It’s been a long, long time, but we still recall being wowed a time or two in the mid-70s by Jerry Jeff Walker at the Santa Barbara County Bowl (before the “County” was excised).  Walker wrote many song chestnuts, including Mr. Bojangles, but where his shows came alive was towards the end when he would break out cunning covers of songs, but in particular super songwriter Guy Clark’s LA Freeway.  If there was anything Central Coast folks desired, it was to stay off of LA’s freeways, and Jerry Jeff always delivered it with his trademark gruff-verve.  We’re new-found fans of Rose Cousins (and now Jordie Lane), so watch below as they gamely cover LA Freeway at a country-lane pace.  Afterwards, check out Walker performing the song on the Dinah Shore Show, of all places.  The song’s lyrics are at bottom.

LA Freeway:

“Pack up all the dishes
Make a note of all good wishes
Say goodbye to the landlord for me
All you know he always bored me

And throw out all those L.A. papers
The moldy box of Vanilla Wafers
Adios to all this concrete
Gonna get me some dirt road back streets

Now here’s to you old Skinny Dennis
The only one I think I will miss
I can hear those bass notes ringin’
As sweet and low like a gift your bringin’

So play it for me one more time now
You got to give it all you can now
Well I believe every word you’re sayin’
Just to keep on keepin’ on, keep on playin’

Well if I can just get off of that L.A. freeway
Without getting killed or caught
Down the road in a cloud of smoke
To some land that, baby, we ain’t bought
If I can just get off this L.A. freeway

Leave the key card in the mailbox
Leave the key in that old front lock
They can find it likely as not
There must be somethin’ we have forgot

Oh, Susanna don’t you cry babe
Love’s a gift and truly handmade
We got somethin’ to believe in
Texas is callin’, baby, it’s time we were leavin’

Well I can just get off of this L.A. freeway
Without getting killed or caught
Down the road in a cloud of smoke
To some land that, baby, we ain’t bought

If I can just get off this L.A. freeway
Without getting killed or caught
They can never gonna to catch me
Put down the rod to somewhere we found it

I can just get off of this L.A. freeway
Hey Texas is callin’, callin’ me home”