5. "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
A. Enlightenment, B. Endarkenment. (Hint: There is No C), 2009
Sure, there's that age-old joke about being banished to hell and being surrounded by banjo players, but there's nothing like the mournful sound of a banjo – in this case paired with a fiddle – to give you the creeps. This time it anchors a song that could easily fit into any scene in countless movies when the preacher who promises that one day the moon will turn to blood when the dead awaken as the Second Coming approaches. No happy ending for chance for redemption in this song, unless you're on the right side of God.
4. "Barefoot in Heaven"
The Ruffian's Misfortune, 2015
Rooted in the deep tradition of Bible-thumping, this song is sung from the point of view of someone who says they have converted and found religion so he can — just like the preacher told him — walk around in heaven, "where there ain't no end of days." Somehow, though, it sounds like the singer still needs more convincing. "I've been a no account most of my life, but I've been converted, I got the spirit, just a chance I'm gonna see this paradise." The rhythmic, soul-gospel vibe of this song reminds me of the groove that Jesse Winchester captured by having famous Stax studio guitarist Steve Cropper, an original member of Booker T & the M.G.s, sit in on his 1999 release "Gentleman of Leisure."
3. "In Times of Cold"
Tell the Devil I'm Getting There as Fast as I Can
In his past few albums, Hubbard has done one thing consistently: save some of the best for last while leaving the listener with a melancholy song about reflecting on life's regrets and wondering what's on the other side. This arrangement, pairing Hubbard's raspy words with the rapturous voice of Patty Griffin, fits nicely into this group of album-ending songs that might either bring listeners to tears or inspire them to get their own spiritual house in order. Hubbard also references the titles of his two previous albums in this song. Memorable line: "A rose leaves its fragrance, when tread on by a heel, so when I come to where all light is gone, her essence will be with me still."
2. "Stone Blind Horses"
The Ruffian's Misfortune
Hubbard told me this is his favorite song on that album, and it's hard to disagree. In this one the protagonist is hoping that someone, somewhere, can say a prayer for him has his life comes to an end, even though he's surrounded himself mainly with "old drunks, paramours and thieves." With more of a country wall-of-sound arrangement propelled by a stout bass line, a couple of short harmonica breaks really emphasize the singer's lamentations and give this song the morose vibe it invokes.
1. "Conversation with the Devil"
Crusades of the Restless Knights, 1999
Years before Hubbard would work religious themes into his music on a regular basis, he wrote a song about a man who has a bad dream about being sent to Hell, where the devil gives him a tour to see where all the Nashville record executives and right-wing conservative Christians ended up. Hubbard has written many narrative story-telling songs, but this has it all – plenty of humor and social commentary. And how can a song with arguably one of the best lines ever written not make it as No. 1 on this list? When the devil asks Mr. Hubbard about all that whiskey and cocaine he consumed and snorted, here’s his reply: "I said, 'Well, yeah, but that's no reason to throw me in Hell/ 'cause I didn't use the cocaine to get high, I just liked the way it smelled."
Ray Wylie Hubbard and special guest Charlie Shafter perform Saturday, July 15 at the Heights Theater, 339 W. 19th. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.