Downtown Money Waster

Downtown Money Waster is off Amorica and has been played 139 times live. As Crowesbase details "The Amorica version, the released version, is acoustic. An electric studio version of this song was recorded during the Band sessions."

Downtown Money Master is a prime example of a TBC that I never really loved until I heard it live. TBC played an amazing jam of Downtown Money Waster at several shows on the Stuck Inside Utopia Tour. Indeed, I got to hear it in San Diego and at one of the Fillmore shows and honestly? SO GOOD!

My favourite lyrics from Downtown Money Waster are "Your only saving grace / Is that I like to taste ya." Really it needs no explanation! The big thing with Downtown Money Waster is the jam -- see below! This song ends up becoming over ten minutes long, and pure heaven!

To my low down downtown
Money waster
Your only saving grace
Is that i like to taste ya
But your flower is spoiled
Too easy to make ya
You got a .38 and your book of revelations
I got a .44 and a load of temptation

I am a rounder, like to round around
Two for one at the store on the corner
Little girl like to drink and sniffin' powders
Like the bars that stay open after hours
Like the boys that go 24-7
Too many late nights and you don't go to heaven

Review of 11/22/09 (San Diego) Show

As I mentioned previously, Becki and I woke up the morning after the Reno show with other plans which we quickly canceled. It was a last minute scramble to book flights, find tickets to the sold out show and find a place to sleep! But, in the end, it was one of the best days (nights) of my life and oh so worth the little sleep and expense!

We flew down to San Diego, booked ourselves into a swanky hotel and not so patiently waited for another show.



We were incredibly lucky to get pass the lines and were some of the first people inside the House of Blues-- great venue! So, that was how I had two TBC firsts. One, it was my first time on the rails in the front row; and two, it was my first set list!



This was definitely one of my favourite shows of the year -- maybe because it wasn't supposed to happen or maybe because of the vibe. Everyone was so stoked to be there and so into the show.

And I finally got to hear Fork In the River and that jamming with Girl From the North Country may be my new favourite, live combination from TBC. So. Perfect.

Unfortunately, security was really strict with cameras in the show BUT! I was lucky to take two great videos!

First, Lady of Avenue A, which nearly broke my heart in its beauty.



Second, from the encore, Shake Your Money Maker. Definitely not my favourite encore but the rest of the show more than made up for it!



Otherwise, I was so impressed with the jam and Downtown Money Waster -- expect a song profile soon! And I loved hearing Welcome to the Goodtimes and Could I've Been So Blind -- so lucky!!!

Stay tuned for recaps from Vegas and my Fillmore dates -- I'll just say this -- they were some of the best days of my life.

♥

Review of 11/21/09 Show (Reno, NV)

This show was incredibly special for several reasons. First, my bff Becki flew out for it; and second, it was in my hometown! I was just absolutely pumped for the show after two months with TBC shows and I knew the venue . . . Let me just say, Grand Sierra did not disappoint!!



This show solidified, for me, that Good Morning Captain is an amazing opening song! It just really sets a great tone and gets the crowd . . .



Of course, the rest of the set list was incredible too!

Good Morning Captain
Under A Mountain
Kept My Soul
Let Me Share The Ride
Appaloosa
Shine Along
Movin' On Down The Line
Black Moon Creeping
Garden Gate
What Is Home
A Conspiracy
I Ain't Hiding
Jealous Again
Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)
- encore -
So Many Times
Thick N' Thin

Highlights for me were finally hearing A Conspiracy live and hearing Under a Mountain again . . . here's a short video from it:



And then the jams in Let Me Share the Ride and Black Moon Creeping were incredible!! In fact, here's a video I took during the Black Moon Creeping jam:



That's what I love about TBC, songs that I never necessarily marveled over become extraordinary live -- and the jams! Needless to say, this show was so incredible that Becki and I woke up the next morning and spontaneously flew to San Diego for that night's show! Expect a recap soon of that one soon . . .



Also, this guy in front of me took some amazing pictures at the show and you should definitely check them out HERE!!

so!

Since we last spoke, I've seen TBC three times! (including a last minute amazing show in San Diego)!! And once again, I'm packing and leaving for San Francisco in the morning! Going to Saturday's and Sunday's shows and wow, I am lucky!

I'll be back next week with a lot of recaps and I promise you they will be worth the wait!



peace & ♥

Peace Anyway

Peace Anyway has been getting some play at recent shows and I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this song. Crowesbase details that Peace Anyway "[e]volved from Peace Anyway Jam. There are two studio versions of this song. The unreleased Band version and the BYS B-side." And, also that it's been played 24 times live. So, Peace Anyway was never officially released but no matter because any live version is much better than the studio versions.

Here's why I love Peace Anyway . . . it's just perfect. I know I say that all the time but wow, TBC is just the best. Peace Anyway is a beautiful song in its message, in its jam . . . and then there is the one part of it that seals the deal for me. Check out the version from Nashville at the Ryman below . . . specifically, at 4.00 - 4.14 -- Chris's voice at that moment is just !!! I mean, there is nothing better.

You're not promised a hot meal
It's just another raw deal
Just another rainy day, everyday yeah
So you say that you cannot relate
No, no its not up for debate
You know your bills they cannot wait
But you still have time

CHORUS:
You'll find peace anyway
You'll find peace anyway

Just got to look baby, alright
Listen

So your bright eyes, they don't shine
And your watch, it don't keep time
Well guess what, neither does mine
Neither does mine
It just makes you want to cry
Just drink it all and say goodnight
But giving up don't make it right
alright, alright

CHORUS

And well I know that you might get so scared
Well, about what you find
What it means to you baby when you get there

CHORUS
CHORUS (repeated)

Anyway, first of my last three TBC shows for the year is tomorrow. I CANNOT WAIT!!!!

Good Morning Captain

Good Morning Captain is the song TBC is starting a ton of their sets with and, honestly, it's an AMAZING song with which to start a show. Good Morning Captain is off Before the Frost . . . and has already been played 42 times live. In fact, TBC played Good Morning Captain on Letterman to promote the current album.

Good Morning Captain employees some of my favourite opening lyrics of any TBC song because the lines: 1) are so incredibly catchy; and 2) immediately paint a picture. I adore these lines -- "Well there's a ruckus on the levee / Unruly crowd on the courthouse steps," and Good Morning Captain.

Well there's a ruckus on the levee
Unruly crowd on the courthouse steps
And if I make it to Sunday
I'm sho'nuff going to ask the good lord for help

With a mouthful of salt I tried to explain
If money was sand I couldn't hold one grain
Feel like a thief that knows he's been framed
For leaving the watch but stealing the chain

Good morning captain
I wish there was another way
But my baby is wantin'
Me to roll around in her bed all day

Well the late night's got me reeling
Spilling out the bottle right into the next day
Got a funny little feeling
Gonna be like this until my dying day

There's mud in my eye but I can still see
Everybody in town is trying to murder me
If they don't get me s'pose the hangman will
I better think twice about making this deal

Good morning captain
I wish there was another way
But my baby is wantin'
Me to roll around in her bed all day

Magnolia, magnolia
Let me rest under the shade of your leaves

Good morning captain
I wish there was another way
But my baby is wantin'
Me to roll around in her bed all day

Good morning captain
I wish there was another way
But my baby is wantin'
Me to roll around in her bed all day

Fork In The River

Fork In The River is off Until The Freeze . . . and has been played 13 times live on this tour so far. I've been thinking a lot about Fork In The River because it's on my November mix and because I'll be seeing TBC the next three weekends and it's one of the songs I'm hoping to hear at one of those three shows! Fork In The River is definitely one of my favourite songs off UTF but then again, the entire album is love to me!

