Day: July 24, 2008

May’s Inability to Stop Listening to Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

mayiwrite music , , ,

I guess we could call Thursdays “May’s Music Thursdays to an Obnoxious Degree.”

One song in particular from Raising Sand, “Stick with Me Baby,” puts me in something of a mood. I say that word with a raised eyebrow and slightly higher voice, trying not to blush. Still I don’t know if you know what I mean. Maybe you do.

This is an Everly Brothers cover. I mean, you remember the Everly Brothers. My first experience with them was in third grade. Mrs. Hamlin played “Bye Bye Love” for us. Maybe she was teaching us about harmony, and maybe she was a huge Everly Brothers fan. The Everly Brothers were musicians I’d definitely groove to.

Everybody’s been a-talkin’; they say our love wasn’t real
That it would soon be over; that’s not the way I feel
But I don’t worry, honey; let them say what they may
Come on and stick with me, baby; we’ll find a way
Yes, we’ll find a way

[Instrumental]

Everybody’s been a-talkin’; yes, the news travels fast
They said the fire would stop burnin’, that the flame wouldn’t last
But I don’t worry, honey; let them say what they may
Come on & stick with me, baby; we’ll find a way
Yes, we’ll find a way

[Repeat & fade:]
Come on and stick with me, baby

Raising Sand version

Robert and Alison sing this song very tenderly. None of it loud; almost whispering. They harmonize the entire song, with the drums softly pulsing, the melody following the same four-bar loop. I love how the ends of phrases slide up and taper just so. This is a song I could turn down the lights and slow dance to. 

It has to be on repeat, though, being less than three minutes long. Darnit, Everly Brothers.

There I am, in his arms, my head resting in the crook of his neck, our hearts matching the beat, my arms around his shoulders; his around my waist. Our bodies gently swaying, our feet barely moving. I forget to breathe, I forget where I am, except he turns to look at me and smiles. And I melt. And we return to dancing, except we never really stopped, seemingly anchored to floor but somehow floating.

Sigh.

Good News Instructions vol 2

mayiwrite food, links, miscellany, my life ,

1. Check out this post. Sars is about to start a ice cream bracket to determine the winner of all ice creams. (She helped host a cheese bracket not too long ago. British cheddar won.) This specific post asks what the difference is between Rocky Road and Heavenly Hash. Three random commenters will win a free pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

2. Perform a text search (Ctrl+F) for triple. Note in whose comment this word belongs.

3. Check out the email message I found waiting for me today:
That’s right, my sweets — your next B&J pint is on me.

I have to wait for Ben and/or Jerry to send me the coupons, and then I’ll send them along to you, so in the meantime, please send me your mailing addresses (I don’t sell them to anyone, don’t worry).

If you’re not in the U.S., I’m not sure the coupon is valid, so I can send you some stickers or magnets instead.

Thanks for commenting on the thread!

Sarah

PS Just hit reply, not reply-all. Thankee.

4. Pretend you’re me.

5. Jump up and down for winning a free pint of ice cream.

May’s Song Review: “I’ve Got That Old Feeling” by Alison Krauss

mayiwrite music, reviews , , ,

May’s synopsis: Bluegrass is cool

May’s rating scale:

MAY!

May?

meh…

meh?

MESS.

 

Since I’ve given in to Raising Sand flooding my head, I decided to look it up on NPR, and I found a Weekend Edition interview where Robert Plant and Alison Krauss discuss the album, singing as a couple from seemingly extreme genres, and what it means to sing as a “duet.” They also make me laugh.

Then I got all nostalgic about Alison Krauss. I’ve always liked her. I’ve always liked her voice, and I’ve always appreciated how she’s sustained bluegrass. So, when I saw a link to one of her songs on the same page as the interview, I clicked on it and came upon this song.

This is Alison Krauss, circa 1990. She turns 37 this year, which would have made her around 19 years old when this song came out. Yeah, she was born in the 70s, same as me, so that totally makes her my friend. That does not bias this review, however.

Oh yeah, here’s the song. Hover over the link.  Click on “play” in the pop-up box:
ive-got-that-old-feeling

No matter what I say or do,
I just can’t seem to get inside your heart
What have I done wrong?
Lately you’re so far away,
You just don’t seem to hold me like you used to
Something’s going on

I’ve got that old feeling, you’re leaving
I’m so tired of goodbye
I can’t wait on your love forever
While you change your mind

Morning finds us face to face
I feel you staring through me while I’m talking
What’s come over you?
Familiar looks I recognize
the same old looks that said goodbye the last time
Something I’m used to

I’ve got that old feeling, you’re leaving
I’m so tired of goodbye
I can’t wait on your love forever
While you change your mind

It’s typical bluegrass: simple, flowing melody, tight harmonies, no drums. Alison’s voice, along with the guitar, slide guitar, mandolin, fiddle and bass are a lovely combination. The string solos add to the bluegrassy feel. I’ve got that old, bluegrass feeling.

Nothing too special about the lyrics; they say nothing new. Love spurned not about to go through it again. I could sing this to someone given a certain situation. Oh wait, someone has to love me first. That is the certain situation.

It’s a short song, not quite three minutes, but a lot of stuff is happening in that moment. I’ve listened to it at least twenty times to try catching everything. I really like it.