Song of the Day

You get a two-fer today. I couldn’t make up my mind, so there are two winners today.

Song: (1) Avalon

(2) Can’t Let Go

Artist: (1) Roxy Music (Bryan Ferry)

(2) Lucinda Williams

Album: (1) Avalon

(2) Car Wheels on a Gravel Road

Year: (1) 1982

(2) 1998

Source: Radio Paradise. Check out their playlist.

Makes Me Think of & etc.: Avalon, the song AND the album is ethereal. At times the album is haunting, mesmerizing, lilting, or rocking, all rolled into one superb album. I was in England when the album came out, and at least three of the songs got a lot of air play. I think of many things depending on which track I hear and my mood when I hear it. Mostly, my mind goes back to England. Hearing Avalon today made me go searching for the CD; I wanted to hear the whole thing. I couldn’t find the damned thing; I seem to remember (now that I think about it) this particular album is one The Second Mrs. Pennington took with her when she left. More’s the pity.

Notes on Avalon the album and track list here. Here’s a great quote about the vocals on “Avalon,” the song. Stunning vocals, indeed. More like “memorable.” Or, “unforgettable.” Anyway. The quote:

Bryan Ferry discovered vocalist Yannick Etienne in the studio where he was working on the Avalon album. He heard her in the adjacent studio and asked her to join him on his recording of Avalon. The result is a stunning vocal sitting on top of Ferry's vocal and Andy MacKay’s sax at the fade out.

Lyrics (Avalon):

Now the party's over
I'm so tired
Then I see you coming
Out of nowhere

Much communication
In a motion
Without conversation
Or a notion

Avalon

When the samba takes you
Out of nowhere
And the background's fading
Out of focus

Yes the picture's changing
Every moment
And your destination
You don't know it

Avalon

(dancing, dancing)
(dancing, dancing)

When you bossanova
There's no holding
Would you have me dancing
Out of nowhere?

Avalon, Avalon, Avalon, Avalon, Avalon, Avalon,

Avalon, Avalon, Avalon, Avalon, Avalon, Avalon

Makes Me Think of & etc. (Part Deux): “Car Wheels,” and the song “Can’t Let Go” are a different story all together. I first heard Lucinda sing this song on KFOG in SFO while at work. I bought the CD a year or so later; and it’s pretty much lived in my car ever since. “Can’t Let Go” is a loping, rollicking country/blues tunes that features some superb dobro playing (I’m such a sucker for dobro!). The song’s sentiment rings more than a few bells, too. Lots of good tunes on this album. Highly recommended!

Lyrics (Can’t Let Go):

Told you baby one more time
Don't make me sit all alone and cry
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
I'm like a fish out of water
A cat in a tree

You don't even want to talk to me
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around

Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
See I got a candle and it burns so bright

In my window every night
Well it's over I know but I can't let go
You don't like to see me standing around

Feel like I been shot and didn't fall down
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around

Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go

SOLO

Turn off trouble like you turn off a light
Went off and left me it just ain't right
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
Rounds every corner something I see

Bring me right back how it used to be
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around

Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
He won't take me back when I come around

Says he's sorry then he puts me out
I got a big chain around my neck
And I'm broken down like a train wreck

Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go
Well it's over I know it but I can't let go