The reason why Fork In The Rive made it on to my November mix is likely the chorus: "There's a fork in the river / No time to think twice / A change in the weather / So keep close an eye / A hissing in the wood pile / A voice on the wind / A fork on the river is where we begin." Of course, the entire feeling of the song doesn't hurt either.

For me, Fork In The River defines the Cabin Fever recording session that took place almost a year ago in Levon Helm's barn studio. That is, Fork In The River is about choices and about change, and there is definitely a feeling of . . . it's almost winter . . . about the song. TBC made an amazing choice in playing and recording BTF/UTF live, and in the way they did it: in the barn and in front of their closest fans . . . and just look how great it turned out. I'm grateful every day for these albums.

Two notes for now: 1) CABIN FEVER DVD COMES OUT NOVEMBER 23RD!!!!!; and 2) I'll be recapping the three shows I'm going to in the next three weeks so be on the look-out for set-lists, photos and videos from Reno, Vegas and SF! ♥ ♥ ♥

The wine may have gone sour
But you can't blame the band
Like you can't blame the locusts
For drought on the land
You can't blame the sea
'Cause it's full of your tears
And you can't blame me
For wanting you here

There's a fork in the river
No time to think twice
A change in the weather
So keep close at night
A hissing in the wood pile
A voice on the wind
A fork on the river is where we begin

I once found a rainbow
Lyin' flat on the ground
But I just kept walkin'
Thinking more were around
The buzzard, the joker
The beggar, the throne
The roses, the sugar
No safe passage home

There's a fork in the river
No time to think twice
A change in the weather
So keep close an eye
A hissing in the wood pile
A voice on the wind
A fork on the river is where we begin

A fork in the river
No time to think twice
A change in the weather
So keep close an eye
A hissing in the wood pile
A voice on the wind
A fork on the river is where we begin
A fork on the river is where we begin
A fork on the river is where we begin

A Conspiracy

I've felt like talking about another older song again and I realised I hadn't yet talked about A Conspiracy. A Conspiracy is off Amorica and has been played 171 times live, which puts it on the higher side. Crowesbase details that A Conspiracy was"[o]riginally titled "Night Eyes", this song was originally recorded during the Tall sessions and played at a slower tempo. The song was completely rerecorded for Amorica."

In the iTunes originals interview, Chris said:

"A Conspiracy . . .[is] one of those songs about how weirdly isolated we probably felt we were . . . by then . . . half the guys are living in Atlanta, the other half are in L.A. and everybody's kind of growing up a little bit by refusing to ever grow up . . . that song to me is fairly tongue in cheek. A lot of times a rock 'n roll song is a good place to sort of cryptically deal with your distractors and if someone didn't know what it was, we were always glad to confuse them a little more."

What I love about A Conspiracy is its beat -- just the beginning chords sound so, so good to me. I do have a very favourite line in A Conspiracy too-- one of my favourite TBC lyrics ever -- "Tried to stay away from this year's big thing / Ain't as easy as it seems / To find a mutual dream" I love this song -- it's a perfect TBC combination of lyrics and heavy hitting chords . . . I can't believe I haven't talked about it sooner!

Did you ever hear
The one about last year
It was all a lie
Ain't it funny how the time flies
What we gonna do baby
What is left for us to prove
I've never stolen nothing, not a thing
Tried to stay away from this year's
Big thing
Ain't as easy as it seems
To find a mutual dream
Can you tell me wrong from right
Do you know when to freeze or take flight
Can you tell me more or less
I got to know confess

Don't neglect me
Come be my conspiracy
Don't neglect me
Come be my conspiracy

Now you got a question about your answer
Say try your adam's apple
You talk it try it bite it right
So now you want to fight? Ok
Let's step outside
I got tradition it's an addition
My definition it don't hold me back
Well what you think about that
What you don't understand
This is a very old land
Can you tell me wrong from right
Do you know when to freeze or take flight
Can you tell me more or less
I got to know confess

Don't neglect me
Come be my conspiracy
Don't neglect me
Come be my conspiracy

Seeing Things

I felt like pulling something old out tonight and I've developed a severe appreciation for Seeing Things lately. Seeing Things is off TBC's first album, Shake Your Money Maker. Consequently, it's been played 221 times live. This is one of those songs that is amazing live. I've heard Seeing Things on a few different shows lately and it gives me goosebumps, seriously. Crowesbase has a great quote from Chris about Seeing Things:

"Musically, this is our Steve Cropper tribute. A soul ballad that could be on an old Stax record. The kind of song you don't hear much these days. A lovesick blues."

And that is exactly what Seeing Things is to me--a lovesick blues song. My favourite line is "Don't leave a light on for me / 'Cause I ain't comin' home." The sentiment in Chris's voice when he sings this song and particularly that line just chills me. I can't imagine being a singer and singing something you didnt believe or feel...with TBC, I never have to wonder that. Every ounce of heart and of soul comes through in their songs....and Seeing Things is the genesis of it all.

I find it hard to shed a tear
You brought it all on yourself my dear
Wrong, yes I may be
Don't leave a light on for me
'Cause I ain't comin' home
It hurts me baby to be alone
Yes, it hurts me baby

A hundred years will never ease
Hearing things I won't believe
I saw it with my own two eyes
All the pain that I can't hide

And this pain starts in my heart
And this love tears us apart
You won't find me bent down on my knees
Ain't bendin' over backwards baby
Not to please

'Cause I'm seeing things for the first time
I'm seeing things for the first time, oh yeah
I'm seeing things for the first time
In my life, in my life

I used to dream
Of better days that never came
Sorry ain't nothin' to me
I'm gone and that's the way it must be
So please I've done my time
Lovin' you is such a crime
You won't find me down on, on my knees
Won't find me over backwards baby
Just to please

'Cause I'm seeing things for the first time
I"m seeing things for the first time
Seeing things for the first time
Oh I'm seeing things for the first time
Yeah, seeing things for the first time
I'm seeing things for the first time
Yeah, I'm seeing things for the first time
In my life, in my life

Been A Long Time (Waiting on Love)

Been A Long Time (Waiting on Love) is off Before the Frost . . . as well as my new favourite driving song. On the Stuck Inside Utopia tour, so far, it's already been played 38 times live! I think TBC loves playing Been A Long Time live and why not? It's rocking! In fact, I think Been A Long Time has been played at almost every show or at least as much as I Ain't Hiding or Good Morning Captain. I think another reason TBC is loving playing Been A Long Time is its incredible potential for jams...just listening to shows from the tour, the jams are incredible from this song! Chris really really plays a mean harmonica in some of them as you can see in the video below as well as Luther being AMAZING!

Been A Long Time does have good lyrics like all TBC songs but I like it more for its sound -- it just pumps you up and makes you want to get up. If I had to pick, I'd say "Low country blushing bride / Blind to the ways of time" are my favourite lyrics of the song... and I'm sure you can guess why. I just love the imagery because it goes along with this entire "go west" mentality of the last two (er, three...) TBC albums...that whole providence thing. I still can't believe how good BTF/UTF are -- just, wow.

