June 04, 2004

unheard of greatness

A lot of my readers become bored when I blog about music, but music is an important part of my life. Lately, I've been playing guitar a lot and I worry that I'm developing arthritis in my fingers, especially in my left hand. I am not as supple as I once was and my knuckles start to ache after about 30 minutes of playing.

The thought that I might reach the point where I can't play anymore scares the shit out of me. Sweet Bejus! You took my love, you took my son, you took my job, you took my dick, you're after my money and you left me where I'm liable to piss my bed on any given night. Isn't THAT enough of a price for one man to pay? You want MY FINGERS, too, you rotten bastard?

Excuse me. I'm getting off on a rant here.

I'm going to post a list of my TOP TEN seldom-heard songs, that didn't make gold records, didn't rocket anybody to stardom and lay now in the discount bins of many record stores. You can buy 'em cheap today, and I recommend that you do.

10) "Freaker's Ball" I'm not sure who wrote it, but I believe that it was Steve Goodman.

9) "Pancho and Lefty" as performed by Townes Van Zant before he killed himself.

8) "I'm Alive" by Mac MacAnally on his first album.

7) "The Dutchman" by Mike Smith (who I met and sang with once in my life)

6) "Free Man in Paris" by Joni Mitchell

5) "Hello in There" by John Prine

4) "I'm Alright" by Kim Ritchie

3) "That Bitch" by Fat Yankee Jack (you have to go to Key West to see him.)

2) "Pamela Brown" as performed by Leo Kottke on a 12-string guitar.

1) "Mother of a Miner's Child" by Gordon Lightfoot.

If you've never heard these songs, you need to make a special effort to do so.

Comments

Damned fine list, and I want to single out the Kottke, since he actually cut a version (on the "Ice Water" album, I think) that blows Tom T. Hall's original into the weeds, and I dearly love Tom T. Hall.

Posted by: CGHill on June 4, 2004 08:52 PM

"You took my love, you took my son, you took my job, you took my dick, you're after my money and you left me where I'm liable to piss my bed on any given night."

Sounds like a helluva good song, to me!

Posted by: Earl on June 4, 2004 09:32 PM

I am not a fan of Rap music, but I heard a song thumping out of the back of a car on the expressway that reminded me of MY ex wife: "I got 99 problems and they're all my bitch!"

Posted by: og on June 4, 2004 09:46 PM

Dear Rob:

As we're of a similar age, I have to stump for a fellow Oregonian named Mickey Newbury and his song "Cortelia Clark", which won a grammy in 1972.

"Angel from Montgomery" (also John Prine) gets a nod in my book, also.

Cheers!

-Will

Posted by: Will on June 4, 2004 10:55 PM

Townes Van Zant didn't kill himself. you're right about
Pancho and Lefty, its one great song.

Posted by: other brother daryl on June 5, 2004 01:04 AM

As for your hand...Sorry to hear it is hurting you. Find a decent massage therapist and have them massage your hand a couple times a month. Works wonders.

Posted by: drc on June 5, 2004 10:39 AM

How about the never to be remembered "Who Stole the Kishka?"?

Posted by: Cappy on June 5, 2004 12:19 PM

Your posts about music are just fine thank you very much. They have brought back memories of different times and places each signified by a certin melody. Nope, not boring at all. And to modify an old phrase:

"Music will get you through times of no life better than life will get you through times of no music."

Posted by: Guy S. on June 5, 2004 01:43 PM

Rob:
Since you are so good with music and lyrics please please help me. I remember a song when I was young that had a line it that goes like this. Saint Peter can't you wait at the Gold Gate cause I gotta have another cigarette. That is the only line I remember and I can't seem to find anyone who knows who sang it or the name of it. My Ma and Sis think it was Roger Miller but they are not sure.

Please if you know can you let me know or if any of your readers may know help me this is driving me nuts.

Posted by: Lady on June 5, 2004 05:50 PM

Lady, the song is 'Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette'. I'm not sure of the artist, it may have been either Phil Harris or Tex Ritter.

Posted by: Jaydee on June 6, 2004 03:18 AM

Phil Harris. I'm old enough to remember.

Posted by: Larry on June 6, 2004 09:10 AM

Smoke smoke smoke that cigarette
and if you puff puff puff youself to death
tell saint peter at the golden gate
that you hate to make him wait
but you gotta have another cigarette

1940's

Posted by: Larry on June 6, 2004 09:12 AM

Thanks all I knew if I asked here someone would know. I am very grateful.

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June 04, 2004

unheard of greatness