“There are dreamers and realists in this world. You’d think the dreamers would find the dreamers and the realists would find the realists, but more often than not, the opposite is true…. You see, the dreamers need the realists to keep them from soaring too close to the sun, and the realists? Well, without the dreamers, they might not ever get off the ground.”
— Cameron Tucker
Covers. The ultimate musical conundrum, you only like covers when they are done of songs you’re not passionate about, but if someone dare cover your favourite song… hell to pay. How dare they desicrate your favourite artist or song? And how dare your favourite artist sing the deal that allows it!!?
As with all things musical, there are expections. I’m passionate about a lot of artists, yet there are times when the right person in the right style can cover a song brilliantly, no matter how close to your heart you hold it.
I’m kicking off this mini-series with a cover of Bruce Sprinsteens Glory Days, by a somewhat surprising band — The Avett Brothers.
Energetic, faithful, respectful, kitch, frank, and fun. I couldn’t ask for anything more, and seemingly neither could Bruce himself as this was posted on his personal YouTube feed.
Bam bam bam… WOOO!
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Music is often best written by those who are angry, those who are frustrated, or those who are bitter. So often music is an artists release of pent emotion, a way of getting thoughts and feelings to boil over. When an artist releases a song that reflects the same feelings in the public, some spectacular things happen.
On Monday 4th May 1970 the Ohio National Guard shot dead 4 people, and injured 9, at a protest rally at the Kent State University in Ohio. The protesters had been demonstrating, looting, and attacking police in the town for the four days following Nixon’s announcement that America would invade Cambodia. An estimated four million people had risen up and protested across the country in response to the Cambodian Incursion, but Kent would go down in history (full account).
Alongside the nationwide protests, Neil Young had heard of the events in Kent, and wrote a song for Crosby, Stills and Nash. The song was simply titled “Ohio”. Within just twenty days of the shootings the song was receiving national airplay across the country, providing a vehicle to carry the message.
The song itself is uncompromising, sharp, and cutting. Imagine yourself what it would be like to write a song accusing your own president of crimes, and your own countries army as “cutting US down”. It is unimaginably frank, and soaked tonally in anger and accusation. It’s frankly brilliant.
Four dead in Ohio.
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You know who Bright Eyes are, but you don’t know you did. Bright Eyes are an Indie Rock band, lead and focussed on Conor Oberst, a twenty something from Omaha. From the age of just two his mother said he’s been “banged his hands on the piano”. Thankfully he’s mastered playing it properly, and in fact, shows mastery of the art as a whole.
Today’s feature is a wonderfully simple and poised song, composed and performed by Conor. Released from the I’m Wide Awake and It’s Morning album in 2004, the song depicts the daily struggle of two people facing depression. The title of the song comes from the Portuguese word for moon, and possibly a number of Hawaiian language references made throughout the verses.
Enjoy the song, and remember to quote the Flaming Lips;
“It’s just an illusion caused by the world spinning round“
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