians. I was listening to a bunch of Steve Bell, Pierce, and Phil Keaggy this weekend, resting in their peaceful ministry.

Awesome!