Earthbound wingless dream
Child born to necessity
Tied to crimson velvet wings
She flies

New moon midnight star
Medicine is in the jar
Head full of going far
She flies

Lost out on the dream road
Looking for a key hole
Never try to fight it
Feeling right inside it

Low country blushing bride
Blind to the ways of time
Clear crystal burning mind
She flies

Falling through liquid air
With music everywhere
Stone faces silent stare
She flies

The old guard on the hill
Can feel the chill
Deep into the freeze
Of those who don't believe

Been a long time
Waiting on love
Been a long time
Waiting on love
Been a long time
Waiting on love

Damp with this morning dew
The world is bright and new
Her word is always true
She flies

Step into the new day
Right over the old way
We are the horizon
See our future smiling

Been a long time
Waiting on love
Been a long time
Waiting on love
Been a long time
Waiting on love
Been a long time

Lost out on the dream road
Looking through the key hole
Never try to fight it
Feeling right inside it

Been a long time
Waiting on love
Been a long time
Waiting on love
Been a long time
Waiting on love

Lady Of Avenue A

Lady of Avenue A may be my favourite song off . . . Until the Freeze, although I am still in love with Shine Along. Lady of Avenue A is, in a lot of ways, a sort of ballad, a sort of lullaby and definitely a story. I hope I get to hear it live in at least one of three shows I'm going to this year. Crowesbase details that, so far, it's been played six times live.

In that interview I can't stop raving about, Chris said that:

Well, on the vinyl edition, on Side 3 the character from these songs finds himself in an urban place like New York, where the girls are different and the drugs are faster. 'Make Glad,' 'Lady of Avenue A,' 'Kept My Soul' and 'I Ain't Hiding' are the little foray into the city.

What I love about Lady of Avenue A is that it tells a story but also that it's just so beautiful -- the harmony, the lyrics, the sentiment. My favourite line is from the chorus, "You just can't believe what the city folks say," because I think this is another tenent of TBC-- they really are country folk at heart. And, even now, that they are in the big city more and famous, and everything, that's not where the truth is and that's not where their hearts are -- I think, considering, TBC and especially CR and RR are really just trying to find the truth.

You said goodnight
Wrapped your scarf up tight
And left into
A winter scene
The Lower East Side
Is just a place to hide
A place to
Privately dream

Good times and lost nights on Avenue A
Don't let the bright lights take you away
You just can't believe what the city folks say
My lady of Avenue A

These old downtown streets
Where lovers meet
To sometimes laugh
To sometimes cry
A strange parade
All new things fade
But somehow this place
Stays the same

Good times and lost nights on Avenue A
Don't let the bright lights take you away
You just can't believe what the city folks say
My lady of Avenue A

You fall asleep
I hear you breathe
The snow outside
I make some tea
The cats awake
And plays with string
As I slip into a dream

Good times and lost nights on Avenue A
Don't let the bright lights take you away
You just can't believe what the city folks say
My lady of Avenue A

Appaloosa

Appaloosa is off Before the Frost. . . and definitely already seems like one of TBC's favourites to play live. As Crowesbase details, it's already been nineteen times live on the current tour.

Steve Gorman has an amazing quote about Appaloosa:

'Appaloosa' is my favorite new track. I did a drum interview and I said that and the reaction was, 'Really?' Hey man, that's the best I can do. There's so much understated drumming and ghost strokes, but it's not just my part, it's the whole band. There's a lot going on with 'Appaloosa' and it all fits together nicely. That's a song I will never ever tire of doing. We were all saying it's like a George Harrison tune. I think it's Chris' best vocal take on the record. That's the best song he's ever written, in my opinion. We resisted every urge to make it like nine-minutes long. It's so pretty you want it to be two-minutes.

Appaloosa is definitely one of my favourite tracks off BTF and I couldn't agree with Steve more. It was awesome to hear it live. My favourite lyrics in Appaloosa are: "Just coming home to walk my own floors /
Coming home to the one I adore" because it's just another one of those great storytelling lines. I can imagine Chris coming home from tour, to be in his own home and with his love. It's a lovely image, as usual.

To be struck by the arrow of weakness
On the guilded path to forgiveness
To find my way home when the morning comes
To stay your friend when it's all said and done

Simple as lightning starting wild fire
Just down from a trip off my high wire
Just coming home to walk my own floors
Coming home to the one I adore

Appaloosa, appaloosa
Appaloosa, appaloosa
Take me home
Where I can dream my days away

We took your tears back to the river
Knowing all the while there'd be more later
So it goes in a rainy day town
C'mon and won't you let me lay you down

Sometimes the sun makes beggars believers
And sometimes the shrine is built to deceivers
In between let oblivion ring
Oh let me hear all you sad angels sing

Appaloosa, appaloosa
Appaloosa, appaloosa
Take me home
Where I can dream my days away

Appaloosa, appaloosa
Appaloosa, appaloosa
Take me home
Where I can dream my days away

Bring On, Bring On

One of the highlights of the Penn's Peak show for me was TBC playing Bring On, Bring On. Bring On, Bring On is off Three Snakes and One Charm and although not officially, I always consider it to be the companion song of How Much For Your Wings?. According to Crowebase, Bring On, Bring On has been played 93 times live, which isn't a whole lot considering its age. It would be absolutely amazing to hear those two songs together at a show!

But, as for Bring On, Bring On, it is definitely one of those songs I listen to when I'm in the right mood: almost a melancholy mood. Don't get me wrong, I love Bring On, Bring On but it's definitely a bit sad. However, the lyrics are juxtaposed with the chorus which is almost uplifting -- the tone of the song changes to the up beat when CR sings "Bring on this flowering /Bring on, Bring on." Because of this, the chorus is definitely one of my favourite parts of the song. My favourite lyrics, however, are: "It's hard waiting for heaven / May your song keep you alive." It's just like TBC and yet another aphorism for life. Expect more new songs soon!

What could I do different?
It makes one sober to think
In an age of illusion
It's hard to know when to stop
How could I live indifferent
Believing in time and fate
As long as I have a witness
My name is not at stake

Bring on this flowering
Bring on, Bring on
Bring on this flowering
Bring on thou words cannot describe

Would you stop to listen
The words cannot describe
It's hard waiting for heaven
May your song keep you alive

And on the day I said goodbye
My drowning tear catches a light
Like the gift of sight
The baby's eye, darkness into light
I can rest my soul and
walk in the light
I'm positively spring time
The gift of sight
The baby's eye
Darkness into light

Houston Don't Dream About Me

My instant favourite off Before the Frost . . . is Houston Don't Dream About Me. It just touches my soul and it has from the moment I heard it the first time I listened to BTF. Hearing it live at Penn's Peak was incredible!! I love "harder" rock songs by TBC as much as the next fan, but something about the storytelling, slower songs always gets to me. As Crowesbase details, Houston Don't Dream About Me was "[r]ecorded at Levon Helm's home studio, "The Barn" in Woodstock, NY in front of a small audience." It's been played nine times live so far but I'll be interested in seeing how often it's actually played on this long tour.

I feel like this quote is perfect for Houston Don't Dream About Me:

For a writer there's tons of inspiration, not just the world within us. As time moves on, your perception changes. You know a lot more about being in love when you've lost it and been in it and had what you thought was love but didn't, at least as long as you have an active process with your own history and mythology and mental state," Robinson says.

My favourite lyric from Houston Don't Dream About Me is "I ain't never going back / Yes sir that's a fact / As you waved your cowboy hat / And sang 'The Yellow Rose Of Texas'." Again, I just love the imagery and you can picture the story perfectly when you hear the song . . . leaving town in pickup truck with nothing but the open road and the one you love. It's a recurring theme in TBC songs but, to me, Houston Don't Dream About Me is about leaving home and how good that is but how you can never really leave. Sometimes you just have to jump feet first to follow your dreams and you can keep home in your heart, no matter how far you go.

