Among The Dead And Wounded Her Darling Boy She Found

There was a wealthy merchant, in London he did dwell
He had a Beautiful daughter, the truth to you we'll tell
Oh the truth to you we'll tell

She had sweethearts a plenty, and men of high degree
But none but Jack the sailor, her true love ever be
Oh her true love ever be

Jackie's gone a sailing, with trouble on his mind
He's left his native country and his darling girl behind
Oh his darling girl behind

She went down to a tailor shop and dressed in man's array
She climbed on board a vessel to convey herself away
Oh convey herself away

Before you get on board sir, your name we'd like to know
She smiled on her countenance, they called me Jack-A-Roe
Oh they called me Jack-A-Roe

I see your waist is slender, your fingers they are small
Your cheeks too red and rosy to face the cannonball
Oh to face the cannonball

I know my waist's to slender, my fingers they are small
but it would not make me tremble to see ten thousand fall
Oh to see ten thousand fall

The war soon being over she went and looked around
among the dead and wounded her darling boy she found
Oh her darling boy she found

She picked him up on in her arms and carried him to the town
she sent for a physician to quickly heal his wounds
Oh to quickly heal his wounds

This couple they got married so well they did agree
This couple they got married so why not you and me?
Oh why not you and me?
Oh why not you and me?

Grateful Dead - Jack-a-roe Lyrics @ LyricsTime.com

TFT Interviews Jersey Jazzman Sunday!

Donald "Duck" Dunn, R.I.P.

 

As a member of Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Famers Booker T. & The MGs, Donald "Duck" Dunn was house bass player at the legendary Soul/R'n'B label, Stax, where his meaty playing helped define one of the most distinctive and enduring sounds in popular music. Among the timeless recordings Dunn held down the bottom end of, are Respect, Dock Of The Bay and I've Been Loving You Too Long, by Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett's In The Midnight Hour, and Hold On I'm Coming by Sam and Dave, not to mention sessions with Neil Young, Eric Clapton and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Dunn kept the classic Stax sound alive and kicking as part of The Blues Brothers Band. Originally hand picked by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd - the Jake and Elwood characters in cult film, The Blues Brothers.

duckdunn

Levon Helm, R.I.P. Updated

Woodstock's Levon Helm, who was as much beloved for his salt of the earth integrity as he was for his earthen voice and in-the-pocket drumming, died Thursday afternoon in New York.

Helm was surrounded by friends and family, including his wife Sandy and daughter Amy, at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. There will be a memorial service, but details have yet been finalized.

recordonline.com

Update: This from Charles Pierce is worth a read:

It was a hot summer night very long ago, when my career in this racket was brand-new and distinctly alternative. I was in a beneath-the-sidewalk joint in Harvard Square called Jonathan Swift's, and I was listening to Levon Helm play with the Cate Brothers, who were formidable players in their own right, and old friends of Levon's from Arkansas. We were all deep into the howl of the evening when it occurred to my friend and I that we were enjoying the show so much that we really ought to buy Levon a beer. So we ordered one up, and the waitress brought it out to the stage and Levon took a long pull, looked down at the two of us, touched his drumstick to his forehead and said, "Thank you, neighbor."

It was what they were all about, Levon and the rest of The Band, in 1968, when the country was coming apart at the seams. Nothing was holding, least of all Mr. Yeats's center. There were tanks in Prague and there was blood on a balcony in Memphis, Tennessee. The traditional American values of home and family and neighborhood were being fashioned into cheap weapons to use against the people who saw the death and gore as the deepest kind of betrayal of the ideals that made those values worth a damn in the first place. The music was disparate and fragmented; the Beatles were producing masterpieces that they couldn't or wouldn't take on the road. Brian Wilson was long gone, spelunking through the canyons of what was left of his mind. Jim Morrison, that tinpot fraud, was mixing bullshit politics with kindergarten Freudian mumbo-jumbo and his band didn't even have a damn bass player. Elsewhere, there was torpid, silly psychedelia. The British were sort of holding it together, but, in America, even soul was coming apart. Nothing seemed rooted. Nothing abided. Nothing seemed to come from anything else. The whole country was bleeding from wounds nobody could find.

h/t Doug Noon

It's Passover, So I'm Being Lazy

That's not the only reason for the lack of posts.

