Hey everyone
I'm a British journo coming to Kentucky for the first time next week on a press trip with short stays in both Louisville & Lexington.
Although I'll have limited time to explore on my own I'd really like to check out any key landmarks associated with the band, esp key record shops, venues in their story, places where they might have recorded/rehearsed etc.
If anyone fancies meeting up for a quick beer, that'd be welcome too. :)
One snag is that I don't drive. I'll be dropped off in the museum district for a few hours and am staying at the Galt House Hotel on N Forth St.
Appreciate all and any suggestions, very excited to be soon walking the hallowed turf of one of my top musical idols! :D
Thanks
Jools
I don't know who owns it now but you need to go by the farm where they recorded the first three records. Then you need to buy it from them and invite us all there for a weekend getaway. It's my dream to stand inside the silo where Jim recorded "I Will Be There When You Die"
Also, find out the best hole in the wall barbecue spot each place you go. It's a must on any trip to the south.
Enjoy, you're going to love the area!!!
Oh yes, I would LOVE to go there! Know what it's called? And is that where they made the artwork fro It Still Moves, I remember seeing a video about it with Jim decorating the bear like a Christmas tree
Guess it may be a bit of a way outta town though? :(
Hole in the wall BBQ sounds good too!
Thanks man :)
It's not band related, but Ramses cafe is a great place to eat in Lville, and I would try and catch the races at Keenland in Lex if they are running...and wear a jacket (blazer)
Thanks Rufus, yes will be going to the Rolex Derby as part of the trip.
Ramses noted too, cheers.
while at keenland try the burgoo, it's a stew
it's good, not all that remarkable other than you get to rhyme burgoo and stew for the rest of your life...seems like a small thing but believe it or not I have gotten a lot of mileage out of that...and you, as a journalist, fuggedaboudit ;)
Cheery-bye
Burgoo stew for two, yup the piece is writing itself already! ;-)
I see that the Quaid family farm where the first 3 albums were recorded is in Shelbeyville, TN, bit of a hike from L'ville sadly :(
There's gotta be some lyrcial refs in the songs to places in town though right?
Quote from: jOOlZ on Apr 22, 2011, 05:58 AM
Burgoo stew for two, yup the piece is writing itself already! ;-)
I see that the Quaid family farm where the first 3 albums were recorded is in Shelbeyville, TN, bit of a hike from L'ville sadly :(
There's gotta be some lyrcial refs in the songs to places in town though right?
There's St. Xavier High School (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Xavier_High_School_%28Louisville%29), which Jim attended, and noted in Sooner: "Take little Jim to Xavier..."
i dont know that there are a whole lot of lyrical references to the ville in their songs. you can run past the church where they recorded circuital (corner of barret and breckinridge sts), but its not really much to see. ear x tacy would obviously be a good choice. since you dont have a car just wandering up and down bardstown rd/baxter ave in the highlands would be a great way to spend an afternoon. lots of shops, bars, restaurants, all local stuff.
do not get drawn into 4th st live no matter what anyone tells you.
Thank you, good tips!
What's wrong with 4th street live, is it a club?
Have someone drop you off at north end of Bardstown Rd and walk it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Highlands_(Louisville) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Highlands_(Louisville))
Some things on Bardstown:
Ramsis Cafe
http://www.ramsiscafe.com/ (http://www.ramsiscafe.com/)
Why Louisville
http://www.whylouisville.com/ (http://www.whylouisville.com/)
EarX-tacy
http://www.earx-tacy.com/ (http://www.earx-tacy.com/)
It's literally 3 miles of shops and restuarants. Sort of Jim and Patrick's old stomping grounds. And you can simply ask the locals what's cool to do. It's not touristy, that's why it's so cool.
Quote from: jOOlZ on Apr 22, 2011, 11:00 AM
Thank you, good tips!
What's wrong with 4th street live, is it a club?
JUST DONT GO THERE. PROMISE ME YOU'LL NEVER GO THERE
Right, *gulp*, Ok, wilco! :o
Quote from: e_wind on Apr 22, 2011, 11:13 AM
Quote from: jOOlZ on Apr 22, 2011, 11:00 AM
Thank you, good tips!