Another week in the drivers seat
With your feet up on the dashboard
Rain it kept a steady beat
As I watched you dream of Houston

I ain't never going back
Yes sir that's a fact
As you waved your cowboy hat
And sang 'The Yellow Rose Of Texas'

Just trying to make high ground
Has kept us on the run
There's no crime in toeing the line
Cause fortune is smiling on us baby
And we're gonna walk in the sun

I might dream about Houston
But Houston don't dream about me
If I could keep this between the lines
Who knows what will be

Loose change days and motel nights
Day old coffee dollar postcards
State trooper's flashing lights
As we listen to the thunder

As we talk about our past
So we see our coming future
You tell me you know love can last
While staring out the window

Just looking for a place to hide
A place to ease our minds
A place away from yesterday
Close to tomorrow away from the sorrows
Of living other people's time

I might dream about Houston
But Houston don't dream about me
If I could keep this between the lines
Who knows what will be

How long how long
Till we feel the change
How long how long
Will the skies be gray
How long how long
Will it be this way
How long how long
Will she stay

I might dream about Houston
But Houston don't dream about me
If I could keep it between the lines
Who knows what will be

I might dream about Houston
But Houston don't dream about me
If I could keep it between the lines
Who knows what
Who knows what
Who knows what will be

Shine Along

Shine Along was "[r]ecorded at Levon Helm's home studio, "The Barn" in Woodstock, NY in front of a small audience," and released on . . . Until the Freeze. I was lucky enough to hear Shine Along live at the Penn's Peak show and it was incredible. I know a lot of people have criticized . . . Until the Freeze, but I love it and so far, Shine Along is definitely my favourite song off it! It's already been play 11 times live and I think TBC is enjoying playing it on the road during this tour so I expect that number to increase.

I want to point out this amazing interview/article Jambase posted about BTF . . . UTF because I'll be quoting it as I talk about songs from both albums. I think this part of it makes a really good point, in general, about the current tour.

"There's always some people on a nostalgia trip, but for the most part people coming to shows are up to date. We wouldn't be having this conversation if we weren't making original music and were just a greatest hits package," scoffs Robinson, who shares this writer's feeling that Dickinson and MacDougall really shine on the new stuff. "I think they did on the last one, too, but as time moves on they've definitely found their place. But that will change, too. It's dynamic material and there's architecture for them to inhabit. Luther is dynamic and soulful and masterful on anything. One of the things I really like about the new record is how strong Adam is on it, how expressive and strong his playing is."

I really love the entire feeling of both BTF . . . UTF and Shine Along is definitely part of that feeling. It makes me think of sun on my face, riding in a car at twilight with perfect weather and the windows down, and to me, it really feels like fall. So I suppose it's apropos that I talk about Shine Along during this first week of fall. My favourite lyrics from Shine Along are, without question, "If you see my old rider / If you see her out on some Friday night / Tell her I don't miss her / Won't you tell her time has been treating me right." I so know this feeling and I love it in this song -- it's this waiting, and you don't want to think about the past but sometimes, you can't help it. Although, there's also this hope . . . waiting for something to change and again, isn't that what fall is all about?

Well my rider done left me
Mama wouldn't even close the door
Now I'm drunk and I'm ornery
Sitting here on my dirty floor

Shine along shine along
Someday love's gonna take me home
Shine along shine along
Someday love's gonna take me home

Now I'm broke and I'm hungry
I've been out on the rails too long
Got a mind that is worried
That the end is coming up on me strong

Shine along shine along
Someday love's gonna take me home
Shine along shine along
Someday love's gonna take me home

Shine along shine along
Someday love's gonna take me home
Shine along shine along
Someday love's gonna take me home

If you see my old rider
If you see her out on some Friday night
Tell her I don't miss her
Won't you tell her time has been treating me right

Shine along shine along
Someday love is gonna take me home
Shine along shine along
Someday love is gonna take me home
Shine along shine along
Someday love is gonna take me home

Review of Penn's Peak Show 9/9/09 (Jim Thorpe, PA)

Wow, what a show! If you keep up on the boards, by now you've probably heard about the fight, and subsequent amazingness of Chris and TBC in protecting their fans. I'm not really going to talk about the fight because the rest of the show and the set list were incredible and they are worthy of more review. First of all, I apologise for the delay in updating the blog and in writing this review. However, with the release of Before the Frost . . . Until the Freeze, my commitment to this blog is renewed. I promise to do better and obviously, there is so much new material now to review! Now, on to the show . . .

I have to say that after listening to BTF/UTF non-stop on two twelve hour flights and while roaming the streets of London, I was pumped for this show. The venue was actually really cool: in the middle of the country (it seemed) and Truth & Salvage Co. was really really good opening for TBC (you should really get their EP, which Chris produced). And then they took the stage.

Here's the set-list:

Good Morning Captain
Kept My Soul
Movin' On Down The Line
Jam -> Bring On, Bring On
Appaloosa
Roll Old Jeremiah -> Jam
Garden Gate
- fight -
Wee Who See The Deep -> Jam ->
Cosmic Friend
I Ain't Hiding
You Can All Join In (1st time played)
Houston Don't Dream About Me
Shine Along
Sting Me
Remedy
Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)
- encore -
She
Oh! Sweet Nuthin'

Initial thoughts? I love the new stuff and it was great to hear! The jams were incredible! They also played my favourite song (so far) off BTF, Houston Don't Dream About Me and I was so happy. My favourite song off UTF was absolutely amazing live, too: Shine Along. (Expect song profiles for both of these soon!) Otherwise, I'm so glad I finally got to hear Bring on, Bring on live.

Here's a video my friend took during a jam:

It was also incredibly exciting to hear the Traffic cover, You Can All Join In-- played for the first time with Rich on vocals!

Overall, it was a show for the record-books definitely. I absolutely cannot believe I'm so lucky that I am going to see them play three more shows this year! I'll end with a video I took during the encore of TBC covering Gram Parsons' She . . . it almost broke my heart it was so beautiful!

well well well

I'm so sorry for the long absence during which I moved, went to London and Pennsylvania, and now I'm about to start a new job. However, a few very important things happened during this absence! Primarily, TBC released two new albums: Before the Frost . . . and . . . Until the Freeze. And, also, I saw the band in Jim Thorpe, PA! The new albums and a review of this epic show will both come--hopefully-- this weekend! I also have some great videos and photos of the show and I can't wait to update all of you. So, stay tuned, and I leave you with a quote from Chris from the other night:

even hippies have a little punk rock in them.

Oh Josephine

Oh Josephine is a ballad off TBC's latest, Warpaint, and the band has played Oh Josephine 79 times live. Oh Josephine is defintely one of the seminal songs off Warpaint and about it, Chris said, “It's probably the song I'm most proud of on this album. The last verse sums up a lot [‘It's too late to play it safe/So let's let it all ride’]. That's our attitude. There's no reason for anybody here to ever hold back. We're doing this full bore, and it's gonna be open. I always thought our best writing was our ballads. People want to identify the Black Crowes as this guitar band–which we are–but I think ‘Oh Josephine’ is the quintessential Black Crowes song, and the coda at the end says, ‘We know who we are.’ It's one of those songs you can put on at 5:30 in the morning and decide whether you're going to keep going or put it down for the night.”

Oh Josephine is definitely a gorgeous song-- and in cases like this, I find myself hard pressed to say something about a song when Chris has already said it. As the writers, Chris and Rich obviously have way more insight than I could ever offer. That being said, my favourite lyric in Oh Josephine is 'Make a wish and call it "maybe".' I absolutely love that sentiment and given how amazing Warpaint, I cannot wait for the new album from this "new" TBC!