I have been incredibly busy with a new project that is sucking all my time and energy, and I love it all.

I can't really give you any details other than to tell you it has to do with children, early childhood education, background knowledge, and bunnies. There's much more, but that's really the best stuff right there, don't ya think?

The project is prospective right now, but I have a feeling it will be made real. If it becomes real I will be able to realize a dream.

Some of the details, once revealed, will surprise you, impress you, and make you jealous, but in a good way. Regular readers know me and my 'bent' and I can tell you, this thing fits me perfectly. I just need to make it happen. I can, I have support, and I WILL make it happen. And it will be awesome, for not only me. I have the shivers.

So, I am very happy, busy, excited, but still broke. I don't really care though. All will become good.  Soon.

Jim Marshall Of Marshall Amplifiers, R.I.P.

James Charles "Jim" Marshall, OBE (July 29, 1923 – April 5, 2012), known as The Father of Loud or The Lord of Loud, was an English businessman, and pioneer of guitar amplification. His company, Marshall Amplification, has created kit used by some of the biggest names in rock, producing amplifiers with an iconic status. Marshall received an OBE honour for "services to the music industry and to charity". Marshall has been listed as one of the four forefathers of rock music equipment along with Leo Fender, Les Paul and Seth Lover.

Earl Scruggs: R.I.P.

Earl Eugene Scruggs (January 6, 1924 – March 28, 2012) was an American musician noted for perfecting and popularizing a three-finger banjo-picking style (now called Scruggs style) that is a defining characteristic of bluegrass music. Although other musicians had played in three-finger style before him, Scruggs shot to prominence when he was hired by Bill Monroe to fill the banjo slot in his group, the Blue Grass Boys.

Wikipedia

Davy Jones, R.I.P.

Davy Jones of the Monkees has died of an apparent heart attack at age 66. The singer – who had been on a solo tour this month - complained of chest pains last evening and was admitted to a hospital this morning in Stuart, Florida.

RS

Song Of The Day: Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City (Bob Weir, Heaven Help The Fool)

It was a paradise for lizards when young Brigham saw it first
He said "I've seen some nasty deserts, lord, but this one here's the worst"
Then the lord called down to Brigham, said "I got a great idea --
I want a mighty city and I think I want it here"

Salt Lake City that town of righteousness and fame
Salt Lake City don't sound like much but hell, what's in a name
Nobody ever sings about it But lord I be goin' there just the same
Salt Lake City where it's so easy keepin' straight
Salt Lake City just really makes Des Moines look second-rate
Ain't makin' no big deal about it
But I hear the Mormon girls are really great

Salt Lake City hey dig that Tabernacle choir
Salt Lake City yea they be bound to take you higher
There just ain't no two ways about it
Yes lord, they really light fire

Well, Brigham kicked a prairie dog and muttered in his beard
Said "you've put me through some changes, lord, but this one's really weird
The lord just laughed at Brigham, said "you'd better get to work --
The next time I check in here, I want paradise on earth

Salt Lake City where Brigham made the desert bloom
Salt Lake City put a color TV in every room
And they got them crazy Mormon chicks
Yes I'll be goin' there real soon

Salt Lake City hey feel that magic in the air ...

Whitney Houston Could Sing. RIP

Prop 8 Overturned! Humans Free To Love Each Other Again!! Updated

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court on Tuesday declared California's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional but agreed to give sponsors of the bitterly contested, voter-approved law time to appeal the ruling before ordering the state to resume allowing gay couples to wed.

Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz

Update: Some analysis of the ruling: (h/t DWT)

Let's be clear at the outset what the three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals did and didn't decide in its ruling today on the constitutionality of California's ballot-approved Proposition 8, which you'll no doubt recall had the (intended) effect of overturning the state law, already in effect, that had legalized same-sex marriage.

(1) What the panel did decide

Yes indeed, the ruling -- written by Judge Stephen Reinhardt (appointed to the court by Jimmy Carter) on behalf of himself and Judge Michael Hawkins (appointed by Bill Clinton) -- says that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

(2) What the panel did NOT decide

The ruling goes out of its way to make clear that the panel is not saying that it is necessarily unconstitutional to legally ban same-sex marriage.

