September November

Due to the passing of long-time bassist Tom Stevens, bass duties on the album were shared by the Long Ryders' Stephen McCarthy and Murry Hammond of Old 97's.{{cite web |url=https://www.sidgriffin.com/2022/12/02/the-long-ryders-september-november/|title=The Long Ryders – New Album|publisher=sidgriffin.com|access-date=March 30, 2023 }} Guests on the album include D. J. Bonebrake of punk band X on vibraphone and violinist Kerenza Peacock of the Coal Porters. The album was recorded in July 2022 at producer Ed Stasium's Kozy Tone Ranch studio in California.

The album includes two Tom Stevens tributes: "Tom Tom", which was released as a download single on January 21, 2022, and the Stevens-penned "Flying Out of London in the Rain". Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Long Ryders recorded "Tom Tom" by emailing sound files back and forth. The song went from drummer Greg Sowders in Los Angeles to guitarist Stephen McCarthy in Virginia, to Ed Stasium near San Diego and then to guitarist Sid Griffin in London.{{cite web |url=https://www.sidgriffin.com/2022/01/21/the-long-ryders-tom-tom/|title=Tom Tom|publisher=sidgriffin.com|access-date=March 30, 2023 }} The initial lyrics had come to Sowders in a dream and were finished with contributions by Griffin and McCarthy.{{cite web|url=https://13thfloor.co.nz/the-long-ryders-in-the-september-of-their-years-interview/|title=The Long Ryders In The September Of Their Years: Interview|publisher=The 13th Floor|date=March 11, 2023|accessdate=March 30, 2023}}

"Flying Out of London in the Rain" had originally been recorded for Tom Stevens' 2007 solo album Home. The band kept Stevens' original lead vocals, guitar and bass, and added new instrumental parts. The backing vocals of daughter Sarah Stevens were also kept from the original recording.

The album title refers to the band being in the fall of their lives.

{{Music ratings

|rev1=AllMusic

|rev1score={{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/september-november-mw0003885685|title=September November Review|publisher=AllMusic|last=Deming|first=Mark|authorlink=Mark Deming|accessdate=March 30, 2023}}

|rev2=Classic Rock

|rev2score=7/10{{cite magazine |last=Marszalek |first=Julian |date=April 2023 |title=September November review |magazine=Classic Rock |page=78 |location=United Kingdom |publisher=Future |url=https://www.thelongryders.com/The-Long-Ryders-Reviews.html|access-date=March 30, 2023 }}

|rev3=God Is in the TV

|rev3score=8/10{{cite web|url=https://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2023/03/10/the-long-ryders-september-november-cherry-red/|title=God Is in the TV Review|website=God Is in the TV|last=Reno|first=Paul|date=March 10, 2023|accessdate=March 30, 2023}}

|rev4=Record Collector

|rev4score={{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Dalton |first=Nick |date=March 2023 |title=September November review |magazine=Record Collector |page=110 |location=London |publisher=Diamond Publishing |url=https://www.thelongryders.com/The-Long-Ryders-Reviews.html |access-date=March 30, 2023 }}

|rev5=Shindig!

|rev5score={{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thelongryders.com/The-Long-Ryders-Reviews.html|title=Shindig! Review|magazine=Shindig!|issue=137|last=Graham|first=Ben|date=March 2023|page=84|accessdate=March 30, 2023}}

|rev6=Spiral Earth

|rev6score={{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://spiralearth.co.uk/september-november-long-ryders/|title=Spiral Earth Review|website=Spiral Earth|last=Noon|first=Lyndon|date=February 22, 2023|accessdate=March 30, 2023}}

|rev7=Uncut

|rev7score=8/10{{cite magazine |last=Staunton |first=Terry |date=April 2023 |title=September November review |magazine=Uncut |page=22 |location=London |publisher=NME Networks |url=https://www.thelongryders.com/The-Long-Ryders-Reviews.html |access-date=March 30, 2023}}

}}

September November received positive reviews from music critics. Classic Rock wrote, "As evidenced by 2019's Psychedelic Country Soul – their first album in more than 30 years – the Long Ryders not only defined their oeuvre, but actually picked up where they left off. And now, proving that it was no fluke, September November refines their sound further."

Record Collector felt that "the result is, at times, gentler, more reflective ... But there's also the freewheeling sound the band have always been known for ... while their understated psychedelia surfaces on the hypnotic, guitar-rocking "Elmer Gantry Is Alive and Well." Add a dusting of country soul and it's a cool collection." Spiral Earth called it "a smorgasbord of sounds, from tub thumping rockers to western swing ditties and all points in between."

AllMusic felt that though there are some "solidly upbeat" songs on the album, "the more contemplative tone [of other songs] is what comes off most clearly." The band "deliver performances that come straight from the heart, and producer Ed Stasium gives the sessions a sound that's rich and naturalistic."

Punktuation! Magazine wrote, "What September November has in common with every Long Ryders release is its want for repeated listens ... It deserves its place under the band's umbrella alongside the giants: Native Sons, State of Our Union, Two-Fisted Tales and Psychedelic Country Soul."{{cite web|url=https://www.punktuationmag.com/review-long-ryders/|title=Review: Long Ryders, 'September November'|publisher=Punktuation!|last=Howden|first=Nic|date=February 9, 2023|accessdate=March 30, 2023}} Uncut opined that the album "is undeniably a vital, relevant, 21st-century artefact."

{{Track listing

|title1=September November Sometime

|writer1= Sid Griffin, Stephen McCarthy

|length1= 3:26

|title2=Seasons Change

|writer2=McCarthy

|length2=3:29

|title3=Flying Down

|writer3=Griffin, McCarthy, Greg Sowders

|length3=4:32

|title4=Elmer Gantry Is Alive and Well

|writer4=Griffin, McCarthy

|length4=5:10

|title5=Hand of Fate

|writer5=McCarthy

|length5=3:10

|title6=Song for Ukraine

|note6=instrumental

|writer6=Griffin

|length6=1:55

|title7=To the Manor Born

|writer7=McCarthy

|length7=3:28

|title8=That's What They Say About Love

|writer8=Griffin

|length8=2:37

|title9=Country Blues (Kitchen)

|writer9=McCarthy

|length9=3:32

|title10=Tom Tom

|writer10=Griffin, McCarthy, Sowders, Ed Stasium

|length10= 4:21

|title11=Until God Takes Me Away

|writer11=Griffin

|length11=2:29

|title12=Flying Out of London in the Rain

|writer12=Tom Stevens

|length12=4:47

}}

Adapted from the album liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=September November |author=The Long Ryders |year=2023 |type=Album liner notes |publisher=Cherry Red Records |id=CDBRED878}}

;The Long Ryders

• Sid Griffin – vocals, guitar, mandolin, mandocello, harmonica, banjo
• Stephen McCarthy – vocals, guitar, upright bass, octave mandolin, lap steel, keyboards (4, 5), bouzouki (5)
• Greg Sowders – drums, percussion

;Additional musicians

• Tom Stevens – lead vocals, guitar, bass (12)
• Sarah Stevens – backing vocals (12)
• Ed Stasium – keyboards, backing vocals
• Murry Hammond – bass (2–4)
• Kerenza Peacock – violin (1, 6, 8)
• Charles Arthur – piano (9)
• D. J. Bonebrake – vibes (3, 6)
• Ben Moore – organ (2, 7)

;Technical

• Ed Stasium – production, engineering, mixing, photography
• Steve Fallone – mastering
• Phil Smee – design, artwork

{{reflist}}

{{The Long Ryders}}

Category:2023 albums

Category:The Long Ryders albums

Category:Albums produced by Ed Stasium