Diamonds hold the mirrors
And the spoon it holds the stars
It's been a long time baby
Since I seen the sun rise like this
Make a wish and call it "maybe"
And give me one more kiss
Ooh, I like it like this, I like it like this

Oh Josephine
You're dressed in black
Oh Josephine
Your eyes are blue
And I know now
That there's no turning back
Oh Josephine
What will we do

Still dreaming through the comedown
Still fillin' every page
C'mon and touch me baby
Before I turn to rust

You know there ain't no other
It's not a matter of trust
Just sometimes love ain't enough
Love ain't enough

Oh Josephine
You're dressed in black
Oh Josephine
Your eyes are blue
And I know now
That there's no turning back
Oh Josephine
What will we do

For a while I was dealing in tears and powders
For a while I was strung out beyond my means
I lost at love while climbing down the ladder
Just looking for the song to set me free

No waiting for redemption
No leaving love behind
You gotta know where you wanna be
It gets cold outside

It's too late to play it safe
So let's let it all ride
Let's let it all ride
Let it all ride

Oh Josephine
You're dressed in black
Oh Josephine
Your eyes are blue
And I know now
That there's no turning back
Oh Josephine
What will we do

(only) halfway to everywhere

(Only) Halfway to Everywhere has been played 62 times live and that's probably growing considering they're playing it a lot this summer! (Only) Halfway to Everywhere is off Three Snakes and One Charm and it's one of those songs that is just so funky it lends itself perfectly to jamming. Another thing is that the beginning chords/instrumentation of (Only) Halfway to Everywhere are probably some of the best TBC has every written and played-- and that's probably why they love playing this song live and starting shows with it! It's just nearly impossible to hear (Only) Halfway to Everywhere and stand or sit still.

Although, generally, I love TBC for their lyrics, (Only) Halfway to Everywhere is another song that I just love to listen and move to -- the whole thing is just electric.

You could be so energy
Electricity
You could be lightening
You could be anything
A masterpiece
A revolutionary
You can see what you want to see
Can you let it be?
Learn or teach

I'm only halfway to everywhere

I'm thinking positivety
Positively
This is possible
They can say right or wrong
Never hear this song
Or look you in the eye
I'm getting rid of negativity
Lose the loss in me
Call it equality
Good luck is a frame of mind
Call it humankind
And say it's destiny

it must be over

It Must Be Over is one of the few songs I've found by TBC that has never been played live. Crowesbase details that It Must Be Over is a "b-side of By Your Side. An earlier, unreleased version of this song was recorded in November-December, 1997 by Chris, Rich, Steve, Ed and Sven. The early version is identical in arrangement, but played at a mellower tempo." As always, this is a sort of break-up song and you know I love TBC break-up songs.

From It Must Be Over, I really like the lyrics: "No matter what road I take / No matter what laws I break, I still / I keep singing these songs." I think this is a sort of motto for TBC, generally -- just like Chris and Rich have always talked about: it's the music that brings them back. That is, the constant touring, recording and being on the road is not an easy life, and one has to have the passion to do it. Obviously, they do. The problem is that sometimes the art gets in the way of other things.

No matter what road I take
No matter what laws I break, I still
I keep singing these songs
No matter what my mistakes
No matter how high the stakes, I won't
I won't ever fold

And with time you'll see
You will forget about me
And I've already disowned you
From my memory
Can't you see

I know it must be over
This love can last no longer
We both know that it must be over
Now I see

No matter what words I write
No matter no wrong nor right, you still
You listen anyway
No matter where I sleep tonight
No matter if the stars shine bright, I know
That I'm on my way

And with time you'll see
You will forget about me
And I've already disowned you
From my memory
Can't you see

No video for this one since it's never been played live!

Ozone Mama

As promised, I'm profiling this song after falling in love with it from hearing it live at Forecastle on Saturday. In my show review, I said I was very surprised to hear Ozone Mama and that's because it's only been played eight times live, five of which have been this year. So obviously, something triggered Chris to want to start singing this song live again!

Ozone Mama is off my least favourite TBC album, Lions but more and more songs from Lions are growing on me. One of the things I wish I could figure out is how TBC decides a set list. I mean, to me, Ozone Mama would seem to be an anomaly-- and yet, at Forecastle, they played it before I Ain't Hiding (one of their new songs) and the two songs worked perfectly together! They are just both good live songs perfect for jamming and dancing. Ozone Mama just one of those songs that doesn't call out to me for the lyrics but more for the feeling and sound of it . . . it's a perfect chill song-- kind of funky and that's how I Ain't Hiding is, too. I know I keep saying it, but I'm so excited for Before the Frost . . .

Well Listen
Said it's a trip ya'll
Get hip to this ya'll
It will gitt ya'll
Make ya flip ya'll
Gonna hit ya'll
Never quit ya'll
Right in the middle of our minds
The bug that bit ya'll
Make ya itch ya'll
Inch by inch ya'll
Till your tall ya'll
See it all ya'll
Near and far ya'll
We won't ever let it drag
This funny feeling got me reeling
Like I'm walking on the ceiling
Do it to me now

Chorus:
Ozome mama lay your daddy down
Under the stars right down on the ground
Mother nature got me thinking
About the love that you've been bringing
Do it to me now

C'mon the ride ya'll
We'll provide ya'll
It's like this ya'll
Never miss ya'll
Git up and go ya'll
Ya never know ya'll
We be the bottom of your bag
Give a call ya'll
Anytime ya'll
Don't be slow ya'll
Ya gotta know ya'll
On with the show ya'll
Bring it on ya'll
We don't ever have to brag
You got this poor boy thinking
From the cup I been drinking
Ooh do it now

Chorus

show review, forecastle, july 11, 2009

So I'm diverging from the typical song post to give you a review of TBC's show on Saturday at the Forecastle Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, which I attended. To start, just one word: AMAZING!

I tried to go in with little to no expectations as for songs because with TBC, you just never know. I'm glad I didn't look at the set list from the night before in Minneapolis because they played a lot of my favourite songs and TBC doesn't usually play the same songs two nights in a row. What ended up happening was a melange of songs that really surprised me but it was still really, really great.

Here's the setlist:

(Only) Halfway to Everywhere
Evergreen
High Head Blues
Ozone Mama
I Ain’t Hiding
We Who See the Deep —>
Thorn in My Pride
Poor Elijah
Jealous Again
Movin’ on Down the Line

I have to say my biggest surprise was Ozone Mama. As you know, I'm not a huge fan of Lions but this was amazing. Expect a song profile of Ozone Mama later this week! I also have to say that I Ain't Hiding was amazing live! I'm so excited for this upcoming album, Before the Frost . . . Chris played an amazing harmonica riff on the jam during Thorn in My Pride. Overall, the show was just so good, they were having a great time and Chris was in top form. I'm going to have to wait until November to see them again and it will be a long wait!



I'll try to post some more photos and videos later this week, too!

ETA:

I Ain't Hiding

Nothing is better than new music from TBC so you can imagine my delight upon going to check out the newly released tour dates on the official website and finding I Ain't Hiding for download. Crowesbase details that I Ain't Hiding was "recorded at the barn at Levon Helm's Farm for the forthcoming album "Before The Frost..."" Needless to say, based on this song, I am soooo incredibly excited about this album. I Ain't Hiding has already been played five times live and I hope I get to hear it when I See TBC this week at Frontcastle!