Are we all clear on that? Anyone who says, or imagines, that the Ninth Circuit panel ruled today that banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional doesn't know what he's talking about, or perhaps is just fibbing for reasons you'll have to ask him to explain.

SO WHAT DID THE PANEL RULE UNCONSTITUTIONAL?

The Greatest Song Ever Written About Colors

Amy Winehouse, R.I.P.

Rehab

LONDON — Amy Winehouse, the beehived soul-jazz diva whose self-destructive habits overshadowed a distinctive musical talent, was found dead Saturday in her London home, police said. She was 27.

Winehouse shot to fame with the album "Back to Black," whose blend of jazz, soul, rock and classic pop was a global hit. It won five Grammys and made Winehouse — with her black beehive hairdo and old-fashioned sailor tattoos — one of music's most recognizable stars.

CBS

She was a talented artist with a disease, and a long line of enablers who depended on her. As an aside, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Brian Jones, and Janis Joplin died at the same age and in a similar manner.

Xeni

"We're Not Gonna Take It!" The SOS March's New Anthem (Should Be, Anyway) Updated: It Is!

Oh We're Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain't Gonna Take It
oh We're Not Gonna Take It Anymore

we've Got The Right To Choose And
there Ain't No Way We'll Lose It
this Is Our Life, This Is Our Song
we'll Fight The Powers That Be Just
don't Pick Our Destiny 'cause
you Don't Know Us, You Don't Belong

oh We're Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain't Gonna Take It
oh We're Not Gonna Take It Anymore

oh You're So Condescending
your Gall Is Never Ending
we Don't Want Nothin', Not A Thing From You
your Life Is Trite And Jaded
boring And Confiscated
if That's Your Best, Your Best Won't Do

oh.....................
oh.....................
we're Right/yeah
we're Free/yeah
we'll Fight/yeah
you'll See/yeah

oh We're Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain't Gonna Take It
oh We're Not Gonna Take It Anymore

oh We're Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain't Gonna Take It
oh We're Not Gonna Take It Anymore
no Way!

oh.....................
oh.....................
we're Right/yeah
we're Free/yeah
we'll Fight/yeah
you'll See/yeah

we're Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain't Gonna Take It
we're Not Gonna Take It Anymore

we're Not Gonna Take It, No!
no, We Ain't Gonna Take It
we're Not Gonna Take It Anymore

just You Try And Make Us
we're Not Gonna Take It
come On
no, We Ain't Gonna Take It
you're All Worthless And Weak
we're Not Gonna Take It Anymore
now Drop And Give Me Twenty
we're Not Gonna Take It
oh Crinch Pin
no, We Ain't Gonna Take It
oh You And Your Uniform
we're Not Gonna Take It Anymore

Update: It's official. This is our anthem for the SOS March! Awesome!

Clarence Clemons, "The Big Man": R.I.P.

Clarence Anicholas Clemons, Jr. (January 11, 1942 – June 18, 2011), also known as The Big Man, was an American musician and actor. From 1972 until his death, he was a prominent member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, playing the saxophone. He released several solo albums and in 1985 had a hit single with "You're a Friend of Mine", a duet with Jackson Browne. As a guest musician he also featured on Aretha Franklin's classic "Freeway of Love" and on Twisted Sister's "Be Chrool to Your Scuel" as well as performing in concert with The Grateful Dead and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. As an actor Clemons featured in several films, including New York, New York and Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. He also made cameo appearances in several TV series, including Diff'rent Strokes, Nash Bridges, The Simpsons and The Wire. Together with his television writer friend Don Reo he published his autobiography, Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales, in 2009. Clemons suffered a stroke on June 12, 2011 and died of complications from the stroke on June 18. He was 69 years old.

Happy Birthday, Les Paul

I had a black Les Paul just like the one down there but had to sell it so I could eat. I loved that thing. And just look at that dude! He was cooler than you and me put together.

Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009)—known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which "made the sound of rock and roll possible". He is credited with many recording innovations. Although he was not the first to use the technique, his early experiments with overdubbing (also known as sound on sound),[6] delay effects such as tape delay, phasing effects and multitrack recording were among the first to attract widespread attention.

His innovative talents extended into his playing style, including licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques and timing, which set him apart from his contemporaries and inspired many guitarists of the present day. He recorded with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s, and they sold millions of records.

