The Ballad of Dood & Juanita

Explaining The Ballad of Dood & Juanita to an interviewer, Sturgill Simpson offered, ‘I’ve only ever really been interested in concept albums… But this time I just wanted to write a story, not a collection of songs that tell a story, but an actual story, front to back.’

Set during the American Civil War, The Ballad of Dood & Juanita recounts the tale of a Good Guy (Dood) seeking vengeance against a Bad Guy (Seamus McClure) for kidnapping the Good Guy’s Best Gal (Juanita). Also appearing in the saga are the Good Guy’s beloved dog, Sam, and equally beloved horse, Shamrock. Simpson’s storytelling is accompanied by the Hillbilly Avengers, which includes Sierra Hull, Stuart Duncan, Mike Bub, Scott Vestal, Tim O’Brien, Mark Howard and Miles Miller, last heard on Simpson’s two-volume Cuttin’ Grass bluegrass sessions. The Ballad of Dood & Juanita wavers between straightforward bluegrass and retro-country, clocking in at under 30 minutes. The song describing ‘Juanita’ features a guitar solo by Willie Nelson, whose album, Red Headed Stranger, is at least partly responsible for inspiring Simpson’s project.