Most of the immediate blogs and boards I've read about I Ain't Hiding have compared it to The Rolling Stone's Miss You as a complete departure from TBC's normal stuff. I have to disagree. Chris and Rich have repeatedly maintained that they are influenced by Sly Stone and many other funk groups. For me, the funk beats are amazing and I've already listened to this song a lot. Download it and soon we'll be hearing all of Before the Frost...! :)

Rust on my pickups
And blood on the stage
Seeds in the ashtray
And coke on a blade
NYC delivers that's a guarantee
The only thing that keep the day from me

Line at the bathroom
Line at the bar
Take it outside
Do the rest in the car
Hot candy baby's in a bright light fright
Rock and roll rat race everybody's uptight, that's right

Ain't your saint ain't your enemy
I'm a long shadow on the highway
I know this ain't how it's supposed to be
Baby I ain't hiding

Stayed on the dance floor cause you can't find the door
Can't run out cause there's always more
Keep on rocking cause it's not even four
Turn up the bass until your ears get sore

Ain't your saint ain't your enemy
I'm a long shadow on the highway
I know this ain't how it's supposed to be
Baby I ain't hiding

Ain't your saint ain't your enemy
I'm a long shadow on the highway
I know this ain't how it's supposed to be
Baby I ain't hiding

Hotel Illness

Hotel Illness is off my favourite TBC album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. It's been played 328 times live, which is pretty high for TBC: higher than average, at least. I think Hotel Illness is the epitome of this album, too. Sure it's not my top song (Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye) on the album and it's not as popular as Remedy, but it's just amazing. I think the reason why I love TSHMC so much is because all the songs on it tell a story; all the songs are truly their own little novella. As Chris said in the iTunes exclusive, "All of Southern Harmony was, to me, was a real departure from where we started . . .," meaning from Shake Your Money Maker. And Hotel Illness is a prime example of that departure -- it's a story with the music (+ a lot of harmonica) rather than what defined SYMM (for me, rock syncopation and ballads).

My favourite line in Hotel Illness is hard choose because it's another one in which I love all the lyrics. I love the idea of leaving the medicine "outside with my etiquette," but I think my real favourite line is another one of those lines that is an aphorism: "No baby, love is not a punishment." It's so true.

Oh good heavens, baby where's my medicine?
I must have left it outside with my etiquette
The undertaker's rule of thumb
It's hard to talk with a novocaine tongue

This room smells like hotel illness
The scars I hide are now your business
I can't seem to make hair nor hide of this
No baby love is not a punishment.

Hypnotized by your rotten behavior
This week's fashion is last year's flavor
I got a head full of sermons and a mouth full of spiders
The politics of the world's greatest liar

So tell me baby is it true all those things that they say about you...

Darling of the Underground Press

Crowesbase details that Darling of the Underground Press was "the b-side of the Remedy single, recorded during The Southern Harmony & Musical Companion sessions." Apparently, Darling of the Underground Press was "first recorded in 1991 during the same session that produced Words You Throw Away, Miserable and the first version of Thorn In My Pride." It's been play 61 times live, which is a lot for a b-side. The lyrics to Darling of the Underground Press are particularly great . . . and as you may have noticed, the address of this blog. So which lyrics do I find particularly apropos? Mainly this one line . . . "And those books that you've read have gone straight to your head." As usual, I have a hard time describing why I love this song but I think the best part is the beginning. This may be my favourite start to any TBC song, actually. When Chris sings "So the story goes / that you / sold your soul / for delusions of beauty and courage" . . . the versing is just perfect. His inflection is startling because it's a rare that a TBC song starts as more of spoken word than a melody.

So the story goes that you
Sold your soul for delusions of beauty and courage
While young at heart is a nice place to start
Can the truth hold all this baggage

So tell all your foes
Because my friends know
That your white flag ain't no sign for surrender
And those books that you've read have gone straight to your head
And made you the great pretender

I've heard that it's good to think before you speak
Though I've heard that it's good to bathe once a week

So tell me how it feels it if even seems real to be the darling of the underground press
Baby please can I see some ID
I don't believe you come from a royal family

I've heard that it's good to think before you speak
Though I've heard that it's good to bathe yourself once a week
Oh I've heard that it's good to look before you cross
No one, no one will ever find you if you don't get yourself lost.

there's gold in them hills

There's Gold In Them Hills was recorded in July, 2007 at Allaire Studios, Shokan, NY and is on Warpaint. It's been played 23 times live. I love There's Gold In Them Hills most for its storytelling quality-- and I think I associate that inherent nature of TBC as being reborn with Warpaint.

Crowesbase writes that, about There's Gold In Them Hills, Chris said: “It takes an old gold rush character and makes it into California and the music business. Or anybody who's left their home to follow their muse and seek out what their life might be amongst the trials and tribulations. I don't think I could write this song at 25. I just have a different perspective on where we've been and where we're going.”

Could I love him more? That explanation completes the song even though it was already perfect. This song is a lot like growing up--and I just love the allusion Chris and Rich used along with the melody.

On the first day of winter
I was set to leave
With the lost art of true love in my eye
Through wild frontier
With outlaws and thieves
To find me a mountain in the sky

There's gold in them hills
I heard the man cry
There's gold in them hills
For the takin'
It's a one-way ticket
Down a river of lies
There's gold in them hills
If you make it

On the last day of spring
I first saw the sea
A poor boy with good luck on my side
Ready for riches
I rolled up my sleeve
And took my first step
Down in he mine

There's gold in them hills
I heard the man cry
There's gold in them hills
For the takin'
It's a one-way ticket
Down a river of lies
There's gold in them hills
If you make it

Hid my wallet
Same old pocket
Sixteen dollars
Brand new shoes
Empty bottle
Satin garters
What's a country boy to do?

Tell dear mother that I miss her
But things are different now
There's nothing I can do
Your dark-haired son is now long gone
Remember me
When you stare at the moon

Broken my heart
For diamonds and gold
Through scandal, through madness
Through cold
All I have left is this grey in my beard
This mountain and the stories that I've told

There's gold in them hills
I heard the man cry
There's gold in them hills
For the takin'
It's a one-way ticket
Down a river of lies
There's gold in them hills
If you make it

midnight from the inside out

I'm still trying to get into Lions and I've managed to rotate a few songs into my daily TBC playlist. One of them being Midnight From the Inside Out but I still contend that Lions is just so different from every other TBC album. And, indeed, Midnight From the Inside Out is a bit heavier sounding to me. It's been played 91 times live, which is more than I would have guessed. Watching the live version below, however, I can see why . . .

You, with your fast and furlined mind
With your disregard of time, virtue, horizon
Here, where the angels never sleep
Where the water's dark and deep
You breathe molasses

Chorus:
Midnight from the inside out
Turn around and they all fall down
Screaming red and the lights go out
Turn around and they all fall down

You, madness dripping from your tongue
While staring at the sun
You speak explosion
Up, with the flies around the moon
Needle, mirror, spoon and cotton candy

jealous again

Another song off Shake Your Money Maker as I try to get over my Amorica binge. Jealous Again has been played 878 times live, which is close to the top of TBC's catalogue, and Crowesbase gives us some insight from Chris. About Jealous Again, Chris said "Narcissistic and arrogant. Sure everyone feels jealous about someone else but maybe this time someone will be jealous over me. In a way, it's a song for the band, when the boys are feeling nervous and cold and desperate." I love this idea--that Chris would want someone to be jealous about him.

