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