What's wrong with 4th street live, is it a club?
JUST DONT GO THERE. PROMISE ME YOU'LL NEVER GO THERE
this man speaks the truth. its an open air collection of chain bars, restaurants, and bad clubs that in no way reflects the true spirit of the ville. in idea it is awesome, in execution it is effin horrible. it is very close to your hotel and people will try to get you to go there. resist the evil urge.
Quote from: rmpotsy on Apr 22, 2011, 11:22 AM
Quote from: e_wind on Apr 22, 2011, 11:13 AM
Quote from: jOOlZ on Apr 22, 2011, 11:00 AM
Thank you, good tips!
What's wrong with 4th street live, is it a club?
JUST DONT GO THERE. PROMISE ME YOU'LL NEVER GO THERE
this man speaks the truth. its an open air collection of chain bars, restaurants, and bad clubs that in no way reflects the true spirit of the ville. in idea it is awesome, in execution it is effin horrible. it is very close to your hotel and people will try to get you to go there. resist the evil urge.
no lie. and the people that actually go there on the weekends are terrible. I'm glad it exists because it pulls all these terrible people there that would otherwise be on Bardstown Road.
Actually I don't think that the farm is in Tennessee, but rather in Shelbyville KENTUCKY. If you read the liner notes on "It Still Moves" the band thanks the Gallrein family. Gallrein Farms is located in Shelbyville Kentucky and is just outside of Louisville... a very short ride. Hope that helps. Also the previous post is correct... Avoid 4th Street Live at all costs.
Ah right, with you, we have a few streets like that here too popular with the stag and hen party crowd and the local guys n gals who dress like it's the height of summer no matter what the weather.
Thanks, I will be highly suspicious of any such invitations!
Thank you Mike, very useful, will check out Gallrein Farms. :)
Quote from: jOOlZ on Apr 22, 2011, 11:59 AM
Thank you Mike, very useful, will check out Gallrein Farms. :)
you do relaize that it is someone's farm, aka someone's home. i do not know that it would be worth it to drive out there just to see someones driveway and farm house. you might be able to see the silo, but its not like they are offering tours as far as i know.
now having said that, KY people are very friendly, so if you knocked on the door and explained your situation, they just might give you the run of the place. btw, shelbyville is about 35-40 mins from downtown.
Thanks, no I wouldn't arrive unannounced! :) I'm there as a guest of the tourist board anyway so I may ask them to get in touch and see what, if anything, can be arranged at short notice. I'd guess I'd need a ride out there anyway.
Quote from: e_wind on Apr 22, 2011, 11:42 AM
Quote from: rmpotsy on Apr 22, 2011, 11:22 AM
Quote from: e_wind on Apr 22, 2011, 11:13 AM
Quote from: jOOlZ on Apr 22, 2011, 11:00 AM
Thank you, good tips!
What's wrong with 4th street live, is it a club?
JUST DONT GO THERE. PROMISE ME YOU'LL NEVER GO THERE
this man speaks the truth. its an open air collection of chain bars, restaurants, and bad clubs that in no way reflects the true spirit of the ville. in idea it is awesome, in execution it is effin horrible. it is very close to your hotel and people will try to get you to go there. resist the evil urge.
no lie. and the people that actually go there on the weekends are terrible. I'm glad it exists because it pulls all these terrible people there that would otherwise be on Bardstown Road.
we got suckered into going up there the night before the waterfront show in 08. being from outta town it looked pretty cool but as soon as we stepped foot past where you get your wristband i knew we had made a huge mistake...we ended up staying 5 minutes
Actually the farm is open to visitors who want to buy produce, flowers and such... and even has a barn you can rent out for parties or receptions (my wife and I had our wedding reception there) so there would be no problem visiting. Gallrein farms even has a website on the internet. I am not totally sure that this is where the vocals were recorded, but with the liner note shoutout to the Gallrein family and the known band connection to Shelbyville... it is quite probable.
