Some Days A Song Just . . . Fits
There are days when the world wears on you. Days when you feel kinda like you’re Atlas holding up the world.
And on such days, this one just . . . fits. Like few others I’ve ever heard.
“I pulled in to Nazarath, was feeling ’bout half-past dead . . . . “
Yeah, I think we’ve all been there. Probably more than once.
. . .
A Canadian – Robbie Robertson – wrote the song. But it was based largely on the experiences of one of his musical collaborators, Levon Helm, while growing up in the US South.
In case you’re wondering: yes, Carmen, Anna Lee, and Crazy Chester were all based on real people. Helm knew them all growing up in Arkansas.
And if there was ever a more distinct voice in popular music than Levon Helms, I’ll be damned if I know who that would be. Hell, even Rod Stewart had a near clone (Bonnie Tyler). As far as I can tell, Helm was unique. I can’t think of anyone who sounds remotely like him.
If you’ve never heard them, two live versions of the tune are IMO also worth a listen. This version is from The Band’s farewell concert and film, The Last Waltz; this version is an outtake that didn’t make it into the film.
If you’re interested, YouTube has a fascinating documentary on The Band. It’s about 1hr 15 min long; IMO it’s eminently worth the time. YMMV.
I’ll return the site to it’s normal programming now. (smile)
Category: Pointless blather, Who knows
Hondo, Thanks for the article. I still listen to “The Band” on CD and vinyl and still listen to, “The Weight” when I feel down and need a lift. I have “The Last Waltz” on DVD. Great live show. Thanks again.
I have The Last Waltz on both CD and DVD. Neil Young is unforgettable as the token stoner idiot, blasted out of his socks on stage.
Seems nothing has much changed since then for him, either.
“Virgil Cane” is another stand-out song.
AW1Ed: did you perchance mean “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, maybe? (smile)
The Band had just so damn many other great tunes besides those two, though: “Chest Fever”; “Up on Cripple Creek”; “Rag Mama Rag”; “Stage Fright”; “King Harvest” (Has Surely Come)”; “The Shape I’m In”; “Life Is a Carnival”; and “Acadian Driftwood” are all freaking gems.
If I had to pick, I’d have to say “The Weight” and “Acadian Driftwood” would be my favorites.
They were truly an amazing group of musicians, and made some truly timeless music.
amen. As long as “The Night” is performed by The Band… Joan Baez earned another reason to be shot for her version.
Great Levon cameo in “The Shooter”, by the way.
Hondo, as I write this Ms. Poetrooper is listening to your contribution from the Band.
Back in the day down in Pensacola when we toked a little, the Band was one of our favorites. Their music was great lay back in the bean bag and suck it all in music.
But if you wanted to get all the pot heads off their asses and dancing, the tune for that was “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from the Broadway play Evita by a disco group called Festival. I’m not much of a dancer, but even I couldn’t resist the urge to stand up and shake my ass when that song played.
At a party on Pensacola Beach in a friend’s condo back in the 80’s, I must have recycled that song twenty times straight and no one quit dancing except to pee or get a fresh drink.
It’s truly a captivating musical experience, possibly the best disco number ever produced.
Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIlowe123iA&list=RDqIlowe123iA#t=539
And stay with it through the lengthy intro until you get to the melodic part. My sweetie, Ms. Poetrooper, is up and about the living room shaking her booty to that irresistible beat and remembering so many fun events in our past.
And yes, Ol’ Poetrooper just disco-danced his way back to the refrigerator for a refill.
Heh…
Hey Hondo, here’s another one in the same irresistible vein. Even an old fart like me can’t resist the urge when musical masters present a perfect dance piece like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7JVlpm0eRs
Linda and I were in Hong Kong and found a Mexican restaurant that served some pretty decent pork tacos. This Huey Lewis number was on their juke box which played at maximum volume. I do believe they were glad to see us go after our playing it repeatedly for an hour or so.
For several days…
Yeah, Poetrooper, Huey and the lads could rock (and still can, for all I know). But although “Heart of Rock and Roll” is nice, I kinda prefer this one. It seems to be a bit more . . . meaningful.
http://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=45773
Agreed…