It is said that Skip James was actually paid to stop singing this song during The Great Depression because it made people feel worse. I actually find it medicinal to sing and play music like this. Much love to Skip James for putting it on record/wax.
Fun times… left to right: Brad Rice, Jeff Rice, me, Kebin Ahrens; at a New Years gig.
Coolness.
Had some down time over the Christmas weekend, so Will and I got together at our friend Dan’s house to play some songs…
“Ready Or Not” –
——
“Mexican Home” (John Prine) —
Do what thou wilt.
This notebook has seen
many years. Many moons.
Many zip codes.
The night air of autumn
has many times yellowed
its edges, curled its corners.
I used these stenos
during the winter we lived
out in the country,
near the pond where we
rowed around our love, and
the morning fog was full
of questions;
by Christmas it had
strangled the house
and mingled with the
smoke of a chimney, once
lonely, once jealous.
These pages filled
with answers and notes
to the classes
of my new life.
For a few years,
after we’d left that house,
after you’d gone to another,
and I’d gone to the city,
these empty
lines held up
part of a
bookcase, then
and old organ,
and now
remind me of
what is real
and what is not.
This is worth reading before watching the film:
“Sometimes I think I’ll never find,
Such purity and peace of mind again…”
This the vocal takes from The Beach Boys’ album Pet Sounds tracks “God Only Knows”, “Sloop John B”, and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”. I can’t really add anything particularly interesting to describe these recordings. They are amazing, and they showcase the talents of the musicians quite well. Also: holy crap they were good.
My band, The Jaywalkers, are recording this summer… we’ll have more news and updates very soon. Hoping to have this record out in the fall (2011).