Among his many honors, Paul is one of a handful of artists with a permanent, stand-alone exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is prominently named by the music museum on its website as an "architect" and a "key inductee" along with Sam Phillips and Alan Freed.

Song Of The Day: Brother Esau (Shadowboxing The Apocalypse)

The Grateful Dead @ SF Civic 1-28-87

My brother Esau killed a hunter

Back in 1969

And before the killing was done,

His inheritance was mine.

But his birthright was a wand to wave

Before a weary band.

Esau gave me sleeplessness

And a piece of moral land.

My father favored Esau,

Who was eager to obey

All the bloody wild commandments

The Old Man shot his way.

But all this favor ended

When my brother failed at war.

He staggered home

And found me in the door.

[Chorus:]

Esau skates on mirrors anymore...

He meets his pale reflection at the door.

Yet sometimes at night I dream

He's still that hairy man,

Shadowboxing the Apocalypse

And wandering the land.

Shadowboxing the Apocalypse

And wandering the land.

Esau holds a blessing;

Brother Esau bears a curse.

I would say that the blame is mine

But I suspect it's something worse.

The more my brother looks like me,

The less I understand

The silent war that bloodied both our hands.

Sometimes at night, I think I understand.

It's brother to brother and it's man to man

And it's face to face and it's hand to hand...

We shadowdance the silent war within.

The shadowdance, it never ends...

Never ends, never ends.

Shadowboxing the Apocalypse, yet again...

Yet again.

Shadowboxing the Apocalypse,

And wandering the land

Song Of The Day: Mama Tried (She still does!)

For my mother, because she tried. I take full responsibility, mom!

The Grateful Dead
The first I remember knowin' was that lonesome whistle blowin'
And a youngin's dream of growin' up to ride.
On a freight train leavin' town, not knowin' where I was bound
No one could steer me right, but mama tried.

Was the only rebel child from a family meek and mild
Mama seemed to know what lay in store
In spite of all my Sunday learnin'
For the bad I kept on turnin' and mama couldn't hold me anymore.

And I turned 21 in prison, doin' life without parole
No one could steer me right, but mama tried, mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleadin' I denied
That leaves only me to blame cause mama tried.

Dear old daddy rest his soul, left my mom a heavy load
She tried so very hard to fill his shoes
Workin' hours without rest, wanted me to have the best
Oh she tried to raise me right, but I refused.

And I turned 21 in prison, doin' life without parole
No one could steer me right, but mama tried, mama tried
Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleadin' I denied
That leaves only me to blame cause mama tried.

Yo-Yo Is Surely Proud Of This Guy

I just need to say that this young man is showing innovation that would get smacked down if a kid tried to pull that in school -- beat-box cello is surely not on the test.

"Well, you can't take the effect And make it the cause"

Representative Donna Edwards quotes The White Stripes on the House floor.  Cool.

I guess you have to have a problem

If you want to invent a contraption

First you cause a train wreck

Then you put me in traction

Well, first came an action

And then a reaction

But you can't switch around

For your own satisfaction

Well, you put my house down, then got mad

At my reaction

Well, in every complicated situation

You're the human relation

Makin' sense of it all

Take a whole lot a concentration

Well, you can blame my baby

For her pregnant ma

And if there's one of these

On the order for laws

It's that you just can't take the effect

And make it the cause

Well, you can't take the effect

And make it the cause

I didn't rob a bank

Because you made up a law

When you people robbin' Peter

Don't you blame Paul

Can't take the effect

And make it the cause

I ain't the reason that you gave me no reason to return your call

You built a house of cards and got shocked when you saw them fall

Well are you sayin' I'm innocent?

In fact the reverse

But if you're headin' to the grave

You don't blame the hearse

You're like a little girl yellin' at her brother

'Cause you lost his ball

Well you keep blamin' me for what you did

And that ain't all

The way you clean up a wreck

Is enough to get one pause

You seem to forget

Just how this song started

I'm reactin' to you because you left me broken-hearted

See, you just can't take the effect

And make it the cause

Can't take the effect

And make it the cause

I didn't rob a bank

Because you made up a law

Blame people robbin' Peter

Don't you blame Paul

Can't take the effect

And make it the cause