In case, like me, you apparently slept through the late 90s, Mermaid Avenue is comprised of previously unheard lyrics to uncompleted songs by Woody Guthrie, with Bragg and Wilco providing contemporary musical accompaniments.
The deal is that this came on the sound system while lunching at my local watering hole the other day and it blew me away, both strictly as music and when I found out who was responsible. Seriously -- I practically fell off my bar stool (no, I wasn't drinking) when the artist credits came up on Shazam.
I should also add that if "California Stars," in this iteration, doesn't strike you as quite ineffably moving, then you're obviously having more psychological trouble coping with the depressing realities of life during the Pee-Wee Hitler© administration that you've yet come to grips with. 😎
5 comments:
This song has been my intro to these albums (there was a sequel) for everyone I've tried to interest in them. Utterly gorgeous.
C in California
Always loved the Mermaid Avenue album. A great collaboration.
I think "Secret Of The Sea" from Volume II would be right in your wheelhouse, too.
Just listened -- wow, it's fabulous. Thanks for the headsup.
All three Mermaid Avenue volumes are very good, with California Stars a particular favorite. Hearing it at a Wilco gig with the crowd singing along is pretty special, too.
- Paul in DK
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