Remembering Augie Meyers in Fifteen Songs
Farewell to the Texas Tornado who spent a lifetime helping others sound as if they were born playing in a Gulf Coast Roadhouse.
Augie Meyers wasn’t flashy, nor did he try to be. He always landed in the groove and played what the song required. That said, his mighty Vox Continental influenced garage bands far and wide. It’s not out of line to say that if it hadn’t been for the iconic organ riff that grounds the Sir Douglas Quintet’s classic, “She’s About A Mover,” there’d be no “96 Tears” from ? and the Mysterians—or it at least would’ve sounded much different.
Here are fifteen tunes that showcase a true Texas legend, and the major part he played in weaving rock, Tex-Mex, Conjunto, swamp pop, country, soul, and blues into a mighty jambalaya.
Texas Tornados - “Hey Baby, Qué Paso”
Meyers’s showcase in the Texas Tornados became one of their most enduring hits. It doesn’t matter how bad your day may get; this little slice of Texas should never fail to pick you up.
Sir Douglas Quintet - “Mendocino”
Coming back together after their initial success out west and overseas, the Sir Douglas Quintet, like Tony Joe White around this same time, made an appearance on Hugh Hefner’s part-pretentious-part-hip Playboy After Dark. Dig Augie’s smooth style here…
Doug Sahm - “Rains Came”
Originally a hit in 1966 for the Quintet, Sahm and Meyers rocked it out best on Austin City Limits.
Augie Meyers - “Roll Up Some Inspiration”
From Augie’s first solo album in 1971, his cosmic hippie cowboy ethos was on full display.
Augie Meyers - “She Belongs to Me”
Throughout his career, when he hasn’t been helping make others sound like rootsy naturals, Augie occasionally recorded his own projects, like this take on Dylan’s “She Belongs to Me,” which, in Augie's hands, sounds like it came straight from Lone Star dirt.
Bob Dylan - “Love Sick”
Speaking of Dylan, during the sessions for what became Time Out of Mind, Augie’s ghostly Vox Continental and accordion can be heard not only on that Grammy-winning set, but also on Dylan’s follow-up, “Love and Theft.”
Dylan once said of Augie:
“Augie’s my man. He’s like an intellectual who goes fishing
using bookworms. Seriously though, he’s the shining example of a
musician, Vox player or otherwise, who can break the code. His
playing speaks volumes. Speaks in tongue actually. He can bring
a song, certainly any one of mine, into the real world. I’ve
loved his playing going all the way back to the Sir Doug days
when he was featured and dominant. What makes him so great is
that internally speaking, he’s the master of syncopation and
timing. And this is something that cannot be taught. If you need
someone to get you through the shipping lanes and there’s no
detours, Augie will get you right straight through, Augie’s your
man.”
Augie Meyers “Did I Tell You (That I Love You)”
The kick-off to 1986’s Augie’s Back featured fellow Tornado Falco Jimenez on accordion.
Augie Meyers and the Western Head Band - “Down to Mexico”
Sitting still to this one has always been an impossible feat. One of the many groups, with various names, Augie recorded/performed with over the years.
Augie Meyers - “Before I Grow Too Old”
Augie did justice to this classic slice of swamp pop by Bobby Charles. From 1984’s August in New York.
John Hammond - “Jockey Full of Bourbon”
Another mighty roots musician who recently passed, John Paul Hammond, recruited Augie to help out with his Tom Waits tribute project, Wicked Grin. Augie lets loose on this jittery take on “Jockey Full of Bourbon,” sounding not too unlike a flatland version of Garth Hudson, another early collaborator of Hammond’s.
Augie Meyers - “Pipeliner Blues”
In 2023, Augie contributed an easy-going take on “Pipeliner Blues” for a truly fun tribute compilation to Moon Mullican. He makes the boogie seem effortless.
Augie Meyers - “You Ain’t Rolling Your Roll Rite”
Augie kept recording up to the very end. This is an updated take of the title track from his 1973 solo effort, this one from 2024’s Chicken Fried Bacon Grease. It’s just a shuffle blues, but it’s also some of the best music God ever allowed to be made.
Augie Meyers with Los Texamaniacs - Ay Ai Ai
From the Grammy-winning Clifton Chenier tribute from last year, Augie went out on a high note, and the perfect venue to show how all this roots music mixes together like the best gumbo one could ever hope to make.
Sir Douglas Quintet - “She’s About a Mover”
Of course, this is here. After all, it’s where it all began…
Augie Meyers - “Deep in the Heart of Texas”
One more for the road as Augie pays tribute to his home state as only he could.
The Tornados are all together again; let’s hope rock’n’roll heaven is having one helluva fiesta.
Very cool. Appreciate the tip of the proverbial hat to a true roots musician.
Thanks for putting this together, there's so much amazing music in here and that Dylan quote "speaks volumes, speaks in tongues actually" is so cool. Hadn't heard that Doug Sahm Live from Austin TX Rains Came before but that is absolutely incredible.