Jealous Again is another song for which I absolutely love the chorus. Particularly, the repetition of "Stop, understand me / I ain't afraid of losing face" is so endearing and so honest. After reading Chris's quote about the song, you definitely understand this lyric.

Cheat the odds that made you
Brave to try to gamble at times
Well I feel like dirty laundry
Sending sickness on down the line
Tell you why

'Cause I'm jealous, jealous again
Thought it time I let you in
Yeah, I'm jealous, jealous again
Got no time, baby

Always drunk on Sunday
Try'n to feel like I'm at home
Smell the gasoline burning
Boys out feeling nervous and cold

(Repeat 1st Chorus)

Stop, understand me
I ain't afraid of losing face
Stop, understand me
I ain't afraid of ever losing faith in you
Never felt like smiling
Sugar wanna' kill me yet
Find me loose lipped and laughing
Singing songs ain't got no regrets
(Repeat 1st and 2nd Chrous)

Don't you think I want to
Don't you think I would
Don't you think I'd tell you baby
If I only could
Am I acting crazy
Am I just too proud
Am I just plain lazy
Am I, Am I, Am I, ever

one mirror too many

I'm trying to vary my post today from Amorica even though I can't stop listening to it! One Mirror Too Many has only been played 42 times live and it's off Three Snakes and One Charm. What I love most about One Mirror Too Many are the lyrics -- and the whole meaning behind the song. To me, this song is about self scrutiny and how that dissipates when you find someone to love. Or rather, how you get so into that person you love, so immersed in them that you can't see how they could think they have any flaws. It's such a powerful feeling.

My favourite lyric being the very beginning of the song -- "the moment I touch you" . . . that's when it all starts. Note in the video after the lyrics, Chris sings "the second I touched you" instead. LOVE! Also, just reading the lyrics of this song, one would almost think it's a ballad but no, it's rather uptempo and rocking!

From the moment you see
The moment you breathe
The moment I touch you

From the moment you crawl
The moment you fall
The instant I loved you

From the moment of darkness
The moment of light
The second I kissed you

From the moment I enter
The moment I leave
In this moment of rapture

One mirror too many gonna tie you up
A life forever empty has got to be rough
Too many starless nights gonna leave you blind
You can never make it right
Unless you leave it behind

From the moment you stumble
The moment you run
In your presence I crumble
From the moment it happens
The moment you know
There's no life without you

she gave good sunflower

I am on such an Amorica kick this week. Even though I decided last week that Descending is my favourite song off that album, I can't stop listening to She Gave Good Sunflower this week. Just a side note, but Descending took over that position from Cursed Diamond. But getting back on track, I am in love with She Gave Good Sunflower this week, especially the guitar riff and Chris's screaming right after -- it's so therapeutic to sing along to in the car!

Crowesbase reports that She Gave Good Sunflower has been played 186 times live and that "the song's working title in 1993 was "Sunflower, She Gave It Really Good". An early version of this song was recorded on August 12, 1993 at Conway Studios, Los Angeles, CA."

I already described my favourite part of the song but my favourite lyric is from the chorus: "Say don't pretend to me / I beg and I plead, your sunflower I need." It's just sooooooooo good.

I've been lost in the headlights
All night long
Said i've felt taller, yes I heard
the dealer's song

Say babe don't mark me absent
I only missed out by a fraction
Be the sun that bursts through my clouds
It's hard enough just living on this ground

chorus:
Say don't pretend to me
I beg and i plead, your sunflower I need
Thought nothing would surprise me
I was wrong now i see
Come on baby and just do me
if you please

This made me reminiscing
About the honey we made
I feel warm in your blizzard
And your flood I crave
I won't abuse my anger
I promise you no lecture

Come be the sun bursting through my clouds
It's hard enough just living on the ground

Chorus

she talks to angels

Chuck Leavell plays on this song !!! As Rich described in the iTunes exclusive interview, "She Talks To Angels was one of those that was-- you know-- we all knew was great and to have Chuck Leavell come in and play on it was just amazing to us." In the same interview, Chris said that "after all these years, the songs that always interest me the most and my favourite ones to sing . . . are our ballads. I think they're the most telling about who we are as people and about how we really feel about things." So, She Talks to Angels may very well be the most popular song by TBC, which is why I feel compelled to talk about it on this blog even though it's not on my favourite songs. Don't get me wrong--it's a gorgeous song but I love so many TBC songs so much better.

Crowesbase quotes Chris and Rich as describing the story behind the song: "A story about a very sad person, a sad but beautiful girl. Though it's loosely based on someone I know, it could be about a lot of people who are addicted. Everyone's been there or knows someone who's there right now." (Chris) "But there's no message about morals in the song." (Rich) "It's not my job to handle people's morals. Morality's your own business." (Chris)

She Talks to Angels is off Shake Your Money Maker, TBC's first album and it's been played 482 times live. I have no personal anecdote for this song -- it just is.

She never mentions the word addiction
In certain company
Yes, she'll tell you she's an orphan
After you meet her family

She paints her eyes as black as night now
She pulls those shades down tight
She gives a smile when the pain comes
The pain gonna' make everything alright

Says she talks to angels
They call her out by her name
Oh yeah, she talks to angels
Says they call her out by her name

She keeps a lock of hair in her pocket
She wears a cross around her neck
Yes the hair is from a little boy
And the cross from someone she has not met
Not yet

(Repeat Chorus)

She don't know no lovers
None that I've ever seen
And to her that means nothing
But to me it means, means everything

(Repeat second verse)
(Repeat Chorus)

then she said my name

Some days I just wake up with TBC lyrics bouncing around in my brain. Even considering that I am pretty much obsessed with Descending right now, today I woke up with Then She Said My Name in my head. Specifically, the lyrics "Let me tell you 'bout the secret / I've been keeping" are in my head a lot.

So, Then She Said My Name is off By Your Side and it's only been played 18 times live. Crowesbase also writes "The chorus from this song is identical to the chorus of "Throw It All Away". Early versions of "Virtue And Vice" used the identical verse structure of this song." I don't have much to say about Then She Said My Name -- it's just that those particular lyrics stick in my head a lot . . . I guess it's the secrets part.

Let me tell you 'bout the book
That I've been reading
It's got all my favorite words
Let me tell you 'bwout who I saw scheming
Ya better know it's not my girl

Let me tell ya 'bout what I've been seeing
It's the window to the world
Let me tell you 'bout the secret
I've been keeping
Said the oyster to the pearl

Are you sorry?
No not me
And tell me why should I be
Cause I've been knocked right off of my feet
And no I didn't even miss a beat

I never thought a love could be like this
Then she said my name
Now I'm wrapped around her finger
I'll never be the same

So let me tell ya 'bout the joke
That you've been living
Said the clown to the fool
Let me tell you 'bout
The wheel that keeps on spinning
Said the teacher to the school

Are you worried?
Well could be, cause I'll tell you what I've seen
I've weathered storms that would sink most ships
Yes I know when to button my lip

Offer me a melody
Pour a cup of wine
Spill your deepest memory
And someday you'll be fine

remedy

I can't believe I've gone this long without posting an entry about the song that got me into TBC in the first place, Remedy. This song is one of the most popular songs by TBC but, really, for a reason. Remedy is off my favourite TBC album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion and it's been played 830 times live which must be right up there in the top five.

So this is how I got into TBC-- I was at the airport on a Friday night, the Friday night before TBC was slated to play Vegoose Halloween weekend 2006. I was with a friend who had flown in to go to Vegoose with me and some other friends, waiting for luggage when who should walk up to get his own bags? Chris Robinson! Of course I had seen pictures of him but the flesh was, well, captivating. So we went to Vegoose--it was truly one of the best days of my life--and in particular TBC's set. They ended that set with Remedy and the next day, I went and bought The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. I've been falling ever since . . .