Oh lord, I see a spate of Jacket-themed weddings on the horizon... ;D
Quote from: ALady on Apr 22, 2011, 04:10 PM
Oh lord, I see a spate of Jacket-themed weddings on the horizon... ;D
too bad i screwed up and got married somewhere else a few years back. maybe we will renew our vows there. :thumbsup:
Well I see from their site that they're hosting an 'open house' tomorrow...
http://gallreinfarms.com/blog/ (http://gallreinfarms.com/blog/)
wondering, and too odd not to ask, is this "jools" as in "jools holland"?
To answer with my personal tip, I'd say you can't go wrong with what other people already mentioned. Check out Bardstown road/baxter avenue. I feel that is the heart and soul of louisville and represents so many different types of people here. The further out you go is fine but doesnt really show you what louisville is about in a quick view. Jim James grew up in hikes point, but agian, not really much to see. Normal neighborhoods here (where i live as well) and not much to go see.
If you want some good restraurants, you could check out "louisville originals". Easy website is "www.louisvilleoriginals.com". 91.9 wfpk fm radio station is the best station to listen too to here music that is completely away from the "pop" scene and when someone is playing here, they are the ones that will tell you. As said lots before, 4th street live is clubs for a lot of 21 year olds, and some a few older, but really, no more no less.
Churchill downs and Keeneland are great to check out and if you're in lexington, just drive down and around "Iron Works pike" or since you have no car, you can even bike ride it. it is really neet and has a lot of old heritage and you will see the old horse farms that have been there for years and years and the appearance and noticeable ties to Irish heritage are amazing. You can see the history and where that place came from.
So, hope i helped out a little bit, and not too late. SOme may disagree with good places around here but thats all a matter of opinion. Hope you enjoy your stay!
OH!!! And a great place to eat in lexington if you want bbq is jj mcbrewsters. "www.jjmcbrewsters.com". Its great, and if you want good meals with a country, kentucky touch, Ramseys in lexington is a great spot as well. The Kentucky hot brown is highly regarded there.
Ha ha, thanks Trav! No, I'm not THAT Jools, but was inspired by him to spell it that way, instead of the more conventional 'Jules.'
Gotta say I really loved Kentucky, sadly didn't get to Bardstown Rd as was on a tighter itinerary than I imagined, but went to the Monkey Wrench, Slugger Fcatory, Ali Centre, Lynne's Paradise Cafe, Bluegrass Brewery Co, Bourbon Bistro, Holly Hill Inn (serious southern style fine dining), several bourbon distilleries, Moonlite bbq in Owensboro, Keeneland, Churchill Downs and Rolex of course. Oh and Rosine, the home of bluegrass and Bill Monroe, AMAZING PLACE, like going back in time 60 years - a true slice of Americana for a simple Brit boy like me! :D
Yes, think we drove along that road. Some beautiful areas around Lexington... We only had one free night n Lex so ended up at Cheapside, quite a lively joint.
Wow, just typing all this makes me SO hungry to get back soon! And wish I could catch their hometown show on the 31st. I need to do my MMJ pilgrimage properly next time now I've done the whistelstop stuff. ::)
I convinced my wife that Louisville would be a great place for a road trip two summers ago. MMJ happened to be in town while we were there. ;)
We loved the city. Ate at Ramsi's, which was great. Toast was excellent for breakfast. Stayed at the Galt House. Not bad, but not great. Some parts of the hotel (the side with the pool were bordering on dingy.
Make sure to hit he zoo!
Quote from: Caseydog on May 02, 2011, 03:46 PM
I convinced my wife that Louisville would be a great place for a road trip two summers ago. MMJ happened to be in town while we were there. ;)
We loved the city. Ate at Ramsi's, which was great. Toast was excellent for breakfast. Stayed at the Galt House. Not bad, but not great. Some parts of the hotel (the side with the pool were bordering on dingy.
Make sure to hit he zoo!
OOPS
Probably should have read your last post that you've already made your trip. :thumbsup:
We're heading into Louisville from Virginia the day before the show, staying at the Hyatt Regency and would Love to meet some other Jacket fans to chill with, Strum some guitar, sing some songs, Drink of the wine, partake of the vine and talk MMJ with other fans. Laid back people here just looking for some other good folks to share this magical experience with. Hit me us with a message! John & Cody