5 Songs Jun 7, 2024

I didn't mean to abbreviate June, but I kind of like the way it looks

Chris Smither – “Seems So Real” 2006 from Leave the Light On. I was just raving in my latest album round-up about Chris Smither, so why not revisit this little gem from 18 years back? I love the production on this track. Start with the basic intricately picked Smither guitar style wedded to his constantly stomping feet, throw in some tambourine, a couple other guitars, ragged but perfect backing vocals from the wonderful group Ollabelle, and, of course, Smither’s own earnestly philosophical singing. That guitar playing in the intro is exquisite. “If down were up, you couldn’t get much higher.” That’s what he’s talking about here. “Easy work is hard to find.” I could just keep on quoting great lines from this song.

Oscar Brown, Jr. – “Forty Acres and a Mule” 1965 from Mr. Oscar Brown Jr. Goes to Washington. “Don’t tell me not to get myself upset / Don’t look at me like I’m some kind of ghoul / Just answer quietly when do I get / My goddam forty acres and my mule?” Oscar Brown, Jr. was a magnificent songwriter, jazz-adjacent singer, and intriguing performer who has been largely and unjustly forgotten since his early 60s heyday. This particular live cut has the band laying down some hepster swinging rhythms while Brown recites what he calls an “open letter” to the government in the city in which he happens to be performing. 1965 was a vital year in the Civil Rights movement, and Brown’s demand for payment for the slavery of his ancestors was a bolder call than most were doing at the time – though it would be put much more harshly soon thereafter. The audience, which I assume was at least half white, titters nervously at some of the lyrics, which are meant to be funny in a serious way. Fifty-nine years later, the interest on the debt he mentions has only been compounded further.

Willie Nile – “I Don’t Remember You” 2021 from The Day The Earth Stood Still. Willie Nile released two albums in 1980 and 1981, a third in 1991, another in 1999, then, starting in 2004, went on a tear with twelve more studio records and a few live ones since. This quiet little number is from his latest release. Over two acoustic guitars picking and strumming with vigor, and an occasionally rumbling electic, Nile protests too much about not remembering somebody. He does remember plenty of details about things like a rose tattoo and letting the rent be overdue, but it seems he would prefer to insist forgetfulness. As the song progresses, bass and drums come in to gently push the beat, and a backing vocalist haunts Nile’s voice as he sings, “You’ve got a smile like New Year’s Eve.” By the time of the bridge, and his admission that “I was drinkin’, had a buzz,” the band is playing a fuller arrangement. Eventually the backing vocals become a mantra that serves as counterpoint to Nile, who insists over and over “I don’t remember you.” This is far from his best song, but it’s a perfect example of a simple, well done exercise.

Tom T. Hall – “Second Handed Flowers” 1971 from In Search of a Song. The man who wrote “Harper Valley PTA” had plenty of other greats in his repertoire over a long career. This isn’t one of them, but it is a fascinating song. Hall was one of those country singers who let the words tell the story with only a bare-bones melody carrying them along. This time, it’s about his attempt to visit a woman he used to mess around with, only to find she was now married. But, he always had a back-up plan, so he went to Susy’s house with the flowers he’d bought for the first woman. Well, it’s a country song, so naturally enough, Susy is dying from injuries in a car crash. It’s a man who enjoyed life in the patriarchy, so, equally naturally, she forgives him for always using her as a rebound lover. It’s kind of ridiculous, but it’s also compelling to hear him sing this with just a hint of shame.

Yachts – “Suffice to Say” 1979 from S.O.S. Stiff Records put out all sorts of records from second (and let’s face it, even lower) tier bands in the late 70s English time of “maybe punk had something to do with it”. Yachts never caught on big though this debut single was a minor hit across the pond. It’s insistently catchy and downright hilarious. If you don’t pay attention, you’ll be attracted by the Farfisa organ riff and the general drive of the band. But, oh, those lyrics. The verses are about the fact that the singer has written the song he’s singing – “Although the rhyming’s not that hot / It’s quite a catchy little tune.” The three-part harmony on the chorus sweetens the lines “Suffice to say you love me / I can’t say that I blame you.” After announcing he hasn’t written a middle eight but there will be an instrumental break, the song slides into a bridge of far longer than eight measures. It’s a minor pleasure, but I wouldn’t want it to have escaped my notice.