chimesfreedom

It’s Like Deja Vu All Over Again

The invasion of Ukraine has left many of us asking how we got to this point, what we can do, and some of the questions John Fogerty raised in the song “Deja Vu (All Over Again)”

As we watch events unfold in Ukraine, there is a feeling of helplessness around the world. Those who hope for a better world and wish for more to be done to stop the senseless killing, may understand the logistics of the world standing by. But it is a sad reminder of the state of affairs of humanity throughout history.

In 2004, John Fogerty released a song comparing the U.S. invasion of Iraq with the Vietnam War. He explained that the song, “Deja Vu (All Over Again),” was not meant to be political but about the sadness of the destruction caused by war. Not surprisingly, considering the name of the song, as well as the flow of history, the song unfortunately remains relevant today.

So tonight as I watch the humanitarian crisis unfolding, like many others I feel helpless in that I only am offering up a small prayer, finding a small bit of solace knowing that other humans around the world have the same feelings of despair and the same unanswered prayers.

Day after day another Momma’s crying;
She’s lost her precious child,
To a war that has no end.

Did you hear ’em talkin’ ’bout it on the radio?
Did you stop to read the writing at The Wall?
Did that voice inside you say,
I’ve seen this all before;
It’s like Deja Vu all over again.

The Inspiration for Jason Isbell’s “Elephant” (Song of the Day)

Jason Isbell’s song “Elephant” is a rare heartbreaking song capturing the realities of dying and relationships.

Like many others, when I first listened to Jason Isbell’s wonderful 2013 album Southeastern I was blown away from the first listen to the song “Elephant.” As you listen to the song, it slowly dawns upon you what the “elephant” in the room is and it is heartbreaking. If you have never heard the song before, watch the video below before reading further.

In the song, the singer tells about his close relationship with a woman dying of cancer. The singer recounts their interactions while trying to “ignore the elephant.”

But I’d sing her classic country songs,
And she’d get high and sing along;
She don’t have a voice to sing with now;
We burn these joints in effigy,
And cry about what we used to be;
Try to ignore the elephant somehow;
Somehow.

The song seems so personal, detailed, and truthful, that for a long time I had assumed Isbell wrote it about a friend who had died. But that is not the case.

The source for “Elephant,” however comes from real people. Isbell has said “Elephant” was generally inspired by watching regulars at an Alabama bar and over time seeing some of them disappear from the scene due to cancer. He explained to NPR, “I imagined a couple of folks who were drinking buddies, nothing more than that, and how their relationship changed when one of them got sick. I’ve known a lot of people who have gotten cancer and died. I think everybody has at this point in time, but those two folks aren’t necessarily people who exist in reality.”

Although the characters are not “real,” the descriptions are genuine and the conversations seem to exist in reality. It is one of the greatest songs about dying, loss, and friendship.

Below, Isbell performs the song in 2013 for SiriusXM Outlaw Country. Check it out, but only if you have tissues handy.

What is your favorite song about death? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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Roy Orbison Without the Sunglasses: “Only the Lonely”

Roy Orbison began wearing his signature sunglasses onstage in 1963 due to something that happened while touring with the Beatles.

Roy Orbison, who was born on April 23, 1936 and passed away on December 6, 1988, was known for his amazing voice and his signature look. The image we have of him is dressed in black and wearing sunglasses. But he did not always wear his signature sunglasses, as shown by the below performance of “Only the Lonely” on Dick Clark’s Saturday Night Beechnut Show.

Throughout the pandemic, I have been digging deeper into artists I have always loved. Lately, one of my obsessions has been Roy Orbison.

There are various stories about why Orbison wore sunglasses on stage. One of the most popular legends is that Orbison was shy and the sunglasses helped him overcome stage fright.

But in the book The Authorized Roy Orbison, Orbison’s sons Roy Jr., Wesley, and Alex explained the story behind the famous sunglasses. While on tour with the Beatles in 1963, Roy Orbison left his regular glasses on an airplane. Orbison had poor eyesight and was at a loss without his glasses, but he had a pair of sunglasses with him (apparently prescription sunglasses). So he wore the sunglasses on the tour, creating what would become his iconic look.

Prior to 1963, however, Orbison did not perform with the sunglasses. So here, you may see Orbison perform one of the great classics “Only the Lonely” below in what appears to be from July 23, 1960 on Dick Clark’s show. Check it out.

What is your favorite Roy Orbison song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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Amythyst Kiah: “Wary + Strange” (Short Review)

Amythyst Kiah positions her unique voice and songwriting with one of the best albums of the year with “Wary + Strange.”

One of my favorite albums from 2021 is Amythyst Kiah‘s Wary + Strange. The Tennesseean’s first nationally distributed album defies categorization, with many finding indie, alt-rock, roots, folk, country-blues and other sounds in it, with a deep voice that may remind some of Tracy Chapman. Kiah, though, is an experienced artist making her own music, with experience that includes time spent in Our Native Daughters, a talented supergroup that includes Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Allison Russell.

Wary + Strange shows an artist continuing to develop since 2013’s debut Dig and the 2016 EP Amythyst Kiah And Her Chest of Glass. The newest album is packed full of memorable songs. One stand-out is “Black Myself.” The New York Times called the song “a down-home, defiant testimony to Black pride that earned a Grammy nomination for best American roots song.” Check it out.

Kiah wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the album, which was produced by Tony Berg. Another powerful song is “Fancy Drones (Fracture Me),” a song about being cut off from your emotions. Another favorite song showing a softer bluesy side is “Tender Organs,” revealing both strength and vulnerability in dealing with internal struggles.

Notice here, notice here,
These tender organs rotting inside me;
Notice here, notice here,
The hands that healed me, now they’re writhing.

With such a talent for songwriting and a distinctive powerful voice. Kiah should be around for a long time adding to the soundtrack of our lives. Give the album a spin.

What do you think of the album? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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Sam Williams: “Can’t Fool Your Own Blood” (Song of the Day)

Sam Williams, the youngest grandson of Hank Williams, released his debut album featuring the mesmerizing track, “Can’t Fool Your Own Blood.”

Sam Williams has a last name with a lot of musical history. The grandson of Hank Williams and the son of Hank Williams Jr., Williams is carving his own musical trail. With songs encompassing rock, folk, and country, Williams released a debut full album in 2021, Glasshouse Children. One of my favorite tracks from the album is “Can’t Fool Your Own Blood.”

And you can lie to a liar,
Go ahead and flame the fire,
And Burn down everything you love;
You can steal from a thief,
I’ll act like I believe,
But you can’t fool your own blood.

One might be tempted to speculate that the heavy weight of being in a legendary family has led Sam Williams to reflect on what a family means. And is that a reference to Hank’s “Lost Highway” in the line, “And then the lost highway claims me its own.”

But the song is after something more universal. Beginning with the portrait of an alcoholic mother, the song remarks on how you might be able to hide a lot from the world, but ultimately you can’t hide from those that know you best.

It’s a stunning song on a wonderful debut album from a young artist. Here’s hoping we have Sam Williams around for a long time.