After a number of weeks on a drinking binge, Martin Johnson set us on a smoking course that our editor, Mark Whitfield last week enthusiastically embraced, adding an extra element whereby the smoking was that of an illegal substance in the Old Crow Medicine Show’s ‘Wagon Wheel’. This week I’m sticking with a similar theme of illegal substances via the wonderful BR5-49’s ‘Me ‘n’ Opie (Down by the Duck Pond)’. The song first appeared on the band’s ‘Live from Robert’s’ mini album released in 1996. The record was a collection of a mixture of live versions of original songs, covers and traditional songs. Highlights worth checking out include ‘Bettie Bettie’, a great version of ‘Knoxville Girl’ and an equally impressive version of Johnny Horton’s ‘Ole Slewfoot’. The recordings captured the energy and tension of the band at their live best. Anyone fortunate enough to see them live in the 1990s will testify to the fact that they were on of the most exciting live acts of that era. So, whether you’re discovering or just remembering BR5-49, I’m sure you’ll get high on this drug fuelled song.