The clip at the end of this post is from VH1 Storytellers and Chris actually talks a little bit about the actual inspiration for Remedy so it's worth watching. He really did see a dead bird on a window sill in Philadelphia but the song is about more than that--give it a listen.

Baby, baby why can't you sit still?
Who killed that bird out on you window sill?
Are you the reason that he broke his back?
Did I see you laugh about that?
If I come on like a dream?
Would you let me show you what I mean?
If you let me come on inside?
Will you let it glide?

Can I have some remedy?

Remedy for me please.
Cause if I had some remedy
I'd take enough to please me.

Baby, baby why did you dye your hair?
Why you always keeping with your mother's dare?
Baby why's who's who, who know you too?
Did the other children scold on you?
If I come on like a dream?
Would you let me show you what I mean?
If you let me come on inside?
Will you let it slide

feathers

"There's one song called 'Feathers', though, that I really, really think is something else." - Chris Robinson, 4/30/94. Apparently, there are six known versions of Feathers. However, no version of Feathers made it onto Amorica although it was recorded in thoses sessions as well as in the Tall or Lost Crowes session. Not sure why Feathers didn't make it onto Amorica but it's still a great song.

Crowesbase details the different versions of the song, but since I've only heard the Lost Crowes version of Feathers, that's all I can talk about. What I particularly love about this song is the chorus-- it's just such a nice and easy transition in the song but it's distinctive and sounds really different from the rest of the song. The lyrics are my favourite in the song, too: "If I found you a floating feather / Sent down to help me fly away / If I found you a floating feather / I would be amazed."

I feel clean again
I don't waste my sin
I can't spare a grin
Because it's bad blood time again

My morning full on speed
No it's not so rare to me
This is, this is a hungry need
Won't you help me to plant the seed

And if it grows
Yes, we'll know, oh we'll know
If I found you a floating feather
Sent down to help me fly away
If I found you a floating feather
I would be amazed
I'd be amazed

Your lips taste dry again
A death cold has got your skin
I'm not lost in who loses or wins
I would just like for this spell to end

Cause I'm ready
Ready to begin
Begin again
If I found you a floating feather
Sent down to help me fly away
If I found you a floating feather
I would be amazed

I, well I remember one time
You were all smiles
Nothing stood in our way
Well so here I am now
Here I am just wanting to return to those days
We'll get there baby
I'll take you there babe
Oh, we will find, we will find our way

descending

Earlier in the week, I said that I'd been listening to Amorica a lot lately and Descending is not a song that probably stood out to me before. Now, however, I can't get it out of my head. The piano intro is so gorgeous and Chris' voice . . . Descending is another one of those songs that sound like he speaking only to me. According to Crowesbase, "Th[e] earliest known version of the song features a "backwards" arrangement with both guitars playing the primary rythm part (as a riff and as a solo, respectively) and the paino playing the secondary rhythm part (played by the rythm guitaist on the Amorica version)." The piano intro and outro are the most memorable parts of this song but the whole thing is just so perfect sounding when Chris starts singing.

There are two primary versions of Descending-- the Lost Crowes or Tall version and the Amorica version-- they sound the same but have different lyrics. Plus, the Tall version has a different chorus/refrain. I prefer the Amorica version, in terms of listening. I'm going to include both sets of lyrics, however, for posterity and because I prefer the Tall version's lyrics.

Amorica album lyrics

Have mercy baby
I'm descending again
Open your eyes
This time it's sink or it's swim
No sermons on ascending
No verdict on deceit
No selfish memorandum
No confusion for me

Curses
Curses and clues
A feast for fools
Have mercy baby
And hand me downs
It was just a few years ago
You'd hand me ups and map
Right out of town
But I would let it slide
Like mercury
Silver and quick
Poisonous and deadly
So deadly


Tall album lyrics

Have mercy baby
I'm descending again
Open your eyes, baby
Cause, this time it's sink or it's swim
No sermons on ascending
No verdicts on deceit
No selfish memorandum
No confusion for me, not for me


A curse, a clue the same to me
regardless of your sympathy
reminded me to find beauty!


Have mercy baby
and hand me down
It was just a few years ago
you hand me up and a map right out of town
well I will let it slide
like mercury
so silver and quick
poisonous and deadly, so deadly


A curse, a clue the same to me
regardless of your sympathy
reminded me to find beauty!
A feast for fools!

we who see the deep

How could I, even for just mere moments, forget the greatness that is Warpaint? I have just been in the sort of mood to listen to We Who See the Deep, which makes me listen to Warpaint again and again and it's like lightning striking. I feel like this a lot about various TBC albums. I will get in the zone of listening to a lot of live shows and then put on an album and instantly remember all the track progressions, all the hidden gems. We Who See the Deep is one of those gems that is perfect where it is, track five on Warpaint.

Crowesbase details that We Who See the Deep was recorded in July, 2007 at Allaire Studios, Shokan, NY (where most of Warpaint was recorded, as well). However, Crowesbase also offers this other nugget quote from Chris: "That one's for the freaks (laughs). This song was born from another acoustic-y version and I asked Rich to kinda turn it up and Steve just came up with that groove. It's pretty much just freak-funk.” Well that quote definitely explains a lot-- this song is pretty mellow but in a funky way. This is one of the rare songs where I just want to listen to it, not analyze and dream of every lyric. And it's perfect for realizing that it's only Wednesday.

Put forever in your mind
Let go of space and time
Yeah, said it is wee who see the deep
It is wee that the lesson teach

Do you even know this place?
Nowhere is over
To find our way back to grace
Nowhere is nothing at all

Well I have come from the hurricane
A messenger that the tempest brings
Eyes full of sun, hands full of seed
At one with the night just to help me see

Do you even know this place?
Nowhere is over
To find our way back to grace
Nowhere is nothing at all

Nowhere is nothing at all
Nowhere is nothing at all
Nowhere is nothing at all
Nowhere is nothing at all

better when you're not alone

Who knows what draws me to different TBC tracks at different times? This weekend I'm listening to Three Snakes and One Charm a bunch, along with Amorica . . . and it's like, every single time, I'm drawn to different songs. There are, of course, my eternal favourites but still, new songs stick out to me every time I listen. That's the staying power of TBC. So, one of the songs I'm loving right now is Better When You're Not Alone. Not much to say about this song-- it's been played 40 times live -- so not very popular by TBC standards. Apparently Better When You're Not Alone was released as a single, as well, according to Crowesbase.

As always, I love the lyrics of Better When You're Not Alone (but then again, when don't I love TBC lyrics?) but I also love the beginning and end melodies. The end is a little jam that just fades out (see the video below, particularly, for the jam LIVE) and the beginning starts so slow. My favourite line is "I hope you don't lie to me / There's nothing better than your touch" because those two lines together are so contradictory, yet so perfect.

I love you in the worst way
The only way I know
They say the clearer the water
The more that it shows
They say the deeper the river
The stronger the love
Your eyes don't lie to me
And your smile is worth its weight in gold
This life, this life aches
And this life moans
This life is great, this life is great
And it's better when you're
Not alone, not alone

You love me in the worst way
The only way you know
They say the higher the mountain
The more love that grows
They say the stronger the wind blows
The farther we'll go
I hope you don't lie to me
There's nothing better than your touch
How many times does this happen
Two people like us meet
As I try to be humble and lay
Down at your feet