John David Souther

 











J.D. Souther first cut Longbranch Pennywhistle, together with Glen Frey(see: Eagles Fame for this album). After recording the eponymous John David Souther album in 1972, Souther formed the SHF Band with Chris Hillman and Richie Furay(see: Poco or Byrds Fame for these 2 albums).
Souther is probably best known for his well-crafted songwriting abilities, especially in the field of country rock. He co-wrote some of the biggest hits for the Eagles. How Long, which appears on the Eagles Long Road Out Of Eden was written by Souther and originally recorded on his first solo album in 1972. He also produced Linda Ronstadt's Don't Cry Now, and wrote songs for several of Ronstadt's multi-platinum albums, including Faithless Love from Heart Like A Wheel and White Rhythm and Blues included in her Living in the USA album. He also recorded several notable duets with Ronstadt, including Hasten Down the Wind, Prisoner in Disguise, and Sometimes You Can't Win. He wrote Run Like a Thief, which appeared on Home Plate by Bonnie Raitt. His biggest hit as a solo artist was his 1979 Orbison-influenced song You're Only Lonely. A collaboration with James Taylor called Her Town Too reached number 11 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. On October 14, 2008, Souther released If The World Was You, his first new release in 25 years.

Longbranch Pennywhistle - Longbranch Pennywhistle

The duo Longbranch Pennywhistle, who made one obscure self-titled album in 1969, are remembered primarily for featuring a pre-Eagles Glenn Frey and J.D. Souther (who of course went on to write much material for the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt). Frey had moved to Los Angeles from Detroit, where he had played with Bob Seger, and hooked up there with ex-Texan J.D. Souther. The two attracted attention in the burgeoning Southern California country-rock scene via gigs at the Troubadour club and were signed by Amos Records. Their lone LP was produced by Tom Thacker and featured a wealth of outstanding session musicians, such as guitar heroes James Burton and Ry Cooder, Buddy Emmons, Larry Knechtel, Joe Osborn, Jim Gordon and Doug Kershaw.

J.D. Souther moved from Texas to California to follow the footsteps of the great B's: The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Beach Boys and The Flying Burrito Brothers. Longbranch Pennywhistle is a pleasant album of early country-rock. Pre-echoes of the sound of the Eagles and 1970s mellow Californian rock can be heard and some songs sound like the later days Byrds meet Poco. Souther would re-record one of the better songs, "Kite Woman," for his early-'70s solo debut. The album sold little and the duo broke up in mid-1970. However, Frey was soon playing in Linda Ronstadt's band The Stone Poneys and forming the nucleus of the Eagles, to whom Souther would frequently contribute as a songwriter. Souther and Frey would continue to collaborate, also with fellow Eagle Don Henley, occasionally on such Eagles classics as The Best of My Love, New Kid in Town, Victim of Love, The Sad Café, and Heartache Tonight.